Hazel Says "Happy Halloween!"

viva a vida

I love this new song by Coldplay. Bret was right, it is easy to download any song one at a time for .99 each.
I just don't understand the lyrics. Does anyone know what the song is about? I read the lyrics on 3 different website, and each site actually had it differently worded. That was strange.
It seems to me to have a religious theme going, maybe anti- king, or something.
Can anyone enlighten me on it?

Cloverfield

Okay, I did get a little bit of a headache, and felt like I do when I try to read in a car.
We didn't understand why everyone loved this movie so much.
One problem was we were babysitting Charly, and even though Jesse said we should be able to watch it with her here, after about 15 minutes in, I could tell it was upsetting her, just the music alone. So we turned it off and had to wait another hour. Then dad had to stop another time to check his blood and stuff.
Then we missed some dialog.
So there were parts I didn't understand. It even took us a long time to figure out that the couple under the Central Park bridge was the same couple in the beginning. Oh, even now I just figured out it was the same video camera. Duh.
Did all of you see it? It was quite depressing. And they never tell you what kind of monster it was, why all those little spider things are all over, and if they kill it.
We figure that is because there may be a sequel, since it's not dead, I guess.
I guess I don't like sad endings.
I did like his bravery and courage. Yep, I'm a sucker for bravery.
Oh yeah, and the girl in the high heel shoes wears them all over the city, up 59 flights of stairs, through tunnels, etc. Now that wasn't realistic to me.
I think if I was running from a monster, I would take off my high heels.
:)
I could see how it scared Kathy. It was filmed from a unique point of view. You find yourself asking, what would I do if I was at a party and a monster came?
Kathy couldnt' finish seeing it because she got sick.
I did hear that there have been some weird sightings in the city lately.
eeeeh ooooh aaaah oh no! Don, somebody! a8dfayeh vgnamdangoahjdkhhg helpakdnfagfihgakjbn,a,,a.f;;...........................

Church news article

I loved the article on the back of the newest issue of the Church news, entitled, "Slippery treasure".
It compares how Samual the Lamanite warned the people of their riches slipping away. How true that is for most people right now! President Hinckley warned us in 1998, 10 years ago, when he said, "the time has come to get our houses in order. So many of our people are living on the very edge of their incomes. In fact, some are living on borrowings... I am troubled by the huge consumer installment debt which hangs over the people of the nation, including our own people...
let us buy a home we can afford." President Monson also adds a timely statement about debt.

In all things, we can follow the prophets, pay a full tith, ... and claim the blessings .We can start today to live within our means, formulating a budget...
Like the Nephites, we were warned in advance.

I find peace in knowing that dad has been careful in spending and saving, and we have only our house in debt. I know he would continue to advise you all to do the same. It brings great peace.

Also, there is an article about how the Hong Kong church meets during the week! Just like Bret said.

Elder Wall

Tom's P day is on Wednesday, so we have gotten a letter every Saturday now.
He asked me to pass along his letters, because he said he can't write everyone every week.
I will try to summarize:

• he loves it there
• he eats, studies, eats, studies, eats, sleeps
• he has played soccer and basketball
• he gets to go the temple every Wednesday
• He loves his district and his companion
• his comp is quiet, and he and Tom only speak Spanish to each other
• he got to have Richard G Scott speak last week, and he got to sing in the choir for that. He shook all their hands
• Everyone in his district is easy to get along with and quite funny, except for one elder who is kind of a wise guy type and a loner. He also said not everyone loves the MTC, which he learned from Jake and Andy
• He wishes he was already in the field. He feels this is kind of void time, like the world doesn't exit
• he misses us all
• tell Cari he loved her bread was awesome, at least I think it says bread :)
• his writing is tough, but fun to decipher

Thursday night tv

the office wasn't that funny, but SNL weekday edition was!

