CROSSING GEORGIA

Book Review: The Pioneer Woman. Black Heels to Tractor Wheels

2012-01-22T15:13:00.000-05:00

The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A quick, fun read. It actually made me wish that I could write my own love story, but I certainly don't remember that many details and I'm not much of a writer.

It was fun to read about all their first dates and how they were just crazy about each other from the get go. I wish there was a little more detail's about Marlboro Man. It didn't really give you any insight to his character or personality. The only details she gave were how he made HER feel which was fine, but a little one sided.

Anyway, if you like a good love story, read it.

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Book Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix

2012-01-17T15:54:00.002-05:00

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It took me forever to get through this book. Probably because I got distracted by Christmas half way though and just didn't feel like picking it up again. Once I did though, I finished it pretty fast.

The first half of the book was really hard for me to want to read. Harry Potter is just whining and wallowing in self pity and I just couldn't take it! Although, now that I think about it, that is what 15 year old's are like, so-bravo J.K. Rowling!

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Santa brings Joy to Children Everywhere

2012-01-16T20:00:00.000-05:00

Oliver sure loved him!

Polar Express

2011-12-10T13:22:00.000-05:00

I never thought that Jonah would ever watch another movie as often as he used to watch Cars when he was 2. I was wrong. He wants to watch Polar Express over and over and over.

Polar Express is a pretty good movie, but I think I'd rather watch Cars today.

This is Jonah's favorite part:

On a side note, does anyone know how to fix this blog so that when I post a video it won't cut of the right 1/4 of the picture?

Responses to "I'm Christian, Unless you're Gay"

2011-12-04T22:17:00.003-05:00

The responses are just as powerful as the original article.

Three powerful articles

2011-11-30T16:23:00.006-05:00

I just read some amazing articles that I would really like to share. The first is typed out here. The other two are linked at the end.

ARE MORMONS ANY WEIRDER THAN THE REST OF US? BY RABBI SHMULEY BOTEACH

I have been close to Mormons ever since my days at Oxford when Michael Taft Benson, whose grandfather, Ezra Taft Benson, was the prophet of the Mormon Church at the time, became a member and then an elected officer of our L'Chaim Society at the University. Thus began a lifelong friendship that continues today, with many visits to lecture for Mike at Southern Utah University and other mostly Mormon academies of higher learning in the majority Mormon state.

I have thus watched with mild amusement as the debate surrounding the beliefs of Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman have gained steam. Aren't the Mormons weird fanatics? Should we trust people with such strange beliefs with high office?

This is an interesting question coming from my evangelical brothers and sisters whose belief that a man, born of a virgin, was the son of G-d, only to die on a cross, and then be resurrected, is, with all due respect, not exactly the most rational belief either. It is equally interesting coming from Orthodox Jews, like myself, who believe that the Red Sea split, a donkey talked to Balaam and the sun stood for Joshua.

But it is equally strange coming from evolutionists like Richard Dawkins who have said, without a single shred of evidence, that life on our planet may have been seeded by space aliens. Even those evolutionists who reject Dawkins' faith in extraterrestrial life have a belief system of their own, namely, that intelligent life somehow evolved capriciously and accidentally from inorganic matter, even though the possibility of complex organisms evolving without guidance is mathematically nearly impossible. This is how Julian Huxley, who stemmed from the world's most famous family of evolutionary proponents, put the probability of the evolution of a horse:

"A proportion of favorable mutations of one in a thousand does not sound much, but is probably generous ... and a total of a million mutational steps sounds a great deal, but is probably an understatement. ... With this proportion, we should clearly have to breed a million strains (a thousand squared) to get one containing two favorable mutations, and so on, up to a thousand to the millionth power to get one containing a million. ... No one would bet on anything so improbable happening ... And yet it has happened!"

Yes, even men of science can believe things that can be construed as highly irrational.

Now, do I believe that Joseph Smith found ancient tablets written in reformed Egyptian in upstate New York, that Jesus Christ appeared to the people of South America as recorded in the book of Mormon, or that when a Mormon dies he becomes a god and gets his own planet? No. Respectfully, I do not. Nor should it matter. It is what a person does, rather than what they believe, that counts. It took four years for the Dalai Lama to be identified as the reincarnation of his predecessor in a process that to Western eyes can appear highly arbitrary. Yet, the Dalai Lama remains one of the most respected men alive because of his commitment to world peace and good works.

Misguided attacks on groups like the Mormons stems from a willful desire on the part of many to fraudulently identify people with a different faith system as fanatics and, therefore, a brief discussion of religious fundamentalism is in order.

The most confusing story of the Bible involves G-d's commandment to Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. What was this G-d, who would later declare that all human, and especially child, sacrifice to be an abomination, thinking?

The most insightful commentary I have seen on this story comes from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, who says that the key to the story is to see Isaac not as an individual but as a religion. Who was Isaac? He was Judaism. He was the person who would continue Abraham's belief system. With his death, everything that Abraham had taught in terms of his rejection of paganism and the belief in one G-d would be lost.

The test, therefore, was this: Would Abraham follow G-d's commandment to kill off his religion or would he put his religion before G-d's will? What really mattered to Abraham? G-d or Judaism? And if they were to be put in conflict, what would he choose? The religious fanatic is the man or woman who has ceased to serve G-d and has begun worshiping their religion, making their faith into yet another false idol. Religion is solely the means by which by which we come to have a relationship with our Creator. But when it becomes a substitute for G-d it becomes soulless and fanatical, seeing as there is no loving deity to temper it. It is in this light that we can understand why an Islamic fundamentalist is so deadly, seeing as he is even prepared to go against G-d's express commandment not to murder in order to strike a blow for the glory, not of the deity, but Islam.

Hence, our concern need not be with a person's faith in public office. It does not matter if they are Jewish, evangelical, Mormon or Muslim. What does matter is whether their faith is focused on relating to G-d and, by extension, caring for G-d's children, or whether they see the purpose of their high station to promote their particular religion. It is easy to identify the difference. People who are in a relationship with G-d are humble and do their utmost to refrain from judging others. Their proximity to a perfect being reminds them of their own fallibility. Their experience of G-d's compassion leads them to be merciful and loving. But those who worship a religion are arrogant and think they have the only truth. They are dismissive of other people's beliefs and maintain that advancing the cause of their religion is more important than life itself. The rabbi in Israel who recently made the strange comment that soldiers should face a firing squad rather than listen to a woman sing is a classic example of this heresy.

Those who worship their religion evince the classic characteristic of cult members. Whereas a real faith system is empowering and makes one strong and capable of operating outside their own faith community, cult members can only identify with other members of their group and require the environment of the cult in order to function. They don't have beliefs. Rather, they take orders.

