Bumble

There's one house on Knob Hill...if you've ever driven down the street in December then you know the one. They go crazy. Unlike the house Nikki just blogged about, this one is covered every inch with lights and tons of other things, but there is no rhyme or reason to it. From blow up snow globes to moving reindeer, this house is crazy (the lawn isn't even that big). Usually the week or so before Christmas, the husband of the house dresses up as Santa and sits in the yard waving to cars and people actually do bring their kids over there to see him. Well this year there were two new additions to the yard that my mom and I could see...one was about a 6-7 ft. tall moving ferris wheel with kid figurines riding in it. The other was a blow up Bumble!! Well, if you know me well, you know of my love for Bumble the abominable snow monster from the claymation Rudolph movie. Someday when we live in a house we WILL have this!

First Picture

We had our first Dr.'s appointment (delayed due to waiting for my medi-cal card and because of thanksgiving week). It was so awesome. We got to hear the heartbeat and also were squeezed in for a quick ultrasound even though the doctor was trying to leave to go deliver a baby across the street at the hospital. Our baby is already a dancer...it wouldn't stay still for a second!

Grandma

My grandma has already chosen what she wants to be called by our future children..."GG" for great-grandma. She's the best ever! Thanks to her we will be getting this awesome present for Christmas!

Coming Soon...

Picture Tag

Go to your 4th picture folder and upload the 4th picture.

...

Sooo, this was the photo that went on my graduation announcements. I love it even though it is a little on the racy side (especially for BYU). I knew this was the shot I wanted, but I only saw the picture after we were done taking pictures for the day and I had returned the cap and gown I'd borrowed for the pictures. When it was being taken I had NO idea what Jeremy was doing behind me, and since this was the only one of the bunch on the cougar that came out cute of myself, onto the announcement it went.

Arica, Nikki, Ashley Lisonbee, and Cassie...consider yourselves tagged.

Survey Tag

Favorite Person (outside of family)? This is tough, my family is the best! Right now that would be Nikki Nielsen. I am loving getting to be better friends with her, and our lovers get along so well!

Favorite Food? I like so many kinds of food, I don't even know what to say. Breakfast: crepes. Lunch: probably a sub sandwich. Dinner: Pizza Factory chicken alfredo and breadsticks.

Quirks about you? Due to a lifetime of being the only person with bugs in my cereal when everyone else in the house had a bug-free meal from the same box, as well as having tasted one too many glasses of bad milk, I won't eat ANYTHING without smelling it (and sometimes getting a second opinion) or pour and eat cereal without searching through it (the bugs are impossible the find until after the milk is poured).

Any regrets in life? Not particularly. I've accomplished most of my life goals that I set out to do, and have learned a lot of life lessons.

Favorite Charity/Cause? Don't know that I have one. There are so many great things out there. Our church does so much, so I'm glad that I can feel like my tithing and fast offerings help in giving aid to a lot of causes.

Favorite Blog recently? hmm...this one, because I just found my long lost childhood friend through her blog!

Something you can't get enough of? Good movies (hard to come by these days though).

Worst Job you've ever had? I worked at the movie theater concession stand for one 8 hour shift on a Friday night and knew that I would never go back! My dad said that I was only allowed to quit if I got another job within the week. I got another job 3 days later, so that should show how bad it was.

What job would you pay not to have? Most any job on that show "Dirty Jobs," and also Jeremy's job cutting concrete...it's crazy-hard.

Guilty Pleasure? A few stupid but somehow entertaining to me shows like the hills and america's next top model.

Got any confessions? Most of you probably know about my disdain for Twilight. If not, now you know. I won't read it.

If you had $1000 dollars to spend on yourself how would you spend it? Hmm, I'd start with new glasses, these sweet uggs, and some clothes...OR forget all those and put it towards a down on this baby.

Favorite thing about your house? It's my parents' house, but I'll answer anyway...the back yard is a great size for kids. Although now it is empty of trampoline and swingsets and is overrun by dead grass because rabbits snack on it, I am glad I had it growing up. My parents, being in the house on the end of the street, bargained with the builders to give them a bigger lot (it would have just added to the greenbelt nobody uses anyway).

Least favorite thing about your house? It smells like dog, and dog hair is everywhere. Here is the culprit...
One thing you are bad at? Feel free to comment and tell me! Outsiders' opinions are probably better than anything I can come up with.

One thing you are good at? Organizing.

If you could change one thing about your circumstances, what would it be? We'd be able to afford and be living in a sweet house of our own.

Who would you like to meet someday? Um, do deceased persons count? I'd say Book of Mormon prophets, otherwise I'm content with who I've met in this life.

What makes you feel sexy? A pedicure, or recently getting my hair dyed.

Who is your real life hero? My husband (same Brooke!). He is patient with me, and has also become an amazing person from difficult circumstances growing up.

What is the hardest part of your job? I dunno, I don't work as of now, and so my only job is really "wife." So I guess...being the budget maker/handler or doing laundry (tedious).

When are you most relaxed? After I can cross off lots of items on my to-do list, especially those that are paying for something.

