I'm a . . . soccer mom?

I am officially a soccer mom. It's a little disconcerting. Tysen had his first soccer practice on Wednesday. Toby had a football game and so I had to take Audrey with me too. So here I am with my 5 year old hauling his soccer ball and water bottle down to the field and me pushing the baby in the stroller to watch practice. How uncomfortably normal is that?

I have always thought of myself as being a little unconventional. I am just slightly outside the proverbial box, so to speak. So being a soccer mom with 2 kids is just a little mainstream for me. Thank goodness there wasn't a minivan involved - I have close friends (April & Mason) who may have disowned me! I loved seeing Tysen out there having a good time with the other kids. He had a blast! So it will be fine and he will enjoy it, I'm sure. I just have to get past my own perceptions of myself, try to fit in, and possibly become a little more "normal" - perish the thought. Wish me luck!

I thought there would be more of me

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 162 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

This is me married.

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 136 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

and this is my maiden name.

I actually thought there's be more of me.

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 18 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Not so many of Toby.

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 1 or fewer people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

This is Tysen's. How can there possibly be "one or fewer". I mean, clearly there's at least the ONE I entered! There's not a percentage of a human with that name, people.

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 99 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Last but not least - here's Audrey's

Visitors Welcome

Over the past few months that I've been blogging I've been able to reconnect with some old friends which is fun. Some people have found my blog and I've been able to come across some of yours. I love it! If you visit my blog and your name is not on my list, please leave me a comment. And if your profile isn't set up so I can get to your blog by clicking on your name when you comment, please, please leave the link to your blog in the comment as well. I love it when people visit my site and I click on all my links to check out everyone else's blogs at least 3-4 times a week! I know, I have too much time on my hands, but that's another issue. So keep visiting my blog and let me know how to find yours!

Tysen makes me laugh

Tysen continues to make me laugh. We told him he could invite a friend to go to Chuckie Cheese this weekend. I asked him after I picked him up today who he had invited. Here's the conversation:

Me: Did you invite a friend to Chuckie Cheese?

Tysen: Yeah, I asked Travis, but he said his family is going to be gone this weekend.

Me: Oh, they're going out of town?

Tysen: (he was obviously disgusted that I was repeating back to him what he had just told me) Yeah.

Me: You can invite someone else.

Tysen: I did - I asked Max if he could come and he said he didn't know. So I told him to ask his mom if he could go on Saturday. And then I told him if his mom said no to ask her if he could go another day. So he's gonna tell me tomorrow a day that he can go, I mean, which day his mom said he can go. You know, he'll tell me what day he's able to go. Does that make sense?

Me: (chuckling) Yes, that makes perfect sense.

I mean what 5 year old talks like that? "Able to go" are you kidding me? And what kid clarifies that you understand what they're talking about? So I told him he talked like a grown up and he said "that's because I'm half a grown up". And I said, "oh, you're half a grown up huh?" and he said "yeah, because once you lose your baby teeth you're half a grown up." He's lost 2 teeth so far and one more is loose. So then he says "I'm 2 and a half teeth closer to being a grown up." The logic kills me!

Any Ideas?

Hello everyone!

As newer members in our ward, we have to speak in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday so I thought I'd throw the topic out to the population and see if you can help me. My topic is temple blessings.

I know it's short notice being Friday and I have to write my talk in the next 24 hours, but if anyone has any ideas or a story for me comment it or e-mail me. Thanks!

Verification words

So I was posting on my sister's blog a minute ago and the verification word was SOIFU. Anyone else think that's amusing? Just me?

Miscommunication

Last night I picked up my phone to set my alarm for this morning and I saw that I had missed a call from my sister. So I said, "Oh, I had a missed call." And Toby says, "What? Steven Seagal? Why are you talking about Steven Seagal?" And I said, "Why are YOU talking about Steven Seagal?" And Toby says, "You just said Steven Seagal out of nowhere." Now I'm chuckling and I said, "No, I said I had a missed call."

Not all that interesting of a story, I know. But it got me wondering about what other minor and humorous miscommunications people may have. Any comments are welcome.

More Olympic crap

So, I'm sure everyone has been waiting with baited breath for my comments on the women's team competition. And sorry to disappoint but I'm going to go ahead and plead the 5th on that one. You know - if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all, right?

So moving on to the women's all around competition. For me, the event started off rocky. I had TiVo'd the event so that I didn't have to stay up all night watching it. I had every intention of watching it on Friday while I was home from work. On Thursday night as I was reading in bed, Toby was watching ESPN and it SHOWED THE WINNERS!!!! I was SOOOO PISSED!!!! There literally aren't words for how upset I was. Anywho, I finally got over it and watched the competition last night. And it was impressive, of course. I was going for Shawn Johnson because of the aforementioned resemblance to Kim Zmeskal, but alas, she did not win. Nastia Liukin did great even though she wasn't my favorite to win.


