At least, I’m always interested.

President Bush Meets With First Presidency

I finished Eclipse on Wednesday this week. I have to be honest – I’m glad that I have time between books.

I talked my sisters into reading the books. Liz has already finished the first one (in a record 3 days) and I think she summed it up nicely. “It’s like your first kiss. Your heart doesn’t slow down until it’s over.” And, I might add, until after you’ve been able to think about something else.

Caution: Spoilers beyond this point.

I’m getting the sense that Bella’s never really going to become a vampire. With my luck (which is similar to hers, I’m afraid) they’ll get married, fulfill her one human desire, she’ll end up pregnant, and they’ll have to drag it out another 9 months (or longer – it could go anywhere) and then the Volturi will show up and demand both lives. The baby will have some random super-human mutant power and it will be a constant struggle between humanity and the unknown.

I’m probably wrong. After all, the one human desire could do the trick. Wouldn’t that be a nice twist? Forget biting her. This was is less painful, slower, and doesn’t leave the same kind of hunger, or thirst rather.

Wrong again. Marriage. The one human desire will have no consequences, as vampires are made of stone, he’ll fulfill his promise, bite her, and they’ll live happily EVER after and that will truly be the end. Who would there be left to protect? To risk everyones lives for?

Unless…

Ever had one of those days where one single event seems to make or break it?

I had one of those moments today and until I read Vanessa’s blog a minute ago, I’d almost forgotten about it.

I was walking in the hallway at work today and one of the girls that works in the lab was walking in the other direction.

“Abi, are you losing weight?” You can already tell that this was a make it moment, can’t you?

“No, I wish!”

“You look like you are. You have one of those bodies that might be big, but isn’t round. It’s curvy and you seem to know how to use it. You look terrific!”

To jump on Vanessa’s wagon…

I agree. I want my girls (my seminary girls as they’re all I have) to grow up being confident and loving who they are inside and out. I want them to know that they are loved regardless of what the world might tell them. I also hope that they find the real love they are looking for in someone who knows that real WOMEN aren’t defined by their body size (up, down or around), but by the size of their heart.

I also want my boy’s to understand and respect reality. I don’t want them to grow up thinking that a girl isn’t good enough if she isn’t skinny enough. I want them to “…look upon the heart…” and find a woman that will take care of them and be a good wife. Someone that will treat them with respect and will honor their priesthood, encouraging them to do the same.

There are so many things wrong with this world. I hope that the campaign does what it’s suggesting it will do. I just want my kids to be happy.

When I was 20 I moved back home after living two years in Utah. Shortly after I got home, I was called to teach the 9 year old primary class. That class consisted of four boys and one girl. When I was set apart… well, I’ll never forget that blessing.

They’re all seniors in high school now. I was able to be there last night when one of the boys was honored for having received his Duty to God award. Afterwards, as I was congratulating him, he said to me, “It’s all because of you, ya know.”

I laughed. I knew he was joking. “Right, Roy. That was almost 10 years ago!”

He laughed too and then said, “Do you remember how you made me and Wally and Z memorize the Articles of Faith?”

I answered that I did.

He responded, “Well that helped a lot.”

I was speechless after that. I could only vaguely remember trying to get them to memorize their Articles of Faith. Later when I got home I thought some more about it and remembered that I had promised them the biggest and best candy bar, one of their choosing, for each one that they memorized and passed off. When they got to the end and had completed all 13, there was some other prize in store, but I still can’t remember what it was. Roy was the only one who got through all 13. He’s now graduating from Oceanside High School and will be attending BYU in the fall while preparing to serve his mission. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for him. He was the sweetest kid and has kept that awesome smile his entire life. I couldn’t be more proud of him if he was my own child.

Best of luck Roy!

Church Responds to California Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage Decision

I can’t really say that I got sucked in again because it’s not like I had a break between Twilight and New Moon. I literally read them as though they were one (and have continued with Eclipse).

I do have to warn those who have not read it. Be prepared to be sad, possibly angry, certainly depressed. If it weren’t for my book club buddies, I would not have finished this book. I started reading it on the same Saturday that I finished Twilight, the closing and opening of the covers no more than the turning of a page. By Sunday I couldn’t go on. I kept trying to force myself to continue but I was so depressed that I couldn’t even look at the book. It was like a huge black brick that was just making me sick.

I begged my buddies for some comfort. Something, anything, that would help me continue. After all, I was stuck on the story and wanted to see it to the end, no mater how painful it still may be. Because of their supportive e-hugs I pressed forward and am so glad I did!

It wasn’t long after I thought I had quit that things really started picking up again. Then things happened so fast! On Thursday night we had a mini enrichment sewing class that I really wanted to go to, and was late for, because Bella had just barely landed herself in the alley in Italy. It was 7:01 according to our cable box, and I was supposed to already be at the church (thankfully I’m across the street!), so I had to close the book and leave, knowing full well that by the time I got back it would be too late to stay up and continue.

Work was painful knowing that Bella, Jacob and Edward were waiting for me in the car.

