Hace frio!!

This year when our family each wrote letters to ourselves to begin the new year, one of Caroline's wishes was to go to the beach. I think this is a recurring dream for her. I guess the sentiments in the country song, "Some Beach Somewhere" ring true for working adults and four year old girls alike.

One day last spring, she shared the vision with me of sitting on a beach eating chocolate ice cream with chocolate syrup wearing our flip flops, swimsuits, and sunglasses. We tried to recreate it as best we could in the backyard.

I post this knowing that in mid January (my husband doesn't like to say that word) she is not the only one imagining warm fresh afternoons out in the 75 degree weather.

We have, however, had our share of chills and thrills this winter...

Action shots at Pioneer Park in Price-

Another of Caroline's backyard plans-

A fun little hill at our
neighborhood park-

And finally, MOM'S MASTERPIECE!

VAMPIRE love stories by Stephenie Meyer

I fully experienced catharsis with these books which impressed and entertained me. What a talented author.
Several times during the books I had to stop and nod, cry, or just re-read a certain line or passage because it was worded so well. Because I don't have the 3 books in front of me, I can't quote perfectly, but I will refer to those parts which struck (or should I say pierced/ punctured) me.

Warning***THESE ARE SPOILERS***

The way she described the physical pain of seperation in the first book was so easy to sympathize with. The hole in her heart was really there, and it ached around the edges. At one point, speaking of her time with Edward, she said something to the effect of being SCARED TO REMEMBER (because it hurt) but TERRIFIED TO FORGET (because the memories were a true dream world that she loved).

I loved the analogy of Bella comparing herself to an old fixer upper house. She knew she was broken down. Very broken down. She opened the door for Jacob and he could find a place to sit in the front room but the rest of the home needed way to much repair to even venture there.

New Moon-- in Italy-- I was disappointed with the inital reunion in the alley way. It took forever for them to finally meet again (although I did enjoy reading about Jacob and getting to know him as Bella's FRIEND). After speaking with the Volturi, Edward and Bella do a little more of a mushy reunite- which was what I was waiting for. She is in his arms when they are still underground in this eerie place and she thinks it is "heaven, right smack in the middle of hell." I thought that was accurate and clever.

New Moon--p. 495-- Bella talks more about her broken down state... "How many ways can one heart be mangled and still be expected to keep beating? I'd lived through a lot that should have finished me in the last few days, but it didn't make me feel strong. Instead I felt horibly fragile, like one word could shatter me. p. 495---I was thinking--Edward, you'd better not shatter her!!!
Then Edward doesn't disappoint. (You can tell this next part that I LOVE was written by a girl) It is on p. 514 of "New Moon" and I think maybe the most romantic passage in the whole series. It begins... "Before you, Bella, my life was like a moonless night... "

Eclipse- This is a heart wrenching, splitting book. I was crying crocidile tears for the whole last half pretty much (besides the planning about the Seattle battle and the action scenes which were not my favorite)
p. 529- Just after Jacob's second kiss to Bella (the way he says the first should have been) Bella says "And then, quite distinctly, I felt the splintering along the fissure line in my heart as the smaller part wrenched itself away from the whole." I was dying. Then I felt even worse when she said a few pages later that she didn't feel any anger at Jacob for maybe trying to trick her into it..."There wasn't enough room in my body to contain anything besides the hatred I felt for myself."
I guess that's how 2 timing or being unfaithful could feel to people. But I felt so bad for Bella.

Then she talks about Jacob after he was physically injured..."Huge as he was, he looked very breakable. Maybe that had just been my imagination, coupled with the knowledge that I was going to have to break him."
That is SUCH GOOD WRITING!!
Then sweet Jacob tells her (refering to the Bible story ) "I'm not going to cut you in half anymore, Bella."
This must be the passage that convinces some to favor Jacob to Edward. Very nicely put by him.
I agree with Jacob when he says that Edward is like Bella's drug, and Jacob would have been her sunlight and air. That seems to really describe the 2 relationships...Not an all bad or harmful drug, though.

So Kudos to Miss Meyer. I looked on her website and saw covers of Twilight in about 12 different languages. Talk about profit! I hope she is sipping a lemonade right now pondering about what she will write next.

I had heard about these books at the gym, in others homes, on my family blog, from my mother-in-law's beauty shop customers, .... and wasn't sure if I wanted to take the 2,000 page plunge. But being in on a dinner conversation between two friends from high school where they disagreed on Jacob vs. Edward finally peaked my curiosity enough. I was surprised to find that Bella was a high schooler because most of the fans I knew of were my age, but it was a fun leap back in time to the days of first falling in love. My own heart was skipping beats every time Edward came around! It is surely true that Stephenie too loves the characters she (literally) dreamt up. I must admit later on there were a few physical lovey dovey scenes that crept outside my comfort zone. But the author was surely tasteful and respectful of her audiences.

For now I am back to my practical and spiritual reading which I enjoy as well but the journey through the forests of Forks was fun fun fun.

P.S. Please share comments if you have read these. I miss my book clubs :(

Cravings

It is always funny how your tastes change a little during pregnancy. This time around (during my first trimester):
I gagged at the thought of eating lettuce for several weeks.
I guess I made up for it by having brussel sprouts at least 3 times a week.
I ate oatmeal EVERY morning.
Lots of turkey sandwiches.
I wanted them on white bread. (not normal for me)
Quesedillas were ok on flour tortillas.
I bought grapefruit several times. That's something my grandma and mom eat.
I HAD to buy a can of Chef Boyardee ravioli one day for lunch. I've had it once since but it wasn't as good as that day.
Of course, sprite and saltines all afternoon and evening - tortilla chips too- or microwave popcorn. I see a sodium pattern here.
Now everything tastes good, all day every day. I want chocolate and candy. Can't really blame that on the pregnancy, though because it never changes, and I'm sure never will!

Update (a little late :)

Hello and Happy Winter! Dec. 2007

We love hearing from friends and family around the holidays. We hope this letter finds you full of the Christmas sprit! If you need some, our kids have plenty to share. Ever since we put up the tree Caroline has been hiding random gifts under it for various family members. William has completed several seasonal drawings and Desirée has smiled with excitement anytime a song on the radio contains the words “Santa”, or “Christmas.”

We have all learned from our experiences in the year 2007.
*We learned from Will’s hospitalization with Kawasaki disease how precious life and health are. *We also learned to appreciate knowledgeable, caring medical professionals- and supportive

family and friends.
*We learned from our springtime cruise how refreshing a getaway can be! (Thanks to all who
helped make it possible for us to go!)
*Caroline has learned how to write most of her letters, a skill useful in addressing invitations for
her fun “Dora” birthday party.
*We learned that Lagoon is still “what fun is” even though the line for Wicked was way too long.
*Desi learned how to use momentum to get the 2 person swing in our backyard going WAY to
high for a toddler.
*We learned about several new geocaching spots in Cache Valley and near Potter’s Pond.
*John learned how to avoid being eaten by a bear, and how to safely raft the Snake River with a
group of rowdy scouts.
*Julia has learned how beautiful it is to witness people helping their neighbors as she has
served in Relief Society.
*We learned how good fruit tastes out of your own backyard!
*William learned his lines for the musical production he took part in this summer.
*The girls have learned new moves from Caroline’s dance class, and made up some of their own.

We have learned that a warm home, a steady income, and having each other close are blessings we should count every day.

We appreciate having this season to focus on learning more about the birth of our Savior. May His Spirit dwell in the hearts of all of His children now and through the coming year.

Love,
The Whitehead Family
John Alden , Julia, William, Caroline, Desirée