My Mom is Cooler than your Mom

Today... is my mom's birthday.

I'm sure that she doesn't want to be reminded, mostly because birthdays are not a HUGE thing at my house, and sometimes it is just a reminder that perhaps even though we are a year older, nothing much has changed. I won't make an annoucement as to how old she is...becuase some people don't like that. What I will do, is explain to her why I love her so gosh dang much.

1. My mom is my best friend. The absolute best friend in the entire world.
2. My mom is a great listener. She will pick up the phone 9 out of 10 times when I call her, and then proceed to listen for at least an hour of what is going on in my life. Everyday.
3. My mom cares about her kids.
4. My mom is generous. With her time, with what little money she has. My mom will give her kids everything. And does, on a quite regular basis.
5. My mom is talented. From baking to decorating cakes, to keeping the house clean, to staying up all night helping with projects she knows nothing about... I don't know, she can figure out ANYTHING and do it.
6. My mom is handy. It must be from living with my dad, but she's learned how to roof a house, fix disposals, build shelves, hang drywall, putty walls, install tile (ok, maybe Dad did that...)
7. My mom is prayerful. I know she hits her knees hard, every night. Mostly praying for the sake of her kids, which we all appreciate (whether we know we do or not).
8. My mom is funny. Need I say more? We laugh, a lot.
9. My mom is patient. When she has five kids, who are all as idiotic as the first, it takes a lot of patience.
10. My mom is forgiving. We don't treat her the way she deserves to be treated, always, and yet, she still lets us come back. Amazing.
11. My mom is peacekeeping.
12. My mom is clean. Thank you for teaching me how to have a clean bathroom. And that you need a clean kitchen to cook in. I am a little sorry that I never picked up on the clean bedroom thing.
13. My mom is loyal.
14. My mom is a hard worker.
15. My mom is a good daughter.
16. My mom is loved by everyone - I don't know a single person who doesn't like her, and who wouldn't? Honestly, she is the coolest.
17. My mom is sporty. From attending all of my brothers' and sisters' football, basketball, and soccer games, she knows a little bit about sports. But on top of that, she is a mean raquetball player and used to play basketball, volleyball, and (sometimes still does) softball.
18. My mom is a cheerleader. See above. And then know, that my mom would go to my dad's games that he refereed and would be in the stands cheering for him.
19. My mom sets traditions by not setting traditions. We never know when we are going to put up the Christmas tree, but that doesn't matter - it's whenever we feel like it.
20. My mom has a testimony of the true Church of Jesus Christ. This shouldn't be number 20, it's so important.
21. My mom knows how to do Thanksgiving the RIGHT way.
22. My mom loves her parents.
23. My mom gives good directions. Even if she is 2,000 miles away, she can still get me to the Bishop's house in Lindon. Amazing.
24. My mom is a confidant. I can talk to her about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. And often do...twice.
25. My mom knows how to make food, the right way. I don't care what you say, if pecan pie, crescent rolls, cake frosting, strawberry pie, and chili aren't made the way my mom makes them...they're wrong.
26. My mom likes to try new things - sometimes it takes a little persuasion, but she'll do it.
27. My mom will go on all the rides.
28. My mom is beautiful.
29. My mom is a good travel buddy.
30. My mom is helpful.
31. My mom is sensitive.
32. My mom is temple worthy.
33. My mom has great taste in men. Have you met my dad? He's pretty fantastic.
34. My mom is spontaneous. I always love when she decides that it is time to switch the furniture around. I get that from her.
35. My mom is wise. Even if I don't listen... I often find, she knows her stuff.
36. My mom is a good wife. Faithful, true, and she knows who her priority is. I think my husband will be very grateful to my mom for showing me who really matters in life.
37. My mom is a trooper. With back problems, lack of sleep, or whatever ailment, she's still up and moving around doing whatever needs to be done.
38. My mom is exclusive. She has her small group of friends, and likes it that way. And it's no coincidence that at family reunions, our family all stays together in the same cabin or with each other. We're pretty tight-knit and it's because of her.
39. My mom has good taste in music - mostly, because she lets me listen to what I want to in the car. Whether she listens to the same stuff or not when I'm out, there would be know way of knowing... (I'll just overlook the Keith Urban CD in your car.)
40. My mom is faithful.
41. My mom is obedient.
42. My mom is cool.
43. My mom is good to have around at a doctor's appointment. Let's just cut to the chase, it's the real reason I don't go to the doctor - because she isn't around. Hehe
44. My mom is easy to be around. I don't think I could ever get sick of her. In fact, I wish she were here with me RIGHT NOW.
45. My mom is absolutely, the most wonderful person on the face of this earth.

I love you Mom. I hope you have a good day, even though you are working; even though you are poor; and even though I am not home to celebrate with you for the fourth year in a row. I miss you, but you know I am thinking about you all of the time. Else, why would I call so much?



Talk to you soon...

