Monday, December 17, 2012

Housing Update

Have I mentioned that we don't have a house yet?  We've been living with my mom until we can get a house and it's been pretty frustrating.  Me, Jerry, and my two boys are all sharing one room. It's almost been 3 months!  So, again, sorry for my constant bad mood.  And if you're in Utah and I haven't really been a very good friend, please forgive me.  Things really will be better when we have our own space and we don't have this constant stress and time requirements of buying/building/renting a home.

Anyway, we just got some more bad news.  There is a mistake on our credit report which takes 30-45 days to be fixed.  The mistake caused us to loose a beautiful home we were hoping to buy.

So when you hear that you should periodically check your credit report to make sure it's accurate, DO IT!  If I'd known about this issue I would have fixed it 2 years ago (or at least this summer before we  moved). 

Anyway, I can't live here for another 2 or 3 months, so we've decided to just rent a place till next summer, then decide what to do next.

Hopefully, I'll be posting pictures of our new place next week.  I'm REALLY, really hoping to be able to move this weekend and have our own place for Christmas, but it's probably not going to happen till the beginning of the new year.

Book Review: Beauty Queens

Beauty QueensBeauty Queens by Libba Bray

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was a funny silly novel.  But also deep.  If that makes sense.  She brings up some serious issues that face young women today, but does it with stereotypical characters.  Sort of.  I guess you could say she does it in a lighthearted way.  One of my favorite parts of the story is when one of the girls is called out for saying "sorry" a lot.  They tell her that as women we often feel like we have to apologize for having an opinion, or for speaking or sometimes for just existing. And that's crazy! I know that I said "sorry" in almost every sentence when I was younger. Without really realizing it. Then I met a woman who said it more than I did, and it drove me crazy!  That's when I realized that I'm not going to say sorry for living anymore, and even though it's a small thing, it's really helped me a lot and given me a lot of confidence. 

So this was a fun book and the audio was hilarious!  The reader did all the voices (which really helped me keep all the characters straight). 

General MoMo and his stuffed lemur were my favorite characters. 

So, If you want something funny and light, but thought provoking too, read it.  I will also refer you to my friend Bridget's review (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...), because she is much better at reviewing books than I am.



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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Santa Visit

I'm pretty sure that a good photo (or visit for that matter) is probably not something that's attainable until kids are too old to believe in the magic of Santa.  But this one was better then last year.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Book Review: Return to Red Castle

Return To Red CastleReturn To Red Castle by Dorothy M. Keddington

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I'd say this was more like 4 1/2 stars.  It was just so fun.  Deep? No. But fun? Yes.  I loved reading about the mountains.  It makes me remember how much I love being in the mountains.  Hiking, camping, living simply.  And the love story was so good!  You could really feel the electricity between Melissa and Jesse.  The adventure part was great too.  It surprised me often.

Basically, I loved this book.  I'm having a hard time writing a decent review right now, so just read it (if you can find a copy, I'm pretty sure it's out of print), you'll love it!

A new favorite of mine!!



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Thursday, December 6, 2012

Book Review: As Sure as the Dawn

As Sure as the Dawn (Mark of the Lion, #3)As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Good ending to the trilogy.  This was probably my least favorite of the three books, but I still really liked it.  What I would have expected to be the ending came about 3/4 of the way through the book.  Then they story changes and continues.  At first I didn't like that, but I can see that it was the right thing to do.  If she had ended where I expected, I don't think you could have been sure that Atretes change of heart would have been a long term change.  Also, it was good that through Rizpah and Atretes they did more then change themselves, they brought shared Christ's gospel with others.

Overall, a very good series.



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Thursday, November 29, 2012

Katie's night off

Katie is taking the night off. Her mom had a rough day so they decided to treat themselves to movie. I would have loved to have gone but someone needed to put the boys to bed. And besides, they went to see the new Twilight movie, Breaking Dawn Part II. Da da da. I'll watch it when it goes to the dollar theater. I can't wait.

So, I guess this concludes today's episode of the blog. Perhaps tomorrow's will be better. Katie should be refreshed and totally stoked to go to the Killers concert and hang out with her man. Until then!





Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Book Review: Hot Six

Hot Six (Stephanie Plum, #6)Hot Six by Janet Evanovich

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another cliff hanger ending.  I own the next book, "Seven Up", but it's in storage, which I won't have access to until I get a house, so I guess I'm going to have to take a break from these for a month or two.  It's going to kill me. I love these stories!



