The Ogilvie Clan

Bite sized truths.

2010-05-23T00:52:00.000-07:00

Oh boy. What a day! It has been a rather intense weekend for me. I hosted a wedding shower for my lovely sister Melinda today and getting my house presentable was WAY more work than it should have been. Plus it was intimidating. I know better than to compare myself, my house and my situation to others, but sometimes it is hard to fight the urge. But I've had this lesson drilled into my head repeatedly lately, we all have gifts and and we all have weaknesses, we all bring something important and valuable to the table. I just need to remember that and live my best life and try to stay away from the comparing. It's just way too destructive.

I had some wonderful chats with many family and friends today and boy, oh boy, does that make the work and stress worth it. I love seeing my loved ones and being able to catch up on their lives. To share in their joys and their sorrows. I'm seeing more and more the importance of being honest and being yourself. I think sometimes we hide parts of ourselves that in reality we should share with others as it fosters a feeling of understanding and love. No one is perfect. The quest to appear perfect robs us of the ability to learn, grow, and gain strength from each other. It's so wonderful to connect with others and learn things that you might not have known before. It make the world feel much less lonely and more hopeful.

I'm so tired right now that I can barely string a sentence together. But tonight, I am very grateful for the people in my life. I have the sweetest, most patient, loving, helpful husband in the world. I'm sooooo lucky to have him. So blessed. My children everyday amaze me with what delightful, good, funny people they are. And I have friends and family who teach me such valuable lessons that I feel so grateful to have them in my life. Just feeling very at peace, very thankful. Life is pretty darned okay right now. :-)

The Blehs

2010-05-06T17:04:00.000-07:00

Bleh. It's been a long time since I updated. I've been busy, but probably not SO busy that I couldn't have written. It's probably that I've chosen to waste time on facebook playing farming and cooking games, which is weird because I neither farm nor like to cook.

My kids keep me busy, but lately I've just felt overwhelmed. My house is doomed. Our carpet is EASILY 25 years old, but it looked pretty much new when we moved in. I don't know how such a thing is even POSSIBLE!!! And let me just say, it doesn't look new anymore. Poor thing. I've threatened to pull it all up and just throw down hay. It would be more appropriate to our household at times.

I look at my house and the compare (the dreaded "c" word) our decor to others our age and I've decided I have no sense of style. We still look like poor college kids. I've been thinking about painting for MONTHS but have jumped around several times on what to do. I'm clueless on this stuff. I see other homes, and I know what I like and what I don't like, but to come up with something myself... it's pathetic.

AND... (since I'm complaining) .... the weather just won't warm up!!!! I'm so tired of snow and gray. April showers brings May flowers... FINE, but it's MAY!!! I want to plant my garden and the soil is to wet and my plants would probably freeze anyway. *sigh*

What a pity party. Good things, good things. Let's think positively. Meh. I'm just not in the mood for it today. I'm usually pretty much 100% optimistic. Maybe I'll just wallow today.

Summer 2009

2009-09-03T18:32:00.001-07:00

How I spent my summer vacation.

By Amy Ogilvie

My best friend came to visit me, not once, but TWICE!!! I love my Mel!

I looked at A LOT of houses. This the wall paper the the bathroom of one. No, this isn't the house we picked. ;-)

Russ' sister and her family moved back to Utah!!! Morgan and Katie are best of friends! I'm so glad they are closer, so they can spend more time together.

Our dear friend Alexandra, and her beautiful daughter Nylah moved back to Logan, so we've gotten to spend a lot of time together! It's been SO fabulous!!!

We had some cookouts, like this one in Bear Lake at the in laws house! :-)

Hiked Limber Pine with the family a few times.

Had a visit from Russ' brother Dennis, his wife Amber and their 2 ADORABLE children!

Went to Disneyland!

And nerded it up at BlizzCon!

It's been a fun and full summer! I'm sorry to see it go, but I'm excited for what the coming year has to bring. We are moving into a new house this weekend and we've all gone back to school. Life is good. I'm truly a blessed lady. :-)

Team Jacob anyone?

2009-06-03T00:14:00.001-07:00

Another reason I'm team Jacob!

Shameless thievery

2009-03-30T15:58:00.001-07:00

I saw this on Kristy's blog and I just had to post it here! Too funny. Go Team Jacob!!!

I've been watching the casting and filming updates for 'New Moon' and I'm SO excited!!!!! Though that might bode ill for me, since I wasn't excited for the first movie at all and ended up loving it. Hmmm.....

EDIT: Found two more here ----> http://lucylou.livejournal.com/566295.html

They are a little naughty, and don't read them if you haven't red the books and have any desire to do so (in other words ***** Spoiler Alert******) but I really laughed at the Breaking Dawn recap.

A discourse about politics... and being a Thatcher.

2009-03-22T15:27:00.001-07:00

*Notice* The statements and opinions made in this blog entry are solely the views and opinions of the author. No harm or criticism is intended, even if it seems to be implied.

I'm coming to realize something. Something I knew a long time ago, but forgot this past year. I hate politics. Now this might surprise some of you given some of my debates and discussions with you, but it's true. I get so worn down by debating and fighting and picking sides. BLEH! I want to like everyone. I want to live and let live. Can't we all just get along? Or is asking that a trait of a bleeding heart liberal?

