My Favorite Season

Can you feel it?  Fall is just around the corner!  Apples, pumpkins, fall leaves, cooler weather, boots, sweaters, football and November elections!  These days you can't log into Facebook with out seeing at least one post about upcoming elections. After 3 presidential debates we are just a few short weeks away from election day.  Of course those who know me will know exactly who I am voting for.  Although I feel strongly about our presidential election that is not the focus of this post.  This is for California voters.  We have quite a few propositions we are voting for that I want to share my perspective and my opinion about. 

In general Proposition 32 is called the "Paycheck Protection Initiative."  If passed the proposition will ban unions and corporations from donating money to political candidates and ban unions and corporations from automatically taking money from employees paychecks for political purposes.  If you'd like to read the actual proposition...Google it!  Before we go any further I want you all to know that I support Proposition 32 and I am going to spend the rest of this post telling you why.

The California Teacher Union (CTA) is in a panic.  Over the past few weeks they have been doing their best to give teachers their side of the story.  I have sat in meetings where I have heard things like, "if this passes teachers will not have the union to support them." "When this happened in Wisconsin teachers got fired for getting a speeding ticket"  "In Wisconsin school districts enforced a dress code where teachers had to wear dresses and heels every day to work"  and my favorite "This takes away our voice." If you are like me you are wondering, "Did these people even read the proposition?!"  In my research I see nothing that dissolves the union.  I see limiting special interest money in politics and letting employees choose how their hard earned money is spent.  And as a voter you always have a voice.

About a month ago the union sent a representive to talk to us about prop. 32 during our lunch timer at work.  With in a few minutes the guy noticed my not so subtle eye rolls at the comments he was making.  He then shared with me the greatest lie of the no on 32 campaign. That even though the propostion states that it limits  both unions and corporations the big bad corporations are exempt.  The truth is that the proposition limits corporations from donating paycheck deducted funds.  The reality is corporations don't often donate money in this way.  If a corporation wants to donate it's own money I could care less.  It is their money!  Unions donate it's members money.  My money.

Let's talk details.  I've looked at my paycheck.  Every year I give roughly $1000 to the union.  We have about 25 teachers at my school.  Do a little simple math and you realize that my school gives roughly $25,000 to CTA.  Of course that is a very rough estimate because I don't see others paychecks. That my friends is A LOT of money and it's just from one small school in a huge state.  CTA has a huge amount of money to be spending and money equals power.  Over the past few months I have spent time researching what CTA actually does with that money.  First of all it is used to pay the salary of the union big-wigs.  And second of all it is used to contribute to political candidates and propositions.  Here is what gets me.  In 2008 CTA strongly opposed proposition 8 (ban on same sex marriage) to the point that it donated 1.3 million dollars to the no on 8 campaign.  I was strongly in support of proposition 8.  So much that I donated much of my time, energy and even my personal money to the yes on 8 campaign.  I worked, I made phone calls, I organized groups of callers and I stood on street corners holding signs yet unbeknownst to me I was also contributing the no campaign through CTA.  Thinking about it makes me so angry.  First of all what does same sex marriage have to do with education?  Second who does CTA think that they are? Why do they think that just because I am a teacher that they have the right to speak on my behalf?

Californians watch out.  Unions are running this state.  They are the ones with the money.  They are ones with the power.  I strongly believe that the power belongs to tax payers not special interest groups.  With proposition 32 we have the chance to take back some of that power.  The unions are scared and guess what?!  They should be.

Speaking of taxes I'm sure the one thing Californians want to do is pay more right?  There are two tax increase propositions on the November ballot; proposition 30 and 38.  Let's face it.  38 is not going to pass.  Thank goodness.  30 on the other hand might.  30 is very incorrectly called the "millionaire tax" but if you believe it is only increasing taxes on the rich you haven't read it. I'm not going to get into the whole why is fair to tax the rich more argument. In my opinion that should be enough to vote no.  I'm going to talk about the how it will effect us non rich people. The proposition will increase sales tax in CA from 7.25% to 7.5%.  Last time I checked sales tax doesn't just effect the rich. 

These increased taxes are supposed to save the state and save education.  I sat in a very depressing meeting yesterday where the superintendent of my district talked about the budget.  The reality is scary.  Really scary.  School districts have been cutting and cutting from their budgets.  If the proposition doesn't pass they will be asked to cut even more.  The problem is that increased taxes are a short term fix not a long term one.  If this proposition passes it does not give education more money. It keeps things status quo for a short time.  The only long term fix is a better economy.  Now think do you think that increasing sales tax will help improve the economy?  Proposition 30 is like putting a band aid on a cut that needs stitches.  Raising taxes drives the rich away from our state. It drives away small businesses.  It makes the middle class feel poorer.  And raising sales tax does not make me want to go out and spend money.

