HP6

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince just came out in theatres and I was lucky enough to be invited to help throw one of the biggest Hogsmead Festivals in the state of Utah. D and I went as Fred and George Weasley. It was a kick in the pants to mess my hair up and then look D right in the face and begin a serious conversation!J an old "midnight showing" friend ( standing in the background) was in charge of the festival and he did the most amazing job! It was really fun because, we met up with old midnight movie friends (I am not sure if it is a good thing or not, but there were many people there that recognized me and called me by the name capt. jac...then looked at me and said, "what is your real name?"), and made new ones. It was fun looking at everyone in costume...takes me back to my youth (or the last midnight movie I went to...)

Lucius Malfoy and Belletrix Lestrange freaked us out so much that we had to take a picture with them. We tried to get them to smile, being Fred and George, but we were shot down one joke after another. In my opinion they should have won the costume contest!

Here we are the Happy Weasley family. Mum, Fred and George, Ginny, and Ron...ahhhh the memories! (And yes, this was one of those hair moments!)

Then we have Professor Dumbledore, Professor Trelawny, us, and Ginny (that little sister of ours just tags along...little sisters!) And good 'ol Hagrid. Wouldn't be a party with out him!

And last but not least we have the Gryffendor Quidditch Team of which we are a part of...Beaters we are! The best in the business.

Can you feel it?

A couple posts ago I wrote about the need for a new camera. I wrote about the things I would do with a new camera like: bring world peace, build schools in 3rd world country's and such. Well, I am proud and giddy with joy to announce the arrival of my new Sony a350. I would like you to know I am still learning how to shoot amazing photo's, but while I am learning I think I have taken some doozies.

I honestly have no idea who this woman is, but I loved her dog and she was so cute trying to teach her to jump in the water I could not resist. (Does this make you want to build a school in Africa?)

This is a picture of my nephew's hands. His dad was holding him at Wheeler Farm and I looked over and a vision of world peace came to my mind. (Do you feel like the world is more at peace after viewing this photo?)

For an Enrichment Group we are doing a Photo Class. As one of our "lessons" we went up to the temple and took some pictures of the flowers. Unfortunately the hail storm that happened the day before gave us slim pick'ns because the flowers were pretty thrashed, but I got a few good ones! (Does this make you want to read a book and become more knowledgeable?)

I took this picture at Bear World in Rexburg, Idaho. This little guy was just hanging out in his den and I loved him. (Does this make you want to hug your loved ones?)

This is in Yellowstone National Park. We went there for a family vacation this month and I got some beautiful shots of nature at it's finest. (Do you feel like exercising and eating healthy foods after viewing these photo's?)

So in the end I feel like I am well on my way to achieving my goals. As long as you keep viewing and reading my messages (of peace, love, and knowledge) this world will slowly become a better place!

Slumdog Millionaire

In 2 words: BRILLIANT/BEAUTIFUL

In many words: This is one of the best movies I have seen all year. In fact, this movie is easily in my top 3 favorite movies (The Last Samurai, Lord Of The Rings, and Slumdog Millionaire). Slumdog Millionaire is a story about an orphaned boy who made it onto the T.V. show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. When Jamal is 1 question away from winning 1 Million Rupee's he is arrested and charged with cheating. The police interrogate him (Jack Bauer style) but find out that he knew the answers not because he went to school and had knowledge, but because of where is life led him as a young orphan. The movie flashes back to his youth as he explains how he knew each answer.

Slumdog Millionaire left me feeling sad, happy, entranced, angered, compassionate, free, stunned, delighted, smiling and uplifted. I have not stopped thinking about this movie all weekend and plan on purchasing it soon. I will be watching it often and I look forward to the day when I can share this movie with my kids. The music defiantly helped sell the movie for me, we purchased the soundtrack and have listened to it all weekend.

This movie is rated R because of torture and violence. However, after telling my kids the story of the movie there were 3 scenes I let my children see. I believe that the story was told so beautifully I wanted to share that with my kids. I would not let my children watch the entire show, just enough for them to get the point. My husband and I did have to turn on the subtitles after about 10 minutes of trying to decipher the English. I am glad we did, it really helped us with words we would have otherwise missed. I recommend this movie to any adult who wishes to be inspired.

