Movie Reviews

So I have been watching a lot of movies lately and thought I would tell you which ones are worth seeing (at least according to me)


1. "Nights in Rodanthe". *** I normally don't like the actress Diane Lane, but thought she did a great job in this movie and played the part well. I had to keep turning off the movie to get kids to bed, but had I watched it all the way through, I might have shed one tear. It was really good and reminded me a little of "The Notebook" maybe because it is the same author.

2. "The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas" ***1/2
I loved this show. It was a show that history teachers could show in class. It wasn't too violent, but sent a strong message. I love movies that have anything to do with WWII, and this was a good one!

3. "Defiance" **** Ok I must admit this was a guilty pleasure. Not just because Daniel Craig was in it, although that was a big plus ;) So Why? Because it is Rated R and I don't watch rated R movies, except I gave in. However if you get a language catchers like I have to cut out the language, it was a wonderful movie. This is about three brothers who taught the Jews to fight back. They ran to the forest where they had grown up to find a lot of other Jews just sitting and hiding there. These brothers decided to take charge and build a community. They even smuggled people out of the Ghetto. It was amazing what these people went through and to only think some are still alive today. They lived in the forest for four years! They endured many hardships. The women, children, and men all learned to defend themselves when trouble came looking for them. The violence in this movie was kind of Hollywood which was easier for me to watch. Had it been anything like Schindler's List I don't think I could watch it all the way through.

4. "Valkyrie" *** It is amazing at how many amazing stories were going on all at the same time. It was interesting to watch how close they were to getting Hitler. Hitler had 15 unsuccessful assassination attempts. I enjoyed this show because it shows that not all the Germans were on the side of Hitler.

5. "He's just not that into you"** This movie wasn't as great as I thought it would be. I did like some of the quotes. For instance if a guy wants to see you, HE will call. don't sit waiting for the phone to ring. I like that advice because a lot of girls do just that. It's sad but true. I decided when there is a lot of famous people in a movie, it doesn't do as good as just one or two.

6. "The Ramen Girl" ** If you are looking for a chick flick, this is a pretty good one. This girl moves from America to be with her boyfriend, only to find herself all alone. She decides to learn from a Ramen Master.


7."VickyChristinaBarcelonia" 1/2. Don't waste your time. This is one of those movies that I got for the famous people in it. Bad idea. I think even the economy is hurting over in Hollywood.


8. "Ghost of Girlfriends Past" 0- This was a dumb show! Really stupid, with hardly any plot. Once again I went to this because of the people in it. I should learn my lesson already.

9. "Wolverine" ***1/2 This was a great movie if you love the X- Men! It was fun to see in the theatre, and I am sure those that are Hugh Jackman lovers will like it too ;) *cough Kelli cough*

10. "Angels and Demons" *** I liked this one better then "The Da Vinci Code" All I can say is once again I guessed the ending before half way.


11. "Marley and Me" * I was really disappointed with this one. I was thinking it would be something like "Old Yeller" where you actually get attached to the dog. Instead it reminded me of why we don't have one!! It had a lot of suggestive material for kids so for that matter it should have been rated PG-13

TV:

We have finished "Desperate Housewives" and Trent got stuck in "Hero's" while I was stuck in "Grey's Anatomy" but we never finished those two. I rented "Burn Notice" but it didn't grab my attention. Maybe I was just too tired. The new series that did grab my attention though is "24"

call me crazy but I think I am jumping on the bandwagon with other bloggers out there. I am going to try for a month to spend nothing that I don't need except gas in the car, groceries, and bills. I will be getting rid of the Internet (hello free aol cards) I already canceled the tv (Hello free movies at the Library) and will have to find free things to do with the family/friends. We have done this before, now it's time to put my butt in gear once again. It's also nice to know you can do it for the heck of it and save some money, others out there HAVE to do it because of loss of jobs. Either way it's a good try out for a month!

