Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so thrilled to have hubby's entire family (minus one working niece) here from today until Saturday. There will be 18 of us in all. I love throwing parties and just plain feel more comfortable when I'm entertaining. My great friend came over from 9 Am -3 PM on Monday and helped me clean. Thank goodness for her!!!

I have so much to be thankful for!

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Wish me luck on my first Thanksgiving meal!

5 things I love *****

Allyson at House of Stephens was sweet enough to pass on this award to me. The rules are to list 5 things you love and pass along to 5 friends and link back to me.

With so much Edward spoken from my lips I knew I wanted to list five things I love about my real life man. I almost posted my five favorite lines from Twilight, but I didn't want you all to think I was off my rocker. I do not call my hubby Edward because he is just not him. Not that Edward is better by any means, just different. So here it goes...

1. I ♥ my husband because he has a sense of humor.
2. I ♥ my husband because he lets me be myself and doesn't conform me to a mold.
3. I ♥ my husband because he honors his priesthood.
4. I ♥ my husband because he is different from any other interest I have ever had.
5. I ♥ my husband because he takes care of the kids and I.

So now it is my turn to pass it onto some of you...hmmm...it is hard. I feel like I tag some of you all of the time! Okay, well here it goes...

1. Kelsey 2. Emmy 3. Jessica 4. Danielle 5. Pam

Twilight ~ take 2~

Before you think I am absolutely nuts with a new shirt...my sis gave it to me at the theater as a late birthday gift. So cool!

It was really fun to see it again, this time with E! She loves the books and follows in my footsteps a lot. I still have a lot of influence over her, I know it will not last too much longer. If you would like to read about her movie experience (remember she is 10) go here.

I still really loved the movie!!! Go see it!

Twilight at midnight ~ my 200th post!!!

(picture courtesy of my friend. I am the only dork in a Twilight shirt)

If you wanted my opinion...

I LOVED IT!

(as my friends could see).

Thanks, friends, for putting up with me and all of my whimpers of joy!

I can't wait to see it again tonight with my sis, my niece and E.

And so the Twilight obsession continues...

less than a week!

Dear Santa,

Dear Santa,

With your big day right around the corner I thought I should drop you a line . I have tried to be a really, really good girl this year. I know a few years back I told you I would never ask for anything else. You remember...the year I wanted to stop teaching and become a stay-at-home mom? Well, you did such a fabulous job with that I figured I'd give it a try. Plus, what would my little kiddies think if their mommy had no gifts under the tree?

So here is the beginning of my list. (Nothing big really)

Cuisinart: Just seems to be an essential for the kitchen that I don't have.

Vera Wang perfume. As you know she makes a few different fragrances. This one is the one I like the best.

Front loader washer and dryer. As you know, Santa, ours is almost 14 years old. Yes it still works, it just takes two full cycles to dry a load. Consider this a gift for the environment!

A freezer for the garage. Any size would be good.

Last but not least, a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4 door with removable hard top. I have never gotten over getting rid of our first Jeep. Since no babies are in our future :( this could be my new baby. don't tell hubby I said that Santa, I told him the dog was my new baby. :)

Thanks Santa for taking a look at my list. Be sure to check back often for any small additions I might add. My friend Tiffany is begging to find a spot on the list.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Jen

Harajuku Girls

On a recent trip to Tokyo we discovered the enchanting district of Harajuku. The area is known internationally for its youth style and fashion. Japanese Harajuku Girls and Harajuku Style has been used to describe teens dressed in many fashion styles ranging from Gothic Lolita (also gothic loli) Visual Kei, Ganguro, Gyaru, Kogal, to "cute" Kawaii style clothing.

*The Harajuku Girls are four young Asian back up dancers featured in stage shows and music videos for American pop singer Gwen Stefani. The women also act as an entourage at Stefani's public appearances.*

I discovered these little cuties. Gwen Stefani created a perfume franchise. I often choose my perfume by the bottle (just like I choose a book by its cover) and these not only look cute, but you are sure to find a fragrance you like out of the five. Let me introduce you to them.

This adorable set is each fragrance in solid form. I came to ♥ solid perfume as it does not go bad quickly, it is easy to throw in your purse and it does not stain clothes. Love it!



This one is "G". It is the tropical smelling with coconut flavors.


This is "Baby". Much like "Love's Baby Soft" from the olden days, powder flavors.

This is "Lil' Angel", my personal favorite, feminine and fruity.


This is "Music", my daughter's favorite. Definitely is the musky of the family.


This is "Love". Also a favorite of mine with floral flavors.

Hopefully you think these are as adorable as I do. I saw them at both Macy's and Nordstrom. Nordstrom has some really cool gifts with purchases coming up.
Enjoy shopping!

say it ain't so!

What is about this Twilight thing??

What is it that will make a thirty six year old, grown woman act like she did when she was thirteen?

What is that makes me buy a poster for my garage, two shirts, a soundtrack and two sets of pre-movie tickets?

What is that makes me make my hubby work from home to take care of the kids so that I can "camp out" to meet Edward a.k.a. Rob Pattinson?

I am a total control freak when it comes to details. So, after I decided to do this (it took 1.3 seconds to decide) I began plotting and planning how this event would go down. Here is an exciting play-by-play...

10/9 8:13 PM- My partner-in-crime arrived at my house.

10/10 2:17 AM- My alarm went off.

2:47 AM- Left the house.

4:18 AM- Arrived at destination. About 250 Twilighters had beat us there. Some were making an unofficial number system to keep things safe and orderly. We were #248 & 249. Perfect there were only to be 500 writsbands that will guarantee us into the meet & greet. Even if everyone got 2 wristbands we would still be okay.

4:45 AM - Moved my car in fear of getting towed.

5:00- 5:59 AM- Utter chaos. Will they honor the unofficial number system or will it be a free-for-all?

6:00 AM- RUNNING STAMPEDE! We are allowed on mall property, everyone dashes for the mall doors. So glad my daughter is not with me!

6:01 AM - Sardines packed is the only thing on my mind.

6:25 AM- Sun begins to rise.
7:00 AM- News helicopters begin to hover. We are about 12 feet from mall doors. They announce the beginning of order. Soon they will be taking 20 in at a time to purchase shirt and wristband. The end is near...we had no idea how true this statement would be!

7:37 AM- Pushing. SF police begin to show up.

8:00 AM- "The event is cancelled!" As we at the front are hurded out by police, we find the line is completely wrapped around the mall. Is it really cancelled? Well, if it is true we have lost our incredible place. Nobody is believeing the police.

8:10 AM- Police line goes up.

8:30 AM- We are still smiling. Bummed and disappointed but smiling.

8:50- Public spokeswoman from Hot Topic announces to cooperate with police and to go home!

9:00- On freeway headed to Pacifica for breakfast and a planning session. What to do?

9:30- Headed back to mall to access situation.

9:45 AM- Crowd has mostly dispursed outside of the mall. What? The mall doors are open? They said they would not open the mall until 10:00 AM. Is there hope?

9:47 AM- Major line inside mall starting at Hot Topic and going all the way down the mall aisle.

9:52 AM- Confirmed that event is cancelled for the day. The tour tee shirts will not be for sale. These people are just waiting for Twilight products. (which I already have plenty of)

9:53 AM- Decision made to go home. It is not meant to be!

10:12 AM- Minor detour off of freeway for impromptu shopping trip to IKEA. The day is not wasted afterall. But I din't buy one thing which proves I was a little depressed. :(

11:50 AM- Back at home. Saying goodnight to hubby and headed for a nap.

The moral of this story is: no matter how much you plan or prep it is never a sure thing! Also, Twilight is like an addiction. Next stop will be the midnight show,

do I ever learn?

UPDATE FROM HOT TOPIC!-Twilight Stonestown Galleria Meet And Greet On 11/10 Is Sold Out In the spirit of fan appreciation and to ensure a safe environment, Hot Topic is proceeding with a limited meet and greet with Rob Pattinson from the upcoming film Twilight. The event will begin at 6:00 PM at San Francisco's Stonestown Galleria, and is currently sold out.

Can you believe it? They went ahead with it! I am a faithful person who believes people a little too much I guess. I am very frustrated with the above update.

I feel like a two year old who needs to have a tantrum!

"Under Attack " ~ Mamma Mia (ABBA)

I try to keep my blog upbeat and light, but I needed a place to voice some of my personal feelings. I felt there was no better place than here.

My political view on Prop 8 is and was no secret. It is no secret that I live in CA and am smack in the middle of the war. I am not here to change anyone's mind or even defend my own views. Many of you know, that in light of the election results my church (therefore ME) is under attack.

As I was planning my Sunday School lesson this week I found some quotes that were answers to my prayers and provided peace in this scary time. I wanted to share them.

"Stakes are a defense for the Saints from enemies both seen and unseen. The defense is direction provided through priesthood channels that strengthens testimony..." President Ezra Taft Benson

"Christ has, on occasion, been rightfully angry with backsliding Israel, but that has always been brief and temporary-'a small moment'. Compassion and mercy always return and prevail in a most reassuring way." Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

This second quote shows me how Christ handles situations just like this. To be like him, I also need to show compassion and mercy. This is a challenge for me when I feel attacked, but I know that is how I will grow and become a little more like Him.

God bless the United States of America!

Happy Friday!

I don't know about you, but I have felt a little anxious for the last couple of weeks. When I get a little overwhelmed I like to go to my happy place, a.k.a Paris.

I hope you have a great weekend!

aches and pains

Things I knew to be true:

36 is not old!

you are only as old as you feel

sometimes you sacrifice for beauty

shoes are the ultimate accessory, so the more you have the better

But then...I started having foot pain daily and it hurt the second I got out of bed! I would think, "why do my feet hurt when I have been laying down all night?"

It finally dawned on me...all those "cute" shoes are also "cheap" and it ain't working for me anymore. When I say cheap I really mean cheap, we are talking $20 or less. I kinda thought, "why spend more if you don't have to?" Now I know.

So I bought these from here. Now, these are not the high end shoes that I wish I could buy, but oh my! They are so comfortable! And since my primary job is stay-at-home-mom they will be perfect with all my casual clothes.

a dinner your kids will ♥

photo: Kraftfoods.com what kid does not like bite-sized morsels? I actually put the leftovers in their lunchbox today, instead of a sandwich.

1. spray muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray
2. use 1lb. lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
3. mix in 1 pkg. Stove Top stuffing (unprepared)
4. mix in 3/4 C. Ketchup
5. mix in 1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix
6. fill muffin tin 3/4 up with meat mixture.
7. Bake 350 degrees for 20 min.
8. Add grated cheese to top .
9. Bake additional 10 min.

This would be a great recipe to sneak in some grated veggies too!

Also, a great appetizer for a party!

The countdown is on!

Just doing our part...

...and LOVING every minute of it!

Whether you agree with me or not, just please VOTE!