WICKED--UPDATED POST

I found it! Wicked is coming to the Capitol Theater in SLC beginning in April of 2009... Wahoo! However, ticket prices are quite spendy. Do a whole bunch of you who read this want to go in together and buy me a ticket? Christmas is coming, and my birthday isn't too far distant after that... LOVE YOU! :)

So they are WAY expensive....we're talking a combination of Christmas, Birthday, Valentines, St. Patty's and Groudhog Day presents. I hope you know I was just kidding about anyone else buying me the ticket, but it sure would be amazing to go and see it. Anyone has a windfall and just don't have anything to spend it on, keep me in mind! Otherwise, here are links to where I found the cheapest tickets for Salt Lake. I'm still searching for somewhere else to get them that is not so spendy.

http://www.ticketzoom.com/ticketresults.cfm?e=4167&gclid=CMGk9Pi7hJYCFQpYbAodwwzCEA

http://www.ticketliquidator.com/tix/Tickets.aspx?evtid=868033

Why men don't leave notes.....

I got this image in an email today. TOO FUNNY!

So life is BUSY....work, church stuff, all you can eat pancake breakfast fundraisers, soccer games, track meets, dance class, painting the basement (which by the way is ALMOST finished!), and school. (I am 3 chapters behind....ugh.) Everyone is doing great--I just wish there were more hours in the day. (About 4 should do it---3 more for sleeping, and one more just for doing things like taking bubble baths, reading (not a textbook), playing the piano for fun or whatever...

What an amazing experience!

A few weeks ago, I was informed that I had won a "contest" at work by answering some questions that were asked in our quarterly newsletter. So what was the "Grand Prize" you ask... was it a "leg-o-lamp" wrapped up in a nice fishnet stocking that I could place in our front window? Well, no, I was a bit disappointed as well - but not for long because I found that the winners got to ride in a hot air balloon during the Ruby Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival which happens to be taking place this weekend.

As you are aware, the balloons depend very heavily on the weather so all eyes have been to the western horizon this past week wondering what the weekend would bring. I had to work yesterday (Saturday) and left the house a bit earlier than usual to see if I could catch a glimpse (my scheduled ride was for Sunday morning) of any balloons that would still be up in the air at that point - only to see that they hadn't been able to launch at all because the winds were just too strong and wouldn't allow for a safe flight or landing.

This morning, I awoke to the sweet sounds of the alarm at 5:00 and peeked outside - still, calm air and clear skies - a perfect day weather-wise! Amy and I got everyone up and out of bed, bundled up, and on our way out to Spring Creek by 5:30 a.m. When we got there, they were just about to start their pilot's meeting so we listened to that for a bit and then met the pilot of the balloon that I would be riding in - "Kearney". I do need to mention that it didn't take long for the kids (especially the younger-more-prone-to-whining-ones) to start freezing because they hadn't heeded warnings and encouragement to wear heavier coats and such. Finally fed up with it all, Amy took Carly and Ryan back to the van so that they could warm up a bit and watch from afar. Scott was alternating between taking pictures with our camera and trying to keep his hands and lips warm - I had some suggestions on how to accomplish this but he wasn't too keen on performing those maneuvers in public...? I found out as the balloon was inflating that there would be room in the basket for Ian to come with us "if he wanted to" - "DUH". He was absolutely ecstatic!

Here are a bunch of pictures of our grand adventure (the ones on the ground were taken by Scott and the others by me up in the air). When all was said and done, we'd travelled about a mile and had reached a height of about 200 - 250 ft above the ground. If you ever get the chance - I would VERY highly recommend taking advantage of it!

Enjoy

... and here is "Kearney's Mistress" after dropping us off and picking another pair of passengers.

In my daughter's eyes

You can play this song in my playlist....


In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe In my daughter's eyes
And when she wraps her hand around my finger
It puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about
It's hangin' on when your heart has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy she made me
For I'll be there -- In my daughter's eyes....


I am grateful I have Car. (And thanks Kari for the fantastic picture!)

Names

We all have them...most of us even like the ones we have. Seriously though? FURPLE NEEDERMEYER? (See "Random thoughts and wonderings...") Were those people smoking crack when they made that decision? It's nearly as bad as the twin girls that Jim's grandpa delivered. The Mother named them (no joke) Syphillis and Gonorrhea--she pronounced them "si-phyllis and gah-norrea with the emphasis on the second syllable of each word--OH MY.) Other noteworty famous names....Dweezil and Moon Unit, Picabo, Englebert Humperdink (Humperdink, Humperdink, Humperdink!), Apple....and then there are the one name wonders--Sting, Madonna, Elvis, Liberace... Here is some information on my name:

AMY
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English
Pronounced: AY-mee [key]
English form of the Old French name Amée meaning "beloved" (modern French aimée), a vernacular form of the Latin Amata. As an English name, Amy was in use in the Middle Ages and was revived in the 19th century.

