Don't Tell Me Who I Hate

Hey all.

Over the past few days, I have read some Facebook notes that, I feel, have attacked my church and my belief system. These notes are just a small drop in a large bucket of accusations that we have faced over the past several years.

I'm not trying to convince anyone of my political views. I just want people to understand that just because I think a certain way or believe a certain thing does not mean that I am a hateful person. So I wrote my own Facebook note addressing accusations against me and my church.

Here's what I wrote:

Don't Tell Me Who I Hate

Is anyone else sick of having other people tell you who you hate?

I am.

People who think like I do and believe what I do have always struggled with other people not understanding us. We have been given many different labels. The one that I'm seeing most often nowadays is "hater."

Do you think I hate people?

Let me just make this clear right now. I have never - ever - been taught by my parents, my church, my scriptures, my God, or my own conscience, to hate anyone. ANY one. Because my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) is so often the brunt of the accusations, I will tell you that in almost 15 years of being a baptized member of this church, I have never been taught or told to hate, persecute, revile, undermine, or mistreat anyone. I have been taught, however, to love everyone, with a Christlike love, regardless of their religion, political stance, sexual orientation, race, or appearance.

Now, I may not be as good at this as I could be. I may not do enough service, donate enough to charity, or volunteer at shelters or hospitals. But I can tell you this: I do not hate.

Do you really think I hate people that are just trying to find happiness by being able to marry someone they love? Do you really think I hate people that do whatever they can to leave their own country and find jobs in ours, just to try to make a better life for their families?

Yes, I am against gay marriage and illegal immigration. But I do not hate gays or illegal immigrants. I do not. And for anyone to tell me that I do is wrong. It is putting words in my mouth and feelings in my heart. It makes me think that I do not have a right to my own opinion, that I am not allowed to say what I want to say because I might get called a hater.

Why is it fair for people like me to be silenced in this way? Why is every point we make faced with accusations of hatred and ignorance? Why can't I say what I think without it being hateful?

Is it because you think I couldn't possibly understand you? Because I am a Christian, middle-class woman with a husband and a baby and a house in suburbs with a Toyota in the garage? Is that why I'm not allowed to think the way I think? Because I've obviously never felt hurt, betrayed, angry, alone, lost, confused, or sad? Because I've never been called names? Well, guess what - I have felt these things. All of them. And you call me names all the time. Selfish. Arrogant. Ignorant. Bigot. Hateful.

Obviously, you don't understand me.

You tell me I'm trying to keep you from your right to the pursuit of happiness. Let me tell you what is really the case: we have different definitions of happiness. My happiness does not include a world where homosexuals are allowed to marry and raise children. Yours does. And you know what? One of the great things about our country is that we are both able to pursue this happiness without name-calling, accusations, or hatred.

All I'm doing is standing up for what I believe. You are more than welcome to do the same, on one condition: don't tell me who I hate. I don't hate you. I can't make you believe that, or anything else, but it's true. I want you to be happy. Why wouldn't I?

If there are some issues that we have to agree to disagree about, then so be it. But don't tell me that I'm a hateful, ignorant person because of what I believe. You know how that makes me feel? It makes me feel like you hate me.

Do you?

Go see Inception

You should go see Inception.

Why?


Because it's:


Intelligent

Intense

Intriguing

Inpeccably (temporary replacement for "impeccably," so as to fit with the "in-" theme) cast

Incredible

!!!

Extreme Makeover: Master Bathroom Edition

When we moved into our lovely home (almost a year ago!), the ONLY room that did not get touched AT ALL was the master bathroom. The laundry room was painted, closets were painted, even the pantry was shown some love, but we decided that the master bathroom was something that we could hold off on. AKA we were sick of house projects.

Well, the last couple months have found me itching to do something to our master bathroom. Why? Observe:


While these pictures were taken after our shower curtain and towels and such had already been removed, this was the general idea of our bathroom. Ho-hum.

So, about 5 hours of work later and....

Ta da!

Let me point out some of the features of this, our new bath space:

• painted a nice, neutral gray
• new shower curtain and towels
• new light fixtures
• framed mirror
• decorative touches, including the wall sconces, flowers, and apples

All done pretty cheaply, I might add.

