Review ~ Fireproof

This movie was amazing! I recommend this movie to ANY married couple. I wanted to watch this with my hubby...and I was sure I was going to have to pull teeth to get him to watch it...no gunfights, no car chases...a movie about marriage??...I didn't think I had a chance! God was definitely on my side when I asked him to watch it. He agreed! and...he liked it!

Fireproof really struck home to us in a lot of ways. I could see us in the situations in the movie. I cried (and cried and cried!)...like 4 times!! I think it opened our eyes to a lot of things. Maybe we should watch it a few more times... :)

Synopsis:

Capt. Caleb Holt (played by Kirk Cameron), a dedicated firefighter whose marriage to his wife, Catherine, has taken a severe turn for the worse and is about to end in divorce. Just when hope seems to be running out, Holt's Christian father intervenes, challenging the couple to a 40-day experiment that he hopes will renew their love for each other -- and for God.

Daybook ~ September 24, 2009

Outside my Window ... It's starting to cloud up to what will probably turn into rain...but - it's kind of sunny now, and since it has rained every day for about 2 weeks - I've very excited about the sun.

I am thankful for ... my hubby, Terrance, who has agreed to take on some roles around the homestead so I can get a much-needed break...I need some sane days.

From the kitchen ... I think we are having Zaxby's tonight. Yum!

I am wearing ... a black skirt and a blue shirt...I look like a bruise. lol But, I love this shirt - it's a great blue color. It matches the blue streaks in my hair that I'm sporting today. :)

I am reading ... Finally finished the book that took me FOREVER to read...now I am on to Parenting Today's Adolescent...and Just Take My Heart. One for need...one for fun.

I am hoping ... To get my filthy house cleaned this weekend - but will all that's going on: 1)Jordan's acting class, 2) taking food to the Smith's, 3) missions conference at church...I'm not sure when I will get it done...the next few weeks don't look any better.

I am hearing ... not much...it's lunch time at the office and it's really quiet here.

Around the house ... not much happening other than the usual busy-ness. It doesn't seem like we are there much lately other than to sleep.

One of my favorite things ... Hulu...I am loving it! We all know that mom get's the last pick when it comes to tv watching - and now I don't have to miss anything. :)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... Jordan has choir practice tonight that may or may not be interrupted by a trip to the orthodontist for a painful spring incident. Tomorrow, I have an appointment with the ENT to see what is going on with my ears. Hopefully, I will get some answers.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you ... A certain 4 year old is turning 5 in about a week and a half...and he is very specific on what kind of birthday party he wants:

Friday Felicities

Things that make me happy:

• Friday...the week is over...this had not been a good week for our family...injuries - burns - sickness.
• That Myles was not hurt more seriously when he was burned.
• Anniversary at work...been here 11 years!

Short list this week...Been a hard week...

Link up over at Becky's

When Someone Hurts Your Child

What do you do when someone hurts your child...physically, emotionally, mentally, etc? As a parent, I find this one of the hardest questions to answer. My gut instinct is to hurt that person back...my head tells me to calm down!

Let me back up and relate what happened...

Jordan has had issues with a girl from school. This is the same girl that took her cell phone a few weeks back and started all the lying and covering up issues. That time - it was an emotional hurt. The girl hurt Jordan's feelings and disrespected her. This time she physically hurt her. Jordan had borrowed the girls coat this morning because she was cold. By lunch time, she no longer needed it and she attempted to give it back. The girl threw it back at Jordan's feet and yelled at her to hang onto it - that she didn't want it back right then. Jordan picked up the jacket and went on to her next class. As she was waiting by her class for the teacher to arrive, this girl came up and yanked the jacket from her arms...hard enough to leave abrasions and burn-like marks on her arm from the jacket zipper. Her arm immediately started swelling and Jordan went to the nurse and called me.

What do you do in these situations??? Terrance and I had both warned her about this girl after the first incident. We had told her that this girl might not be a true friend to her...that she might not have Jordan's best interests in mind. But Jordan kept hanging out with her...

I know that sometimes you have to let your kids make their own mistakes...that sometimes getting hurt is the only way to learn...but that is so hard to watch as a parent. Watching her get hurt is excruciating! It's one thing to make the mistake yourself...it's another to sit here and watch her through this. It hurts my heart as her mother to see her in pain...physically and/or emotionally. It hurts to see her not wanting to go to school tomorrow because she will have to face this girl...at school and on the bus. Jordan hates confrontation...she always has. She is the girl that cried on the soccer field when she accidentaly kicked the ball and it hit another girl in the head...super-sensitive, caring, non-confrontational.

I learned this verse last year in bible study and it has become a rock for me. I read it to Jordan and told her to just trust in Him...He is with her wherever she goes...let it be the same rock to her as it has become for me.

Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Review ~ Quarantine

I really enjoyed this movie - I must say that first of all. I love scary movies! I know I've said this before...but I like scary movies...not gross movies. I love a movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat - that keeps you wondering what is coming next...what is around the next corner...and this is one of those movies.

Synopsis:
While on assignment shadowing LA firemen, newscaster Angela Vidal (Jennifer Carpenter) and her cameraman (Steve Harris) ride along to what is supposed to be a routine 911 call to an apartment building. After their arrival, the police and CDC officials quarantine the building trapping all inside. Phones, televisions, cell phones and electricity are all turned off...leaving them in the dark with...something.

This is a POV movie - meaning the movie is shot from the point-of-view of one of the characters. 2007's Cloverfield was shot the same way - but I didn't care for that movie at all. The acting in Quarantine was excellent. Their emotions and fears practically leapt from the screen - pulling me in. I actually jumped a few times - and I can't remember the last movie that made me do that.

Friday Felicities ~ September 4, 2009

Things that make me happy:

• I know I've mentioned this before...but...JORDAN MADE THE CHOIR!!! :)
• Getting back on track with things - like working out...yuck...but sticking to it.
• Bible study is starting back next week. I have missed my BSG (Bible Study Gals).
• 3 1/2 day weekend. Leaving at lunch time today. I love long weekends.
• House...Season 5...on DVD...from Netflix. I.am.so.excited. :)
• Hearing how God is working through friends and family's lives.
• Myles' new Spongebob Squarepants crocs...they were like a beacon through the fog this morning when I was waving good-bye to him. lol

Link up over at Becky's...

Recent Events

Just a few events that have happened around here lately worth mentioning:

• Jordan made the middle school choir!!!!! I am so unbelievably proud of her. :)
• Our 3rd annual family trip to the Wilson Co. Fair...I made a video...and it's pretty darn cute if I say so myself. lol

Recent Happenings

A couple of recent happenings to share:

• Jordan made the choir!!!!!! I am so unbelievably proud of her!!!

• Our recent trip to the Wilson Co. Fair. I made it into a video...of which I am pretty darn proud. ;)

Friday Felicities ~ August 28, 2009

Things that make me happy...

• A trip to the Wilson Co. Fair tomorrow.
• Fishing/throwing rocks at the lake by our house.
• God's grace and patience...it gets me through EVERY day.
• Jordan trying out for choir and her sharing her beautiful voice with others.
• Labor Day next weekend!!...I love having a 3-day weekend to look forward to. :)

Link up over at Becky's with things that make you happy...

Review ~ The Last House on The Left

Ok, as much as I like scary movies...I was not a big fan of this one. This is a Wes Craven remake of his own 1972 movie...which I have not seen. For some reason - some directors/producers/writers believe there has to be lots of boobs for a movie to be scary. I cannot tell you how many scary movies I have tried to watch with just nonsense nudity in them. "IT'S NOT NECESSARY!", I want to scream to them! It's just stupid...and for that reason alone - it lost a star. Another reason was the rape scene...not a fan!! I know it happens - and it accurately depicts what evil things bad people do...but that doesn't mean I want to watch it....you lost another star. I did like the fact that the good guys prevail. I watched another thriller-type movie a while back and all the good guys died...what kind of movie is that?? Who wants the bad guys to win?? This wasn't the worse movie I've ever seen...but I won't watch it again. And...it wasn't scary. For some reason...I thought scary movies were supposed to be, um...scary?


Synopsis:
John & Emma Collingwood are on vacation at their lakeshore house when, by a bizarre twist of fate, they give shelter to the sociopaths who have just assaulted and nearly killed their daughter. Upon discovering the truth, they exact a chilling revenge on her attackers...

Review ~ The Uninvited

This movie - rated PG-13 and released on January 30, 2009, was very good, in my opinion. I must preface this with the fact that I "love" scary, suspensful, thriller-type movies. This one wasn't too scary - but very suspensful and had an ending I just wasn't expecting...another huge plus for me.

Basically a film of unknown stars - I only recognized David Strathairn, who played the father - it was well acted. It wasn't cheesy like many "scary" movies tend to be. They managed to keep me waiting to see what would happen and rooting for the underdog.

Anna (Emily Browning) is commited to a mental institution after an attempted suicide following her mother's tragic death. When she is released, she learns her father is planning on marrying the woman who was her mother's nurse, Rachael (Elizabeth Banks). Rachael seems to not have the best intentions and seems to be hiding something. Anna begins seeing her mother's ghost - and Anna concludes that it was not just an accident...that she was murdered.

Friday Felicities ~ August 21, 2009

Things that make me happy:

• Fridays!!!
• My new 'puter at home...it's like a space ship!! It's so cool! :)
• Going out with friends tonight to celebrate a birthday.
• Celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary this week!!
• Children that are willing to learn from their mistakes.
• Remembering that God is in control!