My maiden name means "twig" in Swedish and my married name means "bent nose" in Scottish. I guess all told that means I am a "beloved twig bent nose?"

Not as dumb as I thought?

So after much sweat, much study (more than I EVER did the first time in college--sorry Mom and Dad), and some pretty intense prayer, I took my first exam last night. I am happy to announce that I scored well--receiving 46 out of 50! That is a 92%! Whoopeeeeee!!!! Although the perfectionist in me is a little bit disappointed about not getting a perfect score, I'm still happy with the A and am feeling less stress about future tests now that I know I can actually do this.

Regarding Jim's comments--flesh? I don't have any idea what he could be referring to, and if ANY of you on the trip seem to recollect something I will have to say that I have no problem making up something revealing to post here...you KNOW what I mean!

I'm just putting this on our blog because it's been a while since we've seen any pictures and both Amy and I have mentioned in the last week or so that we still really miss having Diego be a part of our everyday lives. It was a really fantastic experience for all of us and even Carly has said that she wishes she would have been "a little bit" nicer to him while he was here because she misses him too!

A Hostile Takeover!!!!

Okay, so it's like this... Amy put the blog editing page on our favorites and I found it so look out now! You thought Amy was a bit raucous... just wait and see what happens if/when I get my "stuff" goin'!

I'm not really in a terribly funny mood tonight so just a quick update on the last few days from my perspective: Amy and a whole gaggle of gals went to a "Time Out for Women" in Logan and somewhere along the way, there were several showings of flesh and I MISSED IT! Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time... GEEZE! I had to work on Saturday so didn't get to be with the kids as Scott participated in his first track meet (doing mostly field events so he doesn't have to run - he really does have some of my genes!) or see Carly's team win and Ian's team lose their respective soccer games. That was a bit of a bummer but they were all pretty good about telling me about it so no major complaints I guess. On Sunday, Scott had to both give a talk in Sacrament as well as play a piano/violin duet with Elizabeth Eardley. He did really well on both and it was very nice to have my parents in attendance. To finish off the weekend, Amy got home safe and I am so very incredibly glad (as I am each and every time that I get to play the role for a bit) that I am not a single parent. I have a lot of respect for those single parents that do a good job of raising their kids because I sure wouldn't want to have to go it alone.

So anyway, keep an eye on the blog 'cause you never know when I'll sneak something in without Amy even knowing - and it just may be cause for hilarity!

Just for Kari.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRl1OJLZUbE

an explanation....

I don't expect that ANY of you except my sister will understand the previous post...it was for her I put it on anyway. Love you sis....hope you enjoyed it! We'll discuss my opinion of the current political climate another time! For the rest of you, check this out. It is HILARIOUS!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO_BnsrWMnI

A real update on the Nisbet household is coming soon........

My sister

Once upon a time there was a girl named Lisa. She was a nice girl. Lots and lots of people liked her. One day she was walking down the street just whistling a nice non-denominational tune she had picked up while going to Dragon Fest. It had an Indigo Girls-esque sound to it, but was something that she also might have once heard while watching an episode of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. Anyway--not a care in the world, Lisa was not paying attention to where she was going when she stumbled on a crack in the sidewalk and fell! OH NO! But wait, it gets worse...hard to believe I know that something so tragic could happen to such a wonderful person. Indeed, my heart aches in relating the tale to you. Still--I must. What you don't know is that Lisa fell immediately in front of a store filled with fine home furnishings. In the front display window was a lovely sofa with two adorable children sitting on it. (Their names were Susie and Jack but that is irrelevant to this particular tale...) To Lisa's utter and complete horror as she looked up into their angelic faces, a GIANT PIT BULL jumped over the back of the sofa and ate them up. The end.

Loved it...

Hey all....just a quick post. Loved the weekend, even though it was crazy. I am especially to be back home in Elko with ALL of my family safe and sound. Thanks a ton Tami and Dan for playing host and for showing so much love to my gang. Can't wait for a trip to Elko from your group so we can return the favor. Jim enjoyed the quick trip to So Cal, even though it was a lot of driving in such a short time. (Upon arriving home today there has been 1800 miles plus put on our van since last Friday...sheesh. Can't wait to get the gas bill!) The kids loved boating in Newport harbor--glad I wasn't there because for one, I get seasick and B, I would have been paranoid about them taking an unplanned trip into the ocean. Jim was definitely the parent to be present on that adventure. My love to all you who were at the temple on Saturday with RayLynn. Thanks for including me in the day. The wedding on Tuesday was lovely. I enjoy attending those types of things as it reminds me of my own special day many moons ago. I loved spending some time with Jim without having to care for the kids' needs at the same time. And that brings me to a BIG thank you to Jana for keeping track of the kids while we were away. Dennis--you are a fabulous big brother. We are so thankful for the chance to spend a few minutes with you. Thanks for hosting us for a day or two! Love you guys!