Family Home Evening

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Currently, my calling in church is that of Family Home Evening (FHE) "mom." It's always been one of those callings that I dreaded, and honestly never wanted to receive. However, if that were really the case, you would think I would have been more willing to attend FHE in the past. I am notorious for receiving callings that requires me to do something I don't usually go. (As seen with previous callings such as Enrichment leader, seconds counselor in the Relief Society - who happens to be OVER enrichment, etc.) So when I received the calling at the beginning of the summer, I was a little chagrined to do it. Only, I was given a pretty good group and a good co-chair (also known as the "dad") and it was very unlike the experience Amy and I had when she was the FHE mom when we lived at Branbury.

I was having fun.

When groups changed at the beginning of fall semester, I was very sad to see my group split - but for like, two seconds. Our FHE group is simply the very best a "mom" could ask for. We have excellent attendance rates (though I am still missing some of my "kids" on a regular basis...) and we have a lot of fun.

The very first activity we did was for Halloween. Instead of decorating pumpkins like all the other groups, we decided we wanted to find a pumpkin patch. When no patches were to be found, we settled for sneaking into HeeHaw Farms and playing on their hay slide. When I realized that my group was willing to break the rules for me, or for the sake of free and fun, I realized we would get along great. We escaped without having to bail anyone out of HeeHaw jail, and thus began our fun semester.

Other activities have included making hand turkeys. Which I wish we had taken pictures of, because they were fantastic. Riding in the car without our seatbelts (we are rule-breakers, afterall) and playing get to know you games. The more I've gotten to know my family, the more I just like them! They are hilarious, and always game for just about anything Colin and I prepare. And I really appreciate that.

When it was suggested that the groups change to accommodate the changing semester, Colin and I equally had a fit. We were very clear about how much we love our family, and that we do NOT want to see it changed. I've really enjoyed working with Colin, he's been an excellent "dad" or co-chair, and has been so dedicated to this family and to his calling. It's made me want to be a better FHE leader, which is saying something - considering, I didn't take the calling all that seriously.

Hopefully, we will get to keep our family as is. But if not, I am thinking that this ward is so full of awesome people, that it might not matter. No, I take that back. I would be devastated if they changed out groups. But I think I would be able to get over the separation anxiety that changing groups would entail - just in time to be put back in enrichment.

Twilight Movie Review

Becca and I went and saw the matinee on the Friday after it came out...or the Friday it did come out, I suppose. Anyway, I was very glad that we didn't try and sit in the front of the theater, or have to wait in line for an hour before the show in order to get a seat or whatever. We had decent seats, only surrounded by people still in their pajamas and with blankets wrapped around them (it was 11 a.m.) and I hoped very much that there wouldn't be screaming, squealing, or basic raucous when Edward appeared on screen, or Alice or any of them. I was nervous that I would have to deal with over excitement and giggling the whole way through. There were only two or three people that I really wanted to maim during the whole movie. I was surprised at the low number.

As you know, I've been keeping a close eye on the whole movie and its production. I've watched every clip and outtake, scene the stills, and basically anything that was posted on the internet. I checked faithfully every Twilight Tuesday for interviews with the actors and like such as. I knew the movie was going to not be everything that it could be - everything the book was. Mostly because the screenwriter was not credible. She should not have been entrusted with Edward and Bella and the Cullens as a whole. I think if they had a different screenwriter, the movie would have been fantastic. As it was, we had to deal with uncharacteristic phrases like, "It was an adrenaline rush. You can Google it." *rolls eyes dramatically*

Still, knowing that this movie was going to suck - I couldn't stop myself from giggling like several of the annoying extremists in the theater when Charlie cocked his gun before meeting Edward or when Edward jumps from Bella's truck and she scolds him because she has neighbors. I really did like the scene when Edward is wearing his little raybans (is that what they are called - the really neat sunglasses?) and escorting Bella to class while everyone stares... of course, it was ruined when Angela says, "Oh. My. God..." and then Becca leans over and recites the rest, "...Becky, look at her butt!" The way Bella discovers Edwards was a vampire was terribly rushed. Of course, it had to be...but still. I see why they condensed scenes and combined them. They didn't need Jacob to explain all the legends, the Cold Ones...they needed a reason for Bella to break off from Jessica and Angela while shopping for dresses. And in the book, we can read Bella's mind, it's her story after all, but in the movie we can't - they had to set it up. Still, the restaurant scene is pivotal in the book. It's when she and Edwards are finally, nearly, completely honest with each other. And the waitress was ridiculous - did anybody notice how AWFUL her hair was? I did like the kitchen scene, although Esme was sort of goofy and Alice's "You do smell nice" was creepy. The Claire de Lune scene and scampering up the trees as if Edward was Spiderman instead of just an incredibly strong vampire was weird...and unnecessary. And yet, the scenery was beautiful. They chose an awesome location for filming. The meadow scene was also incredibly disappointing. It was supposed to be their first date. Planned. Instead it was some random skipping portions of school. I felt like they were trying to have this deeply spiritual, romantic moment and then they skipped off back to class. Not to mention, it was still dark and creepy a bit, whereas it was supposed to be a NICE day. The baseball scene was probably my favorite. Oh, and I was terribly disappointed with how easy it was for Bella to escape to the ballet studio. I mean, seriously, Alice and Jasper were strict prison guards, she was lucky to have gotten away in the book. And they just made them both so aloof. I don't know. It was sort of retarded. And yet I expected the whole movie to be. I was just hoping to be pleasantly surprised, and yet, I wasn't.

