Please pass along! Sounds too scary to be true, but nothing should surprise me.

A new movie to not see...

Snopes says it is true
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp
There will be a new children's movie out in December called "The Golden
Compass". The movie has been described as "atheism for kids" and is based on
the first book of a trilogy entitled "His Dark Materials" that was written
by Phillip Pullman. Pullman is a militant atheist and secular humanist who
despises C. S. Lewis and the "Chronicles of Narnia". His motivation for
writing this trilogy was specifically to counteract Lewis' symbolisms of
Christ that are portrayed in the Narnia series.

Clearly, Pullman 's main objective is to bash Christianity and promote
atheism. Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a
2003 interview that "my books are about killing God." He has even stated
that he wants to "kill God in the minds of children". It has been said of
Pullman that he is "the writer the atheists would be praying for, if
atheists prayed."

While "The Golden Compass" movie itself may seem mild and innocent, the
books are a much different story. In the trilogy, a young streetwise girl
becomes enmeshed in an epic struggle to ultimately defeat the oppressive
forces of a senile God. Another character, an ex-nun, describes Christianity
as "a very powerful and convincing mistake." In the final book, characters
representing Adam and Eve eventually kill God, who at times is called
YAHWEH. Each book in the trilogy gets progressively worse regarding
Pullman's hatred of Jesus Christ.

"The Golden Compass" is set to premier on December 7, during the Christmas
season, and will probably be heavily advertised. Promoters hope that
unsuspecting parents will take their children to see the movie, that they
will enjoy the movie, and that the children will want the books for
Christmas.

Please consider a boycott of the movie and the books. Also, pass this
information along to everyone you know. This will help to educate parents,
so that they will know the agenda of the movie

Nicolle's survey!

1-Three biggest fears? don't want them to happen, so no thank you.
2. When was the last time you danced? Last week, with my kids.
3. Do you creep on stranger's blogs? Not total strangers, just people who I like reading their blogs, family or friends of family.
4. If you could go back to be any age for a day, what age would you be and why? I like now, this age. I love being here with my family. 4 kids is fun!
5. Are you a good liar? Heck no.
6. Do you judge someone when you can tell they've had elective cosmetic surgery? Who cares?!
7. If you have children, what's one thing that you always told yourself you'd never do when you had kids? Scream at them that they are less than they actually are.
8. What's something that totally grosses you out? Smells, I have a sensitive nose.
9. Do you ever delete forwards without reading them? Nope.
10. Do you ever lie to get out of obligations? Nope, I blow it off or tell the truth. Sometimes it works.
11. Consider your body weight and your yearly income at their present states. Would you rather be 200 pounds heavier and $200,000 richer or stay at your present states? What? No.
12. When was the last time you bought a pair of shoes and what were they? Couple of weeks ago, I bought a crappy pair of black dress flats.
The Olympics. Take them or leave them? Take them.
14. What's your favorite accent? South African.
15. What's your favorite scent? Baby perfume scent.
16. Gum or breath mints? Gum.
17. If you could look like any celebrity, who would it be? Noone. Doesn't that mean I'd get their personality, I don't even know any celebrities, why would I want to be like someone I don't know? Whatever, celebrity obession is obnoxious.
18. If you had the chance of looking like said celebrity in exchange for your thumbs would you do it? Nope. Why is that an option?
19. Do you religiously wear sun screen? Nope, cancer in a bottle.
20. Do you generally trust people/their motives or doubt people/their motives? Depends on their eyes. I still look into their eyes to see if I can figure them out.
21. Would you describe yourself as a complicated person or is what you see what you get? You see what you get.
22. Do you watch what you eat? Yes. Though it might be bad, cause I think I might be hypoglycemic.
23. Do you watch what other people eat? Only my kids, hubby and my parents.
24. Do you judge how other people raise their kids? Not anymore, Cause I'm still trying to figure it out. Besides, it will happen to you!
25. Do you judge people who dress poorly? No, cause people dress nicely if they can. So if they're not, it's cause they can't afford to, and I've been there!
26. Do you judge people who are homely? Hmm, I don't think so.
27. Do you judge people who are overweight? Depends on their age. I think heavy kids are doomed, sorry.
28. Your interest in politics: High, Medium-High, Medium, Medium-Low, Low, Obsolete? HIgh.
29. Favorite song of all time? A coldplay song, but that can change.
30. Acoustic or electric? Probably electric, with all the pedals and stuff, you can change the sounds.
31. If you were a hermit, would you shave? Shave what? Yeah, I probably would.
32. If you could shave your head without your significant other throwing a complete hissy, would you? Shave it again?! Maybe. It is so freeing! (for those of you who don't know, I shaved my head when I was 16-17. People were pretty mean to me, except those who knew me.)
33. What was your least favorite age? When I choose to be in a bad mood.
34. How many times a day do you check your email? Twice a day
35. Are you in a tiff with anyone right now? Yup, it sucks.

