in case you're wondering, i'm pretty sure i've made a smooth transition from the having babies stage of life to the "i'm not sure what my natural hair color is" stage. i think i'll be here for a while.
deuces...
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
I read a lot...
Maybe I should really say, "I've read a lot lately." Anyway, one of my favorite bloggers, always posts about the books she's reads each month. I think that's a fantastic ideas because: 1) you can share book suggestions with friends and 2) you can keep track of what you've read. I guess those are the reasons I'm on Goodreads too, oh well! (btw, jenn, are you on goodreads??? if not, you need to join and if so, we need to become goodreads friends!) So without further ado, I present some of the books I've read lately....
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
This is the book my book club read for August. Like I said before, it is written in French and set in Paris. It wasn't an easy book to read. By that, I mean that it was a quick, easy, fluff kinda book. It took some time and there were sentences I had to read 3 or 4 times. There were also words I needed to look up in the dictionary. It was a great book. Everyone at book club enjoyed it for some reason or another and everyone thought it was thought provoking. Its the kind of book that stays with you for a while. Not the characters or story necessarily, but the ideas they shared and with which they struggled.
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
This book was disturbing. It is the story of a young Nigerian refugee and her immigration to the UK. The story is gripping, I certainly couldn't put it down, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
I loved this one! This is the 3rd, and final, book in the Hunger Game series. The second book was a little slow for me, but this one was not. There were a few deaths that didn't really make sense to me, but overall, I enjoyed it and was happy with the way the author tied things up.
More Holiness Give Me by Robert Millet
Once upon a time I read, Within Reach, by Robert Millet. The book had a HUGE impact on me because of the circumstances I was in at the time. Now that I'm in a completely different set of circumstances, Millet bugs me. I've heard through the grapevine that he's taught some stuff at BYU that I don't necessarily agree with and the tone of this book is a little patronizing. That being said, I got a lot out of this book and would recommend it to others. Just remember, this is just a man sharing his thoughts, opinions, whatever.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I read this one a while ago, but really haven't had the chance to share with anyone what I thought. I didn't read this book in high school and started to feel like the only person on the planet who hadn't read it, so I picked it up. I didn't like it. I really don't get what all the hype is about. I don't think it was that well written. I didn't love any of the characters. Honestly, I would have been fine putting it done halfway through and not finishing. Most of the books I read in high school were much better.
That's it for now. The next few books I'm planning to read are:
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg
Mary: Mrs A Lincoln by Janis Cooke Newman
Mayflower by Nathaniel Phillbrick
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
This is the book my book club read for August. Like I said before, it is written in French and set in Paris. It wasn't an easy book to read. By that, I mean that it was a quick, easy, fluff kinda book. It took some time and there were sentences I had to read 3 or 4 times. There were also words I needed to look up in the dictionary. It was a great book. Everyone at book club enjoyed it for some reason or another and everyone thought it was thought provoking. Its the kind of book that stays with you for a while. Not the characters or story necessarily, but the ideas they shared and with which they struggled.
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
This book was disturbing. It is the story of a young Nigerian refugee and her immigration to the UK. The story is gripping, I certainly couldn't put it down, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
I loved this one! This is the 3rd, and final, book in the Hunger Game series. The second book was a little slow for me, but this one was not. There were a few deaths that didn't really make sense to me, but overall, I enjoyed it and was happy with the way the author tied things up.
More Holiness Give Me by Robert Millet
Once upon a time I read, Within Reach, by Robert Millet. The book had a HUGE impact on me because of the circumstances I was in at the time. Now that I'm in a completely different set of circumstances, Millet bugs me. I've heard through the grapevine that he's taught some stuff at BYU that I don't necessarily agree with and the tone of this book is a little patronizing. That being said, I got a lot out of this book and would recommend it to others. Just remember, this is just a man sharing his thoughts, opinions, whatever.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I read this one a while ago, but really haven't had the chance to share with anyone what I thought. I didn't read this book in high school and started to feel like the only person on the planet who hadn't read it, so I picked it up. I didn't like it. I really don't get what all the hype is about. I don't think it was that well written. I didn't love any of the characters. Honestly, I would have been fine putting it done halfway through and not finishing. Most of the books I read in high school were much better.
