Hadley Happenings

Book Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

2012-01-08T22:22:00.000-08:00

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"As the hours crept by, the afternoon sunlight bleached all the books on the shelves to pale, gilded versions of them selves and warmed the paper and ink inside the covers so that the smell of unread words hung in the air." pg. 8 I love this quote form the first page of the story...it perfectly describes what independent book store smells like to me (chain stores don't smell the same)...like unread words. I LOVE book stores. That being said...this isn't my favorite teen book I've read. It was very plodding...the story was interesting but to me not climatic. I liked the characters and they were easy to picture in my head. I also liked the way some of them evolved. I am looking forward to the next books in the series (they came in set). My one big complaint is the illusion to teenagers having sex. There is nothing graphic, but why does it need to be in there at all? I wouldn't recommend this for young teenagers.

View all my reviews

My Feelings Exactly

2011-10-22T15:15:00.000-07:00

I tried to explain to someone why I love the little cluttered used book store in our town. I told her that "I just love the way books smell." It's hard to describe, and she laughed at me "The way books smell?" I DO love the ways books smell, but not new books, Barnes & Noble doesn't smell like books to me. The scent I love, and sometimes crave is how I'd imagine the "library" in one of those old Victorian mansions would smell like. It's a combination of leather, parchment and glue. I don't even know how to explain it to you. Today I was reading a book and found the perfect way to describe it, someone really does understand how I feel about the way books smell. "A warm feeling came over Luce as she looked around the library. She's always loved the faintly sweet musty way that only a roomful of books smelled." That is from a teen book called Fallen by Lauren Kate. I don't know why I felt like sharing that little thought, but it so encompassed how I feel about the smell of books I just had to share it.

Book Review: 1000 White Women by Jim Fergus

2011-09-25T21:15:00.001-07:00

One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I usually think about what I would rate a book as I am reading it, at one point in this book I was ready to rate it 2 stars. Part of that is purely my own fault...I have been dying to read this book. I was so excited to read this book, it could have never gotten 5 stars from me because I had expectations already of how good it would be. That being said, even if I hadn't had any expectations, I wouldn't have been able to give it 5 stars. I LOVED LOVED LOVED the story, it was very interesting. ***small spoiler alert*** I could even live with the less than tidy end to the main character's story...but there was just too much explicit content. There was content that was both sexually explicit and violently explicit. Call me sheltered, but some of that really could have been left out. I'm a grown up with an imagination, I don't NEED or WANT everything described to me. I was also a little disappointed in the authors use of modern language. This was supposed to be journals written by a woman in the late 1800's...since when did women back then say "I went outside to pee"...my Mom doesn't even say pee, and she certainly wasn't born in the 1800's. All criticisms aside, I really did like the story of this book. I was ready to give it 3 stars, but in the end I just couldn't do it because I liked the story too much. I am going to read another of the author's books and hope that it is better. This was his first novel.

View all my reviews

Book Review: A Bride In The Bargain by DeeAnne Gist

2011-09-25T21:04:00.000-07:00

A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a predictable but cute romance. I love historical fiction, it's my favorite genre, so it was fun to read about the logging community. I was surprised by the physicality of this book for being "Christian fiction", not that it was by any means Harlequin standards but I did think it focused a bit on the physical traits and reactions than I would have expected.

View all my reviews

Book Review: The Mill River Recluse by Darcie Chan

2011-09-25T21:00:00.001-07:00

The Mill River Recluse by Darcie Chan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thought this was a clever "mystery" if not somewhat predictable. I loved the main character and enjoyed the story. What an interesting look into social anxiety.

View all my reviews

Book Review: First, There Is a River by Kathy Steffen

2011-08-28T09:22:00.001-07:00

First, There Is a River by Kathy Steffen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The setting for this book was well written. You felt like you were on the Ohio river, aboard the boat interacting with the characters. That being said, there were two things that disappointed me about this book. First there was the language, while not terrible, didn't add to the story at all. The second was the introduction to a supernatural nightmare in the story. This element of the story was just confusing. I felt as if I was being thrust out of historical fiction and into science fiction. The nightmare did nothing to add to the story and was distracting to say the least. The characters in this book were so well written. I gave it four stars, it would have had five if it weren't for the nightmare sequences.

View all my reviews

Book Review: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

2011-08-07T20:47:00.000-07:00

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am in essence not a a non-fiction reader, but this book grabbed my attention and didn't let go. There is such a discrepancy between medical ethics as they stand today and as they were 60 years go. Henrietta Lacks was a pioneer and neither she or her family knew it for years. What an interesting and complex story that I would recommend to anyone with an interest in how science was forever changed my one less educated woman.

View all my reviews

Book Review : Still Alice by Lisa Genova

2011-06-25T22:06:00.000-07:00

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a beautiful story that illustrates the trajedy of Alzheimer's Disease. Get your tissues out because you will need them.

View all my reviews

New Home

2011-06-16T21:20:00.000-07:00

This is just a quick post about our new home. We purchased a home in Washington Fields and are scheduled to close on June 28th! I know really fast! I am really excited...it's brand new! It's not very big but will work well for our family and we love it. Here is a quick preview, sorry about the picture quality, they were taken with my phone. More picture to come, I promise.

Book Review : Waiting For Normal

2011-04-07T23:17:00.001-07:00

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of the best books I have read in a really long time. This book is well written, the characters are real and the story is a poignant look at the underside of life. It's a quick read and will touch your heart. This book is a good read for even the pre teen scene. I am excited to discuss it with my 13 year old...she read it a year ago. Give yourself a treat and read this book!

View all my reviews

Book Review : Wicked Lovely

2011-04-06T23:22:00.000-07:00

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I will review the entire Wicked Lovely series in this review. I bought this book on my Nook because it was 99 cents. The stories in this series are highly imaginative and creative. The writing is good. I just really have a problem with a book series that is about teens and marketed for teens that is has swearing and implied sex. I wouldn't recommend this series. It remains to be seen why I read the entire series.

View all my reviews

Incomplete Husband and Crazy Christmas

2010-12-29T22:16:00.001-08:00

It was an eventful Christmas weekend for us. We knew I was scheduled to work Christmas Eve 6:00 pm to 6:00 am Christmas morning and then Christmas night 6:00 pm to 6:00 am on the 26th. We had made our plans accordingly. We were going to have a delicious lasagna dinner before I went to work on Christmas Eve, then when I got home in the morning if the family wasn’t awake I would wake them up and we would open presents and then I would sleep. We were then going to have dinner at the hospital before I went to work that night (I get free dinner on major holidays, so we figured we’d just take the fam over and enjoy). Then on Sunday night Brian’s brother and his family were going to come down for a Christmas dinner and game playing.

The first kink in that plan came on Christmas Eve afternoon when Brian had such a major gallbladder attack that he couldn’t take a deep breath or talk to me. Needles to say I took him to the ER. They did an ultrasound and found some gallstones, but the gallbladder wasn’t inflamed, his labs were fine, he didn’t have a fever and the pain had subsided so they sent us home with a prescription for pain medicine and a referral for a surgeon. We then frantically tried to find a pharmacy open to fill the scripts and rushed home. Oh and did I mention that my darling daughter was thoughtful enough to try and make us a nice Christmas Eve dinner of eggs and hashbrowns? Yeah, thought not, since she almost burned the house down and set of the smoke alarm twice in the process. I do love her thoughtfulness though. I ran out the door with my scrubs in hand and clocked in to work 15 minutes late. The day shift charge nurse was very understanding, thanks Sarah!!! When I called to check on him he was feeling better. I came home in the morning and Christmas Day went according to plans. Woke everyone up, opened presents, went to sleep, Brian felt okay, kiddos played, woke up, had dinner at the hospital and went to work. It was as good a day as you can expect when you have to work the holidays.

Sunday the 26th Brian just didn’t feel the greatest and I only slept for 2 hours when I got home from work, so we didn’t make it to church. He took it easy and I did some stuff with the kids to get the house ready for Mike and Shelly to come. Right before Mike and Shelly got to our house Brian started to retch but felt like if he laid down he would be okay to wait and see the surgeon on Monday. When Mike & Shelly and their kids got to our house Shelly helped me start dinner and we put out appetizers. We had dinner and were just setting up to play a game (Brian was just resting), I decided to check on him because I had heard him retching again. When I found him in the bathroom, I took one look at him and knew he was becoming jaundiced (turning yellow), and decided I’d better take him to the ER again. When we got there they drew some more labs and started an IV. One of our cute neighbors took care of him in the ER on Christmas Eve and was just getting off work when we came in Sunday night….it was so nice to see a friendly face. Thanks Alyna!!! The ER doctor told us that he would be admitted and that they would probably do surgery that night. When his labs came back he had several that were critical indicating that he had biliary obstruction (his bile duct was blocked by a gallstone) and this had caused pancreatits. He was sick. His liver enzymes which are normally in the mid double digits were over 500, his pancreatic enzyme that is normally 10-140 was 21,000. Holy cow!!! His bilirubin (the level of his jaundice) was 4.6 with normal for an adult being 1 or less. Needless to say, he felt poopy! The surgeon said he wouldn’t take out the gallbladder until the pancreatitis started to resolve and so they just treated his symptoms until he had repeat labs in the morning. They were better, bilirubin was 3.6, and lipase had dropped to 10,000. Surgery was scheduled for around noon. While waiting for surgery he had a reaction to some morphine he got, so they had to switch his pain medicine. He came through the surgery with flying colors (although he was a little upset that I had picked up the kids and wasn’t there when he got out of recovery). So now my darling husband is incomplete, he’s missing his gallbladder. He was feeling much better then next morning and was able to eat, so we got to come home after only 2 nights in the hospital. I was exhausted from lack of sleep and worry, but he was a trooper. The first day home was kindda rough but today he has felt much better and even went for a little ride.

