June Reads...19

June started off kind of odd for me; it felt like most of the books I was reading were bad or mediocre. Overall, I ended up liking most of the books I read. The first that comes to mind is Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart. This was a fun mystery with a touch of romance. I’m always a little nervous when I read “teen” books that take place in high school. Some authors think it’s a good idea to include a lot of sex, drugs, bad language, etc. With Enthusiasm and Loser’s Guide to Life and Love I was happy to find both to be a pretty clean reads, with cute stories. I also enjoyed Warrior Princess and Northlander; both are fantasy novels with a strong female heroine. And if you’re into vampire novels (which I promise I’m not…okay, maybe just a little) you’ll like The Awakening and The Struggle by L.J. Smith. I read these because there is going to be a new TV show on the CW this fall, based on the books. If you like fairy tales then check out Beastly, it was a fun retelling of Beauty and the Beast. And last but not least, A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban. This is a book that everyone should read! Happy Reading!

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart
Warrior Princess by Frewin Jones
The Conjurer Princess by Vivian Vande Velde
Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Northlander by Meg Burden
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman
Rekindled by Tamera Alexander
The Loser’s Guide to Life and Love by A.E. Cannon
A Promise to Believe In by Tracie Peterson
The Awakening by L.J. Smith
The Struggle by L.J. Smith
A Love to Last Forever by Tracie Peterson
A Dream to Call My Own by Tracie Peterson
Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard
A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban
Beastly by Alix Flinn

If I don't get an A in my class this month we'll all know why! I didn't realize I had read so much!

Jon & Kate...Seper-8

I just watched last nights episode of Jon and Kate plus Eight. I probably shouldn't even write anything, after all it is their personal lives and I really don't know what has been going on behind the scenes. However, I was so annoyed with the whole show. The word that kept coming to mind over and over was PATHETIC! If I had a dime for every time they said "our kids" I would be a rich women. I think its sad that they 1) are using their kids as an excuse and 2) think divorce is ever the best thing for kids. All they are really showing their kids is that when times get tough you quit. Jon said its been a "rough 7-8 months", you mean you're going to through away ten years of marriage because the past few months have been rough? Again, pathetic.

Both Jon and Kate sounded extremely selfish last night. Kate has been overbearing, controlling, belittling, mean and its no wonder Jon has been so miserable. Yet, she still doesn't understand why Jon won't take it any more? Again, I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, but it sure seems like Kate has changed A LOT over the years. It really does seem like she loves all the attention and of course all the ridiculous freebies they enjoy. She is more worried about keeping the show going then saving the marriage. I remember an episode last season where Jon said he wanted to stop but she still was enjoying it so of course, she wins and the marriage loses.

As for Jon, this is what you get when you're spineless and don't stick up for yourself. Grow up, remove the earrings and be a man! I hope the rumors of infidelity are untrue, if he has cheated then I'd be a lot more sympathetic for Kate. If they are just rumors then its really a shame that they haven't even tried counseling. They've done nothing to try and fight for their marriage, just throwing away all those years together.

I really don't think I will watch the show anymore, its crazy that TLC would even consider airing more episodes when the family has fallen apart. I guess it comes down to money, TLC makes a lot of money off the show and money is worth more than saving a family.

January Reads...2

Did I really only read two books in January? Not sure why that was, and looking back it I remember not really liking either of the books. I was hoping to like Moon Called, and maybe I need to give book two in the series a try. I know a lot of other people have read and loved the series, so maybe its just me? (I heard rumor the author was LDS, but she has a gay character in the book that really turned me off...). First Truth was totally boring, I just couldn't get into it and skimmed over most of the story.

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
Firth Truth by Dawn Cook

February Reads...5

A couple of the books I read in February were just amazing. I really enjoyed Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Its a little "out-there" but I would recommend it to everyone. I also loved the fairytale re-telling by Jessica Day George called Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow. It's kind of a Beauty and the Beast story, really enjoyed it! Goose Chase and Gregor were also cute reads.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Goose Chase by Patrice Kindl
Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley

Hero and the Crown was reviewed by my friend Jessica, my thoughts are pretty much the same as hers. If you'd like to read my review you can on GoodReads.

Thanks for the Legacy!

Back in April I did a post about the special ceremony and plaque that we were planning for the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial. Saturday was the day we were finally able to get everyone in town and have the ceremony. Tyler and I were both amazed that so many people were able to attend, it really made the whole thing very special.

