Here ya go, more stuff in my brain

My oldest daughter is turning 8. Sort of a big milestone for us. I'm really excited but also totally weirded out watching my kids grow up. Does anyone know where I can find an affordable baptism dress? I went out with her last week and we found an ADORABLE one for about $60. I'm not sure if I should expect that or if I can do better. We're off to look again later this week. What else do I need to do? Any ideas?

*****

I have quite the plethora of pens on my bathroom counter. This morning I realized it's because my hair is to the point where I need to get it done again. I try to avoid the pony tail thing but by the end of the day it generally ends up in a twist with a pen holding it up and I take it out when I go in to brush my teeth to go to bed. I think this is a desperate cry from my hair for me to go book an appointment to get some color and shape again.

*****

Have you ever seen that Disney channel movie "Hatching Pete" my kids found it on our netflix and half way through it I started recognizing the hallways in the school and even saw a Utah license plate. Then finally I realized it was filmed at my old high school, Hillcrest. I know they've actually filmed a few movies there but I dont know the names of any others.

*****

Last night I finally got to give my talk on strengthening and improving relationships. I have been working on it for a few weeks and while I was really excited to get to do it I am glad I no longer have to worry about how good it'll be anymore. It's funny how bittersweet those things can be.

*****

Happy Friday everyone!

A-Z Book Goal for 2011

My goal is to try to read at least one book from each letter category. If I get ambitious I'll try to do more.



(I will strike through the titles as I read them.)



In the past three years I've had a few goals to help give me direction in the books I read. In 2008 it was a number (100 books in 52 weeks), in 2009 a genre (Young Adult), in 2010 a niche (local authors, which seriously Utah is AMAZING for this!). So when I saw Danielle at An Eagles View talk about doing an A-Z list for her reading goal this year and I LOVED the idea and decided to try it for my 2011 goal.



I made up a list of a bunch of books I have heard about and wanted to read, some that have been on my to-be-read pile for a while and some brand new ones I found while looking for letters to fill in.


A-Anna and the French Kiss(Stephanie Perkins) ,Amy & Roger's Epic Detour (Morgan Matson), Along for The Ride (Sarah Dessen), Across the Universe (Beth Revis), 
B-Back When You Were Easier To Love(Emily Wing Smith), Bright Blue Miracle(Becca Wilhite), Bossypants (Tina Fey)


C-Crescendo (Becca Fitzpatrick), City Limits(Sheralyn Pratt),Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy (Ally Carter), Cracked up to be (Courtney Summers)

D-Demon Glass (Rachel Hawkins), Delirium (Lauren Oliver), Dont Judge A Girl By Her Cover (Ally Carter), Diary Queen (Catherine Gilbert Murdock),Dream Girl (Lauren Mechling), Dandelion Wine (Ray Bradbury)

E- Everneath (Brodi Ashton), English Trifle (Josi Kilpack)

F-Frogs and French Kisses (Sarah Mlynowski)

G-The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows)

H-Heist Society (Ally Carter), How to Take the Ex Out of Ex Boyfriend (Janette Rallison), Hourglass (Myra McEntire), Hold Me Close Necromancer (Lish McBride), Hex Hall (Rachel Hawkins)

I-Intrinscal (Lani Woodland), If I Stay (Gayle Forman), The Iron King (Julia Kagawa), I am a Genuis of Unspeakable Evil nd I want to be Your Class President (Josh Lieb), I am not a Serial Killer (Dan Wells), I am the Messenger (Markus Zusak) 

J-Jimmy Stones Ghost Town (Scott Neumyer), Just Breath (Susan Wiggs),

K-Keeping The Moon (Sarah Dessen), The Kiss of a Stranger (Sarah M. Eden)

L- The Lightening Thief (Rick Riordan), The Lost Saint (Bree Despain), Leaving Paradise (Simone Elkeles), Lock and Key (Sarah Dessen), Last Sacrifice Vampire Academy #6 (Richelle Mead), A Long Way From Chicago (Richard Peck)
M-Miss Delacourt Has Her Day (Heidi Ashworth), Maze Runner (James Dashner), The Mark (Marilyn Bunderson), A Match Made In High School(Kristin Walker), My Invented Life (Lauren Bjorkman), Moneyball (Michael Lewis)