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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Jonah's Ear's update

To catch up on Jonah's ear issues, see here and  here.

Since moving to Utah we finally met Jonah's new ENT who will be continuing his care and performing the second look surgery to make sure there is no more cholesteatoma in his ear.  Unfortunatly, during the visit, we found that he also now has a large hole in his right eardrum (same ear as the ear with cholesteatoma), so he will repair that as well during the surgery.  He hasn't had an ear infection since the beginning of October, so hopefully that will continue.  We go in for a CT scan and hearing test on December 10, so I'll keep you updated of how that all goes.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Thankful

I don't talk about this enough, but have I ever mentioned that I'm grateful for my husband, Jerry?

Well, I am.  He is such an amazing man, father, and husband.  I really try not to compare my life to anyone elses, but sometimes I will be talking with a friend, or spend time with another couple and I frequently have this thought "Thank goodness I'm not married to that guy".  (btw: don't worry, If your reading this I'm not talking about you.  I promise) I'm sure people will say the same thing about me, and really, that's the way it's supposed to be.  I don't want anyone else wishing they were married to my husband, and I shouldn't be thinking that about anyone else.  Anyway...(this is starting to get weird)...

What I mean is that even though my life, my marriage, and my husband isn't perfect, I'm so glad for the type of imperfections I have to deal with, because they are one's I can handle.  I suppose what I meant above was that the issues that some people have are not ones that I have, and I am so grateful.

So thanks, Jerry, for being so great, and so perfect-for me.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

All the places I've visited.

Thanks for the idea Anna

Here are all the countries I've visited, in order:

USA
Canada
Mexico
Austria
Egypt
Jordan
Palestine
Israel
Italy

Oh man, that's only 9. And numbers 4-9 were all visited within a 3 month period, so it seems like I'm more traveled than I really am.  I just went on one really cool trip the summer of 2007.  Anyway, I'm also going to list the States I've been to.  There's no way I could tell you the order they were visited, so I'll do it alphabetically.  And there is always the question if you have a layover at an airport, can you count that state as being visited?  What do you think?

Black is yes, red is no

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas (Airport only)
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Phew, 26, just over half!  The Northeast is, by far, the area of the country that I've least explored.


Also, I have a (probably unrealistic) goal  to visit all 7 continents before I die.  I've got 4 of 7 (North America, Europe, Africa, Asia).  Although Egypt and Jordan really are the Middle East.  Which isn't it's own continent, but it's more of a unique culture. So It kind of feels like cheating. Since I really don't feel like I've really experienced what I imagine as the culture of Africa and the culture of Asia, so I probably still need to visit Madagascar or South Africa, and Vietnam or Japan.
I still need South America, Australia, and Antarctica.

Antarctica will be, by far, the most difficult.
South America is, by far, the most frightening to me.
Australia is, by far, the place I most want to visit.
And, of all the places I've been so far, Hawaii was my most favorite and the the place that I most want to live.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Book Review: High Five

I'm sorry, all I'm reviewing are Stephanie Plum books.  I can't stop reading them.  I have three other books to read (Finale, Reached, and As Sure as the Dawn) sitting next to my bed.  They are all the final book in their respective series, so you'd think I'd be anxious to read them, but I just keep starting the next Plum book.  Oh well, it's nice to have books you enjoy and are anxious to read.  It's really helped pass the time during this lame time for me.


High Five (Stephanie Plum, #5)High Five by Janet Evanovich

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


After staying up till 2:00 making pie for Thanksgiving, did I go to bed?  No, I stayed up another hour reading this book!  I can't stop.  I loved the cliffhanger ending.  I hope she called Joe!!  We'll see...



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Friday, November 23, 2012

I love "Bad Lip Reading"




Thanks Bridget!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Oliver's 3!!

My sweet baby Oliver turned three yesterday and I can't believe it!  He is my wild free spirit.  He brings so much fun and joy into our lives.  Happy Birthday Ollie!


Look mom, CANDY!


Pinata!








Cousin Destiney and Oliver.  She is also like a sister to him. They are like peas and carrots; spending everyday together for the past year and a half.


