I Am A "Twi-hard"...

...and I am not ashamed.

Apparently "Twi-hard" was the fan picked names for those of us who are "die-hard" fans of the "Twilight" series. Get it..."Twi-hard"? Anyway, I am one, truly. And I say it with all the confidence in the world. I know there are some out there that view this as a silly girlish obsession, with a ficticious focus. Vampires.

I remember when my sister in law first started reading the books and telling me about them, I couldn't get passed the whole "VAMPIRE" thing. I totally laughed at her...sorry, Mar. I however, ate my words a few days letter when she loaned me the books and I delved into this amazing world of "Twilight".

I then was laughed at by many--and many ate their words after taking my advice to finally read the books. I have yet to talk to one person, no matter their reluctance to read from the beginning, who did not like or has regretted reading any of them. And so this is why I say with such confidence that I love the whole phenomenon that is "Twilight". It's a world of fantasy that takes me away and lets me live in it for a while.

What happens when you want to stay forever? Seriously, I told Marc the other day (after seeing the movie for the second time) that I kind of feel love-sick for something I can't have. Yes, yes...a huge part of that is Edward Cullen. I must say I do have a vampiric crush on him. But really, I just am love-sick for more and more "Twilight". I'm grateful for the "mental vacation" the Twilight series has given me and for the experience to forget all of my responsibilities, my age, my maturity, everything...and be a part of their world. If only for moments at a time. Because we all need something like that every once in a while--no matter how old we are.

So, with that...I will share some of the "fruits" of my obsession. I changed my playlist for my blog to all Twilight soundtrack songs. Unfortunately some of them are not on playlist.com yet. I highly recommend buying the soundtrack- I love it.

I already really liked the band Paramore before, but they have two songs on the soundtrack which I also love. The below link will take you to the video for "Decode", written especially for Twilight. It's amazing. Her voice pierces my soul...she rocks.

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

So, in order to go see the movie, which came out last Friday, my sister and I swapped babysitting. She went with her husband to the midnight showing Thursday night, and then the next night I went with Marc and we were joined by my two younger brothers and their sweethearts and my sister Whitney. It was lots of fun...aside from all the crazies at the theater. Here are some pics:

Logan and Sam

Ashley and Whitney

David is silly

Me and my Edward...Marc has spiky hair like Edward, and I have long brown hair like Bella. And that's about it. But we can still be each others Bella and Edward. He's such a trooper for going with me...thanks babe. And he's actually going to read the books with me now.

Me and Whitney Jane

Seriously, all us Petersen kids are a bunch of nerds...

The girls (we missed you Courtney...thanks for watching Montana!)

David and Ashely

Geeks...

Courtney and I have been talking about going out, just the two of us, for a while. It seems every time we are around each other, we are with our kids and have a hard time carrying on a real, uninterrupted conversation. We needed some "sista-time". So, Monday night, after the kiddos went down to bed...she and I went to see a late showing. Again. And I could see it again and again. The movie isn't the book--movies made based upon books never are. I just enjoyed it for what it was...went in wanting to love it, and did. I can't wait for the next three movies!

I LOVE TWILIGHT---AND I'M PROUD OF IT!

The Children's Program Critics

So, in the past two years, Marc and I have seen and heard a lot of childrens programs and movies. Everything from the very first Baby Einstein video...now to full length Disney movies. Montana definitely loves her shows and movies. It's so fun to hear her sing the songs and say the lines!

You know the saying, "Through the eyes (or ears) of a child?" And how we view things differently? Well, its funny being the other way around... to now be adults, viewing child programs or re-watching Disney movies we've watched our whole lives, and finally comprehending something.

For example, in Aladdin, in the scene where Jafar has "controlled"the Sultan with his serpent staff, and the Sultan has just told Jasmine that she will wed Jafar, Jafar says something to the effect, "You're speechless I see...a fine quality in a wife."

HA HA!