I see none of these characteristics in Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman -- who graciously hosted me along with my guest Elie Wiesel in the governor's mansion in Utah a few years back -- or any of my countless other Mormon friends. All should be judged on their merits as people and politicians, whatever their faith and whatever their beliefs.

I have never read anything that so closely expresses how I feel about these topics. Both about all this debate surrounding the Mormon candidates or about how some people "worship their religion, making their faith into yet another false idol"

Here are links to two other very powerful articles, both written by Dan Pierce, a man who I grew up with. His thoughts are exactly my own put said so much more eloquently.

I'm Christian, unless you're gay

Disease called perfection

I have really strong thoughts about them both, but it's so late and my thoughts are all over the place. I will ponder and post tomorrow. JUST KIDDING-not tomorrow because today is the last day of NaBloPoMo and I want to take a break. But not a long one.

Hey, I got something done today!!

2011-11-29T22:03:00.003-05:00

Today I made this adorable car seat cover for my sis-in-law for her foster baby.
I know the picture is bad, but I don't have a good camera or photography skills. I also didn't have the car seat to display the cover for the picture, but you get the idea.

Aren't these fabric's cute? I think they are even cuter because I got them on sale on Black Friday 40% off.

And here's a picture of Jonah, because he wanted me to take his picture.

Thank you for Friends

2011-11-28T21:48:00.003-05:00

I realize that I've been really negative on this blog lately, and I'm sorry. I've just been in a funk. Normally I would spare y'all and just not post, but since it's NaBloPoMo, I am posting everyday, good or bad, rain or shine.

Today I was able to talk with one of my best friends for a while. I have been so busy all the time since I moved to Columbus, that I've really hardly been talking to my far away friends and family. Talking with her today reminded me why I love her so much! She really was just there for me today, listened, and comforted me. She also had some wonderful advice.

Anyway, my point is that friends are great. And I think that we should all reach out to good friends be grateful for them.

Muppets make me happy

2011-11-27T12:00:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I saw The Muppet Movie with my husband and 3 year old. I actually got teary eyed about three times. I know this sounds strange, but The Muppets mean a lot to me. I grew up watching The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, the Muppet Babies cartoon, and the various Muppet Movies and they just really were a big part of my growing up. I am thrilled when my 3 year old asks to watch "Kermit" (he is talking about The Muppet Show we have on DVD). To watch the Muppet Movie with him yesterday and to share that with him, was somehow one of those special moments I will always remember. To feel so excited when I saw Kermit or Miss Piggy, then to look over and see his face light up was just so- as the Muppets would say- groovy.

Book Review: Follow The River

2011-11-26T13:05:00.000-05:00

Follow the River by James Alexander Thom

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I really really tried to read this book. I've been carrying it around for about a month, but I just can't get myself to want to pick it up. I'm sure it's a great story, but it starts out horribly and I don't see it getting better. On the first 10 pages a bunch of people are slaughtered by Indians and a baby is tossed around then his brains are bashed in against a tree. Seriously? I've asked a couple of people who've read it if it gets any better, and apparently it doesn't. It's just a sad story of a horrible experience that this woman goes through. Kind of like "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan". I don't think that her character really change, develops, or learns throughout the story. I RARELY, rarely don't finish a book, but I'm just not going to finish this one.

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Black Friday

2011-11-25T22:28:00.003-05:00

I went shopping today. Did I stay up and go at midnight? Did I wake up and go at 4 am? No. No I did not. I slept in, got in the shower, and I think I ended up at Kohl's at 10:00am. But there was still a ton of great deals. And I got a lot of great stuff. Unfortunately, I really just kept seeing great stuff for me. I did get a great sweater and some REALLY cute boots for myself. But everything else was for other people, I promise!

My favorite part was the salad bar at Jason's Deli for lunch. Yummy. That is my new Black Friday tradition.

The worst part? Was it the traffic? Was it the crowds? No. No it was not. When I left my house in the morning it was 42 degrees so I was dressed appropriately. But by lunch time it was 82 degrees outside! I was so hot all day. It just didn't seem right. It's November 25th for goodness sakes!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T21:41:00.002-05:00

I had a great Thanksgiving. Lots of great food. Poor Oliver stepped in a fire ant hill and was bitten all over. Poor baby.

And Jerry got whiplash from playing football.

The Best or Worst Years?

2011-11-23T14:28:00.014-05:00

Alright, yesterday I was just being ornery and selfish and I was just in a bad mood. Sorry. I think what triggered it was I was talking to my mom and she mentioned to me that these years would be or are the best years of my life. What, really? I hope not. I hope that there are better years in my future. I think these have been my most challenging. But that is probably for a variety of reason's, not just related to being a mom.

So, that got me thinking, what has been the best time of my life, so far?

I have to say, that for me it was Jr. High. What's funny is, today my friend Bridget wrote a blog post about how much she hated Jr. High (Middle School) I guess that I just had a totally different experience than she did. So I'm going to write about how much I loved it and you can see that every mirror really does have two faces.

I loved Jr. High. For me, it spanned from 7-9th grade. I went from being pigeonholed as awkward and weird in my elementary school to a new school with lots and lots of new kids who I had never met, and didn't have any preconceived notions of who I was. I found that fresh start so liberating. And also, the "popular" girls who had been mean to me in elementary school, were suddenly the new little 7th graders just like me. I feel like it put us all on an equal playing field. Another great thing that happened to me was I ran into two girls on the first day of seventh grade whom I had met and become fast friends with two years earlier at a summer camp. So I had instant best friends and a group to hang around with. Something I had never had in elementary.

Throughout those years I had the time of my life. I just had so much fun being silly and crazy and although I probably should have been worried about what people thought of me, I just wasn't. I'm sure I made a fool of myself all the time, but if I did, I didn't know or I really didn't care. I had great friends and found even more as the years passed by. These friendships were deeper and closer then I have ever had before or since. Ninth great was especially awesome. I had my first boyfriend, first kiss, first dance:

-that I actually got to dance with they boy I had a crush on.

My dad wasn't around, my mom was busy with a new husband, and my sisters were busy doing their own high school thing, so I basically just did want I wanted when I wanted. My friends and I used to have sleepovers all the time and sneak out in the night to go toilet papering, or meet boys, or just walk around and do nothing. At school lunch I got to eat french fries and pizza or salad bar everyday if I wanted. I could buy candy and chips in the vending machine whenever I wanted to. Can you tell I liked junk food?. I got to take classes in the things I was interested in.

I got to do my favorite thing in the world and be on the dance team.

My friends and I would walk to the gas station on Tuesday's after school and just hang out there for hours.

We would get dropped off at the mall or the movies. It didn't matter what we were doing it was just fun being us.

