The Roper Family

Our friends had this on their blog and I decided it was worth putting it on mine. It’s scary what could change if prop 8 fails. I already know that I am going to vote yes, but this encourages me more. Hope this will help you as well. I know it’s important for all of us to do what we need to. I am glad I am able to live in this free country and can vote how I want to. I am so blessed.

Six Consequences If Proposition 8 Fails

1. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are okay.

The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (§51890)

Therefore, if the definition of marriage is changed, children will be taught that marriage is a relation between any two adults. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.

2. Churches will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are open to the public. Ask whether your pastor, priest, minister, bishop, or rabbi is ready to perform such marriages in your chapels and sanctuaries.

3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston has already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.

4. Religions that sponsor private schools and which provide housing for married students will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if it runs counter to church doctrine, or lose tax exemptions and benefits.

5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage.

6. It will cost you money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today’s activist judges), think of the money – your money, your church contributions – that will have to be spent on legal fees.

I am just a little excited. It has been almost a month since I started potty training Jacob. He is doing SO well, that it kind of seems easy. I said “kind of”! My other two really struggled with this “phase” if you want to call it that. They were both older as well. I don’t know. We bought a whole bunch of McQueen cars, made a potty chart and bought M&M’s. I was expecting the worst, but he picked up on it pretty fast. I am so glad. I was really ready to be done. Kent and I were talking and realized that we have been changing diapers for 8 years. 8 YEARS! We want another little one, but at least we will have a break from diapers for a little bit. Yeah for Jacob! Yeah for me!

It’s finally here. On August 1, I went to the release party in Roseville. A few of my friends and I went together and hung out with the Twilight Moms Group. It was just fun to have others around me who were excited like I was. There were quite a few people that went overboard, but that is to be expected. As you may expect, I came home and read until wee hours of the morning. I was not as bad as some though! As much as I liked the book, it was not my favorite. I hope that Stephanie will continue this story through another character. Hmm. can’t wait. Here are some of the fun pictures from the release party!

It’s crazy that it has been less then a month, but I am so far behind with my blogging.  I just put it off and then I have to spend a whole day updating it.  O well.  Hope you have fun reading about what has been happening at the Roper house.

Since Monday I have been potty training.  Yep.  Fun!  I was just getting sick of pull ups and stuff coming out.  I was talking to my friend Carole and just decided to do it.  Jacob is doing pretty good.  The first day was bad, but what do you expect.  We are now on Day 4 and we have yet to have an accident today.  Yeah!  He actually told me when he needed to go.  You can’t believe how happy I was.  Yeah!  oops, I already said that.  It would be so nice to be past this stage.  Well, keep you fingers crossed for me.  I hope he catches on fast.

The summer went by so fast. School is here again. I am excited, but sad at the same time. I can’t believe I have a 3rd and 1st grader. It’s crazy. They are getting so big.

On Saturday we went to the stake’s Pioneer Day, held in Elk Grove Park. We were a couple of hours late, but still saw some of our friends. Janicca was doing one of the games. I had to post this picture because I thought it was SO cute! She will probably kill me. The boys were also able to get their faces painted and climb on a bounce house.

After the park we had an Articles of Faith Carnival we went to for our ward. The boys had fun and that is what matters. Later that evening, I was able to go and see Mama Mia! Yeah. I was laughing and singing the whole way through. I loved it and still have the songs stuck in my head. What fun!

Last week we went to the little bounce house on Laguna Blvd.  The VanGinkels and the Moores came with as well.  We (adults included) had so much fun.  We were there for a good amount of time and finally decided it was time to go when little Emily started getting cranky.  The Ropers headed to Grandma and Grandpa’s house to return some tools.  Grandma took us in and spoiled us.  While the kids played in the fountain (a regular thing at G&G house), Riet and I went in and made snow cones.  After we just sat and talked while the kids played.  Let me tell you, the boys were plain tuckered out after leaving Grandma’s house.

After we re cooped from Monterey, I still wanted the boys to have gone to the beach. So the next Monday we headed to San Fransisco. We went to Muir Beach and just let the kids (and Kent) play. It was cloudy, but still warm enough to play. The boys played mostly in the sand because when they would go down to the water, it would take them or their buckets with it. I just sat on my towel most of the time and took a shower with the best shower head placed on the beach, but I really enjoyed watching my boys having fun in the sand. We were there for about an hour and a half when it started to get cold. We decided it was time to leave and the boys were sad. We will have to go back soon!

For our family vacation this year we decided to go to Monterey Bay. I told my sister,Juli and she wanted to come along. We decided to camp and then go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It was last minute, so of course, all the good spots were taken. We didn’t like our camp site for many reasons, but still had fun.  The kids got so dirty by the end of the day.  Good thing Juli remembered to bring some soap!  The next morning we packed up the tents and then used the pool. The water was freezing, but at least we weren’t super dirty anymore. We headed to the aquarium, which was pretty busy. I was glad I dressed my boys in yellow. They were so much easier to see in all those kids. Thanks Autumn for the idea. Everyone enjoyed the many different displays, but I think the adults loved the kid section the best. We just sat there while the kids played. As much as we didn’t get to see everything, the adults were ready to go home, I think the kids had fun. It was fun going on vacation with the VanGinkels.

On July 5th, Kent and Joseph were able to go on the Cub Scout hike.  Joseph had been wait for this hike for a while and was bummed that they had scheduled it while we were in Utah.  Thankfully,  Sister Otter postponed it.  They had fun looking at nature and just having fun.  Joseph brought his best friend, Ruben, with him which made it even more fun.