Cheap chick flick -- the flick is cheap, not the chick

Take the Quiz here!

O'kay, so I passed by the $7.50 movie rack at the local Wal-mart today expecting to find the usual "B" reel children's cartoon fodder, i.e. The Land Before Time 47, Barbie in the Enchanted land of Sea Turtles, 101 Dalmations 12, when I saw it! One of my all-time favorite, I really need a good cry movies -- Sense & Sensibility. Not only was it $7.50 but it was a DVD (the copy I have currently managed to wear down to a nub is VHS). Not only was it $7.50 and a DVD, but it also included a DVD copy of Remains of the Day (another Emma Thompson must see). It was if someone looked down on me and said, "Boy, she could use a little pick-me-up."

So, I decided I would further indulge myself this afternoon (I am woefully procrastinating my mountain of nursing homework) by taking the above mentioned quiz. Poor Kevin, as Women's Conference this weekend won't give him enough of an estrogen jolt (Does anyone else feel a little more empowered after listening to the Women's Broadcast?) I'm feeling a definite need to have a Jane Austen movie fest. Popcorn, raisinettes here I come!

Back from the "dead"

Yes, I am actually among the living, though I feel like I have been run over by a truck. I'm now officially 5 weeks into nursing school and I still don't feel like I have my feet underneath me. Everyone keeps reassuring me that I will wake up one day and realize that I am managing just fine, but I'm hoping that day comes sooner rather than later. The upside is that I continue to be fascinated with the inner workings of the human body and find that my testimony of our Father's wisdom and creative powers has been further strengthened. Truly our bodies are miracles!

Come out, come out, wherever you are...

O'kay, so it has been well over a month since my last blog. Granted, life as we know it has not ceased to exist because of the hiatus, but aren't you a little curious about what has been going on with our crazy little family?

April was a real stretching time for our family. I accepted a position as a PCA at a local hospital working 2 nights a week in the ICU/CCU. In preparation for employment I had to attend 4 weeks of full-time training. Kevin was magnificent at managing the kids, the house and walking pneumonia while I was MIA for the month. Though the kids initially thought that I was going to be gone for 4 weeks, as in they wouldn't see me for a month, they quickly adjusted to the temporary schedule and were very supportive. Throw in baseball games, Scouts, Achievement Days, a Stake Primary activity, homework, acceptance to nursing school (Rachel), cabinetry class for Kevin, state testing for Beth and Jake, and several birthdays and the month gets pretty full.

Let me just take a moment to acknowledge that April saw Kevin celebrate his 30th Birthday. Congratulations, darling!!

May, of course, has followed suit and proved very busy so far. I finished my orientation at the hospital and am on my 2 nights/week schedule (which seems to be better tolerated by everyone) and took my State Tested Nursing Assistant test. I'm so grateful that I passed and that it is behind me. YEAH!!

Kevin is on the mend from his bout of walking pneumonia -- we are all so grateful! He is currently working on a basement remodel and a full bathroom renovation. Somehow he is managing to squeeze in time for a cabinetry class. He is making the most beautiful secretary's desk. It is nearing the finishing stages. It is very exciting to see the progress, but more importantly how much he is enjoying the experience.

Beth has been diligently practicing the flute in preparation for the spring band concert that was held earlier this month. As part of the evening's agenda, she had the opportunity to perform both a solo piece and a duet. We are all so proud of her talent and bravery!

Jacob is patiently enduring the rain this month. It has been more than 2 weeks since he last played a baseball game. It looks like tonight's game will be rained out as well. Thoughts of summer vacation help ease the pain, though, as he looks forward to next month.

Adam enjoyed a class field trip to a local farm earlier this month. The highlights were petting the animals, milking a plastic cow and eating his lunchable for lunch. He came home covered in mud as it was raining the day of the field trip. He had a great time!

Ben has been enjoying having his Mama home during the day again. He has happily helped me as I try to whip the landscaping back into shape on the few dry days we have had this month. He loves to help but is quick to take a break in his kid size camping chair which he totes around the yard. He usually brings a worm or potato bug with him for company. Too cute!

To round out the month, we will also celebrate (or have already celebrated) Mother's Day, our 7th Wedding Anniversary, and 6 family birthdays. It's going to be a big month!