I went on a cruise with my mom and sisters

I played in the band and learned the flute and the clarinet

I sang in the choir

I rolled around in the mud just for fun

I wore funny glasses and learned how to snowboard

I hiked Mt. Timpanogos and thought it was a good idea to pull up my shirt because it was just so hot.

Went to girls camp

Took lots of fun "posing" pictures and wore JNCO jeans because they were sooo cool.

We got to go to Lagoon with the 9th grade

Now, I'm not saying that it was all awesome all the time. There were braces:
and girls who were hurtful, a broken heart, drama with my family, and most of my friends had their own drama at home too-that's probably why we were all so close to each other. But on the most part, I just had a great time.

Now, please don't think that I'm one of those people who is always looking back and talking about the good old days, or wishing to re-live them. I know that there are wonderful times ahead and I look forward this wonderful time. I'm just saying that if I had to take all the phases of my life and rate them from best to worst so far, I think Jr. High would be at the top.

Tangled is making me think deep thoughts.

2011-11-22T19:55:00.005-05:00

I feel like I've been hearing a lot about Dreams, passions, and being your true self lately. I am a big believer in this, and to condense it all down to the simplest form- I think that only when someone is being their true self will they be truly happy. I think this includes following your dreams and passions. Life is too short to be spending the majority of it doing something you don't want to do.

The problem that I've had my entire life (and for some reason it's been on my mind a lot lately) is this: I have no idea what my passion is. I don't have a dream.

I really do envy all those in the clip above. They all know what they really love and want, they may not be living it, but they at least know what it is they want. I'm really getting tired of what I can only describe as treading water. I spend all my time doing busy work. Stuff that is fine to pass the time, but really not very important or of substance. I feel like Rapunzel does here:

I know, I know what you're all going to tell me. That I'm raising kids, and that it's the most important work I can do. I know this and I believe this-really, I do. But I'm going to be honest here, and it's going to sound bad. It is not fulfilling to me. If it was, I wouldn't be feeling this way. I'm not even sure what my point is or why I'm writing this. I know I just need to stop focusing on the bad and focus on the good, and most of the time I do that. But I think it shouldn't have to be such a forced effort most of the time, you know?

For a long time I would say, "well, I'm still young, I don't have to know what I love now. There's plenty of time" But even though I really still am relativity young, I'm getting older and still no further along in my quest then I was when I was 16 years old (12 years ago!). I wish there was at least something I could be doing to figure it out. All the books or articles I find talk about how important it is to go after your dreams or ways to make it happen. But because it's something different for every person on earth, there is no book telling you what your dream is. So that leaves me with only the process of trial and error. Which, as you know if you have kids, there is no time or opportunity for. I can't go back to school and aimlessly wander back and forth between 5 or 6 majors to see what is a good fit. I can't just start working random jobs to find it either.

Anyway, the point of all this blathering is that I am frustrated, because I have a problem and I see no way to solve it.

Oliver's 2!

2011-11-21T21:10:00.003-05:00

Oliver is two years old today. He is the best and we love him. We had a small party at the park with the other Johnson's and the Lewis's. We had a great time.

Oliver likes to say wow!

About me-Part 3

2011-11-20T21:04:00.011-05:00

About Me-Part 3 continued from here Part 1 and Part 2

Jonah Christopher Johnson was born March 14, 2008 in American Fork, UT. He was a week overdue, and I still didn’t go into Labor, so I had to be induced. He was such a sweet baby and totally changed my life in every way.

In October of that year, Jerry was offered a job back in Augusta, GA so we moved to Georgia right before Thanksgiving. It took a while for me to make some good friends in Augusta, but when I finally did, it was well worth the wait. I heard about a book club starting from a mom’s group I went to and as soon as I met those women, we instantly became inseparable. They each had kids right about Jonah’s age.

Oliver Jack Johnson was born November 21, 2009 in Augusta, GA. He was due on Thanksgiving Day, but luckily he came 5 days early. I originally thought I was due December 23, so when I had my first ultrasound and found out that I was a month further along then I thought, I was so happy!

Jonah and Oliver became best friends instantly and are both glad to have a brother.

After Oliver was about 9 months old, I took up running again. I had done some running before we went to Jordan, and even completed a half marathon, but I wasn’t very well trained and even suffered a stress fracture in my foot that took months and months to heal. So after a 3 ½ year break I started running again and fell in love with it this time. I completed the Nashville Country Music Half Marathon in April of 2011 and had the one of the most fun days of my life. I’m looking forward to continue running throughout my life.

In June of 2011 we moved to Columbus, GA. Jerry got a job on Active Duty with the National Guard working with his brother James. It was really hard for me to leave Augusta, but luckily James and Ruth live here and it has been a wonderful experience so far.

Here is our families together (along with our nephew Thayne) We're together pretty much everyday.

Movie Review: Breaking Dawn

2011-11-19T22:28:00.005-05:00

4 stars

Yes, I loved the movie! It was so good. I'm so glad that they separated the book into two movies, because this one was just about the wedding, honeymoon, and the birth of the baby. Making this book into one movie would have made everything rushed and too thin. I feel like it very closely followed the book. Not just in what happened and who said what, but it provoked the same feelings in the same places as the book did. The honeymoon part especially. It was very tastefully done, without cutting out the sex altogether. It was very much portrayed as two people deeply in love sharing a very intimate connection. I'm so glad they didn't cut it out completely or try to make it too hot-and-steamy-sex-sells-Hollywood style.

Also, the birth scene was awesome too! I usually am grossed out by blood, but I wasn't even though they made it pretty bloody. The ending was perfect too! I was wondering at what point would they end this movie, and they picked the perfect spot and it was just AWESOME.

Because sometimes we need something nice to look at and I just want to be superficial for a minute.

2011-11-18T14:52:00.013-05:00

People magizine came out with their top 10 sexiest men alive today. And I gotta say, I strongly disagree. Here is their list: (Red-I agree, Green-nah)

1. Bradley Cooper (Loved him on Alias, but not anything since)
2. Liam Hemsworth
3. Idris Elba
4. Justin Theroux
5. Chris Evans
6. Tim McGraw
7. Josh Charles (I'm pretty sure this is the hot dog guy from "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead" I just can't see him as sexy)
8. Joel McHale
9. Jason Momoa
10. Ryan Gosling

Maybe once a man is put on the list he doesn't get on it again, even though his sexiness hasn't just gone away. Anyway, here is my top 10 sexiest men (ok, 11. Why do we have to limit ourselves?) in no particular order-with the exception of Hugh Jackman who definitely tops the list!

