Twilight Series

I wouldn't be true to myself if I didn't blog on this subject right now. I just finished reading (and listening on audio) the Twilight Series (Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse) by Stephenie Meyer. It truly, truly has been the most amazing series of books that I have ever read in my entire life (maybe aside from the scriptures?). If you haven't read them yet, you HAVE TO! If you don't have time, buy it on audio (itunes has it), you'll get sucked in within minutes. Anyway, just amazing, and I'm so glad I finally gave in and read Twilight, which of course made me read the other two, and according to my sister, Andi, the next book comes out in August.

For those of you who are thinking about not reading this series, do it for yourself to give yourself some alone time, some "Me" time. Its worth it. Its great.

Anyway, so as I have read and listened to this book, I can't help but parallel my husband and Edward. As I'm sure most of you who have read this book, if not all of you have done with your husbands. So Vampires aside, its the amazing love and affection and magnetism that Edward and Bella have for each other. Mainly the affection and undying (no pun intended) love that Edward has for Bella. Just the things that he says, it just reminds me how blessed I am that my husband feels that way about me. And I'm so eternally grateful.

Brad and I have quite the story of meeting, and friendship, and love. A story I never would have thought could be mine, and some day maybe I should write a novel, because it is quite interesting, and romantic, and funny, but I will never let a day pass that I don't thank Heavenly Father for the amazing man that I wake up to in the morning, and go to sleep with at night, and thank him for giving me a husband whose love is unlike I have ever known, and that love is for me. Me. One who sometimes doesn't feel like I deserve a love so real, so true, but somehow, I got lucky enough to find him (or recognize him) and realize that my life can truly be a fairytale.

I've been reading fairy tales to my girls lately before bedtime and I've been astonished at the stories, like the wolf eating the grandma and then little red riding hood... who talks about something so horrible, wolfs eating people... okay, so I guess I read about it in the Twilight Series, but these fairy tales are for little kids! Anyway, all of these fairy tales that we grew up with and think are so great, they all have hard times. I just read Rapunzel, and how sad is it that she was stuck up in a tower for so many years all by herself! But it doesn't matter, cause her hair is long, and her prince does come, and its days like these (payday) that I realize that although my life has had some rough times, many to be exact, it always ends up in that fairytale with a happy ending somehow, and although my story is far from over, it never stays bad the whole time, and I'm well aware that its not always good, but in general, we always remember the good parts, like Rapunzel's hair, and they always overshadow the bad. Maybe not at the time, I'm sure Rapunzel would have given up her hair in a second if it meant getting down from the tower, but she needed it in order to save her from a life of solitude. (Now we're getting deep) And so it is with life. That the Lord blesses us with these things (like love... or hair... or both) that help us to somehow find our way out of our tower eventually. All these things shall be for our good. :)

Medieval Times

We went to Medieval Times last Saturday to celebrate our Anniversary (Yeah for us, 7 years!) And take the girls to a great show. We had a GREAT Time! For those of you who have read "New Moon" in the Twilight Series, you can only imagine my anxiety as we were all crowded in a Medieval Style Room, lots of us, and went in a single file line into the auditorium. I thought it a little too familiar :) It was quite spooky and I had to keep telling myself, "Its not real, only a book."

We decided to save as much money and not buy any extras when we went, but as we went in they asked us if we had any upgrades. We said, "What kind of upgrades?" The guy moved us up to VIP Front Row Seats for free! We were stoked!

Abbie was a little bit nervous in the beginning, the sound was pretty loud, but she got used to it quickly and really enjoyed the horses and the knights and such. It was pretty fun. The food was EXCELLENT! Tori was almost immediately in love with the Red Knight that represented us in the Red Section of the room. After winning a Jousting competition, the Knight received a Red Carnation to which he threw to Tori who was Screaming and waving her arms like her life depended on it. I looked over and saw her bright red face, needing air from screaming so loud and long. It was adorable. She was instantly in love as he kissed the flower and threw it to her. She caught it and gave it a hug (as much as you can hug a flower) and kept it by her face the rest of the night. Everytime he rode by her on the horse she waved and blew him kisses. It was truly great. At one point one of the other knights came up behind the red knight and knocked him down to the ground without any warning and Tori was DEVASTATED! She about started crying and was so worried about her knight in shining armor. It was a great event, we all had a great time!

