The Wooten Team

My sister's husband has been working on adopting her two kids from her previous marriage. Even though this wasn't complete (until about yesterday) the two kids (being 5 and 6) went ahead and called themselves by his last name.

Now, Destiny was in kindergarten this past year. And let me tell you, if there ever was a reason to use the "b" word her teacher was it. The lady just wasn't nice or accommodating in any way (which I thought was required to be a kindergarten teacher). She refused to call Destiny by her preferred name (Destiny Wooten) and instead called her by my sister's ex-husband's name (Destiny Pope). I don't know why it was such a big deal to this teacher if the 6 year old called herself by her for all intents and purposes daddy's last name. So, when the adoption paper finally came in the mail and all had gone through and the birth certificates now list my sister's husband as the father Destiny had one thought, "Mom, can we take this to Ms. Shuppin and show her that my last name is Wooten?" Man, I love that girl.

(No picture this post, but plenty are coming soon. Don't you worry.)

New Goal

Starting today (which has been a success so far) if I can stop doing this:

Then I get to buy myself this:

When it comes out on DVD August 31st.

Wish me luck. I'll need it.

What I've Been Reading pt. 2

*Note: if you think you've already seen this post, you have. I was having some irritated technical difficulties.

You're all lucky because now that I'm back to blogging from a computer I'm going to include pictures with this post. You love me.

The Prince of Mist: Let's be real about this. I thought it was going to be about a slightly friendly ghost that needs something figured out. Turns out there's a scary clown AND no happy resolution where the demon/ghost thing dies. Sorry to spoil it, but I had to stay up all night to finish it hoping that the thing wouldn't get me. I was home alone and had to call my sister I was so scared. I'm a baby.

The Secret Life of Prince Charming: I REALLY liked this book. It's similar to the book Story of a Girl that I mentioned in my previous book post because it's one of those find yourself, coming of age stories, but I liked this one much better. Sure the love story part is predictable, but the point of the plot is NOT what you think when you pick it up. I also like the bits of romantic history and advice given by different character voices spread between the main story. I liked it so much I read another of her books (which you'll find at the end of this post). Note: the language in this book isn't always clean, but I'm not ultra sensitive to that.

Carpe Diem: I did not expect to like this book. The first couple of chapters are BORING. However, there's a purpose to the boringness. Vassar Spore is a high school student taking AP and advanced AP classes to try and be the best, the smartest, and get into Vassar (surprise surprise). A twist and a change of plans leads her reluctantly to the adventure of her life. I ended up loving this story and the real growth of the character. Some of the situations seem a little far fetched, but it's fiction for a reason, right?

The Invention of Hugo Cabret: I read this book on the recommendation of my children's lit teacher a year ago (I read it this summer, he recommended it a year ago). It's one of the first books that's ever been considered for both the Newberry and Caldecott awards. The story is told though both text and pictures. The concept and differentness is the main reason I gave it a look. I didn't fall in love with the story (part of that is because it's aimed at much younger people), but the concept is kind of really genius. Give it a try, if you're curious. Don't be intimidated by the size of the book. I read it in just a few hours.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox: I picked this book up because of the cover. It looked intriguing. As soon as I realized that it was another future gone wrong/weird (dystopian) novels I was so excited. Jenna is a girl waking up from a long coma after a devastating car crash and she can't remember anything. Eventually her memories start coming back and she figures out (with the help and hints of those around her) what really happened during that long stay in darkness. This is another book that I really really liked. Sidenote: I know that I give a lot of positive reviews, but I really like to read and rarely really and truly dislike a book).

The Compound: Yes, another in the near future book. There's been a nuclear attack. Luckily Eli's dad is rich and has built a self-sustaining compound for his family (which they will have to stay in for 15 years (if memory serves)). Unluckily, Eli's grandmother and twin brother Eddy are left outside. Time passes, food starts to go bad, and things start to go wrong. Eli's father's back up plan is unthinkable and Eli gets super angsty about what he's really doing with his life and who he really is. Finally, he discovers a secret that changes everything. Just read this. It's so so good. It's one of my most highly recommended on this list.

The Wizard Test: A book aimed at slightly younger kids, but still a good read. To be a wizard in this community is definitely not desireable. After passing (failing?) the test of wizard-hood the main character (who's name I can't remember right this second) has even more trouble trying to figure out what is right and what is wrong. A decent, quick read.

