P.S.

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning

Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a crïeche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship [celebrities] and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these [celebrities] came from and where the America we knew went to.

Ben Stein

This next part is from an email not Stein:

"In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it. no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in."

I am not sure how much of this information is true, but I like the statement it is making. Why is it that this Country was founded by men of faith in God, but now it must be a country of no faith at all? It makes me sad. Don't hate me for posting this, I just liked that it makes one think.

Thanks Lali, this is fun! This is very easy to do and pretty fun. I hope everyone who finds it interesting copies and pastes it, then highlights what they have done :) 1. Started your own blog 2. Slept under the stars 3. Played in a band 4. Visited Hawaii 5. Watched a meteor shower 6. Given more than you can afford to charity 7. Been to Disneyland 8. Climbed a mountain 9. Held a praying mantis 10. Sang a solo 11. Bungee jumped 12. Visited Paris 13. Watched a lightning storm at sea 14. Taught yourself an art from scratch 15. Adopted a child 16. Had food poisoning 17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty 18. Grown your own vegetables 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France 20. Slept on an overnight train 21. Had a pillow fight 22. Hitch hiked 23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill 24. Built a snow fort 25. Held a lamb 26. Gone skinny dipping 27. Run a Marathon 28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice 29. Seen a total eclipse 30. Watched a sunrise or sunset 31. Hit a home run 32. Been on a cruise 33. Seen Niagara Falls in person 34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors 35. Seen an Amish community 36. Taught yourself a new language 37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied 38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person 39. Gone rock climbing 40. Seen Michelangelo’s David 41. Sung karaoke 42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt 43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant 44. Visited Africa 45. Walked on a beach by moonlight 46. Been transported in an ambulance 47. Had your portrait painted 48. Gone deep sea fishing 49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person 50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling 52. Kissed in the rain 53. Played in the mud 54. Gone to a drive-in theater 55. Been in a movie 56. Visited the Great Wall of China 57. Started a business 58. Taken a martial arts class (it was a young woman activity) 59. Visited Russia 60. Served at a soup kitchen 61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies 62. Gone whale watching 63. Got flowers for no reason 64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma 65. Gone sky diving 66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp 67. Bounced a check 68. Flown in a helicopter 69. Saved a favorite childhood toy 70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial 71. Eaten Caviar 72. Pieced a quilt 73. Stood in Times Square 74. Toured the Everglades 75. Been fired from a job 76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London 77. Broken a bone 78. Been on a speeding motorcycle 79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person 80. Published a book 81. Visited the Vatican 82. Bought a brand new car 83. Walked in Jerusalem 84. Had your picture in the newspaper 85. Read the entire Bible 86. Visited the White House 87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating 88. Had chickenpox 89. Saved someone’s life 90. Sat on a jury 91. Met someone famous 92. Joined a book club 93. Lost a loved one 94. Had a baby 95. Seen the Alamo in person 96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake 97. Been involved in a law suit 98. Owned a cell phone 99. Been stung by a bee 100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person 101. Learned to play an instrument

sorry for not posting lately... i promise after finals are over this week!! I will put something up! :) until then, love ya! The Hayashis

I cannot express how blessed and thankful I am for the man I am married to for time and all eternity. He has been an amazing husband thus far and I know he will continue to be my prince. As stated before in the last post he has really done so much this weekend preparing for our friends this week, I am not sure I can say how much I appreciate his help. Today he did the dishes and then said he had to step out and when he returned he had these in hand. I love him!! What have I done to deserve this man?!? Kristofer, I love you! I don't think I can say thanks enough for what you do for me! You are the best!

My sister, Brittany, has this homemade potpourri recipe and it is amazing. :) I decided to make and I love it, my little apartment smells like Christmas! Kristofer has worked real hard helping me clean and prepare for our guest for Thanksgiving. So he told me today that he wants an apple pie. Since I went to a Relief Society thing and learned how to pie crust, I decide to make an apple pie from scratch. I am not sure if it was a good idea or not. I Kristofer will be the judge of that. :) My first pie!! I am SO excited!!

I could survive for 1 minute, 9 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

But am not sure I would want to survive that long... maybe just let it eat me so it isn't a slow death. hehe...

I have learned to make these... all on my own!! I love doing it... I love photoshop!! What do you think?

My husband loves me!! Aren't these SO adorable?? And better yet they were free. Kristofer had some amazon credit and bought me shoes with it, isn't he sweet! I love them already... they are black, it the picture they look brown to me, but they are black. I love you, Kristofer!!

I am SO way excited!! My antique baby scale arrived!! It was such a long process to get this! But now it is mine!! YAY!! I am going to have SO much fun with this and taking baby pictures. It need to be cleaned up a bit, but I love the antiquiness of it!! Baby pictures, anyone??

Chinese Proverb "the gem can not be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials" in the Lords terms "there needs be opposition in all things" -Bishop Burton, Presiding Bishop, CES November 1, 2008

Updates on Hayashi Photography

This is my little sister, Danielle. She is having a baby!! They have found out that this baby girl will be joining the family the 24th of January. Our entire family is way excited for this new addition. I love you! Thanks for the pictures!! FYI: No matter how old or how many kids Danielle will have; she will always be my baby sister.

Ok... Story, kinda. Kristofer is really into culinary arts. He loves to cook, when he has the time (which isn't very often), and he is a great cook!! So while he was taking his classes, he always said. "I want to get a scale." I would ask him why and he never gave me a straight answer. So I kept telling him ok get one. If any of you know Kristofer he cannot just "get" something. He has to research, read reviews, and has to find a deal. So, we never got one (while he was taking his classes). Several months later after research, reviews read, and a deal offered he bought one (by offer I mean free). When it came my thought was when are we ever going to use this? Well, we have had it a week and I have used it, today! Second part of the story. When we buy beef it is always in a large quantity and I never know how to break it up. Most recipes I use call for 1 lb of beef. So, I reach in the freezer and use whatever bag has beef in it (not knowing how much it really is). Today, bought beef and separated it all into 1 lb bags!! :) I know you all thing I am crazy and are probably thinking it is not that big of a deal. Well, I get joy in the simple things in life. I can know properly seperate my meat and use correct amounts for my cooking. :) Life is great!

If you can't tell it is a Kitchen Aid (series 600) and a tripod for my camera... he also go me a wireless remote for my camera (not pictured). Before any of you think we blow our money, we don't. Kristofer received the Kitchen Aid from his works loyalty pays (400 points) he get 50 points for every month he work there and doesn't miss or get warnings. :) I am so lucky to be so loved... now how do you use a Kitchen Aid? and how do I find the time to use it? ;)

8 obsessions 1. Kristofer… I cannot get enough of him! 2. Learning more and living the gospel, I am trying and want to be like Jesus. 3. Shoes… I love shoes and I want more, I don’t think I’ll have ever have enough! 4. Photography of babies… I love taking pictures, but I love, love taking baby pics. 5. Making baby bows and pacifier clips… they just allow me to escape the world. 6. Hosting (socializing)!! I love having people over or throwing some kind of party!! (I can’t wait to have enough money to do it, more!) 7. Coupon clipping and saving money… I totally learned this form Kristofer, he has opened my eyes. 8. Sleep… I am obsessed with napping and such, I wish there was more time to sleep. 8 goals for the future 1. Become a mother 2. Read the scriptures EVERY DAY! 3. Help Kristofer reach his dreams 4. Graduate! Next December… YAY! 5. Encourage and support Kristofer to get his MBA 6. Have my own photography studio 7. Travel the world 8. Serve a Senior mission 8 vacation want tos 1. South America (anywhere… I want to actually speak Spanish) 2. Jerusalem... hello!! I want to walk where the Savior walked and taught his people. 3. Egypt… I have loved Egypt since I was young!! 4. The Caribbean (with Kristofer)… I have been with family, but I want to go with him. 5. Germany… my dad was born there, and I have an uncle there, still. 6. Rome, Italy… I would give anything to go to the Temple open house there, when it happens 7. Japan… hello my last name is HAYASHI… it will be my children’s heritage. 8. England… I just want to go 8 of the best words 1. You are a child of God 2. Applesauce… well, I use this word in place of other words… I am not sure why. 3. Calmate… It is Spanish for calm down 4. I love you… I love it when Kristofer says it 5. Paycheck is in… this means rent can be paid, yay! 6. Family… family is the most important thing in this life! I love my family!!!! 7. “I’m home”… this means Kristofer is home from work and I am not alone any more. 8. Harry Potter… just because it’s the best book ever! ;) 8 things I must do tonight 1. Clean the whole apartment (probably won’t get done) 2. Get ready for our little dinner get together tonight 3. Take pictures for my photography class 4. Do physics homework… YUCK! 5. Do Spanish homework... yuck! 6. Did I mention cleaning? ;) 7. Prepare for the visit teaching workshop… I’m in charge of ALL the refreshments! 8. Spend time with Kristofer… since throughout the week we hardly see each other 8 people I tag 1. Lali Johnson 2. Katrina Blevins 3. Jill McGill 4. Caty Ariciu 5. Nikki Podany 6. Kimberly Raynor 7. Amanda Budd 8. Lauren Lace

