A Memorial Day Trip to the Zoo

For Memorial Day, we went to the Toledo Zoo with our friends, the Larsen and Selthofer families. We had a great time! Hope you also had a great holiday!

A New Logan Hairstyle

Look who gave himself a haircut!

If any of our children were to sneak a pair of scissors, hide in the living room corner, leave a trail of freshly cut hair around the room and hide in the basement until discovered, it would've been our curious and sometimes mischievous little Logan. Last week, Logan had a friend in his preschool class who massacred their hair with a pair of scissors at home. I think this is where he got the idea. But, I just got through telling his teachers the day before that none of my kids have ever thought about cutting their own hair before. I'll have to eat my words when I take him to school on Friday. I've heard that curiousness is often a sign of intelligence. Let's hope it all leads to straight A's someday!!

A Pirates of the Caribbean Review

I know many of you could've predicted that we'd see "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" the opening weekend. We saw it at a Friday matinee since the kids were out of school for Memorial Day weekend, although we would've loved to see it last night at a Thursday night screening, we just didn't want to pay for a babysitter. We regretted bringing our littlest one -- Logan started getting bored about half way through the movie so I ended up missed little chunks here and there seeing as I had the pleasure of sitting next to him. There was a lot more story lines to keep up with in this swashbuckling sequel than the other two, so sometimes I felt a little lost because of my fidgety friend, but Joshua caught me up during the slow periods. All I can say is it was a very entertaining movie and we loved it!! (Although maybe a little too violent for the kids.) If you see it, make sure and stay through the credits. There is an important scene at the very end. Almost our entire movie audience cleared out of the theater during the credits except for a few groups of people who were probably waiting like us to see if it had a funny bit at the end like the other two movies did. We were glad we stayed.

A Quick Summary and Review -- by Julie Dyal
Director Gore Verbinski jumps into this sequel feet first. Like rapid fire, he sets up one new story element after another -- Jack Sparrow, Barbossa, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann must visit the Pirate Lords and their council; the Black Pearl has to reach the underworld; there’s a new mythological explanation for successful piracy which factors into the real method behind Barbossa's return. Individually, I think each story line is extremely entertaining and enjoyable, I just think that maybe there was one too many stories going at once, each running into the other on screen. Most of these new plot lines lead the story in many distinctly different directions, which is a lot for one little movie to try and do especially when there are associations and betrayals left over from the last movie. So, in fact, this is not a little movie after all - It's actually almost 170 minutes but it feels very jam-packed.

As much as I love Johnny Depp’s performance as Jack Sparrow, it's interesting to realize that Kiera Knightley’s character is actually the primary character in this movie. I think she almost took charge of the film, figuratively and literally. She was forceful and persuasive and even flawed at times -- almost an ideal heroine.

I encourage you to go see it. It's not exactly the movie I expected to see but the entertainment is definitely worth the price of admission. There is a lot to keep up with in this film so make sure and really pay attention when watching it. The non-stop pirate action that "Pirates of the Caribbean" brings to the screen is always exciting and fun to see, but I was also pleased to see it still had the all-important slapstick humor and romance that I'm very fond of in these films. In my opinion, the most lively scenes come not from the sword but from the dialogue which makes this trilogy so enjoyable to watch. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Another Trip to Walt Disney World

Yes, yes ... I know what you're going to say. That I've been to Walt Disney World twice this year already -- Why go again (making it 3 times in 6 months)? All I can say is that I'm a DISNEYWORLD FANATIC and I'll go whenever I get the chance! So, when my parents told me they were going to Orlando this month for a conference and also to spend a few days visiting Disneyworld, I thought I'd tag-along, especially after I came across a non-stop plane ticket from Detroit to Orlando for only $125.00! All my other sisters, Erin (who lives in Provo), Kimberly (from Columbus, Ohio) and Kristen (who lives 3 hours southeast of Orlando in Fort Lauderdale, FL) also came, without their children I might add, and we had a last-minute mini-family reunion. It was sort-of like old times and very different without all of our kids but we had a great time! I'm so glad to have a supportive husband who said -- "Go and have fun... I'll take care of the kids!" What a great guy!!!

On my favorite ride, "The Hollywood Tower of Terror" at Disney's MGM Studios, my sister Erin and I were picked out of a group of people to ride again without waiting in line. As we were coming off the ride, we were pulled aside by a manager who told us that they saw us on a TV monitor putting our hands on the outside the ride which was extremely unsafe. We defended ourselves by saying we didn't think we had, but after a few minutes he convinced me that I must've done it without even realizing I had. We apoligized and told him we'd be careful next time and began walking away when he started laughing and said he was only kidding and that we were chosen to ride again. We laughed and laughed for a long time. He was really funny! He said, "Why did you believe me?" And I said, "Why wouldn't I? I only knew you as the ride manager!" He took us up an employee elevator and directly to the front of the line to ride again. That made our day!! We took a picture with him -- See below.

