Prop 8....

Please read this in it's entirety.
It will only take a couple minutes of your time, and at least you will be able to make a more informed and educated decision. It's very simple; by voting yes on Prop 8 means you're DENYING other couple the right to marriage. Denying a legal taxpaying citizen their rights means that we can turn around and deny rights to you.

Remember, what goes around comes around.

You hear the politicians saying it all the time. "I support Civil Unions, but not gay marriage." What exactly does this mean? Some even say they support equal rights for gays and lesbians, but not gay marriage.Is this possible? And why do gays and lesbians want marriage so badly when they can have civil unions?

First of all, What is Marriage? When people marry, they tend to do so for reasons of love and commitment. But marriage is also a legal status, which comes with rights and responsibilities. Marriage establishes a legal kinship between you and your spouse. It is a relationship that is recognized across cultures, countries and religions.

What is a Civil Union? Civil Unions exist in only a handful of places: Vermont, New Jersey and Connecticut. California and Oregon have domestic partnership laws that offer many of the same rights as civil unions.

Vermont civil unions were created in 2000 to provide legal protections to gays and lesbians in relationships in that state because gay marriage is not an option. The protections do not extend beyond the border of Vermont and no federal protections are included with a Civil Union. Civil Unions offer some of the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, but only on a state level.

What about Domestic partnership? Some states and municipalities have domestic partnership registries, but no domestic partnership law is the same. Some, like the recently passed California domestic partnership law comes with many rights and responsibilities. Others, like the one in Washington offer very few benefits to the couple.

What are some of the differences between Civil Unions and Gay Marriage?

Recognition in other states: Even though each state has its own laws around marriage, if someone is married in one state and moves to another, their marriage is legally recognized. For example, Oregon marriage law applies to people 17 and over. In Washington state, the couple must be 18 to wed. However, Washington will recognize the marriage of two 17 year olds from Oregon who move there. This is not the case with Civil Unions. If someone has a Civil Union in Vermont, that union is not recognized in any other state. As a matter of fact, two states, Connecticut and Georgia, have ruled that they do not have to recognize civil unions performed in Vermont, because their states have no such legal category. As gay marriages become legal in other states, this status may change.

Dissolving a Civil Union v.Divorce:
Vermont has no residency requirement for Civil Unions. That means two people from any other state or country can come there and have a civil union ceremony. If the couple breaks up and wishes to dissolve the union, one of them must be a resident of Vermont for one year before the Civil Union can be dissolved in family court. Married couples can divorce in any state they reside, no matter where they were married.

Immigration:
A United States citizen who is married can sponsor his or her non-American spouse for immigration into this country. Those with Civil Unions have no such privilege.

Taxes:
Civil Unions are not recognized by the federal government, so couples would not be able to file joint-tax returns or be eligible for tax breaks or protections the government affords to married couples.

Benefits:
The General Accounting Office in 1997 released a list of 1,049 benefits and protections available to heterosexual married couples. These benefits range from federal benefits, such as survivor benefits through Social Security, sick leave to care for ailing partner, tax breaks, veterans benefits and insurance breaks. They also include things like family discounts, obtaining family insurance through your employer, visiting your spouse in the hospital and making medical decisions if your partner is unable to. Civil Unions protect some of these rights, but not all of them.

But can't a lawyer set all this up for gay and lesbian couples?

No. A lawyer can set up some things like durable power of attorney, wills and medical power of attorney. There are several problems with this, however.

1. It costs thousands of dollars in legal fees. A simple marriage license, which usually costs under $100 would cover all the same rights and benefits.

2. Any of these can be challenged in court. As a matter of fact, more wills are challenged than not. In the case of wills, legal spouses always have more legal power than any other family member.

3. Marriage laws are universal. If someone's husband or wife is injured in an accident, all you need to do is show up and say you're his or her spouse. You will not be questioned. If you show up at the hospital with your legal paperwork, the employees may not know what to do with you. If you simply say, "He's my husband," you will immediately be taken to your spouse's side.