Reality lines were blurred when a very fair teenager dressed fully in black crossed the street in front of me. I could have sworn that she could smell me. Thankfully I was on my way home from work after helping people switch offices so I wasn’t exactly “sweet” smelling. Yes, I know that the vampires I love so much don’t wear black, but still.

It’s hard to remember where that book ended and Eclipse began. I’m about a third of the way into Eclipse, having started it on Friday night. I can’t seem to take it in fast enough which, I know, is only going to leave me thirsty and pining for more in a few days. Hey, at least I’ll finally be caught up!

When my book club decided to read Twilight and described to me what it was about, I decided I wasn’t interested. Aren’t there enough stories about vampires out there? Do we really need another one? I don’t like vampires, never have, and any story, movie, etc. that includes them has been on my “Do No Watch” or “Do Not Read” list for as long as I’ve had one.

I finally gave in. More because of curiosity on my part. My seminary students were talking about this book and how good it is. The girls at book club were so excited about the series, the new book coming out this summer, and the movie coming out in December. Fine. Let’s give it a shot.

I found the book on sale at Target and thought, “What the heck. If I don’t like it, there are enough people out there who would be willing to take it off my hands for me” and bought it. The next day, Tuesday, I got all nice and comfy on the sofa and got started. I almost forgot to get a lesson ready for seminary the next morning.

Wednesday night I forgot to eat dinner. Maybe forgot isn’t the right word. After all, my stomach wasn’t being quiet about its emptiness. Rather I kept saying to myself, “At the end of this chapter” and then that chapter turned in to another one… and another one… Luckily that night I had prepared my lesson before sitting down to read.

Thursday I had a scripture study mini enrichment night so I was only able to read a chapter or 2 before falling asleep. I decided that night, though, that I would stay up all night on Friday and finish it.

Friday night came, but with it came other things that needed to be done. Such as a date with my husband who hasn’t been fed all week. A baseball game at the park down the street. Who can resist a little league baseball game? I can’t, not even for this. By the time I got home it was getting late and I was getting sleepy. The early rising with the late night reading wasn’t helping me to accomplish what I had set out to do.

Here it is, Saturday morning. My sister dropped of my nephew for a few hours so they could go down the the temple and the sweet, wonderful little man that he is, entertained himself and slept so that he could let his Aunt Abi finish the book that wouldn’t leave her mind alone.

I got sucked in. And I loved it. I related so well with Bella. I loved that she wasn’t afraid to say anything. She said what she felt. I think that’s why he couldn’t hear what she was thinking. There was no need – she said it. She gave it away with her eyes.

What I loved about it the most though, was the realization that I had while reading it. When I was younger I wished, hoped, prayed and dreamed for a man that would love me as much as Edward loves Bella. I have one. I have an Edward of my very one. A man who is strong, protective, passionate, sweet, good-smelling, and not nearly as clumsy as me. He can twirl me around on a dance floor, laughing when I trip over his (enormous) feet. He loves me for all the things I am and finds me irresistible.

I finished the book today and find myself in the same place as my book club friends – baited and waiting. Thirsting for more.

(Luckily for me, I still have two more to go and I don’t have to wait until August 2nd to quench my thirst!)

I love the game Apples to Apples. I love playing it with my family.

My nephew was blessed today. He’s so adorable. Afterwards, we congregated as a family here at our house and played Apples to Apples. We always laugh like crazy while we’re playing that game. Then, my brother, the punk that he is, pulled the green card that said “Demanding.” He looked at my sisters and then said, “Is there an Abi card?”

Apparently, I’m demanding. Just ask Jared. (Love you Jared :))

Ever showed up to a meeting only to find out that it was canceled and everyone knew, but you?

Maybe they’re trying to tell you something…

My sister, EmaLee, and I went to Disneyland yesterday. I think the actual quote refers to New York City, but I think it applies to Disneyland too….

If you stand (or sit) in one place long enough, the entire world will walk past you.

You know about all the different kinds of people there will ALWAYS be at Disneyland right?

Like the large groups of foreign tourists, each with their own expensive digital camera, speaking a language you can’t understand fast enough that you wonder if they can even understand it, pushing you in line and standing so close that you can smell what they had for lunch.

Then there’s the people that inevitably showing their support for the Cougars of Happy Valley. Whether it’s a hat, shirt, basketball shorts or (no joke) a wristband.

There’s the honeymooners that stand behind you in line talking about what they’re going to do when they get back to the hotel. And how much they love each other – “No, I love YOU more!”

The mom with the teenagers in front of you in line for lunch that pays with exact change from the bottom of her purse, the bottom of the kids’ backpacks – whatever will take longer.

Then there’s the graduating high school seniors that insist upon wearing shirts with ’08 plastered all over them and the graduation Mickey ears. Because it’s cool to be a high school senior.

How about the bands? And the cheerleaders?

And the ankle-biters!! The ankle-biters are the worst! They’re the ones that ram their 2-ton strollers into the backs of your ankles when you’re least expecting it. All the dirty looks, snide and low remarks and the firm planting of feet won’t even phase them. They’ll just keep pushing until they chop you off at the ankles and leave you bleeding and crying for your mommy.

Last but not least, there’s you. And the people you came with that make all the ankle-biters worth it.