Jodi Picoult

April was the month of Picoult for me. I started listening to My Sister's Keeper on my iPod while reading The Pact without considering what my mental state would be at the end of the month.

I will start my reviews with My Sister's Keeper. It is a book about a family with a child suffering from leukemia. Because of this, Anna was conceived as a "harvest child" and genetically engineered, through in vitro fertilization, so that she would be a genetic match for her older sister Kate. When Anna was born, her cord blood was donated to her sister, but when the leukemia returned she then had to donate blood and bone marrow. Kate's kidney's fail when she is sixteen and Anna is thirteen. Kate's only chance for survival is a kidney transplant. Because she would be a closer match than an unrelated donor and no other family member is a match, Anna is expected to donate one of her own kidneys to save her sister. Anna decides to hire a lawyer to become medically emancipated from her parents in order to gain the right to make decisions about her "donateable" body parts. Her parents, mainly her mother, fight her every step of the way refusing to see Anna's or Kate's needs over the need to have a child live.

This book was a soul searching journey for me. I do not have a terminally ill child, but I do have a child with a disability and he needs a lot of extra love, care, money, and time. As mad as I was at Anna's mother it forced me to my knees when I thought of what I would and DO do for my child. I realized how much my other children suffer at the face of H. This book made me look hard at the deep love I do have for my 2 older children. I see the pain in their eyes every time we have an "unfair" moment at our house, while simultaneously seeing the pain in the eyes of H because his LIFE is "unfair". I am a mother stuck between a rock and a hard place which, much to my displeasure, made me identify to the mother in this novel. I hated her but I understood her. At one point in the book Sara, the mother, has no sympathy for Anna (who is in pain after donating marrow to Kate) when Kate has pain every day of her life. The realization made my toes curl and my fists clench...until I remembered the lack of empathy I have for my 2 children. Painfully I remembered thoughts such as: "I expect this from H, I should not have to deal with it from you" or "you have no right to complain about how hard your life is...have you seen your brother's lately?". I was horrified at the face in the mirror.

This book had me in tears daily, mourning their sick daughter, their "not sick" daughter, and "not there" son. I looked into my heart and saw how much each of my children mean to me individually and am trying to express that to them. I believe reading this book has made me a better mother and person. I recommend this book to anyone, yet I have no desire to re-live it through the movie coming out in June.

Now, onto The Pact. One word: Haunting. This novel terrified me, angered me, stunned me (as in taser-stunned). Here it is in a nutshell: A suicide pact between a boy and a girl. One dies, one lives.

If you are a parent continue reading at your own risk...For eighteen years the Hartes and the Golds have lived next door to each other. Parents and children alike have been best friends, so it's no surprise that in high school Chris and Emily's friendship blossoms into something more. They've been soul mates since they were born. So when midnight calls from the hospital come in, no one is ready for the appalling truth: Emily is dead at seventeen from a gunshot wound to the head. There is still a bullet in the gun that Chris took from his father's cabinet-- a bullet that Chris tells police he intended for himself. After an autopsy Chris is taken into custody and a trial takes place.

This book for me was like driving down the freeway and seeing a horrible car wreck. You know that whatever you see will haunt you forever, yet you can't look away. Both sets of parents dealt with the tragedy differently yet horribly. The raw fact that your child could be suffering for YEARS and you, as the mother or father did not know it, was too much for my heart. Micheal, Emily's father, took the stand and said something to the effect of: it is easier to point the finger than to admit that you did not know your daughter was in pain, that you failed her. (And the tears for all the wrongs you have done as a parent start to flow). In my mind there was no good way to end the book, too many lives were shattered by horror to pick up the pieces and go on. This tragedy is truly the definition of hell for a parent. Even so, the actual ending was very very disappointing more so because of the authors admission to "not wanting to get hate mail". I think Picoult knew how the book needed to end, but took it the other way and I was not impressed. I would not recommend this book and pray they do not make it into a movie!

