Future Cheerleader?

The Three Month Report

In: Sleeping 6 hours in a row
5 minutes ago: Sleeping 4 hours in a row
Out: Staying up half the night

In: Giggling at Daddy
5 minutes ago: Smiling at Mommy
Out: Blank stares

In: Grabbing Toys
5 minutes ago: Sucking on fingers
Out: Looking at Mommy like she's a crazy person

Cass Community Social Services

Yesterday I got the chance to help out at a homeless shelter in downtown Detroit. It was such a great experience. It brought back memories off all my experiences doing service projects in Young Women's. We met a man who was very open about his past, once addicted to crack cocaine and alcohol but is now successfully employed, a homeowner, and even has a dog. He spent 14 months at Cass before getting on his feet. I appreciated the commitment he made to himself. He taught us that where you've been isn't important, it's where you are, and where you're going. At Cass, in order to raise money, they contract with different companies to do some of their laborious tasks. Our group spent time making sandwiches for the Detroit Police precincts. The sandwiches go to the jail inmates or to anyone who shows up and needs some food. Most of the volunteering I have done lately, aside from my church service, has been through Pageturners which is worlds away from the issues these men face. It was nice to have a hands-on project where I was really interacting with others. If you live in the area and are looking for a great place to volunteer I would urge you to think about Cass...I would recommend going with a group as the neighborhood is dangerous.

Book Review

This month's Pageturner selection was A Mighty Heart: The Brave Life and Death of my Husband Danny Pearl, by Mariane Pearl. Some of you may remember seeing previews for the movie with Angelina Jolie. Mariane narrates the 5 week story of her husband's (a Wall Street Journal reporter) abduction and eventual murder in Karachi, Pakistan. To be honest, I was slightly put off by the book because of the actress chosen to play Mariane in the movie. I thought that she was a little too "Hollywood," and I wasn't really interested. Just a few pages into the book I completely forgot about Angelina and was sharing the anxiety with Mariane. Last night was our discussion and I must say it was the best one yet. We exchanged views about the responsibility of the US Government and the Wall Street Journal, as well as our own ignorance as to the scope of this story. I must say after finishing the book I felt more than embarrased by my lack of knowledge about what had happened. I thoroughly enjoyed it; it showcases the resiliency of the human spirit and a candid view of more than one mighty heart.

My prayers go out to the family of Cyd Mizell. May she be returned unharmed.

Together Forever

"Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart. "

—President Gordon B. Hinckley

Our beloved Prophet passed away yesterday at the age of 97. He will be greatly missed.

I imagine he's running to Marjorie now,
Yes, running, not waving his cane.
I see him embracing his father and mother
While they keep repeating his name.

I see him now meeting his forebears,
Brother Brigham and Joseph are there.
Sweet reunion of prophets, united by service
That only such noble men share.

I see him embraced by the Savior
While Father says, "Good and well done.
So faithful in stalwart endurance, I welcome
My noble, most excellent son."

I then hear the ripples of laughter
As he says the reception's just fine,
But he hopes that he'll get an assignment or two
Since there's no need to waste any time.

I can hear his clear voice in the stillness
At the close of this sweet Sabbath day,
Have faith and move forward — there's work to be done.
President Hinckley would want it that way.

Anna M. Molgard
January 27, 2008

Maxed Out

We watched a documentary tonight called, "Maxed Out." It's about credit and debt. My jaw hit the floor several times. Some of it made me angry, some of it made me sad, some of it scared me. Worth the watch and they have it at the library.

Ice Ice Baby

Today I made a big mug of hot chocolate and we took it down to the:

Mom...why are we out here? It's cold.

See...even the dogs are cold.

My Favorite Sculptures

Can you stand the cuteness?

How do you like my hair?

Please Forward Responsibly

One of my pet peeves is getting email forwards that make ridiculous claims that turn out to be NOT TRUE! I have learned NOT to believe everything I read, this includes pictures that look extraordinary (they probably are) and I think that EVERYONE could benefit from this advice. Please please please, before you send something on that makes some crazy claim like that you can unlock your car using your cordless phone and keyless entry, check it out on www.snopes.com. or www.hoaxbusters.org. Friends don't let friends email junk.