Kirtland Trip 2008

Kirtland

This past weekend we took our little family on a trip to Kirtland, Ohio. We had a wonderful time. I believe this is our third family trip to Kirtland. We just love going there. The church has done such an amazing job restoring significant historical sites for members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It seems that every time we go we learn or experience something new. The spirit is so strong there.

The excitement began when the day prior to our departure Kevin & I decided (along with Mom -- her boss finally gave her the day off) to surprise the kids with a trip to Kirtland. We made all the preparations the night before while the kids were sleeping. It was so exciting to think the entire trip would be a surprise. Kevin made a delicious french toast breakfast for us to enjoy before we left. At breakfast Kevin announced that the entire family would be accompanying him to "work" that day. (Little did the kids know that Kevin had classified the 4 hour drive to Kirtland as work for the day.) They were a bit unsure why this was necessary but they complied with our instructions to dress and prepare for the day. As we all piled into the car I was relieved that no one noticed the luggage and cooler I had packed the night before. We were nearly 45 mins. north of home before Elizabeth made a guess at where we were headed. The excitement increased when we checked into a hotel for our one-night two-day stay. For our kids hotel = swimming pool, so you can imagine how excited they were.

We then ventured into Kirtland for our first stop...the Kirtland Temple. We were very surprised when we arrived at the Kirtland Temple visitor's center (where the Temple tours begin). Apparently the Church of Christ dedicated the new Kirtland Temple visitor's center in June of last year. The new center is easily 5 times larger than the previous one. It houses a mini-museum about the Temple (lots of interactive things for the kids to do -- like dress up in pioneer clothes), a new Theater for viewing a short 20 mins. film about the Kirtland Temple, a small gift shop, and other offices and so forth for the Church of Christ. It is a very nice facility that definitely adds to the experience of visiting the Kirtland Temple.

After the Temple we moved onto Historic Kirtland which is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Talk about amazing. We began our tour in the visitor's center and then proceeded to the Newel K. and Elizabeth Ann Whitney home, the Newel K. Whitney store, the John Johnson Inn, the sawmill and the ashery. We had a wonderful experience. We are so thankful the couple missionaries that volunteer their time and talents to provide interesting and uplifting histories about the people and places of Kirtland.

After an evening of swimming on Friday, we stopped by Lake Erie on Saturday morning before heading to the John Johnson Farm. We were surprised when we arrived at a very frozen great lake. Needless to say, it was very cold Saturday morning, but that didn't stop Kevin and the kids from walking down to the water's edge to throw in a few rocks. They all bounced off the surface -- WOW!

We then went to the John Johnson Farm -- personally, this is my favorite part of the Kirtland "experience". The Johnson home was restored and dedicated in the fall of 2001 by President Hinckley. To me, it is absolutely beautiful. So many wonderful things happened at this home. Many marvelous revelations were received here including the vision of the three degrees of glory. Both the Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith here. It is truly a hallowed place. Much suffering was endured here as well. It was here that an angry mob carried the prophet Joseph out in the cold night air to beat, tar and feather him after trying to poison him to death. Joseph had already spent several sleepless nights alongside his wife Emma, as they cared for infant twins that had contracted the measles. As a result of that vicious attempt on Joseph's life, baby Joseph was so effected by the night air that he died 6 days later. Such sorrow! The Johnson Farm is an amazing place to visit.

Now we are home and back to the regular rat race of life. I'm glad that we could visit Kirtland this past weekend to take a few hours to remember and reflect on those who have gone before us. It really helps put life back into focus.

Easter Pics 2008

Easter Sunday

We were very blessed to have Beth and Jake with us for Easter this year. They were supposed to spend their Spring Break with their Dad, but we are certainly grateful that they were here with us. We had a great time coloring Easter eggs and taking time to discuss what we are truly celebrating this wonderful time of year. We are so grateful for our Savior's atonement that makes it possible for us to live again after this life.

Easter Sunday was a cold but beautiful day. We were thankful for the sunny skies after church which allowed us to take some quick photos of the kids. True to form, the Cincinnati weather reminded us how volatile it can be and it started to flurry as we finished our pictures. It was really coming down as we are our Easter dinner and before we could clear the dishes the sun was out again.

All of the kids indulged their sweet tooth thanks to the Easter Bunny. Kevin and I indulged our sweet tooth after Easter when we raided the 50% off sale at Wal-mart. Why is it that Cadbury Mini-eggs taste better when they are half off?