The Debate

Yes, I actually watched it. Obauma reminded me of a high school student running for president of his school, promising free soda with every lunch, and no homework! duh! Is America that stupid and lazy? Where do they think he will get the funds to pay for free health care and sending everyone to college? Do they ever ask how he will do these things? If one of my family finally worked hard enough to make over $250., I wouldn't think they should have to 'spread their wealth around' as directed by the government.
I am reading, Wild Swans, a book about China and communism. It just so happens that the chapter I read last night read: communism came in and wanted to reform China. They bought up all the businesses and farms, and then redispersed them to everyone so everyone had equal money.
Now, I don't mind living like this when Christ is here, but not now when government is so corrupt!
It all stinks. Grandpa Wall seems to think it will get worse. I know the scriptures say the church will continue to grow, and I will just stay calm and be good.

fhqwhgads

Make sure you pronounce it correctly! Anyways this blog will be scattered so the name fits perfectly. I am writing this on my new Mac Book Pro and I commonly miss keys on the keyboard so I apologize in advance if I miss some.

First and most important: Congrats Kathy and Jimmy! I am so excited for you two. I am trying to get more stoked for Hawaii but am busy enough it still scares me to take a week off of life.

Second: I had a change of heart about my calling this week. Doing quarterly numbers and seeing the shape of our ward nearly brought me to tears. I am excited to try and make a difference and have repented of my previous assumptions about useless Utah wards. I think what really brought it home was the fact that Hazel still doesn't exist on the records of the church... Major help is needed, and I am glad to have an opportunity to serve.

Third: Carolyn's MRI came back negative and although she hates me talking about it, I was really worried about her and am so grateful she is normal... well sort of:-) I'm afraid if you are out of the loop on this subject you will have to suck it up or pry information from Cari since I am not supposed to talk about it.

Forth: Along the same lines, I am praying Hazel's Biopsy comes back negative as well.

Fifth: I am doing well at my job, well at least I think so. I am already positioning myself as the lead Silver Light developer and since we are so buddy buddy with Microsoft this may end up being really important. What exactly do I do? Tough question, but in truth I really just implement really advanced multimedia plug ins and modules on websites. I enjoy my position and the freedom I am given as well as the perk of carpooling, working with my best friend Jared and working from home when I please.

Sixth: I constantly find myself wondering about Tom and his adventure. I admit I don't envy him since I hated the MTC, but I am very jealous of his upcoming mission.

Seventh: The economy scares me, I think that is healthy for all of us. Rethinking our ability to buy an amazing boat this spring has been a refreshing reminder of what is really important. Which is of course buying the biggest boat we can possibly afford! Haha, had you all going there for a sec didn't I? We are still set on a boat, burb, houseboat, and house:-) My answer to those that think these wants are too much need only read Malachi a few more times and then up their fast offering to 5%.

Eighth: The upcoming election had me really worried for a while. But then I realized both candidates are in fact terrorists in that they both cause terror in me when I hear them speak. Well, Barack may screw up a little bit of America, but he probably can't make it much worse than its current state(check this statement in 4 years!) and the only important issue right now is really the family. We just all need to hope Cheney shoots McCain on a hunting trip and somehow Palin manages to reverse the destruction of family mar ridge. Either way, theres really nohing I can do about it since the people's opinions of this country no longer matter. In conclusion, I am going to take a break from politics for a while and my only response to anyhting political will probbaly just be "Gotta Nuke Something."

My finger now sparkles

Jimmy finally officially proposed! It was amazing. It was a great weekend and at the very end of it... Sunday at sunset, he brought me to a big yellow school bus and lead me inside. There were flowers and candles everywhere and it was incredible. He then, after we sat down, pulled out his scriptures and read some things to me and then, bore his testimony. Then, he told me all of that lovey dovey mushy stuff, got down on one knee, and proposed with an absolutely gorgeous wedding ring. It's white gold and a 6 prong 1 carrot diamond. It couldn't be more beautiful. I can not stop looking at my hand! And afterwards we danced to our song and then, went and walked on the beach and made smores. It was SO nice!

Anyways for those of you who do not know this, Jimmy and I first met on a school bus when I was going over to Karen's house after school in the 10th grade. We met because as Jimmy tried to throw his gum out the window it landed in my hair. (He actually gave me a piece of gum as soon as I sat down last night!) After that incident, we started talking and became really good friends and our story began. I thought that the whole thing was perfect. It didn't cost money (well except for the ring) because the flowers were wild and the candles were from previous times and it was just so cute. I feel so blessed and loved and am so grateful for my life right now!

