The Giver

This is a great book that I just finished with my children. It has so many deep thought provoking questions and makes sense of the fall of man and Eve's wisdom in her decision to partake of the fruit. I would highly recommend it to anyone with children 10 and older-maybe as young as 8. We had a great time discussing during and after this book. "It is better that we experience sorrow, that we may know the good from the evil." At first I didn't know what was going on in this book, and I heard from the kids, "not that book! It's just an old man and it looks boring!!" But then I soon realized the pure genius and creativity in the message. A classic!

Better late than never-

Here are some of the pictures from the trip to Germany/Austria/Bavaria almost 2 years ago. I just got them from my father-in-law. They were ones he took.

German Cemetary. I wish America would do it this way.
The guys infront of the entrance to Hitler's hideout.
All of us infront of a gorgeous lake/Germany

The view from inside the castle.
Neushwanstein Castle

What a talent she has...

As I mentioned, I love photography and am fascinated by beautifying things. Her are some of my favorite pictures that I have come across. I would love to hire this girl!I love the colors and the joy this one expresses.
I love how classy these two are.
They really are natural

21 Things about me...

Okay so at the top of my head, here are 11 things I like and 10 things I don't...

1. I love the art of cooking and enjoy it when it's a success with others. It's even better when it is healthy.
2.) I love to travel. I get itchy to try new things, places and people. I consider myself an adventurer. I don't like to live in one place too long thus far. When traveling in a car, I prefer the autobond. Speed is what I need-yippeee!
3.) I love knowledge and learning especially when it adds to the character.
4.) I love art. This includes portraits, especially of women (not nude) Bouguereau is my favorite artist. It has to have people in it. They tell such a fascinating story.
5.) I love music. But certain kinds. Most country (no hill billy bar stuff or nonsense songs about tractors), Most classical (It's got to paint a story and make sense.) Some alternative (current favorite is coldplay, Viva La Vida, Yellow and Clocks) I like Broadway music, Mandy Moore in Cry, Wanna be with you and especially Only hope; she has a beautiful voice. Some religious music. I like stuff like Enya and the Celtic Women. To me, if the melody sounds good then I go to the lyrics. If I don't like the Melody it's a no for me. I like to sing where nobody can hear me :)
6.) Reading, I love classic books and the epiphanies that await the reader. I love history and the study of human behavior. I am not one for cheap romance novels such as Twilight-even though the movies were entertaining. I would prefer to spend my time advancing myself. I especially love to read to my children and have discussions. Again, I only like to read the best to them. We discuss life lessons and principles and how to apply them to our lives. I would love to be a children's author and just might pursue a publisher with the books I have written.
7.)I love health and nutrition. I believe it is part of my mission in life and that I have a sacred duty to take care of my children's bodies. You will never catch me feeding my children "fruit" snacks or cold cereal. All our "fruit" snacks are real fruit and all my cereals are homemade-in fact everything I do is homemade.
8.)I love the smell of spring and basking in the warm sun surrounded by the aroma of blossoming flowers. I am completely in my element to lie in a hammock or better yet, in Trevor's arms and enjoy new life bursting forth. I love to hold a new born baby. (new life?)I love the color green, It represents life and health. But I also really like blues.
9.)I love dancing. Once, when I was twelve and my brother Jason got married, he had a friend that knew how to dance...and I mean KNEW HOW TO DANCE. He grabbed me and swung me around and I didn't have a clue what dance he was doing but there we were the center of attention and I was having the time of my life as he was completely in the lead.
10.)Trevor asked what I want to do when the kids are all out of the house. I have been so wrapped up in raising and schooling children, and supporting my husband and his career that somewhere I have forgotten what it is I like to do and who I am. I recognize this is not good. I have a curiosity for photography. I think it would be so fun to be a photographer. I also would love to illustrate children's books. Perhaps I will take an art class.
11.)I am drawn to people spiritually. I usually get along better with older people. As I was growing up, I always had more male friends. So when I do get a close girl friend it is because of a spiritual connection usually. I guess I am a deep person, I don't know how else to be. A lot of women are superficial. What you see is what you get with me. I am who I am.