Soup Recipes?

I'm looking for yummy soup recipes. Brad and I like thicker/chowder type soups, so if anyone has any, if you could post them, that'd be so great! I have Jeni's amazing Chicken Noodle Soup recipe, and my Taco Soup Recipe, but I'd love for ya'll :) to share any recipes you have. Brad and I are going to try to change some eating habits, and eat healthier and work out every morning, so we'll see how it goes, thanks!

Time to Move???

So last night Brad went on a camp out with the ward. After some reluctance, and realizing I didn't have a choice, Brad left, and I was at home with the girls. Things were great. The girls and I had a slumber party, watched movies, slept together, stayed up late, etc. etc., until... (here's where you'd hear the Duh Duh Duh) I wake up at approximately 2:11 AM. to hear a lot of noise. Some yelling outside and such. So I peak outside my shades and there are two guys, clearly drunk, one smoking a cigarette yelling up at me, trying to get me to open the door and talk to them or something. So... I do what any woman would do, I panic. I call the police, and I can gratefully say they have a response of 6 minutes. Not too bad, but I was disappointed they didn't knock or call me back, just looked at my house and drove past. If I hadn't peaked outside at the second I did, I would have thought they never came at all. So then I hear a bunch of loud laughter and yelling in my garage area (I heard it through my closet), so I called our on-site security because I knew the police wouldn't go through our gates, but there is a small gate to the left of us that a lot of people leave open, safe, huh. So he went and checked it out. Amidst all this, I forgot to mention the huge pit in my stomach, the uncontrollable shivering/shaking from fear, and the crying as I called Brad's phone ten times. He finally answered, "I'm so scared." Is all i could get out at first. I explained, he said, "I'll be right there." So that gave me hope. Of course the rata-tat-tat on the door did not help me AT ALL, but I just prayed and shook and got out our rifle that was at the top of our closet debating on if I could actually ever even use it. The pit in my stomach was so large, it ached painfully.

These people outside (Not sure if they were the same or if they were my neighbors) my front door stayed out there for about an hour, just talking, laughing, and having a good time because, Shoot, what else is there to do at 3:00 AM? Besides wake up the neighbors and scare them to death? Holy freak!

So Brad came home to save me, just like a knight in shining armor. It took me another hour to relax, get the pit out of my stomach, and fall into a calm sleep... for three hours, but nonetheless. I was safe.

This morning the girls were all confused because Daddy was home, when he wasn't before, but they woke up all excited. Brad told them he had to go, and they begged him to go with him. And he said Yes! I was totally shocked but it just reinforces what an amazing husband I have.

Yesterday I went to Tori's school and got very anxious and worried about her schooling. Very unsure about the idea of her going there. The halls smelled of urine, and there was only one white child that I saw in the entire school. The security was non-existent, and when I felt good about it before I went to the school, I was left sick and unsure and lost. So the question arises, time to move?

I think we'll try to find some other alternatives for school for Tori, I'm looking into some private schools that aren't quite as expensive, to put her in just for one year.

And as for me and my 2:00 AM scare? Well, I think I might just have slumber parties at some friend's houses when Brad is gone. If Brad were there all night last night I wouldn't have worried one bit... okay, maybe one, but definitely not two bits. I truly feel safe with him there.

Sympathy comments are welcomed, anyone not sympathetic who feels like they need to tell me to stop worrying and get over it will promptly be deleted. Thanks!

Three funnies for the day

So the first two are from Abbie... Ah, the joys of motherhood right here. First, I'm cleaning up and she says really quietly and reserved, "Mom, there's pee in the garbage can." I knew she was serious because I had a previous conversation with my mom that there was pee in two of her garbage cans while the kids were visiting, and later Abbie admitted to it. So I knew that she had peed in the garbage can and her conscience was finally getting to her so she told me first that there was, and said she didn't do it, so I had to coax it out of her, and she admitted to it. There was enough pee in there for at least 2, maybe 3 times! I was so annoyed because there was other garbage in there like suckers, wrappers, etc, it wasn't all that easy to clean, however, I was grateful it wasn't on the carpet or something. Holy Cow, What was she thinking????

Later on in the day I'm working on my computer and look over, she is on my counter doing her hair, I thought, "Ah, that's harmless." So no biggy right? A few minutes later, I told her she's done, she stopped in a few seconds when she realized from my tone I was serious. So later, she came over and hugged me and as she walked away I noticed a familiar scent. It took me about 10 seconds to figure out why it was familiar and I remembered, Sunless Tanning Lotion! She had put it all over her hair and head and hands! So she's going to be looking great for Sunday undoubtedly. If its noticeable enough, I'll post pictures :)


So the last one, We had the missionaries over tonight and after Brad left to take them home, I said all excited to the girls, "Guess what girls?!" And Tori paused looking at me, I could tell she was thinking. I said, "You have to guess!" (I was going to tell them we got to go to the hot tub tonight... So Tori gets this excited look in her eye and she says with extreme enthusiasm... "BABY!!!!" My mouth dropped. Not her too! Everyone I talk to if I have a "surprise" or something exciting, they think I'm pregnant. Oh Please, You'd think after three years I have to have something else exciting to talk about :) She was quite disappointed when I told her no babies yet. She still prays every day, its been 3 years, that's one persistent girl, I guess she's like her mama, huh.

Wow Wednesdays!

Sorry I forgot last week, I've been super busy. So I'll do two today. The first one is called www.ldsfabric.com. Awesome new site, great fabrics, great presents, great ideas. One of my personal favorites is from Katie's Corner, its a way cute onesie with a tie sewn on :) How adorable. When I have my little boy someday I will certainly get this!

The next one I wanted to blog about anyway, is I just downloaded the audio form of New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. (Part 2 of Twilight) I am literally sick to my stomach right now! I can't get this pit out of my tummy! I had to stop reading so I could feel better! I'm anxious to keep going so it gets better, but I gotta give my heart a rest, man alive, its crazy! I'm not going to tell you what happens cause some of you haven't started New Moon, but let me know if you did read it and had the same reaction!

Victory

So I have to share my victory with ya'll :). Today Abbie stole one of Tori's prized possessions from her (her "fragile" clock drawer that goes to a clock Tori and grandma painted together). I explained calmly that it was Tori's and she needed to return it, so she threw it on the ground as hard and far as she could. As some of you know, I (and everyone else in the world) have been having a power struggle with Abbie. She got it in her head somehow that she is the boss. She doesn't listen to me when I tell her to hold my hand across the street or sit in your carseat, that type of thing, so I realized that I've just been too lenient. So after listening to James Dobson who wrote, "The strong willed child" I finally decided I needed to stick to my guns. So I told her to go to time out. Of course she wasn't about to do that alone. I realized that the time was now. So I taught her how to go to time out and sit down for three minutes. It took me 15 minutes to get her to sit for 3, but I did it, and she finally yielded. And I kept my cool the whole time and kept telling her I loved her and that it was important to know how to sit in time out and that we don't throw things. Anyway, this was a big victory for me because I felt like I had lost control of her, but I think the game is on, and I think she might just realize that she's not the boss. BTW, she's fast asleep now, eheh. And btw, she told me she loved me afterwards too so I think she won't hate me forever. Here is a picture of the Happy Abbie we all know.