The genes have definitely passed down

As you all know, Blake and I are very video game and geek oriented. Well, both of us have been very into Super Paper Mario lately. (Fantastic game, btw...) Whenever we play, we have to give Glade a controller too or she feels left out. We figured she would end up being a geek, but we didn't realize it would hit so fast. She has been chewing on the nunchuk controllers, so we give her a game cube controller that got syrup in the button so it doesn't work, but she spots the fakes, so it is good we have a real one she can have.

I was sitting playing the game today, and I gave Glade her GC controller. She gripped it in two hands, and she used her thumbs to move the two joysticks!! She stared at the screen the entire time she did it, and she thought she was moving Mario. I have never been prouder of my daughter. Sure she can walk and talk a little, but this is the greatest day of her life so far. She has figured out dual joysticks.

Now, a lot of you are probably laughing and rolling your eyes as you read this, but I couldn't be more serious. She will beat Metroid at three.... I am just sure of it! She already has the Wii mote down pat, and now she has the GC controller, too. She is coming along very nicely!!

If only you guys could truly see mine and Blake's excitement, then you would understand.

President Uchtdorf and the Relief Society Broadcast

I didn't even realize that it was conference time again until I was just surfing around Blogspot. I came across http://www.mormonmommywars.com/. One of their forums was about President Uchtdorf and the talk he gave in the Relief Society Broadcast for this conference. I didn't even know it had already happened when I saw this. They all wrote about how wonderful and inspiring the talk was. President Uchtdorf inspires me already, so I knew the talk had to be fantastic.

I search around looking for the talk printed out, but I couldn't find it anywhere. So finally I realized that since it just happened Saturday, it is still on the LDS website for me to watch.

I turn on his talk, and I instantly feel at peace. It felt like every word he was saying was meant for me. I rarely get this feeling when I listen to conferences and such. I have only gotten it two or three times in my whole life. I always feel the spirit, but the difference is knowing and feeling.

As I listened to his words, every one touched my heart. The past few months have been terribly hard for me. I have wallowed in self-pity, and I know I have annoyed some people with it. However, I just couldn't help it. My life just sucked that bad, right?

But I was wrong. As I listened to his talk, he spelled everything out for me. I have not felt this much at peace in a very long time. I have realized that life happens, but what is the point of wallowing around in our self-doubt and self-pity when we can be helping others? The one true way to be happy is to help others in their times of need.

I remember what it is like all those times I used to do service projects for Young Women's activities. How I used to feel when I did something nice for someone else. How it felt to not complain when everything seemed at their worst.

My cousin once told me about how she went through a severe depression for a long time, because all she did was lower herself down to nothing. One day she realized what she was doing and made the effort to stop. Every day she would call herself a winner and go from there. Pretty soon she was smiling again and she truly felt like a winner despite all of her shortcomings and faults.

No one is perfect. But isn't our church about striving to be perfect, not being perfect itself? We can truly be better people by just trying. God doesn't ask for more than that. The child's song says it better than I ever could.

I'm trying to be like Jesus, I'm following in his way. I'm trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say. At times I am tempted to make the wrong choice, but I try to listen as the still small voice whispers, Love one another as Jesus loves you. Try to show kindness in all that you do. Be gentle and loving in deed and in though. For these are the things Jesus taught.

Only a child's song could put it so perfectly. How can I be like Jesus if all I do is wallow in my own doubt? How is this helping anyone? It brings everyone around me down and makes me less and less like the person I want to become.

President Uchtdorf is completely right. God is always with you, but you have to put yourself aside to see his love. We are his glorious creation. How can we be grateful for this if we never see his love for us and we do not show our love for him?

It is amazing what a few words will do to your heart.

My latest crafts

Lately, I have been crocheting like a madwoman. I have half a spiral full of patterns (our printer doesn't work, so I am just copying them down in my notebook). I have never finished so many things in my life! I normally get half through something and then quit, but I guess not being employed has its perks. I have just been using the leftover yarn i have around my house and making all sorts of awesome stuff!! Here are a few of my finished projects!! Let me know what you think!