Tyler and Grandpa
Laurel and Barry put together an amazing program. We had a retired Lt. Colonel speak to us, and then Aunt Sandy told a little about Grandpa and shared a beautiful poem. After that, Tyler spoke for a few minutes and then was able to present Grandpa with his prisioner of war medal, which is had received before but was never official given. We thought this was a great opportunity to finally present it to him. Then we were honored to hear from Grandpa, who gave an inspiring talk, he truly is one of the greats.

Tyler pinning on the POW medal.

Tyler presenting the flag to Grandpa.

The family pitched in and got this amazing flag case as a surprise for Grandpa. The actual plaque on the memorial.
Grandma, Tyler, Kathy and Grandpa
Our whole family (except the neices)

Weekend Fun

This past weekend we had Tyler's family in town. Everyone came into town for the presentation at Mt Soledad, where Ty's Grandpa would be receiving a plaque. We had a lot of fun, and are already missing them. Below are just a few fun pictures from the weekend.

Lunch in Old Town

Jake, Britt, Brooke, Barry, Corine, Brody, Kathy & Tyler

The entire family was able to do a session together at the San Diego Temple, and also have a private tour of the temple.

Jim, Jake, Barry and Tyler Tyler and Bridger
Balboa Park
Laurel and Kathy

Jake, Birttney, Tyler, Kathy and Laurel

Jake, Brittney and Kathy

Todd, Tyler, Jim, Kathy, Brittney, Jake, Birdger, Stan, Leola, Val and Laurel

So sad to see you go!

Here is a quilt I made for Jim & Laurel's birthday.

I was in a bit of a hurry and this is the best picture I was able to take.

Tyler's Curse

I haven't been posting much recently due to school work and some other projects I'm working on (I'll post about those later). So, today I thought I would just share a quick observation.

I believe Tyler may be cursed. I use to think he just liked to complain, until recently when I started paying attention and think he may be right. You see, every time Tyler comes to an intersection the light turns red. I'd guess about 99% of the time he gets red lights. Poor guy. I don't want to jinx anything, but I usually get greens, or at least an average of reds. Tyler always gets reds and it really frustrates him. Anyway, that is my musing for the day.

Out of curiosity, do you get more red lights than green?

Made My Day

Okay, so by now you know that my friend Jessica and I have a little book review blog (Bookworm Nation). I obviously have a weird addiction to reading and it’s become a fun hobby to write reviews when I finish a book. Yesterday I was thinking about stopping, who reads it anyway? So, I was pleasantly surprised when I got home from class last night and found I had a comment on a review of “Nine Coaches Waiting”. As I clicked on the comment I was surprised to see if came from Nancy Campbell Allen, one of my favorite LDS authors. I re-read her name a couple times before it sunk in that she had actually read my blog and also left a comment. After reading her comment I did a little searching and found that she also has a blog, and come to find out she has listed Bookworm Nation as a review blog that she follows! Wow, pretty flattering.

If you haven’t read or heard of Nancy Campbell Allen she is a great author. She has published nine books so far (I own all of them), and has started a new series. I look forward to reading everything she comes out with and would totally recommend her books to anyone. Below is a list of her books.

Faith of our Fathers: This series takes place during the civil war. It really was a fun way to learn about the civil war and I fell in love with the characters. I read this series when I was first married living in North Dakota. I still remember curling up with a cozy blanket, while it was -40 outside. I plan on re-reading this series soon; it has been way to long.

A House Divided, To Make Men Free, Through the Perilous Fight, One Nation Under God

Love Beyond Time: This was a fun series. Each book kind of follows different characters that you meet throughout the series. They are all kind of time travel books; they are part mystery part romance. I also read these awhile ago and should probably re-read them as well.

Love Beyond Time, No Time for Love, A Time for the Heart, Echoes

Isabelle Webb: This is her newest series. I still remember visiting my parents in North Carolina and seeing Legend of the Jewel in a local bookstore. I didn’t know Allen had written another book and had to buy it immediately. Isabelle Webb is actually a character out of the Faith of our Fathers series. This takes place after the civil war, but instead of America it takes place in India. I really enjoyed reading about India and learned a lot about their culture that I didn’t know. It is also mystery, romance and a lot of fun.

Legend of the Jewel