Talent Show

This morning the kids had a talent show for Primary at church. Emma and Abby sang. At the very end they opened the mic to anyone else that wanted to perform, so with some help from the Primary President, Matt "sang" too.

Here's how it went:

Emma and Abby sang "When We're Helping We're Happy."

When we're helping we're happy

And we sing as we go.

And we like to help Mother

For we all love her so.

The girls got a little nervous, or something because of the hard time with the words at the beginning. Abby just plowed along with the wrong words, but her voice was loud and proud. It's kind of hard to see, but the girls put on sunglasses. Emma is rapping and Abby is doing the beat box.

Matt sang "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam."

He was a little nervous too.

Overall, they did a good job and had lots of fun.

'Fess Up Friday

Has anyone seen my ankles? I seem to have misplaced them about nine years ago or so. Maybe I left them in Arizona when we lived there. Then the fat demons can take the "cankle" things back. I don't need them anymore!

How did your week go? Mine was somewhat productive...

This is my fourth week doing P90X, but I was so out of it for the first three weeks I almost considered just starting over again. That probably wouldn't have been a bad idea. But as it is, I did my fourth week's workout, which was supposed to be "recovery." There is no laziness in P90X, so recovery just means you don't do any major weightlifting. I upped my cardio, though, since I wasted so much of last week trying to experiment. I even tried the Plyometrics workout (which is basically jumping around). It was kind of fun, but I always enjoy cardio more than I enjoy weightlifting. I've lost the pounds I stupidly gained last week and just a little more. If I could continue to lose 3 lbs a week, I'd be a very happy camper.

I only ran once this week and that was because of time not because of pain. My knees are finally starting to heal--thank you everyone for your suggestions with that one!

I do feel that I've been increasing my calorie burning around the house. Today I'm creating a playroom for the kids, so that will burn off some energy. Yesterday I mowed the lawn for the first time in YEARS. I'm very proud of myself. That used to be one of my Saturday jobs. I've never really minded mowing. It was the raking grass afterward that I hated. Luckily, times (and mowers) have changed. But I do understand a bit more as to why Josh wants to get a bigger mower. Doing our yard (about 1/4 acre) with a push mower sucks. It's do-able, but it sucks.

How'd you do?

Movie Solutions

Here are the solutions to the movie trivia. Sorry it ended up being difficult. I guess it seems easy when you create it since you're staring at the answers! I'm glad the premise was understandable. I was afraid I hadn't explained it very well.

So, the main movie that inspired the offshoots for the other quotes:

Oceans 13

The Nose Plays! // Oh, the nose plays. //The nose plays.

So, here we go...

1. Brad Pitt as Rusty

Mr and Mrs Smith

as Mr John Smith

How many? Ok... I'll go first, then. I don't keep exact count, but I'd say, uh, high 50s, low 60s. I mean, I know I've been around the block an all, but... // 312. // What? How? // Some were two at a time.

(Conversation between Mr and Mrs Smith)

George Clooney as Danny

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

as Everett

You miserable little snake! You stole from my kin! //Who was fixin' to betray us. // You didn't know that at the time. //So I borrowed it until I did know. //That don't make no sense!

(Conversation between Everett and Pete)


Matt Damon as Linus

The Brothers Grimm

as Will Grimm

Exactly what am I enduring here? Can someone please tell me who gave birth to this? // It's Bavarian blood sausage, with sauerkraut! I gutted the pig myself. // I bet you did.

(Conversation between French leader and Cook)


Elliot Gould as Reuben

The Muppets Take Manhattan

as Policeman in Diner

Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it IS "artistic."

(Janice talking to Gonzo)


Eddie Jemison as Livingston

Bruce Almighty

as Bobby (Sandwich guy at News Station)

Well, man from health department say he find rat pellet in pastry but I say no, is big chocolate sprinkle, but he shut store down. So we clean up, make big cookie for to bring customers back. //Let's try that again, shall we?

(Conversation between Bruce and Cookie Lady)


Don Cheadle as Basher

Family Man

as Cash (the Angel)

Do you like kids? // On a case-by-case basis. // Do you know how to make chocolate milk? // I think I could figure it out. // Promise you won't kidnap me and my brother and plant stuff in our brains? // Sure. // Welcome to earth.