That's it for now. The next few books I'm planning to read are:
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg
Mary: Mrs A Lincoln by Janis Cooke Newman
Mayflower by Nathaniel Phillbrick
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
sad
i'm sad today; bryn and cody are at school. i cried before i even woke them up this morning. the house is quiet without them. i told braden last night that i wish i could just freeze time. i don't want them all to grow up and leave me. in 20 years they'll all be gone and 20 years doesn't seem that far away anymore...
today is my mom and dad's anniversary. they were married 35 years ago and sealed 33 years ago. i'm thankful i know that families can be together forever...
today is my mom and dad's anniversary. they were married 35 years ago and sealed 33 years ago. i'm thankful i know that families can be together forever...
Thursday, August 19, 2010
here's what i've got...
i ran my race. it was hard...harder than i expected, but i did it. i am a half-marathoner (and i have a 13.1 sticker on the back of my car to prove it!)
bryn and cody start school on monday. this summer has gone by so fast. usually by now i'm ready to get back into a regular routine, but this year i'd be fine if summer lasted a few more weeks. oh well. on monday morning i will have to get up at 5 am to get my run in before i need to get everyone up and going for the day. it might kill me.
we just found out that some of our dear friends are moving back to naples after being gone for about a year and a half. i'm super duper excited. now, if we can just find them a place to live within walking distance...
i'm in desperate need of a creative project or two to work on. any ideas?
bryn and cody start school on monday. this summer has gone by so fast. usually by now i'm ready to get back into a regular routine, but this year i'd be fine if summer lasted a few more weeks. oh well. on monday morning i will have to get up at 5 am to get my run in before i need to get everyone up and going for the day. it might kill me.
we just found out that some of our dear friends are moving back to naples after being gone for about a year and a half. i'm super duper excited. now, if we can just find them a place to live within walking distance...
i'm in desperate need of a creative project or two to work on. any ideas?
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
random stuff
i love justin beiber. i finally broke down and downloaded a few of his songs. i think he reminds me of the music i listened to in middle school (like ieesha by another bad creation.)
i'm reading the english translation of a french book and it is hard. there are some french phrases sprinkled throughout and every time i read savoir-faire i can't help but sing seven by prince. i love that song. anyway, i'm hosting the book club discussion at my house and am thinking i'm going to do all french food since the book is set in paris. fun or cheesy?
i'm running a half-marathon this weekend and my hip is killing me. i'm confident i'll be able to finish and run the whole way though. that was my goal when this whole thing started.
the summer has flown by. the kids go back to school in less than a month. we haven't even established a summer routine yet. guess that's not happening this year.
it seems that all of my kids have roseola. the fevers are torturous on the big kids (and me.)
i'm reading the english translation of a french book and it is hard. there are some french phrases sprinkled throughout and every time i read savoir-faire i can't help but sing seven by prince. i love that song. anyway, i'm hosting the book club discussion at my house and am thinking i'm going to do all french food since the book is set in paris. fun or cheesy?
i'm running a half-marathon this weekend and my hip is killing me. i'm confident i'll be able to finish and run the whole way though. that was my goal when this whole thing started.
the summer has flown by. the kids go back to school in less than a month. we haven't even established a summer routine yet. guess that's not happening this year.
it seems that all of my kids have roseola. the fevers are torturous on the big kids (and me.)