Never ever noticed that before. Jafar was already a jerk, but that took it to another level!


Another example, which again comes from Aladdin (that was her favorite last month). Marc and I have both raised the question, "If Jafar could steal the lamp and start making wishes, why couldn't Aladdin make his last wish (in the very end) to become a prince, and then give Jasmine the lamp and she could wish the Genie free??" I mean, it all ended well, because it is Disney and happily ever after and such...but come on. They could have had THREE more wishes and still set the Genie free. Come on...some common sense here, Aladdin. Yikes...and you're set to become the Sultan of Agrabbah?? :)

So, aside from the movies, our TV frequents the Disney and Nickelodeon channels. Here are some thoughts from Marc on a few of Montana's favorites from these networks.

MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE:
1) "Have you ever noticed Daisy is flirting with Mickey? Seriously, watch the episode where he saves her when she's carried away by the balloons. You should see the way she looks at him and thanks him. Someone should tell Minnie to watch her best friend around her man."

2) "You know Goofy knows how to say 'Mousketools'. It's so annoying how he always says it wrong."


MAX AND RUBY:
1)Marc: "Poor Max. Ruby is so mean to him."
Me: "Marc, she's his big sister...she's just trying to help him."
Marc: "No...he gets blamed for everything. It's not fair. Besides, he's a kid."
Me: "She's not mean to him. She's just a big sister."
Marc: "No. She's mean...I don't like her."

2)"Where in the heck are their parents? I mean the Grandma comes to visit every once and a while, but come on, she's like a seven year old raising a three year old. Someone needs to call CPS on their parents."



HANDY MANNY:
1) "I just wish Manny and Kelly would get together already. It's obvious they like each other. He's always saying stuff like, 'You always have just what I need, Kelly' And she says, 'Anything for you Manny'. She just needs to admit to herself that she has the hots for the handy man."
2) "Mr. Lopart would just save himself a lot of trouble if he'd just let Manny help him every once in a while."

THESE ARE ALL ACTUAL CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'VE HAD! HAHA

Don't ask us what happened on "Survivor" or "Heroes" or any of those popular shows. But quiz us on any episodes of the above shows and more, and we've got in analyzed from every angle!

"I Live For, Little Moments, Like THAT!"

Yes, yes...another country song. How can you NOT love country music and all its relatability??

Anyway, yesterday, Montana and I were getting ready to go visiting teaching. I was getting all my things together and called Montana to get ready to go.

She came running, and this is what she looked like.

This is her church dress from yesterday...and while this looks a totally adorable matching hat, it's not. It's her bloomers.

I bust up laughing and had to grab my camera.

"I live for little moments like that...when she steals my heart again and doesn't even know it....yeah, I like for, little moments...like that!"~Brad Paisley

"I'm not even mad...in fact, I'm impressed!"

The post title came from one of mine and Marc's favorite "quoting" movies, Anchor Man. I'm not proud to admit it, since there are some crude parts, but its completely hilarious to quote. Anyway, I couldn't find any other title to fit this post...it just went perfect!

The other night, we had taco salad for dinner. Montana was kind of being a pill and wasn't finishing her dinner. Lately, her lack of eating has been concerning me, and so when she insisted even after I took her out of her high chair to take her bowl of taco salad over by the ottoman to watch a show, I let her, in hopes that she would eat it. Her salad was pretty "dry". Just some ground turkey, grated cheddar cheese and tortilla chips. So nothing to really make a stainy mess out of.

A little while later, she came to me with her empty princess bowl. I was a little concerned I would find the contents spewed all over the family room, but much to my surprise there was only a stray shred of cheese or chip.

"GOOD GIRL!" I praised her. "You finished all your dinner!"

The next morning, I was cleaning up some of her kitchen toys...and I found this...

Mind you, she still had eaten most of her meal the night before, but this is where some of it ended up. Neatly inside her pots and pans. I called her in and said, "Montana, what is this?" She said, "I cooking dinner."