(Conversation between Nicholas Cage and the daughter)


Scott Caan as Turk

Gone in 60 Seconds

as Tumbler

Are you alright? // I think so... // Are you sure? 'Cause, you just went through a wall.

(Conversation between the cop that couldn't act his way out of a paperbag and a cop played by a extra)


Bernie Mac as Frank

Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa

as Zuba (Ben Stiller's Dad)

Hey, surprise, freaks! I am coming with you! // Oh ho ho, no, thank you. // Oh, *yes*, thank you. It is *my* plane!

(Conversation between the Lemur Leader and Ben Stiller--the Lion)


Carl Reiner as Saul

The Jerk

as Carl Reiner

I don't need this or this. Just this ashtray. And this paddle game, the ashtray and the paddle game and that's all I need. And this remote control. The ashtray, the paddle game, and the remote control, and that's all I need. And these matches...

(Steve Martin's character and the funniest line in the entire movie)


Ellen Barkin as Abby

Drop Dead Gorgeous

as Annette (Kirsten Dunst's mom)

My mom never hid the fact that my dad chose his career over us. What was it she always said? //Once a carnie, always a carnie. // Mom still cries every time she sees a tilt-a-whirl or a fat lady in a tube top.

(Conversation with Kirsten Dunst and her mom's friend Loretta)


David Paymer as the VUP (Hotel Evaluator)

City Slickers 2: The Legend of Curly's Gold

as Ira Shalowitz (one of the ice cream brothers)

All right, now the sun sets in the East, right? // No! The sun sets in the West. // That's if your *in* the East, but we are way out West now, so we are past where the sun sets. // You can't be *passed* where the sun sets, and if you think you can, then I am directly South of an idiot! // Which is down! //Right!

(Conversation between Billy Crystal and his brother played by Jon Lovitz)

So, there you have it. How many do you know now? I bet more than you thought you did!

More From Our Weekend

There are a few things I forgot to mention about our weekend. So, here they are now.

Matt had Preschool Graduation Friday morning. I'm not exactly sure that going to preschool for a year warrants a graduation, but it was fun and Matt's teacher put a lot of effort into making the kids' diplomas and caps. This is him with his class. He's the furthest on the left.

Here he is third from the right.

Here he is fourth from the left complete with diploma and cap.

Saturday night we went to a BBQ with our friends that work with Josh. It was a fun time and we really love spending time with Howard and Mary Pat. We went to a park and had our picnic there. It was a beautiful day and good food with great company. You can't ask for anything more than that!

Here's Abby coming down the pole.

Josh juggled pinecones to the kids' delight.

Matt likes to swing.

All three kids loved the merry-go-round.

Millie has begun reaching for me. It's so sweet. She also likes to hold hands. She doesn't like to be left alone, but you don't have to hold her if you'll just hold her hand. She's so cute.

We spent some of the day on Monday sitting in the waiting room at the ER. Josh had helped Gramma and Grampa recaulk their bathtub, but the putty knife he was using to remove the old stuff slipped and he tried to take off his fingertip instead. So, he contained the bleeding as much as possible, finished caulking and then headed to the ER. Five stitches and three hours later we met Gramma and Grampa at Mom and Dad's for our Memorial Day BBQ. Matt's scared of Josh's finger.

Movie Mania Hint

Okay, so this one was harder than I intended.

The Nose Plays! // Oh, the nose plays. //The nose plays.

Each of the movie clips comes from a movie that one of the actors from Ocean's Thirteen was in. Not every actor has a movie listed since I wasn't familiar enough with everyone's work. In fact, the only other Al Pacino movie I've ever seen was Dick Tracy, but there weren't enough recognizable quotes for me to us it, so don't look for an Al Pacino movie in there.

Here's an example. Lori already got Quote #1: Mr and Mrs Smith. Brad Pitt plays Mr Smith in that one and Rusty in Ocean's Thirteen. Get it? Maybe that will help a little bit... Good luck!