Friday, May 14, 2010
next week
next week we'll be moving into a new house. here's what i've got between now and then...
today- afterschool pick up cody's friend, take 5 kids to spring carnival at bryn's school
tomorrow- long run, watch friends' daughter, braden to ave graduation
sunday- braden speaking assignment in immokalee, me solo @ church, company for dinner
monday- cody's spring concert
tuesday- bryn's spring musical
wednesday- stake camp meeting in the am, mutual in the pm
thursday- braden to high council
fri- volunteer at bryn's school, move?
sat- long run, continue moving, baptism
sunday- teach yw
and i need to find time to pack and have the pool fence installed.
let's hope i make it.
today- afterschool pick up cody's friend, take 5 kids to spring carnival at bryn's school
tomorrow- long run, watch friends' daughter, braden to ave graduation
sunday- braden speaking assignment in immokalee, me solo @ church, company for dinner
monday- cody's spring concert
tuesday- bryn's spring musical
wednesday- stake camp meeting in the am, mutual in the pm
thursday- braden to high council
fri- volunteer at bryn's school, move?
sat- long run, continue moving, baptism
sunday- teach yw
and i need to find time to pack and have the pool fence installed.
let's hope i make it.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
a whole bunch of randomness
we've got about a million things going on here right now, but here i sit, typing all the thoughts swimming around in my head to the 5 people who read this. oh well!
i'm on a major reading kick right now and just want to spend the day curled up with whatever my current book happens to be. last week I read the help, by kathryn stockett. it was as good as i heard it was. now i'm reading the guerensey literary and potato peel pie society. it is also as good as i heard it was. after this i've got half of a yellow sun by chimamanda adichie and water for elephants by sara gruen.
every year the k/1 teachers at bryn's school choose to end the school year by doing something special on each of the last 26 days of school. everyday the special activity or theme begins with a different letter of the alphabet. it is pure torture for me. every night we're scrambling to find whatever ridiculous thing she has to bring in or wear the next day. i hate it (and it begins tomorrow!)
since bryn and cody will both be attending the same school next year i've decided to step up my commitment to volunteer at the school. i'm going to be responsible for administering part of the school-wide reading program. what was i thinking?? every friday, macy, abby, and i will traipse to the school and count, record, count, and swap books for 2 hours. any bets on how long i last?
i saw 2 shooting stars this morning while running. (i told you this would be random!)
i'm going to have a new niece in september and am SUPER DUPER excited.
more randomness to come...
i'm on a major reading kick right now and just want to spend the day curled up with whatever my current book happens to be. last week I read the help, by kathryn stockett. it was as good as i heard it was. now i'm reading the guerensey literary and potato peel pie society. it is also as good as i heard it was. after this i've got half of a yellow sun by chimamanda adichie and water for elephants by sara gruen.
every year the k/1 teachers at bryn's school choose to end the school year by doing something special on each of the last 26 days of school. everyday the special activity or theme begins with a different letter of the alphabet. it is pure torture for me. every night we're scrambling to find whatever ridiculous thing she has to bring in or wear the next day. i hate it (and it begins tomorrow!)
since bryn and cody will both be attending the same school next year i've decided to step up my commitment to volunteer at the school. i'm going to be responsible for administering part of the school-wide reading program. what was i thinking?? every friday, macy, abby, and i will traipse to the school and count, record, count, and swap books for 2 hours. any bets on how long i last?
i saw 2 shooting stars this morning while running. (i told you this would be random!)
i'm going to have a new niece in september and am SUPER DUPER excited.
more randomness to come...
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
here's what i've got...
so after beginning to eat more i'm losing weight again. hip hip hooray! have i mentioned this new plan also includes waking up at 3:30 am to eat a little something? as painful as it sounds, it gets my metabolism moving and has paid off so i'll stick with it. just for the record, i'm at pre-abby weight and size and am inching my way to pre-cody size. ( having 4 kids in 6 years has taken its toll on this body!)
i'm pretty sure i only actually listened to about 25 % of conference, but that 25% was great. i really enjoyed elder cook's talk. i'm right there with him about some members of the church being passionate about things to the point of being disrespectful, rude, and unchristlike to those with differing opinions. i enjoyed president uchtdorf's talk too. braden and i have been talking a lot about how we need to love others more. it is something we're really working on with our kids and something we wish they saw more in some of the adults in their lives.
lastly, it is hot here. i'm not sure if i'm ready for summer, but apparently i wasn't consulted...
i'm pretty sure i only actually listened to about 25 % of conference, but that 25% was great. i really enjoyed elder cook's talk. i'm right there with him about some members of the church being passionate about things to the point of being disrespectful, rude, and unchristlike to those with differing opinions. i enjoyed president uchtdorf's talk too. braden and i have been talking a lot about how we need to love others more. it is something we're really working on with our kids and something we wish they saw more in some of the adults in their lives.
lastly, it is hot here. i'm not sure if i'm ready for summer, but apparently i wasn't consulted...