Also, we got a place!!!! We fell in love with a place that was pretty expensive but doable if we were really tight and we were actually told last night that it was ours but both of us were not as happy as we had thought we would be. We then, decided it was because it was too much money and we were not at a place where we could afford something that nice or do not even need to right now. So this other place that we looked at, (600 dollars cheaper!), we decided was the best offer. It was very humbling and although, I do not LOVE this place, I know it is the right choice and am excited to start my new life with Jimmy. So we called this other cheaper place last night after thought and prayer and got it! So we now have a place to live and you guys will just have to wait and see what it looks like!

Bye-bye phone!

Well, it's finally happened. We've joined the ranks of the cell phone users. I know, it took us long enough, but it was bound to happen and it finally has. The does mean that our regular phone will be disconnected sometime in the next couple of days. If you don't have our numbers yet, email me and I'll get them to you, but here's some important info:
We're on Verizon, which means if you're on Verizon, we can talk whenever for free, which is cool. For those of you who aren't on Verizon:
Jacob's phone you can call as much as you'd like. He's got almost twice as many minutes as I do (450 total) and some sort of texting plan, so he's fair game.
My phone, on the other hand, is through my employer, so I have a very limited number of minutes (200 to use for personal AND work) and absolutely NO TEXTS. If anyone texts me, I have to go tell my boss and pay them back, which is an embarrassment I'd rather avoid.

And since Jacob's been so busy that he hasn't officially posted the news, but the whole reason that he got a cell phone is that he got a job. He started at MoveNetworks.com last Monday. You can direct all questions about what he does to him - all I know is it involves webpages and possibly Silverlite and is over my head. I know that's probably common knowledge to everyone on this blog already, but now it's recorded for posterity. :-)

32 batteries

As I went through drawers, backpacks, and the closet, I made a box of 32 batteries in Tom and Jacob's room! Silly boys. I don't know if they are old or new, used or not. I will ask dad how to tell.
And, even after Tom gave away most of his clothes, he still has an entire drawer full of t-shirts and dry fit, a whole drawer of jeans, and about 20 shirts hanging in the closet.
I found a working hand-held tape player that has a speaker so it plays tapes, which I can use, since I still have a bunch of tapes to listen to from Bret and Jacob's mission, plus some old ones that are fun.
I also found $32. worth of change, 26 pens and pencils, and a partridge in a pear tree. Just seeing if anyone actually reads this....
:)
There is a weird plastic tube thingy that has round disks with basketball players on them. Whose is that? Is it worth keeping, selling, does anyone want it? etc.
Do you think I should ebay the at-at walker?
Do you think I am crazy?
Missing Tom as I go through and pack up all his baseball, tennis, and soccer shirts.

first letter from Tom

Tom says to send his regards to all of you. He says he loves it so far, and loves everyone. His comp is from Kansas City. He has 2 sisters and 10 elders going to Paraguay in his district, and 2 other elders going to Argentina. I didn't expect a letter so soon!

Clarify

Just to clarify:

That was a picture of jarek's belly button sent from the Wii. We were taking close ups of different things around the house the other day and that one made us laugh. If only my belly button were as cute and unscathed from stretch marks. Sorry if we gave you all a bit of undue excitement. That was not intentional.

more pics

some pics from my excellent adventure

What a great trip! I loved every minute of it.
Thank you all for the good food and fun!
I have the cutest grandkids in the world!