Jonah, Oliver, and their cousin Jodi.  She is like a sister to them.  She is so amazing.  She drew this picture for Oliver, and it is amazing.  It's a Robot in a Rocket.  Two of Oliver's very favorite things.  She also entertained all the kids at the party by playing games with them.


Robot Cake.  Certainly not my best or most elaborate cake, but I thought it turned out pretty cute.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

T'was the Night Before Thanksgiving

Every year during the nablahuwachamacallit, I end up submitting a post on Katie's blog on or around Thanksgiving.  Well, here goes.

T'was the night before Thanksgiving. T'were really--all around the house.
Pies were baking in the oven and my wife was wearing a blouse.
In the air hung the smell of pumpkin, nutmeg, and spice.
I hoped tomorrow would come soon, eating pie is oh so nice.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds.
I better stop plagiarizing, or on the morn I may be dead...s.
At this point both my wife and I should be dressed for a long fall's nap
But neither my wife has a kerchief, nor do I have a cap.

When up in the kitchen the pots and pans clattered,
I ran up the stairs to see what had shattered.
A dish was all broken to pieces, strewn all about
I took up the broom when my wife began to shout.

"I'd prefer to clean up that mess from up off the floor,
You can wash the dishes; you said you liked to, sort of...before."
So, I dashed to the sink, took up the soap and a rag
And cleaned all the dishes, the garbage disposal made me gag.

By now, the pies were done baking. The aroma was still there.
My wife was now on the couch reading, all without a care.
I took out the pies from their warm oven nest
Placed them on the cooling rack, screamed, pulled my hands to my breast.

The crust shriveled 'neath the pumpkin custard--like the wicked old witch
When my wife saw the matter, her eyelids began to twitch.
"What in the world has happened? What did you do?
We'll have to start all over, these pies look like poo."

"Go, run to Costco, buy one of their pies,
A mess such as this, I could never disguise.
I can't take this pie to your family's Thanksgiving supper
Your mother will think me foolish, a bakery blubber."

I replied in haste, "The pies will be fine.
We'll just bake another, on which we can dine."
"Anyway, it isn't the cover of the book that we read,
but the words in the middle, on which we do feed."

"Your pies are delicious, I know them to be so,
I eat them a plenty! Watch my mid-section grow.
This Thanksgiving squash pie smells great but may look like poo,
but I know it will be delicious, cause it was made by you.

I love you, Katie.

Love, Jerry

P.S. I know you were really wearing a sweater, but it didn't fit this time.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

So funny, so true

I'm just going to direct you to another funny post today.
 

http://hellogiggles.com/everything-i-need-to-know-about-thanksgiving-i-learned-from-friends
Does anyone else love Friends as much as I do.  It started when I was only 11!  I can't believe that because it feels like I was a teenager, but maybe it's just cause it's been in reruns for so long.  Now that I'm older it seems even funnier!

Also, did you ever see Date Night?  If your married, and especially if you're a parent, you will no doubt find this movie so funny and so true.  My favorite is the opening scene when they are lying in bed, the clock reads 4:59 am.  They can hear the kids coming to their bed and they whisper, "don't move".  I do that all the time.  And Mark Wahlburg does do all kinds of right.  Right?



Do you watch the TV show "The Middle"  The Hecks are so so similar to how I grew up.  So it feels funny because it's familiar to how life was as a kid and a member of a family.  But now that I'm a mother and a wife, all those struggles and situations strike a chord with me too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyaOyc3occA&feature=player_detailpage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-NkgcNy7gFs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3viPcFIo2GQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=XC2VGUVvvAg

and I can't find a clip, but the Mother's Day episodes are the best! (Season 2, episode 21)

Monday, November 19, 2012

Book Review: Four to score

Four to Score (Stephanie Plum #4)Four to Score by Janet Evanovich

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


*Spoiler Alert*

Finally Stephanie and Joe got together!  Man they are so good together, they just need to accept it.  I was completely surprised by the revelation of the identity of the killer.  But, I did know Sugar was the one sending Stephanie threatening notes.   Sally the drag queen was very entertaining.



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Sunday, November 18, 2012

If I were a casting agent...

Wouldn't Dan Stevens (William Crawley from Downton Abbey) have made a better Carlisle in the Twilight movies? I love Peter Facinelli, but Dan Stevens is pale and blonde without makeup and hair dye. And wouldn't he have looked seriously freaky with red eyes?