These are like loofas but for your dishes!! They are with the dishcloths below
The two bookmarks I have made. The rainbow one just needs its ribbons to be finished
The baby blanket for Mandy (if it is a girl). I am working on the one if it is a boy still

The blessing dress and diaper cover for our next girl (I had a cute pattern and had to make it!!) The only thing left on this is the buttons in the back and the ribbon around the middle of the dress
The blessing TUX for our first boy (unless we get Blake's blessing outfit...). I haven't done the pants yet, but I will finish them shortly. The only think this still needs is two buttons and a lapel pin
A baby mitten. It matches the girl's dress
Our doily that our cake topper sits on top of. I'm way proud of it
My washcloths. I am doing these for someone for Christmas, and these were the first two I finished. They turned out awesome!!

Glade learned to DANCE!!

We were listening to music on our computer while Blake was playing Resident Evil: 4 (I can't have quiet or I go completely crazy) and we look over, and Glade is doing a little jig!! It is a mix between her happy jumping and the moonwalk. It is so cute! Here is a video of it!!

ENJOY!!

I've been tagged!!

It seems like this is spreading like wildfire lately. Well, whatever I can do to help! Here are six very random facts about me!

1. I love Romance Novels. You know the ones. People say they are like pornos for the imagination, or amateur porn according to others. I don't know what it is about them, but I absolutely love them. My mom got me into it. Everytime she goes to the store, she buys all the ones she doesn't have, and because they are such easy reads and you can't read them twice, she passes them onto me. I have a HUGE bag in my closet full of them. And everytime I see my mom, she gives me more! Curtis saw my bag of them once and said, "At least your sins are on the outside, unlike mine!" When I read one, I am lost in the world of love and romance and nothing can keep me from it. I will finish one of them in a couple hours and start a new one.

2. I am way too stubborn. I hold grudges forever. Blake hates it about me. When we get in our one fight a month (always on the 27th), I hold onto things and he doesn't. He is ready to talk ten minutes after we finish screaming at each other. I am definitely not like that. I would rather fester for days before I talk things through. I have been working on it, but I think it is just making me more stubborn than usual.

3. When I was pregnant with Glade, I puked at least once everyday from the minute she was conceived until they ripped her from my loins. (I was so sick the weekend the Wii came out, and it was definitely from my child). When I was at work, I was so used to throwing up twice on my shift I would know when it was coming on. I threw up one time and this old lady asked if I was ok. Since I never got very big, you couldn't really tell I was pregnant. I barked at her and told her to mind her own business. I feel bad about it, but come one, let a woman puke in peace!!

4. I am a textaholic. If I am not texting on my phone, I want to be texting someone. People that have felt the wrath of it definitely know what I am talking about (Sorry Mandy and Rachelle...). It is absolutely one of my favorite past times. People say it isn't addicting, but I dare to contradict!!

5. I love sad songs. I don't know what it is about them, but I love that choked up feeling you get when you hear about a women scorned. I think that is why I love country so much. They have the absolute best sad songs. And even if they aren't sad and are completely happy, I still get choked up. I have a playlist on my computer just for sad songs and when Blake is not around, that is all I listen to. It's quite pathetic.

6. I have this deep, unabiding hatred of everything Mozart. When I was in Germany, my piano teacher tried to get me to play something from him and I wanted to kill the man. I just cannot stand his music. It's boring and crap. I know that everyone in the world would contradict me, but he just sucks. It may be because I am a HUGE Beethoven buff, but I don't think that's the only reason. He is just too puffed up. It drives me absolutely bonkers! I guess it is kind of like how Led Zepplin is the cool thing now. That's how Mozart is to me. He is just too big for his music.

Well, hope you enjoy!! I tag Jill, Valerie, and Judith!!

If Blake was dead...

So, I have been thinking lately who I would remarry if Blake died. After watching The Office last night, I have narrowed it down to two people.

Dwight K Schrute: He is just too funny not to have around. He knows everything about Bears, which is definitely a plus, and he is completely self-relient. It is the perfect combination. Plus, it would be so easy to piss him off!! I would just take a page out of Jim's book!!
And Jim Halpert: He comes up with the best pranks. They just slay me!! Plus, he has the cutest best friend. Pam is definitely a hottie. He is the number two at the branch, so he has a good income. And, I would have a first hand look at him making Dwight miserable!
All in all, it is definitely a tough choice!! Good thing Blake won't die for awhile, huh...

She takes after her dad

Glade is so much like her father. It is crazy how alike they are. She doesn't like to be with him if I am home anymore, but she loves having him home so he can play with her. I used to be so jealous, because she used to only want him. But I guess that is the good side of me not working for almost two months. She now only wants me.