How could you be even the slightest bit disappointed with that utter "cuteness". I was actually impressed of my little homemaker girl. Before you know it, she'll have an apron on, showing Mommy up in the kitchen!

Belated Post

This happened over a week ago, but I'm just getting around to posting our celebration for my twin sisters, Tiffany and Nicole's 12th birthday, and my brother Logan's girlfriend, Sam's, 19th birthday.

As is new "Petersen tradition" we went to John's Incredible Pizza Company in Roseville.

Hey, it beats Home Town Buffet, where Tiffany and Nicole would ALWAYS choose to eat on their birthday. Bleh. Pretty soon though, Elk Grove will have something very fun and exciting to do for families. Elk Grove Sports Complex!

Even though I don't live in Elk Grove anymore, I'm especially excited about this place...mainly because Marc's sister and her husband are opening up a portion of this sports complex called Dream Xtreme...(from the article):

"-- Dream Xtreme, a locally owned extreme sports complex with a $1 million wave-making machine for surfing and body surfing; rock-climbing walls; trampolines the size of a basketball court, with 45-degree trampolines on the outside for bouncing off the walls; and paintball outside in at least one 50-foot-by-100-foot tent. Shane Carter of Elk Grove, head of a group of eight local investors, also hopes to open the complex by Thanksgiving."

K, I know that was random...but I had to put a plug in...because well, they are family, and HELLO it looks like SO MUCH FUN!!! (I know they have a website. I will find out and post it when it opens.)

Anyway, so we headed up to Roseville for some pizza and games. It's always a party with the Petersen's...lots o' people and lots o' fun.

After eating, the girls all opened gifts.

Here's Nicole with her Zac Efron card. I tried to get her to kiss it for the camera. She said, "No, I don't even like him!"...in true, 12 year old girl denial fashion!

Tiff got a High School Musical card too...

When you are twins, I think you are destined to get the same gifts for life. Maybe not exactly the same, but similar or different colors, etc. I think they are just glad that my mom doesn't dress them exactly the same anymore.

They got clothes...

(I love that Montana and Andalyn are "hug-wrestling" in the bottom left hand corner of the above picture)

They also got some Web-kins pets. And then Mom and Dad pulled out the big guns with their new MP3 players.

I can't believe these two girls are 12!!! It makes me feel very old! I can still remember the first day we went to see them at Denise's house. I can remember very vividly the day they were officially adopted and also the day they were sealed to my parents in the temple. These girls are an irreplaceable, special part of our lives. Forever and eternally my sisters...and "the babies!" I love you, both!!!

Let us not forget a very special birthday girl...Sam! She opened all her gifts as well, but my favorite was Mom's "gift card" to Tilly's.

Apparently the machine was broken when she got there to buy a gift card. Hand it to my mom to be super creative! Gotta love her.

The boys were completely engrossed in the football game on the big screen.

Andalyn and Montana could hardly stand waiting to go in and play some games. Finally, it was GAME TIME!

Montana and Daddy rode the train. And then Montana and Mommy rode the train. She loved it. She even was willing to put her arms up!

Aside from watching Montana (and Marc) play to their little hearts desires, my favorite part was the bumper cars with all of us "big kids!"

Montana likes to play the skee ball. If only she would learn to roll the ball instead of throw it over hand right into the barricading plastic wall.

Montana and Grandma, with Uncle David in the back proud of all the tickets he'd won.

Andalyn and Montana had lots of fun on the merry-go-round. Montana's favorite!

The kids place is a nice place for the little ones to just play, away from all the craziness. Too bad Montana also finds ways to bonk her head in their too. Trying to climb UP the slide, she toppled over backwards from the top of the slide. She's a dare-devil. Aside from a little scare, she was fine.

Then we sang a birthday tune and ate some cake! I realized from this situation, that my little brother thats 22 and "all grown up" will always be a pyro. He was as a kid, and still is now. He could not stop playing with the lighter.