Bobble Head Baby

She likes the Bumbo

MLK, Jr. Day...a day ON.

Yesterday I was able to celebrate Martin Luther King Day in a special way. One of my professors nominated me to take part in a round-table discussion with Governor Granholm and other community leaders including WXYZ News Anchors Stephen Clark and Carolyn Clifford. The topics were Michigan's future and diversity. It was an interesting mix of students and I definitely felt on the "older" side of things. I really enjoyed hearing what the other students had to say. I didn't ask any questions or make any comments but I thought about how the two things related, Michigan's future, and diversity. I thought about how Michigan needs to attract knowledge-based companies/jobs and that we need to show that in this globalizing economy we are a welcoming community to all nations. We need to be able to stop thinking about getting old jobs back and being ready for new jobs which is why education is so important. The old mantra was "get an degree and everything will be okay," but that isn't enough, especially in Michigan. You really have to make a choice based on what jobs are available. I enjoyed being a part of something to commemorate Dr. King's vision and remembering my responsibility in all of this is to teach my daughter to embrace diversity and appreciate all the colors of people in the world.

Here is a link to a story about the event in the Observer and Eccentric.

Look out Gerber Baby...

Check out our baby/model...and not the other way around.

Thank you Tahmee!

Thumbsucker

Looks like we've got ourselves a thumb sucker. I know it's good for her to self-soothe, hopefully she gives it up before she's 12.

Very Clever Dinner...

I found this recipe on allrecipes.com. I did change a few things...I browned half a "sleeve" of sage sausage and added it with the broccoli. Also, I read about how to keep it from being so wet (which mine was) and everyone said to NOT use frozen broccoli (which I did) and to put the cheese in the bottom. I also added three more eggs than called for. It was great! I was nervous about Tony liking it, I thought he would think it was "girl food," but he had seconds...and then ate the rest about two hours later. ;) I served it with orange segments.

Easy Broccoli Quiche

SUBMITTED BY: Sara PHOTO BY: ALYSSAVEG

"This easy vegetarian quiche is a snap to make but looks great on the table."

PREP TIME	20 Min
COOK TIME	30 Min
READY IN	50 Min

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, minced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 cups chopped fresh broccoli
• 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 4 eggs, well beaten
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Over medium-low heat melt butter in a large saucepan. Add onions, garlic and broccoli. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are soft. Spoon vegetables into crust and sprinkle with cheese.
3. Combine eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in melted butter. Pour egg mixture over vegetables and cheese.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until center has set.

Story time

Tonight Lucy and I read some books...well, all her books really.

My Her favorites were: Eight Silly Monkeys, Gossie, Gossie & Gertie, and Goodnight Gorilla.

Ignore the pile of junk past us in the picture, Tony referred to me as Marjory the Trash Heap from Fraggle Rock. :(

Look Auntie Jennifer...

I can almost do it!

GNO

Last night my sister took me, her friend Jodi and Emily to see "Hannah Montana." I felt transported back to my own time of being a screaming teenager. It was so fun!

Ally and AJ-The Opening Act

The music was upbeat, and the dancing was terrific...I think I may have missed my calling, I think in another life I could have been a back-up dancer.

There were mostly girls and moms in attendance but there were a few brave dads (sporting earplugs) and even a few enthusiastic boys.

The security guard I caught singing along.

One boy who sat across the stage from us was holding up a t-shirt that read something like, "Please sign my t-shirt," he apparently didn't think she was going to come down off of the stage so he threw it across the crowd to her. I didn't think she would do anything with it, but surprisingly she put it on and danced around in it, signed it, and then had one of her security people give it back to him.




We had really awesome seats. The screaming was U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E. I thought back to Jr. high and was reminded of one of my friend's mom who was "the cool mom," she would follow cars filled with cute boys and act silly with us and I thought to the future and felt so excited about growing up with Lucy. I know there will be the unavoidable drama that this age brings but I look forward to the excitement and the pop music and even...the screaming.

The last song Miley sang was a heartfelt tune dedicated to her late Grandfather---it was very sweet.


The concert was totally AWESOME!!!!

If you want to feel like you were really there: