Harry Potter Parrrrrtay

So yesterday we decided that we would have a Harry Potter party for Bryson so he could finally see the 7th movies.  When Becca informed me that she would be making butter beer, things got pretty serious and I made a quick trip to the store.  I worked for 2 hours straight getting all the Harry Potter themed treats ready until people got there.  It was a success!  Check out these fun treats!

These were a hit.  I had to improvise a little bit, but they turned out quite tasty!

Also a hit.  Suckers dipped in honey dipped in pop rocks!!

"Things I Learned in 5th Grade"

Today my dad made me hash-browns while he held my little bird on his shoulder.  We talked about different things in life, then talked about different people in my life.  We talked about some of the struggles that come about with people and I told him that I hope that I can be one to keep calm when everything else is crazy.  He started to recite this ever-so wise poem to me:

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too:

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;

If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same:.

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings,

And never breathe a word about your loss:

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much:

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son! 

Rudyard Kipling
:)

A Post on Broken Hearts

In the last several months I have seen a few of my dearest friends get their hearts broken.  The kind of broken that only comes when one has fallen in love, but something somewhere along that road goes wrong...or is it right?  Either way - even if it does end up being right - it is a painful thing.  I don't understand.  I have struggled to know what to tell these sweet friends of mine.  My brother-in-law was telling me last night that sometimes we need to prepare for the worst, but expect the best.  How does one prepare for something like a broken heart, or the loss of a family member, or for any of life's major blows for that matter?  Preparing for the worst seems to mean to give up hope, but no one should live like that.  I honestly believe that the only way one can prepare for any form of heartache is by strengthening one's faith in, and relationship with Christ.  So when those major blows do indeed come (because they will) the pain may not all be taken away, but it will definitely ensure okayness.  Broken hearts happen.  A lot.  There is still hope though.  There is moving forward and hope that once we have fallen, we can still mend.  Through the Savior.  So, to all who may have a broken heart of any sort right now:  no one can tell you when to stop feeling pain, or when to "get over it."  Trust me, I know.  However, I can promise that, through Jesus Christ, you will.  Indeed.  Be.  Okay.

Meet Gilly!!

I finally got him and I love him!! 

He is 2 months old and super sweet and affectionate.  He puts his beak on my face and just leaves it there to cuddle.  He likes to use my earrings and ear and hair to climb up onto my head, and he thinks the mole above my lip is food sometimes.  He likes me to hold him best above everyone else.  And he jumps from on top of his cage to my shoulder even when he is supposed to be eating his food.  

He is fun. :)