It was sad to leave and say goodbye to everyone but this trip will always be a fun memory. It was an exhausting trip though - I averaged about 5 hours of sleep each night and completely hit-the-wall on the afternoon of the last day. I came home and took a 5 hour nap and then went to bed at 9:00 pm that night! Whew! I brought home some souvenirs for the kids and they said I should never go back to Disneyworld ever again without them. It seems that I'm raising some Disneyworld fanatics just like I am!

(Because I have so many pictures, the slide show below might run slow ... mine did. Give it a little time to set up and it will rotate through the pictures.)

Spencer's State Quarter Update

Thanks to everyone who has donated state quarters to Spencer's collection! He now has a total of 35 states but needs 10 more. He's done pretty good, huh? Some have asked for an updated list of states he still needs for his collection. Here are the ones we are still looking for -- (updated 6/9)

Washington
California
Idaho
Wyoming
Utah
Texas
Wisconsin
Arkansas
Illinois
Indiana
New Jersey
Delaware
Maine

(2008 is the release year for Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Alaska and Hawaii)

It's starting to fill up! Only 10 more!
(And then 5 more in 2008)

Happy Mother's Day!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
by, Julie Dyal

I've been thinking today about how much I admire my mom and all the important lessons she's taught me. It's hard to capture how I feel about her in words but I'll try and express my feelings for her right now.

My family is truly blessed. Who and what we have become is due in no small part to our mother. My mom is an extremely selfless, caring, intelligent, loving, generous and beautiful woman. To her children, she is the glue that holds us all together. And to her grandchildren, she is the perfect "Grandma" with an immeasurable abundance of patience and love that is constantly available. They will always be aware of how much their Grandma loves them! She has always been and continues to be a good example to me and I hope to be able to emulate her in any way.

Whenever I need her she is always there for me. Even though we live 1300 miles from each other, she's but a phone call away and always makes herself available for me. I have never had to wonder if my mother loves me. She has shown me with every sacrifice she's made as my mother. It's funny how some things take years to finally realize and appreciate. I had no idea how many sacrifices a mother gives to her children until becoming one myself. Even now, now matter how old we are, it's second nature to my mom to take care of us, her husband and grandchildren. I'm grateful to her for always being there to support me and help me figure things out when I need her help. In my patriarchal blessing it reads, "Turn to your earthly parents in every occasion of need and you will find inspiration, direction and sustaining love." I thank them for their wisdom and guidance, and even as an adult, I will always need their counsel.

I will always be grateful for my mother's valuable teachings. They have made me who I am today and will continue to make me a better person in the future. Many people have touched my life profoundly, but no one has made a bigger impression on me as she has. I love you Mom!

A TRIBUTE TO MOM
By, Joshua Dyal

Hardly a day goes by in my life that I don't have the occasion to think of something that I learned from my parents, but today being Mother's Day, it gives a wonderful opportunity to put into words some of those thoughts.

I learned a great deal from my mother. She has always been an incredible example of patience, of faith, of hard work and sacrifice---and keeping a cheerful demeanor throughout it all. It wasn't until I was quite a bit older that I recognized many of the sacrifices; all the time, all the energy and effort and worry---that was put into the work of raising me, my sister and my brothers. A big part of the reason that it never occured to me until much later in life that it was a sacrifice of any kind was because of the happy way in which my mother made those sacrifices; never complaining, always glad to be able to spend the time with us.

One extremely formative memory that has stuck with me vividly for years is when I was in my room in our little house on Bryan, Texas and hearing my mother speaking to someone on the phone in the ward---the phone was in the kitchen, right outside my room. I very clearly remember my mother telling the sister from the ward that it seems that so many mothers in the ward loved it when school started again and their children went back to school, but that she felt the opposite. She loved having her children around and would much rather have spent the time with us in the summer than send us to school without her.

Never in my life have I doubted the depth of the love my mother has for us her children. And her example is something that I've always kept with me as something to aspire to as a parent myself. I love you, Mom!

I Love My Mom!

A mother’s love is something

That no one can explain,

It is made of deep devotion

And of sacrifice and pain,

It is endless and unselfish

And enduring come what may

For nothing can destroy it

Or take that love away…

It is patient and forgiving

When all others are forsaking.