Hugh Jackman

Leonardo DiCaprio

Matt Damon

Daniel Craig (I had to include at least one full body swimsuit shot here. I picked Daniel Craig to be the poster boy because when I saw him in this suit in Casino Royal, that is the moment he and I really fell in love. Ok, the moment I fell in love. But I must say, every man on this list can easily rock the full body swimsuit shot :)

Channing Tatum

Ryan Gosling

Will Smith

Zac Efron

Ryan Reynolds

Taylor Lautner

Kellen Lutz (You may not be able to tell by the picture, but this is Emmett from Twlight. This is just the best picture. It shows off his..um..fitness, as well as his incredible eyes.)

So what do you think? Did I get it right?

Katie's girls' night out

2011-11-17T21:12:00.002-05:00

Katie is taking the night off tonight. She went to dinner at Olive Garden--is probably eating some bread sticks dipped in alfredo sauce, some salad, and she's probably eating something with shrimp in it. Delicious.
I'd say I was jealous, but I am not. I get to hang out at home. I got to read to the boys, "The little red caboose," and I got to tell them the "Adventures of Jonah and Oliver". They went on a tricycle ride tonight. Eventually, they got to ride a bicycle but they each crashed.
Good times.
The stories are supposed to be interactive. Throughout the story Jonah is asked questions about what someone said and Jonah fills in the blank. (Oliver isn't quite ready yet, but we're working on it). The first adventure of Jonah and Oliver was building a tree house. Jonah was asked multiple times who he thought could help him build the house and each time he answered someone else: Mom, Avery, Taylor, Mason, Lexington, Aunt Ruthie and even Uncle James. I tried to drop some subtle hints that would--hopefully sooner than later--indicate that Dad would love to help. It never happened.
Stinker.
Anyway, they're asleep now and I'm blogging. I sure hope Katie is having a nice evening away.
Oh, and did I mention that she's also seeing a 12:00 am showing of Breaking Dawn?
Go Jacob!

About me-Part 2

2011-11-16T21:57:00.008-05:00

Continued from a couple days ago here

After High School Graduation I moved to Cedar City, UT and attended Southern Utah University for a year and a half. I was working my way through and was only able to attend until I ran out of money. I moved back to Mesquite for a year where I worked in housekeeping at Oasis Resort (which is no longer there.)

In February 2004 I moved back to Utah County where I grew up. My mom had since divorced again and was living in American Fork, so I moved in with her and started working at TwinLab as a receptionist. A job that turned into a Human Resources Assistant, then Human Resources Recruiter, and finally Employee Relations Coordinator before I stopped working in 2007. Human Resources was the perfect place for my skills and personality, and I loved working there. I also went back to school part time that fall at Utah Valley State College (now UVU) where I finally earned an Associates degree in April 2006.

Within a month of moving back to Utah in 2004 I met my eventual husband Jerry Alan Johnson. We met at the singles ward in American Fork. As we got to know each other, we found out that he had gone to High School with my brother-in-law, Jeremy Boyle, and that he knew my sister too. He wanted to ask me out, but was too shy to ask for my phone number. So he looked up my brother-in-law’s parents in the phone book and called them and asked them for his number. He then called my brother-in-law and asked him for my number. It was very flattering that he went to all that trouble (but all he had to do was ask!) Our first date was April 8, 2004. We dated all summer and became engaged on August 21, 2004. He would be called away for National Guard Active duty for 4 months to Augusta, GA from September through the end of the year. He proposed quite unexpectedly to me 3 days before he left. We went on a hike to Silver Lake, one of our favorite places. I didn’t think that we would think about getting engaged until he returned home from Georgia. I just thought we were going on a last hike before he left. Well, he sure surprised me by proposing to me at the lake, but I gladly accepted.

He returned home by Christmas that year, and we were married February 3, 2005 in the Mount Timpanogos Temple in American Fork, UT. I was 21 and he was 26. We had a beautiful reception that evening at the Northampton House in American Fork. It was a perfect day.

We honeymooned at Disneyland, another one of our favorite places. We made our first home in Pleasant Grove, UT in the home that Jerry had grown up in, and we eventually bought it from his parents.

In May of 2007 Jerry needed to participate in a study abroad to finish his degree at BYU in Middle Eastern Studies. So I quit my job at TwinLab and went with him to live in Jordan for 4 months. It was the experience of a lifetime! Before we arrived in Jordan, we spent a week in Egypt, traveling to Cairo, then Luxor. We saw the pyramids, the Valley of the Kings, and lots of Mosques and Churches.

While in Jordan for the bulk of the summer, we shared an apartment with 2 other couples that were with the group from BYU. We traveled all over Jordan too. We saw Petra, Wadi Rum, Wadi Mujib, Mt. Nebo, Um Qais (and looked over the Sea of Galilee) and lots of just really cool stuff.

The last week of the summer the BYU group went to Isreal and stayed at the BYU Jerusalem center, visiting Old Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, the Springs of Dan, and the Golan Heights.

The study abroad was completed at this point, but we decided that since we were already across the big blue ocean, we would take the opportunity to visit Italy for a week, which is where Jerry had served his mission. We met Jerry’s mom, Karen, and sister, Mykin in Vienna. We traveled by train toVenice, then rented a car and made our way south throughout the week, ending in Rome.

It was a wonderful, amazing trip…except for one thing; I was sick as a dog! While in Jordan, I became pregnant with my first child, and pregnancy did not agree with me, especially while in a foreign country. I was sick the entire second half of the time in Jordan; I was sick all across Israel and Italy! It was unfortunate to be feeling so awful while seeing some of the most amazing things on earth, but I still had an incredible time.

To be completed...

Thanksgiving is coming.

2011-11-15T17:48:00.004-05:00

Thanksgiving turkeys are gobbling.
Here what they say to you: "Thanksgiving time is here.
"You better stay clear..."
But pumpkin pies are inviting--
whipping cream adorning the....all over it
Begging to be eaten first, e'en 'fore the bird's throat is slit.
Mashed potatoes are delicious.
If they're made right, that is. Butter, lots of butter and adequate salt and milk.
Eat it up, every bit--don't stop to chew.
Suck it down, lick your plate, go back for plate number two.
The feast is only a week away: practice practice practice.
Stretch your stomach this way and that--fat, fat, fat!
And don't forget to start counting blessings.
You'll likely not stop the count before you say Thanksgiving grace.
Just be thankful for what you gather, 'for that is what truly matters.

-Jerry

About me- Part 1

2011-11-14T19:52:00.002-05:00

Last night I asked what I should write about and Kathryn responded. She said I should write about myself. This is a good idea, I don't write much about myself lately. I guess it's because I feel like I'm pretty uninteresting these days. I am going to put in a "self history" that I wrote this year for a family reunion. Maybe it will get my creative juices flowing and I can start thinking of stories from my life I could post here. Not that they will be too interesting, but since this blog really serves as my journal, I would like to have these recorded somewhere.

