Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Book Review

Do Not Read if You don't want to find out what happens.

Ok, first I want to give a little history. Back in 2000, when my sister Tricia and I were living in Cottonwood, AZ I was fishing around the apartment looking for a book to read. Tricia, reads a lot so I asked her some suggestions. She told me to read her Harry Potter books. I laughed and told her i wasn't going to read some kids books.

Well, anyway, I was bored so I thought I would take a look at it. I couldn't put the book down. I think, there were 3 out by then and so I read, one right after another. So thanks to Tricia, I was hooked on books.

Now, I am just going to say right now, I am not a huge groupy. I love the books, but I couldn't tell you the Gryffindor colors. In fact, I might have just spelled Gryffindor wrong and if I have, I apologize if I have offended any Potter Fans.

When, I got married, my husband was a huge Potter fan. So thanks to him, I continued reading the series as they came out. I have not read the books over and over like he has. But we did read book 3 again together just before the 3rd movie came out (by the way, I don't recommend doing this, the movies though GREAT and I loved everyone of them, aren't nearly as fun as reading the books). I do want to say I also love the actors who play Harry, Ron and Harmonie. Actually, I think that all the actors and directors did an incredible job. It's just that when you read the book right before the movie, you wish that they had put certain scenes in and such...

Ok so anyway, we got the book Saturday morning, Kyle, my DH, went to Walmart at 5 am in Show Low, AZ and bought it. We were visiting family that weekend so I told him he couldn't hide from everyone reading the whole weekend. So anyway, He finished up, Thursday. By then I had read about 45 pages when he wasn't reading. So Thursday, I officially started reading it and I just finished reading it at 1 AM Monday morning. I COULDN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN!!! Let's just say, my house didn't get cleaned for the last few days and my family was lucky that I was at least feeding them meals.

OK, Here is where you probably want to stop reading if you don't want to find out what happens....

Anyway, it is very action packed. And I just want to say that I knew Snape was on Dumbledore's side, though I did think Dumbledore was really still alive, just like Ron did. But, alas, he is very dead. I was going to be very upset if Harry was killed in the book. I was SOBBING (you may laugh at me but that's ok, those that know me well will not be suprised to here me say that) as Harry was walking into the forrest with his parents and the ones he loved so dear to him that had died, as he was going to meet Vodlermort and he new he had to die in order for Voldermort to die.

I was extremely happy that he did not stay dead. That he was able to go talk to Dumbledore in the "spirit world" and then he had a chance to come back, but it was his decision.

I loved the fighting scene in the end! I loved that Neville was the ring leader and was able to pull the sword from the hat and kill the snake!! I loved that Harry came back and fought Voldermort and that he stood up to him in front of everyone!! I loved how Harry put him in his place and that Harry gave Voldermort the opportunity to "repent" and not kill Harry. I love how in the end it was Voldermort that ended up killing himself when his wand (which was rightfully Harry's because it was originally rightfully Draco's) backfired and killed himself. And I loved the fact the JK Rowlings put the last chapter in the book so we could know what was going on with Harry, Ron and Harmonie 19 years later.

As my husband says, Rowlings is the Tolkien of our day! And I would probably have to agree, even though I have only read "The Two Towers." But I have seen all the movies.

Anyway, I have attached a link to a great interview with JK. But I guess if you have read this you probably have read the 7th book and don't care.

Important for my son Andrew to know...

I know Andrew is only 3 years old, but I want him to know what is really important when he grows up. I want him to stand up for truth and righteousness and always do what his Heavenly Father would want him to do.

And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.

Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.
-- Alma 53:20-21


In the Hollow of His Hand

Dear Lord who blesses us with love
Please send this day thy spirit from above
As this thy son, accepts a call from thee
Help him we pray to learn humility.

Direct his footsteps everyday
And keep him ever walking in thy ways
Inspire him as he spreads the gospel plan
Lord, hold him in the hollow of thy hand.

In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man
Help his understanding deepen and increase
In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man
Let him know the special blessing of thy peace.

Dear Lord, who hears and answers prayers
Please keep thy servant always in thy care
As he prepares to teach his fellow men
Oh keep him safe and bring him home again.

Protect him from all worldly ways
And always send thy spirit when he prays
Give him the courage of a righteous man
Just hold him in the hollow of thy hand.

As he faces life’s demands
May he take a valiant stand
Give him shelter in the hollow of thy hand.

If You Build it, They Will Come

Ok, so around 1 1/2 to 2 years ago, as we were getting ready to move out to Buckeye, I was pretty excited! A small town, near the city... perfect!! I have the best of both worlds! When I found out that they would be building a Walmart, Linen's and Things, and Lowes in Buckeye, I was even more excited! Then I found out that they would be basically in my backyard! I don't want it that close! I could walk to it. That will bring in more traffic to our Sundance area then I really don't want.

Then they start clearing the land and buildings slowly start coming up. It was kind of fun, trying to figure out what building was for what store as we would drive down the road. it was fun finding out, cool they are putting in this store! wow, look how quick this one is being built.

Then Lowes opened! My DH Kyle and I were so excited. We wanted to go the day it opened up, on Sunday, but being the good LDS members that we are trying to become, we resisted. But we did drive through the parking lot and watched for a few minutes as people went in and out of the store.

Still other buildings are taking WAY to long to open. We drive by, there is a Peter Piper Pizza, a Petsmart, Wells Fargo, and a Cracker Barrell going in. But still only Lowes is open.

