Meet the Robinsons

A few weeks ago, our family watched Disney's Meet the Robinsons, and I wanted to comment about it. I have not been pleased with Disney's movies for many years. Although they are supposed to be for children, they frequently have things that I consider inappropriate. There's my little rant. Because of all of this, I was very pleasantly surprised when we decided to try this movie because I had heard so many good things about it. It was thought provoking and I thought it was touching. I couldn't stop crying at the end. My kids missed out on the reasons that I was crying, but perhaps you can understand.

The poor little boy, Lewis, believes that the only person who ever loved him was his mother, so he goes in search of her. He puts aside everything else in his life except for this quest. He misses out on living because he is focusing on the past. After a series of events, he realizes that he must always look at the now and look to the future, not the past. Therein lies his change. He finally has a chance to meet his mother, but at the last moment decides against it, knowing that he must look to the future. I believe that this shows a selflessness that is the crux of the morality of this film. After this choice, we see Lewis stop to think about the other boy, Goob, and save him from a life of misery. Goob, on the other hand, is the "bad guy" who shows what happens when we are only selfish. He spends his life sitting around thinking about how he was wronged. He does nothing to improve himself and is, therefore, and idiot. Lewis, however, spends his life looking ahead and is full of selflessness and makes something of himself. But he doesn't forget others. He wants Goob to make good choices, and the wacky make-up of his family is indicative of his selflessness and his desire to make others happy, even if it means having them live with him.

This is actually a Disney movie that I would recommend, and I am looking forward to reading the book that it is based on "A Day with Wilbur Robinson".

Vacuum Repair--My way!

Yesterday I managed a feat beyond what most other homemakers could do, and I am so proud of myself! We go through vacuum cleaners at least once a year, because the kids aren't very careful, of course. Last summer, we needed a new hose, but I didn't want to spend almost as much on a hose as we did on the vacuum, so I resigned myself to buying a new one. However, one day when I was out and about, I saw a yard sale that had a vacuum like mine, and I got it for FREE because the motor didn't work. I put the hose on the vacuum, and stored the one with the broken motor "just in case". Well, "just in case" came--The kids have run over the cord so many times that it was no longer safe to use. So just guess what I did! I took the vacuums apart and changed out the cords! I did it all by myself! I just had to crow about it because I was so proud of myself for figuring it out.

GoodReads.com

My friend Claudia has a cool widget on her blog, and I grabbed it! GoodReads is the neatest thing ever! I can see what all of my friends are reading, and I have a chance to let everyone know what I think about some books. I have actually included books that I remember I have read, especially if they were ones I really liked or really hated. I hope you all will get on GoodReads and send me an invitation. I could easily lurk on GoodReads for hours (instead of reading from my "to-read" list!)

William didn't care much about seeing the ducks, but he DID like riding in the stroller!

Miscellaneous Pictures

Here are a bunch of photos you may enjoy.

The ones of Thomas are from his birthday this month, when I mentioned that he kept trying to lick the plate and drink the ice cream, here is proof!

No, it's not The Joker--it's Rebekah! She got into my makeup, and that is mascara. She got it on her upper lashes, and her lower lashes. She also got her face. I'd say she did a pretty good job for someone so young!

Another of Thomas is naptime. I went in to make sure he was asleep, and he was sitting up in the rocking chair. He kept letting his head fall, and then jerk it up, only to have it fall again. It was so funny! I ran to get the camera, but by the time I got back, Rebekah had disturbed him. He was no longer sitting UP in the chair, but he had found another comfortable position, so I took a picture anyway.

Running and Apricots

I haven't blogged for a while for two reason, the first of which is that I have actually been waiting until I got some pictures off of the camera and onto my computer. I hope that you enjoy them. The other reason is that I have been really bummed. I went to the orthopaedist on Tuesday because my toe has been bothering me when I run. Some of you may not know that shortly before I had the baby, I tripped down 3 stairs and fractured my big toe. Dumb, I know, but I did a pretty good number on it. I was lucky that I didn't have to have it pinned together. I had to wear a walking boot for weeks, and I couldn't drive because it was my right foot. Poor Ryan! He had to drive me everywhere--even on little jaunts to Wal-Mart!

Anyway...3 weeks after William was born, the dr. had said it was healing fine, and that I didn't need to see him again. Then at 6 weeks, the OB said I could start running. I was so excited! However, whenever I ran, my toe hurt. So I went back to the orthopaedist. He said it is still healing fine, but not to do any impact sports for "a while", and to try cycling. So I can't run. I only tried out my "equipment" a few times. Bummer. Ryan fixed up my bike and we went cycling the other night, but that created another set of pains, so I don't know what I can do! I am falling apart. So I'm taking the running spot off of my blog until I can run again. I am so sad!

