For One More Day

By Mitch Albom

I listened to this book all day today while I was running errands and cleaning house and I really liked it. I have never read Mitch Albom and to be honest I went into it with pretty low expectations.

Have you ever heard a drug addict explain their addiction. They spend their whole lives chasing that first high. I relate with that...in a legal, much more healthy way. I love reading - but I feel like I am always chasing that readers "high." You know the excitement you get from reading good literature. A really really good book. Lately, I find myself totally underwhelmed.

Okay, so basically what I am trying to say is that I went into this book expecting it to be another typical story and found myself really loving it.

First off, any mother will like this. It is a great tribute to motherhood and the roles mothers have in our lives. But even more importantly for me it was a great reminder of priorities and perspective.

I am excited to explore more of his books!

I'm Back....and with a Vengeance! These last 7.5 months of Excessive studying and tests and STRESS are finally over and I intend on enjoying the rest of my year in peace. I honestly don't know exactly what to do with myself. I keep thinking I should be writing a paper or studying or something. It's strange!

So...what is a girl to do...well, I left the library with 21 books yesterday and the grocery store with a cart FULL of baking supplies today. Seriously, the lady checking us out said - wow, you're going to be busy - and she was right. I am going to be blissfully busy. So stay tuned - I will be posting some delicious treats shortly and check out the Book Club Blog - there should be some good reviews on their way.

Not so true confessions...

The other night when we opened the freezer for our treat the ice cream was gone. It had been there the night before and now it was gone! So we went to the usual suspects and began investigating. Both swore that they had no idea what happened to the ice cream. Ethan even said, "Dad, you were the first one up...maybe you ate it and you don't remember." So smooth these boys - so so smooth...

Preston, in an act of genius, tells the boys that they don't need to worry any more - he will just go up and check the "cameras" and see who has been sneaking into our house and stealing our ice cream.

"Ummmm da what cameras?" Tyler asks - panic beginning to set in.

"Oh, I have cameras all over the house so I will just check who ate the ice cream."

I am starting to wonder if this is such a good idea... when Tyler belts out,

"Okay it was me...I ate da ice cream." And when we asked how much he ate, " Ummmm like maybe 11 scoops?"

WHAT?? My four year old - who by the way is SKINNY - ate an entire half gallon of ice cream and then threw away the evidence.

Preston, loving his new found power asks, "Is there anything else you want to tell me before I go check the cameras."

Well the flood gates opened. We got confessions of children getting into makeup, breaking and hiding the remote - you name it...

However, this is when the story starts to get interesting. Have any of you ever seen on the news of innocent people confessing to crimes they never committed? Apparently it quite common - anyway, that is what began happening last night. Tyler then confesses that he, "punched someone in the eyeball." Well, that sounded pretty terrible to me and so I asked with much concern, "Who? Who got punched in the eyeball."

"Ummm, I don't know him name. He was upstairs and he was a little boy with a black shirt on." Let me be clear - there were no little boys with black shirts on. Tyler then continued to confess pulling hair, kicking legs, and hurting the little boy in black. Who is this boy? Why did Tyler feel the need to keep confessing? I have no idea. Preston and I had to leave the room we were laughing so hard.

All day today I have seen them looking for the cameras. Part of me wants to tell them - but another part can't wait to hear more confessions over diner tonight!

The Family

I have a confession. I watch Jon and kate Plus Eight....I used to call is a guilty pleaseure. Now I think a better description would be it's my "guilty little torture." Painful. Horrific.

The new title should be :

Jon and Kate Plus Hate ....or better yet

Jon and Eight Minus Kate.... or

Jon and Kate: Why America is Falling Apart..... or

The Gosselins: An American Tradegy....I'm on a roll...How about

Jon and Kate and the kids who will need some serious therapy...

I am sure your all far too sane to keep watching this disaster called reality TV. But common sense hasn't always been my "thing" and so I sit glued each Monday night after Family Home Evening watching the demise of a family of ten. Last week preston had to take the remote away. He said it wasn't "healthy" for me. Healthy -Smealthy... I can't stop. I keep hoping that someone in that group will grow up. Take charge and take care of this family they have. But alas,

Interesting conversation with Tyler

Ty and I were reading a book. It talked about how Mom's and Dad's love their children and will always protect them...it was really pretty sweet and so when I was done reading it I said to Tyler," Tyler, do you know that you are one of the most important people in my world. Do you know that I love you and will always take care of you?"

Tyler said, "Yes. I know dat...and if a bad guy comes you will give me a big sword and I will cut off hims arms and den hims legs and den hims eyeballs and den hims head. I will cut all dose things off ...like dats how I will take care of you. That's what you mean when you say you will take care of me?"

So there I sat - my mouth hanging open. Who is this kid. Where on Earth did he learn that. I think I may have missed that episode of "Handy Manny." "Uhh, yeah Ty, sure, I guess I can take of you like that. Yep. I am real good with a sword. Professional actually."

Almost 2 months! I can't believe it has been that long. How on Earth do I capture two months worth of life and memories in one measly blog post. As much as I would love to do "The Month of No Blog...Part One," "The Month of No Blog Part Two"...and continue filling you in on all the intimate details you are just dying to know about the Golding's and their captivating lives - well... I know that won't be happening. July 17 is my personal Independence Day. The day my tortuous summer of school ends - but until then this photo essay of the last months of our lives will have to do.