What can you not live without? My family. It's hardest having my sis being in Utah, but someday we'll all be in the same place again.

Do you agree or disagree with the recent article that reported that blogs are authored by narcissists? Both, we're not complete narcissists, but everybody feels good about their thoughts and feelings being read and people caring about their lives. You know your face lights up every time you get new comments on a post.

Why do you blog? To satisfy the editor in me. To tell stories to people far away. To stay in touch.

Who are you tagging? Arica, Nikki, Erin, Melody

Why I love Jeremy

I have never done a post purely about Jeremy, and I plan to remedy that right now! If I had a scanner some of these pictures would be better, but they're still adorable none the less. And now, "Why I Love Jeremy." Enjoy!

I love Jeremy because he's goofy.
Really though, I need goofy. I need someone that is witty, can make me laugh, and will laugh with me. Anyone who knows Jeremy knows his talent of teasing. It does not always come out at the best time, but it usually lightens the mood and helps us laugh and grow together.

I love that he loved his mission.
...and served an amazing one at that. Missionaries constantly come up to me at mission reunions, weddings, etc. and tell me what a stud he was and how many people he helped and brought the gospel to. He has such a strong and special testimony of the gospel, and I am so grateful for it.

I love that our kids are going to look like him.
He has gotten cuter the longer I've known him, and he has the most adorable little boy pictures I've ever seen.

I love his love for thrills and sports.
...although I can often be heard saying "Please be careful!" as he's leaving to do something. He is really talented at wakeboarding and snowboarding, and gets better at surfing everyday. He likes to do a lot of other crazy things too.

I love that he likes to watch the same sports I do.
We love soccer and college football (and UFC of course).

I love that he likes to play with kids.
He is a great uncle to his nieces and nephews and our friends' kids, which leaves no doubt in my mind about what a great dad he will be someday.

I love that he lets my sister be my best friend too.
...and that there's no competition and we can all be friends together. Along with this, I'm so glad he gets along so well with our brother-in-law, and also that he loves my crazy family.

I love that he loves me.
...enough to do a lot of things, one of which was to buy a Disneyland pass with me even though he said he didn't really like Disneyland (but I know he does!).

And so many more...

the Office

Well folks, I am currently filling in for the secretary/receptionist girl at my uncle's office. It is a boring job, but at least it's only part time, and it's nice to feel like I'm sort of working and earning some spending/saving money for us. This office is not my favorite place to be. I worked here for the entire summer of 2005, and then off and on in summer 2006. It used to remind me of the show "The Office" which I love, but not so much anymore. Back then, there were such extreme personalities in here that it was a rarity to leave at the end of the day without having had a good laugh at the drama that went down. It was quite an interesting summer. I spent plenty of time driving around and measuring buildings, and plenty of days scanning and filing old documents in the company's efforts to become "paperless". Now I get paid even more to catch up on reading and blogging, and answer phones. No complaints here!

Grammar Nazi

For most of my life I have here and there been referred to as a grammar nazi by friends and family. While I don't really care for this title, I do care about grammar. No, I by no means use perfect grammar, but I do get annoyed easily by blunders I see made repeatedly and by a majority of writers. Call it (as my family does) a slight case of OCD, or as Jeremy calls it, an excuse for everything. So here are a few of the errors that drive me batty...

The "their/they're/there" blunder... Their is a pronoun that implies possession, they're is the contraction for "they are" and is a verb, and there is a noun referring to a place.

The "defiantly" blunder... Often this spelling is used for the word definitely, but they mean very different things. Definitely comes from the root definite meaning free of ambiguity or uncertainty, and defiantly comes from the root defiant/defiance meaning a disposition to resist.

The "for all intensive purposes" blunder... This one doesn't bother me very much, and I actually did not realize that it was a corruption of the correct phrase until I heard someone say it another way. "For all intents and purposes" is the correct phrase, and makes more sense when you think about it. It means for all intents, and for all purposes. The former means only for purposes that are intense, and would then not apply to the instances it is often used to describe.

Blog Love...

1. Where is your cell phone? Next to me chargin'.
2. Where is your significant other? At work doing the crazy concrete cutting.
3. Your hair color? Light brown, but fading.
4. Your mother? In bed snoring.
5. Your father? At work.
6. Your favorite thing? Pedicures, completing lists, Jeremy.
7. Your dream last night? No idea.
8. Your dream/goal? Jeremy through school + house + growing the savings.
9. The room you're in? Bedroom.
10.Your hobby? Card making/scrapbooking currently.
11. Your fear? Never finding a job or getting health insurance.
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Same as #8.
13. Where were you last night? Sleeping duh.
14. What you're not? Able to pay all our expenses off right now.
15. One of your wish-list items? Oh here are a few...glasses, phone, rainbows.
16. Where you grew up? San Diego (Mira Mesa and Escondido/San Marcos to be specific).
17. The last thing you ate? Apple and string cheese.
18. What are you wearing? The g-units.
19. Your TV? Is the family wii/rockband tv.
20. Your pet? None, no we don't count Sheba.
21. Your computer? So rad, but the newer version is saweeet!
22. Your mood? Hungry, nervous, excited, overwhelmed.
23. Missing someone? A & A
24. Your car? Not really mine...the parents' red ford focus hatchback.
25. Something you're not wearing?
26. Favorite store? Hmm, currently a toss up between Michaels and Forever 21 (but not the Orem one haha).
27. Your summer? Mostly in California with some Disneyland and Mexico mixed in.
28. Love someone? Jeremy (a.k.a. J-bay, Jerm(s), husband, hey you, Laramie, J-money)
29. Your favorite color? Turquoise
30. When is the last time you laughed? Last night. Had to explain the magic of Goibiggoldi! to Arica and Andrew (post to follow).
31. Last time you cried? Almost yesterday during the primary program, but officially about 2 nights ago when I woke up from some freakish scary dream.