Where were our beautiful kiddos through all of this you ask? We have had amazing support through all of this. Brian’s brother and wife stayed at our house with them until we knew he was being admitted on the 26th. They had to work the next day so they needed to head home to Cedar. Our absolutely amazing friends Sam and Candice without hesitation stepped up to take our kids. Sam met Mike and Shelly at the ER, and Sam and Mike gave Brian a blessing. Then Sam took our kids home with him and they bedded down on the living room floor. Candice kept them most of the next day so I could be at the hospital without worrying about them. The most amazing thing about this? Sam and Candice have 5 children of their own, 2 of which they just adopted from Ethiopia in August. Add to that, Candice’s brother was in town visiting and they had a whole day already planned. They just took my kids along. I cannot express to you how extremely grateful I am to be blessed with such amazing friends. Heavenly Father was certainly looking out for us. Thanks to everyone for their prayers and concern during this difficult Christmas experience.

As a side note, my usually very reserved husband is really funny when he is on drugs.

Heaven

2010-08-18T23:23:00.001-07:00

I have decided that when I get to Heaven, there had better occasionally be summer rain. There are few things more wonderful than a summer rain storm in a desert city. I haven’t blogged in months, but I had to share this. I am grateful that I am a night owl, or I would have missed one of the most spectacular storms I’ve seen in a long time.

My chair under the eves of the carport with my toes in the deluge from the drain spout, where I can be part but stay apart, that is a moment well spent. There is still moisture between my toes as I sit here. How gorgeous it is when the street is turned into a fast moving stream and water makes the asphalt look soft. The smell in the air is indescribably clean and heavily perfumed all at once. The last drops come tumbling down and the pavement still retains enough of the day’s heat that there are dry patches where moments before there had been liquid glass. The thunder isn’t noise it’s background music to the fireworks of the lightning. For a brief instant nothing else matters but sitting and enjoying the gift of life bringing moisture. Just as quickly as it began, it’s over and most won’t even know it happened, but those of us awake to witness.

My Mom

2010-06-21T23:43:00.001-07:00

Yes, twice in a month I get to rave about having great parents (although if you would listen more often I’d tell you I have great parents). It’s my mom’s birthday today. She’s turning….yeah like I’m going to tell you. I miss my mom. We moved from Salt Lake almost exactly 2 years ago, and I miss having my mom close. Granted they moved to be near Micki in February. Did I mention that I miss my mom? I have a great mom. My mom has always taken good care of me. She has never stopped worrying about me, and while I hate that I give her reasons to worry, I love that she loves me enough to still worry. I'm not sure I mentioned it, but I miss my mom. My mom gives of herself to the whole family. I don’t think I had any appreciation or idea of what she sacrificed for me, I still can’t wrap my head around it. My mom has the cleanest house of anyone I know, and I envy her that skill and dedication. My mom always knew what to do for me when I was sick. She has always been quick to step in and help me whenever I need it. My mom frequently calls me and my children the wrong name, but it doesn’t bother me, because I know she knows who I am. In case I hadn't already mentioned it, I miss my mom. I love that she has spent so much time in The Temple the last few years. I love the way she is always willing to serve, even if it’s not comfortable for her. I love the way she always makes sure my kids have what they need to start school. I love that she went with me on Emma’s first day of Kindergarten when I blubbered like a baby.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!!! I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!!

Desert Botanical Garden

2010-06-05T06:52:00.000-07:00

While we were in Phoenix, Brian took Nathan to The Desert Botanical Garden. Here’s just some fun pictures of their day. There are a lot more pictures, but I’m going to let Brian blog all the cool nature shots, here’s just a few of the ones that Nathan kept making Brian take (he’d pose and tell Brian to take his picture). The sculptures are part of an exhibit by artist Allan Houser.

They were having a butterfly exhibit.

How would you like this to be your only shelter in Phoenix heat?

grinding mesquite beans

one of the sculptures by Allan Houser

peek-a-boo

My Dad

2010-06-04T06:26:00.001-07:00

I know Father’s Day is still over 2 weeks away, but I while I was blogging last night, I saw this picture of my Dad and decided I needed to blog about him. My Dad was my best friend (besides my sister of course) while I was growing up. He rarely got mad, and when he did, I usually more than deserved it. He took me fishing, which I know required and infinite amount of patience. He let me tag along when he ran errands to Angler’s Inn and Allied. He was a great teacher and a great coach. He could always be counted on to help me proofread my papers (and still helps me with this). He taught school and so he got to be off during the summers, which I loved. Sometimes as a teenager you don’t always want your parents to be home, but I really loved that we got to spend extra time together during the summers. My Dad is a devoted son. He took care of my grandparents, moving in with them when they could no longer care for themselves (they lived about 1.5 hours north of when we were in SLC). To this day he puts flowers and decorations on their graves several times a year (including last weekend for Memorial Day when he from Phoenix to SLC and then up to decorate them). My Dad still looks out for me, and supports me even when I know it’s difficult for him to watch me struggle. He has incredible love and patience for my kids, and spends time doing things with them that they like to do. When we were still in SLC he and my mom (who I will blog about separately) would take Emma camping with them for a few days every summer. Tears are running down my face as I write this, because I don’t take the time often enough to tell my Dad how much I appreciate all he has done for me in my life. how much I love him, and how much I miss having him close by. I love you Daddy!!! Thanks for everything you do for me.

Phoenix Birthday Trip

2010-06-03T23:12:00.001-07:00

Okay, I’m not going to try and catch up on everything I haven’t blogged about, but there are a few highlights I am going to try and hit. First stop, Emma’s birthday trip to Phoenix. Emma wanted to have a party for her birthday, and she also wanted to go to Phoenix to see the cousins. We gave her a choice, she chose Phoenix. We all had a great time. Craft Day. Birthday Bowling. Desert Botanical Garden. Just to name a few. Here are some bowling highlights, because we actually had a lot of fun (I don’t think I have ever bowled with my dad before, my grandma yes, my dad, I don’t think so).

The birthday girl in action!

My boys bowling…

Grandpa and Matha checking out the action! (How about them shoes?)

Yes you do see right, my final score was 58 (in my defense, I wasn’t using the bumpers….)

This one’s for you Mom!

Coming up.....more stops on the highlight train!

Book Review: Sing Down the Moon by Scott O'Dell

2010-05-30T02:01:00.001-07:00

Sing Down the Moon by Scott O'Dell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love to read Newberry Award and Honor books, so that's where I was browsing when I found this book. I have read Island of the Blue Dolphins by Mr. O'Dell and it is not among my favorites. I did enjoy this book, and it's subject matter (the relocation of the Navajo of the southwest to Fort Sumner aka. The Long Walk) is such a bleak part of our American history. I want to cry everytime I think of the misunderstanding and cruelness of it. I don't think we will ever understand the suffering that happened, but Mr. O'dell attempted to do so here through the lives of some of those people. The book was short, but hard for me to read because of the subject matter.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: The Unfinished Angel by Sharon Creech

2010-05-30T01:54:00.000-07:00

The Unfinished Angel by Sharon Creech

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Can I just say, I think my brain may be stuck at about 14 years old. I love a great love story and I love a great youth read. This is not a love story, I guess it kind of is, but not really. I love the other book I've read by Sharon Creech, Walk Two Moons, and so I picked this one up off the shelf the last time I was at the library. I want to read this again, soon, it really left an impression on me. The story is somewhat complicated, but it's told in the voice of a child almost. What a great book for discussion. Sharon Creech is a master storyteller and I want to read everything she has written now. Book Club friends (both new and old) beware, I will get you to read this book. It's a short book, designed for teen readers, but the story itself may be more advanced than that.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: The Apothacary's Daughter by Julie Klassen

2010-05-30T01:49:00.000-07:00

The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Okay, it was fluffier than Austen, but written in that same vein. There was a period feel about it that I like and I like a fun story. It had some twists that I didn't expect. It wasn't heavy thought provoking reading, but it was fun none-the-less.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: I Dare You to Eat It by Leisa Card

2010-05-30T01:46:00.001-07:00

I Dare You to Eat It by Liesa Card

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Okay, call me a dork, throw your cans of wheat at me, whatever......I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES OVER HEATHER!!! I read this book just like it was a novel from cover to cover. Yes I read a food storage book from cover to cover. Leisa spoke to me when she was addressing why we food storage and how we food storage. This is not your mother's food storage people. Please, please, please read it. I cooked black beans, from dried beans, and they were delicious!!! Those are four year old dried beans and you would have never known it. Please, do yourself a favor and read the book. Please?

View all my reviews >>

A New Phase

2010-05-09T22:36:00.000-07:00

That's what I am calling this time in our life, a new phase. I have put off blogging about this long enough, and I have been "blocked" as far as blogging goes, so I have to start somewhere. For those of you who don't know, Brian got laid off 3 weeks ago tomorrow. There are no jobs in St. George, or anywhere in Utah for that matter, doing what he does (architectural drafting for those of you who don't know). He has been applying and sending resumes all over the country. Some of the interesting places he has looked are St. Louis, Phoenix (of course since my family is there), Omaha, College Station (Texas).....and the list goes on. We are praying he finds something soon. In the mean time, I have gone back to work full time (it has been such a luxury to only work part time since moving here). I don't mind it, but it was nice not to have to. This economy has got to pick up sometime right? We would appreciate any prayers on our behalf. Pray that we don't have to move somewhere we will hate, that's all I'm asking at this point, just not somewhere we will hate. We have pretty much accepted that we will be moving, not a matter of if, but when. All in the Lord's time I suppose, he has always watched out for us in the past, no reason that should change now.

