Archive for May, 2006

X-Men 3

May 31, 2006 at 11:32 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

Today we went to see X-Men 3: The Last Stand. Yup, our whole family went, Aiden and Dallin included. That was a risky move, I know, but it turned out okay.

I don’t want to give out a full-blown review or anything. And I’m NOT going to include any spoilers for those of you who want to see it and haven’t yet.

I’ll just let you know, I liked it. You could tell it was a different director than previous movies, but it wasn’t too bad. There were some big surprises in the plot line. I thought some characters would have been portrayed a bit more than they were (like Archangel) because of things in the previews, and there were some characters that weren’t in this movie at all that I expected to see (like Nightcrawler). I heard a review that blasted Kelsey Grammer for playing Beast/Hank McCoy too much as Frasier Crane, but I think it worked. This character is similar to Frasier in some ways, and honestly, I didn’t see a whole ton of Frasier moments. If you were into the previous two X-Men movies, definitely go see this one. It’s worth it. If you are a huge comic book fan (I’m not, but Ches is), be prepared that it doesn’t follow the comics exactly. Left us with some questions. There is some pretty brutal deaths, but nothing all that bloody. I think most kids would do okay in it, but if you have a really perceptive and sensitive kid, well, wait until you see it to determine what your own kid should see. Overall, though, we really liked it.

Even Aiden. He said his favorite part was “When Wolverine was fighting the bad guys in the forest.” Yup, there’s some good stunts there.

Oh, and stay all the way through the credits. It’s important. (Halle Berry even said so on Good Morning America)

Comments (4)

Random Friday

May 26, 2006 at 8:22 pm · Filed under Random Friday

Okay, so you know how I just got those great new clam-diggers from Old Navy? I wore them, then washed them, then wore them. At the end of the day of the second wearing, I noticed a hole next to one of the front pockets!! Another hole is starting to come in on the other front pocket! What is up with that, anyway? I don’t have the receipt anymore, but I’m so taking them back. I mean, that’s just ridiculous. Wearing through on the second wearing!

*****

Today I returned some of the equipment I had used for winter guard to the high school that it belongs to. I walked into the “guard room” (which is just a storage space that has guard and percussion stuff in it, as well as choir risers), and lo and behold… the room was a disaster area. No kidding. Poles and silks and equipment were scattered everywhere. Clothes and make up and purses… everywhere. Some of our new silks (that we had gotten for the past season!!) were crumpled on the floor, getting very dirty. A couple were even stuck under a riser, and one is snagged and I think ripped. I am SO not happy with my girls. Those silks cost almost $40 each!! This is the ghetto, poor school! I had to beg to get those silks!

Of course, my girls aren’t the only ones that use that room. A lot of other kids do, too, now. I talked to the band teacher, and it is now going to be completely off limits. I wonder if it will lock.

I spent some time and got a bit cleaned up. Ches had to go to work, so I will go back one day next week and finish it. I’m just so upset at the lack of respect the kids have for their own equipment. We don’t have a lot of money to spend on stuff, so we really have to take care of what we’ve got. We have to make do with what we already have. If they continue to treat things like this, then why should anyone take us seriously, and why should I fight for them to have new, good equipment?

I’m just so mad.

*****

Aiden’s new favorite book du jour is Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Williams (he is the author and the illustrator). It’s such a cute book. Aiden had me read it twice last night before he went to bed, and he already has it memorized. He’s been walking around all day saying, “True Story”. If you don’t know this book, check it out.

*****

Last week I read Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. It was a really cute book. Not too hard to read (I think it only took me two days to read), but still enjoyable. I could relate to the main character, Rebecca, in the ways that I feel my debt consume me so much. I could also relate in that I want the good stuff (although I have never owned anything quite as nice as her. No Chanel or Prada or Jimmy Choos for me!), but lack the funds for anything. I could not relate to her in that she is seriously able to keep buying and buying and buying when she has no money! But I still enjoyed reading all about her. Oh! And there are two sequals! So I have something definite to get next time I’m at the library (Tuesday morning!! Yay!)