Thursday, March 25, 2010
oh the places you'll go
this morning while i was running i was thinking about all of the places that we've lived and what i liked most about each place. throughout the day i've thought about it more and decided to blog about it. then my friend, heidi, blogged about the same thing, but here are my thoughts anyway...
in happy valley (provo/ orem,) utah i miss
1- nature. want mountains? got them. want the desert? got it. (arches national park my just be my favorite place on this planet....)
2- cheap things to do. the dollar movie theaters, 2 for 1 mondays at the malt shop, theatre at byu...
3- living close to the temple. a 3 hour drive (one way!) is hard.
in livermore, california i miss
1-being close to the big city. spending the day in san fran rocks!
2- an awesome ward
3- in n out
in lawrence, kansas i miss
1- the farmers market
2- shopping on mass.
3- shaved ice place (i always got pink grapefruit peach, YUM!)
4- frozen custard
when we leave here (someday, hopefully...) i'll miss some things too. the thing is don't ever seem to appreciate things that much in the moment. it is generally upon reflection that i realize how great particular things were. another thing to work on...
in happy valley (provo/ orem,) utah i miss
1- nature. want mountains? got them. want the desert? got it. (arches national park my just be my favorite place on this planet....)
2- cheap things to do. the dollar movie theaters, 2 for 1 mondays at the malt shop, theatre at byu...
3- living close to the temple. a 3 hour drive (one way!) is hard.
in livermore, california i miss
1-being close to the big city. spending the day in san fran rocks!
2- an awesome ward
3- in n out
in lawrence, kansas i miss
1- the farmers market
2- shopping on mass.
3- shaved ice place (i always got pink grapefruit peach, YUM!)
4- frozen custard
when we leave here (someday, hopefully...) i'll miss some things too. the thing is don't ever seem to appreciate things that much in the moment. it is generally upon reflection that i realize how great particular things were. another thing to work on...
Friday, March 12, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
vacation
i love a vacation and am soooo excited to have TWO quickly approaching. in just 16 days the we'll be travelling to LA (that's louisiana, not los angeles.) i know its 16 days because bryn and cody are in the other room making paper chains as i type. then, it just over 3 months we'll be travelling to gatlinburg tennessee to spend a week in the smoky mountains with our cousins, aunties, uncles, and grandparents. yahoo!!
braden and i were talking the other night and he realized he hasn't left the great state of florida since last christmas. because macy was born mid-summer last year we didn't get to go on a summer vacation. i think we both have a little cabin fever.
on another note, it is interesting to live in a place that's a vacation spot to most other people. i think nothing of stepping out the door into 75 degree weather with the breeze blowing through the palm trees growing in my front yard. we live less than 5 miles from the beach and i can't even remember the last time we were there! i saw a friend at target this morning and she was telling me that her kids wanted to go swimming in their pool last weekend, but she didn't let hem because the water was only 80 degrees. the perils of living in south florida!!
braden and i were talking the other night and he realized he hasn't left the great state of florida since last christmas. because macy was born mid-summer last year we didn't get to go on a summer vacation. i think we both have a little cabin fever.
on another note, it is interesting to live in a place that's a vacation spot to most other people. i think nothing of stepping out the door into 75 degree weather with the breeze blowing through the palm trees growing in my front yard. we live less than 5 miles from the beach and i can't even remember the last time we were there! i saw a friend at target this morning and she was telling me that her kids wanted to go swimming in their pool last weekend, but she didn't let hem because the water was only 80 degrees. the perils of living in south florida!!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
running
i remember reading a friends blog where she gushed about how much she loves running and thinking, "yeah, whatever!" now, i get it. i'm not even sure when it happened, but i really do love it now. i'll go out some mornings and run an extra mile (or 2) just because. i remember looking at the half-marathon training plan and initially thinking, "there's no way i can add a mile to my long run every week!" but, it has been super easy and i'm not even training yet.