I LOVE YOUR BLOG: Erin Hoy, Nikki Nielsen, Liz Welker
your turns!

of late...

It's been a while, I'm sorry, but a lot has been happening! Last Monday Jeremy's sister Michelle had her baby. Here is our niece Taylor holding her new baby sister, Kendall Presley Hallmark.

We successfully registered the Vespa and Jeremy got his motorcycle permit so he can drive it legally now.

I cut my hair, but have not posted about it because I don't have any pictures, so this weird self-taken blah one will have to do.

I'm happy with it, but I have days when I love the easiness of it and days when I think "What have I done?"

Lori passed one year in the mission and will be home in just 6 months!

Jeremy has been home from the mission 2 years today!

Our primary program was yesterday. It was soooo awesome, but it was not a fun time having to teach again yesterday. They were doing so well before the 3 week break. We'll have to whip those kids back into shape.

Phoning for Prop 8

Our ward members have been asked to devote 4 hours to calling voters for Prop 8 each week until the election. We went for two hours last night and were instructed to call people who had either told us when we went door to door that they were undecided, or people who had not yet been contacted.

I look down at the next name on my call sheet that is a 2 (not contacted/busy). Walter, 75, Republican (can already pretty much predict how this call will be going as I dial his number).

W: Hello?

A: Hi, is this Walter?

W: Yes.

A: Hi Walter, we're phoning voters tonight for the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign. I'm Ashley Smith, a volunteer for the campaign. Have you heard about Prop 8 to restore traditional marriage?

W: Uh, what one is that?

A: It's the proposition that will re-establish marriage in our state constitution with only marriage between one man and one woman being recognized.

W: Oh yes! I know all about it!

A: Ok, great! Well Walter, if the voting were held today do you know if you'd be voting yes or no?

W: Well let me ask you this...If women are marrying women and men are marrying men, where will the population be coming from in the future? Does that answer your question?

A: Uh, I think so.

W: You know, they've had to close down schools in Nevada because the population is diminishing in certain cities and children aren't being born there anymore. Does that answer your question?

A: Uh, yeah, so then you're for protecting traditional marria....

W: ...You're d*** right I am!!

A: Haha, ok perfect, well I totally agree with you. Thank you Walter, and we'll just remind you to vote yes on Prop 8 in November.

W: You bet! Thank you!

Sunday Goodness

What a spiritual power-house of speakers and topics on Sunday! There are so many amazing things that were personal answers to me, as well as reminders of things I need to work harder on/improve/overcome. One of the most powerful to me was Elder Hales talk about turning the other cheek.

On the Sunday that overlapped with our Christmas vacation, my father asked each of us to pick 2-3 attributes of Christ that we wanted to work on throughout this year. After the trip, I went home, picked a few, and studied and wrote things I needed to do accompanied with scripture references to help. I chose to try to be quicker to forgive, to not have/speak guile, and to not be as sarcastic. Well, I can testify that when you want to improve yourself, the Lord will give you the perfect opportunities to test the specific things you want to better in yourself.

I personally went through a tough experience this summer where all of the attributes I chose to try and better in myself were tested. Months later I am still left feeling uneasy and not knowing whether my "no response/reaction", was enough to allow me to let it go. It has been hard to do so because someone made it appear that I did react, when in fact I hadn't. I had kept my mouth shut and didn't lash back, but was given the opportunity to forgive. Elder Hales gave some great counsel about how, many times, some may try to provoke us, but our response may need to be to say nothing at all rather than set the record straight. He also taught that we should reach out to our accusers with love, and muster Christian Courage and move on. What bold and perfect counsel. This was mainly the outcome in my experience, but now I feel that I have fully let go even though the record may never be set straight. In hindsight I see that the Lord was merely giving me what I asked for in an opportunity to grow.

The second talk that touched me deeply was that of Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Quorum of the Seventy. Throughout my life in the church I have heard experience after experience related as people (especially members who grew up in the church) tell of their "ultimate conversion". These times are when they learned the church was true and broke away from their parents' testimonies that they had been feeding off of until then. I always knew that although I had never had this type of experience, it did not mean that my testimony was less valid or strong than those who had. At the same time, it has been hard growing up in the church for me because I feel that if I am ever asked about this like Elder Godoy was, I will not have an experience to share of that "Aha!" moment.

I have often felt that people may think I am one of those who just fed off the testimonies of their parents and perhaps never searched out the gospel on their own. This isn't true however. In the talk he said that for him and others, their testimony may come as a process of many combined smaller and perhaps unmemorable experiences that together are very strong. Also, for those who have great events that have given them the majority of their testimony, having those experiences does not mean that their testimonies will always be strong (for example, Laman and Lemuel). I thought that was very cool and comforting because I had never really felt an answer about why my testimony hadn't come like "everybody else's".

Another reason I always felt I would be viewed as a testimony borrower is because I've never had doubts where the gospel is concerned. With each principle taught by my parents or in church lessons, I feel of the truth and accept it. With this always being the case, I had a testimony very early. I know there are plenty out there who feel the same as I do, and Elder Godoy's talk was just another testament to me of that. My testimony has been strengthened continually over the course of my life. Each trial and tribulation overcome allows me to better understand one gospel principle at a time. Each one may teach something different, but they also all share echoes of the Savior and His perfect knowledge of my sorrows, heartaches, and experiences.

After conference yesterday, the sister missionaries from our ward stopped by to chat about inactive neighbors and also conference. One of them shared that her favorite talk this weekend was Elder Holland's, and how she felt inspired to write to those she felt had been mortal angels to her in her life. She then challenged us that we might try to find at least one of those in our lives and do the same and express thanks and let them know that they were so influential for us in our time of need. I immediately thought of a sister missionary who was serving in the singles' ward the summer before Jeremy came home. I cannot remember her name, and don't know how to contact her, but I want to share the tender experience I had with her.

It was a few months after I had found out about my disease and that I couldn't leave on my mission. I had been called as the temple and family history chair in the Palomar ward, and had started to get lost in the service of the temple. This had replaced the great majority of the emptiness and sadness I had felt not being able to go on my mission, but every now and then despair and confusion about the direction of my life would begin to creep back in.

It was one of those days of confusion when, as I sat waiting in the foyer on a Sunday before ward correlation meeting started, I was almost in tears. As a few of us got up to walk towards the bishop's office, the new sister missionary who had been serving in our ward for a week walked towards me with a huge smile and open arms. This sister missionary had bore her testimony the week before in testimony meeting which was the only way I knew of her. She was from New Zealand and had the most beautiful accent and voice I have ever heard. She engulfed me in a tender hug and then said "How are you Ashley?" I was so shocked and confused at how she even knew my name because she had never been introduced to me, but at that moment she was just what I needed. All my fears departed. All my despair left me. I felt comfort. I knew that the Lord was mindful of me, and He had sent her to me to let me know that. She was my angel.

" 'My spirit shall be in your heart, and mine angels round about you to bear you up.' In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith, and the covenant wherewith we have covenanted."

-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Refiner's Fire

Today I used a church journal that I hadn't seen in a while (thanks to teaching primary) to take down notes from conference. At song breaks and whatnot I was able to look back at some past notes that I took down. Here are some of the most poignant things I found:

• You can show the world that you're a disciple of Christ by how you dress. (my last lesson from young women's, 6-15-03)
  
• We're not true disciples of Christ when we say something unkind about others. (President Hinckley, April 2006)
• These latter days are perilous times, especially for the family...How have so many betrayed in life the decision they made in the war in Heaven? Our Father must weep...They've chosen to walk the path of evil...This is the great time that was spoken of from before the world began...Who's on the Lord's side, who? (President Hinckley, 4-4-04)

I definitely could work on the second with speaking less guile about others. I was also struck with the words of President Hinckley about these days being perilous times as I thought about the current situation with our state legislation and Prop 8. Yesterday I was doing things around the house with TLC on the tv, and two of the shows about preparing for birth and bringing home babies were about lesbian couples. While I am not judgmental about gay lifestyles, I found it extremely disturbing to watch and listen to that show. The women on it addressed how others believe children need to be raised with both a mother and a father, but that they don't feel that to be true or necessary. Well what I know to be true is how I felt during that program and that children indeed need the nurturing and influence of a mother and a father. I know that the family is without a doubt under attack, and that we must do what we can to help.

I also want to share some of the phrases and lessons from today that I found tender and thought provoking. Some of them would be great in picture frames someday...

• It's the responsibility of the members of the church to preach the gospel.
• Reading the Book of Mormon daily brings a strengthened resolution to walk uprightly.
• No texting in sacrament meeting.
• We need to have hope for future events...beyond mortality.
• "Come what may, and love it!"
• Angels will attend to us and bear us up. Let us all be more angelic.
• The Lord's way is not hard. Life is hard, not the gospel.
  

bag tag

Rules
1. Show photograph of your bag/purse.
2. You are not allowed to edit contents before photographing!
3. List the contents & give descriptions.
4. Bag tag your friends.