*****

Have I ever mentioned that Dallin is a genius? Well, it’s true. Lately, all it takes is either Ches or me showing him a sign once, and he picks it up. Or he tries to figure it out (you should have seen him trying “no”. So cute).

Oh, and he figured out how to make the “lazer” part of my light saber come out… all by himself. That’s right. By himself.

I have the smartest kids on the planet. Don’t try to dispute me on this one. No matter what you say, I’ll still completely believe in my little geniuses. :)

*****

I love my visiting teachers. Seriously love them. [For a description of visiting teachers for you non-LDS readers, check this out.] So, Sister M. came today, but Sister H. couldn’t make it (I think her son is getting married and they have a reception tonight. Not sure). Sister M. brought two grocery bags and said, “I hope you won’t be offended by this, but I saw you the other day and you just looked so tired, so I made you guys dinner. You can use it tonight or freeze it and use it whenever.”

The greatest part was I was just thinking about how tired I am and I should think about dinner in case I need to run to the store, but I didn’t want to, and do we have the money to order a pizza because that would be the easiest thing.

Sister M. made spaghetti (noodles already cooked, so I just have to heat it up) with a meat sauce, salad (with cucumber, tomatos, and dressing all in seperate containers since she didn’t know what we would like on our salad), parmesean cheese in it’s own container, two kinds of bread, a stick of butter (real butter!), homemade chocolate chocolate chip cookies, and a half gallon of ice cream.

This was just what I needed! I love Sister M.!!

*****

Song of the Day: Fairytale of New York by the Pogues. Why? I have always just liked this one. A lot. I think I’ll have to download this to my iPod. I haven’t listened to it in a while, and it’s stuck in my head right now.

*****

Quote of the Day:
Charlie Brown is the one person I identify with. C.B. is such a loser. He wasn’t even the star of his own Halloween special.
– Chris Rock

Comments (13)

Sometimes, I Am SUCH A Girl

May 24, 2006 at 8:49 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

I should be cleaning my house. I mean, we are having the missionaries over for dinner at 5:30, then at 7 I am having a Tupperware party. Of course the LOST season finale is on tonight, too. It’s going to be a busy night. My living room and dining room are a disaster area. But I got a lot done in my bedroom, so I feel as if I deserve a break for a few minutes. I have to tell you about my recent shopping trips.

Yes, I’m going to talk about shopping.

You see, I am apparantly a good mom of boys. In high school, I was always called “one of the guys”. I got to hang out with the guys when they deemed certain activities NOT for girls (mainly their girlfriends). In elementary school, I considered myself a bit of a tom-boy (because I loved to climb trees, ride every where on my bike, and I played soccer and softball. Okay, it was t-ball, but that’s because you had to be a certain age to play softball. Anyways…)

Somehow, I have grown up with some very girl tendencies, however much I may hate to admit it. For example, I love shoes. If I had a lot of money, I would buy shoes constantly. Seriously. I think they are gorgeous, and I’m totally jealous of T-Rez and her shoe obsession.

Sometimes, I like to wear pink (this is a new thing for me. I’ve posted about my becoming a girlie-girl in the past). You know, it’s fun and different for me. I like it.

I love to shop and spend money. Yes, it is a stereotypical female thing to do, but I like it. So there. Oh, and I like to show off the stuff I bought. Makes me happy. Not to gloat, but to say “Look how cute my new clothes are!” or some such thing.

I got me some new, navy-blue clam-diggers from Old Navy. I love them I’m wearing them right now, as I type. They are cute and comfy, and I highly recommend them. Oh, and even though they are maternity, they have actual sizes (not just S, M, and L, etc.). I bought a size 8. EIGHT!! Okay, yes. So there I am gloating just a little. I can’t wait until I’m not pregnant and I get past those first couple of months in post-partum until my body looks partly normal again!