 





I think these two would have been a perfect Esme and Carlise















I was thinking this as I was watching Downton Abbey tonight, then I found the picture above, so I guess I'm not the only who who had this thought.

And I can't ever get past remembering Peter Facinelli as the Jerk bully from Can't Hardly Wait (which is a super fun (under-rated) movie by the way.  And I think is my generations Pretty in Pink.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Book Review: Three to Get Deadly

Three to Get Deadly (Stephanie Plum, #3)Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Well, I finished this book in 2 days.  It was so much fun, just like the first two.  I didn't love her case as much this time.  It wasn't really a huge surprise who ended up being the bad guy, but still fun.  Of course the back and forth between Stephanie and Morelli is still great.  And I can see that Evanovich may be starting to introduce Ranger as a possible live interest.  I don't feel any heat between them, but I love them as a friendship.  It was fun to see Stephanie's ex-husband be introduced as a character, and Lula threatening him is hilarious!  Lula is the best.  In fact, all the characters are great.  I don't think I'd get sick of any of these characters for a while.



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Friday, November 16, 2012

Movie Review: Breaking Dawn part 2

 


Breaking Dawn part 2 was Awesome!!  Kristen Stewart was good as a Vampire.  I still wish she could have given a little more, or the contrast between Bella the Human and Bella the Vampire was a bit more striking and she played Vampire Bella a little more intense, but she really did a good job.  When she was yelling at Jacob was the strongest emotion I've ever seen her portray. The two movies really blended well together.  I'm also glad that they didn't spend too long on gathering the Vampires from around the world or spend a lot of time hanging out at the house, which I felt was one of the flaw's with the book.  There were even some big surprises which I didn't expect, because I read the book and all the other movies followed them almost exactly (story-wise).  There was also a sweet sequence at the end that was really a nice bookend for the end of these movies.

Bonus treat:  Lee Pace plays Garrett! 

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 


He does a really good job, and it took me the entire movie to place him.  It wasn't until the credits that I realized it was Lee Pace who you might recognize as...

 
 The Pie Guy Ned, from Pushing Daisies!  This was a very excellent show by the way.  You should check it out.  Although it ended way too soon after only two seasons.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Book Review: Two for the Dough

Two for the Dough (Stephanie Plum, #2)Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book was even funnier than the first one (One for the Money)!  I loved it.  The story was great, and the chemestry between Joe Morelli and Stephanie was electric.  It was in the first one too, but in this book Joe and Stephanie spend a lot more time together.  It's like you want them to just get together, but Evanovich just keeps the romance slowly slowly building, simmering. 

*Spoiler Alert*
My favorite part is when Stephanie kicks Joe of of the car wearing only his shirt and socks.  Then feels bad leaving his exposed, so she goes back and throws him his gun and drives off!!  Also Grandma Mazer is even funnier in this book too.  Probably because she is in the story more too. 

Loved it!  I already started the third book.



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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Wedding

Jerry and I went to a wedding reception this evening.  I don't think we've gone to a wedding reception since before we had kids.  The problem is that we don't know too many single people any more, and the few that were left got married in Utah while we lived in Georgia.

I love weddings.  I love dressing up and getting to see and visit with so many family and friends.  I love seeing the beginning of a couples lives together.  Especially the last few years, it feels like most people I know and the USA in general is just full of bad news, hard times, and tragedy. Things have been tough for so many people, and I just love attending an event of celebration.

There was a photo booth at the reception which I thought was fun, so we got a few pictures taken

And Congratulations and Best Wishes to Cameron and Sariah!

P.S. If you are getting married, send me and invitation, I will totally give you a nice gift!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Movie Review: Skyfall



Did anyone else see Skyfall yet?  It was awesome.  I love all the James Bond movies with Daniel Craig.  They are just so much fun.   I loved that you got to learn a little bit about Bond's past, and Dame Judy Dench is wonderful as well.  And yes, you get a couple good shirtless shots of Daniel Craig.  Nice!  And the theme song "Skyfall" by Adele  has got to be the best bond song yet.

I do have to say that all summer there have only been action movies out in theaters, where are all the romantic comedies? I'm looking forward to going to the Breaking Dawn Part 2 on Thursday!  (Although, now that I think about it, Part 2 will probably mostly be an action movie as well.  All the romance stuff was in Part 1.)

