Time flys...

So Tyler pointed out to me the other day that I have seriously been neglecting our blog. The past month we have been swamped with work, school and...reading. As many of you know I love to read and my friend Jessica and I started our own book review blog. I'm usually pretty good about updating that a few times a week, and tend to forget about our personal blog. Today is actually the one year anniversary of Bookworm Nation! I'm really excited to celebrate a year of great books and have put together a list of some of my favorites here.

Anyway, I have family coming into town this weekend so look forward to a fun post about their visit, and I promise to do better about updating this blog as well.

Movie Reviews

FIREPROOF (Rated PG)

On the brink of divorce, a couple tries to save their marriage by participating in the "Love Dare." Kirk Cameron plays a fireman who has let his marriage fall apart. When his wife finally tells him she wants a divorce his father talks him into trying a 40-day challenge, where he has to attempt to woo his wife over the next 40 days. I enjoyed this movie, it was a low-budget film, but after awhile you get sucked into the story and start rooting for this couple.

CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC (Rated PG).

A recent college graduate runs up a high credit card debt. After losing her job she goes to work for a Money magazine on how to handle money. I thought this was an okay movie, I probably wouldn't run out to buy a copy. It drove me crazy how they had the bill-collector as the bad guy, when she was the one who had little or no intention to pay. I guess that just reminds me too much of my bill-collector experiences. Overall a cute show.

The PROPOSAL (Rated PG-13)

When his Canadian boss is about to be deported, he is tricked into a fake-engagment to help keep her in the country. I actually really liked this one, shocker! Sandra Bullock is her cute self with lots of comedy and a fun love story. Like most chick-flicks it was predictable, but very entertaining.

INKHEART (Rated PG)
Based on a novel, this movie tells of a man who can actually read characters out of books. Wouldn't that be amazing (just think..Edward!). Anyway, I loved the book and thought the movie did a great job with casting and stuck pretty closely to the original story. There are three books and I wonder if there will be three movies?

FOREVER STRONG (Rated PG)
Based on a true story of a young man who has lost his way and finds it again playing rugbee for a rival team. I thought this was a great movie. In "real life" I'm not a big sports gal, but I have a soft spot for sport movies, go figure! Anyway, this was a good, clean movie and thought it had a great message.

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.