1.31.2012

Links worth a look

This is hilarious. 

I don't care what your views are on The Book of Mormon Musical, it is impossible not to like this song.

On a more serious note, read this about Communism, Socialism, and the Welfare State. It is so so good and I promise it is worth your time!

1.25.2012

We dance

When I was 12, I made a list of all the qualities that I wanted in my husband. "Likes to dance" made the top five. But then I married Spencer, who happens to be one of those boys who stood around awkwardly at school dances because he was too cool to dance.

My 12-year-old self would be soooo disappointed.

I knew when I married him that his lacking dance quality could be a potential problem in my family. My family dances. Not the professional kind of dancing or anything, just the shake-your-booty-and-don't-care-what-people-think kind of dancing. My family even has a Christmas Eve tradition where you select a song and dance solo in front of the whole family in your new Christmas pajamas.

A month after we were married, we went to the beach with my family and extended family. Everyone wanted to have a dance party but my sister refused to let anyone dance until everyone watched her and Spencer have a dance off. As Spencer bravely danced to Selena Gomez with his 8-year-old sister-in-law in front of his new family, I'm pretty sure that he wished he had married into a family a little less crazy.

Since then, Spencer has gradually become more comfortable with his dance moves, and believe it or not, he can dance! I even have his first Christmas Eve dance solo in his new Christmas pajamas on tape to prove it.

But this post is not about Spencer. It's about Jack. I am teaching Jack before his father gets to him that night or day, awake or half asleep, happy or sad, enthused or completely bored, HE IS NOT TOO COOL TO DANCE!!!

1.19.2012

A brag post

My brother, James, has always been way cooler than me and I've always known it. Growing up, the neighborhood boys my age would come over and ask if James could play. My swim coaches at swim team would ask me to go get him so they could see his splits-to-handstand for the millionth time. I guess being able to do that at the age of three was pretty cool. And he has always been able to shake what our mother gave us way better than me. And I now quote Spencer: "I hope our boys get James' tight butt!"


Growing up, however, I tricked him into thinking that I was actually cooler than him. He worshiped me and would do absolutely anything I told him to. On my command, he would wear dresses, kiss the neighbor girl, put on makeup, and participate in all of the lame dances I choreographed for him.

But the main thing that makes James the best and the coolest is that he is kind to everyone. He is friends with everyone and cares about everyone. I have never heard him say one mean thing about anyone. Not even one tiny bit of gossip. Not ever

When James was in first grade, his teacher called him the "Prophet Boy," and I would totally roll my eyes because little brothers that are cooler than you and better than you are just so annoying. But you know what? She's pretty much right. I wouldn't be all that surprised if he does become the Prophet one day. But only if my parents are still alive to bail him out when he forgets to feed himself or when he doesn't iron his suit on time or when he waits to pack for his mission travels until the night before. I love James and he is going to be a great missionary in Veracruz, Mexico!





And a couple of videos to prove James' coolness right here and here.

1.01.2012

That New Year's Eve Post

New Years is my least favorite holiday of the year. It's so anticlimactic, especially after living in China during the Chinese New Year. Also, because it follows Christmas. And because you stay up until midnight just to shout "Happy New Year!" and kiss, when you can easily just do that in the morning. Midnight is very painful and not necessary. We are sleep deprived over here, people! And maybe just a little boring. Your call.

This New Year's Eve, the three of us went to Olive Garden, wrote graduate school essays, took poor quality photos on the computer, had a short lived dance party, and watched A Midnight in Paris. We were in bed by 10:30 and it was wonderful.
Happy 2012! Maybe next year we'll make it 'til midnight!
Photoon2011 12 31at1845 zpsaa41d064
Photoon2011 12 31at18392 zpsd7334e8b
Photoon2011 12 31at18442 zps34dd596b
By the way, is it New Years or New Year's? Do you bring in the new year or ring in the new year?