My New Life

2010-05-08T21:01:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling so sorry for myself, but my trials are so small.

Book Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

2010-05-01T21:38:00.001-07:00

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I so wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. For me, often times, the second book in a trilogy is kind of like a middle child (no offense to you middle children out there), it is absolutely essential, and in some ways more important than it's siblings, however it doesn't quite know where it fits sometimes. That is so not true of this book. I liked it even better than The Hunger Games, it's older sibling. The story is growning and evolving with ever interensting twists and turns. The main character has grown and matured but in some ways hasn't chaged at all. You will find yourself more torn in this book as to which way you want Katniss to turn. It's a nail biting, on the edge of your seat, looking out between your fingers as you cover your eyes, rubbernecking the accident kind of book. The August due date of the baby of the family, Mockingjay, cannot come soon enough. I don't know what I would do if I had to endure all eleven and a half of this pregnancy. I can't wait to read the next one! *parental advisory* the theme of the book is a bit tragic and gruesome it has been compared to the gladiator days of the Roman Empire, so beware if you have young children reading it.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2010-05-01T21:29:00.001-07:00

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I cannot gush about this book enough. It has to be one of the best books I have read in a long time. I picked it up one night at about 9:30 p.m., I had about 40 pages read at this point. I could NOT put the book down. It was compelling to say the least. I LOVED it. I stayed up until 3:00 a.m. to finish it. The precept of the story is actually somewhat gruesome, and it staggers my imagination to wonder how anyone can come up with such elaborate fantasy. I could barely contain it let alone create it. What well thought out characters. The main character Katniss, I rooted for her from square one, but there were times I wanted to bop her on the head. She was likeable one minute and deplorable the next. I found myself almost biting my nails to see what would happen next. I LOVE this book (did I mention that already). I had a gift card to Barnes & Noble and went the next morning to buy the second book. I finished this one in a day as well. I am just counting the days until the third one comes out! The story is a bit difficult to read in some spots, and I would screen it before you let a preteen read it, but it is definately one I would recommend!!! Did I mention I LOVE it?!?

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: Beneath a Harvest Sky by Tracie Peterson

2010-05-01T21:21:00.001-07:00

Beneath a Harvest Sky by Tracie Peterson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was probably my favorite book of the three in the series. I enjoyed the series but they weren't my favorite books I've ever read.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: Across the Years by Tracie Peterson

2010-05-01T21:19:00.001-07:00

Across the Years by Tracie Peterson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I also enjoyed this story and the characters were very likeable. I however feel the same way about this book as I did the first in the series. A lot of the references I felt were too modern for the time period in which they occured. An easy enjoyable story though.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: Shadows of the Canyon by Tracie Peterson

2010-05-01T21:17:00.001-07:00

Shadows of the Canyon by Tracie Peterson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The story of this book was very fun. I learned about an aspect of travel I had never even heard of, they were a chain of restaurants and hotels that catered to the railway travelers at the turn of the century. They were called the Harvey House Restaurants and they were run by the Fred Harvey Company. The specific hotel in this book was called El Tovar and was on the rim of the Grand Canyon and is still there today, although it is run by another company. I generally enjoy religious fiction, because I know there won't be a lot of unecessary garbage in them. I enjoyed the story of this book, but all of the references to being saved by grace were more than I cared for, especially because to my knowlege the particular phrasing in this book is more modern vernacular than would have occured around the turn of the century. I also felt like some of the language and names were too modern for the hitorical time it occured in.

View all my reviews >>

Tin Grin

2010-04-10T17:56:00.001-07:00

Emma is now a tin grin! She got braces on March 9th. Holy Cow! That means she’s had them on for over a month now. We knew for about 4 days beforehand that she was going to get them, and she drove us nutso because she was so excited to get them on. Yes, I know, she didn’t know what was in store for her, or how much she wouldn’t be able to eat once she got them. I guess it’s good that we don’t know these things ahead of time, otherwise we probably wouldn’t do it. This has been somewhat of a long road for us, because we saw an orthodontist just after we moved here (almost a year and a half ago), and he recommend that we let her adult teeth come in some more, and then that we pull 4 of them, because she just doesn’t have room in her mouth for all of them. He said that he rarely recommends this route, about 2 times a year is all, but that she just doesn’t have enough room. When we went to see him the end of February, he said that now was the time we should do it. This has never sat well with me, but I thought, “Hey, he’s the professional” and so we were going to do it. I decided to get a second opinion (after much “hitting me over the head” from the Spirit), and so I scheduled one for March 4th with another orthodontist, and told them up front that this is a second opinion. They took x-rays and looked at her teeth, and said that it IS NOT necessary to pull any of her adult teeth, as all her teeth lean in towards the center of her mouth, so we can just pull them upright with the braces and make room for all of them. Can you say **whew**!!! I am so glad that I listened to that “little nudge” and got the second opinion. So now she had braces :) She picked bright green and bright pink for her colors this first time around. We don’t see the orthodontist again until the end of May. Isn’t she cute??? (sorry about the picture quality, it was taken with my cell phone, you wanted to see everything going by reflected in her glasses didn’t you?)

Book Review: A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

2010-04-10T17:26:00.001-07:00

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Okay, again this is Nicholas Sparks. Anyone who has seen the movie will recognized the story (although I think much of it is changed but I can't remember for sure how the movie was). It is classic Nicholas Sparks, heavy on Carolina charms, romance and well written characters, but also heavy on the tears. I didn't cry very much with this one, but I think it's because I already knew what was coming. I think had I been blindsided by it, I would have bawled. Recommended for anyone who needs a quick read and a good cry.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: Eyes Like Mine by Julie Wright

2010-04-10T17:22:00.001-07:00

Eyes Like Mine by Julie Wright

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really like the story of this book. I loved the way the past touched the future, and the relevance that has in every day life. We need to look to our ancesters more often, and learn form their struggles and trials, and apply them to our own lives. It also gave voice to something I have often thought true, there is a reason that we are all born in the dispensation that we are. I certainly could not have withstood the physical trials that our forebarers went through, but I also think that we are preyed upon by Satan with each passing year. This is a fun and easy read. I was touched by the characters and the struggles they faced.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: Band of Sisters by Annette Lyon

2010-04-10T17:17:00.001-07:00

Band of Sisters by Annette Lyon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
**spoiler warning**I had a hard time at first getting into this book, because a couple of the characters were somewhat unlikeable (as I guess they were inteded to be). As the book went on I actually found I really liked these woment and was aching for the struggles they went through while their husbands were deployed. As I was getting to the end, I hated to have to leave these sisters, but I was anxious to see where their lives were going to be at the end of deployment. I was disappointed that this book only covered the first 6 months of the deployment, not the whole year, I HATE waiting for a "next" book to come out. I have a horrible mind for remembering plot details, and usually end up rereading a book if I have to wait a while for the sequel. I would recommend this book to any of my LDS friends who want to have some small insight into what a spouse goes through when their husband is deployed.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: Bitten by Robert F. Smith

2010-03-29T22:57:00.000-07:00

Bitten: A Romantic Comedy by Robert F. Smith

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was originally published as 2 different books, so it was a bit long, but I didn't mind. I enjoyed this book a lot. It's a romance of sorts while being a story about a funny group of people deep in the Tenessee hills (now if that doesn't tell you what kind of characters you are going to run into, I don't know what will). The mishaps and characters you will sett in this story are too funny! Enjoy a quick and easy read writted for an LDS audience.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale

2010-03-29T22:56:00.000-07:00

The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I rarely read a book that makes me laugh out loud, but this one did, several times. Shannon Hale is probably my favorite author. Her versatility in storytelling in amazing. She can write juvenile fantasy fiction and adult humorous fiction with equal ability. Her characters are well thought out and described. This book was written about a Mormon stay-at-home-mom who writes a screenplay and happens to meet her "Hollywood crush". This books was full of memorable humor and poinient moments (and no I can't spell, sorry). Here is a quote about when the main character fell in love with her husband, I know it's syrup with a heaping teaspoon of sugar, but it was very much the main character. "She'd thought she was in love before, but now those faded relationships seemed quaint and childish. Being in love with Mike lifted her off the ground, swathed her in fuzzy blankets, kept her warm and cozy everywhere she went. Awake or asleep, her heart thrilled, her lips smiled. The whole world was gilded, water was nectar, cloth was silk on her skin, every child was an angel and every stranger her best friend. Yay! Ya for love and the perfect man and the absolute gorgeousness of everything, everything!" Who of us hasn't felt this "head over heels" in love feeling? For that matter who of us hasn't wanted to be loved like that? I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a good fun laugh, and a heartbreaking cry all from the same book.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd

2010-03-29T22:55:00.000-07:00

The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I LOVED The Secret Life of Bees by this author. This book is no less visual in it's descriptions. I could totally picture the settings and characters. For that reason alone I would have given it 5 stars. This author is fantastic! The reason that I gave it 3 stars only is becuse I didn't care for the subject matter. I guess I can't even really say that. The story is a middle-life "coming of age" story (I hate to call it a mid-life crisis, but essentially that's what it is) about a woman in her 40's. I think I could relate to how she felt trapped by her life, I just wasn't fond of how she came to her resolution. Call me a prude, or whatever you like, it's my standards, and I don't have to agree with the way other's conduct their lives (woah! Now I sound like I'm talking about a neighbor down the street or something....maybe I should get out a little more). I do love the way Sue Monk Kidd "illustrates" her stories with words, and would never shy away from reading something by her again!