Also, If anyone wants to know anything specific about me, or my "self history" sparks any questions "Like, why did you move that time" or "what was ____like" I would love for you to ask me. Even if you think it's too personal or uncomfortable, I would love to answer.

I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah April 25, 1983 to Joseph Timothy Clark and Brynn Denise Palmer. I am the youngest of three daughters. My older sisters are Emily Ann Clark (Bills) and Amelia Brynn Clark (Boyle). We lived on Elgin Ave. in Salt Lake City, Ut

In September 1986 when I was 3 ½ we moved to Alpine UT where we lived at 710 South 580 West. It was a great neighborhood. I’m pretty sure that every household in the neighborhood were active members of the church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints), mostly with young kids the same age as me and my sisters, with 7 kids my age alone. It was a great place to grow up. All the neighborhood kids would play night games like kick the can or steal the flag just about every evening in the summers. Behind our house was an empty field that belonged to our neighbor. She would let us play in it whenever we wanted, as well as use it to “babysit” another neighbor’s horses when they went out of town. The field also gave us (and all the other neighborhood kids) access to “The Gully”, where we would go often to play in the creek and explore in the trees. I attended Alpine Elementary.

When I was about 9, my parents bought a piece of property within the ward boundaries and built our family’s dream house. It was a beautiful Victorian style home on Sunset drive. Because we had moved into a bigger home with a family room and a parlor, we didn’t have any furniture for the parlor. We had moved in a couple weeks before Christmas. When we came running down the stairs on Christmas morning we were surprised and absolutely thrilled to run right into a trampoline set up inside our parlor! We really had the best winter ever jumping on the tramp everyday and sleeping on it every night. It was a wonderful time for my sisters and me. Unfortunately, my parents divorced about 2 years later, but we remained in the house with my mom. She remarried John Alan Jardine about a year later. I attended Mountain Ridge Jr. High, and then Lone Peak High School for my Sophomore year of High School.

When I was sixteen, my stepdad John got a new job in Las Vegas, NV. My mom was a nurse for Intermountain Healthcare (IHC) and was able to transfer to the IHC hospital in St. George, UT. So we split the difference and moved to Mesquite, NV in June 1999. My sister Emily had already married and Amelia had just graduated high school, so it was just my parents and me that moved to Mesquite. I loved Mesquite! I got my first job soon after we moved there as a hostess at Carollo’s, a restaurant famous for ribs. Mesquite is a pretty small town and I was able to make friends pretty easily and quickly. I attended Virgin Valley High School and played on the first ever Virgin Valley Girls Soccer Team in 1999. We weren’t very good but we had a blast. I changed jobs and became a Life Guard where I worked at the city Rec center as well as Casablanca Resort. I also worked at the Movie Theater about once a week selling tickets at the box office (the best job at the theater, by far!). My senior year I was a “VVette” a member of the drill team and loved every minute of it! I had danced off and on since I was 5 and really enjoyed coming back to dancing which has remained a lifelong passion. During my last year of High School I was also elected and served on the Senior Class Student Council as the Activities Chairperson.

To be continued...

2011-11-13T20:22:00.000-05:00

I have one minute to blog and I don't know what to write about. Idea's? Please

What my Veteran did for Veterans Day

2011-11-12T15:24:00.005-05:00

For Veterans day this year, Jerry completed his 15th marathon this morning. He ran the Soldiers Marathon here on Ft. Benning. He is so awesome.

Jerry ran this race in honor of Army Spc. Spencer C. Duncan who died August 6, 2011 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom. He was a 21 year old soldier of Olathe, Kan.; assigned to the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), U.S. Army Reserve, New Century, Kan.; He died in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in which he was riding was shot down. If you want to read more about Spc. Duncan, you can here or here

I'm so proud of Jerry and of all his fellow soldiers who risk and give up so much, sometimes all they have, to help protect us and to stand up for what is right; whether it is here at home or in a country on the other side of the globe. I just hope that all Veterans know how deeply grateful their country is for their sacrifice's.

Pumpkin Dessert Revisted

2011-11-11T21:30:00.003-05:00

This is re-post of something I posted last year. I was funny last year, but this year, not so much. I also wanted to re-post it for those who don't have this recipe, because it really is the best. I've also added a couple of notes of how to make it better, because it only turns out really amazing about 4 out of 5 times that i make it, and I think I finally figured out why. Corrections appear in red

Pumpkin Dessert

Here is a recipe for my favorite dessert. If you like pumpkin pie, you will love it. I love pumpkin pie, but I like this dessert even better. It's sooooo good!

1^st layer:

1 pkg. yellow cake mix (reserve 1 cup) or spice cake mix which I think is actually better
1/2 cup (1 square) softened butter or margarine.
Mix together then add:
1 egg, beaten
spread in bottom of 9x13 in. pan

2^nd layer:

1 30 oz. can pumpkin pie mix (if you only have a can of plain pumpkin, add 3 ½ tsp. of pumpkin pie spice OR 2 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1 tsp. ground ginger, and ½ tsp. ground cloves. this is important. Never mind, don't even use the plain pumpkin with the spices, unless you have no choice, it just isn't near as good as just using the pumpkin pie mix)
2 eggs, well beaten
2/3 cup evaporated milk
Mix together and pour over 1st layer 3rd layer:

1 cup cake mix (reserved from 1st layer)
¼ cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
Mix together and sprinkle on top of 2nd layer

Bake at 350 for 60-70 min or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean (really, make sure it's cooked, if not it is not good). Chill (probably overnight- you think it will be okay if it's just still a little warm-it isn't). Serve cold, topped with whipped cream. Store in refrigerator.

*Bonus*
How to make delicious pumpkin dessert by Katie Johnson

1. See an open tub of cool whip in the fridge and decide to make a yummy treat to serve under cool whip
2. Find recipe for pumpkin dessert and check pantry for necessary ingredients. You don't have evaporated milk.
3. Go to store to buy evaporated milk
4. Pick up older son from preschool, make and feed lunch to everybody.
5. Try for an hour to get younger son to take a nap.
6. Finally give up on nap for younger son.
7. While older son miraculously does nap, clean bathroom and mop kitchen floor while trying to keep younger son out of the toilet, away from the toilet paper and various cleaning supplies, and off your clean wet floors until older son wakes up.
8. Resume dessert making.
9. Realize that you don't have any yellow cake mix.
10. Go back to store to buy yellow cake mix.
11. Younger son falls asleep in the car on the way to store (of course) so drive around for half an hour to let him sleep.
12. Realize that you're starving and so is older son.
13. Take a small detour to Zaxby's for a delicious and nutritious dinner of fried chicken, french fries, texas toast and coleslaw. Yummy.
14. Eat dinner in grocery store parking lot
15. Go in and buy cake mix
16. Come home and resume dessert making.
17. Have a brilliant idea! Decide that for NaBloPoMo it would be really clever to take pictures of dessert making process and to post those and recipe for pumpkin dessert.