What brings about this self-reflection you ask? Well, first I don't like feeling as if I've hurt, or offended others. I know it doesn't bother some, but it does me. I like a good snark as well as the next gal, but snark isn't my natural state. My natural state is that of the big sister. The shoulder to cry on. The listening ear. I hate being the one who goes on a rant about this or that policy, or political or radio or television figure. So I like Obama. I know most of you think he's the anti-Christ, but I just find him likable, and many other positive attributes that I'll refrain from listing. BUT I just read an article my cousin Robbie sent me about Rush Limbaugh, and guess what? It made me understand the man a little more. I'm not suddenly flipping sides and agreeing with the things he says, but my boiling loathing eased a bit. I saw his humanity. Where he's coming from. The talent he possesses to do what he does. It impressed me, I admit.

I guess it's the hallmark of naivety, but I would love it if politics didn't have the bite and negativity it does. It makes me feel sick inside. I know people think I'm crazy for feeling the way I do. That somewhere I must have lost my way. But honestly, I feel it is my ability to look at someone and try to walk a mile in their shoes that has brought me to my current beliefs; right or wrong. Constantly questioning myself and why I believe what I do. And in dealing with opposing views I've thought long and hard about what makes people have the political leanings they do. Where they are coming from, where they are headed and how that affects their politics.

I'm sure having an atheist husband might color my thoughts about how others outside my belief system view the world. It has taught me that just because I wholeheartedly believe one way, it doesn't negate or deny the right of another to exercise that same freedom to believe as they choose. It is a golden rule type of situation. I want those of other beliefs to treat me with dignity and respect, and because of this, I MUST afford them the same respect. And isn't example is the best way to teach those principles I hold dear? But by debating my politics am I showing what I believe by example? No. I'm just at loggerheads with people I love.

One problem I'm facing is the discussion of politics is some of the only contact I've had with some of my family since we were children. The only thing that makes me interesting to them is my political affiliation. It sets me and my sisters apart from the Thatcher throng. I mean, we're the odd ones. We didn't live on the farm, we were entirely too emotional to be tolerated and we just didn't quite “fit” in the family. Or that's how I've felt a lot of the time. I'm intensely proud to be a Thatcher though. I think it's something that comes from having your name blazed across the front page of the local news paper in big, bold letters, “THATCHER'S SUE THE COUNTY.” It felt like we really had to band together. Us verses them. We're stick to our guns kind of people. And you know, I'm proud of my family and the things they have accomplished. Though I wonder how I got none of those brassy, go out there and take the world by the horns genes. I do think I got the Thatcher love of conversation and discussion. And we have an acute curiosity about the world and love of travel. Or that's something I've observed. We're also deeply passionate. I got that trait. I like that trait.

But we can also be bullheaded and egotistical. *ouch* Prone to bragging, pride and condescension. *double ouch* We are also prone to generalizing complexities... which is what I just did. My main purpose in pointing that out is because they are truly MY faults and weaknesses in this matter. They are what have brought me here, at 3:30 in the morning reflecting on my comments and why I even care enough to continue debating.

I'll tell you why. Because I'm too stubborn and too proud to be silent. Because I think know my stuff and I enjoy saying it in a way that makes my immediate family laugh for days. Perhaps this is how to win friends and influence people, but it's like Rex says in Toy Story, “I was going for fearsome, but I don't think I'm coming across. I'm afraid I'm just coming off as annoying.” That the family is just looking at me, shaking their head saying, “Jackass.” I guess I also view it as an un-Thatcher-istic trait to even care what they think. *sigh*

The real question is, even with this realization, that at my core I hate this, I won't be able to resist the lure of the debate. Can I abide standing silent when I profusely disagree with something? Or will the draw be too seductive. The conversation too appealing. The argument too easy to make? Is it even possible for me to give it up cold turkey?

And round and round we go. It's brutal and ugly, and who wins? I haven't seen a winner yet. Each side thinks they do, but how do you win if you continue to run round and round the mulberry bush? No one ever changes their mind, we just think the other is, at best, deluded. At worst judged as misled, or even wicked. That really lights my fire and gets me riled. But that just illustrates that I'm just a big baby and don't like people thinking less of me because of who I voted for. I'm still me. I'm still a good person.

I'm confident that our current political system won't be kept when the Savior returns. We won't be divided into Democrat and Republican. I'd be willing to guess there would be parts of each party's philosophy incorporated, but the sting and bite would be gone. Wouldn't that be wonderful? But of course it's simpler to unite when the Savior is at the head of things. All we have now are imperfect men and women, with imperfect ideas, imperfect implementation, and an imperfect world. Man, it would be nice if we could take the greed and pride and ambition out of all of that. We'd sure be better off, wouldn't we?

So, I hate politics. I hate always having my dukes up, being more than willing to throw that last punch and possibly even kick 'em when their down. It makes the bile rise in my throat. At times it even makes me want to cry, but I've always been too emotional like that.

Guess I should probably update...

2009-03-04T16:06:00.000-08:00

Because I have to have a picture and since Jonathan Rhys Meyers is better looking than the real Henry. It's relevant! It really is!

***

For someone who loves writing you would think it wouldn't be so blasted hard to update a measly little blog. Well, I at least love the IDEA of writing. I don't know if I've really actually loved writing for writings sake since my livejournal days which overlaps with my Reformation Britain History days at Utah State. Odd that the class covering my favorite period and place in history would diminish my love of writing. Preparedness was key. I'm not what you would call a prepared person. Now my friend Melanie, SHE'S prepared. I swear she always has everything she'll ever possibly need at arms reach wherever we go. Not me. I just mooch off her. Too bad she lives in Vegas. :-/

Anyway, during Reformation Britain we had to write a paper a week based on 1 of 3 topics covering in class that week. Upon learning this I thought, "YAY!!! I'm GOOD at writing! AND this is my favorite period in history! How hard can it be?" I thought I was in heaven! Then classes actually started. It took an insane amount of research and preparedness to write a flipping paper a week!!! It was absolutely exhausting! On top of that I didn't just get to write about the Henry VIII and his six wives and children. My history professor had some crazy notion that there were other factors involved in the reformation... whatever. So here I am reliving that angst and horror to explain why I put off updating my blog. And ya know? It's so difficult to make an interesting blog entry of, "went to work today. cleaned. changed diapers. made lunches. spent a ghastly amount of time on facebook. had dinner. got the kids to bed. went to bed. rinse and repeat." I know after sharing those tasty morsels I'll be receiving many requests for updates like THAT!