I think that Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart did a good job. I loved the guy that played Charlie, and that was really my favorite part. We got to see more of Bella's relationship with her dad. A lot of my favorite scenes had Charlie in it. Actually, I was pretty happy with the cast in general. I only hope that Taylor Lautner will rise to the occasion when he has a bigger part in New Moon. He was rough around the edges, and it didn't matter because he's not so important in Twilight. But next movie, he'll be critical. Do you think they'll get someone stronger and bigger for him after he phases? I suppose not. He might be OK.

In the end, having low expectations seemed key. Since I wasn't too terribly ecstatic about it (though, admittedly, got more so as the release date approached) I didn't have to worry about being let down. Still, it was Twilight. And I'm a Twilight addict. Therefore, I enjoyed it. I liked it - OK? I like Edward. Even in the movie when they give him uncharacteristic lines, and I had to laugh out loud at the "death glare" Robert Pattinson tries to deliver when he first smells Bella...it was ludicrous... I will inevitably own this movie. I will probably see it again when it comes to the dollar theater. Maybe twice - depending on who I can get to go with me.

~**23**~

Kira, Becca, me, Ashley

So my roommate, Becca had to work yesterday. Sometimes when she does she gets home really late. So I didn't think anything of it when she got home at a quarter to six.

But apparently, what she really was doing was baking a cake over at Apartment 304 (Skye, Jake, Levi, and Travis').

So when I announced that I had to shower before FHE, because I hadn't for the day, my roommates all looked at each other, and was like - you can't. Apparently they had plans. After much bribery and threats of being tortured with cold water and/or invasion of the bathroom...I promised to take a fast shower; (I know this comes as a shock to most of you - but I can do it.) and I did. I just, may have, not put on make-up and I definitely did not do my hair...which sort of ruined the pictures. Oh well.

We headed to the Thai Kitchen, where sometimes they can speak English, and sometimes they can't. They are always incredibly slow. Don't expect refills. And yet, the food is DELICIOUS. My absolute favorite. Yum... I just get happy thinking about it, even a day later. Never mind what it does to my insides afterwards.


Chris, me, Colin, Jackie, Ashley

We got home just in time for FHE. Despite our group getting split up, we had fun. After we viewed everyone's pictures from the photo scavenger hunt, I was hanging around socializing - but everyone cleared out pretty fast. So when Ashley suggested we leave, I didn't really have a choice.

Apparently Ashley was trying to get me to open the apartment door, but I was too slow to pick up on that - so she had to open it, and when I walked in Skye was laying on the counter, similar to the way people may lounge on a piano... and I started laughing and was like, "Oh, well...this is quite a surprise!"

But that was just the beginning.


Colin, Kevin, and a few others jumped out from hiding spots. Then they were like, "There's a present in the laundry room," And I was thinking it was gift that Becca bought, because she had come home with something earlier that week that she wouldn't let me see. So I open the laundry room and Jake is sitting there with his arms wrapped around his knees, and he was like, "Did anyone order a BYU student?" And then got off and started dancing. Of course, it was very funny.

A few more people showed up and Becca came out with the cake that she had so deviously gone and made under pretense of fellowshipping one of Skye's roommates and they sang. We listened to the Twilight soundtrack, and chatted it up.


Kevin, Skye, Colin, me, Chris, Jake, Levi, Bryce

Becca really had bought a present though, so she brought it out and they got me a popcorn popper! I, apparently, told Becca that I wanted one the VERY first day we met. Which is true. I often walk by the air poppers and want to buy one every time I go to the store. Now I can find something else to pine over. Hooray! I love air popped popcorn!

It was a pleasant surprise, and I was very grateful to have such good roommates and friends. I love them all!

On my nerves...

Things that are really getting on my nerves today:

1. People who expect you to read minds when you never claimed to be psychic or Edward.
2. People who do not understand what an acceleration ramp is.
3. Motorcycles that take up a whole parking place - especially when they have a section reserved specifically for them.
4. Being poor.
5. My alarm clock - it is certainly doing an inadequate job. Not that it really mattered today.

Things that are not on my nerves today:

1. Good friends who love and support me.
2. My sister, Amy. I love her.
3. The weather - it is absolutely lovely today.
4. Surprisingly, school. Though I still wish it were closer to finishing time than it really is.
5. Food. I will be hunting for it now...