Break the Fast!






click on lilli's eye. No goop!


My babies!



Bruce caught them doing this. Too cute!










Our stake confererence is this coming Sunday and so our ward had our fast and testimony meeting yesterday. It was great, I have to say my favorite part was when my Bruce got up to bear his testimony. He told this story and then bore his testimony about knowing that God hears and answers our prayers.




Does anyone remember that Bruce wanted to quit his job to run his bizness full time? Well after much praying and 2 trips to the temple, we got our answer. He shouldn't quit just yet and should finish school. So he didn't and believe me, he wasn't happy about it.



But things have changed so much at work that it almost seems like a different job, he is even commuting a little, which strangely enough I think he likes, cause it gives him time to unwind.



He is also starting his last 2 classes and is excited about being done.




My point is, when you do God's will, even if you don't understand, your life will be blessed and in ways you can't fathom. I say that because I know how hard it was for Bruce to NOT quit and now he's happier and is on track for what needs to be done for this family. I say it because Yesterday we were fasting for 2 things and I wish we had fasted for a third.



It's funny, my R.S. prez came up to me and we talked about VT and I basically came away with the knowledge that instead of trying to be everybody's best friends, I should try to be their VT because alot of times, that's what they need. Someone who cares about them, someone who will help them when they need it, and someone to give them a spiritual message. See, I wasn't doing that. I thought it was fake to just show up, give a message and take off. So I thought I would do everything I could for them.



I have to say, almost every time, I wouldn't be able to do anything for them. Maybe it was too much. Yesterday, in RS our lesson was about choosing the better thing instead of the good things. Somehow I thought that my way is the best way, when maybe it isn't. Especially when I try to embellish the things that have been simplified for our good.



Anyway, I asked Bruce about his testimony and I was delighted to get the full version.



Then we went a ward break-the-fast and Bruce left to go hometeaching and when I went to get seconds, I dropped a bowl of salsa on the floor that exploded all over me and this lady's kitchen.




Salsa got on my face, glasses, hair, shirt, skirt, shoes and in between my toes. It was great. Then I tried to clean it up at the feet of a crowd of onlookers. Tip; don't stare, or point out messes, Help.



So I left in a hurry and wasn't very gracious because I just wanted to dissapear. Surprisingly enough, my kids were really well behaved, especially considering the circumstances.



So I don't think I will go to that anymore. (As everyone breathes a sigh of relief).




Maybe I'll have a South Side Break-the-fast. Is that Overkill? I just noticed that noone from south side was there. Anyone would be welcome! Let me know if that sounds like a plan!




By the way, I think some people are horrified that I divulge so much about my akward little moments. You shouldn't be. If I wanted to be fake-perfect, you'd see right through it, cause I'm a bad liar.



The latest news is that I would like to pray for our families, because if we don't, who will? I have a few people in mind, and maybe you do too! Oh yeah, last week, Lilli's goopy eye finally cleared up. No medicine! Ha!

These are from this weekend;


We went to the only Free fall festival around cuz, you know....


It was at a church and it was ok for what we spent; When we got there, a guy was talking about absolution of guilt. It was a little wierd, until the band started to play. We played games and stuff, people smiled at us and most importantly, we were not converted.





























Visiting teaching! and other random info.

Have I mentioned that Ethan, yes, ETHAN loves to cook? He actually snuggled up to me yesterday and said "Mommy, can we go to the store and buy some ingredients so you and me can make a yummy dessert?" So last night, Bruce walks in the door an hour late, with a new bike for Ethan, a scooter and four good sized pumpkins. Man, he must know that if he's gonna be late, he better be bringing home some goods. I would personally rather have him home on time, empty-handed, but his method works too. He offered to stay with the kids so I could have some chillax-time, but I freaked out cause I thought he didn't invite me to the family event of the evening. Needless to say, he told me to calm down.
Man, just tell me when I'm acting crazy.

I didn't take Ethan shopping, but we all had a chilly picnic at night in the church parking lot, in the back of Bruce's truck and the kids rode their bikes in the parking lot (with no other cars).
Bruce broke a rib when he flew off the insanely dangerous second-hand scooter, that he just bought before coming home from work. He went to the doctor this morning and he is ok, just pulled some muscles.

Crazy!

I have no new pictures so here are some old ones.
Hanging out with the Hopewell grandparents.

Dylan's birthday present.



