We Bought A Zoo

Ever since before Christmas when they talked about this movie on "Extreme Home Makeover" I have wanted to see it. It took awhile to get there, but I thought it was worth the wait. I really, really liked "We Bought a Zoo". However, don't take your son with you when you go because he will accuse you of crying really, really loud. I would have cried quieter if he hadn't stolen my crying napkin.

"You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it."

Benjamin Mee

The Cheap Seats

The grandson is a little bit addicted to Toy Story movies. He would watch "Duh", which is what he calls Buzz, all the time if we would let him. He especially likes Toy Story 2.


When we took our family vacation to Greer for Spring break his parents introduced him to the DVD player that we have in our van and since then every time we leave his house he wants to take his "moo-fees" "wif me" and every time we get in the van he asks for Buzz. A couple of weeks ago, I gave in and attempted to let him watch his DVD in transit. As luck would have it, all I managed to do was get the movie stuck in the player. The next day I purchased a new copy of Toy Story 2, because the kid was having major withdrawal symptoms.
The DVD player at their house used to be where the grandson could reach it, open it and put his movies in and out. For some reason, it quit working. Go figure. It didn't take too long for his mom to decide that a new DVD player was a necessary expenditure. However, the device that was purchased, and placed out of his reach, has issues with the Toy Story 2 DVD. It will play any other movie you put in it, but refuses to function when Buzz is inserted. This has once again caused some severe 19-month-old angst. The child has been feeling very Toy Story deprived, so imagine his excitement when on today's outing we visited the Phoenix Deseret Industries and happened upon a showing of "Toy Story 2" on not one, not two, but 13 screens. It was like a dream come true to him.


He allowed me to shop in the store as long as we went back to see what was happening with "the gang" every few minutes. Luckily for him, he knows the story line well and could jump right into the action. When I was ready to leave, we decided to make one more visit to the make shift theater. We were a little surprised to discover that we weren't the only ones taking advantage of the free movie viewing. A cute family had found a place to sit and were happily watching the show. The grandson was convinced that he needed to join them in their "cheap seats" and enjoy the remainder of the movie with them.


For almost half an hour we watched and cheered and danced and thoroughly embraced the suspenseful conclusion of Toy Story 2. Sometimes we even sat quietly.


We just never know what fun our days together will bring!

Today I am grateful for

a phone with a camera.
cheap thrift store fun.
Fridays!

Update (June 11, 2011)- since this post the original Toy Story 2 movie has been rescued from the van DVD player (the youngest son pushed the eject button and the movie came out). The oldest daughter's new DVD player likes that copy of the movie and so now we have Toy Story 2 at both "house" (grandma's house) and "home" (the grandson's house). Also, the grandson has perfected the pronounciation of "Buzz" with a b and a z. No Duh anymore.

Family Home Evening Activity

I was hoping that our family home evening activity tonight would include my family all gathering around me and offering unlimited, extremely helpful suggestions for the girl's camp bishopric skit that I have once again been commissioned to write. Apparently my first skit attempt was successful enough to merit an encore. Unfortunately, I am facing a severe case of writer's block or in other words I have no idea what to write. No idea whatsoever and it was pretty much supposed to be written last week.
This exact situation is one of the biggest excuses I use for not writing the novel that I sometimes believe is lurking in my little brain. What if I wrote a book and it was amazing and wonderful and a best seller and the publishing company asked for a sequel and there was nothing else hiding out in my head. Absolutely nothing! What could be worse?
The only thing I can think of that could possibly be more horrible is if my amazing, wonderful, best selling book was so amazing that someone wanted to make it into a movie, but the film company felt that the way I had written my story wasn't quite amazing and wonderful enough for the big screen and they wanted to totally change the underlying theme that I had so purposely and painstakingly developed (as in the movie version of the Christmas Shoes) or wanted to completely change the ending of the book (as in the movie version of My Sister's Keeper). That is reason enough to never ever become an author.
Wow, this blog has totally gone off on a tangent.
Back to Family Home Evening - the male members of the family felt that a trip to the local theater to view the blockbuster film "The Prince of Persia" would be a much better use of their valuable time tonight. While the movie turned out to be better than I had expected, my mind is now full of visions of a bishopric brotherhood waving magic daggers and defying death while jumping off of amazingly tall buildings accompanied by a scantily dressed young woman and a suicidal ostrich who drinks diet Coke and eats buttered popcorn. At least I finally have an idea to build on and I'm pretty sure if I run with it there won't be a third skit to write next year.

