Just for fun

I visited a blog recently of a girl I went to high school with, she had a link to this jewelry giveaway and in order to participate I need to link her to my blog... so here are the rules.  This jewelry is beautiful... I hope I win!

Just follow this link to Tickled Pink!  and you'll find the link to her new etsy shop Sass and Savvy Jewelry.  If you like what you see, you can enter too... but only until this Saturday!

UGLIES ***

So, I finished UGLIES by Scott Westerfield yesterday. It was a pretty good book. It was definitely an easy read with an interesting story, but it was lacking something for me. I wasn't totally involved with the characters and the story until perhaps the last section (its divided into 3 sections). The picture is Book 1 (UGLIES) and 2 (PRETTIES) of this 3 book series, the last book is called SPECIALS.

There were certainly things I enjoyed about the book. I really like science fiction, where an author has created some future for our (or other) world. It always intrigues me to see how imaginative an author can be while keeping it somewhat believable. This story takes place about 300 years from the time that the earth is nearly destroyed by humankind, that aspect of the story, to me, was fascinating. I also liked the main characters, Tally (I went back and forth while reading on whether to pronounce it with a long or short "A" sound), Shay and David. They weren't quite as captivating as other sci-fi characters for me, but they seemed real enough and I enjoyed my time with them.

There were things I didn't like about the book as well, most notably, the author seemed to have an agenda and the ending. Westerfield's agenda was mostly illustrated in his depiction of the "Rusties" (humankind before the earth's near death experience). I may be the only person that felt like he was trying to push some tree-hugging, but that was the impression I got. It frustrates me as a reader to feel like the author is using the story to manipulate me. The other thing I really disliked about the book was the ending. You know when you see a movie and its pretty good, but then the end isn't really the end... in order to see the real end you have to see the next movie... that is how this book ends. I feel like the author should just feel confident that he's written a good enough story that he's left the reader wanting more in such a way that will have to read the next one... not because the story isn't finished, but because the reader isn't finished. I don't know if that makes sense, but that is the best I can describe how I felt about the end of this book.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I don't feel like I've gained any great insights into humanity or into myself, but I enjoyed myself. I'd probably give it 3 out of 5 stars... meaning I liked it. And I will be reading the next books in the series if for no other reason than to get the rest of the story.

Other Fun Stuff

I volunteered to decorate a cake for our Relief Society Birthday Party.  I wanted to do something really springy and this is what I came up with.  I got a little carried away, but everyone oohed and awed, it was fun.  Not what I envisioned, but I liked it alright...and the really important part...the taste, was perfect!  Oh and it earned me the responsibility of teaching a cake decorating class next month.  Anybody have any great ideas for teaching?

I think what I liked best about the cake was the leaf border around the bottom, it was so much fun to make and I think it looked lush and delicious!

Many of you know that I love to make cards, well, these were some fun ones that I "mass" produced one afternoon... they were so easy!  Mass producing is great, because you just cut the same things repeatedly and then glue the same, etc.  Granted, they could have ended up cuter, but for the amount of time and energy I put into them I think they are fabulous!  Then you end up with a lot of cute, handmade cards you can use for any occasion!

Book Tag

Jeni just got her first tag and is really excited! She just tagged me with this interesting one...

Here are the rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book (at least 123 pages).
2. Turn to page 123.
3. Find the 5th sentence
4. Post the 5th sentence on your blog
5. Tag 5 people

Book: UGLIES by Scott Westerfield (my current read)
Sentence:

Tally collapsed onto the bed, covering her face with her hands and sobbing.

Tag: Terra, Liz, KellyAnne, Kim V., Camille

I haven't even gotten this far in the book yet, so I have no idea what Tally is so upset about.

If I didn't tag you and you're dying to do it, please do...if I did tag you and you hate being tagged, please accept my apologies and I will not hold it against you if I don't see this on your blog! ;o)

For book club in my ward last month we read Jane Eyre, we all had different editions and learned that each edition had a different number of pages...wouldn't it be funny if we all had this tag then...

Which Jane Austen Heroine are you?

I found this on a friend's blog and thought it was fun...check it out and post your results in the comments. I don't necessarily agree with this one, but many of the characteristics do fit. Maybe I was just in an emotional mood while taking the test.

Take the Quiz here!

You are Marianne Dashwood of Sense & Sensibility! You are impulsive, romantic, impatient, and perhaps a bit too brutally honest. You enjoy romantic poetry and novels, and play the pianoforte beautifully. To boot, your singing voice is captivating. You feel deeply, and love passionately.

Freakonomics Discussion ***

OK, so now you've read it (or are reading it) let the brawl begin...OK, no brawling actually, let's be nice to each other. :o) I'd love to hear your thoughts on the book and ideas presented therein.

Some of the questions may contain "spoilers" so I have indicated which chapter the question is dealing with if you really don't want to get any info about the content of the chapter before reading it.

• What is the purpose of the book?
  
• From the Introduction:Do you buy Levitt and Dubner's claim that conventional wisdom is often wrong? What is the role of conventional wisdom in society?
  
• From Chapter 1: Why do you think more parents at the Israeli day care came late after the financial penalty was added? Are their situations in your life where guilt is a better motivator than money?
  
• From Chapter 1: Do you believe Levitt and Dubner's findings about Chicago school teachers and sumo wrestlers cheating? Did the findings surprise you?
  
• From Chapter 2: How do you think the Internet is changing the information advantage of experts and secret societies (like real estate agents and the KKK)?
  
• From Chapter 3: Were you surprised by how similar the Black Disciples' organizational structure was to corporations like McDonalds? Why do you think people perceive drug dealers as well off financially?
  
• From Chapter 4: Do you buy Levitt and Dubner's argument that the drop in crime in the 1990s was the result of Roe v. Wade? What are the strengths and weaknesses of their argument?
  
• From Chapter 5 & 6: Do you agree that their is little parents can do to influence whether their children are successful? Do you think there are high-end and low-end names?
  
• Rate Freakonomics on a scale of one to five.
  

Remember, next month's book will be Scarlet Pimpernel, I'll try to post questions before the 15th!

Blogging Woes

I have had a few people have trouble accessing my blog since I change to my "cute" background...so I thought I'd change it to a regular blogger template and see if that fixes the problem.  Please let me know if you're having trouble or if this takes care of it!

Thanks!

April Book

Well, the people have spoken and the book this month is Freakonomics by Steven Levitt. I just finished it today and I think it will be a good discussion...that is, if you'll join me! It is a really easy read (I started it Sunday and only read while the kids were in bed for the night-keep in mind that this prego body of mine cannot stay awake very long while reading).

I do have to warn you that it has some controversial topics discussed and there are a couple of places that have bad language. To warn you in advance, the first happens in Chapter 2, How Is the Ku Klux Klan Like a Group of Real-Estate Agents? (page 70) in a conversation between two guys Kevin and Bob. Its not pertinent, so skip it if you'd like. The next chapter is Why Do Drug Dealers Still Live with Their Moms? In it there is a lot of discussion of gangs and there is a lot of bad language from their quotes. I'm sorry if you're terribly offended by our choice...I honestly didn't know the content when I suggested it, I'd just heard great things about it.

I hope you'll read this one, its not our typical read by any stretch of the imagination. It was quite enjoyable and offers some new perspectives to many subjects. And like I said, it should prove to be a great discussion. I'll post questions by April 8 and then you can respond as you read. Thanks for voting!

Oh, one last thing...since The Scarlet Pimpernel was such a close second (it really could have been a tie, if you read the comments to the post below) we'll plan on reading it in May! I'm going to go get my copy from the library this week.

April Anniversary!

Next month marks my first anniversary with blogging.
Help me celebrate by reading with me!

I'm posting a survey on the right, please vote for your choice to read in April.

Also, in the comments, please give me your ideas for future books.
If you'd like to be in charge of selecting the book and questions
I would love to have you! Let me know!

OUTRAGED!

I love the TV show LOST...this comes as no surprise to any of you. One of my favorite things to do after watching an episode to visit lostpedia to see what other people theorize about happenings in the show. I know its silly, but its fun. I have even had it linked from our family blog under "favorite sites."

Well, last night as I was reading about a new character I noticed on their sponsored links some very inappropriate pictures. I immediately closed that window and was appalled and outraged.

I know a lot of people think that stuff is OK, its the norm...yackety-schmackety. If people want to destroy their minds and spirits by viewing such vulgar material that is their prerogative. However, I choose to not subject myself to such vileness and feel completely angry, indignant, even livid when that choice is taken away from me.

