Weekend Update

:::::::::::::Conference:::::::::::

I had a great time watching and listening to Conference this weekend. My favorite part was hearing the Prophet speak so tenderly about his wife's accident and subsequent recovery. His ability to talk about something so heart-wrenching, then be able to tell the light-hearted part of the story is amazing. When he related the first words his wife spoke to him after a 27 day coma, that she loved him, then he stated her next comment about them being in trouble because she had forgotten to mail their fourth quarter taxes. He then said, "If she had said these in the other order I would have left her there!" The humor he brings lifts the heart!

Many of the talks focused on testifying of President Monson's calling as the new Prophet. It was wonderful to be part of the Solemn Assembly...even at home...to raise my arm to the square.

:::::::::::::Birthday Party:::::::

I did miss the first portion of Conference on Saturday to take Eve to a birthday party for a little boy in her Pre-school class. Ethan is one of only 2 boys in Eve's class, but he had a lot of friends from other things come to his party. It was funny to see Ethan sharing a chair with Eve and his plate. They really don't play together too much at school because he doesn't let Eve boss him around. She bosses Logan around from what I'm told. Ethan's mom thought it was so funny how excited he got when he saw Eve get out of the car. The kids played in the moonwalk, and on Ethan's cool play set. The party was space themed and everyone had a great time. Fortunately, the rain abated during the span of the party. They were nice enough to send goody bags home for the rest of the kids.


:::::::::::::Nim's Island:::::::::

Rachel received an invitation to go to the new movie, "Nim's Island" with her friends Sabrina and Lydia. Moms were invited, too. Lydia's dad decided he would like to see the movie, as well, so we had a fun group. The girls sat together at one end of the row happily chatting until the film started. I bought Rachel a box of Whoppers and for me a box of Milk Duds.

The movie was a fun adventure with Jodie Foster's portrayal of a neurotic, agoraphobic writer was great. Gerard Butler plays Nim's father and a scientist on an island they want to keep a secret. The devices used in the film to create dialogue between the imaginary character and the actual character work very well. It was hilarious during a shark scene in the movie when Lydia's dad leaned over to me and whispered, "We're going to need a bigger boat!" in reference to the Roy Scheider line in "Jaws". Too funny!

Overall, the movie isn't Oscar material, but it is a great film for a bit of amusement. All the principal actors do a wonderful job with their roles. Also, when you have a movie that contains scenes with flying lizards, you know it is quite light-hearted and fun.

:::::::::::::Book Review::::::::::



Carrie Bebris does a great job on keeping the integrity of the ,Jane Austen inspired, characters throughout her mystery book. The story begins right after the nuptials for Elizabeth and Darcy. The newlyweds are trying to get to Pemberly and enjoy the coming Christmas holiday. Unfortunately, the trappings of polite society keep them from their goal for a time. The couple is pulled into the wedding and subsequent troubles of Caroline Bingley. The story weaves in the conflict between reason and intuition with elements of the supernatural.

The author did a wonderful job with the characters in the book, but the story, toward the end, seemed a bit too forced and contrived. Supernatural artifacts and beliefs are evidenced throughout many cultures and are definitely found in England. I'm not sure how I would have presented it in the story, but it seemed a bit too flat. I am interested enought, though, to read the author's other books, so I'll let you know what I think of them too.


::::::::::::::Spring Break:::::::

is this week and the boys are already fighting and I don't have the ingredients for the food Noah will eat, so the week is starting off well. The weather is supposed to be warm with drizzles today. Rachel is happy because she got to read late and sleep in. I suppose that is one good thing.

Until later!

Don't Forget to Vote!

:::::::::::::::::::::How Cool is My Mom?::::::

She is so cool that she invited Eve and Rachel to the Hannah Montana Concert at the movie theatre. Rachel wasn't going to go, but Eve's enthusiasm won her over. She came back from the theatre all smiles. My mom said that everyone had a blast singing and that Eve waved her straw in the air. I wonder what Eve would think of Chastain Park where they wave sparklers. I think a pyro will be born the instant she finds out. So, Thank You, "Cool Granny"!

:::::::::::::::::::Austenland:::::::::


Shannon Hale has captured the essence of what it is that women feel when we read Jane Austen books and watch the film adaptations. Her character Jane embodies the longing for a man who makes you feel beautiful everyday, has a razor sharp wit, a bit brooding at times (with a heart of gold) and has a nice bum in a pair of breeches. Jane's struggles with her definition of boyfriend and how the concept changed after watching Colin Firth in "Pride and Prejudice". I have yet to see this adaptation, but from what I hear I best be sitting down because Firth sweeps you off your feet. Back to this book...I liked that Jane was not really comfortable in her own skin and needed to get over her Mr. Darcy obssession and the way this character develops is thoroughly satisfying. Shannon Hale's quick turn of phrase and flippant remarks let the reader feel like a trusted friend hearing all her thoughts and feelings. I loved the device that segued the chapters of meeting Jane's numbered boyfriends. I about fell out of bed when she described boyfriend #7, too succinct and funny! This is going onto my favorites shelf!