View all my reviews >>

Emma’s Birthday Letter

2010-03-17T21:43:00.001-07:00

Dear Emma,

We celebrated your twelfth birthday this last Friday in Phoenix, just like you wanted. It was such a fun time for all of us. I just wanted to write you to tell you how proud I am of you, and how much I love you.

Your smile (even when you try to keep it hidden) lights up my days. I love it when you laugh. I love to hear you laugh out loud, you don’t do that as often as you should, I hope to hear it a lot more in the coming years.

You are such a beautiful girl! You have such a soft spoken nature about you when we are around others….then when we are in a small family setting, you LOVE to talk. I love that you love to discuss your live and everything in it with me. I hope that never changes. I want to hear about everything you do.

I love what a great big sister you are. You love your brother so much, and he adores you in return. You have your moments when you antagonize him just because you can, but what sister doesn’t? You have been such an invaluable help to me over the last little while with your brother. I have loved being able to leave him with you knowing he is being taken care of. Thanks!!!

(While I realize this is a picture of Nathan, I wanted you to remember how creative you are, you turned him into a winged dinosaur complete with head spikes and claws)

I love that you love to cook and be creative. Those are two of my favorite things, and I hope we can do more of them together in the coming year. You are my helper and and my friend and I want to be the same to you.

You have turned into such a lovely young woman, and I am so extremely proud of the progress you are making. I am so pleased that you want to make the right choices and that going to The Temple to do baptisms is so important to you. It is just what Heavenly Father would have you do.

I love you and am so proud of you!!! Happy twelfth birthday Peanut!

love,

Mom

(your brother loves you so much!!!)

I love this look of excitement and happiness on your face on Christmas morning.

You are so humble about your achievements

Book Review: At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks

2010-03-15T19:54:00.000-07:00

At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Okay, sometimes I pick up a book because I know it's going to make me cry. Silly? Maybe. I was not disappointed by this book. Nicholas Sparks books ALWAYS make me cry. His books are predictable in that and in the fact that there is going to be an unexpected twist at the end. I always know it's going to be there, yet it always catches me by surprise....this book was no exception. I love Nicholas Sparks. His romances are romantic yet clean from explicit sex or language. There is no doubt that they are a "beach read", sometimes that's what I need. The main characters in this book were likeable and human. A great combination if you ask me.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: The Hindi-Bindi Club by Monica Pradhan

2010-03-06T20:43:00.000-08:00

The Hindi-Bindi Club by Monica Pradhan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Okay, I know, I actually gave a book 3 stars. Don't fall down, I know I NEVER give a book 3 stars. I'll explain why in a minute. I loave the stories of this book. It's the stories of 3 Indian immigrant mothers and their 3 first generation daughters. I shows the differences in Indian and American cultures while weaving us through the struggles of life. I actually REALLY LOVED the story. I always love a book that has multiple authors/storylines. It always intrigues me to see how they can be woven together. The reason I gave this book 3 stars is because there was the "F" word twice and about half a dozen other swear words, and there were a few too many conversations about sex for me (nothing descriptive, just talking about it between girlfriends). If you can get past the above mentioned things, it's a great book, if not, don't read it. I loved learning more about the Indian culture. If I can pick up a book, even a fiction one, and learn something, I love it. It however reminds me that I am far too uneducated on history and other countries. Even my geography knowlege is limiting. I don't feel too bad having bought this book, I paid a dollar for it at the used book store, but I would have been upset if I had paid full price. Take my review for what it's worth. It really was a fabulous story about the heartache and love that exists between a mother and her grown daughter. Oh! I almost forgot the recipes! Every chapter has at least one or two recipes at the end of it. I have to say, my hat is off to the women who make such wonderful food in India. Their cullinary skills are astounding to me. I loved reading about all the amazing cuizine these women prepare (apparently all the recipes are from the author's mother, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!)

View all my reviews >>

I promise I will have some fun things to post after this next week that aren't book reviews. Stay tuned!

Produce Palooza

2010-03-06T19:06:00.001-08:00

One of the nurses at work told me about this local co-op called Bountiful Baskets. For $15 you can get a produce basket full of grocery store/restaurant quality produce. I’m not talking a puny basket here….there was one small laundry basket of veges and one of fruit. There is a $3 sign up fee, but after that, it’s just $15 each time you order. You don’t have to order every week (some places it’s only available every other week), you can order however many times you want. I ordered this week for the first time, it took me a bit to understand it, but I figured it out eventually. Every time you order you make a $15 “contribution” and you’re good to go. Take a look at what we received:

Here’s the breakdown:

1 basketball sized head of leaf lettuce (gigantic)

1 large cabbage

2 bundles of spinach

2 bundles of asparagus

6 small cucumbers

6 small zucchini

5 concorde pears

1 box strawberries

2 boxes blueberries

16 tangelos

9 small braeburn apples

9 bananas

How’d we make out? I was so excited to see what we received! I would recommend this to anyone. If you are local and want to see it in action before you sign up, feel free to contact me and I will let you go with me next time. They also offer things like tortillas and bread and they had a special Mexican food basket you could purchase. I didn't buy anthing extra because it was my first time ordering, but when I saw the tortillas, I regretted that decision. There are locations all over Utah as well as Arizona, Nevada, Idaho and Washington. We are so excited!!!

Book Review: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian

2010-03-04T22:57:00.001-08:00

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am just so sad that this series has come to an end. Percy Jackson has been a hero that I have rooted for, feared for, cryed for, and celebrated with. I know, maybe I get a little involved in the characters, but this series has swept me away. I know, those of you who know me well enough to know I like almose everything I read, are just shaking your heads. I have to tell you though, this series ranks up in my top five favorite books (they just have to count as one book, because you can't read one and not the others). I will read this series again in the future I'm sure. When Rick Riordan was writing his acknowlegements, he called this the first Camp Half-Blood series, which I'm hoping means there will be another one. I usually don't like to start a series unless the whole thing is written, because I have a horrible memory for plot, and I hate when things feel unfinished....but I may have to make an exception if he writes another series (incidentally there is another adventure teen series called the 39 Clues that Emma is reading, and each book is written by a different author, and Rick Riordan wrote the first one). I hope any of you who take my recommendation to read this series isn't disappointed, because it really is a great series. It took me a total of seven days to finish five books. Pathetic?...maybe....fun?.....for sure!!!

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Battle of the Labyrinth

2010-03-04T22:42:00.001-08:00

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book took me longer than the last three, two and a half days, I had to work and all. I have loved this series and have so enjoyed discussing it with Emma. It has been such an exciting adventure for me. I had to buy the last book in the series (apparently we already own it, and I didn't know, so I will be passing my copy along to my neice when I am through). It has totally sucked me in and I have enjoyed every minute of it!

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Titan's Curse

2010-02-28T23:23:00.001-08:00

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Okay, so I realize that it is after midnight, and that I should be in bed, but I couldn't put this book down (again). I promise I have done more than read, I went to church (okay, 2 hours of it anyway), I made dinner and helped Brian clean up the kitchen, and I played a game with my kids, but I did read for a while (I just started the book in the morning and finished it right at midnight).I am truly loving this series. I have become enthralled with figuring out which god is which and who are their demigod children, etc. Besides just trying to figure out the whos and whats, the story has been really fun to read. Part of why I have read these books so fast, is because I am a fast reader, and part of it is because they are written for a pre-teen/teen audience and aren't that long. Again, I would highly recommend them.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: Percy Jackson: The Sea of Monsters

2010-02-27T21:21:00.000-08:00

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Okay yall' are going to think that my house is falling down around me, because I just finished The Lightning Theif early yesterday morning, and I just finished this (the second in the series) book tonight. I promise I have done things besides read. I have done major grocery shopping twice (at 2 different stores), gone to 2 doctor appointments (don't ask), slept over with my family at my sister-in-law's in Cedar City, stayed up until 3:00 am playing games and talking with family and friends, taken a nap, gone to the paint store and played a game with my kids. I just read really fast I guess, plus I read during the almost hour long drive each way to Cedar yesterday and today. I just have really enjoyed these books. I have loved reading about Greek mythology and it's modern day setting. If you like adventure and/or fantasy you need to read these. They are great books for pre-teen/teen kids (and any grown-up, who like me, refuses to grow up). They are entertaining, clean and imaginative! I highly recommend them to anyone who reads out loud to their kids, I think I will read them to mine! I enjoyed Percy's new adventure and have loved the ways we have seen him grow and mature. Anyone who knows me takes any recommendation I give them with a grain of salt...why you ask? Because I will be the first to admit that I AM easily entertained, and something has to be really bad for me not to like it. Some people think I like everything, but I just don't read or watch things that I can already tell I won't like (like crime or horror movies or books), so I do like most of what I view and read. The point is, don't take this recommendation with a grain of salt, it really was THAT good!

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: Percy Jackson: The Lightning Theif

2010-02-27T21:19:00.000-08:00

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Have you even gone to a movie and then just had to read the book? (I know for me it is usually the other way around, I read the book then want to see the movie). I know most of the time the movie doesn't compare, but in this case I think they did a good job of keeping the spirit of the book (while changing a lot of details and leaving out a major character in the book). I picked up this book and barely put it down until I finished it. I finished it in less than 24 hours (I was up until 2 am because I just couldn't wait to see how it ended). I knew it was going to feel resolved but not over, because I know there are 3 other books in the series, because Emma has read them all. I loved reading about this modern day hero with ties to ancient Greek mythology. I know so little about the Greek Gods, now I want to make a chart to see who they all are and who their children and spouses are. It was fascinating. It has been so fun to discuss all of this with Emma, she has such a memory for characters and plot, I never remember those things. I can't wait to read the rest.