N-Nightshade (Andrea Cremer), The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (Alexander McCall Smith),  The Name of The Wind (Patrick Rothfuss)

O-On The Jellicoe Road (Marlena Marchetta)

P-Possession (Elana Johnson), Peeled (Joan Bauer), Perfect Chemistry (Simone Elkeles), Pride and Prejudice(Jane Austen), Psych Major Syndrome (Alicia Thompson)

Q-Queen of Babble in the Big City (Meg Cabot)

R-Reveloution (Jennifer Donnelly)

S-The Sky is Everywhere (Jandy Nelson), Shawshank Redemption (Steven King), Shug (Jenny Han), Secret Society Girl (Diana Peterfreund), Shade (Jeri Smith-Ready), The Sharp Edge of The Knife (D. N. Giles), The Sister Hood of the Traveling Pants (Ann Brashares), The Summer Of Cotton Candy (Debbie Vigue), Sweethearts (Sara Zarr)

T-This Lullaby (Sarah Desson)

U-Uncommon Criminals (Ally Carter)

V-Variant (Robison Wells)

W-With a Name Like Love (Tess Hilmo), Wolves Boys and Other Things That Might Kill Me (Kristen Chandler), Wake Me When It's Over (Robison Wells), What Happened To Goodbye (Sarah Dessen)

X-The Xanadu Adventure (Lloyd Alexander)

Y-A Year Down Yonder (Richard Peck) 

Z-A girl named Zippy (Haven Kimmel)
Finished (edited) Dec 31 2011

Wordless Wednesday: Dont Lose Your Car (or the scrap of paper you wrote this down on)

(Taken by me in Dec 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah)

Marriage Monday: Sleep On It

It's ok to go bed angry.

(Don't believe that old myth never go to bed angry.)

When our basic needs aren't met our brains aren't working as clearly as they could be. Not really an ideal time to try to discuss something that we're seemingly passionate about.

However, before going to bed you could set up a time for following day to meet and discuss the issue. That way both of you know you're still going to work it out and you'll both be available and ready with full attention and a clearer mind. Then, get a good nights sleep!

(And just for fun, when I was having my husband read over this for me he suggested I give an example. I like this post just the way it is but I figure a little give and take right? So here is his suggestion for you all. Just like in school when the professors suggest you prepare for a big test what do they tell you? Get a good nights rest, eat a good breakfast and clear your mind.)

Find my other Marriage Mondays here.

A-Z Book Goal (I need ideas!)

In the past three years I've had a few goals to help give me direction in the books I read. In 2008 it was a number (100 books in 52 weeks), in 2009 a genre (Young Adult), in 2010 a niche (local authors, which seriously Utah is AMAZING for this!). So when I saw Danielle at An Eagles View talk about doing an A-Z list for her reading goal this year and I LOVED the idea and decided to try it for my 2011 goal.

I made up a list of a bunch of books I have heard about and wanted to read, some that have been on my to-be-read pile for a while and some brand new ones I found while looking for letters to fill in.