You know, I'm sure there are plenty of things around me that I could happily blog about that might prove interesting, but the problem is that interesting and controversial seem to go hand in hand. And controversial has a habit of biting me right on my chubby rear end. Like this whole "I'm a democrat" thing I've got going on. Sure, I'm being true to myself and what I personally believe, but now I'm under a constant barrage by one of my dear cousins on facebook *waves at Mark*. I don't know if he thinks he's actually changing my mind or if he's just punishing me for voting the way I did... probably the later, knowing him.

I could write about my kids and they are a great topic. They are interesting, intelligent, fun little people, but then I have to worry about what kind of information I'm putting out there. I tend to be a bit too honest at times. And then there is just the plan old simple truth of not knowing what to say.

And that is where I'll end this entry, gentle reader... I'm.. uh.... spent?

P.S. I really LOATHE country music. (is that controversial enough?)

The never sent Christmas cards.

2009-01-21T20:45:00.000-08:00

This year's Christmas avarice.

Well, I had some great intentions about sending out Christmas cards this year. I had the cards, had the family letter written, had the stamps.... and I still didn't do it. Boo. So in an effort to not let those efforts go completely to waste here's my letter and some pics from the big day.

****

December 2008

Dear Friends and Family,

Every year, time seems to move faster and faster, and suddenly the holiday season is upon us. Our family has been incredibly blessed and busy this year.

In January, Amy, Morgan, Paige and Darien went with Amy's Dad and sisters to Elko, Nevada to attend a town hall meeting with Barack Obama. It was a very exciting event and we all got to shake hands with both then Sen. Obama and his wife Michelle. We even got some pictures. It really was a thrill to be a part of history like that.

In March another very exciting event, we welcomed our 5^th child and 3^rd son, William Thatcher Ogilvie (aka Liam) to our family. Some how, things worked out and he was born on the same day as his brother Britton, his grandpa Thatcher and his grandpa Ogilvie. Needless to say, March 14 is a very special day in our family.

Then this summer Russ, Amy and Liam were able to go (along with Amy's dad, uncle and 2 of her sisters) to the 4^th International Bollschweiler Family Reunion, this year held in Wilmington, Delaware. While on the East Coast we were able to visit New York City, Washington D.C., Jamestowne, Colonial Williamsburg, Valley Forge, Monticello, Mt. Vernon, Philadelphia, Antietam, Gettysburg and many other historic sites (not necessarily in that order) . Our reunion organizers Brian and Rocky Bushweller also arranged a special tour of the capital through Sen. Tom Carper's office. It was exciting to ride on the underground tram system and eat at the cafeteria the senators and other government officials use every day. Needless to say, it was quite a trip. Russ says that traveling with Amy's family is never a vacation, but a field trip. :-) We had a lot of fun though, even if it took a month for our feet to recover.

Our family has also enjoyed our daily activities. Russ is working at RR Donnelley as a Software Engineer. He enjoys working there and has met many great people. He appreciates being able to use his Linux skills on such a regular basis. Russ adores his family. He is a wonderful husband and daddy, regularly picks up more than his fair share in chores and kid duty. I'm so grateful to be married to such a wonderful man and my best friend.

I have ventured into the world of working outside the home for the first time since Morgan was born. It all happened very unexpectedly when I took Darien to have his speech tested at Riverside Pre-school (the special education preschool run by Logan City School District). I walked in to have him tested and walked out with a job. It was amazing! Plus, Darien gets to go to the best preschool in town for free. I love the people I work with so much and feel very blessed to have such a perfect job for our situation.

Morgan is 11 and in the 5^th grade. She is turning into a young woman before our very eyes. We are so proud of her and the progress she has made. She is a voracious reader and has an amazing imagination. Both of these gifts also help her be a pretty good little writer. She is also very good at organizing the other kids into some kind of production while she directs. This year at school has been a lot of fun because she has participated in the Ellis school choir and has enjoyed that immensely. You won't see her missing a practice or forgetting a concert. She loves it.

Britton is 9 and in the 4^th grade. He is a wonderful helper with the baby. He is completely smitten by his baby birthday brother and takes very good care of him. Britton also is an avid gamer. It wasn't so very long ago that he was asking me for help with them, but I'm afraid those days are long gone. I'm the one asking now. ;-) He also has an active imagination and uses it in creating some very complex and magical games outside with his friends, complete with maps and riddles. He also loves to play soccer and ride his bike.

Paige is 6 and started Kindergarten this year. Paige is very much a “sugar and spice and everything nice” kind of girl. She loves to sing, dance and perform. We are hoping to get her into some kind of dance or music training this year. She also loves all the girly things she can get her pink painted nails on. Oddly enough she still hasn't quite gotten over the crush she developed on Darth Vader (not Anakin, DARTH VADER, black mask and all) when she was 2. :-/ I hope this doesn't mean she likes bad boys. :-/

Darien is 4 and loves preschool. He is my jokester and crack up. He's always making us laugh with his amazingly articulate observations on the world. I regularly get reports from his teachers on some funny thing he's said or done that day. He is also a boy's boy. He love Cars, especially Lightening McQueen. It isn't likely that you'll see Darien without a couple die cast toy cars with him. He's also a huge Thomas the tank engine fan. Though even with his many manly pursuits, I have occasionally caught him enjoying a viewing of “Strawberry Shortcake” with his sister Paige.