Shame on those that prey on innocent web browsers. I thought I could trust a site and learned, regretfully, that I was wrong. I have since written a letter of complaint to the administrator of lostpedia expressing my concern and hope to make a difference, though I doubt I will-I'm losing my hope in humanity.

So many emotions for one little (and growing) body

So much has happened in the last little while, I have experienced the highest of highs and some pretty low lows. Since there is little evidence that anyone reads this blog anyway, I figure I can "share" some personal feelings. :) This is pretty much written like a journal entry and (as you all know) I am very long-winded. You don't need to feel anything for me, just getting it out there is therapeutic, so thanks for letting me try to make sense of all these mixed up emotions.

Moving really takes it out of you. So does being pregnant. I have been completely exhausted lately and I attribute much of my emotions to that exhaustion. While moving every 3 months isn't my ideal, it the moving itself hasn't been so bad...its the lack of friendship that is really wearing on me. I feel SO isolated going from one place to the next. Don't get me wrong there are definitely nice people wherever we've gone and I have made some friends that I will probably keep in touch with, even if not very frequently. But I miss having friends I feel like I can call and say, "Hey, can I come over, we can let the kids play, we can chat..." I've been lucky to have nice places to live that aren't multiple family units, but along with that, we've pretty much been on our own. With only one car, I get stuck at home all day, except when I take the kids out for a walk. Even then, we haven't lived close enough to friends to walk to their houses. So basically, my need for time with friends has been solely found on the phone (hence 3000+ minutes in one month). I am very lucky to have such great friends and family who will talk to me. My isolation isn't as bad as it could be, thank goodness!

Yesterday, I had an ultrasound. Everything looks good with the baby, measuring about the same as my due date ( a little big, but it is one of my babies). We also found out that we will be welcoming our first baby girl this summer. This filled me with many mixed emotions, best summed up with one word, anxiety.

Excitement, of course! Even though there are many people out there who think I'm not excited, I am truly excited. I have said all along that I would be happy with a girl at this point, but I wasn't dying to have one. You all know that my life's happiness wasn't dependent upon having a girl. I'll be able to do lots of fun things with my daughter that probably wouldn't happen with all boys. I really look forward to that. Excitement is part of anxiety, so it fits with my one word choice.

Another part of my anxiety stems from the change that will happen to our family. Girls are different...in too many ways to even imagine. Granted, most aren't a big deal, but as a whole its a lot of change. For instance, changing diapers will be different. I'll have to explain all the anatomy differences to my boys. We'll be forced to get all new clothes (which of course, could be fun, but $ isn't growing on any trees at our house). Speaking of which, do I keep my boy clothes for future or can I just get rid of them now and possibly be in the same predicament next time around. One other change mostly just affects me, rather than the whole family. I don't know why it matters, but for some reason it does to me. I, for my entire life, have been the "only girl" in my immediate family. That will now change and it is kind of freaking me out. I guess I don't know where I'll stand anymore or something like that. I know that is totally dumb, but my whole perception of the world has revolved around my place in the family and that place has always been the only girl. Anyhow, I have some anxiety about having a girl for all of these and other reasons.

I also have been stressed by the class I have been taking to finish my degree. For those of you who haven't heard this horrid tale, I'll explain. 5 years ago I graduated from Weber State University with a BS in Sociology. However, prior to having Bryant I suffered the loss of a miscarriage and for one reason or another it threw me into a deep depression. (I say "one reason or another" because I have had lots of friends suffer a miscarriage and none of them have been in the throws of despair like I was). Well, the semester I had my loss I was taking Sociological Statistics. I was doing really well in the class, 100% on the first test...then my baby died and with it all my ambition. I stopped going to class, I stopped going to work, I stopped functioning as much as possible without becoming a vegetable (maybe it wasn't that bad). Well, I was able to pull passing grades in most of my classes that semester and a lot of my professors showed mercy, but this one, not so much. I got like 73% on test 2 but I didn't do 5 of the 8 assignments. I clearly had an understanding of what the professor expected me to know as I got 97% on the final. However, because I had only completed 3 busy work assignments I didn't pass the class with a C or better which was needed to fill the requirement for graduation. Well, I was pretty bitter...at the professor and at myself for being a slacker. Finally after 4 years had gone by I decided to do some research to find a class to fill the requirement that I could do either online or independent study; enter BYU Psychological Statistics. Now this class was so much harder than my class at WSU, so it really stressed me out. On February 23, 2008 I took my final exam in the class! It took me over 2 1/2 hours! My brain hurt, it was the hardest test I have ever taken in my life! But I did it...if only I could pass that class my unofficial graduation could become official. Well, wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles I found out today that I passed the final and the class with a B grade! HOORAY!!!! I am so thrilled! So happy! So proud (the good kind)!