The first picture we have of Blake and Glade. It is the day after she was born and he got to hold her after they pulled her out of me. He got to carry her to the nursery while they finished with me. He was so worried about her. When they transfered her, he couldn't watch them prick and poke her because it made him so upset.

However, she mimiks Blake in everything he does. Yesterday, she picked up Blake's Pallette and his paintbrush and dipped the brush in it and then pretended to paint a piece of paper. Blake looked so proud. And she took the pen he was using (we then switched it to her new crayons) and she drew her first picture!! Blake says she is going to be an artist, and I said ok, as long as she goes to Yale!

GLADE'S FIRST PICTURE!!

Her favorite pjs. Of course it's Batman!!

It's amazing the thoughts you have when you have children. I am planning her future. Even though she will probably not do anything like it, I love to do it. I want her to have a great education, and I want her to be so happy. If she goes to Yale, that would be the coolest thing EVER!! We will never be able to afford how expensive it is, but it is a nice dream.

When she is not mimiking Blake, she has her baby doll with her everywhere. Lately, she had started to feed her baby with her sippy cup like we would hold Rebecka and give her a bottle. So when we were at Walmart, we bought her the toy baby bottles. She absolutely loves them! She picks up her baby, sits in her chair, holds her like a baby, and feeds her her bottle.

Feeding her baby, or her version of it

Taking a snack herself

Everything she does is a perfect version of Blake. Even her tantrums are just like Blake's. It is absolutely adorable!

Glade playing the Old School Godzilla with her dad

I'm just amazed....

Blake and I were talking about banned books the other day. In his English class, they were discussing how America is AWFUL at it. But, this girl did not know that in Europe, banning books is actually something they do more regularly than we do. And people follow it. If a book is banned, you don't find it anywhere. Mein Kampf in German has been banned and you cannot find it in it's original language anywhere. It's sad, but welcome to what happens after your country turns from being Nazi's.

So, I went online and looked up a little list of all the banned books in the world. You would be amazed at what books are on the list. Here is a little taste for ya:

-Alice's Adventure's in Wonderland : Banned in China for anthropomorphized animals acting on the same level as humans (How gay is that??!!)

-Black Beauty : Banned in South Africa for using the word 'black' in the title (oh my....)

-The Catcher in the Rye : Challenged and removed from several schools in the USA because the main character exhibits behavior deemed "inappropriate" (there are no words...)

-Clan of the Cave Bear: Challenged at the Berrien Springs, Mich. High School for its use in classrooms and libraries (1988), Banned from the Cascade Middle School library in Eugene, Oreg. (1992), Challenged, but retained on the Moorpark High School recommended reading list in Simi Valley, Calif. (1993), despite objections that it contains "hardcore graphic sexual content." (This is one of my favorite books. The sex in it shows the time period they lived in...)

-The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm : Restricted to sixth through eighth grade classrooms at the Kyrene, Ariz. elementary schools (1994) due to its excessive violence, negative protrayals of female characters, and anti-Semitic references. (These fairy tales are awesome because they are realistic....)

-The Da Vinci Code : Banned in Lebanon after Catholic leaders deemed it offensive to Christianity (As if anyone really listens to the Catholic leadership about a fictional book...)

- Fahrenheit 451 : This book is about censorship and those who ban books for fear of creating too much individualism and independent thought. In late 1998, this book was removed from the required reading list of the West Marion High School in Foxworth, Mississippi. A parent complained of the use of the words "God damn" in the book. Subsequently, the superintendent instructed the the teacher to remove the book from the required reading list. (I love this book. It shows what happens when you ban books. People need help)

-The Grapes of Wrath : Banned in many places in the US. In the region of California in which it was set, it was banned because it made the residents of this region look bad (Some people don't know when to give up)

-The Harry Potter Series : Banned in the United States and Germany for "paganism" and "witchcraft". (Sometimes the ultra Christian people are so stupid...)