Liam (or Lemur, as he is known to us) is 9 months old. I can not believe how quickly this first year has flown by. He is a champion crawler and loves to climb stairs. He's made our heart pound on more than one occasion with his feats of daring do. He also loves to eat REAL food and splash in any kind of water he can get his hands on. It is amazing the distinct personalities these little people come to earth with from day one. Liam knows what he wants for dang sure, and you'd better not try to get in his way. Honestly, we wouldn't have him any other way, though talk to me again at 3 AM when he decides it's play time and see what I say. ;-)

It has been a wonderful year for our family and we are so grateful for our associations with all of you. May you all have a wonderful holiday and a blessed and peaceful year to come.

Love to you all,

The Ogilvie Fam

My beautiful Morgan.

Cars PJ's, Cars game... any guesses on his favorite things?

Britton doesn't wear his emotions on his sleeve... oh no. ;-)

The Thatcher hounds enjoying the human free chair.

Liam helping to open the kid's gift from Grandpa T.

Morgan seems to like her Nintendo DS. Maybe Brit is giving her some tips.

Britton realizing what is actually in the box (it's a Wii).

I wonder if he likes it? Only took 3 years for "Santa" to get his hands on one.

Yeah, I dun good on my honey's gift this year. :-D

Morgan is so engrossed with her DS that even baby brother will not thwart her concentration.

Paigey and her favorite gift this year. The singing Diamond Castle barbie... the brown haired one... I don't know their names. She already had the blonde one.

My adorable Darien in the Christmas wreckage.

The perils of cat ownership during Christmas.

2008, a year in review

2009-01-01T15:42:00.000-08:00

I do this every year on my LiveJournal, and though I'd post it here and on facebook as well. It's a nice way to remember the year that has just passed.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
I've been to our nations capital, finally! I had a lot of firsts this year with our trip back east. I got to ride in the underground tram the senators use and even meet a few of said senators. I've been to NYC now. I've now visited so many sites I've only read about in history. But one of the highlights was our trip to Elko to meet Senator Obama. Yeah, I've never met a future president before.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I'd say I did pretty well and I think having my little job really made a difference in that.

My resolutions for this year are:

I am LOSING WEIGHT this year. I'm not going to beat around the bush anymore. This year it has got to happen. I'm not pregnant, I have some motivation. It's going to happen (...please oh please let it happen?).
More time with the family, less times on the computer.
Learn to express my views better, and not get in a contentious debates with others about opposing views and then LET IT GO. I don't need to dwell on it for years and years.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I had a lot of friends and family members have babies this year. My sister in law, several cousins, several friends, but I ALSO had a baby this year! What a blessing he's been since arriving here on earth. I can't imagine my life without him. My children are truly wonderful, kind, beautiful, incredible people!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
This one makes me cry just thinking about it. My dear Uncle Gordon. I miss him so much already.

5. What countries did you visit?
America the beautiful! Added quite a few states to my “been to” list this year.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A better, less reviled, more unified country. I don't know how President-Elect Obama is going to do, but I hope a brighter day is on the horizon.

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory?
There were a lot of significant days this year, but March 14^th is sure to be the most significant. Not only was my 5^th child and 3^rd son born on that day, but it's also my oldest son, my dad and Russell's dad's birthday.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
The birth of my son and helping in the Obama campaign.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Letting what others think get to me.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing serious.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I think I hit a home run with Russ' iPod for Christmas. It is really nice to see him enjoy something like that because he's usually so spartan in his wants/needs.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My Morgan. She has come so far, made such great progress and overcome so many obstacles. I'm so proud of her and grateful to so many people who help and continue to help her grow and progress.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
People who might think that because I'm a democrat that my eternal soul is somehow in peril.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Formula and diapers.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Meeting Barack and Michelle Obama and him being elected.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Flogging Molly, “Float.” The Shins, “Australia.” Erasure, “Storm in a Teacup.”

17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
I'd say I'm happier. I'm habitually optimistic, but I think I may have reason to be this year.

ii. thinner or fatter?
I think I may have gained a bit, but my children annihilated my scale so I can't be sure.

iii. richer or poorer?
A bit richer, oddly enough.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Getting outside and spending time with the people who really matter in my life.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I probably could spend A LOT less time on the computer. I need to cut down on those kind of distractions.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
This year was a little weird because we didn't have our traditional get together in Laketown with Russ' family. I missed that and the family members who weren't able to come, but us locals got together on Christmas Eve and had fun with our white elephant gift exchange. Then we did the traditional Thatcher family Christmas with the exception that me, Russ and Liam slept at home and then went up to my parent's when the kids woke up.

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I am convinced that I am married to one of the best men on the earth. I'm not saying he's perfect, but I'm frankly really glad he isn't because I'm so far from perfect it's not funny. But there are so many things that convince me we are perfect for each other. I wish we didn't have the religious differences, but I really think that has made us a better couple and has forced us to grow in ways we wouldn't have otherwise. So, to make a short story long, yes. I'm STILL incredibly in love with my wonderful Russy.

23. The most unexpected realization you made this year?
My family will still like me even if I'm a “damn liberal.” Well, most of them do. ;-)

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Avatar, Dexter, and Cities of the Underworld

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Ummmm.....Sarah Palin? Just kidding! I don't really hate people. People irk me, but hate just isn't my kind of word.