Today I am thankful for

bonding time with my youngest son.
air-conditioning.
cheaper family night movie tickets at Cinemark plus free popcorn.

Mother Daughter Date

Today the youngest daughter and I went to the movies and out to lunch while all the less fortunate family members went to school or work. It was fun to get to spend some one on one time with this daughter. We went to see the movie Julie & Julia.


From the moment I first saw the preview for this show I have wanted to see it. The 2 1/2 minute trailer made me laugh, it made me cry, and I could relate in many ways with both characters. Although I have never professed to be a cook and personally think most of the recipes in Julia Child's French cookbook sound disgusting, I have always been intrigued by Julia Child, the person, especially since I learned that she was a spy during World War II. I felt like this movie really made her personality come to life and I learned a lot of things about her that I didn't know before. I also loved Julie Powell's idea to cook every recipe in the Julia Child cookbook and blog about her experience. I will admit that I love blogs and would love to come up with a blog project that I could really get into like this one. Something that other people would be interested in reading, that would eventually turn into a book and then a movie... I'm still looking for that elusive idea, but keep your eyes peeled. You never know when it might happen and then you will be able to say, 'I was with her from the very beginning".

Now, for my thoughts on the movie. I really, really enjoyed it! It was definitely not full of action- packed adventure, but lots of subtle humor, retrospection, self-discovery and lessons about life. I was pleased to find out that both characters were married to the significant men in their lives rather than just living with them. This doesn't happen too often in today's movies. The only thing I didn't like about the movie was the language, but after quickly perusing Julie Powell's blogs and a preview for her book, I have discovered that the language could have been so much worse than it was. To quote Julie Powell "I happen to believe that curse words are vital parts of the language, and I write accordingly." Everyone is entitled to their personal opinion (although I still believe that my opinion is the right one) and I would personally like to thank the movie writers/editors who chose to leave most of her colorful words out of the film. My daughter wasn't as big a fan of the movie as I was, but she is still young enough to enjoy non-stop action and adventure. She felt that there was way too much cooking going on.

After the movie we went to PEI-WEI for some of their yummy spicy chicken salad and it was definitely still yummy. While we were there we got to participate in a "Chinese Fire drill". Apparently a belt on some type of machinery broke and although there was no fire, the restaurant filled with smoke and we all got to jump up and find new seats on the patio. Unfortunately there were fewer seats outside than there had been people inside and some people opted to just abandon their food and leave, but the daughter and I stuck around to enjoy every bite. Fortunately it was a cooler day than most of the ones we have been experiencing recently and eating al fresco was rather fun. Thanks daughter for suggesting such a fun day!

Today I am thankful for

a daughter to have fun with.
$5.00 matinees (who would have ever thought that $5.00 for a movie would sound like such a good deal) and a movie gift card that made the movie only cost us 50 cents.
something to look forward to. In just a couple of hours I am off for a getaway with my friends.