Volcom Carry On Tote...essentially THIS one, just an older version

1. Camera case = would have a camera inside except that I had to use it to take these pictures
2. 3 Pens = always gotta' be ready...2 BYU, 1 HOBBITON new zealand
3. Wallet = love, Love, LOVE hinge wallets...got mine on Amazon.com
4. Lip Products = 1 mint chapstick, 1 mango lipsmackers, 1 pirates of the caribbean, 1 lip plumper
5. Earrings = left in the purse from Sunday (will not be making it back in haha)
6. Floss = can't go anywhere without it!
7. Nail Clippers & File = clippers usually handed to Jeremy to use instead of biting nails
8. Tic Tacs = sometimes you just gotta have something tangy to tie you over
9. Feminine Supplies = bleh
10. Bumble, the abominable snow monster, Altoids tin = used to hold my orbit/trident gum
11. Hair Clip = I don't use it and don't really know why it's in there
12. Vicodin Prescription = to combat those lovely endometriosis attacks
13. Glasses Case = complete with two pair of prescription glasses used for movie watching/computer use/sporting events/night driving

Arica pretty much tagged everyone I know, so I tag anyone who's related to me or who feels so inclined...

twos

Two Names You Go By:
1. Story time...as a young child I couldn't say 'Monroe' for whatever reason, so when asked my name I'd respond 'Ashley Meemo'. In high school this lead to my friends calling me 'Meemo' which then was shortened to 'Emo' (not my preference, but oh well...Arica was 'baby emo' haha). Once my last name changed to Smith, Arica and Andrew opted to refer to me as 'Shmeemo' or 'Shmee' for short. Also not my preference, but it is endearing and I'll take it.
2. Ashley (my name was going to be Sashelle...dad chose Ashley at the last second...hmm)

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. blue polka dot one-piece swimsuit
2. wedding ring

Two Things You Want Very Badly At The Moment:
1. A new cell phone
2. Cops to go away so Jeremy stops getting speeding tickets

Two People Who Will Fill This Out:
1. Erin Hoy (Tag).
2. Erin Nelson (Tag).

Two Things You Did Last Night:
1. Rented and watched the stupidest movie ever
2. Went to dinner with mom, Jerm, and Alex

Two Things You Ate Yesterday:
1. Panda Express
2. A donut

Two People You Last Talked To:
1. Alex
2. Jeremy

Two Things You're Doing Tomorrow:
1. Reveling in the fact that we get to go to church and don't have to teach primary...yay for primary program practice!
2. Watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

Your Two Favorite Holidays:
1. New Years
2. Christmas

Favorite Vacations:
1. Disneyland
2. Cruise

Favorite Beverages:
1. Water
2. Pepsi

scrappin and cards

Arica suggested that I put up some pictures of my new hobby, scrapbooking/card making. I started a mission scrapbook for Jeremy this summer, but card making has taken over the last few weeks. Here are some of my favorite cards and scrapbook pages.

Arica told me to...

I checked out my color...Violet Tulip.
February's color is Sheer Lilac (Jeremy's birthday is Fragrant Lilac...curious).

I love turquoise-y shades of blue probably more than any colors, but I also have an appreciation for purples. When I first got my roller skates, the wheels and laces where purple. I recently went to Wal-Mart and bought two shades of purple nail polish as well as a purple shirt from t-shirt mart. Purple gets a bad rap I think, but it's A-ok in my book. As for the three words/personality traits and the explanation about me, they couldn't be more correct...amazing! Click here to check yours out!

Spoons!

Once upon a time some kids sat at my house making me watch these weird short videos on the internet made by this chubby kid about toothpaste and things of that nature. These videos made absolutely noooo sense. So what did the world do? They gave Andy Milonakis his own television show. After flipping through channels one day with a former boyfriend and watching the show for about 30 seconds, he told me that it was the worst thing on television and that I was forbidden from ever watching it again. Now, I agreed that I wouldn't watch it, and for the most part I had no desire to watch it, but I couldn't help but love the skit that my little sisters shared with me a short while later. I apologize in advance for sharing this clip with you, but it holds a special place in my heart and I can't resist. Enjoy...hopefully...

25 years, and Prop 8

Today is a very special day, the 25th wedding anniversary for my parents. In awe we all look on at this huge accomplishment. Way to go mom and dad! Someday Jeremy and I hope to be there too. As we celebrate this today, something else weighs on my mind...what marriage means. More specifically, what marriage means to our state. We must pass prop 8. While only a definition is really what we aim to solidify, it is imperative that it be known as union of a man and a woman. If it does not pass, state curriculum will be altered and our children will be taught that marriage is a legal union between any two people. Teachers will no longer be able to use phrases like "mom and dad" or "parents". Instead a child's parents must be referred to as partners. With this in the mix, I felt that I needed to write the following and share it...


In Civil Disobedience, by Henry David Thoreau, the author states that “when a sixth of the population of a nation which has undertaken to be the refuge of liberty are slaves…I think that it is not too soon for honest men to rebel and revolutionize,” (pg. 3). This phrase caused me to think differently about rebellion and the government as Thoreau calls out to the public to rebel. He then appeals to our emotions by asking, “Why does [the government] always crucify Christ, and excommunicate Copernicus and Luther, and pronounce Washington and Franklin rebels?” (pg. 6). With this sentence I can only think, “If these great men found throughout the world’s history are named rebels, then I’d be proud to be one as well.” The use of these great figures and icons stirs up feelings of contempt in me for the government as a Christian, a scientist, and a patriot. These emotions make me want to emulate these icons and reevaluate the government which I live under.