View all my reviews >>

Ramblings

2010-02-25T22:30:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I saw a post a friend did where she called it "consiousness streaming" or somthing like that, where you just kind of spew out all the thoughts going through your head, I thought I would try it. Bear with me, you don't have to read on if you don't want to.

I want to be a better blogger....especially at my family blog
I love to record our lives and don't want to forget them
I wish I was more patient with Emma, I lvoe her and am proud of her, but sometimes I jsut don't want to be with her, and it's not her fault, it's mine...she is such a precious gift from God, I need to protect her and love her and be her best mom. I need to do that she deserves it, she is such a wonderful girl, and I don't always treat her that way
My Nathan is so sweet, and does he ever love his Mama, I am trying to treasure everyday of that, because I know it won't always be that way, he will someday be embarasses of me and I won't always be his best girl, he won't always be willing to give me the million hugs and kisses that I need every day to survive.
Heavenly Father has blessed me with so much, I have had such an outpouring of love and blessings and I can't even say that I always appreciate them, more often I take them for granted, I want to be better at showing my gratitude and increasing my faith.
I am really missing my family right now, I go through periods of this, sometimes I just ache because I miss my sister and my parents so much and my grandparents, especially my grandma. she was my savior in more ways than one, she was such an incredible lady, and i knew that even when she was alive i would have told you that, death has not made her a saint to me, she already was one. no one can tell me that time will heal the wound, it doesn't it just makes it pain me less often. i need to be a better wife and mother, my family needs it, i need it. i love my kiddos and my hubby so much, i need to treat them that way. boy is this a downer post to read, sorry, just kind of the place i'm in right now. going to get my "yearly" tomorrow, ugh! that about explains that (now aren't you glad you know what i'm doing tomorrow). i want to craft, but my supplies (and my entire house for that matter) are so unorganized that i am drowning in them. i am in desperate need of cleaning and organization and especially dejunking help, but i don't have anyone to ask who would have time and who i wouldn't be embarassed to have see my clutter and dirt. my dad told me once that if the stat saw my house, they would take my kids away, and he's probably right. i don't beat my kids, but how good is it for them to live in a pig sty. i need some gold old fashioned elbow grease and some motivation to just make it happen. i need to catch up the blog with at least some pictures of the holidays (hint, hint Micki, email me Christmas pictures). i love the way i can connect to others lives through blogging, but i hate that sometimes i can't see them in person. i need to cook at home more and eat out less. i am going to end this rambling now, and hope you don't think less of me. if you do, oh well, this venting was for me to feel better, not you. praying for Amie...you WILL pass this time. love and kisses to all!

Clarification

2010-02-25T21:30:00.000-08:00

In my post titled A Home I mentioned that my parents moved to be near my sister and help her. She isn't sick, she and her husband just work about a bazillion hours, and were having trouble getting their kids transported to activities and church etc. Mostly I think they just felt it was right to move there.

Book Review: The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

2010-02-25T21:29:00.001-08:00

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
After a couple of heavier books, I wanted what my friends and I describe as a beach read. A quick easy read that doesn't require any thinking, just easy enjoyment. I was at my favorite store (Tar-jay) and saw this book and picked it up (I have been looking forward to the movie, because I am a 12 year old at heart and l*o*v*e Miley Cyrus). I read it in only a couple of days. I have read a couple of Nicholas Sparks' books before, and about half way through the book, I remembered why it has been such a long time since I had read one, they are very bittersweet books. I love the stories, but I know I'm not going to get through them without crying. He always has sadness in his stories. It's refreshing when fiction isn't all roses and perfume, but still.... I think this is my favorite of his books that I have read, but beware and have the tissues close by.

View all my reviews >>

Book Review: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

2010-02-22T08:04:00.000-08:00

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have read Khaled Hosseini's other book, the Kite Runner and really enjoyed it. There was one really hard to read scene in it, but the rest of the book pivoted on it. This book had many scenes that were difficult for me to read, and comprehend. I cannot believe the devastation that Afganistan has gone through. I cannot believe the way these people's lives, especially the women's, have been devastated, and yet they persevere. I was appalled that the women in this book were treated as chattle, yet I know that things like this have every day in every country, including my own. I have said before, I love historical fiction, I love to learn. This book was very interesting and the characters very well developed. I love the "heroines" of this book and the way they persevered despite their horrible conditions. I would recommend this book.

View all my reviews >>

A Home

2010-02-12T22:21:00.001-08:00

They say it’s just a house, wherever your family is is H*O*M*E. I hope they are right, because I am struggling with my parents move. My parents always made sure we knew that our house was home. My parents have sold the home they have owned for 43 years and have packed up the last of their belongings, and are moving over 800 miles to be near my sister. I am so glad that she will have them, but I don’t think it has sunk in yet that I won’t be welcome in my childhood home anymore (like duh!). I don’t think it will be real until I actually go “home” next time to visit Brian’s family. Remember how I described just crying when I got to visit my Mom’s childhood home in this post? I have such an attachment to “things” that I have a hard time moving on. I am praying that my parents get settled and enjoy their new home. I pray that my sister finds peace with their decision as she is feeling guilty that they are uprooting themselves at this stage in their life so they can be near her (I keep telling her that it was their idea and their choice, but the women in my family are guilt hoarders by nature). My sister asked me if I had heard this song by Miranda Lambert before, I think it’s a great song to describe how it feels to leave your childhood home.

Twilight: What Have You Done To My Wife

2010-02-12T21:37:00.000-08:00

For all you Twilight lovers or haters out there, you have to watch this hilarious video. Added bonus, it was filmed here locally in St. George (they are a local band). I promise you will laugh whether is with disgust or hilarity I can't guarantee. Warning: slightly racy video but nothing graphic (for my more conservative viewers).

TWILIGHT WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY WIFE by local band Shallow Day.

Their music is great and their story is inspiring in the battles 2 of the members have had to overcome to be able to play music.

Condolences

2010-02-12T15:27:00.000-08:00

My heartfelt condolences go out to the loved ones of luger Nodar Kumaritashvili who was killed as the result of a crash during a training run this morning in Vancouver. I pray with all my heart that they will be comforted and that there will be no more accidents at these Olympic Games.

My Smarty Pants

2010-02-10T20:38:00.001-08:00

I am so proud of Emma. She has been working so hard this year to get good grades. She got a 4.0 first quarter which put her on the high honor roll. She got a 3.9 second quarter which kept her on the honor roll. At midterms (now) she is currently getting 3 A’s and 2 B’s. We went to parent teacher conferences today, and her teachers just raved about her. Her science teacher bascially said “why are you here?” not because she didn’t think I should be there to support my daughter, but because there is not really anything she needs to work on except maybe participating more. I love this girl! She has been working so hard and it shows!

Book Review: The Help by Kathryn Stockett (edited)

2010-02-10T20:32:00.001-08:00

For Book Club this week, we read The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I LOVED this book. I hardly slept today because I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Her beautifully flowing story captured me from page one. This is a book about living in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 1960’s. The three main characters who’s voices the story alternates between are a young white woman and two black maids. I haven’t read anything really fiction or non-fiction about this time period, so I’m not really as familiar with the specifics as I should be. It was such a fabulous telling of what it may have been like to live in this tumultuous time period! I was transfixed. It’s 451 pages and I finished it in less than a week. It was so good. I loved her descriptions and the dialect of the speakers, I could picture them so vividly in my mind. There was only one scene in the book that refers to a streaker that was hard for me to read. It was just so vividly written that I had a hard time putting it down.

Edited: As I have pondered this review, I realized there is something that bothers me about it. It being the review, not the book. I said that there is a part about a streaker that was hard for me to read. Knowing the subject matter of the book, that makes me seem extremely insensitive. There were several parts of this book that were hard for me to read, the horrible atrocities that were committed against the black people were very hard to read. Let me explain why I didn’t mention it. I love to read historical fiction, I love it, it’s my favorite thing to read. I love to be able to learn something about a time period through reading a story. I didn’t mention the violence and heinous crimes committed during the civil rights movement simply because I figured it was a given that a book about that time period would include them. There were not graphic descriptions, but none the less, they were there. I’m sorry I didn’t mention them before, but I feel I would not be doing a just review if I did not include mention of them now.

Superbowl Celebration

2010-02-09T09:38:00.001-08:00

I have to admit, we love watching the Superbowl every year. Most years we don’t have a favorite team, but this year was different, because Brian served his mission in Louisiana, we were cheering for the Saints! It was so fun to see the underdog take the game, especially by a score of 31-17! But I’ll be honest, football doesn’t really hold the kids or my attention, so we decided to make Valentines Day Cards while we were watching.

Here’s my very creative six year olds combination of shapes, textures and animal prints sprinkled here and there (this is just a sample, we made 20 for his class, and some for his cousins too).

This is Emma’s creative round up. You can’t tell she’s a girl who loves girly colors can you? She loves to combine things in different ways to make something unique.

Here’s my three favorite that I made. I used old sheet music and a falling apart reading book. I keep trying to tell myself that I don’t have any problem tearing apart the reading book, but I do. It about gives me hives. But I am using it to make something new, otherwise it was bound for the garbage. Does it sound like I’m trying to justify it in my mind? I am.

No it’s not sideways, I put it on that way on purpose.

I loved this picture in the reading book.

Isn’t the title perfect?

Brian made us a really yummy dessert of pudding cake in the crock pot. Doesn’t it look scrumptious?