Both of these books really made me look inside myself and face the demons that we all have. My best friend once said, "It is the realization that hurts the most". After reading these books I understand what she means I have always known-but facing them hurts worse than the knowledge of them.

Now that I have finished these 2 books I will be taking a couple weeks to recover in the sun thinking happy thoughts of my children's future before I start 19 minutes, another one of Picoult's books that is sure to throw my emotions into a tailspin...I know, I know, gluten for punishment.

Girly (to the tune of Loathing from Wicked)

"What is this feeling so sudden and new,

I felt the moment I laid eyes on you.

My pulse is rushing
My head is reeling

My face is flushing

What is this feeling?

Fervid as a flame

Does it have a name?

Yes"...[girly]

Unadulterated [girly]

For [my] face

[My] voice

[My] clothing

Let's just say

I [love] it all

Ev'ry little trait, however small

Makes my very flesh begin to [glow]

With simple [beauty product]

There's a strange exhilaration

In such total ['fashionation']

It's so pure, so strong!

Though I do admit it came on fast

Still I do believe that it can last

And I will be [girly]

[Girly]

My whole life long!

A New Camera For Me...

Here are 3 good reasons I need a new camera:

#1

#2

#3

The sad news about these beautiful pictures is that my camera did NOT take them...my camera would have made them out of focus and the pixel's would have been grainy. No the truth is my sister took these pictures with her AMAZING camera that I think I should have. I believe that I would help the economy, or build a school in Tibet, or even bring world peace with a new camera that could take stunning pictures. I believe that when I took a picture (and I would be taking them non stop with a new camera!!) people would stop and stare, stunned at the beauty of my pictures and that would inspire people to do great things (such as build a school in Tibet, then I would be asked to go and take a stunningly beautiful picture of it). Maybe my sister and I could go into business together and that would bring family peace-Ok, ok, maybe I should be happy I have a camera and a family and focus on that...ha focus...but wow I would look great with a new camera, I would definitely do great things with a new camera...

Grigori Rasputin

Since the beginning of my reading life Grigori Rasputin and the Romanov Family have been an itch I just could not satisfy with one or two scratches. Their lives fascinate, horrify, and intrigue me to no end. That is why when I discovered the book Rasputin's Daughter, I was delighted. While I was reading the book I felt like I couldn't soak the words up fast enough which lead me to read it again 1 year later. I had done more research on the mysterious monk and reading it a second time was much more enjoyable. Then I suggested the book to my book club and after 3 years of having it on the list it finally made it into a month! I am so excited for my friends to read this book and get their opinions on it.

Rasputin was born a peasant in the small village in Siberia. When he was young his family noticed he had healing abilities. The Tsarista of Russia, Queen Victoria's granddaughter- Aleksandria, heard of this humble peasant who had the ear of God, she petitioned him to visit her. Her request was that he, Rasputin, heal her son and heir of Russia, Alexi.

Rasputin's Daughter is a book about the time Rasputin spent healing the young Tsarovich, his devilish deeds he performed in the name of God, and his daughter's relationship to him and to his murderers. The story starts at the beginning of the downfall of the Tsar and ends with the murder of Grigori Rasputin.

The book tells us that the desperate relationship between the Tsarista and Rasputin was the fuel the revolutionist needed to bring down the Romanov Family.

Rasputin, as much as he intrigues me, was in fact, a disgusting peasant who had no education, ate all meals with his hands, drank until he fell to the floor, and molested women by the dozens. Rasputin had power and whatever evil deed he required of them, they must have felt it was worth his healing hands or his note of favor because they surrounded him daily. There are few people in the world that have been born of lowly birth and risen only to bring down an entire nation, Rasputin was one of them. I look forward to hearing what my book club has to say about this book and this man the Russians called Father Rasputin.