And finally, many of you know the many ups and downs of mothering. Well, we have undertaken the biggest roller coaster of all-potty training! Jonas was finally ready and so we have had him in underwear all week. He is doing really well which is super exciting, but of course with success there is also some room for improvement (read-accidents). I have been praying everyday that I can be a good mom and not overreact to these and so far the Lord has blessed me.

I am so thankful for the many experiences of this life, good and bad. I am learning so much about myself and about how to rely on the Lord. That doesn't mean I'm having an easy time. When I'm up, I'm really up....when I'm down, you know how it goes. I can't think of a time I've been so happy, but so morose about it. I'm one mixed up duck, but at least I'm enjoying the journey...because who know where the destination will be.

Austenland ***-

Am I a little past the date I promised for discussion questions? I can't seem to remember...oh well! Did you read the book? It got a nice plug from Terra's blog, so hopefully some of you got a chance to delve in to some fun chick-lit. Even though my brain is totally preoccupied with unpacking and I read the book a few weeks ago, here's my attempt at guiding a discussion...feel free to explore more than just these topics.

What did you think of the story?

What was your opinion of Jane as an Austen heroine? What similarities and differences can you find with Hale's Jane and Austen's many heroines?

Deep down inside, if you're being totally honest with yourself and money were not an issue, would you consider going to a resort like this?

How did Mr. Nobley's character affect you? The gardener? What emotions did you experience with Jane?

What surprised you? What did you predict?

Do the characters seem real and believable? Can you relate to their predicaments? To what extent do they remind you of yourself or someone you know?

Did certain parts of the book make you uncomfortable? If so, why did you feel that way? Did this lead to a new understanding or awareness of some aspect of your life you might not have thought about before?

Hope all is well and to hear from you soon!

Persuasion Discussion *****

I hope you enjoyed the book this month as much as I did. I'll be honest, I was a little worried I would be bored. I have started a couple other Jane Austen books and just couldn't get into them. Of course, that was right after reading Pride and Prejudice (which I loved!) so maybe I was a little biased. Anyway, I loved this one too! I think I enjoyed it just about as much as P&P. What did you think? Here are some questions to get the discussion rolling...

Explain the title.

Austen's humor works, as always, throughout, but would you describe Persuasion as a funny book?

Is Anne Elliot Austen's most perfect heroine? Do you like a perfect heroine?

Is Wentworth Austen's most perfect hero? Are you persuaded that his entanglement with Louisa Musgrove was unintentional? What do you suppose the impact of Anne's presence as spectator had on his attentions to the Musgrove girls?

Is Mrs. Russell a true friend to Anne despite her occasional bad advice? How do you feel about her eagerness to match Anne with Mr. Elliot? (Does anyone feel sorry for Elizabeth when Mr. Elliot suddenly switches his attentions from her to Anne?)

Sir Walter Elliot believes that cold weather has an unfortunate effect on women's beauty. Do you agree? How about hot weather? In which weather do you personally look your best?

In a particularly famous passage Anne Elliot says that men have had the pen in their hands when assigning strengths and weaknesses to the sexes. Now that the pen is in Austen's hands what does she use it to say about men and women?

In Bath Anne begins to believe that Wentworth still cares for her. Why can't she simply tell him she is uninterested in Mr. Elliot? Does this drive you nuts? Would you say something to him if you were Anne?

Is it still the man's job to pursue, the woman's to be pursued?

Did you know???

OK, one last tag and then I'm sure I've reached my quota for at least a year...This one come from Joni and I am supposed to tell you 6 things you might not know about me. This is really tough for two reasons, one, I'm not very exciting and two, I'm an open book. Most of my friends know these things about me. Anyhow, at the risk of boring anyone who actually reads this, here goes...

1. I love being pregnant! I feel so much better about myself (emotionally) and don't worry so much about my perception of my body (physically). It is great! I also love looking for baby names and have it down to a science (one of my favorite baby name books is Beyond Jennifer and Jason and I always check out the social security baby name popularity site). I'm kind of a freak actually...Oh and unlike many moms, I totally look forward to labor and delivery-which is done with no epidural (for my own crazy reasons) but with plenty of help.