Review: Hotel On The Corner of Bitter and Sweet

2010-02-06T18:47:00.000-08:00

Hotel On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
This was the first book I read towards the reading challenge (I know I'd better get reading faster, or I won't be able to get anywhere near finished). I loved this book. It wasn't long, but it was superbly written. I loved the different time periods it was told in (it swapped back and forth between past and semipresent). I enjoy reading about the time during WWII, and the view of a Chinese American was not on I had read before. I would recommend this book to anyone who wanted to know what it was like to be a minority in a large city during WWII.

Reading Challenge

2010-01-25T08:58:00.000-08:00

I recently stumbled on a challenge that I think will be fun to try and accomplish in 2010.....to read at least 100 books. It will be a challenge for sure (although one lady commented that she had read over 500 books in 2009, what?). For more info or to sign up, head on over to J. Kaye's Book Blog. I will try and keep a list updated in my sidebar of what I've read.

Nathan

2010-01-19T21:05:00.001-08:00

Remember when I said that I love to take pictures of Nathan sleeping? I went to check on him tonight and this is how I found him. He was bundled up in his Snuggie that Emma gave him for his birthday, under his flannel sheets and two blankets. How cute is that?

No Music

2010-01-17T22:22:00.001-08:00

My cute son loves to listen to music while he’s going to sleep. Tonight he bright me a cd and said “Mom, I’m trying to listen to my cd, but it’s dirty” (he often gets cd’s dirty). I took it from it to clean it, and I said “Honey, this isn’t a music cd, it’s your school picture cd, there isn’t any music on it.” He came back with “Oh I didn’t know that, it had my name on it.” Poor little guy thought that he’d listen to it because it was his. How disappointing.

Brian’s Birthday Letter

2010-01-17T22:13:00.001-08:00

I started a birthday letter to you, but I deleted it on here. I will write an actual paper letter. You are private, and I don’t want to share things you wouldn’t want shared. Just know that I love you and enjoyed celebrating your birthday yesterday!

Resolutions

2010-01-17T22:08:00.001-08:00

I don’t make New Years resolutions, I haven’t for years. I have just decided that it’s not that I don’t have goals, it’s that I want to be working on them all the time. I make new goals throughout the year, and thus, not usually any brand new ones at the first of the year. I just resolve, so to speak, to try and work harder on the goals I have already been working on.

I working on said goals, one of them was to catch up on this blog. While I was talking to my cute friend the other night (thanks Sunnie for the indirect advice), she said she doesn’t try and catch up. I decided that that was a more manageable goal, to start here and now and not try to pile on things that aren’t going to be easily accomplished. I will try and post some pictures and highlights of our holidays as I get a chance, but that’s it. I guess that is kind of a resolution if you want to look at it that way, but I prefer to think of it as simplification.

Nathan’s Birthday Letter

2010-01-10T19:46:00.001-08:00

Dear Nathan,

As I reflect on your birthday I am amazed. I am amazed that our Father in Heaven blessed my life so greatly by sending you to me. Your cheerful little spirit and loving nature are such a blessing to me. You always have a hug and a kiss for me, I hope you always will. I hope that even when you are a teenager and I embarrass you, you will still be willing to give me loves!

I am so proud of you. You are a fabulous reader, and have endeared yourself at school. You work hard to get you homework done, and always love to pick up a book.

I love the way you put your hat on as you get out of bed in the morning, tuck it in your backpack on the way to school, put it right back on when you get out of school, and leave it on until you climb in bed again. I love that you remember to take it off for prayers and the Pledge of Allegiance. I love that at six years old you have an opinion about how you look and that you know what you want to wear, but that you still take some guidance from your mom.

I love that sometime you just need to snuggle me (because I always need to snuggle you). I love the way you adore your sister, even if you don’t always get along. I love how tenderhearted you are, and how you ask “Mommy, are you okay”.

I love the book you bought me for Christmas “My Mom is Great”, because I think you are the great one. It touched my heart tonight as we were filling out your VIP form for school that you said that the person you most admire is me.

I hope I will forever be able to hold your hand, even when you’re too cool for that!

I love you Naynay!!!

love,

Mom

Nathan’s Birthday picture added at bottom

2010-01-10T19:18:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was my baby’s birthday. He turned six. Can you believe it? I can’t. I can’t believe that he has grown so fast. I recently had to go through and print some pictures to share with his class for school. I thought I’d share some of my favorites.

One of my favorite things about Nathan is that he can sleep anywhere.

This isn't a great quality picture, Emma found it on my old cell phone, and I wanted to add it to show you that he really can sleep anywhere!

2010-01-04T20:40:00.002-08:00

I give up, I'm never going to get back to my 27 Days of Thankful, so I just wanted to finish with one last thing.

I am thankful for my testimony. I know that the true and everlasting gospel has been restored to the Earth. I know that we now, today, have a living prophet who communes with God. I know that our loving Heavenly Father developed a plan, called the Atonement, where we might return and live with him for Eternity. I know that I have a loving brother, Jesus Christ, who died for my sins so that I could participate in The Atonement and return. I am grateful for this testimony and the knowledge I have that guides my faith every day.

Please Pray for Claire

2009-12-17T15:23:00.000-08:00

If you haven't been following the story of Benson & Claire click the button below:

Claire is a spunky little toddler who is undergoing a double kidney and liver transplant tonight. Please pray for her!

I know, 2 posts in one day, and neither one related to my family, but both great info!

PLUG

2009-12-17T15:06:00.000-08:00

I do realize that I never finished my 27 days of Thankful, nor am I caught up on my blog. Please know, I am perfect and all my imperfect lack of posts are all in your imagination (now if you believe that......). But I wanted to get a little plug in here for all my southern utah friends. My friend has started a new blog with fun info for those of us who live down here. It's called Dixie Moms and you can link to it by clicking here:

Dixie Moms

She is hoping to build it up to include a lot of information including local events, discounts, deals, happenings around town, etc. If you know of anything going on email her at dixiemoms@gmail.com. She would love to add the info. If you become a follower, you can help this website grow and become a wonderful tool for all of us!

27 Days of Thankful # 22

2009-11-22T09:44:00.001-08:00

Today I am thankful for thrifting. I know that is a strange thing to be thankful for. But I am thankful that my stuff can be recycled by someone else, and in turn that I can find something I need for a less expensive price. I love when I find something that is a great deal and still has some life in it, or can be recycled into a new life.

27 Days of Thankful #21

2009-11-21T22:04:00.001-08:00

Today I am thankful for New Moon. Let’s face it, it’s entertaining. It’s was such a nice girls night out. Thanks Shelly for inviting me.

27 Days of Thankful #20

2009-11-20T16:50:00.001-08:00

Today I am thankful for something pretty sad. I am thankful for television, maybe I already said this, but I really am thankful for it. I am thankful for that I get a opportunity to “vege” out and watch. I am also glad that, sadly, it will occupy my kids sometimes so that I can have some peace. Today I am thankful for t.v.

27 Days of Thankful #19

2009-11-19T19:57:00.001-08:00

Today I am thankful for new pajamas. I have such a crazy sleep schedule, it’s nice to have something comfy to curl up in. I got me a new pair of pj’s today. Lovely!!!

27 Days of Thankful #18

2009-11-18T14:31:00.000-08:00

Tonight my book club is coming to my house. I am so excited to have a night to be with my friends and discuss something we all love, books. I love to be able to read something I normally wouldn't have picked up, and enjoy it. I love that not everyone loves every book. It's fun to have a different opinion and still be friends. Today I am grateful for book clubs, both my one here and the one I left behind in the move. I miss my old book club deeply, but am grateful for a new one.

More Halloween Highlights

2009-11-17T11:40:00.001-08:00

I just had a few more Halloween pictures I wanted to share with you.

Nathan and I at his school party (I’m the room mom, so I’m in charge of the parties)

This is Jose, he’s in Nathan’s class, and he just tugs at my heart strings. I think he is darling, and he has a lot of added challenges in life. He is nearly blind, he is small, and his family is primarily Spanish speaking among others. Miss Lynn is in Nathan’s class as a helper for Jose. They were the dragon and the princess.

We didn’t have a lot of time for a party because it was a short day (we are only at school for 1 hour and 40 min), and we did the Halloween parade as well. Nathan’s teacher wanted to decorate cookies, so we did that and read Halloween stories. Everyone had a great time!

Our jack-o-lanterns, aren’t they great!?! Two fabulous things, mine (the middle one) is terra cotta and reusable year after year, and Brian carved the others with the kids, thus no pumpkin messiness for the mom! Yeah!!!

More Catching Up

2009-11-17T11:15:00.001-08:00

This post doesn’t really have a theme, just some pictures I wanted to share with you.

Nathan and his biker chic teacher on Halloween

Retro day at Emma’s school

Fall picture pose (and yes Nathan IS wearing cowboy boots with track pants, he picked them out himself)

Free fun at a local Fall Festival (say that five times fast). The kids even got free t-shirts. They had a ton of fun!

27 Days of Thankful #17

2009-11-17T09:28:00.001-08:00

I love to read, and I read a lot usually. Today I am thankful good books, and for the millions of titles available today!

27 Days of Thankful #16

2009-11-16T03:20:00.001-08:00

Today I am grateful for public education. I am thankful that my children are able to learn and grow without being indoctrinated with heavy handed messages. I am so thankful that people are willing to serve and dedicate their lives that my children may grow.

27 Days of Thankful #15

2009-11-16T03:20:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for the Sabbath. For the chance to partake of the Sacrament and reflect on the teachings of the Gospel. I am thankful for my testimony of Jesus Christ and his Atonment. I am grateful for a living Prophet and for the restoration of the Gospel in the latter days. I am thankful for the gift I was given to know the truth in my youth.