Monday, November 12, 2012

The time I severly injured my (other) finger



When I was twelve I thought I was pretty cool stuff.  I had just cut my hair in my first "grown up" hairstyle (which means I started actually brushing my hair for the first time in my life.)  I was one of the first to get the "Rachel" style from the TV show friends.  Granted, it didn't quite look as glamorous as it did on Jennifer Aniston, but it was cool just the same.



  That summer of 1995, my family planned a trip to the Tetons, Colter Bay, and Yellowstone National Park.  We were going to meet my mom's family at Colter Bay for a family reunion.  I grew up camping and we always stayed in a tent.  My mom had recently remarried after divorcing my father and her new husband decided that he would rent us a trailer!  We were so excited.  What Luxury!  A fridge! A Stove!  A Bathroom!  Me and my two older sisters couldn't believe it how awesome this was going to be.




So we made it up to Colter Bay, met my grandparents and uncles, aunts, and cousins.  We were having a wonderful time.  One night we were sitting around the campfire after dinner getting ready to have s'mores. So I found the perfect stick, almost perfectly straight, and just the right size for roasting marshmallows.  All it needed was a few shoots cut off and the bark scraped off. I was very grown up now, with my sophisticated haircut,  luxury camping trailer, and I was twelve.  So I wanted to borrow my grandfathers pocketknife to make my stick  the perfect marshmallow roaster.  My grandpa wasn't so sure it was a good idea

"Now, be sure to be very careful, Katie" he said
"Of course I will.  I've used a knife dozens of times" (Which was actually true by the way,  just be sure to note my attitude of overconfidence)

So I began, and the very first pass at the stick, I nicked the tip of my right index finger. Nothing too horrendous, so I had my mom put on a band-aid.  No problem.  10 minutes later I returned to the campfire, and my stick.

"Katie, maybe you better not have that knife anymore"  My grandpa said to me
"No, Papa, I'm fine.  It was just a little accident.  It could happen to anyone"  I said.  " I promise, there's nothing to worry about"

So I sat down and began again.  I worked for about 10 or 15 minutes when the knife got stuck, then slipped and sliced open the same finger I had just nicked.  I dropped the knife and stick and yelled:

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Ok, take the knife away from me, now!!!"

There was a pie shaped slice that was big enough to reach from my middle knuckle to the hand, and I could see bone. 

We went over to the trailer with the entire family of grandparents, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins following close behind to see the gore, and to help, as needed.  My mom, grandma, and my Uncle John we were working on calming me down, stopping the bleeding, getting me properly bandaged up, and controlling the crowd of relatives who were trying to find out what happened and get a better look.  I was having a hard time calming down, because it really hurt.  My mom is a nurse and she of course stayed calm while I was freaking out.

"John, do you have gauze in your first aid kit?"  "Thanks"
"Oh, that's too big, do you have any scissors so we can cut it smaller?"

I felt like my mother wasn't taking the situation seriously enough. I mean, didn't she see the blood? The bone?  Her baby was going to loose her finger and she was just taking her sweet time making me wash my hand, Hold it with paper towels to stop the bleeding, making me hold my hand above my heart, and finding the right supplies.

"Okay, how about tape, do you have any tape?  Oh, do you have any that's wider?"  she said

"WHO CARES WHAT COLOR IT IS?!!!!!!!"  I screamed.  I thought she had said "whiter". Everybody started laughing hysterically and  of course stopped taking care of me.  I didn't understand.  I was dying here and they were laughing at me, and my mother was more concerned with the color the the tape then saving my finger.  It took along time for everybody to compose themselves and explain to me that she had said "wider" not "whiter".





Sunday, November 11, 2012

Capital Reef

This weekend we got away and visited Capital Reef National Park. We dropped the kids off with my aunt in Richfield then stayed the night in an adorable little town called Torrey. The drive there was gorgeous. It had snowed, and the clouds were just sitting on the mountains.
Today when we toured Capital Reef, it was sunny, but freezing. Like, only 20 degrees and windy. We were hoping to do some hiking, but it was just too cold. We did get to see a lot of the park from our car. It was a wonderful day. (Well, until we picked up the boys and found Oliver had been puking and he continued too the entire drive home. Poor boy. When will we learn that every time we leave our kids, they throw up?)