I need some inspiring stories on Visiting teaching. I am about to give up on myself for lack of worthy service to Him and my poor sisters. It would probably help to get some priesthood guidance on the whole vision of visiting teaching. Anyone need a good partner for some 'nice' sisters?
Sorry I'm not at liberty to discuss my issues about visiting teaching. But feel free to discuss that it actually works for some women.
Referencing the previous mention of hormonal, tired craziness; I hope no one wants to lynch me for saying this, but as I have extensively researched and experimented with this method, I am confident that:


NAPPING MAKES YOU TIRED AND CRANKY. THE MORE YOU NAP, THE WORSE IT GETS.

As I said, I have proven this theory for the past 7 years and have arrived at the conclusion that I can't nap for more than 15 min.

Please do not yell at me if you see me spacing out or dozing off
at some random moment (On the phone or talking to you or walking around),
just tell me to wake up.
Like I said, I have proven the theory, but I have not mastered the art of staying awake all throughout the day. I will continue to try to be less irritating to the general public, but in the meantime, please bear with me as I try to battle my psuedo-narcolepsy.

Please note that I would rather strangle someone than miss out on my beloved Sleepy time,

BUT I am sure that 6-8 hours of straight sleep at night is much better

than my aforementioned ongoing experiment of 4, 2, and 1/2 hours naps at ERRATIC times during the 24 hour day. Hence the name, Erratic Elisa.



Our garden, '07 early summer.

The Grish family. I wish I had gotten a good picture with Seb and Julie!

New events!

Check out Lilli's face and HAIR!
On a hayride!

Two weekends ago, we went to an event we've been planning for weeks. It was at a park that is a reserve for some wildlife in Arlington. It is a beautiful park. It was dark when we got there and they had all kinds of activites for kids. Unfortuneatly, we forgot our camera!

I think the ironic part is that the night before we went to the same park/activity and forgot to bring cash so we couldn't get in but we brought our camera, Friday! The next night we went back and had the cash but no camera, Saturday. We had alot of fun both times so it was ok.

We have a huge garden this year for the first time and we are only growing peppers well. Our tomato plants are out of control, growing the fruit but some insects keeps destroying them before they ripen. I forgot why I brought that up.

Transformers came out on video yesterday and I suspect that Ethan will have it memorized by the end of the month.

Preschool is going great, we had a meeting yesterday and changed up the format and I think everyone is excited about the changes! We have a new family joining us, welcome K. family!

We now have 6 solid students but with the babies it's 11 kids! Imagine the chaos!

I really don't have any new pictures or anything but I'm glad to hear and see everyone's blog!
Sorry it's such a lame post. I have been sooo tired for the last few weeks and it seems to get worse with time so if anyone has any suggestions for overcoming insomnia and building up energy, I would love to hear it. Right now, I am trying to eat better (no high fructose corn syrup) and exercise (with the big ball) and trying to keep my house cleaner (sorry about the mess that you had to see, John).

Oh yeah, JOHN, Bruce's brother, who owns a carpet cleaning business, came over and cleaned and sanitized our air ducts. THANK YOU JOHN, the house smells much better and I haven't been sneezing nearly as much as I used to.
So.... I actually cleaned up more after, because it bothered me so much that John had seen how messy my house was.

By the way, I am so sorry for all those people who have lost their homes in the fires of Southern California. Please pray for them!

Anyone bored yet?


Am I posting too much?
Okay, if you are checking my blog, I would really love it if you left a comment.
Mostly to know that we can be in communication. Please! Extended Utah family and all friends!

So on Wed. Bruce won some Dallas Stars Hockey tickets, free. We had a friend babysit and as we rolled up to the American Airlines Center, all I could think was "Wow".
It kind of redefined 'Excess' for me.
Yeah, the game was fun and quite exciting but it was crazy how much advertising was going on.
Even Bruce, my capitalistic conservative was overwhelmed and proceeded to complain loudly amidst the fans. Yeah, we got some 'looks'. Very interesting.
We had a fun time, even got a free dinner, but on our way home it was funny how we actually started debating about how that area got 'revamped' .
The whole area is really beautiful and expensive but you can tell that it was not an affordable place to live or to go to.
Bruce started telling me how they tore down alot of projects and stuff to build up that whole area. Argghh. Let's not get into that.
Needless to say, I somehow found a link to the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington and some negative aspects to it. Bottom of this paragraph.
I KNOW THERE ARE ALOT OF COWBOYS FANS, not trying to diss them or the Cowboys.
It just makes me wonder what is going to happen to Arlington and how and why we are funding this project, instead of being paid to host the whole thing.
Of course, I know I don't get all the politics and reasoning,
but I keep telling Bruce "This stadium better be good for Arlington....".
http://durangotexas.com/eyesontexas/arlington/dallascowboystadium/dallascowboystadiumarlington.htm
ON this same site is an article about all the urban gas drilling going on in Tarrant County. There is supposed to be a protest soon, anyone want to go?
I get really frustrated when I see people being shafted and taken advantage of because a few politicians and investors want a cut of the pie. I really worry about the future of Tarrant County. Maybe I shouldn't, but dang, how can you justify hurting millions of people so that a select few will benefit?
By the way, so far I like baseball games the best. Still need to see a basketball, soccer and football game, live to make a fair decision!
I'd like to mention that we have never paid for a sporting event. Free tickets from work. I don't know that we could ever afford it.