(This is where the serious dessert tutorial begins)

Wash mixer bowl (because you haven't done the dishes yet today):

Make 1st layer
It will be sticky, so cover with wax paper and use a cup to roll it out:
This Dora cup works very nicely. Don't feel sad if you don't have a Dora cup. You can use a boring old glass cup:

Don't forget to remove wax paper when finished:
Think to yourself "these pictures look like crap." wonder how people take good looking pictures of food.
Wash mixer bowl, again:

Mix 2nd layer:
Pour over first layer:

Decide if the leftover evaporated milk is worth saving (It is) :

Wash mixer bowl, again

Younger son is hanging on your leg. Try to walk around and continue making dessert:

Younger son bites your leg while you're taking a picture of him hanging on your leg. He cannot be ignored any longer.

Take a small break to get him a graham cracker. He's happy:

Melt butter for 3rd layer.
When you open microwave you will be disgusted by how dirty your microwave is. Swear you really will clean it tomorrow (you've said that before, but you really will clean it tomorrow. Probably. And no, I'm not putting in a picture of my dirty microwave. Just trust me, it's bad)
When older son sees you taking so many pictures, he wants you to take a picture of his train Thomas:

and Gordon:

and James:
Can you tell he likes Thomas trains?

Make 3rd layer and think to yourself "this looks like dog food, but it smells really good":

Crumble over 2nd layer
Put dessert into oven and feel very proud of yourself that you remembered to set the timer :)
Wash mixer bowl, again:

Put kids to bed while dessert bakes.
Take it out of the oven and take a picture of it because it looks and smells SO good.

Sit down to write your totally awesome blog post.
While you're typing the part of the recipe that gives directions for substitutions for pumpkin pie mix, get the empty pumpkin can from the kitchen only to realize that you grabbed the wrong can and used pure pumpkin when you thought you had used pumpkin pie mix:

Feel very sad that after all your efforts to make a delicious pumpkin dessert, even though it looks amazing, and smells incredible, it is going to taste like poo because you used the wrong can, even though you know better!
Eat Halloween candy to compensate for your loss.
Feel a glimmer of hope when you remember that at least you saved the rest of the evaporated milk, so if you decide to try again tomorrow, at least you won't have to go back to the grocery store.

What I'm loving today

2011-11-10T18:40:00.004-05:00

I found the perfect pair of jeans. We all know how hard that is. They are just the right rise. They aren't those horrible low rise jeans that have been pretty much the only option for just about the last 10 years. Goodbye muffin top!!! These are just high enough that there is no unsightly muffin top, but they aren't mom jeans either. Finally. I have a confession though, they are skinny jeans. I've been wanting some for a long time, but they all looked like stretch pants or were just WRONG in some way or another. When I finally found these one's that I love, I was worried, am I too old for skinny jeans? Will people think I'm trying to be 15? Well, the nice thing about being my age, is that I don't really care anymore about what other people think. And that is so freeing! Anyway, the point is that it's nice to have one piece of clothing that I think I look good in and I FEEL good in. Even if I really don't look good in them, please don't tell me. I'd rather live in denial and be happy.

(If only my closet was full of more of things that made me feel the same way.)

I'm so excited!!

2011-11-09T15:03:00.000-05:00

Phantom

2011-11-08T20:48:00.003-05:00

I finally saw Phantom of the Opera! Yes, I know what you're thinking: How did I go 28 years without ever seeing Phantom of the Opera? Well, I'm really not sure. I LOVE movies, books, musicals all things of this nature, but the truth is I just really never got around to it.

Anyway, it was AMAZING! I want to watch it again. You could just listen to that movie, never look at the screen and it would be awesome. On the other had, you could just watch it without the sound and be equally rewarded. It is just full of beautiful people. Can I say Gerard Butler? Oh yeah!

And I want to see it on Broadway. And get the album and know all the songs. Right after I finished watching it, my sis-in-law came over and brought up a good point-

Is the phantom real, or is he just in her mind?

This never even occurred to me until she brought it up, From the movie, I think it's pretty obvious that he's real. But since movies are much different from plays, I ask you. Especially if you've seen the play.

Also, is there anything else out there that is something you just love that I need to make sure I experience?

Book Review: The Traveler's Gift

2011-11-07T16:36:00.000-05:00

The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success by Andy Andrews

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This was a quick read. It was good way to present the self-help info, by presenting it in a story format. I feel like the seven decisions are essential for success and a happy life, however, they have the same problem as a lot of advice and self-help philosophy. They tell you what to do, but not how. Like one of them is "Be Happy, no matter what. Happiness is a choice and not a circumstance" I fell like I already know this. Am I happy everyday? No. Do I know that I should choose to be, but sometimes just don't feel like it? Yes. I feel like maybe if I was someone like David Ponder (the main character) who was at the lowest point in his life, I might be able to benefit more from the seven decisions. But for me, things are just kind of average. Not painful enough to change, but not as great as I'd like them to be. So my life just will keep hovering at mediocre until I can get some better "How" info. Another example "Forgive others and yourself" Of course I know that, but how do you do that when you have tried and failed? Do you just say "heart, forgive...now" and poof it's supposed to happen? I don't think so.

Don't get me wrong it really is wonderful advice and I will probably buy this book and read it again.

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Weird

2011-11-06T20:56:00.004-05:00

So, I've been browsing blogs, the internet, and my email for about a half hour trying to find some inspiration for a post tonight. I ended up looking through some old email's of mine and found an email with a great quote that really actually helped me get through a very rough time. Now, it wasn't just the quote, but who it came from, and the day it was sent (in response to an important conversation from the previous evening.) that made this particularly memorable. It is also significant to me because it was one of the very first emails I ever received. (It was received 10/20/00-I can't believe that was 11 years ago!)
Anyway, I thought about adding it to my Facebook page as a "favorite quote" so I thought I should google it to find out who originally said it so I could give proper credit. Well, when I did I only got ONE hit from the search engine. And it was a blog of one of my good friends! I clicked on it and it turns out that it was from a comment I left her on one of her posts. Ha! It was just so strange that the one place these words are on the entire internet together is where I said them. I Googled something and found...ME. Is this only weird to me? Are there actually things that exist in this world that are NOT on the internet, anywhere? Hard to believe ;)

So I bet you're wondering what is the quote? I'll tell you, but I'm sure that it won't be that significant to anyone else, but that's the thing isn't it? Sometimes you have to hear just the right thing at the right time in the right place and it makes all the difference.