2. Ethan and I are currently working on our "set." It includes some Allison Krause, Billy Pilgrim, Josie and the Pussycats, Jack Johnson, Damien Rice, etc. He plays the guitar and I play the "vocal harp" and together we make some pretty good music. Hopefully we'll get to the point where we do our own material at some point! I hope to get to the point where we perform at various venues. I also really want to record an album with him. It is so great making music with the one I love!

3. People from high school know this one, but most of my other friends don't. I was a drama geek and won several acting honors and awards while in high school and a bit in college. I still long for the stage and love any opportunity I get to be in front of an audience...even just speaking or singing in Sacrament meeting. In college I came VERY close to majoring in theater, but couldn't submit myself to all the trash that is out there in the college scene. To this day when I see a high school play I wonder if perhaps I should go back and just do it...I feel like they need me! (I'm so vain!) Its funny to me that in high school and college singing was never my forte (I always loved it, but I was never known for my strength as a soloist) and now it seems to have taken the front seat. One of my life long goals/dreams is to open my own theatre and share what I love with my community.
4. I am obsessed with the Presidential primary race. I truly believe that Mitt Romney is the best choice to be our next President and not just because he's Mormon. I can't say that doesn't affect me at all, but it is by no means the sole reason I think he would be the best for the job. He has proven himself as an incredibly effective and successful leader, something our country is in dire need of. He has an awesome track record of making things that are failing turn around and come out on top, this would be invaluable to our economic situation. And finally he has fought for what he believes is right as Governor even though it wasn't easy. He stuck to it and got the ball rolling in the right direction, I want someone who is willing to fight Congress or the courts if he has to. These and many other reasons (like the fact that he is right on a majority of the issues at hand) are the reasons I am completely obsessed with this race. To be perfectly honest, though, I don't think he'll win, but as you can see I think it will be America's loss.


5. I am a major "LOSTie" and am now playing the alternate reality game Find 815. It is so silly to have a show that I follow so closely, but it is also so much fun! I love having something to look forward to each week. I am also thrilled that they have a plan for ending the show in 3 seasons. I hate the thought of it going on and on and never getting anything resolved. January 31 (the season premiere) can't come soon enough!


6. I have a serious addiction...I am completely and totally addicted to the phone. I wake up wondering who I can call (which is no one...its like 4 or 5 am where my friends live). I start calling people and more often than not don't get answers, but I don't give up...I go through my entire phone list on my phone several times each day thinking of who to call (I don't actually call everyone on my list). If I do get a hold of someone after I'm done talking to them, my finger automatically starts scrolling through the list again. I use over 2000 minutes by myself every month! I attribute this addiction to my love of friends and need for quality time, but still...I need help people!
So there you have it...more than you cared or needed to know about me!

My friend KellyAnne posted some questions on her blog and I thought I'd answer them here. I'm a little embarrassed at some of the answers, but now you know! Her questions are in blue and my answers are in purple.

1. How often do you exercise and what do you do for exercise?
I go for a walk pushing all 3 boys a few times a week. I was running with them, but this whole pregnancy thing took its toll, hopefully I'll be able to pick it back up in a couple weeks when I'll (hopefully) be feeling better. We also really like having dance parties and I always get a good work out dancing around holding each boy in turn.

2. Do you make your bed everyday?
Most days, but if I let the kids into my room its all in vain.

3. What do you do in the evening hours? TV? Blog? Read? Clean the house? ;)
I do all of the above. I generally save folding laundry until the kids are out of my hair and I like to watch TV while I do that. I REALLY hate this writer's strike and I can hardly wait for January 31 when LOST premieres. Then I will watch TV every Wednesday night (for at least 8 weeks anyway!). The only good thing on TV right now are the Presidential Debates. I also get online to blog, check out the latest in the elections, and Find 815 (I'm a total LOST junkie)!