I also got a “cheesy” maternity t-shirt. I’ve always wanted something kind of like this. Cheesy, but not too much so. I love the fit, and I think it looks really cute. So, if I like it, who cares what others think, right??

The last thing I got (and now my “clothing allowance” is all used up) is a new dress. Very pretty. Very light. Very summer. Oh, and I feel like one hot mama in the dress!

Now I just need some new shoes. Seriously.

Comments (8)

Random Friday

May 19, 2006 at 4:27 pm · Filed under Random Friday

Our first order of business for Random Friday on this May the 19th, 2006 is to discuss my doctor’s appointment and ultrasound from yesterday. That’s right folks, it was the BIG day. The one we’ve all been anxiously awaiting. Is it a boy or a girl? Does Sariah get to go nuts buying pink, or does she not have to buy anything at all?

Ches and I contemplated keeping our exciting news to ourselves, but realized it would be too easy to figure out. First of all, you could figure it out by what I am buying (or not buying for the baby). Second of all, we all know how much I want a girl this time, and we all know how hard it is for me to ever keep my mouth shut, so there’s no way it could stay a secret for long. So, not to prolong it anymore…

Oh, wait. Taking your wagers now…

…

…

Is that everyone? Julia, Dana, did I get yours?

…

…

Okay, NOW I will tell you…

It’s a BOY!!!

Yup. Numero tres. Maybe that’s what will call him. Trey. It’s either that or Rupert. HA! No ideas on names yet. I was all set with a girl’s name. Oh well.:)

We are really excited to have another boy. Really. Yes, I wanted a girl, but I know how to take care of boys. I think I do a pretty good job of it (so far). And really… it saves us a LOT of money not having to buy a bunch of girly stuff right now.

*****

Ches graduates tonight!! WOOT!! I’ll have to actually write about that more later. Because it hasn’t happened yet. And I’m not psychic, so I can’t tell you how it went yet. But I bet it’s good. And boring (because the speakers all always long-winded and boring).

At Ches’ brother’s grad last year, he said the band played “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” Heh. Seems odd for graduation, but maybe it’s better than what the speakers said!

*****

My in-laws are in town for graduation. Aiden is LOVING having Oma and Opa here. Especially Opa. They have been playing “chase” a lot. Yesterday morning, Aiden got up and sat at the breakfast table and conversed and ate breakfast with Oma and Opa. Aiden never eats breakfast! Both kids have figured out really quickly that Opa has a tin of cookies with him. Aiden has also had a fun time learning that Oma is his dad’s mom, and Opa is his dad’s dad. It’s a great little conversation about 20 times a day!

*****

Dallin is so close to walking! Two days ago he was taking a bunch of steps around, but yesterday he wouldn’t walk at all. We shall see what he decides to do today.

*****

Quote of the day:
Lust is easy. Love is hard. Like is most important.
–Carl Reiner

Comments (25)

What I Learned

May 16, 2006 at 4:17 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

I had a few things happen yesterday, and this is what I learned:

**When I am pregnant and I want Extra Crispy Chicken from KFC, then dang it all, I better get it! If not, I will cry. I’m talking huge, gut-wrenching sobs here. I felt so stupid, crying over chicken.

**When making rice crispy treats and the recipe calls for 6 cups of cereal, they mean 6 cups of cereal. If you only use 4 cups, it is still yummy, but they sqaures are thinner, stickier, and more marshmallow-y. Don’t let yourself be distracted just because the phone rang just as you were pouring the cereal in and it’s your favorite aunt, so you have to talk to her. Just make sure you get all 6 cups in.

**If I quietly take out the broom and start to sweep the floor, Aiden will still notice. He will quietly get out the Swiffer mop and stand behind me, ready for his turn, with a huge grin on his face.

**I hate the smell of cigarette smoke. Except when there is a cool evening, it’s already dark, and whoever the smoker is, they are not too close and they are smoking just the right brand. Then it reminds me of hanging out with my friends during high school. Mainly that summer between junior and senior year. Still don’t like the cigarettes, but the smell brings back some good memories.