“I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it,” (pg. 1). I immediately think about how the government could be better and the problems I have with it. Thoreau teaches us that we are deeply rooted in the destiny of our country, and we need to know what change we want to see so that we are better able to bring it about. Also, Thoreau says that the government “must have the sanction and consent of the governed,” (pg. 15). This phrase causes us to evaluate the power we have as voters, as well as the responsibility politicians have to please those that voted them into power. Thoreau states that the government “does not keep the country free. It does not settle the West. It does not educate. The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished,” (pg. 1). While men are placed in positions to uphold the documents established by our forefathers, they are not the ones who do the great things in this country. I make this country what it is, as do millions of other Americans today and as millions of others have done throughout history. If we want to see a difference in our community, state, or the world, we are the ones that must start making a change.

While government is a machine that is necessary for our nation Thoreau suggests that “all machines have their friction…let us not have such a machine any longer,” (pg. 3). Thoreau explains that too much friction came from the machine of the American government because it governed slaves. While this is not a concern that we have today, it does help us see that there may be things about this country today that we do not agree with. The current issue of this nature that we must rise up to fight is that of gay marriage, its definition, and the threat that definition poses to our nation’s and children’s futures. We may not be seen as rebels today for voting for this proposition to change things we do not want to see in the future, but we are finding what needs change, and we are taking action. If the outcome is not what we desire then we have no one to blame but ourselves. If we do not devote our own time and means to this cause, then our children will live in a world that suffers the consequences.

this weekend with the Smiths...

Yesterday I made Cafe Rio-type burritos for the parents' early anniversary celebration. Thanks Julie-friend for the recipies.

The Class Rules in our primary class are starting to work! We had the best behaved class yesterday that we've had since we started (and sadly that includes times when parents or the primary president sat in). But yay! The rules might seem a bit silly, but they were chosen by us and the class and they make a huge difference. Here they are:
• Be Quiet
• Raise Your Hand to Talk
• Don’t Turn Off the Lights
• Stay In Your Seat
• No Sitting or Climbing on Chairs in the Back
• No Bathroom or Drink Breaks During Class
• No Telling Stories Unless Asked

BYU played an awesome game! PAC 10 announcers blamed Washington's loss on a bad call and penalty given for celebration after the last touchdown. I have yet to understand how BYU blocking a point after try was due to Washington having to kick from a further distance. Um, isn't a block a block? I'm pretty sure we would have had the same outcome regardless of that penalty. Way to go Jan Jorgensen!

Cousin Melanie is engaged and I am so excited!! We tried to find pictures of things she wanted for decorations (chinese lanterns, green and black for colors). We came up with this...

Eight

...Things I'm Passionate About
1. Jeremy
2. Family
3. the Gospel
4. Dancing
5. Piano
6. Music
7. Reading
8. Learning

...Words Or Phrases I Say Often
1. Ah Doodie
2. Do da de da do
3. Take out the legs!
4. Ancestors protect meeee.
5. May they protect yoooou.
6. Don't even ask, just bring it!
7. Hey little girl, I can't have cherry, it upsets my stomach.
8. I know, right?

...Things I Want To Do Before I Die
1. have the babies
2. have/decorate a house
3. ride an elephant in India
4. live in a foreign country
5. go on a mission
6. convert someone to the gospel (not on a mission)
7. be able to play all hymns/learn chords
8. watch chelsea play in England

...Things I Pray For
1. to sleep well
2. to be forgiven
3. to have a soft heart
4. to be able to forgive
5. to be able to follow the Spirit
6. to accept the Lord's timing
7. to understand the Lord's timing later if I can
8. for help...w/a job, having kids, health

...Things I Have Learned
1. There's no place like home.
2. Marriage is a marathon.
3. Even when you've walked to the edge in the darkness the Lord will ask you to take one more blind step, and it's worth taking.
4. Don't sweat the small stuff.
5. You can't change someone, but anyone can change if they want to.
6. I'm not given anything I can't handle, and it's all for my good.
7. I treat people as if they were telephones. If I meet somebody who I don’t think likes me, I say to myself, “Ashley, this one’s temporarily out of order.” You know. Don’t break the connection. Just hang up and try again.
8. You ain't cool unless you pee your pants.

I now tag Chrissy, Mom, Melanie, and Nikki!

Mom and Dad

Mom and Dad are approaching their 25th anniversary next month. For the 25 days before their anniversary Dad is writing a reason why he loves mom each of the 25 days. I started him a blog at http://monroefam2.blogspot.com/ and you can read them there if he doesn't already e-mail them to you.