A-Anna and the French Kiss (Stephanie Perkins) , Amy & Roger's Epic Detour (Morgan Matson), Across the Universe (Beth Revis)
B-Back When You Were Easier To Love (Emily Wing Smith), Bright Blue Miracle (Becca Wilhite)
C-City Limits (Sheralyn Pratt), Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy (Ally Carter), Cracked up to be (Courtney Summers)
D-Dont Judge A Girl By Her Cover (Ally Carter), Diary Queen (Catherine Gilbert Murdock), Dream Girl (Lauren Mechling)
E- Everneath (Brodi Ashton), English Trifle (Josi Kilpack)
F-
G-The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows)
H-Heist Society (Ally Carter)
I-Intrinscal (Lani Woodland), If I Stay (Gayle Forman), I am a Genuis of Unspeakable Evil nd I want to be Your Class President (Josh Lieb), I am not a Serial Killer (Dan Wells)
J-Jimmy Stones Ghost Town (Scott Neumyer), Just Breath (Susan Wiggs),
K-The Kiss of a Stranger (Sarah M. Eden)
L- The Lightening Thief (Rick Riordan), The Lost Saint (Bree Despain)
M-Miss Delacourt Has Her Day (Heidi Ashworth) Maze Runner (James Dashner), The Mark (Marilyn Bunderson), A Match Made In High School (Kristin Walker), My Invented Life (Lauren Bjorkman)
N-The Name of The Wind (Patrick Rothfuss)
O-On The Jellicoe Road (Marlena Marchetta)
P-Possession (Elana Johnson), Peeled (Joan Bauer), Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen), Psych Major Syndrome (Alicia Thompson)
Q-
R-
S-The Sky is Everywhere (Jandy Nelson), Shug (Jenny Han), Secret Society Girl (Diana Peterfreund), Shade (Jeri Smith-Ready), The Sharp Edge of The Knife (D. N. Giles)
T-This Lullaby (Sarah Desson)
U-Uncommon Criminals (Ally Carter)
V-
W-With a Name Like Love (Tess Hilmo), Wolves Boys and Other Things That Might Kill Me (Kristen Chandler)
X-
Y-
Z-

Help! I need ideas to fill in the blanks.

(Or you can suggest other ideas for the letters already filled in. I love hearing about books people love!)

Chinese New Year Craft

I saw a cute idea on a new friends blog, ObSUESSed about celebrating Chinese New Year. The kids and I needed something fun to do tonight so this was perfect. A little culture, a little learning, a little together time, a lot of fun.

Luckily I had all the supply's on hand so it was easy to get started.

I found my Chinese characters and the kids cut them out. Then they all chose their own pictures/words. Mine was home and strength.

I wish we had card stock, the drum beats would have been louder but it still works decently with just normal paper and it was still a lot of fun to do!

Obviously you can embellish this craft with anything else. I think little jingle bells would be fun (and louder), or even coloring the squares, My kids had a good time spinning them to make them clap. 

Bumpy Landings by Donald Carey (Review)

Title: Bumpy Landings
Author: Donald Carey
Genre: YA (coming of age)
Release Date: January 13, 2010
Publisher: Cedar Fort

ISBN: 9781599554136

Pages: 249

Website: Donald J Carey Author

Buy it: Amazon | Deseret Book | The Book Depository | Cedar Fort

Add it your: Goodreads | Shelfari

He's got a few contests going on so go check it out! In fact just commenting on this post you're eligible for the weekly contest! Book Trailor Tour and Blog Tour contest

Synopsis from Goodreads

When Jordan MacDonald goes behind his mother's back to get his pilot's license, he soon finds out that a life full of dishonesty attracts more turbulence than he's ever faced in the air. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Hawaiian islands, this heartwarming story of romance and self-discovery will take you to new heights with each turn of the page.

What I thought:

Jordan MacDonald has a lot on his plate as he is trying to figure out who he is and what life has in store for him. He's got to figure out how to set new boundaries in his relationship with his mom, react to growing up (wanting to find something he's good at and going to college), deal with old acquaintances as he's trying to reestablish himself, interact with new friends (and girls he's attracted to!) and get more involved (and find more success) in the dating world. How does one person handle all of this?

My favorite part about this book was that I felt each character was very well developed. From the main character to the smaller roles, I was impressed with Careys attention to depth and detail. I thought it gave the story a lot of weight that the side characters didn't just pop in once to add a little tension to the scene but rather all the characters were full of personality and played a good role all throughout the story.

I enjoyed that this book was written from a male point of view. As a female who has a female brain (*insert obvious statement here*) it's not often I get a glimpse inside a mans thoughts. It was interesting to see how Jordan internalized the situations he was faced with.

Who doesn't like to read about a far-away, beautiful place like Hawaii? And since I've actually had the chance to visit it was neat to be able to place a few scenes. A handful of scenes in Bumpy Landings take place in small planes, and I'll tell you, having had the opportunity to fly in one I think Carey helped the reader have an idea of what it would feel like.

Buy it here: 

Check out Carey's Book Trailer for Bumpy Landings:

*I was given a copy of Bumpy Landings to read. This is entirely my own review.