Random

These are just some random photos of our happenings in TN. Joshua has a best friend named Luke and he loves to go to the monkey's tree house with him. Luke's mother is great, so having play-dates is incredible!

Joshua loves the park and everyone comments how much energy he has when we go. That is why we are always doing something. The weather is getting better so we will be heading to the Zoo and parks more.

Joshua plays with our old iphones and this picture is the first time he insisted he needed both. He was watching two shows at once. Clever kid.

My boys love popcorn. Joshua is always good to share with Samuel. Sometimes too good, as seen here. He put the popcorn in Samuel's hair because it made him laugh, and then Samuel laughed.

I think both of these boys are going to keep me continuously busy as we grow together.

Book #4

This is the sequel to Chains. I really enjoyed this book because it was the sequel and also because it talks about the encampment at Valley Forge. I spent a week there in a leadership conference, during my junior year in high school. Spending time there and learning about myself, my country, and the conditions of the US army opened my eyes.

Valley Forge will always hold a special place in my heart. Reading a fictional story about characters I liked, in a placed I loved was incredibly enjoyable. I flew threw this book. It took one weekend.

I feel a little nerdy but not that much because the book is only 280 pages and is probably half the size of a regular full-print page.

A great read and it goes by fast. I am sad I won't be able to finish this series because the third book doesn't come out until November. I hate waiting. But it will give me something to look forward to read during the holiday season.

Hopefully I get to 50 books before the year is out but if I don't I will keep working on my 50 book goal. The goal was more about actually keeping to it and having the knowledge that I actually have read some books within my life. More than the ones that everyone else reads as part of a curriculum. And also it helps keep my mind occupied away from other bad habits like shopping.

Book #3

This book was more intriguing than I first expected. It read fast and I was knee-deep after skimming a chapter.

It's a book about slavery set in the middle of the Revolutionary War. It is heart wrenching. A good storyline, great characters, and makes you want to always keep your integrity.

People always regret when they fail to act on an impression. Matt has always told me, "you can't do wrong doing what is right." This book reminds me of that.

Many people, like Jefferson were repulsed by slavery but did nothing to stop it. It was a "necessary evil" as quoted by Jefferson to John Adams.

That notion makes me sick. But it also helps me realize how important it is to be true to my beliefs, even if it makes my life harder.

Live a life that you will be proud of because most likely it will help others more than you could understand.

H-A-P-P-I-N-E-S-S

I have been thinking a lot about happiness.

What makes me happy?

I remember thinking of how life would will be great once Matt had a real job and making real money and we could actually pay bills.

When that happens I use to think, I will be happy everyday that we have those things.

And now the day is here. We have so much more than I could ever hope for.

But as great as our joy has increased so has our bad days. Bigger problems.

When I revaluate my perception things look good again and the problems aren't really that big.

In my latest book it ends with telling how this brother and sister came to Paris so the brother could become an artist. They lived in a studio apartment, had nothing, but woke up every morning to dance in one of the amazing gardens in Paris because they were just happy to be in Paris.

"For now it was enough just being in Paris..."

I am in my Paris.

I need to just stop and see that I have my Paris and that is all I need.


I will settle for long music session dancing with my boys!

Grey's Anatomy was right...you just have to dance it out!

Book #2

David McCullough is my favorite author.

He is an amazing speaker.

He's just amazing!

This book lives up to my expectations and helped me learn about the city of lights and how it evolved after numerous revolutions, kings, emperors, and then a republic.

This book chronicles Americans who fled to Paris to become great. Great artists, great doctors, great women and to educate themselves on becoming something greater than they could at home.

What I love about this book is that through extensive research you see how hard work can get you anywhere.

The American spirit and pride makes us believe we can do anything. We are proud and arrogant but that is how we become great. We believe we are special and make our lives accomplished. Which makes us the leading nation.

Great book!

"he loves his country and her principles ardently...I admire his proud assertion of the rank of an American... For I know no reason why Americans should not take rank, and assert it, too, above any artificial distinction that Europe has made." 

-nathanial Willis referring to Samuel morse (pg 96)

10 months

Samuel had his 9 month check up and he is looking great! He's in the 70th Percentile for height, 40% for weight, and head is 85%

He is the happiest best baby! He says, "ma ma," "dada" was his first word...but does it count if he was asking for me by saying it? And he says, "jjaa jjjja!" every time he wakes up because he is looking for his best friend.

He is a tease. He flirts and smiles with everyone but when they go to hold him he freaks-out. All my boys are mommy boys. Which I don't mind.

He eats better than Joshua. Great eater! Hopefully it stays that way!

He LOVES strawberries, any fruit, and pizza is his all time favorite. Wonder where that came from?

I'm so grateful I had a perfect little one...now if he only would cooperate in church I'd really have a perfect baby. But I guess you can't win them all.

Book #1

This book series is near and dear to my heart. I read the first book when I was in junior high. After that I forgot about this series. Then one summer afternoon years later my mom said I should read the next ones because my grandmother possessed the whole series. Since I have nothing better to do I decided I would do read them.

Yes, they are cheesy LDS books. But I read the next few books at a very difficult time in my life and they helped bring the gospel to life. They helped to strengthen my testimony.

The series is also near and dear to me because they remind me of my grandparents. This book was bought as a birthday present last year from my grandmother. My mother said she was so eager to get it for me. She is so sweet. She remembered that I LOVED these books.

Chris Heimerdinger it seems never wants to end this series. His blog frostcave.blogspot.com basically says he doesn't ever know if he will end it. He enjoys writing and wants to keep it going as long as he can. LAME! I want answers. But I guess if it keeps me reading and keeps teaching me about the gospel then it can't be bad.

A fast read for anyone like my sister-in-law Carrie but still worth the effort.

I'm excited to start my next book.