Twilight. Really?

It is 3:30pm on a Saturday and I have left over Thanksgiving turkey ready for a sandwich. We put up our tree yesterday and we now have the glider and curtains for the nursery. So I should be feeling really satisfied, right?
Wrong. I just spent the last two hours at the movies watching Twilight. I had thought that I would eventually read the book, but was not too interested in the film. I mean, when there is Daniel Craig, Hugh Jackman and Vince Vaughn in movies right now, why oh why would I go and see Random Kid A and Random Kid B in a high school movie about vampires? Because John wanted to see it.
In my own defense I suspended disbelief before I ever entered the theater. I mean, I know it's about vampires, right? What can I really expect? Decent acting? Apparently not! Good writing? A big NO on that one.
Maybe someone that reads this really liked it, but I'm going to go ahead and guess that you read the book first. If you haven't read the book and/or haven't seen the movie, I'm going to go ahead and advise you to read first. That might help. Whatever you do, do not go to the movie with any real expectations. It was BAD!

Gobble, gobble

Happy Thanksgiving friends!
Top 10 Favorite Thanksgiving Foods
10. Pickle Trays
9. Fancy jello
8. Turkey
7. Stuffing
6. Rolls
5. Pumpkin pie
4. Mashed potatoes!!!
3. Clam Dip
2. Egg Nog
1. Leftover turkey sandwiches

Top 10 Things I'm Grateful For or For Which I am Thankful :)
10. Board games
9. Really yummy food
8. The privilege of being a woman of leisure. I love being retired. :)
7. A beautiful home and 2 of the best pups. Sorry if you don't like dogs, but ours are fantastic.
6. My little January arrival. I just can't wait to meet little Nathan. What a miracle he is. Love, love, love.
5. Education. Libraries, schools, Student loans to make college possible :),
4. Living in a country of opportunity. I am grateful for clean water and food to eat and the knowledge that even though things may get hard, I won't really ever know what true poverty is like.
3. Friends that I have made everywhere I have lived. I honestly feel like I know the best individuals. I love you guys. Family that is supportive and loving.
2. Fantastic husband who makes me laugh everyday and makes me feel like the most amazing person on the planet
1. My knowledge of God and his plan for my life

I'm sure there are many other deserving things that I didn't get on my list, but with so much to be grateful for, I often take so many things for granted. I hope this next year makes me more grateful and aware of my blessings.

Happy Birthday!

This is my new favorite picture of John, here with his younger brother Tim. I discovered it today while going through some of his old pictures. Isn't it just the cutest thing ever?
Today is John's birthday and I just need to give him a shout out. I don't have any of those little 'All the Things I Love about my Spouse' lists, but I am going to list just a few of the things that I am grateful for.

I'm grateful that John is so kind.
I'm grateful that he is good with little babies.
I'm grateful that he doesn't like ice cream as much as I do.
I'm grateful that he ALWAYS lets me have the last of something; even when it is his favorite.
I'm grateful that he still opens my door for me and holds my hand when we are out.
I'm grateful that when he gets gift cards, he comes home and hands them over with a smile on his face.
I'm grateful that he is funny and makes me laugh everyday.
I'm grateful that he gives me pedicures, even when I can reach my toes.

But, I'm mostly grateful that he is a good man who always helps me want to improve. He is a worthy priesthood holder and he exercises his priesthood to bless me and our little family. I can't wait to add to our family and watch him become a father.

Happy Birthday to John!!

Fit Pregnancy??

So, somehow I gave someone the idea that I was interested in staying in shape while I go through pregnancy. Not that I was interested in staying in shape before pregnancy. But, now I get these little emails every week to apparently tell me how to accomplish that goal. I say 'apparently' because I dont' actually open them. To me, it is almost like a forward. Not interested!
I really didn't think I was doing that bad though until a conversation with John the other night. Just a good word for John before I tell the story. John is the perfect husband for a pregnant lady. If I am having a bad day he makes sure to pick up ice cream and a 2 liter of soda on his way home. He massages my feet and draws me baths and tells me that I am beautiful constantly. Now, having said that, here goes the story.
The other night we were in the truck and I was commenting on how big I am getting but followed it up with 'but there are lots of women that are bigger than I am when they are pregnant.' To which John responded 'Only women having quadruplets!'
I was floored and stared at him with that look that asks 'do you want to die.' He responded really quickly and very genuinely said 'I just meant that you are almost done. You are so close to having this baby.' I'm going to choose to believe that that really is what he meant.
Report on John: He is still alive and well. :)

Here She Comes, Just Walking Down the Street

So, here I am in all my 32 week glory. I must say that at this point I am getting so excited to meet our little Nathan. I'm sure he needs these last few weeks to finish baking, but I think we are good to go.
Reasons I am excited/ready to have my little baby:
1) Little fingers and toes
2) Fuzzy winter outfits
3) Kissing baby cheeks
4) Snuggly, fits into the curve of your arm baby

Practical reasons:
1) Being able to get off the couch without repositioning myself 4 different ways and ultimately getting a big push from John
2) Being able to roll over in bed without any premeditation
3) Relief of heartburn
4) Being able to give myself a pedicure
5) Having shirts that cover the whole stomach, so i don't get a fun 30 degree breeze up my shirt
6) Shoes that hopefully fit again
7) Being able to wear my wedding rings again

So many reasons to rejoice. Death to anyone who makes the list of reasons to be nervous about having this baby. I don't want to hear about it!!!

Button, button, who's got the button?

I just finished reading Rachel's blog about cleaning her room. I got inspired. Not in the typical sort of 'Well, now I should clean my room' way. That just isn't going to happen today. I have too many rooms that need help. Most especially the laundry room (no laundry=ironing before John goes to work. YIKES!) and the kitchen (making homemade lasagna in a kitchen already full of dirty dishes is a disaster).
Back to being inspired. It really is that I just remembered something and realized that this is the best little spot for my shout out.
I am giving a shout out to the book The Giver. If you haven't read it, you should. It is all the perfect things that a book should offer: interesting story that will make you think, but not in a this is hurting my brain kind of way; good characters; and a quick read.
So the reason that I am remembering this book is because someone has it and has not returned it. I can remember having shared it with someone, but can't remember any particulars. I love to share my favorite books. I have 3 copies of Cold Mountain for just this reason. I unfortunately had only 1 copy of The Giver. So, if you have it and inside the cover it says my lovely maiden name, please, oh, please send it to me.
I've been dying to read it several times in the last year or so since I realized I no longer had it.
Or, if the person with my book doesn't read my blog, anyone could of course send me a little copy of it. Very light weight and cheap to ship. I know, I know, I shouldn't solicite gifts but if you read the blog, I am sure you love me.
Now don't worry that someone else has sent it already. Having multiple copies would assure me that I will not be without again and can freely lend away.