The Secret Life of Bees

I just finished this book by Sue Monk Kidd. I watched the movie a couple months ago and really liked it. I was really excited to read it because the books are usually better. I was not disappointed! I loved the story and I actually loved that I was picturing Queen Latifah as August Boatwright, because she was a perfect choice. Dakota Fanning? She is blond, in the book Lily has dark hair. It wasn't a big deal though.
I was super impressed with Kidd's writing chops. She had a lot of really beautiful descriptions and phrases and there were a few times that I literally said "wow" at her words. My favorite quote is: "Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can't remember who we are or why we're here." (p. 107)
It was a pretty quick read, maybe 5 hours altogether. But worth it. And the movie is really great too. Dare you to check it out.

Get comfortable.

Rather than do eight million posts, I will just do one extra long one that details what has been going on lately.

1. School's Out For Summer! I'm so excited. The last few weeks were action packed with a lot of activities and little work. There was little motivation all around. For the last dance, my friend Jessy and I were going to try and find 80's prom dresses, but it turned into random dresses instead. We found the hot little sequined number for her at DI but I couldn't find anything I liked. On the day before the dance, as I was driving home and wondering what I would do, I remembered that my Grandma has some awesome dresses. So I called her up and headed on over. I am not very tall, but Grandma is shorter. So this dress that comes to below her knee was almost too short for me. So I classed it up with a slip. I think the lace really added to it. That and my tennis shoes with rolled socks. It was fun. I loved dressing up for the dances. And I really love summer.


We also had an end of year/birthday fiesta because my birthday was over Memorial Day weekend. My sisters came and spent the day with me and Mom stopped in on her lunch. We played some games (until we got bored with them) and they made me birthday cards. The person with the funniest and nicest cards won candy bars. I'm such a narcissist, but they really did make me smile. I will have to scan some in and show them off because they're pretty good. And we had a pinata. Because what's a fiesta without a pinata?

2. This is an outing to the park. The kids and I walked down the street with their enormous yet functional stroller and Tracie joined us later. Ellie is so funny, she is always making the cutest little faces and I really love it when she giggles. She's not walking on her own yet, but I think she's getting close.



On the park day, Brayden also discovered that he really likes to climb trees. I can't even believe that the little tiny tree in our backyard is big enough for a climber. He was super proud of himself. And Toria took this picture! Impressive!

3. Tracie graduated! I still can't believe it, she will always be not old enough for anything to me. We went to the Texas Roadhouse before her ceremony at 7.














It's very exciting and she is so excited she doesn't even know what to do with herself. So if anyone knows of anyone hiring for the summer, hook a sister up! She is going to head up to Logan in the fall and I need to start finding other people to come watch tv with me.

4. We painted the stairs and the bedroom to prepare for carpet! I asked some of Tracie's friends to come help in exchange for senior pictures, and it was a lot of fun! My dad and siblings have been so awesome to help me finish the basement and although it is not quite done yet, we are close enough to say that I am looking for a roommate with a move in date of August 1st. It's been an adventure for sure but I'll be really glad when it's done. Pictures of carpet to be posted soon.


5. And finally, Tracie and I took the kids to the zoo with my ward on Saturday. First of all, MAD props to all you mothers out there. I don't know how you guys do it all AND put on make-up. I didn't get the make up done. But then again, sometimes I don't when I'm on my own. Because sometimes I just don't care.
This was so funny. Audrey was going to join them, but if you know anything about the zoo, you know that this elephant "sneezes" and blows air and moisture through its trunk. Audrey was standing in front of it and when it blew, she freaked. She was so scared and refused to even go near it. My cousin's daughter, Ava, did the same thing. We were wishing we had it on camera.


This is Ava and her dad, Brandon. They live in my ward and let me sit with them at church. Ava would NOT look at me when I had my camera out. If you look closely, though, you can see her looking out of the corner of her eye, which is so funny.

I caught her off guard.

This is her little brother, Carter. Who didn't cry when I went into his room tonight instead of his mom. We are making progress. I've only been sitting with them every week for 5 months.
I didn't get a picture of Tor on the carousel.








FYI, the train ride is like two minutes long. What a rip. Too bad kids don't understand that. They love the train, no matter how long it is. I'm sure I did too, once upon a time.

And one last thing: I FOUND A JOB!! I'll be working at Matheson Jr. High in Magna, Granite School District, teaching 8th and 9th language arts. I'm so so so excited!! Peace out, peeps.

It's about time.

Finally a number on the ticker. It's been a rough go. I don't ever want to see those 3 pounds again because they were super lame.

New posts to come!

Don't judge.

So. I'm back on track. Check the ticker-tracker on Saturday morning. There WILL be a number there.

PS I'm 30 now. Wha????