Fun Weekend

Our new friends-Robin & Matt!! They're sooo sweet!! Thanks for inviting us!

We've been extra busy around here lately. Friday night we celebrated Laura's husbands 30th birthday at Loca Luna. Yesterday, we went to the races to continue the celebration. I placed an exacta bet on numbers 5 and 7 because my birthday is May 7. Who would have guessed??? I won!!!! On the way home, we made a dinner stop at Kream Kastle, a local dairy bar off the highway. We've always wanted to stop, but never have. Thanks Chuck and Laura for the suggestion. We had a great time, even though we didn't hit the jackpot! I visited with a friend today and she told me something that brought tears to my eyes. All I can say is thank you and I love you sooo much!! Tonight we are headed to a Super Bowl party at Robin and Matt's house. We love making new friends!! I'm taking spinach dip, with pita chips. I love that recipe using Knotts vegetable soup mix. SO EASY!! Check out Scooter's music on youtube. He uploaded three songs today, which I have to say are AMAZING!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QzywRz0EWU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNJS_caYOqU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vk_D-upY_M

Not too much going on this week. Please keep my Grandmother in your prayers. This week marks the year anniversary of my precious Grandpa. I miss his big smiling face and loving arms. He died last February from lung cancer and I still think about him every single day. I can't believe it's been 1 year. So much has happened!!! I will write more later this week.

Ice Day!!

It's 1:37 and I'm still in my pajamas!! I woke up at 5:oo a.m. this morning, full of excitement. I started receiving "no school" text messages from co-workers at about 5:30 a.m.! I absolutely love snow days, but hate making them up in June. I feel caught up with everything around the house and it feels GREAT!! Scoot, guess what channel I'm watching???? Lifetime!! Dad refers to it as the "man haters" channel!!


Aunt Jeannie and Granny came to LR yesterday and we met at Starbucks for coffee. Your visit gave me such a lift!! I love you both so very much and thank you for listening. Glad you made it home safely!! I wish you could have stayed longer. Granny, if you're reading this, please don't go to a lot of trouble with the coat. I can pick up the yarn and bring it to Rsvl. That's what you get when you buy a coat for 25.00 that was 208.00!! I will sport it even if it has a hole!

If you're looking for a great Christian writer/speaker, Joyce Meyer is A-Mazing!! I really enjoy her inspirational messages. I'm really trying to apply her ministry to my life. Here's an example....

When God When
by Joyce Meyer

We all want good things to happen in our lives, but too often we want it now...not later. When it doesn't happen that way, we are tempted to ask, "When, God, when?" Most of us need to grow in the area of trusting God instead of focusing on the “when” question. If you're missing joy and peace, you're not trusting God. If your mind feels worn out all the time, you're not trusting God. The tendency to want to know about everything that's going on can be detrimental to your Christian walk. Sometimes knowing everything can be uncomfortable and can even hurt you. I spent a large part of my life being impatient, frustrated and disappointed because there were things I didn't know. God had to teach me to leave things alone and quit feeling that I needed to know everything. I finally learned to trust the One who knows all things and accept that some questions may never be answered. We prove that we trust God when we refuse to worry.

God causes things to happen at exactly the right time! Your job is not to figure out when, but to make up your mind that you won't give up until you cross the finish line and are living in the radical, outrageous blessings of God! The more you trust Jesus and keep your eyes focused on Him, the more life you'll have. Trusting God brings life. Believing brings rest. So stop trying to figure everything out, and let God be God in your life.

MOVIE REVIEWS BY SCOOTER:

Over the past few months, I've seen several movies (both with my dad and Avie). Below I give a quick review and rate them on a scale of 1 to ten "Scooters" (ten being the best).

Slumdog Millionaire

This movie exceeded my expectations. I am often disappointed by the "movie of the moment" but this lived up to the hype. It was a bit more violent/raw than I anticipated but still very good. The acting is solid. Some of the "chase" scenes go on a bit long.

This movie receives 8 Scooters.

Doubt

The actors involved carry this movie. Left to lesser actors, this could have been really bad. Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep make this a very interesting character study. I appreciated this movie more than I enjoyed it. Everyone involved deserves the award nominations they are receiving. Never saw the Broadway play this was based on but I'm assuming it was really good. Some Broadway shows I really like (Rent) don't transition well into movies. This one obviously did.

This movie receives 7.5 solid Scooters.

Four Christmases (Mallory and Avie made me see it)

I'm a fan of Vince Vaughn but wasn't sure about this one. For what it was, I really liked it. There was a guy sitting behind us that continued to burp really loudly throughout the entire movie and that really got distracting. Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon were good together although I hear they didn't care for each other while filming the movie. The movie turns to the typical Hollywood/cheesy ending but that's to be expected. Worth seeing if you know what you're in for.

This movie receives 7 Scooters.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

This was one my dad and I saw "just to see something." It was average. The original from decades ago was apparently entertaining although I never saw it. Keanu Reeves deadpans his way through the movie and it really drags in several places throughout the film. I wouldn't recommend it but I wouldn't recommend you not see it if that makes sense.

This movie receives 5.5 Scooters.