By voting no on 30 I could very well be voting myself out of a job.  I definitely have a lot to loose.  After 6 years of teaching I am still fairly low on the seniority list.  A neighboring district let go about 60 teachers last year.  If that was my district that would be me.  If I still do have a job I am definitely voting myself into a pay cut.  In case you were wondering I'm a teacher.  I'm not making much in the first place!  Pay cuts are scary and not ideal but last time I checked you voted for the greater good not for your own gain.  

I know that this post is long.  If you read it all I'm impressed.  Yes, I'm a conservative through and through.  I think that shows through each and every word.  I'm not an expert but I've done my research.  On Nov. 6th I'm voting to save the state that I love so much.  Yes on 32.  No on 30.

The Christmas Tree...Real vs. Fake

I have always heard that marriage is about compromise.  After 8 months of marriage I now KNOW that marriage is about compromise.  For our very first Christmas together our biggest dillema was not how to split our time between our two families for the holiday it was do we buy a real Christmas tree or a fake one?  Or we could call it Ashley vs. Steven!  I grew up in a home where we had a real, live tree.  I love the smell!  Steven on the other hand is always Mr. practical and wanted a fake tree that we could use year after year.  I'm telling you the debate went on until we were at the store pricing and looking at both.  Eventually he caved and bought me my real tree!  That was the best Christmas gift ever!  Here are a few pictures of our first Christmas together as husband and wife!

The Real Honeymoon

When Steven and I were trying to figure out where to go on our honeymoon our original plan was to go up to Carmel.  Carmel is extremely beautiful but also extremely expensive in August so unfortunately we had to come up with plan b.  My sister happened across a deal for a fantastic hotel in Sedona, Az.  I had never even really heard of the place but the deal was so great we had to take it.  I have to say it was one of the best decisions ever made.  Sedona is absolutely GORGEOUS!  Here are some of the highlights...well the ones we are willing to share!

 Above is the Chapel of the Holy Cross.  A beautiful Catholic chapel built right into the rock! Below are some of our hiking pictures.  Sedona has these beautiful red rock mountains and tons of hiking trails.  We spent most of our time exploring the beautiful scenery.  There was one trail that was SUPER steep.  I got up about half way and then sent Steve up on his own.  He came back a few minutes later and I could tell that he wanted me to go the rest of the way up with him.  So I forgot my fear of heights and climbed up the steep trail.  It was totally worth it!  This first picture is the view from the top of that trail.  And I will never let Steven forget that I climbed a mountain for him!

For those who know me you know that I'm not really wilderness girl.  Days of hiking kind of took it's toll on me and when it started to rain on us I got just a little grumpy.  Thus the picture above. On this hike we struck a deal.  If I would do one more hike that day I didn't have to do any hiking the next day.  I took it!  The next day I got to choose the activity.  We drove up to Jerome which is a old mining town which is now a ghost town.  It is built completely into the side of a mountain.  It was pretty cool! Sorry, we didn't really get good pictures of it...you'll just have to Google it if you want to see it! 

Possibly my favorite part of the whole trip was the Jeep tour we took.  You get in this jeep and the guide totally takes you off-roading up into the beautiful red mountains.  I couldn't help but giggle the whole time as we literally bounced our way up the hill!   Below is a picture of Steven once we got to the top!

The whole thing was a wonderful trip and a great new adventure and a perfect way to start our marriage!

Hawaii aka the Pre-Honeymoon

The month before we got married Steve and I had the opportunity to go to Hawaii with my WHOLE family.  People like to comment that it was our honeymoon before our wedding.  My older sister had the best response to this.  She stated, "Ive been on a honeymoon and I've been on a family vacation and they are NOTHING alike!"  Nevertheless we had lots of fun and it definitely helped that last month before our wedding go by much quicker!  Here are some of the highlights from our trip!

First we went to the island of Kauai.  I've been there many times but this was a first for Steven.  It was super fun to show him some of my favorite places and explore some new ones together.

Here we are at Tunnels Beach.  Tunnels is a great snorkeling beach and for those musical fans that is Bali Hai from South Pacific behind us! 

One day we drove down to Poipu Beach to explore and check of the blow hole behind us!

Took early morning hikes to watch the sun rise.

Lounged by the pool and the beach

Checked out some of the local waterfalls

Jumped off of waterfalls!  Steven is the first picture and yes that is me in the second one!

Last, the view from our hotel!

Next it was on to Maui!  Check out the small little plane we flew on!

Maui was equally as fun!  We stayed in these beautiful condos attached to the Grand Wailea.  For those who have seen the movie Just Go With It, the Grand Wailea is the hotel they stay at.  The pools are amazing with tons of cool water slides and a water elevator!  We spent most of our time swimming, going for walks, cruising around in our convertible and of course driving the Road to Hana and the Seven Pools!

