Emily and Chris

I know I have been doing better about updating my blog this year, it is so much easier now that I can do it from my phone! However, I still have managed to miss some really fun things we have done! We went to see Daniel Tosh in Salt

Lake with Breanne and Aaron, we had an awesome pirate party, we attended a frozen Luau at The Bean/Bowman residence, we celebrated Chris’ half-birthday, Zach came home from Peru, and our dogs were adorable , and Chris and Mike came for an Easter visit and my beautiful friend Kimberly got married. Here are some pictures from things I didn’t get posted!

I’m not sure why I didn’t get anything written this summer.  We weren’t particularly busy, we did a lot of nice things though.  We played in the Farm Bureau Golf Tournament again this summer and it was really fun!.  We started regularly biking (mostly to Goody’s).  My mom came for a wonderful visit.  We had SO much fun!  Sheri and I had a fabulous time visiting many many many garage sales and finding treasures this summer.  Chris took a wonderful trip to Canada with Phil to go fishing.  They had a great time!

I guess one of the biggest things is that I’m not doing band this year.  This is the first time since 5th grade that I haven’t been playing my flute.  It is really odd and I miss it.  Brooke and Zach aren’t here anymore though’ so it wouldn’t be the same anyway.

Summer is over now and it is back to school.  I had a really tough time getting in to my classes again this semester, but I am finally now registered (The second week) and I’m now just waiting for my financial aid to go through.

I got a job at Goody’s, which is wonderful.  Chris and I joke that my benefits  are better than his because we get 50% off all of our food now   Also, I have started baking and selling my cookies there.  The first day they ALL sold out in 3 hours!

Chris is still loving his job at the  Bureau and he is of course very successful at it.  He is really looking forward to college football starting on Thursday!

I am sure now that I am sitting in class all day everyday I am sure that I’ll be back on here all the time again!

We had lots of fun riding our new bikes this summer.

On our way home from the FB golf tourament

Chris and Phil at Hatchet on their fishing trip

My Mom and Me at Charley's for the Drag Show

After two very crazy, busy weekends in a row, it was nice to have one that was a little more laid back… Here’s a run down of our weekend…

Rebecca came home and got to meet baby Brie.  It was relly nice to see her again!  I miss her when she is gone!

It was Edythe’s Birthday.  We got her a really cool book called The Oxford Project.  It is so interesting!  Phil had a migraine and had to stay in bed all day Saturday.  We went out to dinner and The Sandtrap and had great food with horrible service.  We ate huge cupcakes for dessert

After dinner with the family, we picked Zach up and had a few beers and watched some funny things on TV and just hung out a little.

We watched several movies this weekend.  I really liked Mrs. Henderson Present and recommend it if you liked Calendar Girls and/or The Full Monty.  We rewatched Iron Man… Which totally rocks!  And American Gangster.  This movie was okay… Not my favorite and very very long!

Sunday we had a big lunch since Rebecca was leaving early and then more cupcakes!  We just hung out after that.  I did some homework and Chris hung out with Phil.

Chris ordered a new computer!  I am so excited for him!

I know that it doesn’t sound very exciting… But it was a really nice weekend!

I just finished watching Dateline and I am physical ill.  It was about the woman that has 6 children already and just had octuplets.  This woman is crazy.  She says that the father was a “sperm-donor” and made sure that he would have no rights to the children, then when she was criticised for the children not having father she said “They do have a father, ust one that is not involved in their lives, but maybe will be someday” She also tried to have her last name changed to the same as his, but he wouldn’t allow it.  She is supporting her children on her disability money. She is to hurt to work, but she can carry 8 babies?  And how the hell did she pay for 9 invitro treatments (5 for her first 6 children (2 were twins) 3 failed attempts and then the treatment that got her 8)?!?  She demanded that she have all of her last 6 embryos implanted, doctors say a woman her age should only have had 2 or 3.  She believes that all embryos are a life.  Her babies don’t even have beds!  Her 6 previous children (all under the age of 7, That’s right 14 children under the age of 7) said that they didn’t want her to have these babies because “the house would be too squishy” and “she would be to stressed out all the time”.  I don’t understand how a doctor could let this happen.  What is wrong with this woman?  She has been raising her children on student loan money.  But she says that is not the same as Welfare.  She has over 50,000 dollars in student loans.  I just can’t understand this…. She has no job and now has 14 children.  She also doesn’t have insurance by the way.  It just makes me sick.  How do her children even have a chance….  One of her children has autism on top of all of this.  One child with autism is a challenge and now she is going to have 13 other children and there is a huge scientific percentile chance that all of the octuplets will have disabilities also.  She is receiving  disability for 3 of her children.  One has ADHD (which is a-whole-nother subject for me, they are too young to be diagnosed with a disorder like that) and the other has a speech delay.  She says this is only temporary.  She is only going to receive this money for these children for a little while.  I think this should be some considered some time of abuse.  It is so sad.  I just felt like ranting for a bit I guess…. It is so sad…

Life with 2 “babies” is definatly different. Tilly seems like an angel next to Brie, also she seems HUGE!  Brie has been much harder to potty train.  Tilly picked up on it abnormally fast I think.  Brie gets to meet Edythe and Phil tonight and I can’t wait!