26. What was the best book you read?
Well it sure as heck wasn't “Breaking Dawn.” BLEH!!!!! Wait, what was the question? Favorite? Oh yeah. Probably “Dreams from my Father.” I grew as a person from reading that book.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Birthday Massacre. They are such an Amy band. Thanks for sharing them with me Ryan (Schwab). I don't know how you do it, but you've introduced me to several of my favorite bands. I also became slightly obsessed with the song “J'en ai marre,” by French singer Alizée.

28. What did you want and get?
A healthy baby. Oh, and Barack Obama elected president! ;-)

29. What did you want and not get?
More affordable health care.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I don't see very many movies because getting out with small children is very difficult, but the ones I did see that I liked a lot were: Twilight, The Dark Knight, Forbidden Kingdom, Death Note, Iron Man, Mama Mia and Wall-E.

31. What did you do on your birthday?
My birthday is in January so by the time I get to December 31^st I've forgotten. Lol! Uhh.... I think we made Japanese food, but I honestly can't remember for sure. Or maybe I'm projecting because that's what I want to do this year. Lol!

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I really got what I wanted this year on the whole. Uh, how about an all expense paid trip to Europe. That always makes my life immeasurably more satisfying. ;-) Oh and "Breaking Dawn" not sucking.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Jeans and work casual tops.

34. What kept you sane?
My husband, family and friends, with a little WoW on the side.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Well, for 2 years running now, it's Barack Obama. I've never been so involved or followed a political campaign as I did this one. It was a great experience in most ways.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The presidential election. I'm slowly weening myself away, but I was an absolute CNN junkie for a while there.

37. Who do you miss?
Uncle Gordon. My buddies, the Schwab's. I haven't seen them in far too long. Though I'd love to see any of my friends and family I don't see regularly.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
I don't think I met many new people. Did I? The thing I loved about this year was facebook and blogs, which allow me to reconnect and get to know family and friends. I've love that so much. Oh wait! I met the Obama's! :-D
EDIT: DUH! I met the people at work this year!!!! Duh, DUH! I love those guys! They have truly enriched my life by knowing them.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. “This above all: To thine own self be true.” Still trying to apply it, but I believe it's the truth.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Besides the drinking part, this song fits me pretty well.

Flogging Molly - Float

“drank away the rest of the day
wonder what my liver'd say
drink, thats all you can
blackened days with their bigger gales
blow in your parlor to discuss the day
listen, that's all you can

ah but don't, no don't sink the boat
that you built, you built to keep afloat

sick and tired of what to say
no one listens anyway
sing, that's all you can
ramblin' years of lousy luck
you miss the smell of burnin' turf
dream, that's all you can

ah but don't, no don't sink the boat
that you built, you built to keep afloat

singled out for who you are
it takes all types to judge a man
feel, that's all you can
filthy suits with bigot ears
hide behind their own worst fears
live, that's all you can
it's all you can
it's all you can...do

no matter where i put my head
i'll wake up feeling sound again
breathe, it's all you can
tomorrow smells of less decay
the flowers greet this bloomin' fray
be thankful, that's all you can

ah but don't, no don't sink the boat
that you built, you built to keep afloat

a ripe old age
that's what i am
a ripe old age
just doin' the best i can”

Slightly Shocked.

2008-11-22T19:50:00.000-08:00

****WARNING: SPOILERS OF THE TWILIGHT MOVIE!!!!!!*****

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**DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR HOW I FELT ABOUT THE FILM**

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* I'M SERIOUS*

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***WELL, IF YOU MUST***

Well, I saw the Twilight movie today. And you know, I'll be honest, I was not very excited to see it. I had less than zero expectations. As I have posted previously, I really, Really, REALLY didn't like the last book. At all. And when I would see trailers and pictures and such of the movie, I was really skeptical that it would NOT blow chunks (I know it's a graphic description, but it's truly to how I felt).

Fears-

1) Casting: I am a Jacob fan. Yes, I know. I'm in the minority here. Big time. But it's true. I like tall dark and handsome, just look at my husband. I have a type! And I was really hoping a native American would be cast to play Jake. And when it was announced that my beloved wolfy would be played by "Sharkboy" I was less than thrilled.

Also, Robert Pattinson, even in his Cedric Diggory days, looks perpetually stoned, and though I prefer Jacob, I do love Edward and I was really worried Rob wouldn't be able to pull it off.

Kristen Stewart was a complete unknown quantity, so I had equal parts skepticsm and optimism on her ability to be Bella. But by the last book I wondered why I even liked Bella... so who cared who played her.

2) The HAIR! Oh my word, the publicity photos for the movie scared me incredibly. The hair on the actors looked absolutely ridiculous. I mean freakish.

3) I HATED 'Breaking Dawn': Dislike, disappointed. Yeah, those words are not strong enough for how I felt about it. Loathe, dispise, wretch inducing. That's a bit closer. Half way through the book I fell asleep and DREAMED of the scathing review I was going to write (Note: Yes, I'm a bit obsessive, but Russ says that he likes the fact that I'm fiery). Honestly, Breaking Dawn had basically killed my love of the Twilight series. It was just a festering sore for me. The thing I had loved so much had turned on me and mauled me severely.

This brings me to the movie. I had so many people around me sooooo excited to see the film and I tried to fein excitement, but I really wasn't coming up with much. But as the days passed and the release came closer and after dreaming the movie had turned out to be animated with no Jacob what so ever and didn't even follow the plot (a la Ella Enchanted book vs. movie *sigh*), I thought that the real thing couldn't be as bad as my dream, so I bought my tickets and saw it today.

I.

Loved.

It.

