It was great.

I liked it because it was creative. It was original. It was masterful.

I get irritated when everything is a remake of something else. I say that, although I am not a creatve person and more of a copier myself. But say, when starbucks comes out with a drink…and then every other chain then comes out with their version…drives me bonkers. I feel that way about most things. When a product of some sort is created and does well and then every where you turn there is a carbon copy of that same prodcut, just makes me cringe. Because I want the other companies to use their noggins and create something of their own.

So that is why I liked it. My brain had to concentrate the whole movie. I had to pay attention. To think. It was visually something I hadn’t scene before. They took a fight scene and made them fighting while floating withough gravity. It was original.

I also left a bit confused. Which is good. Didn’t wrap it up with a bow. It left me thinking about it, I dare say dreaming about it, and waking up pondering it.

Because I am not what I call a creative…Someone who can create something from nothing…I marvel at it. I am in awe by people who create music. art. buidings. clothing. It amazes me. So when I see something that was original, not copied, from someones brain, I want to stand up and applaud. Because it is spectacular to me that people can do that!

So to those who created inception, thank you. It was a work of creative, confusing, art. I applaud you.

Those were awesome times. I remember thinking how bored I was. Crazy to think now. What I wouldn’t give to not have a care in the world.

Fast forward to today. Summertime is just like any other season of the year. Only its hot. Life is still busy. Work still continues. Kids still need fed. Laundry still needs done. Bills still need paid. Church still needs planted.

But there is a light in the busyness of life tunnel. That is a vacation. And ours is coming up in a few days. I can not wait. I hope to not speak of work. I hope to not speak of bills. I hope to not speak of what we have to do in order for x y and z to happen. I hope to decompress from all that has been in 2010 and have a bunch of  summertime fun. Hang with family and friends. And relax. And recreate my summatimes back in the day!

So what were your summers like back in the day?

Here is a sample of people who give of their time and talents to Restore.

But I’ve decided I will not. I will be white. I will use spf 3o or more everytime I’m out in the sun. I will forgo the fact that I know I look better tan, to save my skin from more wrinkles and maybe even the chance of skin cancer.

This is a commitment I am making to myself. I’m writing it down in order to remind myself, incase I’m tempted to do otherwise.

Between the Promise(of God) and the Payoff(reward) there is a Process and that is….the Point (of it all).

Wow. Read it again. Let it take root. Are you waiting on God for His promise to be fufilled in your life? In the waiting, there is a process. And that process is the point.

It is no secret that I think exercise is awful. I do not enjoy it one bit. But I have tried to maintain some sort of workout 4-5 times a week since January. Lately it’s been barely 3 times a week. I’ve hit a plateau and lost my drive. The only thing that keeps me going during a workout is music. I have to have some upbeat fun songs to energize me.

I’ve found when I have about 5 minutes left on the elliptical or treadmill, I want to quit. But if a good song comes on the ipod, I’ll keep going. But I need more songs, because I’m finding that my go to songs are not getting me through. I need your help! What is your song? What is your favorite gotta keep going, last five minutes, motivational song?

This is my favorite mug. I have had this mug for 8 years. Coffee tastes better in this mug than any other mug I have. It represents the best city on the planet. I even have miniature version of this mug that I hang on my christmas tree. I acquired this mug my first year working for Starbucks. Yes, that’s right. I have worked for Starbucks for 8 years. That is either  really sad or a great accomplishment. The jury is still out on that one.

I actually got this mug for free. Someone returned it because it had a flaw. There was a tiny crack on the handle. So I took it home. A free mug with a tiny crack is still a free mug. I have enjoyed thousands of cups of coffee in this mug. contemplated life with every caffeinated sip. You see, just like this cup, I am flawed but can still be used.

I was devastated when I opened up my dishwasher last week and saw that after 8 glorious years my mug had given up. It had been so strong. A survivor. But it finally let go. This mug parallels my life in many ways…well and Jacks too but lets focus on me….When it broke I had to ask myself if it was time for me to let go too. I’m still contemplating that decision but the mug is helping me push toward that decision. Thanks Starbucks chicago mug, I’ve loved you.

Oh, and I don’t think they make these mugs anymore because they have changed the design that is not as cool. IMO. So sad.

As the kids arrived they were given fedora party hats and we had a Lego Indiana Jones movie playing on the TV along with some theme music in the back ground. Ethan had built his bolder set for the center piece.

Indiana Jones was our special guest for the party. Joey Willis was simply amazing. He was hiding upstairs and we turned the Indiana Jones music up really loud to usher him in. He hurled himself over our upstairs banister and the kids were surprised and excited. He began to read them clues to adventures (games) they had to go on in order to find the golden lion statue.

The adventures included throwing balls on the crystal skull totalling 200 points and then finding a coin on the back of the skull. Wrapping 2 of the kids up as mummies (toilet paper) and running to the fence to find coins hidden there. Then they had to go into an ancient burial chamber (the playhouse) to sift through monkey brains and eyeballs (cold spaghetti and peeled grapes) to each find a coin. Finally they had to get the golden stones to the front of the house without using their hands (gold spray painted potatoes) and when they put the golden stones in the correct spot the garage door magically opened revealing the golden lion statue and treasure (their gift bags).

After the adventures were complete we ate and had cookie cake and ice cream.

And Indy’s big exit….

Special thanks to Joey who made this party great. Thankful that we have a whole year before we have to plan another one!!

When Ethan came into this world he came with a bang. It was dramatic. And unique.  And he has been dramatic and unique ever since. His will is so very strong. Always has been. I hope, always will be. He loves legos and technology. He does not however, love sports….but we are still working on that. He has always always been the smartest kid. Could read things at 2. He is so inquisitive. Wants to know the hows and whys of things. In kindergarten his teacher said he was the most advanced child in the class. He is being tested right now for the gifted program in his new school district. I have a dream for him to be all that he can be. To live life to the fullest. To love God with all of his heart. I pray everyday that I am the best mother I can be to him. That we are as close as a mother and son can be. And that I don’t screw him up with my own junk.

Ethan I love you. You bring joy to my life. You are the most gorgeous boy in the room and you have what it takes.

Concentrating on his lines before his school musical

He wanted me to take his picture with this toy.

I’ve been pondering this question of late. Wondering what would I do. I have some missed opportunites in my life. You might call them regrets. Things that had I known what I know now, I would have done differently. So now I’m pondering thoughts of “what’s stopping me?” Why not now? Am I too old? Has my time past? I want so badly to hear these words “well done!” At the end of my life, those two words are all I want to hear. They are what I’m living for. So am I living a life worthy of those words?

These are questions I’ve been pondering. So what about you? What would you do if you knew you would not fail?