And now I would like to hear from anyone who has anything to say about this, bring it on!

Preschool

Pre-k is fun!
'School' co-founder's son.



Another family trying out our 'school'. I don't know if they were impressed....



One of our pre-k families.




We found Lilli with a bucket of ice cream on top of the table. We don't know how she got it. But I'm betting Dylan got it out, took a few bites, then pawned it off on Lilli so as not to get in trouble! Lilli knows how to get on top of the table all by herself.





A few ladies and myself , at church decided to do a preschool setting. Our first class was last week and then today.


I was teaching....

It did not go as well as last week.

But, I am not giving up!






Haircuts and Conference!

We wrote down some of the things that stood out to us, and it was a beautiful moment when Bruce pulled me over to him and kissed, hugged me and told me he loved me. The kids were pretty good for the first session, went off and played during the second session.


Conf. was amazing! The one about mothers who know, slapped me upside the head! She said 'mothers wash the dishes, do laundry, and clean the house'!
Auugghh! What?!
I had to take a step back and tell myself ; ' it's true'!
I love a clean house and don't mind cleaning but I hate picking up after little crazy piggies who destroy everything in sight!! oKay, I'm done.
I love my kids and honestly, I'd rather hug and play with my kids than spend all day cleaning, so think whatever you want, but I am trying and I don't need to feel guilty about not having an immaculate home!
Sorry, guess that's a sore spot for me!
I can't help but think we need alot less stuff in our home, maybe that would make cleaning up easier and less time-consuming. Holla back!
Lilli's goofy grin, so cute!
Grandpa Hopewell came over and went to the priesthood session with my Bruce. It was really nice of him to come over, it made us feel so loved and important! He was telling the kids a nice story when we took this picture.




The boys' first day in preschool! They were crazy! It was really fun. The boys could have been better but they eventually calmed down and participated.



Wrestling!


I think dylan looks so old in this picture! It is my favorite look on him! Ethan calls it his 'triangle hair'!

I wanted to show some new haircut pics of the boys (who says they can't be stylish?)



Well, this weekend has been fun! Crazy busy, but fun!



And great sunday that we had; we listened only to Sunday 'cause we were too wrapped up in ourselves. Me trying to sell some jewelry (lost money there, big surprise) and Bruce doing a radio spot for his job that took all morning. So Saturday was kinda a loss till about 4:30 pm. Then it got much better cause we both focused on things that are important; our family and our spirituality.

Krause Springs!


I have tons more pics, but I am done for today!

This is the 2nd of 2 river rock slide/pools. Lots of fun!


Finally found Bruce after we walked up to the grotto! I gave Dylan a walking stick, he used it faithfully, but it was more of a hinderance than help.





We wandered around here for an hour! Trying to manuver around the rocks and tree roots was interesting!


























It was a small fall, but it was perfect for the kids to get right up to and under the water if they wanted to. It was refreshingly cold!










It couldn't have been more than 1/2 mile hike but I think it took us 2 hours to get through the little swamp/ waterfall area. There are 2 waterfalls! It was so fun, I'm sure it seemed very exciting and possibly dangerous to these 2, but they loved it! Dylan and Eva were so funny!









I was pretty cranky in the morning (7am) and sore all over, so after Poor Bruce made us breakfast, and I was thinking about lying down again, he decided to go on a walk with Lilli and Ethan. But all I needed was to lay on something soft (all our pillows) so after a 10 minute lag, Dylan and Eva and I decided to try to catch up with Daddy. I had the camera so.....










We watched a movie to go to sleep, poor Bruce was so tired that he couldn't sleep without quiet and since the kids were still awake..... needless to say, we were all sleeping fitfully.





Our air mattress wouldn't stay inflated, yes, I know it's a cop-out to take an air mattress, but if it makes anyone feel better, we didn't sleep very well!










Eva took the picture of Bruce and I.










Gotta do marshmellows!










Dinner was yummy; Bruce put taters, carrots and beef tips in foil packets and threw it in the fire, everyone ate it up!





This was 1 of 2 crazy little rock-water slides.








Bruce loved the rope swing!


































Eva tried the rope swing... once.














What a View!










Our Campsite!









A tiny cave-spring in the garden!






Free butterfly garden for visitors!





Map!