And now for an Essay

I was just going through my flash drive, cleaning it out and reorganizing it (something I do periodically), and I found a lot of essays that I have written in the past. I love writing and feeling like nobody can argue with what I say because my point is so clear and strong. I think one of the things that make pieces of writing the strongest are using examples that are personal. I want to post an essay I wrote arguing against points made in Henry David Thoreau's Civil Disobedience, because I love reading it. Maybe someday soon I'll post my other essay about the things that I absolutely love about Civil Disobedience, but for now here you go:


In Civil Disobedience, by Henry David Thoreau, there is a common theme existing throughout that adds up to Thoreau’s statement “‘that government is best which governs least [or not at all]’,” (pg. 1). While many of his appeals and arguments are sound and agreeable, some issues are presented in a disagreeable manner. Thoreau presents one idea which is a bit unsettling. His views on servicemen that fight to keep our country free contradict reason and are likely to upset many. His main position is that those who fight for the country do so like machines with no morals or consciences. While the times of Thoreau were littered with reasons that support his claim, his conclusion that with servicemen “there is no free exercise whatever of the judgment or of the moral sense,” (pg. 2) is wrong.

In the midst of World War II, my great grandfather was serving in the military. With a small group, he was given the job of entering a German army camp and gaining any information that could be found. It was early in the evening, and the camp was vacant. My grandfather entered into an empty building. Inside he found information with some of the camp’s strategies and plans of attack. Before he was able to leave the camp, the Germans returned. My grandpa was able to quickly hide inside one of many ovens that were lined up next to each other along the wall. He knew he would have to wait a long time if he was going to escape at all. A few German soldiers came in and used the oven next to my grandfather to cook their dinner. My grandpa held back from screaming despite great pain as his skin burned for hours. He remained silent for fear that the soldiers would kill him if he was found. The entire left side of his body contains scars that are with him to this day. Finally, morning came, the soldiers left the camp, and my grandpa was able to crawl out of the oven and return to safety. The information he left with was able to help prepare American troops for an eminent attack by the Germans.

When I look at my great grandfather today and see those scars, I am so grateful for him and the service he provided to protect our country. I’ve always wanted to know more about this story and everything that happened to my grandpa during World War II. Unfortunately, all memories he has of his time serving his country are not very pleasant and he won’t talk about them. When I see his eyes as his mind searches over memories he wishes he didn’t have, I am in great awe at the servicemen who put their lives on the line for all of us. Thoreau says in his discussion of men fighting mindlessly for the country that “Such command no more respect than men of straw or a lump of dirt,” (pg. 2). I shudder at this statement and can’t disagree with it more. This statement strikes a nerve in those today that support American troops and what they fight for. Men serving in the armed forces support this great nation, have answered a call from leaders, and put their lives on the line for our safety and freedom. Not only do they give their lives for our country, but for the cause of freedom for the whole world and countries that can’t fight for themselves. If such men don’t command respect, then there must be little else in existence that does.

Thoreau’s main issue with servicemen comes from his great disdain for the Mexican-American War. He says that “The mass of men serve the state thus, not as men mainly, but as machines,” (pg. 2). He disapproves of men serving a country with leaders who participate in slavery and have an insatiable desire for gaining more land. I cannot say that I disagree with his feelings and frustrations with the government and slavery. In retrospect, however, I believe we find a reason for the acquisition of Texas and other lands with the war-ending Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. In 1845 a rebel province of Mexico voluntarily allowed for ceded lands of Texas to the United States. The rest of Mexico did not recognize the secession, and war ensued in 1846. Not very far away, the Latter-day Saints continued their endurance of persecution, threats, and extermination orders. About the same time that the Mexican-American War began, the Saints traveled across the plains in search of Zion and an end to persecution. I do not believe it coincidence that within one year of the first company of Saints reaching the Salt Lake Valley, the Mexican-American War ended and Utah became a Territory of the United States. Only there did the Saints at last find peace and the opportunity to worship free of persecution.

With this information brought to light, I see a great purpose and reason that existed for the Mexican-American War to be fought and a great need for men to fight it. Thoreau felt that such men were machines without consciences, and very few were heroes. It is my feeling that all of the men who fought in that war were heroes. Without knowing it, they fought for something that was urgently necessary for the Lord’s people (even though it appeased manifest destiny simultaneously).

Whether you are related to someone serving the country today, have a relative who fought for the country in the past, or are someone who avidly supports the government, you know that the men serving our country are not performing a self-serving function. They are not worth the same as dogs or dirt. They are not machines that act without a moral sense. They fight for God, family, and country. They are great men and cannot be replaced by wooden men. They are heroes. Whether one agrees with what they fight for or not, their caliber and valiance cannot be disputed. When the motives of leaders throughout history are not always valiant, I find it important to look at where they’re actions have led our country. Those who fight have courage beyond my own, and I feel that at times they are instruments in the hand of God and should be seen as such if nothing else.

Beach Sisters, then, and then, and now...

I didn't mean to have back-to-back "then and now"s but this post was prompted by a comment Abby left on the newest picture of Arica and I on facebook. Curiously enough I always seem to be on the right in these pictures...hmmm.

Disneyland, then and now...

I decided that I thoroughly enjoy "then and now" comparisons with pictures. From my first time to my most recent visit at Disneyland you can see that little has changed, I am always so happy! Jeremy had to go to a convention at the Disneyland Hotel yesterday, and knowing how much I love Disneyland he let me tag along. After he was done, we splurged and got season passes so that we can enjoy Disneyland for a whole year. My family used to get them every year when I was in high school, and I've missed that the last few years. Now I can go anytime with my love!

the Scorp...