Seriously. It made me remember why I fell in love with the series in the first place. Why I was so emotionally invested to have the heaping pile that was Breaking Dawn smart so much. I loved Robert Pattinson as Edward. The scene when he first sits by Bella in Biology class was awesome. SO well done. Kristen Stewart was a better Bella than the one I imagined in my head. She reminded me why I loved Bella, why I cared about her life and the people in it. And Taylor Lautner as my beloved Jacob was cute enough that even my sister, who is the harshest critic I know, and more angry about the casting than I was, EVEN SHE found herself loving him. Though to be perfectly honest, my feelings about Taylor had softened quite a bit as I saw his personality during various filming blurbs on YouTube and such. It's a very Jacob personality. So the casting worry... color me converted, and happy to be so. The first movie doesn't have much of Jacob, but there were some nice scenes.... especially the glares at the end between Jake and Edward. w00t! Loved that!

The hair still was a little off for me, but not enough to make an impact on how I felt about the movie.

And as for Breaking Dawn... my sisters and I are pondering a petition that if they do a 4th movie that there will be no imprinting on infants, and that said infant will possibly be less squishy wonderful. Talk about sugar shock. *Must try to hold back bitter comments*

SO, to make a short story long, I LOVED the movie. I'm so thrilled and I think I might be back in the Twilight fandom. And I think I'm pretty darned glad to be back.

Thank You!

2008-11-10T12:48:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to write for a while now. Specifically to say thank you to all of you who replied to my last post. I'm so grateful to have you all in my life and to grow from my associations with you. So again, Thank you! You all are the best!

Here are a few pictures of what we've been up to as of late. :-D

Paige turned 6!

We went to Minnesota over fall break to visit our Oxborrow family.

Our sign was stolen, so Russ made this instead.

Morgan's 5th grade class contributed a scene to the Pumpkin Walk
Morgan worked on the Harriet Tubman part of the scene.

My sister's pumpkins for this year. :-D

My cute little Moo Cow, Liam.

A true knight in shining armor, Darien.

Princess Paige

Britton marching in the Ellis parade as Link, from the Legend of Zelda games.

Morgan the dead-head zombie. A costume she created herself. :-)

Uh... this is us on Nov. 4th. I have a feeling a lot of you weren't smiling, but we were.
You can even see my mom giving the victory sign in the corner. Lol!

Introspective

2008-10-09T15:31:00.001-07:00

I've decided that I'm not a very good blogger. I care too much about what others think to really ever put down my true inner dialog. But perhaps, that's not the point of a blog, that's a journals duty. I do know that I'm grateful for blogs. I've gotten to know family and friends in a way I don't know if I would have ever been able to through another method. And I'm not good at getting to know people, especially in a setting with a lot of people. I have difficulty just letting my personality come through in those situations. I think I'm a good friend if you are close to me, though I'm still prone to bouts of duh speak. You know, those moments you says stuff just to be talking and what comes out isn't what you intended or really even feel? Yeah, I do that. :-/

The last few months have been difficult honestly. And going beyond saying that has turned into a repetitive series of typing and mass deleting. I don't know how much to say, if anything. I'm a very introspective kind of person, and I think it would be so liberating to be able to express some of my thoughts and perspectives, but at the same time, I've had experiences that have shown that it's not worth doing. Not worth the drama it causes. The unrest in my heart that follows. So here I am, beating around the bush, causing the few people who read this to wonder what in the world is up with me. Lol!

So probably the superficial Amy stuff is best. And I have some great superficial stuff. Pictures of the kids and what we're up to as a family. Leaving out any of the "drama" causing thoughts and feelings that gives any depth to who I am and what I feel. I think that's why I'm a crappy blogger. It's just too exhausting.

High School Daze

2008-08-31T13:13:00.000-07:00

1. Did you date someone from your school? I MARRIED a boy from my school. Though most of the boys I dated were from good ol' LHS. I think I might have dated 1 or 2 from SV and MC.

2. What kind of car did you drive? A 1985 gold Buick Century.

4. Were you a party animal? Depends on how you define party animal. I had a lot of fun with my friends and we had parties, but I never "partied."

5. Were you considered a flirt? :-/ You know, I have no idea. To some, yes. To others, no.

6. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Did Orchestra in Elementary, Band in Middle and Choir in Middle and High School. I had all my bases covered.

7. Were you a nerd? There is no past tense about it. I'm STILL a nerd.

(Senior Halloween Howl)

8. Were you on any varsity teams? I'm not really into sports. I played with the idea of track, but people with my voluptuous build probably shouldn't run as fast as they want their track athletes to run. I did go to State in Drama though. Theater was my sport.

(Shakespeare Drama Competition)

9. Did you get suspended/expelled? No. I only went to the principles office once in my whole life. I think some friends and I wrote a mean note. :-/

10. Can you still sing the fight song? I can sing the school song, not the fight song. "Neath the crest of Wasatch Mountains..."

11. Who were your favorite teachers? Stu Howell. He challenged my thinking in ways no teacher had before him. Probably helped paved the way to my current political views as well. I also loved Brother Harris in Seminary. He was loving and kind to all of us kids, and a great teacher to boot.

12. Where did you sit during lunch? I think the only time we ate in the lunch room was the first half of freshman year. Then we roamed the school looking for friends, boys, or drama. Once we got drivers licenses we went out to lunch.

13. What was your school's full name? Logan High School

14. School mascot? We were the Grizzlies! The good ol' Crimson and Gold!

15. Did you go to Homecoming and who with? I went my junior year with Russ actually. :-D I can't remember on anyone else. Wait! in looking through my pictures, I went to Homecoming my senior year with Jim Hansen. The pictures didn't turn out of us together, which sucked.