"WHATEVER WE DO TODAY HAS IT'S ORIGINS IN THE PAST AND ITS PURPOSE IN THE FUTURE. CARRY ONLY THE BEST FORWARD"
-Unknown

2011-11-05T18:41:00.001-04:00

Jerry: "Katie, I can't believe you're eating the boys Halloween candy...Oooooh, is that a Kit Kat?"

Book Review: Dick Van Dyke

2011-11-04T22:33:00.002-04:00

Book Review: Dick Van Dyke

My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business: A Memoir by Dick Van Dyke

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was alright. I learned a lot about Dick Van Dyke that I didn't know before, but I wasn't really driven to pick this one up. I would only recommend it die hard Van Dyke fans. It was kind of like "First I got this job, then I went to this show, then I worked with this guy on this show. And everyone loved me and it was so fun." The title really is very fitting. I think Dick Van Dyke really has just lead a very Lucky, charmed life.

Halloween 2011

2011-11-03T19:46:00.004-04:00

Halloween was pretty fun this year. It all started for me a week before Halloween with my going to the most fun Halloween party, ever! It was a "Witches Night Out". Women only, all dressed as witches. ..
We danced. You know Thriller, Monster Mash, a little disco. A LOT of fun!

and we ate! So many awesome treats and amazing decorations. I wish a had pictures of how this back yard was decorated. It almost felt like being in a Disney Theme park.

Here is me and Ruth, who I pretty much do everything with these days. She's my Sister-in-Law, and BFF!!

Then we went trick-or-treating with the cousins and a couple neighbors.

and a trunk-or-treat at the church. I'm sorry, but my boys as Woody and Buzz? Too cute! Especially if you know them. It's so fitting to their personalities, body types, and the fact that they watch Toy Story 2 almost everyday. Oliver walks around all day talking about "Bug-a"-which is how he refers to Buzz and all robots.

This is a picture of the unfortunate hat that came with Jonah's Woody costume. It is made of foam and light as a feather. Also, the part that goes on your head is very...um...shallow. Needless to say, it will not stay on top of anyone's head. Even if you pulled it down all the way and he was completely frozen, it would fall off. Anyway, I tried to find a cool cowboyish ribbon to help it stay on and it really just looks like a woman's sombrero. Don't worry, Jonah didn't wear the hat- at all-except to take this picture. Even if it had looked cool, he wouldn't have worn it anyway. Both last year and this year, this is how he described what he wanted to be for Halloween: "Just Woody, with no hat and no boots" Oliver on the other hand, kept the purple hood on his head at all times. If the woody hat would have stayed on, he would have worn that too.

Book Review: Breaking Dawn

2011-11-02T16:10:00.001-04:00

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book when it first came out in 2008. I remember liking it a lot and I really wanted to read it again before the movie comes out in a couple weeks.

This book was Awesome and kinda boring alternately throughout. The wedding and honeymoon at the beginning were good, but then the Jacob part was tedious. Then the whole part in the middle where she has the baby was deliciously gory. (really, I'm not much for blood and gore, but this was SO well written and exciting-I LOVED it!) Then the story was tiresome-"then these vampires came, then those vampires came-blah blah". Then the ending was exciting again. I did love how it all works out with Jacob, because nobody had to be hurt and alone. I also really liked the section where Bella seeks out J. Jenks, because we finally get to see her interacting with the world, as a vampire, by herself. I really like her much better as a vampire, she isn't nearly annoying as she was human. I really hope that in the movie, when she becomes immortal, she really plays it differently then she did as a bumbling, fragile, clumsy human. I hope she's confident, articulate, and focused. I'm not sure that Kristen Stewart is capable of playing that way, but I'm hoping.

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NaBloPoMo 2011

2011-11-01T20:48:00.003-04:00

So, I did this last year, and since I've only posted sporadically since then, I guess I better do this again. I've really become introverted lately, and this will hopefully be a good motivation to update this blog and get outside myself for a while. So who's with me?

Book Review: Silence

2011-10-27T14:17:00.001-04:00

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this one even more than the first two. It was fun and just good! I totally didn't see the twist at the end coming. Also, I liked they way they brought Scott back in this one. I didn't really care for him much in the first two books, but he's defiantly growing on me.

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Book Review: Ender's Game

2011-10-21T22:39:00.000-04:00

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a great book. I'm not sure what else to say about it. A great story and well written. I think if I would have read it when I was 12 or maybe even 10 years ago, I would say it was AMAZING. But today it was just a good book. As far as dystopian novels go, I liked The Giver better. But a book I think everyone should read and will enjoy.

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I'm trying to drink more water, but...

2011-10-14T14:08:00.002-04:00

Empty glass sitting next to me (previously filled with Diet Coke)

Jonah sees glass.

Jonah silently leaves room.

Jonah comes back into room holding an ice cold can of Diet Coke he got from the fridge, and quietly sets it on the desk.

“Mom, I brought you a Diet Coke. You need some more”

“Jonah, don’t you think maybe I should have some water instead?”

“No, it’s ok”

“Here, open it”

“It’s good”

“You need some more”

“Jonah, I think that I’m just going to have some water, will you please put this back?”

Jonah first looks shocked, then sticks out his bottom lip, it quivers for just a second, then he bursts into tears.

Is it my fault that I’m drinking another Diet Coke? I think not.

Yes, we're still alive!

2011-10-11T21:40:00.004-04:00

We went to Panama City Beach in August

Boys playing around. Too cute!

Oliver loves to put on people's shoes. He figured out that if he leaves on his own shoes, the big ones stay on.

This is what I was doing just about every day this summer. Going walking with Ruth (she's taking the picture)

This is not a surprising thing to discover when I walk into a room. Oliver is a mess! I love this kid :)

Book Review: Crescendo

2011-09-27T09:58:00.000-04:00

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book just as much as the first one. I can't wait until the third one comes out!

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Book Review: Hush Hush

2011-09-17T15:41:00.005-04:00

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really fun, really fast read. It was obviously in the same category as "Twlight", but it doesn't take itself too seriously, and I didn't hate the main character (which is always good) Also, the plot twist at the end, I totally didn't see coming.

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Book Review: The Lost Symbol

2011-09-17T15:41:00.004-04:00

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It was very similar to "The Di Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons". I enjoyed the other two, but The Lost Symbol was my least favorite of the three, which was surprising, because I love American History so much. I think I lost some momentum because I stopped halfway through and read another book before finishing this one.