Then I went to a baby shower one day. Someone from Tonapah says, "Aren't you excited to have Walmart and all those other stores open up by your house?" "No!!" I said, "They are way to close to my house! Think of all the traffic it will bring to my area!"

But then as I am driving home, I drive slowly passed the stores... Anything new open??? Dang it, nothing yet.

A couple of weeks later I drive passed the Walmart. Oh my gosh, they are finally putting the parking lot in. It's about time!!! A week later, there are cars there! But it is only people working inside busily getting Walmart ready to open. They put paper over the entrances so you can't even see what is going on in the store. That's so rude! I keep looking to see if they have started filling the garden department with plants, I figure once they do that, it will be any day. I drive by this week! It looks like they are finally putting the plants in. I call Kyle at work, "Guess what!! I think they are putting the plants in at Walmart, it should be open soon." I don't think he was too thrilled with me to call him at work about Walmart. But it was a false alarm, it was the registers they are putting in.

As I am coming home from Fry's the other night, I decide to go drive through the Walmart parking lot to see what I can see. Not much, but I do notice they are opening a Payless shoe store down from Walmart!! Woo-hoo!!!

So as I am driving out of the Walmart parking lot, it dawns on me... I can't wait for Walmart to open!!

Hurry!! Hurry!! Hurry!

Ok! I have been TAGGED by Steph!

what does this mean? Tagged!! I am supposed to list 10 things I can't wait for. I think I stressed out on this way too much! I don't know what i can't wait for...

Well, lets give it a try!

1. I can't wait to spend eternity with my favorite person in the world, my husband Kyle! (But when you think about, it is now, so we have already started spending it) Yay!

2. I can't wait for the Monsoon season to begin!! Bring on the rain, thunder and lightning! I love monsoon season!

3. I can't wait to see my children, Andrew and Jaedyn, all grown up, (but at the same time I don't want my babies to grow up too quickly).

4. I can't wait for this summer to cool off! Nothing over 100 degrees! At this point i will take nothing over 105 degrees!! It is too HOT!!!

5. I can't wait to go to Time Out for Women with my mom and my sisters.

6. I can't wait for Kyle's vacation to start in September so we can go to the beach!!

7. I can't wait for Kyle and my 5 year anniversary this September!

8. I can't wait for Jaedyn to be potty trained and I can't wait for Jaedyn to be able to talk more and tell me, "I love you, mommy."

9. I can't wait to be back to the size i was when i got married.

10. I can't wait for the morning time when Drew wakes up and I say "Morning Drew!!!" and he comes running to me and gives me a big hug and kiss!!

Now I tag Kyle!!!

Most Important thing I Want My Daughter to Know

The Prophet Harold B. Lee said...

Who are you? You are daughters of the most noble lineage that ever came upon this earth.
More than that, you are all daughters of a heavenly power. May I, with that glimpse of understanding of who you are, paraphrase those words and say to you, children of Zion, daughters of noble lineage, I plead with you with all the power of my soul,
"Be loyal to the royal within you."

Daughter of a King

Words and Music by Jenny Phillips and Tyler Castleton

Do you wonder if He knows who you are?
Do you wonder if He knows the secret pleadings of your heart?
He has numbered every sand of the sea
And he longs for you to know that He believes… in you

Can you feel a quiet power from above?
Can you feel His strength surround you
when your own is not enough?
He has blessed you with his spirit from on high
And He longs for you to know it lives inside… of you

Oh, be true –

Daughter of a king,
The Father’s royalty
Heir to His divinity

He’s calling your name
To come and take your place before His throne
He has always known
What he created you to be
A daughter of a king

You hold the promises of all eternity
Rise to claim the noble birthright you were sent here to receive
He has loved you since you lived with Him before
Let Him lead you to the gifts He has in store… for you

Oh, be true –

God Bless the USA - Proud to be an American!

Happy 4th of July everyone!!! Hope everyone is having a fun and safe day as we celebrate our independence and our freedom in this great nation. I have my children my family all decked out in their 4th of July clothes! We had a fun but HOT 4th of July

Favorite patriotic song when I was in elementary school. Was "You're a Grand Old Flag." Now it is "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood.

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.

Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

Here are some fun facts about the USA!

US Facts

Capital: Washington, D.C.

Motto: "In God We Trust"

National Anthem: "The Star Spangled Banner"

National Bird: Bald Eagle

National Flower: Rose

The Story of Independence Day
and America's Birthday

Independence Day is the national holiday of the United States of America commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly referred to as "Taxation without Representation" as the colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on. As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to declare war.

In April 1775 as the King's troops advanced on Concord Massachusetts Paul Revere would sound the alarm that "The British are coming, the British are coming" as he rode his horse through the late night streets. The battle of Concord and its "shot heard round the world" would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence.

The following May the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For almost a year the congress tried to work out its differences with England, again without formally declaring war.

By June 1776 their efforts had become hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. After various changes a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 - Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No, Delaware undecided and New York abstained.

To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. It is said that John Hancock signed his name "with a great flourish" so "King George can read that without spectacles!."

The following day copies of the Declaration were distributed. The first newspaper to print the Declaration was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776. On July 8th the Declaration had its first public reading in Philadelphia's Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. The "Province Bell" would later be renamed "Liberty Bell" after its inscription -

Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof

And although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence. The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year - July 4 1777. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to celebrate America's birthday. And although fireworks have been banned in most places because of their danger, most towns and cities usually have big firework displays for all to see and enjoy.