Comments (12)

Random Friday

May 12, 2006 at 5:00 pm · Filed under Random Friday

One more week until we find out if it is a boy or a girl! Yay! Aiden used to insist that he was getting another baby brother, but now he insists it is a girl. I guess you can’t always rely on a three and a half year old.

*****

A girl we go to church with is getting married next month to a French Canadian who lives in Montreal. We got the invitation/announcement in the mail yesterday. It is beautiful. On the left side, everything is in English, and on the right side everything is in French. Very cool.

We’ve been teasing this girl that she is “going Canadian” on us, and if she’s going to marry someone from the True North, I prefer western Canada, but the girl will hear none of it. She is so happy with what she’s doing. Which is good! We are very happy for her.

Funny how I call her a “girl”, like she’s 14 or something. I think she’s older than me. However, when someone is in love and about to be married, it makes them seem so much younger. You could be 21, 45, or 83 and I think I would still say “this girl”. It’s really cute.

*****

Fourth Fret, you like strawberry pie the best, right? Because if I’m going to show you appreciation for showing me the “grown up age” when you hit it (whenever that may be), I need to make sure I make you the right kind of pie.

Ches’ favorite pie is lemon meringue. I’m getting better and better at making a good lemon meringue pie for the guy. I don’t do it all that often, though, because I make a huge mess out of the kitchen and I don’t feel like cleaning it up afterward. It also doesn’t seem fair for Ches to have to clean up the mess when I’m doing something extra nice for him by making him his favorite pie (and often I make it for something special, like finishing grad school!).

I don’t think I have a favorite pie. I like most pies. Key lime…. mmmmmm. Aunt Marisa makes the best key lime pie in the world. No kidding. Banana cream…. mmmmmm. As long as there is no coconut (yes, I know I’m crazy that way). Strawberry…. mmmmmmm. How can you not love strawberry pie? Rhubarb… mmmmmm! I haven’t had that in forever. It’s about that season, right? And then, of course… anything chocolate. Chocolate silk pies are wonderful.

*****

Last night Ches got some ice cream to celebrate. He got himself Ben and Jerry’s “Everything but the…” (man oh man, I love Ben and Jerry’s! Laural and I go way back with that stuff.) and he got me Godiva “Belgian dark chocolate”. I ate the entire container in one sitting while watching Survivor. Talk about addicting.

*****

Oh, Alyson! I’m so sorry! I just remembered I promised NOT to talk about food on my blog so I won’t make you crave stuff and sabotage you! Please oh please forgive me! I will work on that more from now on.

*****

Okay, so who here watches The Amazing Race? I’m just curious, because I really need someone to talk to about it. I don’t know why, but my family just isn’t into that show, but Ches and I looooove it. It’s so awesome. Someday, when I am on The Amazing Race, during the little interviews they have I am going to avoid using the word “amazing” as an adjective because it just seems to cheesy to me: “I have had an amazing time on this race!” or “My partner is so amazing, I’m just amazed at all he can do and what he is like.” Ugh. Find a new word, people!

*****

Speaking of reality shows… at the end of Survivor last night I yelled “WHAT-ever!” Of course, Aiden jumped in with “Mom, we don’t say whatever.”

Sorry, Aiden. I totally forgot. I was caught up in the moment.

You see, a while back I would tell Aiden to do something, and he’d say, “whatever, Mom.” Excuse me?? You are 3, not a teenager. And even then, you don’t “whatever” me. So now Aiden has it in his head that “whatever” is a garbage word. Yesterday he even told on me to my mom:

“Grandma, Mom said whatever. Whatever came out of the garbage, but we don’t take words out of the garbage. We throw them away and leave them there!”

I can’t get the kid to realize that sometimes whatever is an okay word! It’s all about the context. And I’m having a really hard time eliminating the word from my vocabulary, just to keep him happy.

Other garbage words (as of now, because he has tried to use them): stupid, shut up, and crap.