One year ago today - Family Life Merit Badge

Star Trek The Movie 2009

Today the hubby and I went to see the new Star Trek movie. He really wanted to see it and I went along because he couldn't find anyone else to go with him. Now, don't get me wrong. I don't have anything against Star Trek. I grew up watching the TV series with my brother and I am quite familiar with the storyline and the characters. In fact, if I were to meet Captain Kirk or Spock I would probably even consider them friends. I could quite possibly find my way around the Enterprise if I were ever accidentally beamed up by Scotty. I would actually say I like Star Trek, but I am definitely not a "Trekkie". I thought I would see the movie sometime, but I don't have to see any movie during the first 2 weeks of its run. I am happy to wait for it to go to the cheap theatre or to come out on DVD. Having said that, I really liked the movie. I found it entertaining. As is usually the case, there were a few words and a scene that I could have lived without but overall I thought it was very good. It made me want to go back and watch a few Star Trek reruns just for fun. It also opens up a whole new world of future voyages of the Star Ship Enterprise, a thought that I am not totally opposed too and a even a little bit curious about.

Today I am thankful for

a hubby that likes to do things with me.
a quiet Saturday.
my computer.
a phone visit with my mom.

Milkshakes and Movies

The oldest son had some oral surgery done yesterday. He had 2 spots in his mouth where there were holes in his bone and they had to cut his gum and fill the holes with cadaver bone. He has been spending a lot of time sitting on the couch with an ice pack held to his mouth.
I stocked up on lots of soft food for him to eat during his recovery and he has been using this as a good excuse to consume a few milkshakes as well.

Today he decided to host a Mighty Ducks Movie Marathon. Somehow I was sucked into the excitement of the event and spent most of my day keeping him company. It had been a long time since I had watched one of the Mighty Ducks movies and I can now say I've watched all three of them in about 5 hours. The sacrifices we mothers have to make for our children.

Date Night

When I was in Utah helping my mom we watched the Hallmark Channel on TV a lot. Every night they would show the trailer for the movie Fireproof that was "coming to a theatre near you soon". I decided I really wanted to see this movie. Today I talked my hubby into going to it with me. (I enticed him with some of my Harkins gift cards). I totally enjoyed this film. It had a great message and was also entertaining. You can watch the trailer here. It was so refreshing to see a movie that supports marriage and the family rather than putting them down. After the movie we went and checked out a new restaurant called Cafe Laguna. They specialize in Fry Bread and the hubby and I were big fans. Yum, Yum! I had the original with shredded beef and my other half had the original with ground beef. We had a coupon - buy one get one half off - but the owners were extremely nice and gave us the family and friends discount that turned out to be half off everything. $10.00 for two "indian tacos" and drinks. It was definitely worth it. If you're ever in the vicinity of Power and Baseline in Mesa check them out. You won't regret it. It was a great date night!! Today I am thankful for my husband that I love very much. movie makers with morals. seventy five degree high temperatures.

Mamma Mia

I have put off writting this post long enough.
I have something I know that I need to say
but I really don't want to say it.

I went to the movie Mamma Mia
for my birthday with my hubby.

I enjoyed it a lot.
It made me laugh hysterically.
It made me want to fly to Greece with my best friends.
It made me remember what it felt like to be 20 again.
It made me want to lose 100+ pounds
so I could don metallic pants and go-go boots
and dance
and wiggle more than waddle
and sing at the top of my lungs
and run up mountains
and jump on beds while doing the splits.
It made me feel good
and happy
and accepting of life.

I wish I could just accept entertainment
at face value
and be entertained
and leave it at that,
but I can't.

I have to think.

I have to look beyond the fun
and the laughs
and the light hearted moments
to the message that is being sent
in that feel good package
to what I am really being accepting of.

That 3 dads could possibly be better than 1.
That dot, dot, dotting with 3 boys in the same week,
none of whom you are married to, is awkward,
but not necessarily wrong.
That getting married at 20 is limiting and short-sighted
and it's much better to go explore the world with a boyfriend
than to settle down with a husband.
That men liking men is just a way of life.

Now, I will be the first to admit
that I went into this movie with my eyes wide open.
I knew from the previews the basis of the story
and I still wanted to see the movie
because it looked entertaining.

Sometimes I chose being entertained over
doing what I know is right.
What the Holy Ghost tells me is right.