And it never fails or falters

Even though the heart is breaking…

It believes beyond believing

When the world around condemns,

And it glows with all the beauty

Of the rarest, brightest gems…

It is far beyond defining.

It defies all explanation,

And it still remains a secret

Like the mysteries of Creation…

A many splendored miracle

Man cannot understand

And another wondrous evidence

of God’s tender guiding hand.

Anonymous

May 13, 2007

Julie and the kids on Mother's Day

A Word About Gratitude ....

This week was Teacher Appreciation Week at school. The kids were encouraged to do nice things for their teachers this week. Jessica really got into the spirit. She wrote lovely notes to her teacher and also wanted to give her gifts and flowers. I was touched by her thoughtfulness. One of my friends had this quote on her blog --

"Walk with gratitude in your hearts, my dear friends. Be thankful for the wonderful blessings which are yours. Be grateful for the tremendous opportunities that you have. Be thankful to your parents, who care so very much about you and who have worked so very hard to provide for you. Let them know that you are grateful. Say thank you to your mother and your father. Say thank you to your friends. Say thank you to your teachers. Express appreciation to everyone who does you a favor or assists you in any way. Thank the Lord for His goodness to you." -- Gordon B. Hinckley

I haven't always had a grateful heart. In fact, when I was younger, I took many things for granted. As I've gotten older, I think I've become a much more grateful person. My moments of gratitude happen most when it's quiet and I'm by myself, when I listen to inspiring music or watch inspiring movies/shows, when I'm outside enjoying nature or when I'm doing fun things with my family. It use to be easy for me to get discouraged and think of the things that are going wrong or how I wanted my life to be different. I really had to work on changing this frame of mind that seemed embedded in my framework. I had to and still need to constantly discipline myself into remembering all my blessing on a daily basis.

I challenge you today to make some time to be grateful for at least 3 things in your life. Appreciate them and vow not to take them for granted. Live in thanksgiving daily! My three things --

1. My wonderful family and a merciful Heavenly Father for providing a way for me to be with them eternally.
2. This beautiful world that we live in -- The trees, flowers, warm weather, stars in the sky at night...
3. For my health and the health of those I love.

School Spring Carnival

The kids had a Spring Carnival at their school tonight. We ate dinner, played lots of games and tried to win some raffle prizes. Jessica had her heart set on winning a "Webkinz" stuffed animal basket. Joshua and I wanted the "Outdoor BBQ" or "At the Movies" baskets and Spencer wanted the "Zap Zone Laser Tag" gift certificates. Alas, we didn't win any of them. But we did have a fun night!

Logan's Playgroup Project

I've been busy all week on a project that I thought would take a single afternoon. It turned out to be a 3 1/2 day endeavor! I should've known better because that always happens to me. I'm too much of a perfectionist which can sometimes be a great thing and sometimes extremely frustrating! Last September, I helped arrange and organize a weekly playgroup for Logan where the mothers take turns teaching a letter of the alphabet. When it's her week, the mom comes up with a mini-lesson plan, craft, game and snack that is centered around the letter of the week. Now it's May and we've finally made it to the end of the alphabet. I have the letter "Z" next week and since we're almost done, I thought I'd do something a little bigger than I usually do. I came up with a game called "zoo bingo" and made cute bags for each child with some of my leftover sewing fabric so the kids can keep and take home their game pieces. On the back of the bags I sewed on their name. The kids will use animal crackers to cover up the animal picture that is called out during the game. The first child who gets six in a row wins the game! I'm going to get some books at the library about the zoo to read to them and for our craft, we'll make a crayon rubbing of a zipper and make the letter "Z" with playdough. What we're willing to do for our kids, right?

Mother's Day Party at Logan's Preschool

Logan invited me to a Mother's Day party at his preschool today. The children sang songs for the mothers, presented a pendant and portrait to their mom and at the end, they served their mom refreshments that they helped to make. It was really sweet. There was one moment that made me teary-eyed. The children were interviewed individually by their teacher and asked the question, "Why is your Mommy special?" Look at Logan's answer below (Logan D.). His teachers came to me after class and told me they thought his answer was very touching. Logan is a very cuddly, fun and loving boy. I sure love him!

Logan's answer to "Why is your Mommy special?"

(click on image to enlarge)

Singing to Mom

Mommy's portrait - by Logan
He was successful in capturing the image of me after waking up in the morning and if I forgot to take off my make-up the night before.

Eating Refreshments

Logan and Mom

The pendant Logan made for me