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Book Review: Redeeming Love

2011-09-07T19:47:00.002-04:00

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My second reading and I loved it just as much this time as I did the last time.
This was definitely 5 stars for me. This was an amazing story and meant so much to me. Even now, weeks later, I am still moved when I think about it. I can only think of one other book I have ever read that has had such a lasting effect on me. I don't know what else to say. Just read it. Especially if you are married, or have ever gone through a difficult change of heart. Or if you just want to read an amazing love story about an incredible man who never gave up on his wife. Ever, no matter what she did to him. He loved her so completely and so deeply. I would pick him over Mr. Darcy (from Pride and Prejudice) any day, and I do love Mr. Darcy. It had so many wonderful layers. I feel like it made me want to be closer to God, made me love my husband more, want to serve others more selflessly, and on and on. And especially be more accepting of others and become less judgmental.

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Book Review: Room

2011-07-21T22:40:00.002-04:00

Room by Emma Donoghue

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I don't have too many thoughts on this book. I enjoyed it. I thought the narrator being a 5 year old boy was an interesting fresh idea. I liked that perspective because it made some subject matter that could have been very troubling, somehow seem okay. I felt like the ending was happy, but VERY realistic at the same time.

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How many synonyms can I find for friend?

2011-07-08T14:59:00.007-04:00

Since moving to Columbus, one thing has become alarmingly clear.

I CANNOT EXERCISE BY MYSELF. Or should I say, that I don't exercise by myself, and if I do then I really hate it.

If I have a pal to meet me (accountability) I am excited to go and look forward to it. I also really enjoy the exercise because I have someone to chat with and before I know it, we're done and feeling good.

In Augusta, I had some great workout cronies, some were gym class companions, some walking sidekicks, and one amazing running confidant. Not only do I miss the good feeling I get from exercise, I really miss my friends. Having someone to just gab with multiple times a week is extremely therapeutic. Especially when that person is an amazing cohort who will never judge you and you can just be 100% your self around them.

Luckily, my dear sister-in-law lives here in Columbus, and she is a fantastic workout buddy! She is great to talk to, always shows up, and constantly motivates me to do work a little harder. Unfortunately, she went on vacation for 3 weeks and I haven't exercised ONCE since she left. Sometimes I really feel like a failure because I have no motivation to exercise by myself. I shouldn't feel guilty or weak because of this. It's okay to need a consort. And I do. This also really helps me understand why someone could say that they hate exercise. When I'm alone, I do to. But when I'm with a chum, I LOVE it!

(so how many did you count?)

It's been a while, no?

2011-07-07T15:18:00.003-04:00

Whenever I haven't posted for a while, I never know how to begin again. Should I try to catch up on all the stuff that I've missed? Should I just hit the ground running and pretend that I haven't been mysteriously missing for a month? I'll just hit the most important thing that I missed, then move on from there.

WE moved!! We are now westerners. Well, west Georgians. We moved to Columbus, GA which is on the western border of Georgia (Augusta, where we have been for the past 2 1/2 years is on the eastern border of Georgia). I think that I have been hesitating writing this post for several reasons:

1. Hello-I've been busy MOVING
2. I've already talked about why we moved and how I'm doing and all that over and over again to friends and family a million times and I just can't come up with the energy to hash it all out again.
3. I feel like a need to pay tribute to how much I loved Augusta and all the people there and how much I will miss them, but there is no way for me to do it (and them) justice. It makes me sad just thinking about writing this part.
4. Usually when I go through periods of not posting it's because I'm feeling blue. It's easy to feel like only happy or interesting things are blog worthy and when I'm feeling down, I don't really feel like sharing. I don't want this blog to be a mis-representation of my life by only including the my-life-is-soooo-awesome stuff (which it usually is) but like I said, when I'm down I'm not really inspired with interesting topics, and I don't do a lot of fun stuff.

Here a sample of what my daily posts would have looked like:

"I read a lot today, and the kids drove me crazy. Were they so bad because I was ignoring them by reading? Or was I reading so much because they were driving me crazy and I just wanted to escape the loony bin? Oh, and it was really hot today so we didn't really go outside"

Book Review: The Other Boleyn Girl

2011-06-30T20:31:00.000-04:00

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down and was always looking for a few minutes to read. However it still took me a while to finish, I'm not sure why, I guess it's just long.

I enjoyed the story of Anne Boleyn and her sister, Mary. Both sisters ended up being mistresses to the King. It was sad to see how Anne's ambitions took her there, and Mary was forced to do her fathers bidding.

I loved that you really got to see the consequences of their choices. Anne fulfills her goal to become Queen, at great cost to herself and everyone around her. Mary finally defies her family and finds true happiness by giving up the "wonderful" (scandalous) life at court.

This is a great historical fiction novel.

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Camping and the Lake

2011-05-31T20:56:00.008-04:00

We finally went camping for the first time since before Jonah was born. We had so much fun! Jerry and I used to go camping all the time and we have sorely missed it. What's even better is we got to go with my friend Tracie and her kids.

Jonah and his girlfriend

"Jonah please look at the camera", "NO"

Tracie takin' pictures

Ollie chillin'

He loved these little camping chairs.

Roastin' 'mallow's

more marshmallow's

And more...

Lots and lots of 'mallows.

Playing games, the best part of camping. Although this was one part that is a lot more fun without kids. I do love candyland, but even I have a limit. And the kids love cards, but well, we all know how that ends up ;)

The next day we headed out to Richardson lake which was awesome! It was a VERY clean and nice lake with diving boards, slides, and nice beach. It was so much fun!

Doing flips and diving was my favorite! I miss diving boards!

Oliver absolutely loved it. And just look at how clean that lake is. There were no rocks, weeds, sticks or any other kids of icky goo.

Book Review: Handling Sin

2011-05-28T21:33:00.001-04:00

Handling Sin by Michael Malone

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary:
On the Ides of March, our hero, Raleigh Whittier Hayes (forgetful husband, baffled father, prosperous insurance agent, and leading citizen of Thermopylae, North Carolina), learns that his father has discharged himself from the hospital, taken all his money out of the bank and, with a young black female mental patient, vanished in a yellow Cadillac convertible. Left behind is a mysterious list of seven outrageous tasks that Raleigh must perform in order to rescue his father and his inheritance.

And so Raleigh and fat Mingo Sheffield (his irrepressibly loyal friend) set off on an uproarious contemporary treasure hunt through a landscape of unforgettable characters, falling into adventures worthy of Tom Jones and Huck Finn. A moving parable of human love and redemption, Handling Sin is Michael Malone's comic masterpiece.

My Thoughts:
This is probably in my top 3 books, ever. I love books about adventure and I love books that make me laugh. Handling Sin has both in spades. It's even funnier to me now since I moved to the South.

I read this book for the first time about 8 years ago. It was just as enjoyable this time around as it was the last time. It had me laughing out loud every time I picked it up. And giggling to myself when I was thinking about it later on. Don't be intimidated by the size of this book. It is big. It will take you a while to get through it. But it is a pleasure the entire time.

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