Even with lesbian and gay marriages being performed and recognized in some states, the Federal Defense of Marriage Law prohibits the federal government from recognizing gay and lesbian relationships. This puts gay and lesbian couples who are married in a legal limbo.How do they file their tax returns? Do they have to pay the tax on their partner's health insurance? How do they fill out legal and other forms, single or married?

Creating Civil Unions creates a separate and unequal status for some of America's citizens. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial court ruled that creating a separate class for gay and lesbian citizens is not permissible and that is why they have voted that only marriage equals marriage. The precedent was set with Brown v. The Board of Education regarding segregation in public education. Ironically, Massachusetts marriage law went into effect on the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education.

The United States Constitution guarantees equality for all. As you can see, marriage and civil unions are not the same. Creating equal access to marriage is the only fair way to ensure equality for gay and straight couples alike.

My Pumpkin Babies :)

I got this idea from a friend last year when DJ was a baby. You get a Big pumpkin and carve two leg holes and put him in it and TA DA ITS A GREAT PICTURE!!

Here is DJ last year when he was 4 1/2 months old:






And Reagan at 3 months old:

What Did I Do Today?

What Did I Do Today?

What did I do today?

Today I left some dishes dirty,

The bed got made around 3:30.

The diapers sat a little longer,

The odor grew a little stronger.

The crumbs I spilled the day before,

Are staring at me from the floor.

The fingerprints there on the wall,

Will likely be there still next fall.

The dirty streaks on those window panes,

Will still be there next time it rains.

Shame on you, you sit and say,

Just what did you do today?

I nursed a baby till she slept,

I held a toddler while he wept.

I played a game of hide and seek,

I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.

I pulled a wagon, sang a song,

Taught a child right from wrong.

What did I do this whole day through?

Not much that shows,

I guess that' s true.

Unless you think that what I've done,

Might be important to someone,

With bright green eyes and soft blonde hair,

If that is true...

I've done my share.

-----Author Unknown

My Beautiful Kids!

here are a few pics of today! they were so happy!

Have Your Candles Ready...... 7pm tonight

Wave Of Light

Please Light a Candle For:

• Parker (Daughter to Kate, 2/22 - 2/22/07)

• Sawyer (Son to Monica, 6/29 - 10/6/07)

• Eli (Son to Kristi, 2/20 - 2/20/08)

• Brenna (Daughter to Holli, 3/5 - 3/5/08)

• Kevin (Special K) (Son to Tina, 8/20 - 9/14/08 )

• Gabriel (Son to Daisy, 7/10 - 7/10/07 )

• Dewey & Oscar (Babies to Daisy)

• The Twins (Babies to Stefani)

And every child that never saw candles on there first birthdays.

So please light a candle at 7pm all time zones, and be a part of Light, Love, and Rememberance in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.

Thank You.

Happy 9th Birthday Baby Sissy!!!

My Baby Sister is 9 years old today!!!!

Happy Birthday Amanda

I love you so much! I hope your day is full of fun!

Love always,

Sissy

(Chuck E. Cheese 11/18/06 pregnant with DJ)

(Most recent, a little blurry, came over to go swimming)

DJ's 15 Month Well Visit :)

DJ's 15 month appt was today and he was not a happy camper! he got 3 shots including the flu shot. his ezcema is coming back so we got another perscription for that and he is still a little congested. the dr. also said to start taking the binkie away.. yeah thats gonna be a problem. they say it is harder to get rid of after 18 months. but its going to be really hard cause reagan takes a binkie and trying to take dj's away will be like pulling teeth!

Here are his Stats:
Weight: 24lbs (47%)
Height: 34 inches (52%)
Head: BIG.. :) (50%)

He has a total of 12 teeth and they are all looking good! he goes in for his next appt at 18 months, so middle dec early jan. and he has a dentist appt dec 23rd!

Wisdom Teeth...

ARE GONE!!!!!

Went in today and had them taken out!! im in pain so im waiting for my vicodin perscription to be ready..

im super sore so im gonna go lay down :(

Halloween Costumes!!!

here are the kids costumes!!! my mom got them and they are so cute!!!

DJ is a Vampire!!!






Reagan is a Bumble Bee!!!