More Movie Mania

Back by popular demand (more or less)...

Name That Movie!

There's one movie that I've watched about 100 times recently. It's been in the laptop, so we turn it on at night but fall asleep before we finish it. So we turn it on during the day, but have to leave and do things before we finish it. Even when I bypass the first few chapters, I still don't get to see the whole thing. So, I've decided to use it as the basis for this Movie Trivia game. Last time I did this as a pick-me-up. I'm feeling pretty darn good right now, so it's now just to have fun for fun's sake. Always a good reason for a game.

So, before I give the movie away completely, can you name this movie by this quote alone...

The Nose Plays! // Oh, the nose plays. //The nose plays.

One of my favorite quotes from the whole movie which is riddled with clever quips and celebrities galore. So, to have fun with those celebrities, I'm taking some of them and giving you quotes from other movies those celebs have appeared in. Maybe they starred, maybe it was just a cameo. Maybe they said the line, maybe not. As a bonus, can you name the actor in the main movie and the trivia movie? (Hint: These are some of my favorite movies.) Have fun!

1. How many? Ok... I'll go first, then. I don't keep exact count, but I'd say, uh, high 50s, low 60s. I mean, I know I've been around the block an all, but... // 312. // What? How? // Some were two at a time.

2. You miserable little snake! You stole from my kin! //Who was fixin' to betray us. // You didn't know that at the time. //So I borrowed it until I did know. //That don't make no sense!

3. Exactly what am I enduring here? Can someone please tell me who gave birth to this? // It's Bavarian blood sausage, with sauerkraut! I gutted the pig myself. // I bet you did.

4. Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it IS "artistic."

5. Well, man from health department say he find rat pellet in pastry but I say no, is big chocolate sprinkle, but he shut store down. So we clean up, make big cookie for to bring customers back. //Let's try that again, shall we?

6. Do you like kids? // On a case-by-case basis. // Do you know how to make chocolate milk? // I think I could figure it out. // Promise you won't kidnap me and my brother and plant stuff in our brains? // Sure. // Welcome to earth.

7. Are you alright? // I think so... // Are you sure? 'Cause, you just went through a wall.

8. Hey, surprise, freaks! I am coming with you! // Oh ho ho, no, thank you. // Oh, *yes*, thank you. It is *my* plane!

9.I don't need this or this. Just this ashtray. And this paddle game, the ashtray and the paddle game and that's all I need. And this remote control. The ashtray, the paddle game, and the remote control, and that's all I need. And these matches. The ashtray, and these matches, and the remote control and the paddle ball. And this lamp. The ashtray, this paddle game and the remote control and the lamp and that's all I need. And that's all I need too. I don't need one other thing, not one - I need this. The paddle game, and the chair, and the remote control, and the matches, for sure. And this. And that's all I need. The ashtray, the remote control, the paddle game, this magazine and the chair. [walking outside] And I don't need one other thing, except my dog. [dog barks] I don't need my dog.

10. My mom never hid the fact that my dad chose his career over us. What was it she always said? //Once a carnie, always a carnie. // Mom still cries every time she sees a tilt-a-whirl or a fat lady in a tube top.

11.All right, now the sun sets in the East, right? // No! The sun sets in the West. // That's if your *in* the East, but we are way out West now, so we are past where the sun sets. // You can't be *passed* where the sun sets, and if you think you can, then I am directly South of an idiot! // Which is down! //Right!

So, have fun and good luck! I'll post the answers in a few days.

Happy Memorial Day

Today we spent the late afternoon and evening at Mom and Dad's house with them and my grandparents. I made the comment that with all of our family's involvement with the military and the several members who have actually seen war, everyone has always come home. We've been a very lucky family. Gramma then told me about some of Grampa's close calls. Go to the Williams Family blog for those stories.

I've had the pleasure to know many military veterans, many of whom I'm related to. We've got family records dating back to the Revolutionary War and those family members that served in that war. I will always remember my friend's grandpa who told us of being at Iwo Jima and watching the infamous flag raising in person. Can you imagine?