-James and the Giant Peach : Challenged at the Deep Creek Elementary School in Charlotte Harbor, Fla. (1991) because it is "not appropriate reading material for young children." Challenged at the Pederson Elementary School in Altoona, Wis. (1991) and at the Morton Elementary School library in Brooksville, Fla. (1992) because the book contains the word "ass" and "promotes" the use of drugs (tobacco, snuff) and whiskey. Removed from classrooms in Stafford County, Va. Schools (1995) and placed in restricted access in the library because the story contains crude language and encourages children to disobey their parents and other adults. (I really can't believe this one.... it's like when people spoke out against ET... come one now)

-The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe : Challenged in the Howard County, Md. school system (1990) because it depicts "graphic violence, mysticism, and gore." I'm sure the school system would rather have its children reading something which adheres to "good Christian values." (Maybe they didn't know it was about Christ....)

-The Little House on the Prairie : Challenged at the Lafourche Parish elementary school libraries in Thibodaux, La. (1993) because the book is "offensive to Indians." Banned in the Sturgis, S. Dak. elementary school classrooms (1993) due to statements considered derogatory to Native Americans. ("Offensive to Indians" .... good gravy...)

-Of Mice and Men : Due to vulgar language and use of the word "nigger" (Black people can call each other that, but we can't use it in a classic novel)

-To Kill a Mockingbird : This novel has been challenged quite a lot due to its racial themes. Challenged--and temporarily banned--in Eden Valley, Minn.(1977); Challenged at the Warren, Ind. Township schools (1981), because the book "represents institutionalized racism under the guise of 'good literature'." After unsuccessfully banning the novel, three black parents resigned from the township human relations advisory council. Banned from the Lindale, Tex. advanced placement English reading list (1996) because the book "conflicted with the values of the community." (You are freakin kidding me right?)

-Ulysses : Challenged and temporarily banned in the US for its sexual content. Ban overturned in United States v. One Book Called Ulysses. (Even if the book has a very sexual dream in it, that doesn't mean it needs to be banned...you don't see people banning romance novels)

-Uncle Tom's Cabin : Banned in the Southern States and Tzarist Russia. Challenged by the NAACP for allegedly racist portrayal of African Americans and the use of the word nigger (Are you kidding me?? "ALLEGEDLY"??? And why is it banned in Tzarist Russia?)

-Where the Sidewalk Ends : Challenged at the West Allis-West Milwaukee, Wis. school libraries (1986) because the book "suggests drug use, the occult, suicide, death, violence, disrespect for truth, disrespect for legitimate authority, rebellion against parents." Challenged at the Central Columbia School District in Bloomsburg, Pa. (1993) because a poem titled "Dreadful" talks about how "someone ate the baby." (...........)

There are no words for my shock and dismay... People in the world are so stupid. If you want to ban books, live in a country where you don't have FREE SPEECH!!

Babies and Pregnancy

Rachelle and I were talking today about our hair. She just got a haircut, so it was definitely a graduating conversation. We started talking about how our hair has changed since we had babies. I decided it was a good time to post some pre and post baby pics of me. I don't take many pictures, so consider these very rare!!

And looking at these pictures has made me realize how much I miss my long hair.... :(

(FYI: I have shaved my head twice...once when I was 19 weeks pregnant, and then once when Glade was about six months old)

Thespian Society Induction (May 2005)
Senior Pics (2005)
June 2007 (Three weeks before I had Glade)
Rachelle's baby shower (5 months post baby) --Aimee, Rachelle, and Glade are in the pic too ;)--

Glade's Birthday Party (1 year after baby)

My climbing monkey

Glade has figured out how to climb. She can climb onto the bed, the couch, over the baby gate, into the tub....I didn't think it would get this far though.

Yesterday Glade climbed onto the TV stand... She had never done it before and I though she knew it was off limits. I guess not. She had a blast on there, and I had to take a picture before I got her down. But the problem is, now that she knows she can get up there, that's the only place she wants to be. It's driving me to drink (almost).

Here are two pictures of her on the tv stand. (Disclaimer: She is naked in the first one, mainly because she had just taken a bath, and for a few minutes after she gets out, I let her walk around naked cuz she LOVES it. And the second, she is wearing a diaper, but we are not white trash. Our apartment has no air conditioning and it is stifling during the day. If we put clothes on her, sometimes she gets a heat rash, and it's easier to let her just wear a diaper).

Picture One: She is just sitting there

Picture Two: She has learned how to get to the DVDs she couldn't reach before.

ENJOY!!

My latest thrill!

Monday, we were faced with the decision of what movies to get next from Netflix. I had already picked two out of the three, so I told Blake he got to pick the last one. He told me to get October Sky since I had never seen it.

