A few weeks ago we were Victoria, B.C. We took a carriage ride around part of the city, looking at the beautiful architecture and fabulous landscaping. It is such a pretty city. The twenty-six year old woman who was our carriage driver was friendly and open and we asked questions about the prices of real estate and life in general in such a pretty place.
What she said astonished us. She told us of so many of the young people in Canada (herself included) who wanted to move to America. Within weeks of our visit a 14 percent sales tax was being added to everything, no exceptions for food or medicine. This on top of what she described as ridiculous property and income taxes. She said young people are wanting to leave so they can afford to buy property and clothing. America looked good to her.
Sadly, far too many Americans don't realize how good we have it and want to absolve the personal responsibility that comes with freedom to the government. It may seem easier at the time to let the government handle everything, but soon we'll discover that by letting them handle everything, we've handed over our freedom. We must be responsible, smart and patriotic. Our founding fathers knew what they were doing. They were acting under inspiration from God and they got it right. We need to stop ignoring what they did or questioning and undermining it.
I love America. I love what it stands for. I'm okay that much of the world hates us and I don't feel like we should be worrying so much about it. There is supposed to be opposition and it's human nature to hate those we are profoundly jealous of. They want what we have and if they can't have it, they want us to become like them. If they can't be like America, they'll be satisfied with making America more like them.
I'm grateful for our country, for those that serve in our military, for our flag and everything it stands for and for my family's right to freedom.
While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.
God Bless America, Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.
Finally some pictures from Especially For Youth. Veronica and her friend Bryce went together and stayed in the dorms at the University of Utah. They had a great time and wished they could go a couple of times this summer.
Veronica's first dorm-living experience.
The kids waiting for check-in to be finished. Trust Joe and Boston (Bryce's brother) to figure out a way to make it fun.
Bruce in one of his animal graphic t-shirts. He's collecting them this summer.
This is one of Joe's chores before he can go outside and play everyday. He's gotten pretty quick at it.
This powerwing is how he spent his money this summer. He's had a great time.
Savannah giving Pepper a bath. She enjoys doing it and Pepper patiently puts up with it.
I finally sold the yoyo dress and HOORAY! it is going to be used as a wedding dress, which is what I hoped when I was making it. I shipped it to the bride in Switzerland this week!
Veronica has always loved to bake. On occasion, she can get Savannah to bake with her. On Thursday and Friday, we all pitched in and baked six kinds of cookies (snickerdoodle, peanut butter/peanut butter cup, chocolate chip, pecan/coconut/milk chocolate, chocolate w/peanut butter chip and lemon kiss), as well as a frangipan torte and a chocolate chip cookie pie. The occasion was the photographing of the desserts by Uncle Robert, a professional, for her online etsy shop, cookieheaven.
As I'm sure you can tell, the first two photos are taken by unprofessional me. The last photos are taken by professional Robert. Quite a difference. We enjoyed a few treats and gave away a bunch. Thanks to Robert and Teresa for the photos and staging, and thanks to Sister Thompson from our ward who provided us with most of the neat dishes. 
