Happy Father's Day!

You are the best dad in the whole wide world!

I am thankful everyday you are still here with us!

I love you!!

Wordless.

Letters to Juliet

I saw this movie yesterday...

I love a good chick flick.

Though a little cheesy at times, I really liked the story line.

The main actor (Christopher Egan) in the movie wasn't my favorite, but he did a good job. I am just more attracted to the tall, dark, and handsome type.

I am really liking Amanda Seyfried the more movies I see her in. She seems so real to me.

It really made me want to go here.

Verona, Italy.

and here...
 Siena, Italy.

So, if you are looking for a cute movie to see with your mom, sisters, or friends of the female persuasion, then I totally recommend this movie.

I really enjoyed it.

I think guys would get bored with it so don't even bother asking them to go with you.

Also, it's only PG so it was a pretty clean movie with only a few swear words.

I went to the 11:10 AM showing because before noon at Kent Station movies are only $6!

I don't think I would spend $10 to see it, but it was totally worth the cheaper price.

 If you get the chance, check it out!

P.S. If you aren't sure what the movie is even about click here or watch the trailer below!

Happy Mother's Day!!

I just want to let you all know I have the best mom in the whole wide world.

I love her so much and am grateful for everything she has ever done for me!

(which is a lot!)

I hope I get to be a mom just as amazing as her some day.

So Happy Mother's Day Mom,
 I love you!

As well as my mom, I am blessed to know so many great mothers...

My sisters, who have dedicated themselves to their husbands and children, keeping them healthy, happy, and loved, are the biggest influence on the way I want to raise my kids. They are such an example to me and I am thankful for all their effort and hard work.

So to my mom, sisters, friends, and to all you other awesome mother's out there let your husband and kids spoil you today, because you deserve it!

P.S. Let me know how you spent your day and how your families pampered you.
 (so I can get some ideas to share with my future family)
or how you pampered your own mom if you don't have any kids of your own yet!

This totally made my day.

My sister Annelisa called me today, and while we were chatting I hear my niece Katelyn ask, "who are you talking to?" and when my sister said, "April" my niece asked if she could talk to me. Once she got on the phone she asked me when I was coming to visit her and I told her I would come as soon as I could and then I asked her if she had fun while my brother and sister-in-law were there visiting. After a few minutes I told her I loved her and then she gave the phone back to Annelisa. Annelisa and I resumed our conversation, then all of the sudden I hear:

Katelyn (3 and a 1/2): Mom, I need to ask April a question.
Annelisa: You just talked to her, tell me what it is and I'll ask her for you.
Katelyn: I love you April!
Annelisa (to me): Katelyn loves you April.
Annelisa (to Katelyn): That's not a question Katelyn, that's a statement.
April: Tell her I love her too.
Annelisa: She loves you too Katelyn.
Katelyn (in the background): I love April! I love April!

It totally made my day.

I really miss this little girl.

Ryan and I ripping Craig's shirt off at dinner was a lot of fun too though...

Reading should be against the law, seriously.

I LOVE to read. It is one of my all time favorite things. When a book just pulls you in and it is so good you can't/just won't put it down. Probably the worst thing about reading is it makes me plain lazy. I can read for hours on end not even leaving my room. It's amazng how the time just flies and I don't even realize it. If I didn't have to work I would never leave my room! I also tend to get attached to books, I have to read fast, to find out what happens in the end but then when the book is done I sort of feel lost and alone. Like I just lost a good friend.

Well anyway that happened to me last night...

A few days ago I started reading:

These is my Words

 The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine

1881-1901

By Nancy E. Turner

I didn't really have much time to get into it when I first started a few days ago but then yesterday after work I got sucked in and couldn't stop until I was finished. Unfortunately for me that wasn't until 1:00 AM last night and I had to be up for work by 5:30. It was totally worth it though. Such a good book. Now, I don't want to spoil it for anyone but if you like a good love story like I do, you HAVE to read this book! Plus that time period is always so interesting to read about. It's a fictional story about a young woman and her family in the Arizona territory. It is heartbreaking, sweet, funny, tender, and even scary at times. It brings out every emotion like a good book should. Sarah is a very believeable character and is totally my hero and I have to admit I am madly in love with Captain Jack Elliot. My crush started as soon as he was introduced and by the end I would do anything to marry a guy like that!

So go read it! You won't regret it, I promise!

Now I am reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I'll let you know how it is!

Happy early birthday to me!

UPS delivered an early birthday present for me today!

Thanks Mom and Dad!!