Link up over at Becky's with things that make you happy!

Disappointment in our Kids

What do you do when your child disappoints you?

We caught Jordan in a lie yesterday. Not just any lie - but a lie that had been compounded by lie after lie after lie. I was so sad when the truth finally came out. I was/am so disappointed in her.

I remember when I was growing up that it was one thing to make my parents upset but I never wanted them to be disappointed in me. That hurt me more than anything.

The incident with Jordan was all centered around her cell phone. I debated for months whether or not she was ready for a cell phone. I wasn't sure that she was ready for that extra responsibility. We dropped our house phone a while back to save money...and the fact that no one ever called us on it - so we knew if Jordan was going to ride the bus and be home alone - then she would need a way of contacting us to let us know she was home safe and if she needed anything.

Apparently, one of her friends wanted to "see" her phone on Tuesday afternoon - but when Jordan got ready to get off the bus, she wouldn't give it back. Now, Jordan has always been one of those children that can "make friends with a lamp post" (as I like to say). She's very friendly and she doesn't want to make anyone mad. So, I'm sure she didn't want to make a scene with this girl. But, from the minute she stepped off the bus without her phone...she began to lie about it - saying she had left it at school in her locker.

Well, last night I learned that was a lie when I was checking her phone and saw that there were texts made when it was "supposedly" left at school in her locker. She finally came clean and told us what happened.

I told her that little girl was NOT her friend. Friends don't take things from you and refuse to give them back. This, hopefully, will be a huge lesson for her to show that you can't trust everyone...that not everyone has your best interests at heart.

I don't expect Jordan to be perfect. I wasn't and it's not fair of me to expect it of her.

"for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." ~ Romans 3:23

But, this is the first time she has just out-and-out lied...over and over...trying to cover her tracks, and that just breaks my heart. I want to be able to trust her - to count on her...but she has broken that trust and will have to earn it back.

Parenting is just getting harder and harder as she gets older. Wanting to trust her and treat her like the young lady that she is becoming, and not like the child that she was...trying to show her the right paths to follow - yet, feeling like a failure when she let's me down.

Friday Felicities ~ August 14, 2009

Things that make me happy...

• Getting off early on Friday...of course, I had to go in at 4:45 to make that happen...but, oh well.
• Being home the last 2 days when Jordan gets off the bus.
• Accepting the fact that my baby girl is growing up and going to her first dance.
• Relaxing on the couch while Myles "rests" beside me. ((that is said in quotes because that is what he is supposed to be doing...not what he's actually doing))
• Netflix...I love getting movies for everyone!! Scary/thrillers for me, family ones for the kids, and shoot-'em-up/actions for Terrance.

Link up over at Becky's...

14 Years Ago

14 years ago today, Terrance and I had our first child, Dasya Kaitlin Gray. She died at birth becasue of a condition known as acrania. It is a fatal condition that is just a fluke thing that happens. Today would have been her 14th birthday. I was talking with Jordan about a month ago and she was telling me about the neighbor girl that is starting 9th grade this year, high school. I got to thinking that Dasya would have been going into 9th grade this year too.

A high-schooler!! I can't believe that she would have been that old! It's hard to imagine what life would have been like if she had lived. I know for sure it would make the issues I'm having with Jordan seem easier - because I would have gone through them already with Dasya.

I take comfort in the fact that she is in heaven with the Lord and I will see her again someday - healthy and whole.

We miss you baby-girl! Happy Birthday!!

Review ~ Gran Torino & West Wing Seasons 1-7

Terrance suggested that I start reviewing the movies that I watch on here...since I watch so many movies. I thought that it sounded like a good idea...we'll see. lol

Last night I watched Gran Torino, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. It was released in January 2009. I must admit that I didn't think I was going to like it. I really rented it for Terrance - but ended up watching by myself. I've never been a big Clint Eastwood fan. The gravly voice, the grumpy sneer...never really liked his movies. This is the first one I've watched in a long time. I was very impressed with it.

Clint Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a recent widower and Korean war veteran. He is a grumpy, tired, racist old man that doesn't get along with his family, priest or neighbors. When his Hmong neighbor, Thao, tries to steal his mint condition '72 Gran Torino under the pressure of the neighborhood gang, Walt sets out to make a difference.

At first, I didn't think I was going to like Eastwood's character. His racist comments were annoying - yet as the movie wore on - he became endearing. Sue, Thao's sister, really breaks through to Walt and gets him to start caring about other people again. The local priest, with his doggedness, finally makes some headway with the closed-minded Walt. As the tension between Walt and the gangsters reaches a point where they attack the innocent, Walt decides to make the ultimate decision.