*****

I get to go to a Tupperware party tomorrow. I’m so excited! It’s my first! Yes, I am a Tupperware virgin. Although I guess technically that isn’t true because my mom sold Tupperware when I was really little.

You know what would be cool? If Tupperware came up with a “retro” line and had designs that looked like what our moms had in the 70s or something. That would make me laugh, and I think I’d totally buy some of it.

So, yeah. I’m excited for tomorrow. Sorry, Kris. If I were anywhere near you, I’d buy from you. You know that. However, considering you are up in Calgary and moving even farther away, I gotta do what I gotta do. But I’ll be thinking about you tomorrow! :)

*****

When I was in high school, I got on this kick where if my little brother and sister were asking me where I was going, I’d say, “I’m going to Alaska.” Don’t ask me why. I don’t know where it came from. It just popped out one day, and it kinda stuck. One day (when I was 18), my friends and I were about to leave my house. We were in Carolyn’s car, when my little, preshool-aged brother came running out of the house, across the front lawn, yelling, “wait for me! I want to come, too!” I tried to tell Carolyn to just drive, but Mike felt so sorry for Richard and convinced her not to leave yet. Poor Richard was crying. He wanted to come with us big kids so badly. He asked, “where are you going?”

“To Alaska,” I replied, as usual.

“You went there yesterday!!!”

We ended up driving away with Richard standing on the curb, crying. My friends all thought I was completely cold-hearted, but I felt bad. I really did. Honestly, though, did they expect to actually bring him? I got to take him with us a lot, but sometimes 18 year olds just don’t want to hang out with 4 year olds, you know?

*****

I got to use the phrase my freshman year in college, too. There was a boy I had gone on a couple of dates with, and while he was really nice and all, I just wasn’t interested. We had several classes together, so he’d call all the time to get “help” with homework. I put a message on our apartment white board: “If my mom calls, take a message. If Sean calls, tell him I moved to Alaska.”

One time, my dad called and my roommate Jessica answered the phone. When dad asked for me (and I wasn’t home), Jessica asked, “Is this Sean?”

“WHO is Sean?!?!?”

I had some explaining to do when I got home and returned the call. No, Dad. Not a new boyfriend. A semi-stalker. Don’t worry, I’m still studying and practicing all the time!

*****

I got my June Reader’s Digest in the mail yesterday. I guess since June is the “wedding month” or whatever (sorry Aiden), most of the quotes are about marriage and kids. So my quote of the day is along those lines:

Marriage is like a 5,000-piece jigsaw puzzle — all sky.
–Cathy Ladman

Comments (14)

Another Happy Announcement

May 11, 2006 at 11:26 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

Ches is all done!! He took his oral exam this morning, and he passed. WOOT!! His paper/research project is done and turned in and they all read it and have some instructions for him for that, but basically…

Ches is done with his master’s program!

So, yeah, we’re a little excited. He has his final jury on Tuesday, but he says that will be cake. His parents arrive on Wednesday. Graduation is Friday. Yay yay yay yay yay yay yay yay.

Now, if we could just find out what we are doing about a job for the fall…

Comments (11)

I Forgot To Mention…

May 9, 2006 at 5:26 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

20 Weeks!! I’m halfway there!

Comments (9)

Whilst

May 9, 2006 at 4:38 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

So we were watching The Apprentice last night as Ches finished up his paper (yes! It’s all done!). If you haven’t been watching, there are two teams doing tasks. Last night there were three people on each team, and it ended up being a girls vs. guys type of thing. And one of the guys is British (so has a very yummy accent).

The guys were making flyers to promote the event they were throwing, and the British guy typed in the word “whilst” in the middle of a sentence. The other two guys were making fun of him for his Proper British Ways and his Proper British Words. They changed “whilst” to “while”, as it made a lot more sense to the group of people they were trying to attract (college students and tail-gaters at a Homecoming football game. Yup… drunks, mainly.).