Happy Birthday Nicole, Tiffany and Sam!!! We love you all!!!

I'm Gonna Miss This

*Cleaning up the same mess three times in a row.

*Folding laundry I swore I just did yesterday.

*A park day that ends in two children jumping in a massive mud-puddle. One with brand new, first time worn that day, white tennis shoes.

*Beginning potty training Montana on the same day that she starts to have diarrhea.

Last night, after putting Montana down, I was exercising on the elliptical and watching the CMA awards. My hard working hubby was down stairs studying for continuing ed, licenses and designations. I was reflecting about the week I had been having. All the above, and more happened. I had eaten nearly half a bag of chocolate chips on my own (I had REALLY been craving chocolate chip cookies, but swore to myself I wasn't going to give into the temptation and make them. What did it matter when I ate their weight in chocolate chips alone??) It was life. I had gone through my poor me moments, but for the most part, I just was tired. Not upset. Not frustrated. Just tired. I kind of had thought in my head:

Won't it be so nice when Montana is potty trained?

Won't it be so nice when Marc doesn't have to study?

Won't it be so nice when we can buy this and this and this on our list of things we need/want?

Won't it be SO nice when all of the CRAP going on in the world, especially surrounding the aftermath of the elections, just goes away?

Okay, maybe I was a little more than tired. It's one thing when things at home are tiresome and difficult. But it makes it even more disheartening when you see the sign of the times every time you open up an Internet browser or turn on the news. Every day when you see people persecuted for their beliefs. Every day when you see that EVERYONE is hurting, yet, instead of respecting one another and our individual beliefs...more hurt is being spread around. I was in a mini (excuse me, men) PMS-y depressive state.

The exercise was beginning to help. Endorphins. My little prayer with Montana before bed also gave me enough of the Spirit to help me to realize that the beliefs we hold so dear are all that we need to keep going, no matter the persecution.

Slowly, my mood was lifting. The country music was helping. I enjoy the CMA awards more than any other, because for the most part its wholesome and clean. The songs make you feel. And one song in particular, although I had heard it before, gave me a significant boost.

This song is Trace Adkins, "You're Gonna Miss This". If you haven't heard it, I suggest going to youtube watching the video or downloading it. The verses were all different stages of life and how this woman kept wanting something more--looking at the future for all of her happiness. The part that touched me the most was the advice she got throughout the song via the chorus...

"You're gonna miss this

You're gonna want this back

You're gonna wish these days

Hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times

So take a good look around

You may not know it now

But you're gonna miss this"

I literally had stopped pedaling the elliptical to listen intently to the song. It was like he was saying to me, "You're gonna miss this....You're gonna want this back." And instantly, I felt that. I felt it because I had JUST written at the start of this week how much I missed Montana's baby stages and how fast it went by.

I also realized, I'm going to miss these days where Marc and I are 25...virtually still newlyweds and in the prime of our lives. I'm going to miss the days when he was a young and eager professional just starting out. I'm going to miss the days when we realized that even though we may be sitting on a hand-me down couch watching a hand-me down television...we still had everything we needed right there.

I'm going to miss the days when I even had little kids to take to the park or clean up after. I'm going to miss the days when I'm strong enough to pull a huge load of laundry up and down the stairs.

I'm even going to miss those days that I was able to feel the feeling of standing up for my beliefs and convictions, alongside my fellow Saints, even if it meant being met with name calling and persecution.

I'm DEFINITELY going to miss those days when I could eat a half a bag of chocolate chips and burn them off that night on the elliptical like it never happened.

I'm going to miss the days when my little babies needed me for everything...even if it meant wiping their poopy diapered bottoms.

I already miss it...and I'm living it.

I know its normal to have those feelings of being tired and frustrated in the monotony of life...but I'm grateful for those little moments that make me realize that even through the midst of it all...

...I'm gonna miss this.