16. If you could go back and do it again, would you? I was just talking to my friend Josette about this. I think if I could still have the husband and family I do now, I wouldn't mind going back knowing some of what I know now. I would have studied more, been less prone to being unthoughtful to others, and did I mention I really should have studied more. ;-)

17. What do you remember most about graduation? I remember walking out of the ceremony with my now brother-in-law Ben and seeing various friends on my way out and chatting with them. I remember feeling such affection for so many people who had been in my life those 4 years. I really enjoyed HS.

18. Where did you go senior skip day? We didn't have senior skip day. We had Lagoon day and it was optional if we went or not. Me and my friends spent the time making a video for my friend Ryan. It's turned out to be quite the little treasure, commemorating our last days of HS.

19. Were you in any clubs? I was in L.E.A.F. (Logan Environmental Action Force), Model U.N., Thespian Society (the Theater club), Play, and others, but I'm getting old. I can't remember. Boy, by the looks of that, I was a "damn liberal" before I ever realized I was.

20. Have you gained some weight since then? *cries*

21. Who was your prom date? I went to junior prom with Ryan Harris and senior ball with my brother in law Ben. Russ was on his mission at the time, and I really wanted to go. Ben being the kind of friend he was, agreed to take me.

(Junior Prom)

22. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion? Well, we're actually approaching our 15 year next summer. I didn't make it to the 10 year, but if I can get some of my friends up here for the 15, I'd really like to go.

Breaking Dawn, with Breaking Dawn

2008-08-22T16:44:00.000-07:00

I'm terribly behind in my blogging. Facebook is an addiction that is hard to kick. It's so easy to post pictures, chat with friends, play games... it's sucking my life away. But I digress...

I wanted to document the final installment of the Twilight series. This was the book series that got me through my Post-Potter Depression, and probably inspired thousands of stay at home mom's to start writing. It also caused me to seriously consider a girls only road trip to Forks, WA. ;-)

Nan, Jo and I celebrated by making shirts for the Borders book release party (with the help of Uncle Sid's transfers). Morgan wanted to go with us, so we were bad and let her stay up with us for the party. All of the girls in our family are Jacob fans, except, surprise surprise, Melinda. So our shirts reflected our preference.

I'm hoping that I am correct in thinking that I read some where that this was the end of the story from Bella's POV, but she was going to write from the perspective of other characters in the books. I hope so.

I'll be honest, I was a disappointed in the book, but I kind of knew I had painted myself into a corner by prefering Jacob to Edward. There was basically no way for it to end well for me. But I'm still a fan and here's to more books in the Twilight universe.

Edit: Actually I'm going to amend the above statement. It COULD have ended well for me. I would have been fine with Jacob/Leah and no imprinting, in the books, ever. What ever happened to free agency I say? That's as dissenting as I'll get (publicly) because I still love Stephenie Meyer even if I didn't love this book.

Blast from Limber Pine Hikes Past

2008-08-20T20:22:00.000-07:00

I was looking through some of the pictures I acquired from my dad recently and look what I find! My last post was of a Limber Pine Hike, this one might as well be too. Holly, you might recognize the little girl in the pictures with us. ;-)

It's amazing how time flies. I can somewhat remember this. Now I have kids this age, or older! I'm glad I've got cousins. They've always been some of my very best friends. In spite of my current presidential preferences. ;-)

The Great Outdoors: Part 1- Limber Pine

2008-07-03T13:30:00.000-07:00

One thing I love about living in Logan is the close proximity to many outdoorsy things. Logan Canyon has always been one of my very favorite places on earth and already this summer, the site of many an adventure.

Limber Pine Trail

On the trail.

I love it when you go somewhere and tell your 9 year old to grab a jacket, but they in their infinite wisdom KNOW it won't be cold and don't. Thus Britton's Galdalf look.

Trying to hike, hold a baby and keep him warm. Always an adventure.

My husband with our infant son, tipping a dead tree.
Yeah, my naggy wife side was in full gear at that moment.

I'm afraid to say that this is a typical family portrait for our crew.

Ahhhh... the Limber Pine (and Russy and Liam).

One of the glaciers we had to navigate on the trail.

My little tree hugger.

My cute daddy.

Paige had fun on our hike but she's glad to be back to the warmth of the van.

Oops, my geek is showing.

2008-07-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

Avatar The Last Airbender Trailer Comic Con New York 2008
Uploaded by Darkff666

Yeah, I know it's a cartoon. But if you haven't watched it, it's pretty much the best show ever made. The final 9 (or 6 in my case because me and my kids and sisters are such nerds we looked up 3 episodes online) episodes are airing at the end of July. Now's the time. Embrace your geekdom. Rent "Avatar - The Last Airbender" and watch it with your family today! ;-)

Bollschweiler Reunion

2008-06-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to throw out a reminder for the 4th Bollschweiler reunion in Delaware next month for my Thatcher family. I hope you all knew about it prior to this, but if not there is still a little time left to come.

I've been to all 3 prior reunions. 2 in Europe and one in Utah. It has been a wonderful opportunity to meet and get to know relatives from around the world, as well as gaining a better knowledge of our family history.

For those family members who don't know, Grandma Emilie Thatcher's mother, Carrie was a Bollschweiler.

The dates for the reunion are July 17th - 20th in Wilmington, Delaware. If anyone is interested in attending please let me know or visit the family website at www.bollschweiler.org.

Those attending from our side of the family are: Howard, Nancy, Melinda and Bob Thatcher, and Russell and Amy (and Liam) Ogilvie. There is sure to be fascinating and rousing political debates and discussion galore. I for one can't wait.