Blake had to work today, and Glade fell asleep, so I figured I would watch it while I had some free time. Blake didn't tell me anything about it, except that "The one boy you like from 'The Day After Tomorrow' is trying to build a rocket." So I went into this movie with no assumptions. ( I didn't even read a synopsis!! Crazy, I know... )

If you like feel good movies, you have to see this one. You get upset about half way through, but it gets better after that point and you can't turn away or turn it off.

And this doesn't mean anything to some people, but I bawled like a little baby from the middle until the end. It is that good. (But, I cry in commercials of puppies, so don't take that as for how good the movie is). But I definitely recommend this movie to anyone that is wondering what movie they are going to rent for date night after the kids go to sleep. --There is some swearing, so if that bothers you, it's not a movie for you. It doesn't swear often, but it does swear --

When we get enough to buy this movie, it is definitely getting added to our movie inventory!!

Our "baby"

Rachelle found a website where you can get two people's pictures and they make your baby out of it. This is the one she made for Blake and me. It isn't that ugly here, but Rachelle says that in the big screen, it is deformed and hideous!!

The funny thing is, Glade kinda looks like that a little bit....

Something I needed right now...

I have a quote book that I have had since I was in Texas about ten years ago. When I come across a story or quote I love, I write it down in this book. It comes in handy when you are sad, or when you have a lesson to plan for relief society. I was looking through my book this morning and this story caught my eye. I was in my first year of seminary when my teacher gave us this story around Christmastime. When I read it, it still brings tears to my eyes.

The Gift

We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking. Suddenly Erik squealed with glee and said, "Hi there." He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment. I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be-shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on lose wrists, "Hi there, baby; Hi there big boy. I see ya, buster," the man said to Erik. My husband and I exchanged looks, "What do we do?" Erik continued to laugh and answer, "Hi. Hi there." Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, "Do you know patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek-a-boo!" Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embaressed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments. We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. "Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik," I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby "pick-me-up" position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man's. Suddenly, a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love relationship. Erik, in an act of total trust, love, and submission, laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed and I saw tears hover between his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two being had ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm, commanding voice, "You take care of this baby." Somehow I managed, "Iwill," from a throat that contained a stone. He pried Erik from his chest unwillingly, longingly, as though he were in pain. I recieved my baby, and the man said, "God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift." I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, "My God, my God, forgive me." I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgement; a child who saw a soul and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, "Are you willing to share your son for a moment when I shared mine for all eternity?" The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, "To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become little children."

I am amazed everytime I read this story. I know that if I had been placed in the same position as this mother, I would have done the same thing she had done. Especially now that we live in a world full of fear and distrust. I always keep my foot in the cart when we go to the store so no one can snag it. However, maybe that is our problem. We are taught to love our neighbors, and forgive those who have sinned against us. If I truly was a forgiving person, and if I truly loved my neighbors, I wouldn't be so untrusting of people. I am not showing that I want to be perfect as Christ was. And this leads to the closing line for this blog:

"Live so that...those who know YOU but don't know HIM, will want to know HIM because they know YOU."

-Gordon B. Hinckley (2002)

Life sucks

So, this morning I was woken up by my phone ringing. I didn't recognize the number so I ignored the call so it would just go to voicemail. I fell back asleep happy that I started my new job tomorrow and all of our money issues would be no more.

Well, the voicemail was left and I listened to it. It was my new employer calling! I figured I got the days wrong about when I started and she wanted me there today instead of tomorrow.

How wrong I was. The company in Salt Lake wants everyone to downsize. And since I was their new hire, it was just easier to let me go since I hadn't started yet. So, I am now unemployed and it was the perfect job. 40 hours a week at $9 an hour. It solved our money problems and life was good.

So now, I am looking for more work, and i don't care what it is anymore. So if anyone hears of anything, please let me know!!

Yesterday...

As I read the blogs of some of the people I know, I realized that they were all mostly reminiscing yesterday's 7th anniversary. I hadn't thought about it since last year, and did not realize it was already September 11th again. It seems like so long ago that it happened.

I was in ninth grade in Wichita Falls, TX when the twin towers and the Pentagon were attacked. It was one of those slow days at school where nothing much is happening and that is perfectly fine with you. I was in my theatre class, doing my monologue in the black box, when a person from the front office came down and said that my mom had called the school and I needed to call her back immediately. My teacher let me stop with my monologue so I could call her.