::::::::::::::::::::Wilton 1, Lesson 3:::::

Tonight is my 3rd lesson at Cake Art. I have my icing prepared, my wax squares cut and my cupcakes ready and iced. I'll set up some pastry bags later.

::::::::::::::::::::Don't Forget to Vote::::

today is voting day in Georgia. My mom already voted and Michael was the first to vote this morning. I'm planning to stop over and vote after taking Eve to school.

::::::::::::::::::::New Prophet Called:::::::

President Monson is the new prophet. Not surprising. His counselors are President Eyring and President Uchtdorf. I tell you that these guys give me warm fuzzies in my heart. Seriously! They help me feel the love of the Saviour and that is a wonderful blessing.

::::::::::::::::::::I'll update later with my next reading book.

Steven Spielberg, Where Are You Hiding?

That is what Michael and I were thinking when Noah and Eve sat down to breakfast wearing their 3D glasses. At some point, they decided they wanted to watch "Shark Boy and Lava Girl" and I guess this was the pre-movie breakfast gala.


Life is really what happens when your busy making plans!


::::::::::::::::::President Hinkley::::::::::

passed away on Sunday evening with family by his side. He gave countless years of service to others. He was loved by a faithful wife and their marriage was one of devotion from both sides. A life well lived, indeed!

See Michael's thoughts on President Hinkley's passing here.


::::::::::::::::::Princess Academy




We just finished this book by Shannon Hale. This time it was Rachel perched by my shoulder to keep whispering insistently, "Keep reading!" We finished the last three chapters Sunday evening. The book is about Miri Larendaughter and the people of Mount Eskel. They are quarriers of Linder and use quarry speech to communicate over the loud sounds of their trade. Miri is to delicate to help in the quarry and doesn't feel she fits in with her people. She has burgeoning feelings for her best friend, Peder. One day the king's messenger arrives with the news that the future princess to the prince of Danland will be chosen from one of the girls from Mount Eskel and a Princess Academy will be instituted to prepare all of the eligible girls.
The theme of finding your place never gets old because it is a different story for everyone and what makes it comfortable to read is that there is a common thread woven through each of us to find our place. There is underlying jealousy and mistrust among the girls that keeps them from getting to safety during a later situation in the story. The suspenseful ending chapters and the resolution to the story is satisfying. A wonderful read!

:::::::::::::::::::Our Next Book::::::::

is also a Shannon Hale book titled, Goose Girl



From Kidsread.com
Anidori -Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kilendree spent the first years of her life listening to her aunt's incredible stories, and learning the language of the birds. Little knowing how valuable her aunt's strange knowledge would prove to be when she grew older. From the Grimm's fairy tale of the princess who became a goose girl before she could become a queen, Shannon Hale has woven an incredible, original and magical tale of a girl who must understand her own incredible talents before she can overcome those who wish her harm.

::::::::::::::::::::Math Night::::::::::

Michael took Noah, Eve and Aaron to the school for math night. Noah held a passport that recieved stamps for each completed activity. I thought it was cool that Eve and Aaron wanted to go with Noah. Rachel wasn't interested, so she stayed home and read a book. I was busy trying to create Wilton icing for my class tonight. Yikes! What a mess.

I need to go feed Eve and Aaron! Smiles!

I Can Tell Spring is Here Because...

I have
Poison Ivy. I have it on the backs of my legs and above where my gloves didn't cover my arm. It is a relatively mild case. I had poison ivy really bad about 2 years ago, so this is just a mild itchy walk in the, proverbial, park!





_{Primitive Scrapbook and Primitive Photography by Mo Jackson, Doodles by Ida, Date Stamp from Simply Irresistable kit by Gina Cabrera, Font: DB Michael, Wonton}
::::::::::::Excerpts from The Phantom Tollbooth

pp. 167 & 168:

"If everything you say is true," added Tock.
"Then, without a doubt," Milo concluded brightly, "you must be Canby."

"Of course, yes, of course," the man shouted. "Why didn't I think of that? I'm as happy as can be." Then he quickly sat down, put his head in his hands, and sighed. "But I'm also as sad as can be."
"Now will you tell me where we are?" asked Tock as he looked around the desolate island.
"To be sure," said Canby; "you're on the Island of Conclusions. Make yourself at home. You're apt to be here for some time."
"But how did we get here?" asked Milo, who was still a bit puzzled by being there at all.
"You jumped, of course," explained Canby. "That's the way most everyone gets here. It's really quite simple; every time you decide something without having a good reason, you jump to Conclusions whether you like it or not. It's such an easy trip to make that I've been here hundreds of times."

....to get away from the Island of Conclusion you have to swim through the Sea of Knowledge. This is what Canby said about it: (p.169 & 170)

"...you can swim all day in the Sea of Knowledge and still come out completely dry. Most people do."

....just a little later...

"But from now on I'm going to have a very good reason before I make up my mind about anything. You can lose too much time jumping to Conclusions."


:::::::::::::::::Conference:::::::::::::

We watched Conference over at my parents' house. The talks were inspiring. I have several to go back and highlight when the hard copies are available. Elder Holland, President Faust, Elder Uchtdorf, and Elder Eyring were just a few stand outs.

Smiles!