At the end of our trip we always take a few family photos!  Here is Steven with his roommates for the trip!

Steven and his future roommate...ME!

And the first Hill family portrait with Steven in it!

I have to say I've been to Hawaii quite a few times in my life but this trip was the best one yet!

Time to catch up!

After a long day at work today I came home and flipped on my computer and the tv.  Of course after a period of inactivity my screen saver began showing me a slide show of pictures that Steven and I have taken over the last year.  Being new to this blogging thing I didn't realize until now that I probably post them on here for all to see!  So here I go with a series of posts and pictures of some of the fun things we have done in the last few months!

Because I Have Been Given Much

This has definitely been a whirlwind year for me! When I look back on how my life has changed in just 12 short months I am constantly amazed. My heart is filled with gratitude for all that I have been blessed with! When I look back on my special day I can't help but show a little public gratitude for so many of you who made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world!

First of all I am grateful for wonderful friends. So many of my girlfriends from all stages of my life made such and effort to come out for the wedding. The night before Steven and I got hitched my girls took me out for a little fun! We had a wonderful dinner at the Melting Pot in Pasadena complete with all the diet coke we could drink! I had so much fun and was so happy to get to spend some time with so many who traveled so far! A special thanks to Melissa who left her hubby and three kids to come hang out with us and have a pre wedding sleep over and to Lindsay my BFF from work! I had so much fun with you!


Now while on the topic of friends I feel as if there are a few who need to be highlighted! First off, Megan, who has been my friend for pretty much forever. Megs and I met in 1984 when her family moved down the street. I was two and she was four. Now you all can figure out our ages! Megan and her cute family now live a hop skip and a jump away in sunny and hot AZ! Not only did Megan and Shane and their three darling children come out for the wedding, but Megs actually came out in June for my bridal shower. I had no idea that I was worth not one but two trips to CA! I now know why we have been friends for so long; she has a real way of making me feel special! Here we are at the wedding!
Long ago, ok not THAT long ago, when I was in high school I was lucky enough to become friends with Jessica and Jessica! When we were in high school we used to cruise around in my dad's little red truck and cause all sorts of trouble. We became affectionately known (probably only by ourselves!) as Ashley and the Jessicai. Both of them and their little families were able to make it out for the wedding. I couldn't have been happier because the day wouldn't have been complete with out them!
After high school I packed up all my stuff and headed off to a new adventure at BYU. Although I had many of my high school friends up there with me I had decided before going that I was not going to live with anyone from home. So heading up to school I moved into the dorms and began a new adventure. As I look back now I can see how this whole college thing could have gone horribly wrong. But it didn't. Instead I met some of the best friends that I will ever have. I met Alicia, Val and Nicole in the dorms and we ended up living together all four years at BYU. Friendship doesn't begin to describe us. To be honest I feel like we are more like family. These four girls not only were all sorts of fun to live with they have always been there for me. Two weeks before the start of our sophomore year my father passed away very suddenly. I went back to BYU so soon after while all of my family remained here in CA. I didn't have anyone to take care of me but these three and that is exactly what they did. They have been there for me through the laughter and the tears ever since then. They had to fly from all over but they also came out for the wedding. Again the day wouldn't have been complete with out them there!Although she was included in the earlier section I have to dedicate a little bit to my BFF Alicia. Alica did so much for this wedding including being my maid of honor. I don't think it was a coincidence that we were paired up as roommates as freshman at BYU. I think the Lord knew that I was going to need her in my life. Alicia not only came for the wedding but also flew down and helped throw one of my bridal showers as well as my little bachelorette party. I so can't wait until I get to repay the favor for her!

And finally what would this post be with out mentioning Nikki, Sarah and Jackie?! Although they didn't have to travel far they still had to give up a whole Saturday for me and I hope that they know that does not go unnoticed! They also threw me an amazing bridal shower! Sarah designed amazing wedding invites, Jackie helped address them and Nikki was a my therapist through the whole wedding planning time! And this post could not be complete with out mentioning both my family...and Steven's...
my cute nieces...

and nephews (minus Kyle who is serving his mission in Italy)...my sisters and brother-in-laws and brother and sister-in-law who all did so much to set up for the wedding...
my mom...what would I do with out her?
my lovely green shoes (I know, it's frivolous but I love them!)
and this handsome guy who actually asked me to marry him. I still ask myself how I got so lucky and am excited to spend eternity with him!

Phew...that was a long post and I am tired. Who knew blogging was so much work! The problem is that I am still thinking of so many who helped make our day perfect! To all who traveled near and far to be there with us we extend our gratitude to you!