Inkheart

This month the kids have been listening to Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. I read this book 5 years ago and LOVED it. I loved the darkness of the villains, it seemed like someone finally got it right with how dark and evil villains should be. The idea was amazing and I was hooked. I got my book club to read it and they also liked it. This year I thought my kids were old enough to handle the book, so we opened it up and started to read. They were instantly hooked when Dustfinger appeared at Meggie and Mo's doorstep. We listened to most of the book and the characters came to life for us, the narrator did such an amazing job reading it.

Much to our delight the movie Inkheart came out last month and we couldn't wait to watch it. We were worried it would be scary and dark, maybe too much for some of us. But we put on our brave heart and went as a family so excited for the adventure.

I had high hopes for this movie, Andy Serkis has been a long time favorite villain of mine, and I couldn't wait to see what Basta and Flat Nose looked like. But much to our disappointment the villains were more comical and nonsensy than scary and dark. Basta was a short, greasy, man with a small mustache. He was shorter than everyone which took the fright right out of him. Flat Nose, well, he was silly more than scary. Hayden said, "Flat Nose was an idiot, he was not scary at all, he looked like a dork. In the book his nose was missing not gigantic." Capricorn, played by Andy Serkis, just didn't capture the pure ink dark heart of Capricorn, I expected him to start mumbling about his "precious" at any moment (I could not help giggling when he was angry..."stupid fat hobbit"). Even my kids were disappointed in the characters. They really wanted to see what Basta looked like because they were afraid of him. Dustfinger was exactly as we pictured him, Paul Bettany did a great job, he was believable and we were sad for him just like in the book. And Farid was as I pictured him, but the kids thought he would be younger and shorter. Farid was Hunter's favorite character so he was a bit disappointed, but the rest of us were happy with him.

In the end, the movie was a great family film. It was not scary in the least bit, or intense really. If you want the full emotion and feeling of a great story I recommend you read the book, the movie felt like such a let down...to bad 'cause we LOVED the book! I would wait until it comes out on DVD and then only rent it from Red Box ($1) I am glad we went, I am glad the kids watched it, but the consensus was we would not watch it again. However, on the way home the kids asked when we can start reading Inkspell (the sequel). I love books and I love when my kids love books too! Long live the written word!

The Book Thief

World War II. An event the "Greatest Generation" does not like to talk about. A momment in time where some people gave in to the fear and hate, but some people did not. It breaks my heart to read of the inhumane events that took place during that time, but I am fascinated by the true life stories of those who have risen from the ashes.

To be a Jew at that time...no words can express the sorrow. This book touches on what it was like to be a Jew from the start to the finish. It also talks about what it was like to be a German during the war, a story no one has ever told me before. The German families were given the choice to support the Fuhrer or die like the Jews. Hitler convinced an entire nation to willingly allow human suffering on such a vast scale. Those who tried to resist like Hans and Alex, were recruited and made to serve as soldiers for a cause they didn't believe in. This is a tale of the Jew, but it is also the tale of the German. Not the German consumed with hate and burning, but the German that is consumed with fear and sorrow.

This book is about the power of words. The words that took down a world. The words that took down neighborhoods. The words that took down families. "It's a burning testament to how words can overcome adversity, but also to how they have in extreme circumstances been used to create fanatic hatred. It's about the tragedy of what happens to the human soul when the power to express or write words is taken away from it. It shows that whilst words are an inspiring force in translating feelings, and in expressing the inexpressible, they can also destroy the very things that we hold most dear. They help us to survive and to endure the loss of those that don't."

Which leads me to my next thought: survivors guilt. "To live. Living was living. The price was guilt and shame." (pg 227) There are many examples of this in the book. Rudy's father, Hans, Robert, Max. "When they come and ask you for one of your children, ...you're supposed to say yes." (pg 446)

Zusak has written this book from Death's point of view. He took words (death, war, and sorrow) and painted them in such a way that you could smell it, taste it, touch it, and see it. "For me, the sky was the colour of Jews. When their bodies had finished scouring for gaps in the door, their souls rose up. their fingernails had scratched the wood and in some cases were nailed into it by the sheer force of desperation, and their spirits came towards me, into my arms. We climbed out of those shower facilities, onto the roof and up, into eternity's certain breadth. They just kept feeding me. Minute after minute. Shower after shower." (pg 372)

This book is one I recommend to anyone, children, young adults, adults. This is a book that will open your eyes to the power of words and the power of love.