I just found it super funny. Whilst. It’s a cool word. As Americans, we don’t use enough cool words. I’m not sure we Americans can be Proper like the British and have such Proper Ways and Proper Words to use. Whilst. Did anyone else find it funny, or am I that strange? (Maybe that should be an unanswered question!)

Comments (4)

Nuffin’

May 8, 2006 at 11:35 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

I often wonder about my son. He does some pretty random and odd things. So I ask, “Aiden, what are you doing?” He stops whatever it is he’s doing, looks up at me with wide eyes, and replies so innocently, “Nuffin’.”

Today is a “nuffin’” day for me. I don’t really know what to say, but I feel like writing.

I have so much to do, but don’t feel like doing it. At the moment I am making a list for our dinners this week and a list of groceries we need. Or want. Like cantelope and watermelon and bananas. Mmmmm, fresh fruit. I love spring and summer for all the yummy fresh fruit (mainly the melons).

I broke a belt on the vaccuum today. I accidentally vaccuumed up one of Aiden’s socks (it was hiding under the couch). Suddenly there was a horrible smell and the vaccuum felt weird. Good thing I got most of the living room done first. I can live with the rest of the mess for a few days before I get a new belt.

Both of the boys are taking a nap at this moment, and I wish I could join them, but I still feel like there is too much to do. I have this need to clean and organize, but no energy to do it with.

At my WIC appointment this morning, they said my iron is a little low. Not too much, just a little. They said that can make me feel tired and forgetful. I wanted to ask, “Are you sure it’s only a little low then?”

I think I am going to be a “bad” mom when we go to the grocery store. We need some more cereal, and I want sugar cereal. Not the stuff you can get on WIC (even though I like most of those cereals anyway), but the stuff that only has commercials for it during Saturday morning cartoons so the kids will get really excited for it. I want the stuff that supposedly hypes kids up on all the sugar that no respectable mom would ever dare buy it (although grandmas and spoiling aunts are always sure to have it in their pantry when said kids go to visit). I want the stuff that will rot your teeth if you don’t brush right after you’ve eaten. I want Coco Pebbles and Lucky Charms (I like to eat the regular cereal parts first, and save all the marshmallows for the end to eat all together) and Cookie Crisp and Frosted Mini-Chex and the chocolate Lucky Charms and any cereal with a current kids movie character on the box. Mmmmmm, good. I sure hope there’s a sale going on.

I feel kind of lonely today. I don’t know why. My little sister called to tell me that she met an “amazing guy”, but when a friend walked in, she let me go to tell her friend all about this guy. I understand. I’m “old” now, married and with child (the third one!). And you definitely want to tell your good friends when you are so infatuated right away. I get the feeling that she only called me after she called our other sister, though. Just because I know they get along a bit better than she and I do.

Oh! Good news, though! We might get a piano! Someone at church has a piano that they need stored for a while and wants someone to take it that will use it. NOONE else wants/needs it right now! I’m shocked! I was asked if I wanted it, and I replied, “I would looooove to have a piano, but we have no room in our tiny apartment.” I paused for a few seconds, then said, “I’ll make room.” I hope we get it! I’ll put all my books in storage and get rid of the bookshelves (okay, not all of them! I can’t possibly seperate myself from all of my books and bookshelves. That would make me insane.) and rearrange the living room and heck, I’ll even get rid of one of the couches (although I really want to get rid of the bigger one, anyway, but the other one is just a love seat, so I don’t know). I don’t care what we do, but I want that piano!

I think I have felt the baby quite a bit recently. It’s not so much movement is that I’ll get some pressure at a certain spot in my belly, and then it’ll go. A while later, I’ll get some more pressure in another spot. It’s kind of hard to tell, but I’m pretty sure it’s the baby. That and my Braxton Hicks are all lower, across my my whole abdoman, is a lot more intense (pain wise) and the pressure last for a several seconds then goes away.

Wow, for someone who said she had nuffin’ to say and nuffin’ going on, I sure wrote a lot. Too bad none of it means anything.

Comments (11)

Older Posts »