So Sunday was a crazy day! I had invited over 2 friends to watch the General Relief Society Broadcast (which I Tivo-ed). And we were listening ever so intensely as my husband came running out of the office screaming. "There's a bird in the bird in the office!" So we paused the broadcast. I went into the office and ever so cleverly closed the blinds (our windows have screens and we couldn't get it off) and the bird went through the door toward the light. It was now stuck in the living room/ kitchen area. We had the front door WIDE open and it would not fly to it, it would fly and land on the frame, but would go down just a smig out the door. It took us 45 mins to get this bird out of our apartment... it was a huge ordeal. The bird also got catch behind our fridge. We had to pull out the fridge. We then came up with idea to guide the bird out the apartment, after we tried catching it in a pillow case. We ended up tacking sheets and blankets up to the ceiling so the bird had no where else to fly but out the door. It took forever!!! Thank you to all the hard workers and screamers who helped make the dream of this little bird come true... He finally got his freedom. :) This is the first clip... thinking it would fly to to door... This is the second clip... We really thought it would have flown to the open wild... and lastly... the escape... Bird Out... The End

I was Tagged by my friend Lali to list wedding info ... but I have already done this one so if you want to check it out click here.

So, I was reading my friend, Kimmy's blog and she some how came across this rate your blog's reading level. She got a College level: undergrad. So I was curious (b/c she has better English all around than I do). I was scared to get mine back... fear of it saying below elementary level. To my SURPRISE: look, look... it says GENIUS!!!

Movie Reviews

What are these people smoking'?? Enjoy, reading my genius blog! ;)

Ashley and I had the privileged to attend Time Out for Women in Boise. I was also privileged to go in Idaho Falls this past March. At each one there are different presenters. I have been blessed to see many wonderful people that have enriched my life, and gave me strength on my mission to go out every day. In Boise I personally met Brad Wilcox. He had come up to Ashley and me and just talked to us. I told him how much helped me on my mission, we then discussed where I served. He continued on to tell he was proud of me and gave me a kiss on my head. hehe... I felt very overwhelmed, someone I looked up to told me he was proud of me. We met many others... Jenny Frogley performed, and we ended up buying her cds. Her voice is amazing! I love going to things like this, they fill my life with the spirit and help me remember who I am. I so grateful for my Savior and all that he has done for you and me. He truely is the Son of God the Father. *dont mind that I look fat in these pictures... its the lighting

this is what i do because i am bored... i kinda cant wait until school starts! these are pacifier clips. i made them to detach from the clips so you can switch out the ribbons. These are a bunch of different bows/clips i make. :)

One Year ago today I married the love of my life and my best friend! It was a joyous day that I never will, nor want to, forget. Thank you Kristofer for an amazing first year together. Here is a flash back...

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

We had so much fun spending two days in Carthage and Nauvoo, spending time learning more about the Prophet Joseph Smith and his family. It was such nice weather and just after all the pageants, so it was quite.

We went to the Twin Falls Temple open house. We met my sister, Ashley, and her family there. It was so much fun to see the girls and spend time with family. Micah got glasses... and she is so adorable in them. :) There are tons more pictures on the picasa web.

So there is a family in the ward who's parents own a farm. They parents are out of town so this family is taking care of the crops. This sweet Sister asked if Kris and I would like to come and help them pick. We said of course!! So we helped pick the peas. I picked more than Kristofer. :) And then, they gave us broccoli, cabbage, carrots, zucchini, squash, lettuce, and all the peas we picked. WOW!! We have a lot of fresh veggies now. It makes me want a garden of my own. Not as big as theirs, but a small one.