27 Days of Thankful #13 and #14

2009-11-14T22:20:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, I missed another day....but I have a really good excuse. I was in Phoenix. Yes, I got to go to Phoenix for a day. It was worth the drive, I haven't spent any time with my sister for almost a year. She came last Thanksgiving, and then they stopped on their way through to Yellowstone and on their way home long enough to eat with us. That's it, that's all I've gotten to see her this year.

Today I got to go to Cedar City (about 45 minutes away) to my sister-in-law, Shelly's, Super Saturday. It was really fun. I got all my projects done but one, but that's okay, because I wanted to do it differently than they were doing it anyway. I will post some pictures soon of some of my projects.

So, for today and yesterday I am thankful for the opportunity I have had to express some creativity. I love to be able to create something with my own two hands and have it turn out well. My projects never turn out perfet, but I am usually pleased and sometimes I like it better the way it turns out then how I envisioned it. I am thanful for the opportunity to be able to create.

27 Days of Thankful #13 - Phoenix

2009-11-12T19:53:00.000-08:00

I am actually grateful that I got called off of work last night. It may not be the best thing for my paycheck, but it provided me the opportunity for a REALLY fast trip to Phoenix to have a craft day with my sister and her in-laws and friends. It was such a great time today. Nathan and I left St. George at 4:45 AM and arrived in Phoenix at 11:05 AM. We crafted all day. It was so good to see my sister. Nathan and I are spending the night tonight and headed back home tomorrow afternoon. See, it was a REALLY fast trip. It was so fun to get to spend time with my sister and craft. Today I am grateful that I got called off and was able to go to Phoenix.

Micki and I at her Mother in Law's house.

27 Days of Thankful #11

2009-11-11T20:09:00.001-08:00

Today is Veteran’s Day. It’s a day we honor all those who have been in the Armed Forces and have helped keep our liberties safe. Today I am thankful for those incredible people and the sacrifice they make for us. I am especially grateful to those in my family who have served. All four of my Mom’s brothers served in WWII, my Dad’s only brother served in Korea, Brian’s dad was in the Marines and was stationed at Okinawa. I have other extended family that has served as well. To all of you I am proud to be your relative, and proud that you have served our country so valiantly. Thank you!!!

Last Friday I attended an assembly where Emma was playing with the orchestra at her school. It was an assembly dedicated to Veteran’s Day. It really made me stop and think, and actually brought me to tears. They had invited local veterans to attend as well as the school and the parents. The band played, the orchestra played, the choir sang, and then they produced this amazing slide show. It started out with the song God Bless The USA by Lee Greenwood, which I absolutely love. Along with this song they showed pictures of our military in different circumstances from homecomings to tours of duty. It brought me to tears I will admit (and the middle school girl sitting next to me probably thought I was loony). It then moved to a different song and showed pictures of friends and family of the staff and students who had served or currently are serving in the military. One teacher’s father is serving his 7th tour of duty in Iraq! Seven!!! I was shocked. It then went back to pictures of servicemen and women with their families. To finish off the assembly we all stood and sang the National Anthem, and not just one verse, but three. The kids at the school had made it a challenge to memorize the first three verses, but they provided the words for the rest of us mere mortals (I’ll be honest, I don’t even know how many verses the National Anthem has).

*Since writing this I have learned the National Anthem has four verses. Did you know that?

Family Crafting

2009-11-10T21:19:00.001-08:00

Our family has been really into crafting lately. We all enjoy being creative, and have varied interests. Here is a fun example. We made paper mache ornaments for a Halloween Tree. It was something we could all do and enjoy.

Creating our ornaments, good messy fun!!!

Our handiwork on display outside our home.

27 Days of Thankful #10

2009-11-10T21:13:00.001-08:00

Today’s thankful is pretty simple. I’m thankful I have a job. I have a great job, that pays well, and that I enjoy (most days, let’s be honest, do any of us enjoy our jobs 100% of the time). What more can a girl ask for, really?

Las Vegas

2009-11-09T21:31:00.001-08:00

We have lived 2 hours away from Las Vegas for 15 months now and had never been there with the kids, and so we decided that on the 10th of October we were going to take the kids down there. We each had something we wanted to do while we were there. Emma & Nathan both wanted to visit FAO Schwartz (the giant toy store), and M&M World. I wanted to go to the Flea Market. Brian wanted to go to the Tandy Leather Outlet for gourd making supplies. We all wanted to go to The Bass Pro Shop. We made it all those places, and were we ever worn out.

The kids (and the parents) really liked M&M World. It was a lot of fun. Las Vegas is a dirty and yucky place for the most part, but we managed to have fun. Somehow we managed not to take our cameras into Bass Pro Shop, and I’m sad. It was probably my favorite stop during the day. We enjoyed all there was to see in there as well as the cool salt water aquarium in the casino just outside. We had a fun day, and are looking forward to going back again the first weekend in December to stay overnight. Last time Brian & I were in Vegas, it was during the family friendly push, and it really wasn’t that awful (maybe I had rose colored glasses, because we didn’t have any kids then), now that their slogan is “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”, it is just NOT a nice place to be. There is not a pleasant spirit on “The Strip” (in fact it was downright evil feeling), but we plan on staying away from there next time we go down. We will be cheering my brother-in-law on as he runs the Las Vegas Marathon!

27 Days of Thankful #9

2009-11-09T20:29:00.001-08:00

My Mom and Daddy came to visit today. They stopped on their way home from seeing Micki in Phoenix. They are just staying tonight, but it is still really nice to have them. Today I am thankful for my parents. I have wonderful parents who love me and raised me to be a good person. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father sent me to a family where I am well taken care of and loved.

Today I am grateful for good parents.

27 Days of Thankful #8: The 5 Browns

2009-11-08T15:49:00.001-08:00

Last night Emma and I got the wonderful opportunity to go to a concert at Tuacahn (if you don’t remember, we got to go see Footloose there in the summer, if you want to read about it click here). We got to go see The 5 Browns. They are 5 incredibly talented siblings who range in age from 24 to 30 and play piano. They have five grand pianos on stage that they play together, singly, and in dos and trios. It is amazing. If you have never heard them, you are truly missing out. They are not only talented, they are fun to watch as well. They are the only siblings to all be students at Julliard at the same time. They are 5 Mormon siblings from humble origins that are using their fame for good. Their mission is to make classical music popular with young people.

This is Emma and I at Tuacahn last night. Please excuse the bad photography (and no I’m not jaundiced in real life), I only had my cell phone to take a picture with. We had so much fun. It was a beautiful evening with mild weather. We got to meet the 5 siblings after the concert and they are very nice and genuine. I love being able to take Emma out for “dates” to do things we both enjoy!!!

Today I am thankful for beautiful music and talented musicians who share that music.

Marathon Visitor

2009-11-07T00:25:00.001-08:00

Conference weekend was a busy one for us. A lot going on. My favorite was a visit from my childhood friend Deni. I was so excited she was coming down to St. George to cheer on her friend who was running the marathon. We met at this absolutely darling cafe called 25 Main, where we visited, had some dinner, and ate the best cupcakes around!!! It was s0 nice to see her. I say she is my childhood friend, but we have been friends for so long, we don’t remember meeting, we’ve just always been friends. I love ya Den!!! Hope to see you again soon.

27 Days of Thankful #7

2009-11-07T00:15:00.001-08:00

Wow, 7 down and 20 to go. Hmmm, guess I have a lot to be thankful for don’t I?

Today I am thankful for my husband. He isn’t perfect, and neither am I. The beauty of it is, he doesn’t expect me to be. He is so great to try and help me get the sleep I need and still encourage me to get out sometimes and have a “girls night”. There are a lot of men who would look at this imperfect body and criticize, he still thinks I’m sexy (I think he is just kind or maybe blind). He rarely complains when I don’t get something done, even if he asked me to do it. He puts up with all my nutty ideas for crafts and decorating. I love him!!!

Today I am thankful for my husband.

Kolob Canyon

2009-11-06T14:18:00.001-08:00

General Conference Weekend we took a drive up Kolob Canyon, it’s part of Zion National Park. Isn’t is beautiful? It was really windy that day, but still fun to get out and look around.

27 Days of Thankful #6

2009-11-06T14:12:00.001-08:00

I am thankful for a son who is so loving. He is so sweet and loves people so much. He is so thoughtful, he gets a treat in school every day, and he almost always saves half of it for his sister, even if he only gets 2 crackers, he will save one for Emma. He is starting to get embarrassed when his mom hugs or kisses him in public, but he will still let me snuggle him at home. So today I am thankful for a sweet loving boy.

27 Days of Thankful #5

2009-11-06T14:09:00.001-08:00

Okay, so I missed a day….I’m going to make it up and post 2 Thankfuls today.

I am thankful for a daughter who is working so hard in school. She made the HIGH HONOR ROLL fro getting a 4.0 first quarter this year. I am so proud of her, because it hasn’t been easy for her. I am just so grateful that she is willing to work hard to get good grades, and with little prodding from me. (notice how I got in a thankful and posted about somehting good in our lives? Doesn’t that count for 2 posts in a day?)

Mommy’s Helper

2009-11-04T03:29:00.001-08:00

Okay, we are back to old posts again (sorry, but I really want to get caught up). Nathan loves to help (on his own terms), and one day he decided to help with washing the dishes. Isn’t he cute?

27 Days of Thankful #4

2009-11-04T03:26:00.001-08:00

I am so thankful for a bed. It’s not a soft bed, it’s not a new bed, but it’s a great place to sleep. I am so grateful that I have a bed in a house and not a box on the street to sleep in. Pretty simple. I am grateful for a bed.

