Banned

This week is Banned Books Week. I was surprised by some of the books that have been and are now on the banned or challenged book list {and NOT surprised by others}. Here are a few of the top 100 most banned books {from 2000-2007}:

Harry Potter series- J.K. Rowling

Of Mice and Men- John Steinbeck
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings -Maya Angelou
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn- Mark Twain
Forever -Judy Blume
The Color Purple- Alice Walker
Catcher in the Rye -J.D. Salinger

Bridge to Terabithia -Katherine Paterson
To Kill A Mockingbird- Harper Lee
Beloved -Toni Morrison
Snow Falling on Cedars- David Guterson

In the Night Kitchen -Maurice Sendak
Blubber -Judy Blume
Brave New World -Aldous Huxley
Slaughterhouse Five -Kurt Vonnegut
A Time To Kill -John Grisham
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest- Ken Kesey
A Day No Pigs Would Die -Robert Newton Peck
Draw Me A Star- Eric Carle
Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury
Junie B. Jones series- Barbara Park
Song of Solomon -Toni Morrison

Most of these books are ones I've read. Looking at the rest of the list I realized that I'm a bit naive when it comes to the plethora of books that are out there- and I'm fine with that {especially looking at some of the book titles & descriptions!}. But I think that people should be able to decide for themselves which books they will and will not read. So go out & read a book!!

Conference Packet

Conference Packets are a MUST for those of us who watch General Conference with young children!! I actually get to listen to {most of} conference.....amazing! Enjoy the packet, as well as the spiritual nourishment that Conference provides.

*this packet can also be found on Sugardoodle.net

October Conference Packet - Upload a Document to Scribd

Randoms

It's been a pretty uneventful week or so......here are a few random pictures from recent happenings:

Cute Lincoln

Laundry Basket Forts

Vollyball & Messy Faces at the Cabin

Hopefully this week will bring some excitement!

too much fun!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

O.H.W.

Today is National "One Hit Wonder Day"! I love one hit wonders. I have many a mixed tape dedicated to these beauties. Remember back in the day when you had to buy the whole album just to get the one song you liked? How did we ever survive without music downloads? Here are some of my favs {it was so hard to choose.....I could go on forever}-

Happy Listening!


? and the Mysterians- "96 Tears"



Alphaville- "Forever Young"


Men Without Hats- "The Safety Dance"


Devo- "Whip It"


SOHO- "Hippychick"

More Press

Want to see more? Click the pic!

Pay It Forward

Throughout this past week our extended family has been involved with some great acts of kindness, on the giving and receiving end.


A year ago this Friday, Matt's uncle Bryan passed away. He played football at BYU with Ty Detmer, and this past weekend Ty organized a fundraiser to help Bryan's family, as well as another former player's family. At the BYU game on Saturday Bryan's wife, Stacey, got to run out with Ty carrying the Alumni flag. It was a great moment {I only got to watch it on the news. Matt was there and said it was pretty emotional}. We all miss Bryan, but are so grateful to know that we will see him again.



*fast forward about 1:35 into the video to see Stacey!


Also last year, Matt's Grandpa {Bryan's dad} was diagnosed with Lymphoma. Throughout the past year the next door neighbors have shoveled their walks and mowed their lawn. Grandma May was so grateful to them that she entered a contest for national "Thank You Day".......and she won!! Merci Chocolates threw a huge block party on their street, we all surprised the {embarrassed} neighbors who won a riding lawn mower with snow-plow attachment, $1,000 cash, and a ton of gardening supplies. There was a yummy catered dinner, t-shirts and chocolates for everyone, and dancing under a disco ball!! The kids had a great time, and even got to help give the gardening supplies to the lucky neighbors! Watch a news clip HERE {you'll even see Matt & the kids for a second}.

"Bah"

Jackson's favorite show:

Focus

Matt's watching the kids tomorrow while my friend, Erin, takes me for a belated-birthday pedicure.

He's very concerned that this is going to occur at the same time as the BYU football game, so to alleviate some of his worry {and also because I know just how good he is at multi-tasking- i.e. watching football and at the same time remembering that he actually has children} I've printed off a whole bunch of these:



Not only will the kids have fun coloring, but Matt will LOVE it when they ask him repeatedly {and most likely at crucial points in the game}, "What does this one mean?", "How about this one?"

Aren't I the best wife ever?

I Will Remember

Matt woke me up early in the morning and said "something really bad is happening". We sat in front of the t.v. in our bedroom all day. Kensie (then 4 months old) sat with us. We wept at the unbelievable events unfolding before our eyes. We hung our flag. We prayed.

September 11th, 2001 is a day I will never forget. But in the last seven years I think I have forgotton to REMEMBER. Remember exactly what happened and why. Remember what it looked like. Remember the families. Remember the heroes. Remember those who lost their lives.

This video made me remember.

I think it's important to remember.

I will ALWAYS remember.

Button, Button....Who's Got The Button?

I know you've all be wondering, "Why in the world doesn't she have a button that I can add to my blog? I just love reading her blog so much and I want the world to know!" {okay, so maybe not...}

Well......the wait is over, my friends! Be the first to get the "My Life" Button {you'll probably be the "only"}. Just copy and paste the code below into your HTML/Java Script:

<br /><a href=" http://mommadarla.blogspot.com" target="blank"><img border="0" width="160" alt="my life {or lack thereof}" src=" http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc198/mommadarla/mylifebutton4copy.jpg" height="160" /></a>

While you're at it, go here and get another!

Nie In The NY Times

Read it HERE

Job Jars

With the start of the new school year, I decided to change up the way we handle chores. I'm diggin' the job jar idea. It's so easy & the kids love it. Just have the kids color one end of the Popsicle sticks, write on their jobs, & stick 'em in the jar.

When they complete a job, they turn the stick over. Once they're all turned over they can watch a show, play on the computer, play with a friend, etc.

First Day Of Preschool

Lincoln was sooooo excited today to go to school! I thought for sure he'd have some anxiety, but he was so ready. I was a little sad at first, until I went grocery shopping. Can I just tell you how amazing it is to go shopping with one child?!!! I was in heaven. Plus, I think Lincoln really needs preschool right now. He doesn't like me to be his "teacher" {unlike Kensie who loved to do charts with me & learn letters and numbers}, & I think he'll learn a lot more from Miss Emily.