chocolate cake.

I made a chocolate cake yesterday, but didn't frost it. It's all I could think about today at work, so when I got home, I frosted it and dug in before even thinking about putting anything away. And it really hit the spot. Now I hate myself, because it's really rich and I took a big piece and ate the whole thing. I think I'll forgive myself, though.

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what do lds women get?

I saw this on the web, and thought it was quite profound and eye opening. What a wonderful thing to be a women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

My favorite quote was "Every soul who leaves pre-mortality and comes to this earth has to do so through the courage and the devotion and the sacrifice and the selflessness of a women. Women are at the very center of the Plan of Salvation. The Lord has given us that privilege; he's given us that honor."

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same-sex marriage.

Since everyone is showing their true colors about same-sex marriage today, I thought I would post something on here to show you how I feel. This is a post written by a girl I know named Camille, who was in my ward before we moved to Orem. What she explains about her beliefs about same-sex marriage is exactly what I think, too. Honestly, I couldn't have said it better myself. Here's what I think, in her words.

 

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I recently read an article about why Republicans should support a pro-same-sex marriage ruling from the Supreme Court. The author stated that "Gay marriage opponents are going to lose the fight; the only question is whether they will lose it in a way that is quick and painless or long and ugly." Thus, if Republicans would just let the Supreme Court get it over with, it would be a whole lot easier for everyone.

If you know me, you know that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--a Mormon--and you may also know that I do not support the legalization of same-sex marriage. Including in this situation.

I recognize that my opposition to the legalization of same-sex marriage makes people think that I have hate in my heart. I realize that by admitting to these convictions, I may offend you or threaten our friendship.

Obviously, I wish it weren't so. But at this important time in our nation, I would just like to make a few things clear, both to my fellow Mormons and everyone else. I'll try to be brief, but I can't make any promises.

My personal religious beliefs inform my view on same-sex marriage.

Sharing one's religious beliefs in today's world is a dangerous game, but here I go:

• I believe that all people lived before they were born on Earth and that we'll all live again after we die.
• I believe that this life is just a tiny part of our eternal existence.
• I believe that the family is central to God's plan.

That means that in heaven, we will live with our families, and we'll be with them forever. 

This next part is the most important. I believe that a family is, in its most boiled-down form, a man and a woman who are husband and wife. I believe that a man and woman together create a godly unit that is not only essential for life to progress but also impossible to imitate. Thus, a union between two men or two women is something that will last for this life only; it can't and won't exist in heaven.

I understand that personal religious convictions don't necessarily make for a solid legal argument, but I can't abandon what I know to be true.

I don't hate gay people.

I know this might seem contradictory to my previously stated beliefs, but please believe me when I say that I love all of God's children, including those who identify as gay, lesbian, or anything else. I'm going to try to address just a couple of the questions you may have about it.

"How can your religion be so cruel as to refuse gay people the right to be with their loved ones in heaven?"

I believe there are eternal laws that no one can change, not even God. The fact that marriage is the union of one man and one woman is one of those laws. It's not like the Mormons all conspired together and decided that being gay is not allowed. This is an eternal truth that cannot be challenged.

"If you say you love gay people, how could you deny them the happiness that comes from marriage?"

I believe that same-sex attraction is a temporary reality that will exist only in this life. In the eternity of existence that will happen after this life, our perceptions of same-sex attraction and same-sex marriage won't be the same as they are now; legalizing same-sex marriage would be creating something that can't extend after we die.

I understand that not everyone agrees with me.

Not everyone believes in God. Not everyone believes in the same God I do. We all have different beliefs, and we all have different ideas of what's best for our nation and our fellow people.

If you think that my beliefs shouldn't be imposed on anyone else, I would like to say the same thing to you: legalizing same-sex marriage is just as much of a moral imposition as banning it is.

My beliefs about same-sex marriage won't change depending on the Supreme Court's ruling. (Furthermore, I think that the opinion that has been expressed [twice] by the people of California shouldn't be overturned by a court.) I know it's unpopular, and I know that I most likely won't convince anyone to change their stance by writing this post. But it concerns something so central to my belief system--marriage and family--that I can't stand by and be silent!

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a really good monday.

I'm alive. But Saturday was a doozy, since it happened to snow and all, and that snow stayed on the ground for half the day. I had a teeny breakdown because of that darn snow on Saturday. Winter is supposed to be done with, and my heart knows that. So when the snow fell, my heart dropped. Pair that with Zac being gone for 13 1/2 hours, and it was kind of a bad day for me.

What's keeping me happy today is the hope for Spring later this week (with a weather forecast of 64 degrees on Thursday!), the bag of chocolate chip cookies I made yesterday (we need a cookie jar), and a few peppermint candy canes left over from Christmas. 