I knew that the content of this movie,
while possibly not being explicit,
was not going to reflect my standards
and my values
and by beliefs.
I knew it before I went
and I went anyway
and I enjoyed it.
Except when I felt the spirit
pricking me in my heart.

I am disappointed in myself.

I read that 92% of the people who saw this movie
would recommend it to someone else.

If I recommended this movie
what would I be recommending?

The entertaining, possibly harmless parts
or the values that don't reflect my own?

My recommendation is
Go out and buy the CD,
Collect all your best friends,
Go to the beach and rent a villa
and sing and dance to your hearts content.
Oh and if you need to lose weight before
you can safely jumb on a bed
go ahead and do that too.

Shove It Up Your Nose

My youngest son has sinus problems.
Always has, probably always will.
He gets them from allergies
which he gets from me.

Today one of the men at church
told him he should put water up one nostril
and then let it run out of the other side.
He said he does it and it really helps.

We have such interesting
dinner time conversations.

I told the son that I had just read about that in the newspaper.
It is called nasal irrigation
and it really is supposed to make a difference.

I couldn't quite remember how to do it
or what to do
and he and his brother were convinced
that it would just run down your throat
and that would be GROSS!

Like having water run out of your nostril
isn't gross.

We started joking around that
there was probably a video on You Tube
about how to do it.

Of course, the teenager
had to jump up and go check.

Sure enough,
there are lots and lots of videos demonstrating
the proper technique of nasal irrigation.
In different languages even.

Well, we are sitting in the dining room
and the son is yelling directions from the computer.

"The guy in the movie is using a tea pot."

This of course produces the vision in my head
of my son pouring boiling water into his nose.

That's a pretty painful vision.

"You can use a syringe.
Just shove it up your nose."

Another painful vision enters my mind
along with memories of one of my favorite Jr. High comebacks -
"Just shove it up your nose." Which I think is a derivative of
"Up your nose with a garden hose.
Another favorite childhood saying
that conjures up more painful pictures
in my head.

The yelling and the visions continue
until we are all laughing too hard to talk any more.

They say You Tube is cheap entertainment
but who would have guessed that a movie about
nasal irrigation could be that funny!
I will warn you though,
it is a lot more entertaining
when you just discuss it and imagine it.

Don't really watch it.
Seeing water run out people's nostrils
is just plain gross.