its also really empowering. i love knowing that i can go out and run 5 miles (easily) whenever i want. i love knowing that i'm in great shape (even if i still have lots of weight to lose to reach my goal.) i love knowing that i can do hard things!
i also love the stuff, including: dri-fit tees, mapmyrun.com, mixed berry powerade, my little light (i wear in hopes that cars will see me rather than hit me....i run at 5am,) and my awesome, super deluxe, (super expensive) sports bra!
its also really empowering. i love knowing that i can go out and run 5 miles (easily) whenever i want. i love knowing that i'm in great shape (even if i still have lots of weight to lose to reach my goal.) i love knowing that i can do hard things!
i also love the stuff, including: dri-fit tees, mapmyrun.com, mixed berry powerade, my little light (i wear in hopes that cars will see me rather than hit me....i run at 5am,) and my awesome, super deluxe, (super expensive) sports bra!
Friday, February 12, 2010
stuff i love
in honor of valentine's day here's a quick list of things i love...
- socks- now that i'm serious about my running i've realized how important (and expensive!) good socks are. right now, i really love these.
- cocoa roast almonds- they're super yummy, give me the protein boost i need mid-afternoon, and the 100 calorie packs are just the right size.
- goodreads- i'm trying to keep my profile, account, whatever it is current and after checking out my friends books i have a new, long list of "to-reads"
- high thread count sheets- i love crawling into bed with good sheets at the end of the day. a small luxury that makes me happy.
- runners world- i read it from cover to cover every month and can't wait for each issue to come!
- band hero- sooo much fun! my favorite song right now is love is a battlefield by pat benetar.
- avocados- need i say more?
- fireflies by owl city- not usually my kind of thing, but i love this song!
- my knock off uggs- it is COLD here!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
change
so i think i'm emerging from my funk. yay! (particularly for braden who has had to deal with the brunt of it!) i think part of the solution was to just let it run its course and another part of the solution was change. there's a lot of change in the air around this house and i like it. it means figuring out new routines and getting everyone resettled, but it also means a fresh start and that's what i'm looking forward to (that's what i need, i think.) i realize i'm being kind of vague and i'm sorry, but for now i have to be! meanwhile, let the change begin....
Monday, February 1, 2010
barring unforeseen circumstances....
i'm running the rock 'n roll half marathon in chicago on august 1st. it is official!!!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
quick update
although I have about 5 million other things I should be doing right now, here's a quick update on my revolutions...
i have gotten serious about my running. i'll be running the rock 'n roll half marathon in chicago in august. hopefully this helps with my getting back to pre-babies weight/size revolution too!
i have done a decent job of writing a few things i'm thankful for each night.
i'm giving another handmade/ homemade gift today (truffles!)
i've already read 2 books and am working on #3. i'm going to be in a book club again so this should help. the 2 books i've read are the alchemist by paulo coehlo and no more goodbyes by carol lynn pearson. both were good in their own way and left me with a lot to think about in their own way. last night i started the first annual grand prairie rabbit festival by ken wheaton. it seems fun and light which is what i need right now!
now back to laundry....
i have gotten serious about my running. i'll be running the rock 'n roll half marathon in chicago in august. hopefully this helps with my getting back to pre-babies weight/size revolution too!
i have done a decent job of writing a few things i'm thankful for each night.
i'm giving another handmade/ homemade gift today (truffles!)
i've already read 2 books and am working on #3. i'm going to be in a book club again so this should help. the 2 books i've read are the alchemist by paulo coehlo and no more goodbyes by carol lynn pearson. both were good in their own way and left me with a lot to think about in their own way. last night i started the first annual grand prairie rabbit festival by ken wheaton. it seems fun and light which is what i need right now!
now back to laundry....