Frost/Nixon

Saw this one last week. Everything about it was superb. I didn't know anything about the Frost/Nixon interview going in. The guy that played Nixon (Frank Langella) was amazing. It still baffles me that most of the really great actors are not the "big stars." Again, this was originally a Broadway play and the transition to screen worked really well.

Hands down, the best of the year. Easy.

This movie receives 9.5 Scooters.

Tropic Thunder (A little old, but I have to give my thoughts)

I HATED this movie. Everything about it felt forced and I would bet a million bucks that I could sit through it without even cracking a smile. Ben Stiller at one time was in some enjoyable movies. I encourage him to go back to his old system. Tom Cruise makes a cameo and it was supposed to be brilliant but it was awful. This is not comedy. I hope kids today know that there is better humor out there. Don't accept this trash.

This movie receives 1 Scooter.

Valkyrie

Tom Cruise, mentioned in the review above, redeems himself with this one. If you have any interest in history, check this out. We did have some "commentators" sitting close to us in this one. I love it when people in the theater repeat a line that was just said as if we didn't catch it the first time around. A really well done movie.

This movie receives 8 Scooters.

Let me know if you have any recommended movies I need to see!

Fun Times!!

Yesterday, we made our annual opening weekend trip to Oaklawn. Thanks to Jim & Dustin for hosting us, as always. My cousin Becky joined us and she was the big winner of the day!! She hit 3 trifectas, so we started calling her Becca Trifecta!!! I'm so excited to have an extra day off from school. It's a gorgeous day and I'm thankful for that!! Scooter is playing golf with his dad and I might see Bride Wars with Mal-the-Pal.

Today Was The Day

Scooter's cousin made these bookmarks!! Those are her actual handprints and footprints! I placed it in my Bible.

Fabulous Flowers From Emily & Glenn

Well, today was my official due date (Jan. 14, 2009). I remember the nurse telling me the date and I was so excited, with thoughts and plans racing through my head. We couldn't wait to tell everyone!

I was very sick most of my pregnancy.....I knew something wasn't right.... As most of you know, I delivered our daughter three months early due to pre-eclampsia. She lived for 78 minutes, which was both the best and worst time in our lives. We held her, told her we loved her more than anything and promised she would never be forgotten. In the past three months, she has changed our lives in so many positive ways. While working hard through the pain, we have found peace and strength. Our marriage and faith have grown stronger through it all. Our families and friends are the most supportive, loving people you can imagine. We know that our daughter is now looking out for us as our guardian angel. We love her more than anything!! We will never forget her sweet face.....

Thank you so much to those of you who have called and sent text messages this week. I haven't been much of a phone talker lately... I love listening to the sweet voicemails. Rozzie & Jayme, the cards were sooo sweet!! It meant so much. Jeannie & Joe, the lighting of a candle in her memory gave us a lift during the holidays. Thanks to Scooter's cousin Angela for creating the most beautiful bookmarks. Emily & Glenn, the flowers are gorgeous. Kathleen & Fred, thank you for the donation in her name. Marie, the Christmas wreath painting was fabulous!!Mary, the chocolate pie was delicious!. Mitzi, the cross always reminds me of our friendship. Lu, thanks for making me laugh! Mom & Dad, thank you for listening and I can't wait for the surprise lillies to bloom in September. Dad, I can't wait see the memorial stone and thanks for the long walks!! I always enjoy our visits. Mal, thanks for working out and keeping my mind off things yesterday. The poem is amazing!!! Jan (Jr.), thanks for keeping us entertained and also making me laugh!! I know I'm leaving someone out, but please know we appreciate all the acts of kindess and love. Most importantly, thank you for listening.......


In honor of Baby Girl Hardin, we made a donation to SHARE, http://www.nationalshareoffice.com/

a non-profit that provides counseling and guidance after infant loss.
Life is good, we have so much to be thankful for, and we look forward to an exciting, fulfilling year. I took out her memory box today and read all the cards. Saint Mary's gave us her blanket, the baby lotion, cap, and pictures. We will treasure them forever.....Today is a turning point in this journey.

Sweet Baby Girl

Wrapped in a blanket with a little blue bow,

perfect and beautiful from her head to her toe.

Just a pound and a half on the scale she weighed,

In the arms of her loved ones she peacefully laid.

Sweet Baby Girl never had a reason to worry or fear,

Her time here was special, filled with overwhelming love,

Before she was scooped up by our Heavenly Father above.

But she'll always be with us, our sweet Baby Girl,

Who for a short time brought such joy to our world.

Written by Mal the Pal-We love you!!

I Love My Friends!

We went to Juanitas last night for dinner and drinks. A band from Rsvl was playing (Nik & Sam). It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed being with my sweet friends!! I just finished my favorite Starbucks drink, pumpkin spice latte with nonfat milk and no whip!! I'm spending the day in my classroom organizing and cleaning up the HUGE mess that was left by the painters. Everything is in the middle of the room!!! This is going to be a tough week, but we know our little angel will give us strength and peace.

Past Times

James Brown

Napoleon Dynamite

Scotty Pippen & Wife

Dieter & Jessica from Laguna Beach

I'm trying out the new wireless printer/scanner! Thanks mom and dad!! I'm also typing away on our new laptop, thanks to my in-laws. We love it!!! Here are some pictures from the past. I'm obsessed with celebs and will go to great lengths to get my picture with them.