Blog Action Day 2007

Its great to think we can actually do some good with our blogs. Come on, join in!

Happy Birthday Dad!

I love my Dad. He's a great man! Today is his birthday, I hope you have a great day Dad. I can still hear your voice reading me stories as I fell asleep. I can remember our grocery shopping trips and eating our "treats" afterward before going home. I remember jogging at the track with you, you got me started! I remember seeing you hold our first baby, Ethan, when we was born wearing your shirt we made for you - Just promoted to Grampa! Happy Birthday, Dad! We love you bunches.

This is for Emily

What I was doing ten years ago: I was in my freshman year at Brigham Young University. I was living in S hall of Deseret Towers. My boyfriend was in the MTC getting ready to leave for his mission to Brazil so I hung a brazilian flag in my window, which faced the MTC, so he could "see" me. I was realizing how hard it was to be away from my family but I was loving being able to set my own schedule. I remember my first halloween while I was at school. Some people brought their kids to trick-or-treat in our building. I can only imagine they were students. I was also just starting to have problems with my roommate....she hated me for some reason. Thankfully I met a group of girls I adored and they got me through the rough spots. I loved my days at BYU. What I was doing five years ago: So I had a brain fart yesterday when I was writing this. This is what I was REALLY doing five years ago. hahaha....Steve and I had just begun our second year of marriage. Even after six years I still love being married to him. We moved to a cute little apartment in Provo and into a student ward. Steve was in his last year at school and working part time at ATL. I was working full time after graduating with my degree in Community Health the previous April. I can't believe how time flies! What I was doing a year ago: We had just celebrated Luke's first birthday. I was still figuring out this whole Mom of two boys only 17 months apart thing. Luke was starting to figure out how to walk, he was adorable wabbling on his feet. Ethan was two and a half and showing his age but oh so cute! Steve had started a new job at the law firm. That was a big change but so nice to have him closer to home. Our kitchen was being remodeled (still not completely done). I had begun my training for my first half marathon, the OC marathon. Five places I'd rather be: 1. Brazil with my family 2. Italy 3. Touring Church History sites 4. New York would be fun to visit again 5. I'm pretty happy in my home too What would I do with 100 million dollars: 1. Retire my parents and my inlaws 2. Buy my dream house and pay off houses of my family members (both sides of the fam) - or move everyone close to each other but I don't know if everyone else would like that 3. Invest the money for my children's educations 4. Travel 5. Involve myself in philanthropy Favorite 5 shows: 1. ANTM 2. Heroes 3. NCIS 4. The Office 5. Grey's Anatomy My 5 favorite snacks: 1. String cheese 2. popcorn 3. Fruit leather 4. fruit 5. whatever I'm craving Five people to tag: 1. Katie Outlaw 2. Katie Naylor 3. Anna 4. Mae 5. Jenn 6. Jessica

So cool

I caught Oprah's show about Jessica Seinfeld's new book Deceptively Delicious and I have to say I am hooked. I wish I could afford to buy all my girlfriends a copy, I think this is a great idea! I am so excited to try the recipes, especially the brownies and cakes. You can learn more here: http://www.deceptivelydelicious.com/site/

Counter climbing

I get out of the shower this morning to hear some rustling in the kitchen. What could be happening? Picture this - Luke has grabbed one of his little kid chairs and used it to climb up on the counter. I catch him standing on the counter with the cabinet door open where we usually keep our "treats" and gum. After getting him down I inspect the damage and find this:

All the pieces of Trident gum have been consumed and there is not a single trace in Luke's mouth. What could be better than a tummy full of gum? I don't know, ask my two year old.

WSA Management Retreat - Four Seasons, Santa Barbara

Whoever decided that management retreats were condusive to good business was a genius! Another management retreat has come and gone all too soon. It was a great time, thanks to WSA! Ethan and Luke had an equally enjoyable weekend with Vovo and Tia Vo Marcia in Oceanside, they didn't even want to come home when we got back...go figure.

The Office is back!

My favorite quote from this week's season premiere (which was great!) is: "I'm not superstitious. I'm a little stitious." - Michael Too funny.

Sharing Time Idea - Service Topic

I was recently in a rut trying to come up with an interesting lesson on Service for my Sharing Time in primary. I wanted to share what I came up with with any of you that might need it in the future. Service Game (Not so catchy, I know) Type of scripture references, quotes from stories, freebie, picture references etc. and cut into strips. Example: My topic was service so I typed up 10 scripture references I found in the Index of the Bible and Book of Mormon, then I searched LDS.org for short stories about service and used one quote from each. For the freebies I made up scenarios like "you made your sister's bed for her. Move ahead one space!" or "You saw a friend teasing a younger child at school and you didn't stop him. Move back one space." I gathered pictures from the Gospel Art Picture kit and just wrote their number on the strips of paper. Draw a windy road on a chalkboard and divide into spaces for the teams to move their mascot along the board. Divide your class or group into two teams and assign a mascot. Let the children take turns rolling a die. The child moves the mascot forward however many spaces the die was rolled on. Then they pick out a strip from a jar. The teacher or child read the strip and talk about whatever is on it. If its a scripture you open your scriptures, read the verse, and apply it. Or look at the picture and talk about it. Etc. Whoever reaches the end of the road first wins! Maybe this will help one of you teachers out there.

Sprinkles

Some of you might know I have an obsession - its food. I love to try new foods, unless its disturbing foods like "balut," a Philippino delicacy, that my husband, who ate it in the Phillippines while serving his mission for the LDS church, has tried to get me to eat. No way, Jose. I especially love to try new restaurants that I've seen on the Food Network. I figure, if THEY think its good than its got to be. I'm not going to lie though, sometimes its a flop. Sometimes THEIR taste is too refined for me. I think this is one of those times. Today I experimented with Sprinkles bakery in Newport Beach. I bought four cupcakes for a whopping $13....ouch! (All in the name of experimentation, bear with me). I gave the red velvet one to my youngest sister Mae (she's pregnant and working full-time still so I knew she could use a pick-me-up). I am waiting to hear her opinion of that one. The milk chocolate was so-so. Luke didn't like it much. The strawberry cupcake was good but not as "strawberry" flavored as I usually like it. Maybe I'm too used to box mixes? Then the coconut lemon cupcake is the one in the picture. Honestly, I am too cupcaked out to eat much more of this thing. But I think I can decidely say that I'm not blown away. If this is gourmet than hand me the box mix please! I'll keep my $3.25 a pop to myself thank you very much. You can learn more about Sprinkles here: http://www.sprinklescupcakes.com/ Maybe there is one where you live and you can see for yourself.

Bath time photo op

The latest craze in bath time fun, looks fun doesn't it? Now if only I could have a tub big enough for me to try too...."when you dream, dream big" - as Ryan Shupe would say.