Well we all made it down okay, despite a few injuries to people and our cars, and had a fun week (except Alex who was at girl's camp). However, we picked the wrong week to go because the waves are usually much better than the ones we had and of course the swell picked up the day after we left. While we were there we met three men camping next to us, two from England and one from Australia. They were all in their late 20s and we were able to have them come to our site and eat with us a few times. They always offered to bring beer so we finally told them that we were Mormon so we didn't drink ever. Surprisingly none of them knew anything about our church and what we believed. We, the returned missionaries of the family mostly, just gave them a brief synopsis of our beliefs and what makes us different. At the end, one of them (Dave, a 1st mate on yachts) said that he was really glad to be able to hear about everything without us trying to shove it down his throat and make him believe it. He said that we were great ambassadors for the Mormon church. I think they were really glad to hear about some of our doctrines, and all three basically expressed that they were at a time in their lives where they were ready to find something to believe in as far as religion. My dad exchanged emails with all of them and we are going to try to do something with them as they will all be passing through San Diego in a month or so before heading to their respective homes. It was really neat.


We rushed home a few days earlier than we originally planned from vacation to make it back for Kasey's homecoming. He gave an amazing talk and spoke Portugese amazingly as well (Andrew served in Brazil and could verify that). He also was his normal self just like when he left, only the way he talks is a little different. Kasey talked about how he always thought that he was not very smart. This led to him feeling that he wasn't smart enough to learn another language when he went into the mission. He came to realize that he could do anything he wanted with the Lord's help if he worked hard enough. This realization only came at the year mark half-way through his mission when he still couldn't speak or understand the people. He knew that he was called to teach the people, something he hadn't done and couldn't do until he spoke the language. He opened his heart and sincerely wanted to love and teach the people, so he promised the Lord that he would not speak a single word more in English for the rest of the mission unless absolutely necessary. He forced himself to only speak Portugese to everyone and his companions even though he was bad at it, and after a little while he was finally able to talk to the people.

My mother-in-law is currently half-way through her mission in the Czech Republic and is still struggling with the language. I felt like Kasey's experience was so wonderful to share with her because her desire to teach the people is already so strong despite the language barrier. She also loves the people there immensely and has been able to do some amazing things like starting the visiting teaching program in the branch she is serving in. No one but the Lord knows exactly what He plans to use her for as she serves, but I know that she can still teach and master the language if her desire is strong and she commits to learning the same way Kasey did.

summer!

So it's been a while since I've posted anything, and it will probably be some more time before it happens again because we are leaving tomorrow for Scorpion Bay. Hopefully this will keep you happy for the time being...it does for me anyways. This fun little page of our most recent times comes from scrapblog.com. Enjoy!

swimming w/Boston

Last week I watched Boston one day for Danny. He has never really been to the pool so we decided to take him. As we walked in he couldn't be more excited, and as you can see in the picture of me holding him, he didn't want to leave!

Hot Rod?

So I had absolutely no desire to see the movie "Hot Rod" when it came out. I didn't even want to watch it when my dad rented it the other night...but I did, and it was actually pretty sweet. A little out there at times, but this one scene is hilarious, so WATCH IT! (Note: it will mean more to you if you've seen "Footloose")

End of May

We have done plenty of things these last few weeks, but haven't taken many fun pictures to post. I've gone shopping at the military base with mom and grandma...at least we benefit somewhat from a "grandpa" that is still alive even though he has wanted nothing to do with us for the majority of my life. Jeremy has been working away (except for the days that he and Zack claim it's raining so they can ditch work and surf). Arica turned 21. We had our one year anniversary! Jeremy took the day off from work and just hung out with me. Then for dinner he took me to Ruth's Chris...best fillet mignon ever (you pay for it believe me), and they gave us one dessert free because it was a special occasion!

We saw a few movies (Prince Capsian [loved], Indiana Jones [I really enjoyed although most thought it kind of lame], and Baby Mama [pretty hilarious although mildly predictable]). Our Memorial Day beach plans were shattered by some freakish cold front. We made my mom buy Cranium...but not just any Cranium, the new and updated Cranium WOW!

We have played this a couple nights in a row so far and it is amazing. We had been told that the biggest difference would be seen in the "humdinger" cards. I can tell you that this is not true. It makes generation gaps on the same team even more difficult because now if it is a newer song that we actually know how to hum the parent won't know it, and older songs are even more difficult to identify for us when the parents do know them. Also, the gnilleps ("spelling" backwards) cards are now for the whole team who has to alternate and each give one letter at time. I am pretty decent at those, but nobody else ever wants to do them with me :( Haha. All the same, it is a ton of fun. The last few weeks I have also been on a mission to convert all of our family videos from vhs to dvd. It is taking a lot of time because we have so many, but I hope that we can then post some fun little memories on here sometime. I'm almost finished (just five unlabled newer tapes left)! That is about it, so till next time...