I found this cute idea for cupcakes at the "brandefamilyblog" when Faith turns one! She loves Ernie, but if I can't do Ernie, Elmo is the next best thing!!

Hannah had a good birthday. She helped me make these cupcakes by coloring and pasting the little toppers. She had to be "Princess for a day" in her dress.

10 months

In Faith's ten months of life she has learned to defend herself against her siblings. She has learned to do the dishes. She has learned to drive the car (not really) and straighten the mirror. She has learned to read books. She has learned to drink out of a cup, and graduate from preschool. She met some new friends. She also learned how to play the piano like her daddy. We love you Faith

My brother Chad graduated for med school at the U of U. On sat my husband and I rode the motorcycle up to help them clean and move. It is sad to see them go but I am sure they will love their new area in Indiana. On Friday night we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. It was very pretty, small, and cozy. While we past the baptismal font my little nephew asked if you can only go in there when your dead. So I had to explain the whole thing to him. It was cute. However because the temple isn't dedicated I didn't know you had to wear a dress. I had forgotten what I had worn to the draper one. I was pretty much the only one not wearing a dress.

For preschool I made the kids a movie of them during the year and a graduation cap. They were so cute and I will miss the ones who are not returning next year. We made some little graduation cap cupcakes.Thanks to a great year!
It is the end of school for Hannah,so we made some magnets for her teacher and gave her some "Extra" gum with the saying " Thanks for being an extra great teacher" and of course she is already bored! So far this summer, she has received some flowers from my mom to put on the porch. My mom told her she has to be the one to take care of them. they all know I would probably kill them. Austin and Hannah are very good at watering the flowers. Then Hannah has already painted two little boys toenails while they were over. This little girl always has to have something to do. Today she was so sweet and got her little brother ready for him to go play in the rain. She put on his lotion that he needs for his legs and rain coat. I decided that now that my preschool is over as well, I will be teaching them each day a new bible/BOM story.

