Day 2 - My Favorite Movie

Who can pick just one?

I admit...I LOVE inspirational movies where the underdog triumphs! But I hate it when I find out one of these movies isn't based on a true story. I guess I feel cheated, or lied to, perhaps? Seriously now...you can MAKE up a good story...but a REAL one is SOOO much more uplifting!

Here are 3 of my favorites:

#1 Rudy (it ALWAYS makes me cry...and I hate football!!)

#2 Seabiscuit (I love how every character in this movie has his own struggle/triumph)

# 3 Stardust (Okay--it's fiction, and nothing like the 2 previous movies...but it is just plain entertaining!! Haven't seen it? GO RENT IT NOW!!)

Day 1 - My favorite Song

I like a lot of songs. But there are few that really "speak" to me in an uplifting way.

Back in my college days, I went to a Ward FHE activity at the Provo library. Cherie Call, a local LDS singer/songwriter, gave a mini-concert. There was one song, in particular, that really touched me. I liked it so much that I bought her CD before I left (and I've never regretted it since...which is a rare thing...since I usually have major buyers' remorse when I spend money)!!

It is called It Passes All My Understanding

You can listen to the song here (as well as see a beautiful, fitting slideshow): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ97JYiDg48&feature=related

Here are the lyrics...

I was sitting on a southbound plane,
I was buried in a magazine
When the man in the next seat over
Wanted to talk to me
He talked about the universe,
He talked about Saturn's rings
He said, "I might be an atheist,
Except for just one thing:

It passes all my understanding
How it all worked out just right
The distance that we live from the sun,
The stars that shine at night
We may prove that it was just an accident
But how did it begin?
It passes all my understanding"

I told him, "You are a scholar;
You know things that I don't know
But I believe a God in heaven
Made everything below
And I know we are his children;
I've known it since I was two
But when it comes to being struck with awe,
I'm just like you

It passes all my understanding,
All the beauty we have here
From the majesty of the canyons
To a tiny baby's ear
And even when I can't believe it,
He still believes in me
It passes all my understanding"

We watched the sun set through the clouds
In a tiny little airplane window
With people sleeping all around
And I thought of how we just expect this world to be
And when the flight attendant passed me by
I threw away my magazine

It passes all my understanding,
That the Lord knows both our names
And that He made this world for everyone
That was sitting on that plane
And in spite of all of man's distractions
He offers us His peace
That passes all my understanding

Day 1 - My favorite Song

I like a lot of songs. But there are few that really "speak" to me in an uplifting way.

Back in my college days, I went to a Ward FHE activity at the Provo library. Cherie Call, a local LDS singer/songwriter, gave a mini-concert. There was one song, in particular, that really touched me. I liked it so much that I bought her CD before I left (and I've never regretted it since...which is a rare thing...since I usually have major buyers' remorse when I spend money)!!

It is called It Passes All My Understanding

You can listen to the song here (as well as see a beautiful, fitting slideshow): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ97JYiDg48&feature=related

Here are the lyrics...

I was sitting on a southbound plane,
I was buried in a magazine
When the man in the next seat over
Wanted to talk to me
He talked about the universe,
He talked about Saturn's rings
He said, "I might be an atheist,
Except for just one thing:

It passes all my understanding
How it all worked out just right
The distance that we live from the sun,
The stars that shine at night
We may prove that it was just an accident
But how did it begin?
It passes all my understanding"

I told him, "You are a scholar;
You know things that I don't know
But I believe a God in heaven
Made everything below
And I know we are his children;
I've known it since I was two
But when it comes to being struck with awe,
I'm just like you

It passes all my understanding,
All the beauty we have here
From the majesty of the canyons
To a tiny baby's ear
And even when I can't believe it,
He still believes in me
It passes all my understanding"

We watched the sun set through the clouds
In a tiny little airplane window
With people sleeping all around
And I thought of how we just expect this world to be
And when the flight attendant passed me by
I threw away my magazine

It passes all my understanding,
Tat the Lord knows both our names
And that He made this world for everyone
That was sitting on that plane
And in spite of all of man's distractions
He offers us His peace
That passes all my understanding

30 Day Journal & New Blog Look

Hey Guys-

My sister-in-law, Devri, recently noted that she is going to do a "30 Day Journal" that asks you to answer some pretty basic questions that you don' t always share with others. Since this blog is technically my only journal, I decided that I should participate in this activity, as well! At least some of my preferences will be recorded for my posterity (that is, when I finally transfer my blog to a book to be printed...we'll see when that happens)! I will try to write a quick blog post each day for the next 30 days (which is a huge improvement over my once-a-month postings)!!

Also, I finally got sick of my header, and decided to re-design it. In the process, I decided to redesign the blog, altogether! Take a look, and let me know what you think!!!

Loving big sis'...

I can't tear this girl away from Ethan...

Vegan Cheesy Potato Casserole

Cheesy and Vegan...seems a bit like an oxymoron...
but let me tell you...it was DELICOUS!!

This recipe was developed by my old co-worker from college, who conveniently ended up vegan, as well (and is a fantastic cook)!
Here is her healthy version of "Mormon Funeral Potatoes"

I didn't pre-cook the cheese sauce separately (in a pan) before adding it to the potatoes, and it was still perfect.
Mom and Dad loved it as well...which is saying a lot! Overall...another big hit that had everyone going back for 2nd's and 3rd's!!

July 24th Celebrations

For those who don't know...Utah celebrates "Pioneer Day" on July 24th, to commemorate the arrival of the Pioneers in Utah. Mapleton has a big parade and plenty of festivities to celebrate the big day!

Ella and Maiya were both in the parade. Ella decorated her bike:



Maiya sat on the float (in blue above "Days")


Maiya feeling proud of her big accomplishment!


The park had lots of activities the girls could enjoy. Everything cost about 50 cents a pop...but Papa donated to the girls' fun afternoon...so they donned their swimsuits, and went on inflatables that included water! Here they are, patiently waiting in line!

Ella is a good big-sister, and is almost always willing to help take care of her little sister!

Later that evening the city did a first-ever "Ping Pong Ball Drop" from a helicopter. The fliers stated that they would drop "up to 800" ping pong balls from a helicopter, and 12 lucky kids (ages 14 and under) would win a free bike! What fun!

We arrived at the field to a HUGE turnout. They asked parents to separate from their children, which did not go over well (seriously--you want me to leave my children alone in a field of 2,000 kids, and other adults?).

They also requested that each child only catch 1 ball each, so that everyone could get a ball. Then came the exciting moment when the helicopter flew over!

A passenger in the helicopter dumped out 1 trash bag of ping pong balls into the center of the crowd (perhaps 200-300 balls?).. A lucky few got a ping pong ball...while the rest anxiously awaited the helicopter's return to drop more balls. And then we waited...and waited...and waited.

Alas, no return. One lousy bag of ping pong balls, and about 2,000 disappointed kids and parents.

I guess they underestimated the turnout? If they figure it out, however, it could be a VERY cool event next year!

We ended the night with the FANTASTIC Mapleton fireworks show that we were able to watch from the front porch at home. It was "finale...finale...and then a grand finale!" A great fireworks show!