I have been watching these, borrowed from my sister for the past couple of months. I resisted watching this series for years! A series about a bunch of Democrats?!?! Why would I want to watch that?? I'm not going to agree with a thing they say, I thought. I.Loved.It! I loved everything about it...I wish it was still on the air it was so good.

The West Wing aired from 1999-2006 and starred such actors as Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, John Spencer, Stockard Channing and Rob Lowe. It chronicled the two terms of President Josiah Bartlett (Sheen) and his West Wing staff.

I liked it because, although I did disagree with a lot of their political views, such as abortion and their health care positions - I liked their passion in which they worked. They had such love for their country and their president. Emily Proctor, who played Republican lawer Ainsley Hayes, had the best line, in my opinion..."Say they're smug and superior. Say their approach to public policy makes you want to tear your hair out. Say they like high taxes and spending your money. Say they want to take your guns and open your borders, but don't call them worthless. At least don't do it in front of me. The people that I have met have been extraordinarily qualified, their intent is good. Their commitment is true, they are righteous, and they are patriots. And I'm their lawyer."

I found myself loving these characters. On more than one occasion, I found myself in tears because of what was happening to these fictional people. When John Spencer's character, Leo McGarry, died (because Spencer actually died)...and I knew it was going to happen - I was sad. I rooted for their relationships, was sad when they had bad days, and laughed at their goofs.

What a great show. I'm only sorry it took me so long to watch it.

Mindless Fact Monday ~ July 27, 2009

~ The longest Hollywood kiss was from the 1941 movie "You're in the Army Now". It lasted 3 minutes and 5 seconds.

~ The world camel population is over 19 million.

~ Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" makes a cameo appearance in Disney's "Hunchback of Notre Dame". In the same scene - a sharp-eyed viewer can spot The Lion King's Pumbaa being carried by two men with a pole and a street merchant shaking out the magic carpet from Aladdin.

~ In 1992, five cows were killed in drive-by shootings in Clay County, Missouri.

~ A person uses approximately 57 sheets of toilet paper per day.

~ Maine is the toothpick capital of the world.

~ On average, 100 people choke to death on ballpoint pens every year.

~ The symbol on the "pound" key (#) is called an octothorpe.

~ Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history: Spades - King David, Hearts - Charlemagne, Clubs - Alexander the Great, Diamonds - Julius Caesar.

~ Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of their birthplace.

Daybook ~ July 23, 2009

Outside my Window ... A beautiful summer day. It's supposed to be in the mid-80's today - perfect weather. :)

I am thankful for ... my job/boss - and that they let me work nights when my sitter is out of town so 1) I don't have to use up my vacation time and 2) I don't have to try to find someone else to watch them.

From the kitchen ... I haven't cooked anything all week other than a package of cinnamon rolls since I am working nights....it's kind of nice.

I am wearing ... Jammie pants and one of Terrance's t-shirts...I haven't been up too long.

I am reading ... I'm just not even going to answer this question any more until I finish the book I've been on FOREVER!! lol

I am hoping ... To go to the Splash Park today with Steph and all the kids. I've been wanting to go - just haven't made it there.

I am hearing ... The Little Einsteins - Myles is watching. I still really like that show.

Around the house ... We moved the large bookshelf from the bedroom to the living room. We didn't have enough room on the little 2-shelf one for all our movies and it was just junky-looking all the time. Of course, I don't have room for all my books now...but no one sees that mess. lol The large one now has all the movies (except for Terrance's Steven Seagal collection that he keeps upstairs) and the Wii remotes and Myles' toy buckets are on the bottom shelf. It looks much better.

One of my favorite things ... Hanging out with my kids...doing fun stuff like we've been doing this week. I know that's not possible all the time since I work - so I am really trying to enjoy this week.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... Jordan and I are leaving for a girls weekend tomorrow in Cookeville, Myles is going to Grandpa and Grandma's and Terrance is going camping....I know - I can't believe that last one either. :)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you ... From our Week o' Fun...

Mindless Fact Monday ~ July 20, 2009

~ Florida has twice as many lightning injuries and death than any other state.

~ There is a Nike commercial that was shot in Kenya with Samburu tribesmen speaking in their native language Maa. The slogan "Just Do It" appears while the tribesman is talking. In reality, he was saying, "I don't want these. Give me big shoes."

~ A sneeze travels out your mouth at over 100 m.p.h.

~ 315 entries in Webster's 1996 dictionary were misspelled.

~ A dime has 118 ridges around the edge.

~ Macadamia nuts are not sold in their shells because it takes 300 pounds per square inch of pressure to break the shell.

~ Cubic Zirconia is 55% heavier than diamonds.

~ Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color.

~ The first toilet being flushed in a motion picture was in the movie "Psycho".

~ Painting a house yellow, or having yellow trim, helps a house sell faster.