4. What are you having for dinner tonight?
We're having French Dip sandwiches and I can hardly wait!

5. What did you have for dinner last night?
Pot roast, mashed potatoes, and green salad. It was delicious!

6. Who does the dishes at your house? Who takes out the garbage?
So, I've discovered through reading all my friends' answers to these questions how lucky I am...on this one in particular. Ethan and I take turns every other night doing the dishes. It is great! We each get to look forward to when its not our turn, we only have to do half the time, and it gives us an opportunity to serve each other if we're feeling especially giving. Ethan generally takes out the trash, but if the smell gets too bad (we don't have a disposal people!) I do it...lately it seems I've been doing it more and more...you don't think the pregnancy is affecting me do you? :)

7. Give me one favorite cleaning/household tip that you have learned and use regularly.
I'm by no means an expert...my tip is turn on the tunes! Rockin' out while you (and everyone else) clean makes it so much more enjoyable!

8. Do you pluck your eyebrows? I just recently discovered that people do this. I've never even thought about it. Do you do it?
First of all, I can not believe you didn't know people didn't do this, KellyAnne! My friends have been doing it since at least 8th grade. I, however, DO NOT! Never have and hopefully will never HAVE to (I say "have" because I'm sure I could benefit from it, but until it is absolutely necessary I refuse).

9. How many nights of the week does your family have dessert?
Too many! The kids want a treat after every meal it seems. In my defense though, sometimes a treat is just some fruit. In all honesty, we probably have dessert 5 times a week...there I said it, judge if you must!

10. What time do you wake up in the morning, and what time of day do you take a shower?
I wake up at 8:00 am to read my scriptures. The boys aren't allowed to bug me until 8:30. Showering is never on schedule! It just depends on what we have going on for the day! Its supposed to happen between 9 and 10 though.

January Book

Jane Austen has been calling my name for awhile now, so the book for this month will be one of hers that I have never read, but keep hearing good things about...Persuasion. I'll post questions by the 25th of January. I hope we can get a little more participation this time, its been awhile since we've had a good discussion. To get you excited, here's what Amazon.com has to say of this one...

Anne Elliot, heroine of Austen's last novel, did something we can all relate to: Long ago, she let the love of her life get away. In this case, she had allowed herself to be persuaded by a trusted family friend that the young man she loved wasn't an adequate match, social stationwise, and that Anne could do better. The novel opens some seven years after Anne sent her beau packing, and she's still alone. But then the guy she never stopped loving comes back from the sea. As always, Austen's storytelling is so confident, you can't help but allow yourself to be taken on the enjoyable journey



One of the reason I'm dying to do a Jane Austen book is that I am very eager to read a new Shannon Hale book entitled, Austenland. I think we will discuss this one in February, so get your reading glasses ready for some fun chick lit! (sorry guys) Here's a taste of what to expect from this one, quoting Publisher's Weekly...


In 32-year-old singleton Jane Hayes's mind, no man in the world can measure up to Fitzwilliam Darcy—specifically the Fitzwilliam played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Jane is forced to confront her Austen obsession when her wealthy great-aunt Carolyn dies and leaves her an all-expenses-paid vacation to Pembrook Park, a British resort where guests live like the characters in Jane's beloved Austen novels. Jane sees the trip as an opportunity for one last indulgence of her obsession before she puts it "all behind her—Austen, men, fantasies, period," but the lines between reality and fiction become pleasantly blurred as Jane acclimates to the world of Spencer jackets and stringent etiquette rules, and finds herself torn between the Darcyesque Mr. Nobley and a forbidden tryst with Pembrook Park's gardener.

One Dog Canoe

I haven't done a children's book for a few days and I came across this one at my last library visit. One Dog Canoe is awesome! Its about a girl who takes her dog in her canoe and then has several animals join in the fun! The illustrations are fantastic, Levi (who loves any book with animals) adores, and so do the older boys because its a silly story. Lots of fun!

The Five Love Languages *****

At Christmas I always get a little stressed trying to come up with the perfect gift for parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews. I don't worry too much about my own kids, though I do try to get Ethan something awesome (usually to no avail).

I am the type of person who really values making something for someone else. This year I did not make one single thing for anyone and it was a surprising relief. Those last minute moments of trying to finish crocheting something, tying the last few stitches in a quilt, or painting the finishing touches on a painting always gets me a little worked-up, but I love that feeling when someone opens a gift that I have put not only my time into, but also a little piece of myself.

I think the reason I feel this way is that my "love language" is quality time. To me, giving my time is the same as giving myself and vice versa. This year, although I felt the last minute relief...I felt a disturbing indifference about Christmas and the gifts I was giving. I'm sure that this was in large part to the fact that I wasn't giving something that told them (in my language) that I love them.

The funny part about it is that some of the gifts I gave were better received than any year's past. Ethan and I were analyzing the reason for this and discovered that the love language of the receiver was probably just different from mine, so the homemade gifts in the past weren't seen as gifts of love, but perhaps... cheap? I racked my brain this year to come up with something satisfactory for some people and in the end came up with something they really appreciated and will use. Success!! I hope that in finding that perfect gift they feel that love I put into their gift even though it wasn't spoken in a language I really understand.

If you have never read The Five Love Language by Gary Chapman, I highly recommend it. It discusses the fact that everyone has a primary love language and argues that there are 5 basic languages with many dialects within each. The 5 are: Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Personal Touch. While no one speaks exclusively in one language, they understand and speak one with the most comprehension. I have come to the conclusion that when looking for the perfect gift for the people I love, I have to consider what language they speak, if I'm speaking German and they speak French it won't go over too well, but if I get a French/German Dictionary and make an effort, they will probably get the message.

Book Club

If any of you have ever been to a real book club meeting, you know that lots is talked about that is unrelated to the book, or even books in general. I have been wanting to have a place to talk about everyday things that aren't really for my family blog, so I have decided to use this venue. Check back here if you're OK with posts that aren't all about the kids or what we're doing as a family. I probably won't be doing a whole lot of pictures, so if thats what you're interested in the family blog is the one for you, but if you want to hear whats going on in the mind of a semi-sane mom and what she's reading, join me here anytime. Thanks!

Mommy Tag

1. How long have you been a Mom? Four years, 9 months

2. How many kids call you mommy? 3-although, Bryant and Jonas usually say, "mom" and Levi just yells, "Ma"

3. When you were pregnant did you know what you were having? With Bryant we had the ultrasound and were told it was probably a boy, but to have it double checked...I got checked again and they said it was probably a girl...so we waited to find out til he was born (which is what I wanted to do anyway). We found out with both Jonas and Levi.

4. How old were you when you became a mom? 21 years 10 months

5. How long were you in labor? Bryant 13 hours, Jonas 2 hours of good hard labor (I was on pitocin for about 4 hours before anything big happened...I went from 3-10 in about 90 minutes), Levi 14 hours.

6. What’s your favorite thing about being a mom? The hugs and the "I love you lots mom!"

7. What’s your least favorite thing? All the yelling and noise (from me and the kids)

8. Do you want more kids? Definitely

9. Have you ever taken your kid(s) on a trip?Yup, many trips between Utah and Oregon, Bryant went to Nauvoo and Tennessee with us when he was a babe, several camping trips, and one cross country adventure (although, it wasn't really us that took them0-Thanks mom and dad!)

10. How many times have you been peed on? Maybe once per child...just takes that one refresher to remind me to be prepared.

11. How many times have you been barfed on? Way too many to want to remember...or share.

12. Are your kids named after someone? First names are not really-though we found a common link...prophets and/or their dads. Middle names are for family

13. When is the last time you had a sitter? Dec. 10

14. When your kid gets in trouble, who is the bad guy? If Ethan is home he gets to have the honor, but generally I am.

15. What is the longest you have been away from your kid(s)? Let's see how long was our road trip? Five days I think...HEAVEN!

16. Are your toes painted? Nope

17. Last movie you saw in theater? Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Last book you read? The Mormon Way of Doing Business (OK, I've read lots of kids books since I finished that one, but its the last one I finished for myself...I'm currently reading A Mormon in the White House?)

18. One thing you will not give up just because you’re a mom: Hopefully, my sanity :)

19. One thing you did give up now that you’re a mom? Sleeping in

20. Favorite Cartoon: Cyberchase and Arthur (its pretty sad when I sit and watch them by myself)

21. Favorite Snack: Granola bars, fruit snacks, craisins, cheese sticks

22. When the kid(s) are napping, you are: Either napping, reading, or blogging..though Bryant doesn't nap he just has quiet time.

23. Where is/are your kid(s) now? Eating breakfast

24. If I could do it over, I’d do this differently: Have more fun

25. What is a lesson you’ve learned as a parent? Patience is a virtue, pride is a vice. Love is the best medicine for everything...hurt bodies or feelings.

I tag...if you want to do it, please do...I'd love to see what you have to say!