*TWILIGHT*

We laughed, we cried, we swooned at the midnight showing of Twilight last night. I have to admit I really liked the books, yes they are very unrealistic but what good is entertainment if it doesn't take us someplace else for a little while? Most of the fun was watching Lauren and her three friends reaction to the movie. Usually these showings brings out the major freaks...well guess what we were the major freaks last night. They painted their faces with sayings like "I'm da New Bella" and "Mrs. Edward Cullen" We all had to wear our Twilight shirts, me included! I promise I didnt buy one, Lauren actually has two! They yelled out the countdown to when the movie started then clapped, cheered, cried and gasped through the whole movie. I am sure the people around us were none too pleased but hey what do you expect at the Midnight showing? In all, it has to go down as one of the most fun nights I have had with Lauren in a long time!

Shots are scary!

I will just start off by saying I hate shots! I hate shots so much that when I was around 8 years old my mom took me to the doctor when I was sick, when they decided I needed an antibiotic shot, I took off down the highway with my mom in heels chasing me down. I literally ran about two blocks before I got too tired to run anymore. My mom had to drag me back in, where one nurse barracaded the door while two more nurses held me down. After having three kids, I have somewhat gotten over this fear but when it comes time to get my children shots that little 8 year old kid comes out.

Today I am taking Ethan to get his immunizations, which he already should have had, but that is another topic for another day. Here is our conversation in the car on the way to the doctor:

Ethan:

Is it going to hurt?

Me:

Just a tiny bit, kind of like a bug bite or a pinch but just for a second.

Ethan:

I am going to hold my breath so I dont cry, kay mom? (I know isn't your heart breaking at this very second?)

Me:

It's okay to cry if it hurts. bud.

Ethan:

It's okay to cry?

Me:

Of course and you can squeeze my hand really hard too.

Ethan;

Okay, and you will kiss my cheeks and then it will be all better right? (Seriously could this kid be any sweeter? I am almost in tears at this point and we haven't even pulled into the parking lot)

Me:

(Choking back tears) Sure bud and then I will take you to the store and buy you those plastic animal spoons you wanted. (don't ask, I dont know why he wanted them either, but I might have bought him a pony at this point)

We get to the doctor and I have to hold both of his hands and kind of hold him down (this is where the dads come in, moms should never have to hold their child down so someone else can cause them bodily injury) the nurse puts the shots in 1,2,3 and he sucks in a deep breath of air and it was over just like that! No tears or screams. I am so proud of my brave, strong son and thankful I don't have to do that again for awhile.

Special Ways to Celebrate the Season

We have been trying to decide how to make the Christmas season more meaningful around our house. We are trying to take the focus off of the presents and put it more on spending time together as a family and providing service to our community . I found a few good ideas in a magazine called "Wonder Time" Here they are:

1. Giving just three gifts to each child. One is a "gold" gift (something they really want) a "myrrh" gift (something they need, like clothes, etc.) and "frankincense" gift (something for their spiritual growth.

2. Conducting a charitable lottery with your extended family instead of giving each other gifts. Each family puts an organization on a slip of paper along with a check, then draw a winner. The winning family donates the money to their chosen charity.

3. Use an advent calendar to encourage your child to do something meaningful each day. Each day has an idea on something they can do to be more christlike. Examples were call someone in your family and sing them a christmas song or read a christmas story to their siblings, say something nice to someone at school, etc.

4. Give gifts that encourage time together, such as tickets to a show or that encourages activities and exercise such as dance lessons or swimming passes.

5. Instead of buying gifts go on a family vacation.

Let's hear some of your good ideas for how you are going to celebrate the holidays!

Prop 8

So I know some who read this post may think, "Wow those Mormons are so against gay marriages, what's their problem? They are so intolerant" Just to clarify we are not against domestic partnerships and rights for every human being. We are against changing the definition of marriage. Here is the church's official standpoint on the subject:
The focus of the Church’s involvement is specifically same-sex marriage and its consequences. The Church does not object to rights (already established in California) regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the family or the constitutional rights of churches and their adherents to administer and practice their religion free from government interference.
The Church has a single, undeviating standard of sexual morality: intimate relations are proper only between a husband and a wife united in the bonds of matrimony.
The Church’s opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility towards homosexual men and women. Protecting marriage between a man and a woman does not affect Church members’ Christian obligations of love, kindness and humanity toward all people.
As Church members decide their own appropriate level of involvement in protecting marriage between a man and a woman, they should approach this issue with respect for others, understanding, honesty, and civility.
For more on this subject you can go to this link:
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-divine-institution-of-marriage

All is well in the world TODAY...

I am sitting here enjoying a delicious pomegranate and listening to Christmas music and pondering on the fate of our world. In this small moment of delight, I realized the world has always had troubles and will continue to always have troubles. It is not my job to worry about ALL of them, but it IS my job to worry about the problems of my little family. So today, enough of politics and on to a wonderful holiday season hopefully filled with Christmas cookies, gingerbread houses, ornaments, pretty packages, twinkling lights, warm fires, cozy nights curled up watching Miracle on 34th Street with my kids, snowmen, thoughts of Christ, service to our community, laughter and MOST OF ALL, LOTS and LOTS of quality time with my family and extended family. I hope you will take a moment to take a breath before the craziness of the season starts and ponder what is most importantfor you! Happy Holidays (I know a little early, but I am ready for happy thoughts!)

After five years of cheer, Lauren gets her first major injury! We are feeling pretty lucky about this because Cheer is pretty dangerous! She was doing of all things- a cartwheel and broke her little pinky toe. Which you would think this wouldn't be that BIG of a deal but she is on crutches and pain meds, poor girl! Which also means no Cheer for THREE WHOLE weeks. That seems to be the worst for Lauren and her team- they really count on her! If you miss a practice it isn't like dance where they just fill in your spot, all the stunts are dependent on each person, without one the whole stunt group can't practice. Not a great time with competitions right around the corner!

Blue Lily Photography

After being recommended several blogs this week...who knew how many bloggers were out there, I found this amazing photographer who lives in CA but does sessions in UT I quickly emailed her to see if by some off chance she would have any openings left and luckily she did! She keeps adding dates and times because she has had so many people asking for appts. I know she has a few times left so if you need your family pics done here is your chance! I thought she was pretty reasonable pricing wise but I am comparing this to WA prices so maybe Utahns won't. Speaking of WA, she is coming there as well so if you would like to get an appt. your in luck! I swear I am not making any money off of this, but I just think she is SO SO SO good!

Now for the blog links....WARNING: THESE ARE VERY ADDICTING!
http://www.bluelily.squarespace.com/
http://www.seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com/
http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/
http://blog.cjanerun.com/