Brie "helping" me with my homework

Both Dogs slept on my lap while I did my homework

This time both dogs were sleeping on my back...

I’ve gotten this email a few times and each time I get it I read it again.  I think it i important to appreciate the little things in life and I just thought that I would post this for a little food for thought….

They’re written by Andy Rooney , a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words. Enjoy…….

I’ve learned…. That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I’ve learned…. That when you’re in love, it shows.

I’ve learned…. That just one person saying to me, ‘You’ve made my day!’ makes my day.

I’ve learned…. That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I’ve learned…. That being kind is more important than being right.

I’ve learned…. That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I’ve learned…. That I can always pray for someone when I don ‘t have the strength to help him in some other way.

I’ve learned…. That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I’ve learned…. That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I’ve learned…. That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I’ve learned…. That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I’ve learned…. That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.

I’ve learned…. That money doesn’t buy class.

I’ve learned… That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I’ve learned… That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I’ve learned…. That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I ‘ve learned…. That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I’ve learned…. That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I’ve learned…. That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I’ve learned… That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I’ve learned…. That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I’ve learned… That life is tough, but I’m tougher.

I’ve learned…. That opportunities are never lost, someone will take the ones you miss.

I’ve learned…. That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I’ve learned…. That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I’ve learned…. That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I’ve learned…. That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I’ve learned…. That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you’re hooked for life.

I’ve learned…. That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.

I’ve learned…. That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

I am so happy with my little life again.  Now that school isn’t stressing me out for 5 minutes   Today I spent the afternoon at my baby cousins 7th birthday party.  12 screaming little girls and boys.  I love it!  It is one of the things that lets me know that I will love being a teacher.

After the party we went out to dinner with Edythe and Phil at “The Sand Trap”.  We haven’t been there for a long time and it was SO good tonight!  I had a burger called “The Trap” and it had spicy hot-wing sauce and melty bleu cheese on it!  It was a great night.  We were in a nice place with good food and even better company.  So far… a great weekend!

It seems like this year was an especially tough one on the entertainment community.  So many very talented people died this year.  I just thought I would make a short list in remembrance of the people I am going to miss the most.

George Carlin

Heath Ledger

Paul Newman

Eartha Kit

Bernie Mac

Tim Russert

Susan Pleshette

Bo Diddly

Granted, we didn’t know any of these people, but after you see so many of their movies and read about their lives it seems like you do.  It is also impossible to not recognize the great loss of talent.

I have linked a video of George Carlin’s “7 Words You Can’t Say on Television”.

Also, let’s not forget Sir Edmund Hillary.  A great man, with a great accomplishment.

We get up this morning and I go to jump in the shower and there is no water.  WTF?  Chris looks out the window and the whole street is full of water!  A water main on our street burst sometime between 2am (when we went to bed) and 7:45am (when we got up).  The 7-10 inches of snow in our street has now turned in to 12-14 inches of black slush, which has now turned into 5-8 inches of solid black ice…  Disgusting.

I thought maybe it would be fun to do a recap of some of my favorite things of this year…

Top Ten Movies of the Year

10. The Bank Job

9. Lars and the Real Girl

8. The Invasion

7. Mama Mia

6. The Dark Knight

5.  Charlie Wilson’s War

4. Juno

3. Dan in Real Life

2. Enchanted

1. Madagascar 2

THE BEST: Tropic Thunder

Though some of those came out last year, I am pretty sure it was within the last 12 months-ish We also really enjoyed My Left Foot starring Daniel Day Lewis.  Very inspirational and interesting movie.

Top Television Shows

10. Rock of Love Charm School

9. Man vs. Food

8.  Charmed

7. Man vs. Wild

6. Mythbusters

5. Dirty Jobs

4. Time Warp

3. House

2. The Office

1. The Sopranos

THE BEST: Scrubs

I also watched the complete series of Friends (always a favorite), Mad About You (an oldie but a goodie) and Still Standing.  If you haven’t watched this show I highly recommend it! It is a crack up!

The most important things that happened this year the had the biggest impact on us (in no particular order):

• Chris graduating and getting hired at Farm Bureau
• Obama getting elected
• Celebrating our one year anniversary
• Gas hitting 4 dollars a gallon and dropping again
• Prop 8…
• Portland Trip
• Phoenix Trip
• The Olympics
• Camping with the whole Joslin Clan
• My new car

Here is a list of some of my favorite things in general for the year:

Wii Fit

Animal Crossing

Twitter

Facebook

Netflix

Facebook Flair

My MacBook

Intelligent Key

My few good friends

My Little Family