The Big Number 3!

Lexi turned 3 on March 23rd! She continues to exhibit normal development for a toddler. She is speaking in full sentences, recognizes numbers and letters, and is working on cold fusion at the moment.

We had a birthday party on Sunday after stake conference and then on Monday we went to Disneyland. She had a great time even though the place was completely packed. I think every school in Southern California must have had their Spring Break this week. The only thing I was disappointed about was the fact that we only saw one character, Winnie the Pooh. Lexi was really excited about seeing Micky, Minnie, and Cinderella, but they were nowhere to be found. Nevertheless, we still managed to get on a few rides in Fantasy Land and Lexi got a nice stash of candy before we left. The only ride she cried on was the Winnie the Pooh ride. There is a part where he starts dreaming about Heffalumps and Woozles and it gets very dark with a lot of weird voices...I almost cried myself. So, other than that it was great fun!


Just before we sang happy birthday. Lexi's giving a half-smile, jaw to the side thingy...








Riding the carousel in Fantasy Land


Riding on the Dumbo ride, also in Fantasy Land


At the entrance, between Disneyland and California Adventure

I thought this was funny...

Ever wondered what the President does instead of watching our magnificent, booming stock market? Well, now you do...

If I was ever President, the only thing that would be on this list would be #10...all day...every day.

(Here's the original article)
http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/emannix/2009/03/07/things-president-obama-does-instead-of-watching-the-stock-market/



1. Hides from Harry Reid in the White House’s old bowling alley.

2. Check his Blackberry’s GPS for Hillary’s location.

2a. Chooses the furthest country from Hillary’s present location and tells her to go there next.

3. Tells knee-slapping Biden Jokes.

4. Daydreams about the good old days of the campaign.

5. Compares notes with Pelosi.

6. Helps decorate the new “Census Room.”

7. Dreams up creative phrases for ‘lowering’ taxes.

8. Hums an annoying tune and shakes his head, to avoid thinking about the surge’s success.

9. Checks in with Pelosi.

10. Enters Oval Office and does some bitchin’ karate moves.

11. Asks Rahm what the Joint Chiefs do.

12. Lights up a fresh one.

13. Laughs with Axelrod about Hillary’s ‘ping pong’ route around the globe.

14. Prank phone calls McCain - tells him it’s Bob from “The Scooter Store.”

15. Checks in with Pelosi.

16. Claps his hands and pats everyone in the White House on the shoulder.

17. Meets with Steve Jobs about the new mobile invisible ”iPrompter.”

18. Freaks out White House tourists by yelling at them: “How the Hell did you get in here?!”

19. Freaks out Biden by yelling at him: “How the Hell did you get in here?!”

20. Calls Bill Clinton and laughs with him about Hillary’s ‘ping pong’ route around the globe.

21. Calls Oprah and asks how his military salute looks.

22. Practices military salute in the mirror.

23. Reads Rush’s latest radio transcript.

24. Asks Biden; ‘What ever happened to Code Pink?’

25. Meets with hypnotist to help him quit smoking and to stop saying ‘ummm’ and ‘uhhhh’.

25. Reads Big Hollywood and takes down names.

Random Thoughts on Paganism

So, I was bored and I figured I would share with the world my thoughts on Paganism as it relates to Christianity. No, I'm not going to include sources, etc. This is a blog, not a dissertation. I'm sure all 3 of you that read this are very intrigued and eager to drink from my vast fountain of knowledge, so let's get to it! Haha!

Anyway, I've had a lot of time on my hands recently so I've been reading about Paganism and the symbols tied to it that are so often used by atheists to debunk the claims of contemporary organized religion, mainly Christianity. I'm not pretending to be an expert on any of this, nor am I a pseudo-intellectual looking for praise for things that I've read, I just thought it was interesting so, naturally, all of you must think it is interesting as well. :)

One of the main things that caught my attention was the Winter Solstice. Basically, most Pagan religions worshiped the sun because without it crops would not grow, there would be no warmth, no light, and people would cease to exist. During the Winter Solstice, which is December 22-24 (I think), the sun stops moving south or north, depending on where you are in the world. In essence, the sun, at it's lowest point of the year, metaphorically dies and we get the shortest days and longest nights of the year. This lasts for THREE DAYS while the sun doesn't move and then on the third day the sun begins its ascent again, which will eventually lead to warmer weather and plentiful crops. I'm sure most of you have made the connection already. Christ represents the sun, he dies and is put in the tomb, on the third day he is resurrected giving the world light and life again.