I know it's a little before my time

(seeing as the first season aired in 1983 before I was even born),

 but I love this show.

I remember one summer, I was allowed to stay up

 "late"

and watch the reruns with my siblings every night.

I'm not going to lie, I felt pretty

cool

staying up until

midnight

with the "big kids" to watch this show.

I have already watched the first couple of episodes since receiving the DVDs earlier today.

It's a little cheesier than I remember, but just as good!

Plus Scarecrow has the CUTEST smile and he and Mrs. King were just made for each other.

Plot: Amanda King (Kate Jackson) is a divorced housewife who lives with her mother, Dotty (Beverly Garland), and her two pre-adolescent sons, Philip (Paul Stout) and Jamie (Greg Morton). One afternoon, Agency operative Lee Stetson (Bruce Boxleitner), codenamed "Scarecrow", hands her a packet while he is being pursued. He later has to track her down to recover it, inadvertently getting her involved with his case. Inquisitive after the case, Amanda seeks to learn more about the Agency and ends up working for them first in an office role and later training to become a full agent, while keeping her new job a secret from her family. She works under Lee's boss Billy Melrose (Mel Stewart) and with dismissive fellow agent Francine Desmond (Martha Smith). Amanda and Lee work together frequently, though he is initially reluctant to work with the "rookie", but they become a good team. As the series progresses, they develop a friendship that turns into a romantic relationship. Eventually they decide to marry, but they still must keep the marriage secret from their employer and their families. --Courtesy of wikipedia.

If you've never seen this show, then I recommend you check it out!

It became available on DVD just last Tuesday.

The perfect couple.

I was doing some thinking today about the man I want to marry and what traits I desire in my significant other.
I know, heavy thoughts.

 Then my mind started to wander to guys from TV shows that I have fallen in love with over the years.
The reason I fell for these guys, was the way they
fought for,
won,
and treated
the one they loved.

 There are several memorable couples, that were just meant to be, on television.
Their stories made me smile as I watched from week to week.

Epic loves.

Someday I hope I find my "TV guy".
 Until then...

Here are my top ten favorite TV couples:


10- Zack and Kelly

9- Sully and Dr. Quinn

8- Dr. Ross and Carol

7- Ross and Rachel

6- Scarecrow and Mrs. King

5- Logan and Veronica

4- Spike and Buffy

3- Angel and Buffy

2- Marshall and Lily

and my number one favorite TV couple of all time...

drum roll please......

1- Jim and Pam

So there you have it.

My favorite TV relationships I've watched develop and grow over time.

I know it isn't real but part of me deep down hopes somehow, someday it could be.

Baby Halpert...three days and counting!

Dear John

So I had been debating about whether or not to see this movie since it came out in theaters.

I love Love LOVED The Notebook. One of my all time favorite chick flicks. I loved it so much I bought the book. Though I did enjoy it, I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the movie.

Since then, all the other Nicholas Sparks', books made into movies, I have seen previews for haven't really appealed to me (Nights in Rodanthe, Message in a Bottle, and The Last Song). So naturally I was a little leary about Dear John.

• First of all I am not a big Channing Tatum fan. Girls think he's hot, but I just don't see it. Don't get me wrong, he's not BAD looking, just not my type I guess.
• Then there is Amanda Seyfried. I don't know much about her except for the few episodes she was in on Veronica Mars. (She played Veronica's murdered best friend.)
• Thirdly, I didn't know much about the plot of Dear John. From what I saw on the previews it sort of had that "really bad teenage love story" feel to it....

Well today I was bored so I went to go see it by myself. (I love seeing movies by myself). It met all of my criteria for a me movie date:

1. Been out in theaters for awhile.

2. Not a prime time movie slot like a Friday or Saturday night.

3. Matinee price.

Let me tell you something, I am so glad I went and saw this movie by myself. I bawled pretty much through the entire thing and by the end I am sure I looked pretty disgusting with all the snot and stuff. Talk about embarrassing.

Needless to say this movie was REALLY good. I recommend it to anyone who appreciates a good crying movie. There was so much more to the plot than I had originally thought. The previews do NOT do it justice at all. I guess the old saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover" is true...

I liked it so much I stopped by Target on the way home and bought the book. I probably won't like it as much as the movie, but I'll give it a shot and let you know how it is!

On another note, I also watched The Time Traveler's Wife with my parents tonight. It's a pretty good movie too. Though I probably would have appreciated it more if I had watched it on another day rather than on the same day I watched Dear John. Oh well, live and learn.