The Communication Age

I think it is interesting that we live in a day and age with so many advances which make communication easier and yet I seem to have a harder time than ever communicating. My sons left the house today at 11:30 to go to lunch with the sister, the roommate and the girlfriend or is that the girlfriend and her roommates, or perhaps the sister and her roommates, or maybe the adopted sister, the sister, and the roommate or just the girls... At 3:00 I queried, via a text message, if they were coming home anytime soon. 10 texts later I still didn't have an answer to my original question. I don't really care if my kids aren't at home. However, the number 2 son had promised me he would use some time this afternoon to do online Health and I was curious who to plan on for dinner. Apparently the two sons had parted company and no decision could be made until they talked to each other which I guess was impossible to do until they reconnected. Why do we all have cell phones? (The answer to that question today was so the hubby could forget his at home and call and offer to treat me to $1.00 Arbys roast beef sandwiches for lunch if I would bring it to him. Pretty good reason, in my opinion, but probably not the original, intended purpose.) When it got to be 5:00 and I still hadn't heard from the sons I decided this would be a good night to worry about myself and let them do the same. The hubby came home and was willing to use his Chili's gift card (that he got from work a long time ago) and my movie gift card for a wild night on the town (a late anniversary celebration). We'd show those non-communicative boys! We were just finishing up dinner about 7:00 when I received a phone call from the youngest wondering where we were and informing me that I needed to be home before 9:00 so he wouldn't be home alone when his brother went on a double date. Gee whiz, plans I knew nothing about! I wasn't very nice and told him I'd think about it and if we didn't make it home to lock the doors and turn on all the lights. After I let him stew for a few minutes I called back and asked if he wanted us to pick him up to go to the movie with us. No, they had it all figured out and he was going with his brother since they were all going to the girl's apartment to play games and the sister and the roommate would be there too. Aw, more information - this communication thing is getting easier. We went to see "Get Smart" and I enjoyed it a lot although I wouldn't recommend drinking 5 tall glasses of water right before seeing it if you have difficulty laughing and controlling your bladder at the same time. I just wish they could make a movie without throwing in the non-essential hand gestures or cuss words here and there. It would have been a better movie, in my opinion, without them. The movie made me want to find a collection of the old TV series and watch it again. I remember being thoroughly entertained by the show as a kid. Can you believe my 23 year old daughter didn't even know the movie was based on a TV series? When we got out of the movie I called the young one and asked if he wanted to be picked up. Yes, he did, but not for half an hour. This "forced" the hubby and I to dig through the change in the ashtray in the van and stop at McDonalds for an ice cream cone. 15 minutes later another phone call informed us that he had changed his mind and he was staying. We took a rather scenic, long trip home through all the road construction. Apparently, I retire to my house too early in the evening. Who would have known there is so much activity on the roads at 10:15 at night. I guess these road construction workers know how to beat the Arizona heat. I definitely had a fun evening, however impromptu. This non-communication thing has its perks, along with its frustrations. My oldest daughter and I decided today that we need to use our blogs in a more productive way. We decided that we could use them as a gratitude journal to record things we are thankful for. I noticed she fulfilled her part of the bargain so I guess it is time for me to step up to the plate. Today I am grateful for Gift cards - one of the greatest inventions ever created. How fun is it to get something or go somewhere for free?! Light bulbs - and a son to install them for me so I don't have to. These were the big, long fluorescent ones that are a pain to put in and I always seem to manage to crack the plastic covers while I am at it. Thanks son! You know who you are. Let there be light! Clouds - it is amazing to me how a change in the weather can lift my spirits. Today the sun that usually shines brightly down on my bed in the late afternoon was a beautiful orange shade thanks to the smoke filled clouds on the horizon. Sorry to those people who had to evacuate their homes because of the smoke, but the clouds made the evening sky absolutely beautiful. and last of all a CELEBRATION - my son-in-law passed the written part of his test to receive his pilot's license today. CONGRATULATIONS! Way to Go!

The Errand of Angels

Some of my friends and I had a great night out tonight. We went to dinner at Aloha Kitchen and I had their fabulous Chinese Chicken Salad. Yum, Yum! I hadn't been there in a long time and it tasted so good.


Then we went to an advanced screening of the movie "The Errand of Angels". It is the story of a sister missionary in Austria. It was filmed in Austria and the scenery was beautiful and the story was very realistic and true to life. If you get a chance you should see it. You can watch a trailer at www.errandofangelsmovie.com. I'm not smart enough to know how to get the trailer on my blog.



I enjoyed the movie a lot and the fact that it was free was icing on the cake. Watching this story brought back so many memories of the time I spent serving in the England London Mission. My mission was probably one of the hardest things I ever did, but definitely one of the most rewarding. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to serve a mission. It has had such a positive impact on my life. My friends felt like perhaps this movie would scare young women away from serving missions. I hope that's not the case. I know when I went on my mission I was scared to death and I knew it was going to be difficult, but I also knew it was what my Heavenly Father wanted me to do and that made all the difference. I know that there are people out there who only sister missionaries can reach.


I felt that I should include a picture of me on my mission. Perhaps I have little movie actress potiential, but I am a true life missionary using a Book of Mormon as a fan after a cross town bike trip on the one hot day of my mission.

Speaking of missions, my twin nephews got their mission calls today. They are both going to missions in Brazil. Very, very exciting! They get to go to the MTC in Brazil and leave the first part of October. One of my good friends has a son coming home from his mission in Chicago this coming week. It's fun to get to experience these memorable beginnings and endings.