On September 11, 2007, our college campus had an opportunity to display a memorial to the servicemen and women who have fallen in this most recent Iraq War. There were 3700 crosses each with a picture and information about each soldier. It was overwhelming. I wish the pictures did justice to the sight. It amazes me at how much I owe to those that have fought for my personal freedom. Thank you. Thank you to those that have fallen. Thank you to those that have fought. Thank you to those that have served at home. Thank you to those who allowed their loved ones to leave them so they could perform their duties away from home. I'm so grateful!

Abby's Birthday and Other Kid Updates

So, here are the details of Abby's birthday weekend. Her birthday was actually on Thursday, her birthday party was Saturday, and she opened presents from her grandparents and great grandparents today (Sunday). She had a great time. First, she got a package from her Poppy (Josh's dad and his wife Karen). She got a very pretty coat and new shoes.

This was her reaction to her present from Josh and me...

...A new bike!

Her intimate birthday party on Saturday:

Clockwise: Abby, Shelby, Gracie, Matt, and Emma

It was a luau--Aloha!

They painted their own birdhouses.

They tossed balls into the loops.




Josh and Millie cheered them on.





They limbo-ed.

We had a silly string war.

Look closely and you can see who got stringed the most.

Abby opened her presents.

Everyone showing off their dried birdhouses.

Here is Abby's cake. This is the reason we were up late Friday night. Abby said she wanted a mountain scene cake. I think she expected a regular half sheet cake with a picture of a mountain on it. I thought it would be cool to make it 3-D. Josh and I came up with a plan and he put it all together. It's essentially a six layer cake (including the peak). It's got a waterfall, candy rocks, strawberry tops as plants, and TONS of frosting (not a Fess Up Friday's best friend). It was very fun to make and I think we'll be more creative like this more often.

So that was the fun of The Day of Abby. Here are some other things happening in our house lately:

Matt came out of bed the other night and tried to convince us to let him stay up. He said he couldn't sleep. I told him that was too bad and he needed to get back into bed. He said, "But Mom..." Then he began staring at the television and said, "Me is indicted to TV." I told him that I didn't care if he was addicted to the TV, he needed to go to sleep. Sidenote: I don't know why he insists on using "Me" instead of "I". He's been behind on his speech--about a year--and even though he's doing much better than he has been, he still doesn't remember to say "I". Something more for us to work on this summer.

Millie makes some pretty strange noises. Remember Roscoe P. Coltrane from The Dukes of Hazzard? I haven't seen the movie (I refuse to--why try to improve on a good thing?) but on the TV show Roscoe has this weird laugh, something like "A ghuh ghuh ghuh!" Millie has a cry that sounds just like that. She also sounds like a crotch-rocket. You know, one of those little motorcycles that technically counts as a motorcycle but isn't nearly as cool. So, what I'm saying is, my infant daughter sounds like a rinky-dink motorcycle and a foolish Southern deputy sheriff. I'm the mother of the year.

There isn't a stand-out Emma moment that I can think of, but if being overly dramatic is what you're missing in your life, have Emma stop by and she'll solve that for you. Today she was freaking out because the missionaries were supposed to be at Mom and Dad's house by 4pm for dinner and it was 3:58 and they weren't there yet so they were NEVER going to show up! Oh, it was SOOO horrible! Oh, what were we going to do??? Anyone need a piece of our Drama Pie?

'Fess Up Friday

Okay, I know I'm a day late with this again, but you'll have to excuse me. We had a birthday party this afternoon so I had to spend most of Friday preparing for it.

This week was experimental in every aspect. But, you know what every successful experiment needs is a control substance. Something that doesn't change. With all of my experimenting, I had no control substance. Really, it felt like I had no control at all, but that's another story.

I decided to try to alter some of my eating practices: no food after dinner at all, at least four bottles of water each day (waaay more than I usually drink). I decided to go to bed earlier as often as possible. And, I decided to change up my workout.