fall conference

It was absolutely amazing being in the conference center in person! I recommend you all try to do it at some point in your life if you haven't already. The Spirit was so very strong. There is much to see besides just looking at the speaker.
I had several talks I loved, my very favorite being the one about angels by Holland. They hardly ever speak about angels, and I also loved how we can be angels to help others.
The talk that made me do some deep thinking was the one by the guy with the funny name, Marcos Aidukaikus, Saturday morning session. He talked a bit about how much he honors his father and his mother, forever. I was thinking, I always feel like I do a good job at keeping the basic 10 commandments; however, do I honor my father? hmmm. I do love him, and I call him, and write him, and visit him. I have not really questioned what honoring our parents means in any deep sense before. I can do better. I do honor my mother. I find that easier to do. She gave me birth, sacrificed for me, and tried her best her whole life.
I loved Wirthlin's talk. What a sweet guy he is. How humble, how loving. I liked how he said when we approach adversity wisely, it can be our greatest strength, and how the Lord does not shield us from sadness. As parents, we can not prevent our kids to feel sad. And as a family this year, with all of our changes and challenges, we can have a good attitude as we approach these new times of our lives. He said learning to endure builds character. So true!
Elder Holland said, God never leaves us alone, even when the distress is our own fault!
Lorence Corbridge said, "the gospel isn't hard, life is hard." That is a good way to answer people that say being a Mormon is hard.
Jimmy, I got an inspiration during one talk, would your mom like to read the Book of Mormon more if it was in Spanish or Italian?
D. Todd Christofferson- "don't be materialistic, be content with what we have, it is sufficient for our needs.", and, "become not just good, but HOLY." cool.
and last but not least, Bednar says, "let your spouse hear an earnest prayer in your behalf."
I love conference!!!!

How many days?

How many days could you go without wearing the same shirt/top? I just finished going through my closet while listening to conference. With the addition of some of Tom's clothes I now have 73 unique shirts in the closet. Here are some of the specifics...

New (never warn) 6
poly (dry fit style) 17
Collar (casual) 10
Collar (dress) 6
Cotton all the rest

Keep in mind that those are all short sleeve only. Clearly I don't need any clothes anytime soon:-) I find it strange that I rarely spend money on clothes and yet have a selection far greater than is possible to wear. I probably have Mom to thank for much of it. Cari I am sure will enjoy Tom's additions because they are of a medium size and so they have a slight muscle look to them.

It is so easy to forget how much we have in life, I am constantly impressed with how well off we really are. I am going to go through and rag or give to MS many of the cotton shirts I have no chance of wearing(unless they are Tom's). Anyways, the point of this blog is to determine how many days you could go without wearing the same top. I didn't do an exact count of my longsleve shirts yet, but I am gussing I have about 2 dozen. If you include my dress shirts I think it puts me just over 100 days! Yikes, maybe I should try a little harder to use my entire selection.

Tom enters the MTC

It was a beautful Utah October morning.  Jacob had planned on treating Tom to some special huge breakfast somewhere, but Tom still didn't feel well, and was just not hungry.   He had a cold and sore throat for several days.

He looked good, tall and thin... I had tried to fatten him up before his mission, but due to his cold, he hasn't eaten much in a week.

He had his new black suit, Moroni tie, and new black shoes.

He didn't look that nervous to me, yet seemed calm and reserved.  

One of the MTC presidency set him apart, and it was a wonderful blessing.   Dad said to try and write some of it down. It was sweet, yet the regular stuff, like that he would learn the language well, and be able to communicate both spiritually and verbally to the people, that he would learn to love the people, that he would learn more about the Atonement, that he would be safe from harm, and that he would serve faithfully.  Our entire family was also blessed, and he told Tom to not worry about any of us, that we would be fine, and let peace come to his mind about his family.  

This was added as almost a post-script, and maybe Tom really needed to hear that.  He saw more arguing this summer than he would like to see.  He is a peacemaker. 

I think he really missed dad being there.  Unfortunately, the way several people asked us if it was just 'us 3?' made me feel like they were asking, "where is the father?"  I am only guessing he felt the same way.  I did finally ask him if he wished dad had come, and he just shrugged his shoulders.

We had to wait awhile, so they showed a bunch of LDS commercials. 

The talk by the MTC President and his wife was short and to the point.  

The movie was the very same as when Jacob went in.

And that was it, it went by too quickly, and in a blink, he was walking away.  He hugged me tightly, smiled, and looked brave and strong.  He hugged Jake, and I didn't see any tears.

I had just a few, as Jacob was quick to wisk me away.

I wanted to cry more, but I didn't.

I miss him already.