But I have to say this: what's with the pink leotard?!? Seriously? You can't find a red, white, or blue ensemble anywhere in your gymnastic wardrobe? I'm sure Adidas would have been happy to whip up something just for her in our country's colors, but no - we got to see PINK?!?!? A combination of 2 of the country's colors doesn't count as being patriotic. I'm a little disheartened by this and perhaps its a petty nuisance, but it really bothered me. Anyone else? Just me?

My kid the comedian

I HAVE to post what Tysen said the other night on our way to the store. We were driving past a gas station where it's not uncommon for us to stop and fill up our tanks and/or get a fountain soda (who doesn't love fountain soda). And the price of a gallon was obviously lower than it has been in the recent past. Toby and I made no reference to this fact, but Tysen piped up in the back seat and said, "Hey! The gas price is lower! Did Obama drill or somethin'?"

Seriously how funny is that?!?! He apparently listens to Toby and the news more that I was aware of. Gotta love that munchkin!

The Olympics Continue

Sorry folks. You're just going to have to bear with me for the next 3 weeks or so going on and on about the games. Just think - they only come along every 4 years, so once it's over you don't have to deal with my pontificating on about them for a long time. Some of you will inevitably feel compelled to remind me that the winter games are only 2 years away, but I'll just let you know in advance that I don't get so excited about winter sports so you may be spared my deluges during the winter Olympics in 2010.

For those of you who don't know, I was OBSESSED with competitive gymnastics when I was younger. I competed until I was going into high school and figured out I was too old (yes, at the ripe old age of 14) to continue with any real hope of reaching the elite level and I redirected my efforts into cheerleading and competing there. But, in my formative years, I was into gymnastics big time. So I hold a special place in my heart for those young girls.

My favorite gymnast was Kim Zmeskal. She was amazing! I fell in love with her during the 1991 World Championships where she was the all-around champion. I loved her work ethic and she had the most beautiful body type for gymnastics. She was my hero. My heart absolutely broke in the '92 Barcelona games when she fell off the beam during her Compulsary routine. I'm pretty sure I shed a tear or two over it. (check out the video by clicking HERE) While she was big on the world scene, so was Shannon Miller. The two of them remind me so much of Shawn Johnson and Nastia Lukin on the current USA team.

Kim Zmeskal - 1992 team

Shawn Johnson - 2008 team

Shannon Miller - 1992/1996 teams

Nastia Lukin - 2008 team

If you take away the vast difference in hair styles (hey, it was the early 90's - big bangs were in), you can see a resemblance, no?

If you live under a rock, you may not know that the women's team finals are on NBC tonight. I'm sure you'll have my commentary on the results in the hear future. Go USA!!!

Olymic Mania!

Let me first say that I LOVE THE OLYMPICS!!!! I love everything about it! Even synchronized swimming! Seriously, I'm a little obsessed. I cleared out everything on my DVR so I could record every event they televise. The opening ceremonies were last night and it was, in a word, AMAZING!!! I have new respect for China! The artistic portion was so beautiful! My favorite part was near the beginning when they had 2,008 people beating on drums (some sort of ancient instrument in China) and the drums were lighting up and the whole thing was choreographed and it was just totally mind-blowing!


I can't wait for the gymnastics to start on TV tonight. When the winter Olympics were in SLC, we lived there and the whole vibe around town was totally electrifying. We got to go to some ski jumping competitions with our friends April and Mason.

In the 1996 Atlanta games, my Uncle was one of the vice presidents of the Olympic committee and so we got to go back to where I spent my childhood in the ATL and we had tickets to EVERYTHING!!! We got to see all the dream team 2.0 games and tons of track & field and water sports. Watching swimming live is awesome!

And of course, we had box seats to ALL of the gymnastics! I ate up every single minute of it! In the last rotation of the team competition when the US was on vault and Dominique Mocianeau had fallen and Kerri Strug was up last and she broke her ankle on her first vault and had to do her second one and landed it on one foot - I know I'm lame, but every time I see a clip of that on TV I start to tear up. It was so emotional! And that was what locked in the US team gold.


During the medal ceremony, her coach, Bela Karoli, carried her onto the podium and they raised the flag and played the national anthem. Seriously, there's nothing like that in the world! To be there when your country's team wins gold.


The olympic spirit just has a very special place in my heart, so everyone watch it!

My favorite movies ever

Let me begin by warning you that this may get lengthy. That being said, I will now proceed to share with you my favorite movies of all time. If you don't care, please feel free to navigate away from my page. For the rest of you, I have narrowed my list to a top 10 - a process which was surprisingly difficult and some pretty entertaining films didn't make the cut. The movies that make this illustrious list meet the following criteria: I've seen the movie at least 10 times, I can quote at least three lines from the movie (in most cases I can quote way more than three), I can name the main actors in the movie, I know the year (or approximate year) of the movie's theatrical release. I will dispense this list now.