I did pretty well on the eating and drinking (until this weekend with the four day long birthday celebration for Abby), I slept better (except for the last two nights in trying to prepare for the party--once you see her birthday cake you'll understand better), and in my workouts I discovered something surprising. I thought P90X wasn't working for me. My heartrate didn't seem to get up high enough for an extended period of time. My weight and measurements weren't moving much at all. I just figured it wasn't the right program for me. So, I tried one of my other videos and was shocked at what I found out: I'm stronger and further advanced than my other video challenges me to be. Even when I did an old Power 90 cardio workout, I wasn't challenged enough. So, now I realize that the program is working for me and I need to resume it next week. Go figure. I work out and it actually makes me stronger.

I still ran this week, but my knees are still really bothering me. I love Aleve, though. It's nice. I'm really looking forward to the running becoming something more of a joy, although I really like to run. I'm learning all sorts of things about myself.

These were my shocks and surprises. Thank you, everyone, for all of your support and encouragement. You've really helped me to work through this major hurdle. I'm almost past it, I think. Here's to a better and more productive week!

How'd you do?

Small Update

Hey, where'd you guys go? Oh, wait, it was me that disappeared. Hmmm....

Today was Abby's birthday. I'm going to post stuff about her after her little party on Saturday. But here's a teaser: bike, swimming, no fits. It was a good day.

Tomorrow Millie will be 5 months old.

Tomorrow is also Fess Up Friday and I'm afraid of the scale for this week.

I'm feeling a bit better, but not 100%, hence the silence for nearly a week.

I'm going to write a novel. I'll tell you more about that some other time.

That's what you've been missing from my life over the last several days. Miss me?

Momma Mia

I'm not sure where my thoughts are going to lead me today. I've been forced to re-evaluate my parenting skills and being a mother is always on my mind.



The hard part of being a mom:



1. Late night over-exhausted fits. Matt has been scared of aliens lately. I don't really know why. The boy watches superhero movies and other things people would consider scary without any problems. So, I've had to go alien-hunting through his closet. I have yet to catch one, so I think he's going to be okay. Abby had a meltdown last night that left me in tears and wondering what exactly happened. I'm still recovering from that one.



2. Matt said something about his heart the other day and I told him that his doctor checked him not too long ago and said he was healthy. Then Matt asked the dreaded question, "Will I have surgery again?" {Insert sound effect of a heart breaking here} "Yes, son, you will have a surgery again." The look of fear overcame his face as he said, "Will I get a shot?" If only he knew. It killed me to realize that the next time he has surgery (and there will be a next time) he's going to be old enough to comprehend what is happening to him. I thought he'd already accepted the fact that he'd have to have surgery again, but I didn't know he didn't understand it.



3. On a lighter note, as a mom it's really hard to figure out what to make for dinner. I hate it.




The joy of being a mom:



1. My girls playing together...

(Ignore the mess--the girls were supposed to be folding their clothes.)

2. Matt and Millie bonding--watching tv together and Matt singing Millie to sleep.

I wish I were the ideal mother we all want to be, but I'm still learning. I'm still trying to figure out how to teach them. I'm looking for the balance between loving them enough for them to experience pain but still protecting them. I'm wanting them to work but have time to play. This is hard. I must have turned a blind eye to the heartaches my mom had, because I know there is NO WAY she didn't feel this way too. She just was amazing and made it look easy.

'Fess Up Friday

I'm down. I've been working really hard, but I'm seeing no difference on the scale or in my measurements. I've run three times this week. It would've been more, but my knees need a little break. The only hope I seem to have is that the look of my body is shifting.

At the beginning of the week I was thinking about how I needed to stick with the workouts because doing them a second time helped me feel more comfortable with them. So, I figured my motivational-issue was all in my attitude. And it probably still is. I'm just upset that I'm working so hard and seeing no written results. Ugh!

My weightloss stymie might also be due to the fact that I've rearranged my eating habits. I was doing small meals through the day and getting my allotted calories, so that meant that I was eating more at night than during the day. Now, I eat more calories during the day. It's really boosted my energy, which is the good thing. But I'm fighting so many cravings at night that that might be why I'm not losing as much weight. The frustration of getting yourself healthy after years of letting yourself go to pot!!!