Saturday, January 23, 2010
A Funk
Over at Segullah there has been some discussion about what you do to get out of a funk when you've fallen in to one. The past month has been emotionally exhausting for me. Just when it seems I'm getting over it something else seems to throw me right back in there. I've watched almost an entire TV series (it was a show that only lasted 2 seasons, but still...) read a few books, gotten serious about my running (again!) downloaded some new music, and spent more time than usual in the outdoors. I'm in the midst of party planning and am going to try some retail therapy in a little bit. Hopefully I can shake this off soon! What do you do to get yourself out of a nasty funk? I'm running out of ideas...
Friday, January 15, 2010
Out of Doors
be prepared...i might get a little philosophical here. i also might jump up on my soapbox, but that's the point of this blog!
yesterday was beautiful here. after 2 weeks of cold weather it was warm and sunny finally. we spent the afternoon outside playing. cody, abby, and i played catch. macy sat on a blanket and ate pretzels. we played hide and seek. i tried to teach cody how to ride his bike standing up. growing up i spent a lot of time outdoors. we had some woods and a little creek in our backyard where we would play and explore. we rode our bikes, played on our swing set, and shot baskets.
my concern is that we're raising a generation that is outdoor deprived. i read a great book a few months ago called Last Child in the Woods, in which the author describes what he calls nature deficit disorder. his premise, and i agree, is that children today spend too much time indoors and the consequences of that are far-reaching.
when i think about the things that are really important to me being out of doors is one of them. i will never live in a house that doesn't have ample room for my kids to run and play outside. they need that for their overall well-being. i need that too though and that's something that i really need to work on. i run outdoors in the morning and love it. i enjoy playing outside with my kids. i need more outdoor play time for me and i need to work on figuring out how to do that....
yesterday was beautiful here. after 2 weeks of cold weather it was warm and sunny finally. we spent the afternoon outside playing. cody, abby, and i played catch. macy sat on a blanket and ate pretzels. we played hide and seek. i tried to teach cody how to ride his bike standing up. growing up i spent a lot of time outdoors. we had some woods and a little creek in our backyard where we would play and explore. we rode our bikes, played on our swing set, and shot baskets.
my concern is that we're raising a generation that is outdoor deprived. i read a great book a few months ago called Last Child in the Woods, in which the author describes what he calls nature deficit disorder. his premise, and i agree, is that children today spend too much time indoors and the consequences of that are far-reaching.
when i think about the things that are really important to me being out of doors is one of them. i will never live in a house that doesn't have ample room for my kids to run and play outside. they need that for their overall well-being. i need that too though and that's something that i really need to work on. i run outdoors in the morning and love it. i enjoy playing outside with my kids. i need more outdoor play time for me and i need to work on figuring out how to do that....
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Revolutions (see my first post)
in no particular order
-read the 4 standard works and at least 10 other books
- give handmade gifts at least 50% of the time
- run 4 5ks (one for each baby i've birthed) and one longer race
-get back to my pre-babies size
- record at least 5 things i'm thankful for/have been blessed with each day
- spend more time outdoors
-spend less time on the computer
- care less about what others think
- choose not to raise my voice
i think that's it (that's plenty, huh?), but i reserve the right to add more...
-read the 4 standard works and at least 10 other books
- give handmade gifts at least 50% of the time
- run 4 5ks (one for each baby i've birthed) and one longer race
-get back to my pre-babies size
- record at least 5 things i'm thankful for/have been blessed with each day
- spend more time outdoors
-spend less time on the computer
- care less about what others think
- choose not to raise my voice
i think that's it (that's plenty, huh?), but i reserve the right to add more...
Monday, January 11, 2010
New Year's Revolution
Since my New Year didn't begin exactly as planned I'm giving myself a few more days to work out my resolutions (or revolutions as Bryn calls them.) The only thing I'm sure about thus far is that my theme for the year will be JOY IN THE JOURNEY. More to come....
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