Hotel for Dogs

I am trying to figure out when I became an 'animal lover'. This is not something that I was raised to be. I was taught by my dad to respect animals and coexist with them, I was taught by my many cousins and friends to be terrified of them, but there was never the heart melting and wanting to hold them in my childhood, youth, or young adult life.
We have seen 2 movies this winter that have really got me thinking. And when people ask me if it they were good movies, I think about whether these people like dogs or not in order to answer them.

First was 'Marley and Me' Of course, Marley reminded us of Shrute our yellow lab (who lives with Kimmy now) and we cried because we miss him so much (I know...why would we miss the destructive, depressed, ADHD dog?) And when he dies in the end...well it was a blubbering mess of tears for our family! (I previously posted about a book I read that also messed with my dog Psyche) Then this past weekend we went to see "Hotels for Dogs".

One of the lead actors was a Boston Terrier and we all OHHHHHed and AHHHHHed that it looked just like Charlie our little Boston. There were many homeless, ugly, dirty dogs in this movie and we laughed at some of them. But for the most part as each new dog was introduced there was a collective "OHHHHH he is so cute" from my kids. And in the credits there were pictures of the crew with their animals, we could not pull our kids away until it was done. And I will admit I was also glued to the screen! Again, when did this happen?? I love Charlie and would be devastated if we lost him or he died. My mother-in-law even said, "I have grown quite fond of Charlie."

And it is not just my dogs, but it runs into Hunter's hamster, Squirmy, that I love and take care of, the other 3 hamsters we had over the summer (Phillip Johnny Bob, Optimus Prime, and Pigeon Larry), my friends' agoraphobic dog Chloe, racist dog Reeda, and the rare kangaroo Marley. This concept is baffling to me, I am an animal lover...wow I didn't see this coming! (This does not mean Hayden is getting a King Cobra-don't worry!)

Eyelashes of Death

It is official, my sister thinks I am crazy...and I may be, but I will let you be the judge. I have been trying every way possible to get my eyelashes and my glasses to be friends for 9 months now. But to no avail! They refuse to play nice, which leads me to much blinking, tearing eyes, and constantly adjusting and readjusting my glasses. I have had rage for quite a while and Thursday morning was the last straw! I called my sister and asked her to trim my eyelashes. She was really quiet on the other end and I said, "are you there?" She made a strangled noise then said "Uhhh, what? Your eyelashes? I don't know if I can." But unfortunately for her I was already parked in her drive way and walking up to her front door. She opened the door and laughed as she walked down to her salon. She picked up her scissors and comb and approached me with a look of frightened confusion. In the end we laughed as she trimmed and when I put my glasses on I was so happy I could have kissed her (Skee that was for you!) I can now wear my glasses and I even forget they are on! I love the new eyelash length and love that my sister accepts me for the crazy person I am!

PS these pictures are of Hayden's eyelashes...No one has it as bad and good as him! And I couldn't take ones of myself...

Sailor Poem #2

While cooking dinner the other night, I noticed the sunset and ran out to capture it. The kids were so so so excited that the storms would be at an end (at least according to the Sailor poem). Unfortunately 3 hours later the torrential snow blizzard of the century hit and Hunter told me my poem was a lie! Curse those sailors!

An Unexpected Event!