Okay, for what I don't like:

1.) Pop. I hate soda and colored candy and junk like that-but I do have a weakness for chocolate. I cannot stand to see people drink pop. To think how it's ruining their bodies bothers me.
2.)Profanity, especially the Lord's name in vain...most of us are Christians and follow the 10 commandments...I don't get it.
3.)Really violent movies ( I did like the Borne series, but it has a great story.)Hated Transformers. It was so junky in every way to me. Especially the Megan Fox thing. Often I tune out and appear to be watching the show but my mind wonders and I couldn't tell you what just happened. I can sit there for a few hours and do this.
4.) Desecration of women, namely Pornography. What are we doing to ourselves. But I don't even like nude art or nudity in movies. I wont watch them.
5.)Winter (okay, I like it for about a month)
6.)Rap, Rock, most alternative, dance beat etc.
7.)Seafood. I know this is not good, so I eat and feed my family Salmon. But come on. When you see a resemblance between insects and seafood, why would you eat it? Really, Crawfish looks like a giant bug and so does lobster and Crab and shrimp. Now I have to admit the meat looks moist, flaky and good, but the smell is so bad and it looks so weird and you have to mutilate it to get to the meat...Why did someone ever look at a crab and say, "Mmmm, this looks like a giant spider, I think I will eat it?" I know I am missing out on nutrition, but I will take a supplement. Ironically I do support my children and husband in eating it...Maybe I will too one day-who knows!
8.)Crowds. I can't be around too many people for too long. I love and need people but then I have to go inside and recharge. I do love to go to parties and visit and have fun with friends. Often Trevor nudges me at a party that it is time to go, and he will leave me after church and wait for me in the car while I visit with people. When I have had my fill, I do retreat some. I prefer a home that when I walk outside, I cannot see anyone else's house. I feel claustrophobic now, and so I don't go in my yard often. I don't like to be watched and feel as if I am. But when I specifically say crowds, I am talking about Rome, Vegas or L.A. or something busy like that. You feel packed in.
9.)Public speaking. I enjoyed it as a kid in church, but now it terrifies me. I know that I could be good at it though.
10.) Fighting. I don't like it when I have upset somebody. But I also don't like Children to be disrespectful. This upsets me. Any literature or modern movies that portray this, I try not to support.

I wonder how much this matches to a "Virgo" See below.

Virgo

Recently, I have discovered more about what my zodiac symbol means. At first, when I researched it, I got harsh impressions of perfectionism, order and coldness. I can almost bet Martha Stewart is one and the character of Dana Scully on X-files. I was feeling pretty bummed about being a Virgo. But then I found this article and showed it to my husband. He laughed and said, "wow, that pretty much sums you up." It seems a little more fair as in other listings seem against virgos. Perhaps this was written by a virgo ;) There is still much I disagree with in here, but at least it's not all bad! To all those Virgos that fit the mold of order, percision and cleanliness, let me offer a cure-A husband with an unpredictable job,a house full of kids in a home under construction-That'll do it to ya!

The woman governed by Virgo cannot easily be won over. Her approach to life is direct and she can also be pessimistic, critical and something of a fusser. Yet, she is so elementally “earthy” in her judgments, that she is one of the few female types of the Zodiac who can be trusted in every way. This female frequently possesses the reasoning powers normally associated with the male population and she refuses to stoop to hiding this by adopting a veneer of helpless and feminine charm. Regardless, this woman is usually very feminine in appearance, generally being neat, small-boned and attractive with deep eyes. Beneath the surface, however, the Virgo female is quite severe in her moral judgments, despite frequently masking this with a smiling face that she presents to the world at large. She lives by her morals and principles. This woman is by no means a spoil-sport…being tolerant and wise in many ways…but she does set such high standards for herself that she often virtually seethes with inner tension. She is often critical of self, especially feeling that motherhood has diminished her attractiveness. She has a sense of health. She is frequently intellectual with the gift of language or the powers of a retentive memory which aids her in passing examinations, the Virgo female is something of an academic type. All this can be rather intimidating and frightening for the ordinary individual. However, her countenance is certainly not lacking in attractive features and she can be counted among the more prettier types of the Zodiac.

In addition, this woman can remain lively and vivacious well into old age. She usually loves travel and new things. As a long term partner, she will constantly strive for perfection in every area, backing her mate in terms of career and putting her mate first while trying to be fairly self-effacing. She most often prefers not to be the center of attention. At first, she may seem cold, but once the passion is ignited it is hard to suppress. This woman is passionate and sympathetic and her drive is to help others. As a mother, strangely enough, she can be relatively indulgent, taking infinite pains to understand her children and self-sacrifice to do so. She makes a dedicated wife and mother. The Virgo woman is considered by many to be one of the most subtle and delicately-cast females to be found in the entire Zodiac and once confident in who she is, the most dynamic. Her need is to love and be loved.


Aries - March 21 - April 20
Taurus - April 21 - May 21
Gemini - May 22 - June 21
Cancer - June 22 - July 22
Leo - July 23 - August 21
Virgo - August 22 - September 23
Libra - September 24 - October 23
Scorpio - October 24 - November 22
Sagittarius - November 23 - December 22
Capricorn - December 23 - January 20
Aquarius - January 21 - February 19
Pisces - February 20 - March 20

How well do you match with your zodiac?