The UnNameables: I did not like this book when I started. I even told Sarah that it was boring and I wasn't sure I would finish it. It did start a little slow, but eventually picked up and I found myself putting off other tasks and events to finish it. Basic plotline: a group of people live on an island secluded off the mainland and everything must have a purpose and be named for that purpose. An orphan with a secret passion and a wandering goatman (I'm thinking he was probably a faun in the style of Narnia) don't quite fit in with the community and unsettle the islands careful system.

The Fortunes of Indigo Skye: See! I told you I would come back to this author. This book was perhaps a little more unrealistic than even The Secret Life of Prince Charming, but isn't that what fiction is for? To take us out of our world into a made up world and hopefully maybe make us think while doing so? I enjoyed this book, once again, and have just picked up another by the same author. The real question is, what would you do with 2.5 million dollars?

**Another note: If anyone can recommend any dystopian novels to me I'd be very interested (or any books for that matter.

The Post I Lost

*So, I fixed the problem by copy pasting the post into a new post completely so it had today's date. My question at the end still stands.

In case any of you are slightly internet disabled (apparently I am) the new post I put up today about the second set of books I've been reading can be found under June 18th. Apparently if you start a post (just using it as a place to store titles) it posts under the day you started it. I didn't realize this and was trying to figure out how that post disappeared.

By the way, if anyone knows a way to just change the date on that post please please let me know. I hate that it's back there on June 18th.

Church

I love church. I really do. There is so much that can be learned there. However, some things that tend to happen at church drive me out of my mind and I'm going to blog about them now.

1. When girls sing the tenor line of the hymn an octave high. Often they're not doing it well which is part of the problem, but quit showing off! It's church, not a performance. The tenor line is for the guys to sing.

2. When people who sing the hymns in the language they learned on their mission. I'm really happy that people served and had the opportunity to learn a new language, but really? This is an English meeting. If you don't know any other language then sing in the one you know (or pray in the one you know, or whatever), but if you know the language of the meeting, use it.

3. The phrase "when I was on my mission." Mission stories are not inherently bad or braggy or misplaced, but they seem to be used that way quite often. Guys and girls alike (and in my ward the girls are worse for it) seem to think serving a mission made them the ultimate expert on anything and everything church related and some take every opportunity to remind you of the fact (often making the meeting run over about ten minutes). I want to reiterate that I think serving a mission is a great thing to do and can really help people grow, but it shouldn't be the end all and be all of your growth and the only source of your testimony.

4. Unprepared teachers. It's no secret that the teaching in the church can often be a little bit lackluster. Often, it's painful to watch. I know that I've procrastinated before (as we all have) but watching people prepare their lessons for the second in third hour during the first turns a switch in my mind and I tune out before I even get to the class. I have had some really great Sunday School lessons and even great Relief Society lessons, but the unprepared teachers reading straight from the manual are not the ones giving them.

Ok, end rant. On a happier note, how cute is this? I can't stop looking at it over and over.

Back in Provo

I have now been back in Provo for one week, almost exactly (I'm a few hours off). Let me tell you something, it is so good and I've done about a zillion things (and not that much at the same time). Here's what's I've been up to.

-Watching Chopped and Cupcake Wars at Sarah's since my cable doesn't work

-Watching Stadium of Fire fireworks from the side of the mountain

-Almost kicking the annoying kid down the mountain

-Helping Ashley move

-Realizing my brakes were shot and spending 300 bucks to get them fixed

-Learning to play euchre at Robbie's apartment

-Taking over Sarah's hand in euchre

-Having some strange agenda to beat Robbie at euchre for no reason

-Going to Salt Lake to see Ashley and T

-Making jokes about little chocolate tears (after going to Hatch Family Chocolates)

-Going to lunch with Caroline and Robbie at Zupa's

-Having a barbecue at Britt and Kyle's

-Kyle and Britt not being awkward

-Going to the freedom festival and buying stuff for the kids

-Watching "So I Married an Axe Murderer" for the first time ever

-Doing my very best to get the ants out of my apartment (including coating my cabinets and dishwasher in salt and cinnamon)

-Reading another book

-Trying to make plans with Steph and her being flaky (but I still like her)

-Hearing her hilarious story

-Seeing my ward friends again

-Realizing the ward has changed a lot

-Purchasing more Disney VHS at DI

I really could make a much longer list, but I won't (partially because Sarah listed many of the things that I too have been up to recently on her blog and I don't want her to feel like I'm copying her). I do love being back in Provo, though. There are more fantastic plans to come.

As much fun as Provo is, I still miss things like this:

Destiny being a model

And this:

Gabe and Tori cuddling in their mom's bed one morning.