Once

I just watched a great movie tonight...it's called "Once". It's an Irish musical film shot in Dublin.
Here is a summary....

"Once is the inspirational tale of two kindred spirits who find each other on the bustling streets of Dublin. One a street musician who lacks the confidence to perform his own songs. The other is a young mother trying to find her way in a strange new town. As their lives intertwine, they discover each other's talents and push one another to realize what each had only dreamed about before. Once is their inspiring story."

I really liked it...I LOVED the music in this film. The two main characters were not established actors, but musicians. Glen Hansard (from an Irish rock band, The Frames) and Marketa Irglova. The soundtrack was nominated for a couple of Grammy's and an Academy Award.
You should definitely check it out. It is rated R for language.

Here is the trailer

Maxwell-He Likes to Roll

I love this little man!

18 Years Later...they're Still "Hangin' Tough"!!!

So I just heard some GREAT news! I read on people.com this statement... "After months of speculation and rumor, the Kids are coming back. A well-placed source tells PEOPLE exclusively that New Kids On The Block are indeed getting back together."Jonathan Knight is now 40
Donnie Wahlberg 38
Danny Wood 38
Jordan Knight 37
and Joey McIntyre is 35
Not sure how well this will go over!

I should have kept my t-shirts...posters...pins...bed sheets...dolls...hat...
I wasn't obsessed or anything....really.
www.nkotb.com

Engagement Gig

While I was back in Iowa I got to be a part of a very special event! My good friend Andy had called me the night before I got into town wondering if he could steal me for an hour the next night...he was proposing to his girlfriend!!!! He wanted Greg and I to sing a song as part of the proposal!! How precious!! Of course I couldn't turn down this opportunity so I quickly agreed!
It was thrown together last minute and it ended up being such a sweet and romantic night!
Andy had been working on a video during the week of pictures and told Jonna that it was for church. He brought her to the church to "check out the video to make sure it was ok". Greg and I hid back stage (with Kinsey)...waiting for our cue.They walked in and the video started. After the video, he proposed...they had their moment and then Greg and I came out and I sang the song "Forever" by Ben Harper while Greg played the guitar. It was so fun!!! They are adorable! As soon as I heard the music to the video from backstage I started to lose it! But I pulled myself together and started being goofy in order to stop from crying!
Then after I got done singing they played the video again for us to see...and I lost it! It was so sweet! I'm so happy for them and felt so honored to be a part of it!!

Congratulations Andy and Jonna!

So I Guess the Whole Blowing Bubbles Thing is Not Working Out So Well

So you all need to check this out....from my sister's blog.
Read this one first entitled "Hair Scare".
Then read this one entitled "Conversation"
Then read this one....entitled...."Thanks alot Em".

I'm wondering if my sister will ever forgive me!

Blowing Bubbles

While I was back I decided to teach the boys how to blow bubbles with their bubble gum! Here is a video that my sister Jill took of Will blowing some of his first bubbles. There are many funny things about this video...
#1 my mom's response in the background to Sam who had just blown a bubble out of his mouth and on to the floor and then somehow stepped on it into the carpet.
#2 The intense look on Will's face as he concentrates on chewing and getting the gum ready for the blow.
#3 Will's first little bubble and then the chewing afterwards.
#4 The final "blow out".
I can't watch this video without laughing hysterically every time!
I love my family!

My Lily Post (of course she has to have a post all to herself!)

Lily and I are best friends. I love her and she loves me. We like to love on each other with hugs and kisses and giggles. She has such sweet beauty! My heart aches being away from her.

And of course she loves chocolate!

Bath Time!

She likes to shop too!

We like to do crazy dances!

And then at the end we do a curtsy and say "Thank You!"

We also like to do "fancy hugs"!

We met up with some family at a hotel and the kids went swimming, I must say this picture is absolutely precious!She liked wearing the goggles so much that she continued to wear them long after she had gotten out of the pool! I love her deeply!

She's got nice lips! And a sweet smile! You are my lovely sweet Lily Margaret!

Cute Max Pictures

Some Cute Pictures

I've been such a slacker in my blogging. Sorry! I'm going to try and gradually post here and there...I promise!

Here are some sweet pictures from my time back in Iowa.

Sam and Lily waiting for me at the airport!

Sweet MaxWill & Sam NoahJack not really excited about posing for pictures!Sweet Sam!Precious little hands! Max did this on his own!My beautiful mom! (and my hair!)

Shelter

I was touched by this song tonight.
It's called "Shelter" words and music by Sandra McCracken

In the arms of a good Father
You can go to the deep water
Where the questions, we have left unspoken
Come out in the open
We will find shelter here

So I lay down, what I cannot hold in my hands
Every sorrow and hope spinning out of control
And here I find sweet resolution comes in letting go
And we will find shelter here

When I look back I can see,
And when I am old I'll remember these things
Like a mountain of stone
And the longing that makes me believe...

There is a tree by the blue river
Where the shade stretches wide over
In this breaking we are hand and glove
Come with me my love
We will find shelter here
We will find shelter here...

4 days!

On Friday I head back home to Iowa for 10 days!!!! I'm so excited!!! I'm hoping this week goes fast and then time will slow down once I get to Iowa!
Tonight I have a massage! 80 minutes of goodness. It was a gift from a client from work.
Tomorrow night some friends are coming over to do some "maintenance" in our apartment.
Wednesday night I'll start packing
Thursday night I babysit
Friday morning I board the plane!!!
4 days 4 days 4 days!!!!!
Check out these cuties that I get to hang out with !!!



I love them all!!!!!!!!!!