My cousin Jon introduced me to mapmyrun.com. I'm using it for my running and it's a pretty cool website. If you're interested in running, I suggest using it to help you get started. You can send me a friend request. I don't know the benefit of that yet, but it's an option. I did learn that my run this morning burned about 200 calories. I think it's kinda cool.

Enough about me...how'd you do? Any suggestions or inspirational stories? I could use them about now.

Movie Challenge Answers Revealed

Alrighty, here are the answers to the movie trivia challenge. How many did you get right?

1. The Dark Knight

You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

2. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

What? You pooped in the refrigerator? And you ate the whole... wheel of cheese? How'd you do that? Heck, I'm not even mad; that's amazing. How 'bout we get you in your p.j.'s and we hit the hay.

3. Oceans 11

Why do this? //Why not do it? Cause yesterday I walked out of the joint after losing four years of my life and you're cold-decking "Teen Beat" cover boys. Cause the house always wins. Play long enough, you never change the stakes. The house takes you. Unless, when that perfect hand comes along, you bet and you bet big, then you take the house. //Been practicing this speech, haven't you? //Little bit. Did I rush it? Felt I rushed it. //No, it was good, I liked it. The "Teen Beat" thing was harsh.

4. Quigley Down Under


You know, if we're lost, you can tell me. //We're lost. //I can take bad news. Just tell me straight. //I don't know where the hell we are. // No sense takin' time to make it sound better than it is. // I reckon we're goin' in circles. // Wire things up and I'll see right through. So, just tell me honestly. Are we lost? // Nope. I know exactly where we are. //That's good, 'cause, frankly, I was gettin' a little worried.


5. Wild Hogs


You're the sheriff, aren't you going out there? //Hey, I took my law enforcement course on the internet! For arms training they just told us to play Doom!



6. Ferris Bueller's Day Off


...This is very controversial. Does anyone know what Vice President Bush called this in 1980? Anyone? Something-d-o-o economics. "Voodoo" economics.



7. Hercules

He comes on with his big, innocent farm boy routine, but I could see through that in a Peloponnesian minute.


8. Sleepless in Seattle

Your destiny can be your doom. Look at me and my Rick.


9. The Bachelor

As my last surviving descendant, you have a sacred duty to pass on my genetic material. //That's a lovely sentiment.


10. Big Fish

People needn't worry so much. It's not my time yet. This is not how I go.//Really? //Truly. I saw it in the eye. //The old lady by the swamp? //She was a *witch*. //No, she was old and probably senile. //I saw my death in that eye, and this isn't how it happens. //So how does it happen? //Surprise ending. Wouldn't want to ruin it for you.

11. Mona Lisa Smile

1879, Lesco, France, dates back to 10 000 BC, singled out because of the flowing lines depicting the movement of the animal. //Impressive. Name? //"Herd of Horses." //I meant yours. //We call her Flicka.

12. Bedazzled

Mayo-nayo-naise. Swimming by the sandy shore, dancing up among the waves, dolphin, dolphin I adore everything you are. You're so much more than a fish to me, my playful friend beneath the sea. [making dolphin noise] ee, ee, ee, ee, ee, ee, ee, ee, ee, ee.



13 Clue

I hated her, so much... it-it- the f - it -flam - flames. Flames, on the side of my face, breathing-breathl- heaving breaths. Heaving breath...


14. A Knight's Tale

Oi sir, what are you doing? //Uh... trudging. You know, trudging? [pause] To trudge: the slow, weary, depressing yet determined walk of a man who has nothing left in life except the impulse to simply soldier on. //Uhhh... were you robbed? //[laughs] Funny really, yes, but at the same time a huge resounding no. It's more of an... involuntary vow of poverty... really.

I've realized that I have a few themes running here. Most of these movies are comedies. Two star Heath Ledger (I miss him!). Some of these movies I've been quoting for years. My usual Sleepless line is "Oh really...now we're getting down to it." Love Rosie in the movie. I also love Ewan McGregor. I don't think I've seen anything I didn't like him in. Ever seen Down With Love? Cute. And, the Easter Bunny brought us Hercules. That's why I watched that one. Fun. Good times.