I haven't blogged for a while as I am sure some of you have noticed. There has been some things I have learned this past month. First off I think this economy has a lot of people down so I have two theory's that need to happen. Either A. The economy needs to pick up soon, or B. Christ needs to come now!
I had to drop a tool off to my husband at his construction site. The thought came to my mind, A woman walking into a construction site is like Daniel walking into a lions den. My advice to you women, stay away from construction sites unless you really want a raunchy self esteem boost. If you can even call it that. SCARY!
I have been wanting to put down things that I am grateful for because when I am down I need to be glad for the things all around me. First off as I am writing this I am thankful for my daughter Hannah who sings at the top of her little lungs to the song "Annie" " The sun will come out tomorrow".
I am grateful to have come here and received a body. For so long I guess I felt like I had to be perfect for myself. I set myself up for no room to fall. There was no room for mistakes or error. I beat myself up when I let others down, do something that I needed to do and couldn't. I have started to understand that no one is perfect. The only perfect one has been trying to grasp my hand and so many times I get close but feel like there are too many other people out there that need him and so I will be ok on my own. I want him to help the others because I would feel guilty for letting him help me and take up someone else's time. How sad is that? Am I the only one out there that felt that way? I need to realize we are human, mistakes make us better and I am only one person who can't please everyone, who can't do everything and I have to allow room for mistakes. I want my kids growing up and knowing that there are times when they are going to fall, and that is ok, it makes them human . I want my kids to know that Christ is there for them and loves them. I as their mother, had to realize that I Too was worth it. The sorrow I felt He has felt. That he really would have come here just for me. That I am a good person who has many talents to help people. If I can't help myself and let Christ into my life then how am I supposed to help others find him. So I am grateful that I can now see my value and love the woman I am.
I am grateful for the feelings of being human. I am grateful for the good and the bad emotions that I have felt in my life. Meaning, I am grateful for joy, excitement, sorrow, pain, pleasure, jealousy, anger, happiness, fear, courage, lust, love, hope, charity, and even faith. I am grateful for my kids who can wake me up in the wee hours of the morning, because I know I got to sleep in a safe environment. I am grateful to also know I have children that depend on me and love me. I am grateful for the times of sorrow and hurt, because it makes me know that I have felt joy and love to those around me. I am thankful for times of discouragement, so I can recognize the times of joy. I am thankful for the crappy car that I have that people can hear from miles away, because I know that I have a vehicle to get me places. I am grateful for this house, even if we did buy at the worst time right before the economy went down, because I get to be in a home. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve others because it makes me feel good to know there are people out there who need me. I am grateful for friends, neighbors, and family because I know they care about me as much as I care for all of them. I am thankful for trials hard or small because I know there is something I must learn from them. I don't agree with the quote " God won't give you anything you can't handle." well guess what it doesn't matter because either way you have no choice to deal with what your given. But I do agree with this quote " With God you can endure the things that are given to you" You, just as I am, are worth it. I like to think of before this life making promises that we could do what was needed in this life. We were excited for the chance to receive a body and we were excited to help others on our way. Sometimes we forget the real reason of being here, to help others along the way as the Savior did. He helped those that spit upon him, that cursed him, and who hated him. We also need to realize that even Christ himself was tempted. We will all have temptations and that doesn't make us in the wrong. It is giving into the temptations where we will lose ourselves. Christ never gave in. He did what was needed to do. He knows our pain no matter how small they may be to the world. I don't watch the news anymore because my soul can't handle the pain of the world, where children are hurting. Where parent's can't help their children, where there is so much hunger, war, and abuse out there. I honestly think we may had little glimpses of our life and we were willing to keep those promises to help others and to do what we needed to do in this life. I found this quote on my sister in law Sheryl's blog, I felt like it was put there just for me, and it fits to what I am trying to say: "Faith is something greater than ourselves that enables us to do what we have said we will do, to press forward when we are tired or hurt or afraid, to keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is uncertain."
- Gordon B. Hinckley
I believe that even though I will go through some hard times in my life, that I can do what I need to do. I can look at each day at a time and be grateful for the little things that we miss because we are so "busy" with nothing that really matters. I like to think of myself of someone who would dive into the trenches to get the wounded soldiers out, dodging bullets in a spiritual sense. To help those who are "Wounded" without judgment, to get on our hands and knees and pick them up. We are tougher then we give ourselves credit. Hey lots of us are parents, we are dodging bullets everyday!! Give your children a hug, help a neighbor, realize your individual worth to yourself and to those all around you. You, yes you who is reading this, you are Loved.

Happy Birthday Hannah!!

Hannah, I can't imagine life without you. It only seems like yesterday when I was so excited to go to the hospital to have you. I will always remember seeing your face for the first time, when they laid you on my stomach and looked up at me. I kept thinking "This is my baby!" You were so petite and when you started walking at nine months people couldn't believe their eyes. You grew so fast. You were such a daddy's girl and loved having him push you in the swing. You loved dancing around and going to Grandma's house to play with Brinley. Time has really gone by so fast! You now are such a big helper with your siblings. You love your friends and love dressing up! You always have to be entertained and you LOVE school for that very reason! You are a very beautiful girl and I can't believe how fast time really goes by. You are going to accomplish many great things in life, you are so strong and even an example to me, your mother. I love you Hannah Banana! Happy 6th Birthday!

I have been trying to re-do some of the rooms in my house. Or rather should I say that I am trying to finally get to them. Here are some of the things I want in my room. I want a monogram with the letter "C" est. 2002 between the two windows in my bedroom like this picture. I then want a quote something like this or "always, forever, and no matter what" or "When I count my blessings I count you twice" with this font that I love.

Since my brother Chad will be leaving with his family soon for residency, my mom wanted us to get together and take family pictures. She gave this to me for mother's day! Thanks Mom! I am so glad to have her and my mother in law in my life. They are two women that I look up to everyday.