At my school we try to teach the students to be flexible and roll with the punches. We call it being a "Bendy Brain". This weekend I learned how these kids feel when they are put in a situation that is not expected.
Sunday the Bishop called me in his office, along with Dave and the other Bishopric members. (This was not at all alarming...sarcasm) The Bishop asked me how Christmas was going, how my current Primary calling was going, then he gave me the shock of a lifetime! They called me to be in the Relief Society Presidency! The Enrichment (2nd) Counselor to be exact! So I very nicely said, "Um No, I actually don't do well with leading adults. I am a kid person." Then I laughed 'cause clearly he was joking-right? The Bishopric laughed at my response and the Bishop lovingly said, "Well, Stefie it is time for you to grow up and lead the adult sisters in this ward." Boy oh boy...he was not taking No for an answer! In my mind I heard loud laughing and a little voice telling me to be a "bendy brain"! Curses. I accepted.
After I was set apart the Bishop shook my hand and said, "Oh yeah, let it begin." Then the entire room broke into laughter...Ha Ha Ha. I am sure the Relief Society President is trying to figure out why this is such a joke to everyone (she just moved in to the neighborhood). After church MANY sisters came up to me and said, "Enrichment? Really? You?" I know!
Then I started thinking maybe Enrichment Night had lessons on Piracy, sword fighting, kick boxing, book reading, sports of wonder, sarcasm, and movies with violence and action...but the more research I have done-I find that all my interests and talents are NOT of the Enrichment kind. I think this is Heavenly Father's way of telling me, "Time to grow up and be a lady!" What a scary concept for me...
Having had 24 hours to dwell on this I find that I am more excited than nervous now. It is my nature to take the bull by the horns and run with what I have, so I feel better now. At least until Saturday night....

The TWILIGHT Craze!

Thursday was a long long long cold cold cold night for me! And some of you will be surprised and shocked to find out why! Not because it was a midnight movie, but because it was the movie Twilight!

I went with my sister A, my Mommacita, and my friend S! (Thank you A for the glow in the dark, very sharp, vampire teeth!) S and I went in with low expectations "just in case" and were pleasantly surprised!

The movie was great! Once I got past the bad casting of characters and accepted it for what it was, the movie was every entertaining and is great for a girls night out! I laughed out loud at Charlie and even a couple of times at Edward (they were funny parts--not laughed in sarcasm). I recommend this to any girls out there needing a night off and a new fantasy!

Privacy

Due to the mass panic of Internet Safety and such I have taken the liberty to give some of you code names in order to protect your identity. If you have a problem with your new name please see the attached complaint form.

October

I would like to summarize the month of October in one word but there is not a word that means horrible, joyful, and predictable all in one!
It is the end of football for the Munk family (that is not supposed to be joyful), but I have to admit I look forward to having time to cook and clean after school and on Saturday. Hayden summed it all up for us when he cried on the way home from Hunter's football game. The jersey's, cleats, mouth guards, gloves, and pads have been put away until next July and I think that was the favorite part of my weekend!
Halloween was as predictable as ever, Hayden lasted 20 minutes and then was done with the nonsense of Trick-or-Treating. Hunter was not able to find a chicken costume and therefore boycotted the holiday. Harley spent the weekend with our crazy friends in Odgen. Dave was at a BHS football game and I quietly sat back and observed it all, then put everyone to bed and wished Halloween would not come back next year.
I have big hopes for November, there are no sporting events and Hayden's swimming will be over in 2 days. I hope to have all my Christmas shopping done, house clean and organized, kids homework done, clothes washed and folded, and my book read for the month! With all my free time I feel this is a goal I can easily accomplish...only time can tell.
When it is all said and done, we survived the month and are stronger for it! But in parting I want to say: Goodbye October and good riddance!

The "Mother of the Year Award" goes to....

I bought some pomegranate this weekend and thought I would eat them all myself. But then I had a moment of brilliance. After FHE we were going to have ice cream and I thought to myself, "self, you should put some of the pomegranate into their ice cream...a healthy way to enjoy ice cream." And so I did. My kids ate it up and loved every splash of bitter juice that popped in their mouths. Hayden had to be restrained in the end because he was eating them by the handful. So, for those of you wanting to turn in the application for MY Mothers of the Year Award, I have already filled it out and would be fine with you mailing it in!

A Teary Momma

I went to Hunter's school today to watch him perform, in a play he did not tell me about (he was the lead role...grrr), and I got tears in my eyes before the play even started...it happened when the entire gym full of kids stood, faced the flag, put their hands on their hearts, and said the Pledge of Alliegence. I am so grateful my kids go to a school where respect for the flag and our country is a part of their school day! God bless the USA!

