"Where's a camcorder when you need one" (name that movie!?)

My wife and I decided to take our two little girls to see the live action movie Cinderella!

I really wish I would have had a camera to capture their excitement before, during, and after the movie.  It was their first trip to a movie theater, and what a fun one it was!  I kept glancing over during the movie at my girls to see their eyes wide with wonder, and just underneath that was a smile of gold!  It was overwhelming to have such a wonderful evening with my wife and two girls!

Movie Review:

The live action movie follows the original Disney cartoon quite closely.  They explore more into her childhood, her mother and father, and why her stepmother was so nasty!  There are a few unexpected twists to the story, but overall stayed pretty true to it's predecessor.  

The movie is definitely over the top fairy tale!  Everyone was gorgeous with sparkling smiles and oozing with charm!  The most annoying and disappointing feature of the film is the low cut dresses on almost all the women of the film, Flaunting far too much of their womanly features with purposely planned "chest" shots all over the place, they sell the beautiful dresses and hair with an unnecessary sexualization ! 

Far fetched and setting unrealistic expectations for young girls, it however manages to teach some of the purest principles I have seen in a Hollywood film!  There are very prominent themes of being Kind, Courageous, Long Suffering, and Forgiveness!  I was so happy with the pure and simple principles it taught that I was willing to forgive some of it's other Protruding flaws.  

Overall it was entertaining with incredible casting!  The actors were perfectly picked and somehow managed to make a silly story into a believable one.  Two thumbs up to Cate Blanchett as the Evil Stepmother...she was incredible and really made the movie for me!

I give it a Nod of Approval as a great family film that is filled with big dreams and pure principles!

Week 11 Update and Family Night

WOW, I HATE being sick!!!

There is a nasty sinus/head cold putrescence lurking about the area, and it got me good!
I wasn't nasty sick more than a day or two, but the following days I had headaches, congestion and no energy.  I slept in every morning and went to bed early every night.  I would fall asleep shortly after I got home and wake up just long enough to get ready for bed and go back to sleep.  I lost all motivation for two weeks!
I am now feeling much better and kicking everything back in gear!
I really noticed a difference in my mood and how I felt about myself during my 2 week stent of neglecting the positive daily habits I had formed.  The most significant emotion I felt was Doubt...I was afraid I couldn't do what I wanted and that I would never achieve my goals, pass the test, or be able to accomplish my gestating entrepreneurial ventures.
It was surprisingly easy to fall back into negative and frustrated thinking...on that same note I must add that I was sick and therefore I did not feel good all over my body, making it even easier.  However, I also noticed how distasteful it was to have those negative thoughts and feelings.  I really wanted them to go away and have the happiness and good attitude that I had been working so hard to obtain.  As soon as I started reading and doing my daily affirmations, I quickly bounced back.
It was a very good lesson that if I drop my guard for even a second, I could quickly be knocked down!
Lesson learned:
Never drop my guard, not even for a day!

Mini Vacation

My wife and I decided it was due time to go on a little trip without the kids.  Since our youngest was just weened from nursing, we thought this would be a great time to go and do something together.  The idea was to go to Salt Lake City, shop one day and go to Lagoon fun park the next.  The shopping part for Heidi worked out great, but Saturday it was such heavy rain we decided to take a "rain check" (ha ha) and try lagoon another day.
Here are a couple pics from what became our Shopping and Temple Square vacation.  Although I did get a couple pairs of pants which I needed, so it wasn't all bad!

Family, it really is about Time!!

I have been trying to make sure I am spending quality time with my family so as to meet my goals, achieve what I purport to be in my affirmation statement, and to remind myself what is really important in this life!

I am finding it really takes a conscious effort.  After working a full day, working on my 5 other projects, and taking care of the house and yard, it is easy to slyly squirm out of family responsibilities and time.  

But after my relationship with God, there is nothing more important!

Today we spent most of the Saturday having a birthday party for my youngest daughter.  I did some service in the morning and then gave my day to my wife and kids.  Having a planned and organized party is much easier for me to make time versus in the evening after a long day of work.  

Reviewing my daily schedule and waiting until 10pm to work on projects is helpful.  I am also trying to use available family time more effectively.  So here are a couple pics of how I spent time with my family this week

Our First Family Selfie

Trying to read bed time stories more consistently with the kids