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Book Review: Bridesmaid Lotto

Bridesmaid LottoBridesmaid Lotto by Rachel Astor

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book was ok.  It certainly kept my attention and I read it quickly, but it wasn't life changing.  It was a fun easy read.  I do want to read the other two books in the trilogy.



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Friday, November 9, 2012

Running update

I've been running 3 days a week for the past year.  I was lucky enough to be living in Columbus, Ga while my sister in law, Ruth, lived there two.  She is the greatest exercise partner.  You know, reliable, easy to talk to, exercise level equal, and she's one of my best friends.  I really thought I was in trouble when I moved away from Georgia and Ruth and back to Utah.  I've talked before about how impossible exercise is for me without a partner, and I was really worried.  Luckily Ruth ended up moved here too! There were a rough couple of weeks before she arrived, but thankfully we fell right back into our routine and it's been great.  Unfortunately between the move and the lack of partner for a couple of weeks, I didn't end up running the half marathon I was planning on running November 3.

But we've found another race to do, so I'll be running the St. George half marathon in January.  This is the race that I did 5 years ago that was my first half marathon.  It wasn't the best experience all around, and I'm hoping to redeem myself.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Book Review: One for the Money

One For The Money (Stephanie Plum, #1)One For The Money by Janet Evanovich

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was such a fun book!  I love the main character, Stephanie.  I also really  really liked Joe Morelli.  Okay, i think I loved all the characters.  It was pretty much just like the movie, which I really liked as well. 
There was a small amount of swearing, but it wasn't the "let's just put in unnecessary swear words so people will think I'm a grown up" type.  It is actually how the characters would talk.  I mean, they are tough bounty hunters, cops, and criminals in New Jersey.  I'm sure they talk a lot worse in reality.
They story was fun and unpredictable.  I'm starting on book two right now.



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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Injured

Jonah fell down the stairs a couple of weeks ago and broke his arm. Poor boy.  On a lighter note, the boys made their first snowman.  It took all the snow in the entire front yard.
I smashed my finger in the car door yesterday.  I honestly don't remember the last time something hurt so bad.  For two hours it felt like it was still in the car door.










Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Halloween

We went Trick or Treating with the Alsops and had a blast
Jerry and I ran a costume 10k.  It was so much fun, but we were robbed in the costume contest.  Ours was easily one of the best.  I think it might have been too complex for the judges.  I don't think they got the theme.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Wow, it only took 4 days for me to fail...

at blogging everyday!  I missed yesterday. Oh well.  It was inevitable.  It doesn't mean I'm giving up.  I'll post twice today.

A couple of days ago, Jonah  (my 4 yr. old) turned to me at breakfast and said "Mom, the Chick-fil-a in Utah is very disappointing to me"

I almost blew milk out of my nose.  He cracks me up!


Enjoy this blog post of more funny things kids say:


Also, I thought this was funny:

Enjoy!

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Book Review: An Echo in the Darkness

An Echo in the Darkness (Mark of the Lion, #2)An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I loved this book!  I finished it over a month ago, so I wish I could remember more about it, but I don't.  I just loved this series and can't wait to read the third one.



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Friday, November 2, 2012

We moved to Utah

*Warning* Downer alert.  In the spirit of honesty, here is a genuine update.

I obviously have really let this blog go.  There is so much to catch up on it's hard to know where to start.  The biggest change is that we moved to Utah at the end of September.  Jerry's orders ended in Columbus and they offered to renew them, but only if he worked from Utah.  So we moved back here.  The truth is that Jerry is very excited to be back here where all his friends and family are.  Me, not so much.  I loved Georgia and it's been really hard for me here.  Yes, I have some family here, and a few amazing friends.  But the truth is, I'm miserable. Everything about being here just. feels. wrong.

I'm sure that there are many sucky factors that have contributed to the general melancholy of my mood.  I'm sure that in a few months most of them will be resolved.  But for now I guess I'm just going to be really lame and no fun at all. And I'm sorry to you who is reading this.   

I've considered just only blogging about fun and uplifting things and trying to hide the sometimes not so pretty side of things.  However one thing I hate most in life is when people try to put up a false impression of perfection.  Nothing is roses 100% of the time.  And that's ok.