*REVISION* It is 3:00 AM and I have now finished reading the book Dear John. I started it around 7:30 and only took a brief time out to make brownies. It was really good and I think I have cried more today than I have in a little over a year. Though different than the movie (as all movies based on books are) I really liked it. I think I like the movie better but I like the book for it's own reasons that have nothing to do with the movie.... But now I am torn. I know I definitely like the book better than I like The Notebook book but I don't know which movie I like better. I think I'll call tie. Goodnight everyone!

Some other chick flicks that I have seen previews for recently that I am interested in seeing: Remember Me and Letters to Juliet. Keep an eye out!

I am in love with love.

a shot in the dark from Nathan Pickett on Vimeo.
I stole this video from RockStar Diaries

For more from Nathan Pickett visit http://www.nathanpickettfilms.com/ 
or his blog http://www.snowflakeproductions.blogspot.com/

He does weddings, engagements, and family videos.
(His videos are seriously amazing!)

Someday, if I ever get married, I so want him to make a video for me. I wonder how expensive he is, hmm....

I love this song.

There is something about this song... I love it and could listen to it over and over again. The video isn't that exciting but the song makes up for it.

As you wish...

There is something about romantic comedies/chick flicks that I just love. I don't know what it is but I want to live in one. I know it's not possible, and real life never ends up like in the movies, but for 90 minutes, it's fun to just sit back and imagine your life as a fairy tale.

Most romantic comedies/chick flicks, though some what differing in plots, share a same idea/goal. Guy gets girl. Oh sure, first they don't hit it off right away, or if they do something happens to mess it all up, but that is just the drum roll for what is to come... in the end there is this great, romantic, happily ever after ending. *sigh*

Since Valentine's Day is coming up I thought it would be fun to make a little quiz of some of my favorites and see who knows their chick flicks. Just leave your answers in the comments. The winner will be awarded sole bragging rights... (you're welcome)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

*bonus* (hint- I am seeing it this Friday in honor of the holiday)

So there it is. Good luck everyone and I hope you find your fairy tale...

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I love you dad!

You know what stinks? That fact that no matter how hard we try we can't help but to take people for granted. That is until we lose them or almost lose them.

This last weekend I almost lost my dad. I have never been so scared in my life. The thought of losing another family member was just unfathomable. I was and am not ready for that. Losing my sister was one of the hardest things I have ever gone through and even now it still makes me sad and I think about her everyday.

So my dad still being in the hospital and not fully awake (it could take awhile) but making progress everyday, I am feeling a lot more confident in his recovery and am finally able to write about it.

I am not going to go into the details of that night on here but rather tell you a little about my dad.

My dad is the best dad in the whole wide world. I know a lot of people say that but I know I'm right. My dad is amazing. He is the smartest man I have ever known. He can fix and or build anything. He loves to read and do crossword puzzles (he knows so many useless facts but I love it). He loves to learn about anything and everything and can sit and talk about the things he has learned for hours. I love how he gets excited when he talks about things that interest him. He is the cutest man. He always helps me on any questions I have financially, medically, spiritually etc. He is the most caring and loving man and willing to help anyone in need. He has done so much for me in my 24 years and I owe him so much. I never told him how much he has helped me, is an example to me, and how much I respect and love him. When I get married someday I will use my dad as a guideline of what I want in a husband.

I am crying now as I write this even though things are looking good, and even though it may take a while, we are praying for a complete recovery. I want my dad back. It has been so hard to be here in Alaska away from him while this is happening. I know my being there won't help but I still can't help wanting to be there.

I am so thankful for the prayers and thoughts from all my friends and and family. I know they have helped in healing my dad and bringing comfort to me and my family. I am also so thankful for my brother Craig who basically saved my dad's life doing compressions until the ambulance could get there. I am also thankful for Ryan and Becky Jo being so close to offer support to my mom in this time and to my dad. Also to all the people who have come to the hospital and stayed with my mom and those who called as well. So many people genuinely care and love my dad. I can only hope that someday people will be there and care about me just as much.

To my mom you are a really strong woman. I have no idea how you have kept it together through all of this. You are an example to me as well and I really appreciate you and love you. To my brothers and sisters I love you and I am thankful that we have the gospel in our lives to help us through this.

I wish I had a picture to post of my dad but I don't. I will have to remedy this.

Nothing says "I love you" like candy.

I don't know if I have told you or not but I have the best boyfriend ever. He does so much for me. He is always supportive of my endeavors and encourages me to do whatever makes me happy. So I decided to surprise him with a candy gram. Cheesy I know, and though candy can never fully describe what Anthony really means to me it was kind of fun to write...
Shhh... It's a secret.