On the *plus* side, the apricot tree in our backyard has been dropping billions of apricots for the last couple of weeks. It is absolutely full, but we can't get to any of it, so we have to wait for it to just fall, which it does! The kids are so sick of picking up apricots! But I have made jam and fruit leather and syrup and dried apricots, and we've had smoothies...If any of you know anything else that I can do with apricots that's not too time consuming or expensive, let me know! I think we have a couple more weeks of apricots. And of course, if anybody wants any, come and get them! I'm posting a picture of the tree, but you really can't see how heavily burdened with fruit it is. Believe me, there are plenty!

New Equipment

On Saturday, I got my new running bra! Yippee hi-yay-hi-yo! For anyone else who is as blessed as I am, there's a great site called "BreakOut Bras". If you are interested in the particular bra that I got (recommended by one of my "running" friends), contact me personally and I would be happy to share this highly sensitive information with you :)

Playlist "Malfunction"

I'm so sad! I was just working on my blog with the sound ON, and I heard one of the songs on my playlist. I had forgotten that it had a naughty word in it, because we edited our version! So now I have to go and take it off :( You'll have to go elsewhere to hear naughty stuff.

Running Slow

I went "running" by myself tonight. I went to the Nature Park, and made it twice around. I even helped some people find a campground by--get this--Running in front of their car to show them the way! Can you believe it? Me! I'm recovering for longer than I'm running, but I'm able to sustain 2 minute runs. I'll keep that up until it's easy, then I'll up the run minutes one at a time. That's the plan, at least. I'm going to try to run my first 5K in September, but only if I can get in gear and last more than 2 minutes!

For two days, I have gone into the baby's room to find Thomas sitting in the crib with William. I have got to move that dresser so he can't climb in! He's pretty proud of himself and just smiles. How can you get angry when he smiles so cutely? I just want to squeeze him and give him a big kiss!

William has started smiling occasionally. It makes me so happy to see my kids smile!

I've been able to see many other friend's blogs, and they are all so cute! Where do you all get your stuff from, and please share your secrets!

While reading my cousin's blog, I came across a link to a great mock-blog called seriouslysoblessed.blogspot. If you get a chance, take a look. I thought it was pretty funny.

Thomas had ear tubes reinserted this morning. He is such a good boy and did so well! He is 2 years old now, and had a fun birthday. He kept trying to lick the plate and suck the liquid ice cream off!

I've decided to add a Running Log for anyone interested in this old lady's running pursuits. I may include my weight loss, but NOT my starting weight, etc. You can ask my kids if you're really interested in how much I weigh. I'm sure they would love to tell you!

FlyLady is back off of my bookshelf and in my hands!
I'm trying to get organized again--get back into the swing of a good routine, so I pulled out FlyLady again and will be working on a good routine. We'll see how I do!

I got a new guitar so that I can take my little "gee-tar" class in the Fall. I'm really excited about it, and have already started practicing. I will be so good, that no one will know it's me! I can accompany myself to "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore", "Grandfather's Clock", and "Amazing Grace". They all only require 3 chords.

Thomas is having his ear tubes replaced next week. We are hoping that one of the reasons that he is not talking is that he just can't hear, and that will be solved after the replacement. We'll see. He is going to be 2 on Friday! I can't even believe it! He's such a cutie, and has a major sweet tooth. Two of his absolute favorite things are soda and Swedish Fish. He thinks that whenever someone has a pop, he should be able to sip to his heart's content. He will yell at you if you do not succumb to the pleadings of his darling smile. Needless to say, he usually gets some.

I have to tell everyone that I actually went "running" today, for the first time in so long. I had to do 1 minute runs with recovery walks in between, but I did it! Between my toe and the birth, I was afraid that I would never be able to start again.

It was so nice to get out and Run!

Here is our sweet little William.

This is our cutie Thomas, wandering around at Patrick's soccer game.

When mom and dad were here, Dad got to hold William.

We heard him tell the baby that if there was cable, they would be watching sports.

This is what they did instead!

These photos are from my visit with my family when William was about 3 weeks old.

My sister, Rachel, had just had her 7th baby, too.

This is Rachel, my mom, and me.

William is on the right in both photos, and little Sumner is on the left.

Thomas in the Tub

Thomas loves baths and frequently visits the bathroom during the day. Sometimes he just throws things in the tub and sometimes he climbs in. This particular night, he had already been bathed and was ready for bed when Rebekah was getting her bath. He decided that throwing the ducks in would not be enough, and there was no way that she was taking a bath without him, so he climbed in, jammies, ducks and all!

William's Blessing

William was blessed on Sunday, August 3rd.

My mom and dad were able to come up for the day, which was great!