I feel great today. Today is good, and it's Monday. Work flew by, and I feel like doing something wonderful, even if it's just taking a walk, or painting those "Z&M" letters we bought over Christmas break for our bedroom. So here's to today! Monday!

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this last weekend.

Our computer has been at the Apple store, getting a new hard drive put in for the last few days, and I missed blogging about St. Patty's Day and the first day of Spring! Well, you didn't miss much.

On St. Patty's Day, Zac had to work. When he got home, we ate dinner, and played Mario Bros for like, 2 or 3 hours. It's been too long. We did wear green, though, so we were kind of festive!

On the first day of Spring, Zac had work and class. I slept while he was gone, and when he came home, we hung out in bed (I slept while he did homework). 

It was pretty eventful, and you can see why I would want to write about it, clearly. And I just found out that apparently, for St. Patty's Day, people actually celebrate with parades and fairs and whatnot! This was news to me. So I think we'll do that next year.

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tuesday.

Tuesday was sunny, but still chilly like it's been for the last while. Zac surprised me at work with 2 cupcakes in 2 boxes. That man knows me so well. We ate them in the break room, and had happy stomach aches afterwards.

When we got home, he took me to get a burger and fries from In-N-Out. We ate them at our apartment, and they really hit the spot. We tried to take nice pictures of each other while eating, but they all turned out silly. I like them anyway.

Then we climbed into bed early, and I just smiled at him while he was unaware, doing his homework like a good boy. He makes me so happy, that man of mine. I'm so glad he's in my life.

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pie plop.

In honor of Pi Day on Thursday, we had Bernz and Wes over for some pie. When I got home from work, I made the easiest pie in the world, and put it in the fridge to set. Bernz and Wes came over a few hours later, and we busted out the pie. I guess those few hours weren't enough for the pie to set, because we ended up with soupy pie (that was delicious, nonetheless), and called it pie plop. We ate it with spoons.

And for the rest of the night, the men talked about video games, and the ladies talked about recording our songs from our high school band this summer, and left two obnoxious voicemails on Emily's phone.

I think I'll have myself another piece of pie plop.

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fondue, fondon't.

Tonight was fondue night at our house. We made up some broth and boiled chicken, steak, potatoes, mushrooms (my favorite!), and onions. The first time we had this kind of fondue was last summer at my brother's house. And, can you believe it, we haven't had it since! So it was about time.

Today was beautiful. I walked 5 laps around the back parking lot at work, and the sun was so bright and so warm, and a guy on a smoking break tried to have a conversation with me. 

And now Zac's out getting his hair cut. When he comes home, he'll be a new man! I can't wait to see that handsome man.

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a walk in the park.

We took a walk through Scera park today. And this sunshine that was going on today? Don't let it fool you. It was cold outside. And after a while, even Zac wanted to go back to the car where it was warm.

But I love that Spring is coming. There's hardly anymore snow outside, and the birds are coming back and singing their songs. It was nice to be outside today, and to share it with my Zac.

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g is for grateful.

We've been so blessed lately. Zac got a job offer on Valentine's Day, started a couple of weeks later, and yesterday, he took a test to see if he learned everything he needed to, and passed (if he didn't pass, he would've been let go)! He's an amazing man--my man!

So tonight we went to celebrate him for our date. We went out to eat at Macaroni Grill, and got so much food, I'd say it was a feast (as all celebrations should be)! And what do you know, Macaroni Grill has fire-grilled pizza! Our favorite!

And of course, we couldn't leave before trying their chocolate cake with chocolate ganache. My husband loves chocolate more than anyone I know.

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throw back thursday.

I love this picture. This is me and my little sister, Rachel, at someone's house in 1993 or 1994. And would you look at that 90's wallpaper! Between that and our matching outfits, it really doesn't get better.

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texas.

My little sister and her boyfriend are moving to Texas tomorrow! Tonight we went out to dinner at Tucano's as a going away party for them. I can't believe my little sisters are adults now. And how are they taller than me?! 

Some highlights of tonight include Sara hitting on every waiter that came to our table, Matt stealing a handful of mints on the way out while distracting the hostess, and everyone singing Happy Birthday to Steph.

We'll miss you, Rach!

And Zac was in class while this party was going on. I missed him.

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pizza night.

Friday night was pizza night over here, so we set out to make our homemade pizza. I was feeling crazy that night, and decided to put pesto on one half of our Alfredo pizza and holycrapI'mnevergoingback. 

I really don't know what got into me that night, because the crazy didn't stop there. I shoved 7 pieces of pizza into this mouth of mine. Seven. SEVEN! That's almost a whole pizza! And I felt great about it.

Pizza night is definitely my favorite night.

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