*Note* Candy used will be in bold.

My SWEET TART,

The REISEN for this letter is to let you know how much I love you. I can't believe I SKOR-ed a BIG HUNK like you. (Not just any MIKE AND IKE would do!!) I know it isn't always easy when I SNICKER about your 100 GRAND PAYDAYS and the MOUNDS of time you spend at work but I know NOW AND LATER you will always be there for me, my LIFESAVER. Thank you for that. Thank you for all the GOOD AND PLENTY times and just remember that when I call you a NERD or a WHATCHAMACALLIT I mean it in the nicest way possible!

KISSES

Your HOT TAMALE


P.S. I ended up having to substitute RAISINETS for REISEN because I went to (count em) one, Two, THREE different stores and all they had were big bags of them. No candy bar size. How lame. Oh well I am sure Anthony will like it anyway.
P.P.S. You will have to excuse the lack of artistic ability or just the fact that I can't write straight.
P.P.P.S. Happy Birthday Dad! I love you!!

Well, here goes nothing...

Though I don’t have a family of my own and my life is not that exciting and I probably won’t have a lot to write about, Annelisa you have inspired me to start blogging. I am horrible at keeping in touch with people (including my family) and hopefully this will make it easier for people to know what is going on with my life even though we may not talk that often and hopefully I will be able to see what you all have been up to as well.

First I would like to start by saying that I love my family very much. Though I may not make all the right decisions and you may not agree with everything I do, I know you will always be there for me and support and love me no matter what. That means so much to me. I am sorry for all the pain I put you through and just know that I do understand how you feel but I am happy and who knows, maybe things will change someday but for right now I am ok with who I am.

To my sisters, this last Christmas was so fun with you being there. I didn’t realize how much I miss you guys. When you left I felt like I was all alone. You are the only people I can get mad at and be mean to and you still have to love me. I love that we can be fighting one minute and then the next laughing at something stupid. It feels good to know if I ever need anything no matter how long it’s been since we last saw each other or spoke that you will always be there for me. I love you both so much. You are my heroes and I wish we could talk and see each other more often.

To my brothers you are so fun to be around! You always make me laugh and we have so much fun annoying Mom at Sunday dinner. I love you guys and I know you are always there when I need you.

Mom and Dad- I love you so much. Thank you for all you do for me, for the unconditional love and patience. I know that I have hurt you both so much and that raising me was not always the easiest but you did an awesome job. Thank you for always being there for me and supporting me even when you didn’t want to. I appreciate you more than you know. You have always been such a great example to me of what I want out of life and I will get there someday. You are the best parents I could have ever hoped for.

Anthony I know that I am not easy to get along with or even live with. Thank you for being so patient with me and loving me no matter what. Thanks for laughing with me and going on walks and helping me try to figure out what I want out of life and helping me get there. I am so proud of all that you have accomplished. You are the smartest, funniest and most genuine person I know. I respect you so much for that. I love you more and more every day and I am so glad you are a part of my life.

I have 13 very cute nephews and nieces. They are so fun to be around and I wish I could see them more. They are Brandon, Emily, James, Jacob, Megan Lindsey, Nicholas, Hannah, Zachary Crookston, Haley, Callie, Katelyn Judi, and Matt and Riley. I can’t wait to watch them grow up and see who they become. I love them all very much and miss them.

Ok here is a little about myself…I recently moved to Seattle. I am literally a five minute walk to Downtown and a five minute walk to Capitol Hill. I love it here. I have the best view of Lake Union and the Space Needle. I live with my best friend and the person I love most, Anthony. I recently took up Glass Blowing. I have always wanted to do it. My mom took me to watch some people in Downtown Renton five or so years ago but it wasn’t until I moved to Seattle that I got my chance. I started with a weekend workshop (two days, four hours each day) at the Seattle Glassblowing Studio and I was hooked. I then went on to take two, six week courses (one day a week, four hours a day). Now that I am done with that I hope to continue. The next six week course starts in March. A friend I met through the class and myself are going to start renting studio time to practice. Our first attempt at assisting each other is tomorrow. I will let you know how that goes. Other than that my life is pretty normal and boring. I work Monday through Friday 7:30 to 4:30 as an Accounting assistant in Preston, WA. I like to run and hope to one day to be able to run a Marathon. I love to read and I love hanging out with my friends (which I don’t do enough). Also recently Anthony and I got our Motorcycle Endorsements and hope to get bikes that we can ride around Seattle. I also look foreword to getting to know Seattle better. I love walking around and seeing the sights and the people. It is so fun!!