Considering the Oscars

After watching the Oscars last evening, I was reminded of an OLD thought that I had {back in 2008}.  Being that it was 7 years ago, I dug it up and loved it so much {again} that I'm reposting it.  So - without further ado - The Oscars:

The Academy Awards! The night when Hollywood's finest, dress to the nines with all the jewels, glamor, and glitz the movie business can muster. As I sit back on my cozy couch, with my comfy pants, sweatshirt, and a little snack; I watch the stars walk the Red Carpet with the paparazzi, interviews, and E! sizing up how good they look. I must have repeated a million times-"Gosh, what would that life be like?" or "I want to do that, dress up so nice, and be a part of the greatest awards night in the buisness". Then the camera pans inside the great Kodak Theater (today called Dolby), a vast auditoriam filled with people who make more money then my world will ever know. Can we even put a price tag on the net worth of that room? WOW. Again, what would it be like to be a part of that world!

And then I had a rather profound thought! The Academy Awards is the evening when they present the highest honors to those in the business that have achieved greatness. Only invited members of the Academy are allowed to attend. The rest of us can only look on from a distance. Likewise, in an eternal perspective, someday we will be invited to a great "Academy Awards Ceremony." The Heavenly "Kodak" theater will be perpared with a marvelous red carpet outside and only those who have been invited will be dressed to the nines. They will have the life that all envy, with all the blessings and 'glamor' our Heavenly Father has. But only those invited will be allowed to attend. The rest must only look on. Each seat is open; waiting for its occupant to fill. Once filled, the theater's net worth will be incalcuable. As we wait for that great Ceremony, let us never forget that we want to be ones walking the Red Carpet; not sitting on a couch looking on. Let there be no empty seats in the Kodak Theater!

Dino DNA & a "Celebrity" Drive By

Thanks to some darling friends in my neighborhood, we have been invited to several day dates down to Lehi's Thanksgiving Point museums.  This was the first time we have been to the Museum of Ancient History and I'm to really sure how to rate it.  I think Cameron LOVED the sand and the ramps, but as far as the dinosaur part of it all, I'm not sure he grasped the concept.  But, I loved being with other adults and letting the lad run off some energy.  Win's all around.

After the trip to the Museum, my friend was kind enough I forced my friend to drive me past the Brown's old house when they lived in Lehi.  I have followed their Sister Wives show on TLC since they first aired, and have finally taken the time to stalk out their old property. Don't worry, it's on a very easy to find Facebook page so I didn't feel like I was really going out of my way to dig deep! Totally kosher.  I have no idea if the family still owns this land or not {some episodes seem to elude to the fact that they haven't sold it} but it was defiantly occupied when we drove by.  (Sorry dude for the stalkers). I have such a bizarre interest in following the lives of these TLC; D-list celebrities. But alas, it is there, and I stalked out their home to just see it.  Granted, it was super ordinary, not a hint of Polygamist neighbors in the air, and quite frankly just an ordinary house on an ordinary street.  Sadly, it was pretty anti-climatic but; check that one off the bucket list.  Nice!

The Weekend of "Back Up Plans"

A few weekends ago, we had plans to visit my sister in Northwest Arkansas.  Ooooh was I excited.  Couldn't wait to see her and spend a weekend just laughing about life and making memories.  We had found a terrific deal on a flight out of Las Vegas; and were packed and ready for a early morning drive and flight out.  Friday came, we loaded the car, and went up to get our boy.  Sadly, we found him sitting up in bed in a pool of his own sick.  Sad boy!  Mark and I looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders, cleaned him up and threw him in the car.  We did, after all, have a plane to catch.  

Before we could make it 30 miles, Cameron had puked 3 times. One of which was all over him and the car seat.  We pulled over and cleaned it all up in the Maverick parking lot (thanks guys) and made the call to turn around and cancel the trip. 

Saddest decision of my life.  I've always known that parenting called for times when you have to remove all selfishness and make a decision for the child.  I usually correlated this with leaving a restaurant, or not finishing your errands; NOT canceling your perfect trip to Arkansas. 

We headed back to Orem and took a rest stop at Mark's parents house for several hours before heading home to recoup.  We soon decided to re-route our plans to Bear Lake, UT where at least we could enjoy some nice views on our already scheduled time off.

Bear Lake was B-E-A-utiful.  Granted, the town is a summer place so literally everything was closed.  We hit up the hotel's indoor pool twice a day, and drove a bit of the lake once.  Sadly, one day at Bear Lake we were totally out of commission as I was feeling super sick and Cameron was ... needing to be near a bathroom at all times.  Bless that dear man of mine and his holding down the fort in a Quarantine situation.  

We didn't plan on Bear Lake, or the city being totally closed, or getting sick for an entire day. But we were together and we have one picture to document a weekend that didn't go as planned.  Hopefully we can get out to see Tessa before the year is out!

I Have Love

It may take me weeks to get my life together.  I am really usually more on top of things than I have been in the last several weeks.  Despite my consistent neglect to things like my blog, and my kitchen, and my laundry, I have not given up the effort.  A new week, and a new me! 

Valentines Day is very simple in our house, but also very fun.  We only had the breakfast to celebrate as Mark would be off at work for the bulk of the day; so I made sure to make it count.  I made up our little goodie bags and had the kitchen decorated before I went to bed, so as soon as my loves woke up, the day was ready to celebrate.  Mom and Joe were with us as well, so it made for a perfectly full table! We enjoyed French Toast Hearts, juice and fruit with some very simple gifts to remind us that we are all loved.  Mark always outdoes me in his gifting ideas; this year putting together a girls day at the nail salon with my dear friends here.  He really is the best.

And just for kicks, a few other loves I have:

(1) I love long hot showers.  I feel like these are few and far between, usually only getting a quick in and out before Cameron is off and running again.  I sure do love being in a hotel room and just letting the hot water run, steaming up the whole bathroom, with nobody to tell me to get out and no water bill to have to pay in the end.  I love that.

(2) I love My Little School time that I have with Cameron.  I am not consistent, and I am rarely perfect. BUT on those days when I get a lesson planned and we actually have a constructive hour together, I love that.  And I love all the resources that I get to buy to do it.  Keeps my school supply love alive.

(3) I love my day planner. Mostly because it provides all the lines and boxes and spots for my doodling, listing, writing life.  I love the spots for quotes and reminders up on top of each week.  I love the lists of goals and to dos and to gets I make on the side. I love checking off boxes and using all different color pens. I love the stickers and the check marks and the organization it provides.  I love my planner.

(4) I love my neighbors.  Never have I had neighbors that I have been able to have so much fun with. I especially love these sunny days when we all just end up on our front lawns with the kids playing around while we chat about everything.  It feels so "Mayberry" and I just LOVE it.  Plus, Bonus, it makes the time pass so quickly that before I know it, the work day is done and my main love is coming home.

(5) I love the Internet.  Holy moly how did we do this before.  It has so many resources for my life that I simply can not imagine going back to life without it.  Meal planning, kid raising, singing time ideas, organization, printable creative things, date night...Love Love Love.

(6) I still love Budgeting, Office Supplies, Orange Juice, Bagels and cream cheese, good lip gloss, my brown hair, the Duggars (and more recently David and Pricilla Waller), smutty Television like the Bachelor, my faith, my family, and my life.

Happy Love Day everyone!