I get her on the phone and she doesn't sound like herself. She tells me that terrorists have attacked New York and Washington DC. The only thought that ran though my head at the time had nothing to do with New York. See, my dad was training in Washington DC to join the State Department for a tour of duty. I could feel the blood rush out of my head and I started to shake. My mom says that the Pentagon was hit and she hasn't been able to get my dad on the phone all day. The last thing we had heard was my dad was supposed to be training there that day. My mom asked if I wanted to leave school, and I told her no. I didn't think it would be good if I was at home just worrying. At least at school I had something else to concentrate on.

I got off the phone, and told my class what had happened. We were all in shock. And since we were in the black box, we didn't hear any of the announcements the office was making. So even though this had happened two or three hours ago, we hadn't heard a thing.

Class got out and we all walked sullenly to our next classes. I had Tennis, so I didn't hear the next announcements either. After that was JROTC, and we had PT that day, so we didn't hear anything then either. And my mom didn't call again, which made me think the worst.

I got home from school and there was a message from my dad on the answering maching. He had gone to training in Virginia instead of the Pentagon as a last minute change of plans, and he was ok. I called my mom, and she had just gotten off the phone with my dad, so we were both relieved.

I will never forget that day. It was tragic for the entire country, and it should never have happened, but it did. So many lives were lost that day, but it was not in vain.

I will never have the same fondness for the memory of December 7th, as I do September 11th. Both days our country was attacked, but I was only alive for one of them. It will always hit me harder.

I am so proud of what our men and women in the armed forces are doing all around the world. Without them, we would not have freedom, we would not have democracy, and we would not be able to remember days like yesterday with the respect it deserves.

God Bless America, and the heroes that defend her.

Age of Reckoning

Today, I preordered the new Warhammer Game for the PC. It plays identically to WOW, but you actually play in the Warhammer world. The game is fantastic!!

Below are some of the artwork from the video game (which I thought were the coolest and looked the best).

My list

I saw this on Sister Sanchez's blog and it looked like fun. I did a list like this when I was in High School. The ones I have done are highlighted in Green.

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch (All the time)
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name (when I got married)
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style (the words "cool beans" in Germany)
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one (in a video game)
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment (it's a work in progress)
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss (Just to my kids)
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hotel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Known CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas :)

This past weekend, Blake, Darryl, Nathan, and Rachelle had a Warhammer weekend in Las Vegas. I would have gone, but I gave my ticket to Nathan, and our hotel room only was booked for 4 people, so Glade and I stayed home. It was definitely boring and hard to sleep, but Blake had a lot of fun.

They ate at Hooters, and went to see the Shark exhibit (pics below also). Nathan also got in a little trouble with a bust of a woman ;).

And because Blake was gone all weekend, I didn't sleep very well, but Rachelle brought down Twilight for me to read. So I stayed up till six every morning just reading. She wanted to get my opinion on it, so I read it and I LOVE it. Since she only brought the first one, I went out and bought all four. I finished them today and now that they are over I want to read them again. They are corny and childish but I love them anyway.

Glade was pretty good this weekend without Blake, but we were both sick, so it was kind of a long weekend. She had a fever and a runny nose and she got better before I did, so that also stunk a little. But I am so glad that she loves to play by herself. I don't think I could have lasted if I had to play all day long.

All in all, everyone had a GREAT time. Here are a few of the pictures from the Grand Tournament this year:

He wanted to kiss it
No words...
The three brothers (too bad Curtis couldn't come too)
Darryl and Rachelle
Darryl and Rachelle 2

They found Steve's killer!!
The view from the room (yes, that's piles of trash)
Nathan and his WOMAN
The sharks
Sharks
Darryl and his army
Tomb Kings

Nathan and his army
Blake and his army
This is Lord Croak (he is a beast)
This is a wooden Necron army! I have never seen one like this before and it is freakin sweet
Constipated or just thinking really hard??


Dragon 1
Army
Some gorgeous High Elves
A beautiful board and army
The coolest dwarves ever. They are fashioned after Rome

Blake again
Blake's army in a fight
Darryl's army
Blake's army and board
Dragon 2 (I think this one looks better. But two games into the tournament, he fell off his legs, so Blake played with just the base and it's legs because the dragon could go "invisible")