Montana's Snow White Party

On Saturday we had a Snow White Party for Montana. I told myself last year at her 1st birthday that I wouldn't go so overboard the next year. But when I get started, its hard to stop.

No party supply companies sell just Snow White party things. So, I had to get creative.

The invitations were red, yellow and blue (like snow whites dress) with a picture of Montana in her Snow White dress on the front, and underneath it read, "I'm Wishing..." and inside it said, "that you could come to my 2nd birthday party." I would post a picture, but I forgot to keep one! Duh!

The rest of the invite went like this...

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho, it's off to Montana’s party we go!
When: After we tidy the house and I take my nap (…just like Snow White)
Saturday November 8, 2008 @ 3:30pm
Where: The Cottage (with our address)
RSVP: To the Queen, if you dare… (and then my phone and email)
We will not be Grumpy, Sleepy, nor Bashful, but Happy if you can come!
Dwarf snacks to be served.

We also put inside, a picture of her with Snow White from Disneyland.

So, the day arrived and Montana was completely "GRUMPY"! It was very frustrating. I'm thinking now, that she must not have been feeling very well. It wasn't in her character to be the way that she was...I mean, she definitely is a two year old, but Saturday she was in rare form.

We ran a bunch of errands, and ended up back home in time for her to go down for a much needed nap. Marc and I cleaned and cooked for the party. He was such a help and I'm so grateful that he puts up with my "over-doing" it. He really wanted to sit down, but I kept him hopping up until the moment people started to arrive.

We had "dwarf snacks" of mini pizza rolls, mini corn dogs and mini hot link hot dogs. Also a few extra things like pizza dip and artichoke dip that I just wanted to make. We drank "Witches Brew" (root beer) too. You can't see it, but we actually got dry ice so that it was fogging like a witches brew would.

Marc and I (mostly Marc) frosted 60 cupcakes in yellow, blue and red.

I figured now that Montana was old enough, that we could play a few games. Marc's extrememly talented Dad drew this picture for our "pin the hair bow on Snow White" game. We are going to color in the bow now, and have it framed!

He also drew the face on the magic mirror for us...it declared Montana was the fairest of all! :)

Here are the kids playing! We divided the older kids and younger kids. Mitchell won for the younger kids, and the prize was a Hostess Apple Pie (get it?? Snow White makes apple pies!hee hee).

Then for the older kids we had a tie between Michael and Nicole. We had a tie breaker round and Nicole won herself an Apple Pie as well.

This is the adorable Miss Kamryn. We missed her Mommy and Daddy but are so glad that her Grandma could bring her up for the party! :)

Then it was present time, and boy did this girl make out like a bandit!!! Everyone loves her so much...and that night, she wasn't acting very deservant. Thank you all for your wonderful gifts!

We sang "Happy Birthday" and she blew the candle out on her cupcake. Then, proceeded to devour it. She refused to sit in her seat to eat it. Oh, fun times.

We played one more game that I didn't get any pictures of, but I had cut out paper apples and pasted them all over the living room. The kids all found as many as they could, and they won a "dwarf chocolate" a.k.a. mini candybars, for each apple they found. They were ALL winners for that game.

A lot of the kids left before I could give them their party favor, but Marc had so kindly assembled bags of cut up apples with caramel dip, again to keep with the theme.

Here are the exhausted parents.

Me with the birthday girl.

Thank you so much to all of the wonderful family and friends who came and brought gifts. Thank you also, to those who unfortunately had to miss the party but sent gifts and/or birthday wishes her way! Montana is so loved, and we are so grateful for that love and support!!! WE LOVE YOU ALL!

Sunday was her actual birthday and so Marc and I sang to her again and let her eat another cupcake.

Please excuse her after nap hair, and my silly song. She again was having a "bad mood" day..

She loves playing with her new toys.

And here she is with her new B.F.F. In the middle of the night last night, I heard her crying for "My Snow White dolly...". She had dropped it out of her bed. So sweet.

Happy 2nd Birthday, sweetheart!