One of the brightest stars in the sky is Sirius, so it is reasonable to think that the three wise men spoken of could have followed this star in the East to eventually find Jesus. Also, the three brightest stars from Orion's belt were often referred to as the Three Kings by many ancient cultures. On December 25th these three stars line up in a perfect line with the star Sirius and point at the sun. Thus, the three wise men (Orion's Belt) follow the star in the east (Sirius) to find the Son of God (the sun) on December 25th.

Of course, nowhere in the New Testament does it ever say that Jesus was born on December 25th. Most church members know this and accept it. So why December 25th? Throughout the history of man December 25th was a religious holiday set aside for the celebration of gods, etc. Presumably the early Christians, in an effort to relate to the old traditions of paganism and to help prospective pagan converts relate to Christianity, December 25th became Christmas. Who knows...

There are also the zodiac and twelve anthropomorphic symbols (connecting the 12 apostles, 12 tribes of Israel, etc.), such as Pisces. According to the astrological calendar we are in the age of Pisces, which is symbolized by two fish. This age began at Jesus' presumed birth year. Anybody that knows anything about Christianity knows that fish in the New Testament is very symbolic. Jesus was a fisher of men, Peter was a fisherman, and so on. Also, Jesus fed 5,000 with a loaf of bread and TWO FISH. Interesting.

I think that symbolism in the world is absolutely amazing. I also think it is interesting how atheists can use these examples to try and debunk Christianity as a whole. Personally, I think that everything in this world is symbolic. God is a symbolic God. God created the universe, so why not make the religious traditions coincide with the symbols of the world and universe in which the worshipers live? To me it makes perfect sense. There are truths in everything around us, from ancient astrology to contemporary Christianity. The whole truth lies in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is interesting to see how all of these things begin to fit together.

Tata for now!

Christmas and Potty Training

Well, it's been a while so I figured I'd update this thing. Christmas went well for us this year. It was nice to have the whole family down and together again. I didn't get as much this year as last year, but it was obvious that Lexi enjoyed it more as she is now at the age where she understands the concept Christmas, Santa, and tearing presents open.

We're making our second real attempt at potty training and it's actually working this time. Today she has only had one accident, which is pretty amazing. Before she would sit on the toilet for about 30 seconds and say she was finished without every doing anything, or she would just straight out refuse to try. Having a singing toilet probably helps, but I can't believe that she is actually on her way to being potty trained!

Work is going well at the moment. This is my third year and I'm just now starting my observations (most people get these done in the first year, but I was procrastinating making education a career, but now it's decided, finally). My observer told me I was a 'rare catch' and I should go into administration right away...she should probably observe me a little more.

Anyway, here are a few more pics from Christmas and Lexi's endless struggle with the toilet.














Lexi in her new Princess tent with her uncle Sean and Dane



A hard knock life...

Hitler on the BYU season...my feelings exactly.

I know this has been used for many other things, but I thought it was quite fitting given BYU's debacle at the end of the season this year. This one's for you, Adolf.

Carol of the Bells

I'm playing with a band called Mojave Yacht Club. I'm the youngest one in the band by about 20 years probably, lol. We have a lot of fun, though. It's nice to do something other than work and school. Here's one of the songs that we played last night for their ward Christmas program. I did mess up slightly on the call and answer part of the song, but oh well, I think overall it sounded decent.

UNICEF

I'm doing a short blurb on UNICEF for one of the classes I teach this week. When I was researching statistics and pictures I ran across this one. I'm sure many of you have seen it already, but it's one of the saddest things I've seen in a long time.