I got tagged....

I am doing this especially for my baby sister who LOVES to read these on blogs, so crank up the music and read away!

8 TV shows I watch:
1. Fringe
2. LOST
3. 24
4. Office
5. Reno 911
6. Football...
7. Football Highlights...
8. Football post/pre/half time shows

8 things that happened yesterday:
1. Hunter had a football game in Taylorsville
2. Lunch with In-laws after the game
3. Took Hayden to a friends house to play
4. Went to Walmart
5. Mopped kitchen floor
6. Vacuumed living room
7. Picked up Hayden from friends house
8. Picked up Harley and Hunter

8 things I am looking forward to:
1. Going to bed
2. 12:30 tomorrow (Monday) hair appointment with Super Angie
3. 4pm tomorrow, Hayden's first swimming class
4. October 25 Hunter's LAST football game
5. October 24 Dave's LAST football game
6. UEA weekend
7. Seeing family at Thanksgiving
8. Spring!

8 things on my wish list:
1. Out of debt
2. Quit work and stay at home!
3. Unlimited Barnes and Noble gift card
4. Miracle cure for Autism
5. Uninterrupted Sleep
6. Maid and a cook
7. Paul Cardall CD's
8. Weekend to visit 'Stine in WA!

8 People I am tagging:
1. Tia Dalma
2. Harry Potter
3. Perigrin Took
4. Hans Solo
5. Wesley aka "farm boy"
6. LaDamian Tomlinson
7. Jane Goodall
8. Gaffer Gamgee

My Path Of Life

I have had a lot of trials in my life. There have been many that brought me to my knees. But there is a beauty in hindsight and as I have had a spell of sleepless nights trying to figure out how I am going to survive my son in 2nd grade, hindsight has been kind to me. I believe my life has been littered with trials in order to put me on a specific path. When I have been in my deepest down points, too exhausted with grief and stress to go another day, I have literally handed my all to the Lord and said, "Put me where I need to be, say what I need to say." At the time it was all a blur. I did things, said things, went places, and thought things. But it was as if I was a Marionette Puppet, my strings being in the hands of the Lord.

Without those trials, I would have never put my feet on the path I follow today. I would not have the knowledge, confidence, clear mind, drive, passion, or means to walk the path I walk everyday. The path I walk is a busy, social path. The path I am on has many opportunities for me to serve other people. Person after person until I feel like I can give no more, then I remember, "I was once in their shoes, I was once in need...someone served me and I grew and moved on."

The Lord has a plan for me and at times I can not see the next turn. But when the turn hits me and the path gets rocky I always have the means to take it and continue on. I have the knowledge to open doors for my son that I did not have 5 years ago. I have the knowledge to open doors for my other children that I did not have 2 years ago. The Holy Ghost guides me, teaches me, and whispers to me on a daily basis. Though at times I do not feel worthy of it, I am grateful that He is always with me.

I know the path I am on will only get steeper and bumpier. I am sure I will have more trials that again drop me to my knees and take the breath out of me. But knowing I am watched and directed by a Heavenly Father that is directing me down a path to help my family and others, I will walk my path with open arms, looking to the future, when I can look back and use that beautiful hindsight to see the progress I have made.

Who am I?

I eat with my hands-handwriting is painful,
I am covered in deep bruises and cuts-my heart is broken on a daily basis,
I swim like a fish-water hurts my skin,
I love my brother and sister-wearing them down,
I am a natural at all sports-never good enough,
I like to make people laugh-can't figure out what people are thinking,
I can listen to multiple conversations at one time-loud voices take priority,
I love P.E. and recess-constant noises bring tears,
I am an expert on all animals-must be an animal,
I have boundless energy-weight comforts and calms,
I love my pets-muscles don't recognize gentle,
I am very smart-racing thoughts,
I need a scheduled day-change scares me,
I can convert hours to minutes-can't wait,
I love my cousins-world revolves around me,
I have a big heart-words can hurt others,
I love my Mom-world shakes when she is gone,
I can read-written words overwhelm,
I find comfort in things that are soft-will be 8 soon,
I love my Dad-he is not mom,
I am very daring and courageous-staples, glue and stitches,
I need to be loved-don't like to be touched,
I have beautiful eyes-don't look at faces,
Who am I?