I LOVE IT.

That just happened.

Believe it or not, Dallin tries to get me to spend more money. I seriously don't get it. But I think maybe he feels bad for not feeling bad about spending money when he wants/needs to.

But I'm no psycho-analyst-majig.

I just thought I'd point that out...because it sort of kind of in a way justifies the so not-me thing I just did.

BabyGoodBuys (a save-money-on-baby-things-blog) posted on Facebook about this super rad diaper bag that was on major sale on Amazon.

Super rad diaper bag. I swooned over the older version of this diaper bag whilst I was prego. And this - this is the newer version. And it was more than half-off and shipped for free (still $48...but it's a $100 bag).

Now, I do not - do NOT - need a new diaper bag. I got our current bag on Craigslist for $40, and I love love it. It has not given me any problems. Nope. None.

But did I buy the super rad diaper bag anyway? Yes. Yes I did.

I don't have buyer's remorse yet...but if it sinks in by the time the new bag gets here, and I see the new bag and I'm like totally facepalming, the newbie can be returned for free (minus the hassle, of course), and we can all just forget this whole thing ever happened. But if it gets here and I totally love it (expected scenario) I'll just resell my current bag on Craigslist, since it's still in awesome shape and all.

Good thing it's bedtime. Who knows what other craziness I would get myself into if I stayed awake?! No one! No one knows! Craaaaazy!

Utah in Tens

Rather than give you a play-by-play breakdown of each and every minute of our past 10 days in Utah, I thought I'd condense things a little bit and just make a Top 10 list for each of us. You are so welcome.

Dallin's Top 10 of Utah 2010 (in no particular order)

1. Cherry Hill (emphasis on Cardiac Canyon)
2. Stadium of Fire (emphasis on F-16 flyover and massive Eagle Court of Honor)
3. Temple Square (emphasis on new Salt Lake Temple model)
4. Squaw Peak (ooh la la)
5. Having the chance to listen to podcasts about computer stuff
6. The talent show at the Harris family reunion
7. The traditional roman candle fight after the fireworks in Richfield
8. Visiting the Hill Air Force Base Aerospace Museum
9. Driving golf balls at the family reunion; scaring everyone by hitting them onto the pavillion (by accident. Twice.)
10. Shooting his uncle's 9mm. Also twice.

Katie's Top 10 of Utah 2010 (also in no particular order)
1. Stadium of Fire (emphasis on Carrie Underwood and fireworks)
2. Razzleberry pie with Farr's vanilla ice cream at Cherry Hill
3. The ride "Wicked" at Lagoon
4. Looking at the stars at the family reunion
5. Having no cell service at the family reunion (it was nice to truly be away!)
6. Having time to "candy read" (Uglies and Pretties by Scott Westerfield)
7. Fabulous Utah food, including J-Dawgs, Farr's, and Maddox Drive-In
8. Having lots of help with the baby
9. Cherry Hill (emphasis on Cardiac Canyon and mini golf)
10. Seeing our family

Madelyn's Top 10 of Utah 2010 (perhaps in particular order...I tried to ask her and didn't get much of a response.)

1. Getting to sleep in Mommy and Daddy's bed sometimes because I made a fuss about sleeping in my pack-n-play.
2. My 4th of July outfit(s)
3. Being held by lots of different people
4. Sleeping in the car
5. Waking up in a new place almost every day
6. The finale of the fireworks show in Richfield
7. Splashing around in kiddie pools at Cherry Hill and Lagoon-A-Beach
8. Tasting everyone's ice cream at Farr's
9. Really working on my first tooth
10. Being told how adorable I am over and over

As usual, I totally slacked on taking pictures. Half the time, the camera would get left in the car so if there was something I really wanted a picture of, I had to use my phone. The above pictures were taken with my phone, so I guess it isn't that bad. Of course, I find it hard to believe that any picture of this girl could be anything but freakin adorable.

So anyway, we had a spectacular vacation and 4th! It was nice to get away and spend lots of time with each other and with our family!