Hopefully they'll be some fun posts this month for NaBloPoMo. 

Thursday, November 1, 2012

NaBloPoMo



Well, it's that time again.  National Blog Posting Month.  Where I will attempt to post something every day for the month of November.  I have done this the past 2 years and I hope I won't fail this year.  I've really been slacking on the blog this past year, so hopefully this will be my opportunity to get it updated and maybe get back into keeping this thing updated and somewhat interesting.

So let's get this party started!!!

P.S.  I also encourage you to participate in NaBloPoMo with me this year if you have a blog of your own!


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Monday, September 17, 2012

Book Review: A Voice in the Wind

A Voice in the Wind (Mark of the Lion, #1)A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Second book I've read by this author and it didn't disappoint!  It was a little hard to get into because she uses so much of the vocabulary of the ancient time it's set in (the glossary in the back helped a lot).  Once I got past that, I was so good.  Just one of those books that you can't wait to get home to keep reading.  And knowing it's a Christian literature, I would think that would feel forced, but it makes the story so amazing.  It seriously strengthens my faith and makes me want to be more Christlike. 

You don't have to be spiritual or religious to enjoy this either.  Just a wonderful story!



View all my reviews

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Preschool!

My baby's off to preschool.  Oliver thinks he's going too.  He was pretty upset when he found out he didn't get to stay with Jonah at school.

Jonah LOVED his first day!

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Book Review: The Scorpio Races

The Scorpio RacesThe Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is probably a 4.5 stars for me. I loved this book.  I listened to the audiobook and I'm so glad I did.  Some might say that the story was a little slow, but not me.  I am however pretty patient with most books. I wish that the love story had a little more detailed, but I think she probably didn't because the characters wouldn't have been over the top about it.  I think she did it that way on purpose.  I really feel like I've been the the island and I want to go back. To live in such a simple, small, beautiful place. I wish I was a better writer so I could describe all the ways that I enjoyed this book.  At all the things that the author did that I liked. How her words were powerful and perfect.    But I'm really not so I'm just going to say that I loved it.  I'm tempeted to start all over and read (or listen) to it again.



View all my reviews

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Jonah's Surgery

Here is an update about Jonah's ear issues, detailed here.

Well, after waiting weeks and weeks to the surgeon in Atlanta, then 2 months for the actual surgery, The cholesteatoma was finally removed a couple of weeks ago. I forgot to post an update (I know, you're SO surprised, based on how often I've been posting lately;))

The surgery went really well.  Jonah was really brave, and the Dr. was able to remove all the cholesteatoma, and there was no lasting effects.  No facial paralysis, and the inner ear bones weren't eroded too much so she didn't have to remove them. Such great news!



Waiting to be taken back.  He got this adorable bear from his Grandma and they gave the bear a little hospital gown too.

Waking up.  He was really really nauseated and sick.  The anesthesia makes you nauseous, plus whenever you get your ear worked on it makes it even worse.  He couldn't keep any food down until the next morning.  I felt so bad for him because he was so hungry, he kept begging for food.  We gave him a couple of Popsicles, but he just couldn't keep them down.

Luckily, the next morning he was able to eat, and these adorable clown doctors came and sang him some songs and tried to cheer him up.  It didn't really work, but after they left he said that he really liked the songs.
So, it's been business as usual.  After that first difficult night in the hospital, he's been acting like nothing happened at all.  He was feeling great and playing as soon as we got home.  The most difficult part of his recovery has been that we've had to keep him home and keep his activity to a bare minimum. You can imagine how difficult it is to keep a 4 year old boy calm and mellow.  Especially with a 2 year old brother who is always getting him excited.  The longer he sits around the more he wants to move and get crazy! He is very excited for when he can wrestle and jump and swim again-but we've still got at least about 3 more weeks.  It's getting to be a long summer! If anyone has any idea's of mellow activities we can do to fill our days, I would love to hear some suggestions!

We've been doing a lot of baking, coloring, movie watching, and game playing. 

 We went to his first follow up appointment yesterday and found out he actually has an ear infection in his OTHER ear! This explains why he has been such an awful listener, he can't hear out of either ear.  I won't lie, it's really been trying my patience, but at least now I know it's because he can't hear me, I'm feeling a lot more understanding.

Thanks for all your well wishes and prayers, it just couldn't have gone better!