My days will never be the same....

"Summer is over so why is it still hot"? This is the question my 7 year old asked me yesterday. School marks the death of all that is fun and warm right? Dave and I both had students at school Monday and it was a bit crazy for us.
Autism is a funny thing and there are many levels of "high functioning." I have decided that every parent wants to believe that their child IS high functioning, because it gives them hope. However, it gives me a lot of screaming, angry, scared kids to wrestle with on the first day of school! I was exhausted after school and I still had my own kids to manage until bed. Gone are the days of naps, gone are the days of swimming for hours at Kristi's pool, gone are the days when I could sleep in, gone are MY days. There is 20 minutes of reading for each of my 3 kids...2 of which have to be monitored at all times :( Learning Plans to sign, homework to finish, violin to practice, football to practice (and coach), behaviors to change, mean girls at school, mean teachers at school...I am sure all of you feel the same way I do, but it feels good to get it off my chest in into written words.

Olympic Craze

We have been glued to the T.V. for the past 5 days. All day long the T.V. is on channel 5 watching the USA in the 2008 Olympics. It is a phenomenon at our house. All play stops, all Disney shows are put on the back burner, all free time is spent cheering the USA on. We have become experts on all Olympic sports, therefore are better at judging and scoring than the actual Olympic judges and referees. We are savvy with the lingo and know all the USA athletes by first and last name. And I am pretty sure we could put on a blue suit coat and judge the Olympics better than the current judges!

We have also become somewhat of an expert on China. We were saddened by the murder of an American citizen and pray everyone else will return home safely. The kids do not love the idea of having to leave your family at a young age to become an Olympic athlete or only having 1 child per family. They are also still trying to grasp the idea of Communism. Hunter stated that when he is President of the United States of America he will "ban all Communists and work towards world peace" and furthermore, if the Olympics happen to be in China when he is President, he will have to really think about going or not. However, when he saw President Bush talking to the athletes and watching all the events Hunter decided that he would attend only if he could stay with the athletes and get all their autographs. "Do you think that they would want to come to dinner at the White House or would they be to busy?" Think big kid!

We love the United States of America and will continue to obsess about the events and athletes until it is taken from us. We hope to dominate the world and win as many Gold Medals as possible, but we do not want to make the athletes feel bad if they loose either! (Thank you Hunter for having such a big heart). Shout out if you are also addicted to the Olympics!

USA! USA! USA!

I sew-I am sewing-I am a Seamstress!

Remember the movie with Bill Murray, What About Bob? The scene where Bob has been lashed to the sailboat mast and it jubilantly yelling, "I sail, I am sailing, I am a sailor" that is how I felt on Tuesday. Jess, my crafty friend, has a fabulous idea of taking all the pants that are too small and making skirts out of them. I was thrilled because I seemed to have a LOT of pants in the "too small" category. Also, Jess offered to help hem the new clothes I got for school. So I was all game until I realized that it would involve SEWING.....AHHHHHH! Jess assured me she would do all the sewing machine stuff and I inserted "plus all things using a needle and thread". We got started right away by cutting all the pants up and pinning them where they needed to be. It seemed easy enough, then Jess asked me if I wanted to sew them....Uhhhh I politly gave her some excuse about never using other people's sewing machines and watched her sew away! Ok I did do some fabulous cutting and pinning!

The skirts turned out so so so cute!
The bummer (for me) was when the cutest skirt (camo) was still to small for me so Jess (much skinnier) got a new skirt! In all we made 3 skirts and hemmed 3 pairs of pants. Half way through the process Jess looked up at me and asked if I was O.K. Apparently the look of death was on my face. But it was not so bad and my headache went away about an hour after I got home. All in all a sucessful day for me and I proudly yell, "I sew, I am sewing, I am a seamstress..."