10. Funny Face (1957) Romantic Comedy/Musical
Actors of note: Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire
Plot: Fashion photographer (Astaire) finds his new muse (Hepburn) in a book store. She hates everything superficial and agrees to go with Astaire to Paris for a photo shoot only so that she can meet a philosopher she's intrigued with. Not surprisingly, Hepburn and Astaire fall in love.
Why it's good: Singing, dancing, Audrey Hepburn, and AMAZING Givenchy couture dresses
Best Line: "Think Pink!"

9. Bring It On (2000) Comedy
Actors of note: Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Gabrielle Union
Plot: Cheerleaders who have to come up with new material before the national championships.
Why it's good: The tryout scene is a favorite of mine as well as the scenes with the crazy choreographer - total craziness and pretty good cheerleading moves as well.
Best line: "When you skip a meal your body feeds off it's fat stores - if you skip enough, maybe your body will eat your ass"

8. The Italian Job (2003) Action
Actors of note: Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Seth Green, Mos Def
Plot: A group of thieves recruit one of their fallen comrade's daughters (Theron) to help them steal back their fortune from a traitor.
Why it's good: A great remake of an old classic movie. Sabotage at its finest. The mini Coopers are killer too.
Best line: "I got the holy spirit - you should get on it - it's a good train"

7. Dodgeball (2004) Comedy
Actors of note: Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor
Plot: A group of losers enters a dodgeball tournament in hopes of winning the money to save their favorite gym from being closed.
Why it's good: It's just freaking hilarious! Ben Stiller's character cracks me up! And there are a couple of ESPN commentators on "ESPN 8 - The Ocho" that are so funny.
Best line: "Is it necessary for me to drink my own urine? No, but it's sterile and I like the taste"

6. The Princess Bride (1987) Romantic Comedy/Adventure
Actors of note: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright Penn, Billy Crystal, Fred Savage
Plot: A poor villager (Penn) is chosen to be the bride of the prince of the land. He then plans to kill her to start a war with a neighboring country. Meanwhile, her true love (Elwes) is trying to save her and picks up a few helpers along the way.
Why it's good: It's a great love story! It's has funny parts and parts that make you anxious.
Best line: "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die." Or "Mawage. Mawage is what bwings us togeva today. Mawage, the bwessed awangement. That dweam, wivin a dweam."

5. The Patriot (2000) Period Drama
Actors of note: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson
Plot: A father (Gibson) joins his eldest son (Ledger) in the colonist movement of the Revolutionary war following another son's murder.
Why it's good: Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger - need I say more?
Best line: "I have long feared that my sins would return to visit me - and the cost is more than I can bear."

4. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) Romantic Comedy
Actors of note: Heath Ledger, Julia Styles, Allison Janney
Plot: Younger sister's potential suitor tries to get older sister "Styles" to get a date with the school misfit (Ledger). They end up falling for each other and it turns out they're both pretty normal after all.
Why it's good: Again, Heath Ledger doesn't hurt any. But I love the modern twist on Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. The play was a classic and this move absolutely does it high school justice.
Best line: "I know you can be overwhelmed and you can be underwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed?" "I think you can in Europe"

3. So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993) Romantic Comedy
Actors of note: Mike Meyers, Nancy Travis, Phil Hartman
Plot: Charlie (Meyers) starts dating Harriet (Travis) only to discover she's "Mrs. X" who's husbands die on their honeymoons.
Why it's good: Mike Meyers is hilarious in this one. It was released before he was super-famous and he does an awesome job.
Best line: (in reference to Colonel Sanders of KFC) "He puts an addictive chemical in his chicken that makes you crave it fortnightly, smart ass."

2. Bourne Trilogy (Identity 2002, Supremacy 2004, Ultimatum 2007) Action
Actors of note: Matt Damon, Julia Styles, Chris Cooper, Joan Allen
Plot: A former government assassin (Damon) forgets everything when he is shot on a mission. He then tries to find out who he worked for and who he is.
Why it's good: Well, Matt Damon doesn't hurt any. It's a great conspiracy theory movie and has awesome fight and car chase scenes.
Best line: "Because if you were in your office we'd be having this conversation in person"

1. My Fair Lady (1964) Romance/Musical
Actors of note: Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison
Plot: Professor Higgins (Harrison) takes in a flower girl (Hepburn) to teach her proper language techniques to prove hie theories on speech and the class system. they inevitably fall in love and can't part ways when the experiment is over.
Why it's good: Um, Audrey Hepburn! It's also a fabulous love/hate kind of love story. It's also an interesting commentary on Britain's class system. Big hats and great music also help this converted stage production (Pygmalion) be a winner.
Best line: "I've grown accustomed to her face. She almost makes the day begin. I've grown accustomed to the tune she whistles night and noon. Her smiles, her frowns, her ups, her downs are second nature to me now. Like breathing out and breathing in."

My fabulous hubby!

124 As a 1930s husband, I am Very Superior Take the test!

So Toby took the test and he got Very Superior?! This thing has to be rigged! J/K he's fabulous and maybe I should put forth a little more effort to "get dressed before breakfast". Of course, then I would probably have to also make said breakfast and I think we should just take this one step at a time. As a very wise Dr. Leo Marvin once said "Baby Steps".