Halloween 2009

2009-11-03T06:01:00.000-08:00

Okay, today I will post something up to date, just because someone thought I was funny for posting about the first day of school in November. So I am going to post about Halloween.

First bit of craziness is that I decided to make the kids costumes. They wanted to be a 50’s girl and a ghost. I couldn’t find a costume for either one that was cute and reasonably priced. Anyone who knows me, knows that I don’t do scary for Halloween, it’s all about the funny and cute, so we couldn’t have a scary ghost (and luckily Nathan decided that was okay, other than the fact that we had a moment of testiness because his costume wasn’t “cool” enough, but we got over it). Let’s just say that after this year, I vow to never make a costume again, unless maybe I start in July as was suggested to me. They turned out cute, but I don’t think either one will be able to be worn again. Here is the dubious start to my 50’s skirt.

Ummmmm, yeah, how do you fit a round waist into a square hole, and the whole thing was downhill from there. I ended up using this piece of felt to make a skirt for my 4 year old niece instead of my 11 year old daughter. Oh well, live and learn (I guess here is where I insert the fact that I initially tried to make the skirt without a pattern, thus the learning part). Anyway, after another trip to JoAnn’s and the purchase of a pattern (which was on sale for 99¢) and a new piece of felt, we were in business. I know those of you who actually CAN sew are laughing hysterically right now, I don’t blame you, I would too. Emma decided that stars would be nice instead of the traditional poodle, for which I was really glad, because a shooting star and a couple of other little ones were much easier than a poodle.

I used the same basic pattern to make the ghost, so it would be nice and full. I just cut the hole at the top for a neck instead of a waist, and I cut little slits in the sides for arm holes (I reinforced everything with stitching, so it wouldn’t stretch). Then I cut out BOO in black felt and used Wonder Under to adhere it to the costume, however by the end of the night the letters were falling off, who knows why. I used an elf hat from Christmas last year as the basic pattern for the hat, and adhered black felt eyes to the hat the same way. I then stuffed some excess felt in the had to get it to stand up. Looking at him from the back, I was really glad for the letters on the front, because otherwise he may have been confused for a member of the KKK. I think all in all they turned out cute. Most importantly the kids loved them!!!

27 Days of Thankful #3

2009-11-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

I am truly thankful for an education. I am so grateful that during the couple of periods during our marriage that Brian has been unemployed (one time for eleven months), that I have been able to step up and support our family. I hate having to work, but I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to work in a field I enjoy that also allows as much flexibility as it does. I would not have been able to do that if I didn’t have a great education. A big thank you goes out to my parents, who saw the bigger picture. I love you for pushing me, and am so grateful you did!!!

Nathan’s First Day of School

2009-11-02T11:03:00.001-08:00

Okay, I admit it, I cried. It was my baby’s first day of Kindergarten. No more do I have a child at home who isn’t in school. I waited until he had gone inside the school, but I cried the whole way home. I called my darling friend Lisa, because I knew she would understand, because her baby started Kindergarten this year too. My sister had already called and cried to me when her son started, so I called and cried to her some more. I can’t believe that tiny baby who I held in my arms is in Kindergarten. He was a bit nervous, and he still sticks close to me when I drop him off, but he LOVES it!!! His teacher is pretty no nonsense(which I love) and she is sometimes pretty stern, but her class is well behaved and managed, and he is learning a lot.

I love this picture of him on the first day, because it completely captures is cute personality. He loves to have fun, but is a softie too. Notice the hat sitting next to him? He has to wear a hat every day, but he can’t wear it to school, so he puts it in his backpack when he gets to school, and then puts it on as soon as he gets in the van to go home. He wears it all day until bedtime, then he puts it next to his bed so he can put it on as soon as he gets up! I love that about him, it makes me giggle.

This is Nathan and his teacher on the first day of class. He goes to a Title One school (they get extra funding because of they have a large population of low-income or at risk kids). This means he only has 18-20 kids in his class, which we love. Here’s my chance to brag: his teacher told me he is one of only 2 kids who knew their letters coming into Kindergarten, he passed off all the sight words he is supposed to know at the end of the year in his pre Kindergarten testing, and he can read. I am so proud of him!!!

27 Days of Thankful #2

2009-11-02T10:32:00.001-08:00

Woo hoo!!!! Posting 2 days in a row. It’s going to be a challenge to get caught up and do all my thankfuls, but I am certainly going to give it my best shot.

Today I am truly thankful for my friends. My Father in Heaven has placed people in my life that have been my ultimate blessing. I have be blessed with such wonderful people in my life. It is amazing to be loved for who you are regardless of who that is at the moment. I won’t name anyone specifically, because I know I would forget someone. I have life long friends, and book club friends old and new, and out-of-state friends, and work friends, and church friends. In this day of modern technology they are almost always reachable. Thanks you guys!!!

Emma’s First Day Of School

2009-11-01T16:19:00.001-08:00

I can’t believe it, it’s already November, and I haven’t posted about the first day of school yet. I decided that if I didn’t make the kid’s first days of school separate posts, then it would be a novel. Since Emma started school first, I will post about her first. In St. George, they do school a little differently than I am used to. Elementary school is Kindergarten through fifth grades. When you go into sixth grade, you are in intermediate school for sixth and seventh grades. Then middle school is eighth and ninth, and high school after that. So, my little girl is no longer in elementary. She started the sixth grade on August 13th. I took her and picked her up the first day, but since then she has ridden the bus. Before we moved into the condo, she was excited to not have to ride the bus anymore, but since we moved she has to ride it. I don’t think she minds too much. Here are some pictures of my big girl.

Here’s most of the fam (minus the photographer…me) at Emma’s orientation to Tonaquint Intermediate School. We got her schedule were introduced to what was expected of her, and heard from her teachers. It was very informative.

Here she is on the first day of school. Can you believe how grown up she looks? She is such a beautiful young lady. I am so proud of her.

She started the year out with PE, Beginning Orchestra, Language Arts (English for those of us old folks), Sixth Grade Math and Ed Tech (Computers). She had covered all the stuff they were covering in Beginning Orchestra, so after a couple of weeks, we requested she be moved to Intermediate Orchestra. We thought that they would be able to move a couple of her classes around, but they had to rearrange her whole schedule. It was a pain, and she was nervous. I think it has been good for her though.

My little girl is growing up!!!

27 Days of Thankful

2009-11-01T15:51:00.001-08:00

I follow a blog called Serenity Now: A Mommy’s Solution to Staying Sane, and Amanda has decided to post something she is thankful for everyday until Thanksgiving. I have decided that it might just be the motivation I need to get caught up on the blog. I have decided I will post 2 posts a day until I am caught up, and then just post my thankful posts until Thanksgiving.

The first thing I am thankful for, is my family. I know that is generic and worn out, but I really am thankful for my family. I have a great immediate and extended family (including my in-laws). They support me and love me no matter what. Heavenly Father has truly blessed me with an awesome family.

It would be great if anyone played along, I would love to see what my friends are thankful for.

Tuachan

2009-10-16T21:19:00.001-07:00

We had the fun opportunity to go to the outdoor theater down here called Tuachan. They do three different musicals during the months from April to October. I won two free tickets to any of the three of my choice, as did Emma’s best friend’s (Megan) mom. Amy (Megan’s mom) couldn’t go with us, and so we were able to use one of her free tickets for Emma (thanks Amy!), and then I had a coupon so we could get Nathan’s for half price….so all five of us (including Megan) went to see Footloose for $12! The musical was so well produced, the singing was fabulous, and the dancing great. Another fun thing was that our favorite Biggest Losers from last season, Felipe and Sione were there.

Megan and Emma

Nathan enjoying the view

The kids with Sione at intermission

October 15th

2009-10-14T14:47:00.001-07:00

A cause very close to my heart is Pregnancy Loss. October 15th is National Pregnancy Loss Day. It’s a day to acknowledge the tragedy a loss that happens during pregnancy is, no matter when during that pregnancy. I have had several friends touched by this, and I have worked with many mothers dealing with this as a Labor & Delivery nurse. Tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. please light a candle for one hour as a remembrance of your own or someone else’s loss. For more information go here. I have a friend from high school, Michael R. Hicks, who wrote a beautiful and touching song about this, to hear it go to playlist.com and search Michael R. Hicks, it’s the only song listed by him.

Beautification Giveaway

2009-10-06T22:32:00.001-07:00

The darling blogger at Little Red Roost is having a giveaway of a new pillow from allmodern of a new decorative pillow. The pillows are awesome, and something I wouldn’t normally buy myself. I would really love to win, because my bedroom could really use some attention, and a new pillow would be fun to liven things up (check out the darling owl one she shows in her post, that’s the one I would pick). Check out her blog, it’s darling!

St. George Live

2009-10-03T04:12:00.001-07:00

During the Summer months, there is a local company that does historical tours of St. George. It costs very little, and when you are done your ticket will get you into the local art museum and the dinosaur museum. We took the kids and away we went. We got to see the Old Opera House, the courthouse, Brigham Young’s Home as well as other sites. In the Courthouse Brian was “put on trial” and sentenced to hang in the gallows that have incidentally never been used, in the top of the courthouse. After the tour we visited the art museum where they were having a couple fun exhibits. One was called Shakespeare as Muse, was was multi media paintings by a local artist, and the other was a exhibit of infrared photos. All in all it was a fun adventure!

The inside of the beautiful St. George Tabernacle

Brian’s “trial” inside the courthouse.

The family with “Brigham Young”