Happy Birthday John!

28 years ago this cute little boy was born! Oh happy day!

Time Magazine wants to what?!?!

So we've had a unique experience this week... Time magazine wanted to do an article on California Mormons and how we live our beliefs in an area where we receive so much persecution, especially in regards to Prop 8. So Salt Lake called my dad to head up helping this reporter with his story and to manage him without him knowing he's being managed. The reporter is the religion editor for Time and he was here this past week where he shadowed 4 families in my parents ward including my parents. He's been to church, to early morning seminary, to family night, to mutual activities, to a youth fireside, to the bishop's storehouse, to the family history center, youth dances and everything else he could fit it.

My mom and I even accompanied him to the Oakland temple a couple days ago. He wanted to ride with us in the car to the temple and go to the visitors center while we went into the temple. I was really nervous about how to answer questions about the temple...thankfully he went easy on me which was great! I don't think anything I said can be taken out of context and make me look like I've apostatized. **Whew**

So all involved are quite nervous about how this is all going to turn out, but I'm encouraged. He seems as though he is trying to do an accurate portrayal. He even made a donation to the church's humanitarian aide as a thank you because he felt he was so well taken care of. He's been amazed at all the quiet service we do as a church. But my poor mom is a little freaked out though because the reporter said originally he wasn't going to focus on my parents very much but that he's changed his mind and asked for a tour of my mom's house. So my mom had to walk him through the whole house unexpectedly with dishes in the sink, her bed unmade, and piles of clothes in her bedroom. He picked up the books on her nightstand to see what she's currently reading. I'm just glad the reported didn't do that to my house :) So cross your fingers that this all turns out ok. Issue should be out in March unless it gets bumped.

I love this little girl!

My cousin took these pics of Mia at a family gathering not too long ago and I just really liked how they show her fun loving personality (not to mention her love for other people's jewelry). I've been loving how verbal Mia is now. She's become more of a companion and I love it (especially on the nights John works late and she's my only dinner conversation). Some of her favorite phrases lately include, "What'cha talkin' about mommy?", "Am I good singer or what??" (after singing into her fist) and when I ask a question often I'll get a resounding "I SURE do!!!" But the best are her prayers when Mia looks around and blesses everything she sees.