Emily and Chris

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

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.

Almost a full week of school complete!  I think most of my classes are going to be okay.  I know that I am going to really enjoy my Literature for Children class, we get to read and analyze little kid books all semester.  Science Methods should also be very interesting, we get to design and complete little kids science projects.

I didn’t get anything written about the Inauguration and I am a little sad about it.  That was my first full day of school and I felt so great.  I felt like things in my life were right and positive change is coming to our country.  I thought it was so sweet that Michelle brought Mrs. Bush a present (a sterling silver notebook and pen to write her memoirs).  I really enjoyed the song written by John Williams and performed by YoYo Ma and other famous musicians.  I thought Obama’s speech was amazing.  I truly feel hope when I think of him taking control of our country.

So, things in our lives are going well!  Chris is going to pay off the Xterra this month!

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!

I’m sure that everyone who ever looks at this site already knows what we’ve been up to, but just thought I would drop a line.

The most important thing is that I was finally able to register for my classes.  I am sure everyone is sick of listening to me talk about how hard it was and why, if you don’t know and are interested let me know Anyway, it is finally takin care of (only one whole week into the semester) and I’ll be able to start attending classes on Monday.  The bad news is 1) I had to withdraw from band.  It is sad to me that I will no longer be a band geek, but there is just no way to fit it in my schedule or make it work. 2) It is pushing back my graduation date.  I will have to go one more semester (instead of Spring 2010 it will be Fall 2011).

I got my eyeliner touched up.  It hurt SO bad!  My eyes look fabulous though   I also got a new hair cut, just a trim and some bangs.

We have been completely addicted to the Sopranos lately.  We have watched almost the entire series since Christmas.  If you haven’t wathced the show, I highly recommend it!  It is so easy to get emotionally invested in the characters.  One of the things I thought was most interesting about the series is that they keep the same actors, even the little children, through all 7 season (1-6, but 6 has two parts).  Also, if you have watched the show, did you know that the guy that plays Silvio is in Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band?  And his wife on the show, is his wife in real life!  Read about it!

Chris got me the coolest game for Christmas!  It is called “Little Big Planet” and it is one of the most creative things I have ever seen!  It has the cutest little people in it and very unique and innovative levels.  It is SO fun!

Ridiculously Cute!

Phil’s birthday was on the 13th.  He is SO hard to shop for.  We really did it this year though.  Rebecca, Chris and I went in together on a SkyScout.  It is a person planetarium.  You can point it at a star and it will tell you (with a voice!) what star you are looking at, what constellation it is, the size, distance from Earth etc.  Also, you can tell it what you want to look at and it will show you where to point it in the sky to look at it.  It is SO cool!  I think that Phil will really enjoy it.

So… that’s it!

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.

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