Sorry about the short notice, but I thought I should at least post a little something. :-)

Baby Braveheart

2008-05-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

I don't know how many of you saw the movie "Braveheart" with Mel Gibson several years ago, but apparently I have my own little, blue Scotsman. I always thought side walk chalk was a pretty kid proof toy. Well, this is what happens when a 3 year old whose favorite color is blue, with a thing for swords gets a hold of some.

"FREEDOM!"

Duel wielding. Pretty impressive warrior for 3 years old.

Any "Twilight" fans out there?

2008-05-09T17:03:00.001-07:00

So how many of you have read Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series? I read them last summer and fell in love with them. So if you haven't read them, DO.

Here is the first trailer for the movie. I'm still not exactly sure how I feel about this yet, but it truly could be worse.

What do you all think?

Land of the Lost

2008-05-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to update for a while now, but I've had one thing stopping me. My camera. Every good blog has pictures and now my camera has gone missing. Now, I have complete faith that it will turn up, but it just shows what a scatterbrain I am when I loose a several hundred dollar camera. Now when I lost my iPod, I wasn't nearly so calm. But it turned up. Hopefully my camera will too.

Several years ago, my brother-in-law Kirk dubbed my husband, "the vanquisher of keys and other small objects." I think he gave the title to the wrong Ogilvie. I can't begin to tell you how many sets of keys I've lost permanently. I hope the land lord doesn't want them back. :-/

We've had some cool and not so cool experiences recently. One of the cools was a stroke of fortune that occurred Saturday. My son Britton had a friend from school move a way last year that he was good buddies with. Over the past few months he's really missed his friend, commenting often how much he'd like to see him again. In fact he mentioned it on Saturday. Well, after Morgan's soccer game Saturday we went to the mall to get Paige's ears pierce (which is a whole other story in and of itself) and as we were walking in, we saw Britton's friend! I truly feel Heavenly Father was watching out for my little guy here. I mean, he mentioned this friend as we parked at the mall! Sweet little blessings like that are so wonderful.

So as I mentioned Paige got her ears pierced. Now I'm not the one that pushed for this. Morgan only got hers done last summer for her 10th birthday. Paige only 5 and I wanted it to be her decision as to if and when she had it done. Well, her cousin got hers done, and obviously after that Paige had to get her's done as well. Thus the begging began. I told her it would hurt. I told her there was no hurry. I told her she would have to be careful with them. Well, my stymieing didn't make any difference and Saturday was the big day. No sooner did we get there and her in the chair, did she start to freak out. I mean I felt like a child abuser because SHE wanted this done. I told her she didn't have to, but she was going through with it.

First ear. SCREAM! Tears instantly streaming down her cheeks, doing the butt dance in her chair, with Darien in the background crying FOR her, hopping up and down with his hand over his mouth, a look of terror in his eyes. It doesn't help that they do this RIGHT in the window so everyone in the mall can see what a horrible mother I am. *sigh* I think it took an act from on high to get the other ear done, or she's be looking like some 80's male rock star right now.

Then later on that day we had a slight emergency when Paige thought it would be a good idea to use Morgan's glass lid jewelry box as a step stool and sliced her toe open. Fortunately Russ got to her before I did or there might have been 2 for the ER. We took her to Instacare and where she had to get 5 stitches. In the process she got a Popsicle, stickers and was able to watch a movie. I actually think getting her ears pierced was more traumatic. Kids.

A little too close to home

2008-04-25T12:30:00.001-07:00

This is one of my favorite comedians, Alan Davies. The fact that I come from a cat family also makes this little clip too funny to me!

Though it's funny, after so many cats, my family is down to only 1, but now we have 2 dogs! We've never been dog people. Crazy stuff. But after saying that I must say, they ARE pretty darned cute dogs.

Yeah, we're weird when it comes to our animals. Lol!

Turning over a new leaf?

2008-04-23T20:06:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm going to try (again) to loose some weight. I'm thinking that maybe if I put it on a public forum maybe I'll follow through a little more. The best I've ever done was when I did pseudo-weight watchers in '03. I lost about 20 lbs and then fell off the wagon after a trip to Vegas. *sigh* I spent my entire 20's fat, maybe I can be fabulous in my 30's. Maybe I'll take a before picture...though I guess I have 10 years worth of those.

The thing that REALLY trips me up is food. I have no idea how to fix healthy things that don't leave me feeling like I'd rather be fat than live like that. I know how to exercise, it's just doing it. But now that the weather is nicer and I'm not pregnant any more, it really is a motivation to get out side and move. The kids soccer games help that too. Tonight I raced Britton (his shoe conveniently malfunctioned when I appeared to be winning) and he commented to me after that he didn't know I could run that fast. I laughed about it at the time, but on reflection it demonstrates how lax I've been about my health since I became a mom.

I walked the kids to the park yesterday and then walked to mom's library. I want to make the effort to do these kinds of things daily. Not only because they are getting me out and being more active, but it makes me be more "present" in my children's lives; not just wasting time on my computer or in front of the TV. I'm also glad it's soccer season, makes getting out easier, and FUN! Morgan won her game tonight and Britton won his last night.

Here are some pics from yesterday's sojourn to the park:

Darien loves trying to do the "big boy" things. Climbing this chain is a challenge for his little 3 year old self, but his perseverance pays off.

We literally can't go ANYWHERE without Paige taking off her shoes. Even the park! I don't know what we're going to do when she starts school next year.

I think they were having an Indiana Jones type of adventure here, and this is what happens when they shoot down a booby trap.

Going where no sword should EVER have to go.

And just because I'm totally smitten with my little Liam, I'm adding this one.

Here 'er goes

2008-04-20T13:02:00.000-07:00

I always seem to bet on the wrong horse. I have accounts on 3 other "bloggish" type sites (LiveJournal 5 years, MySpace 3 years, Facebook 1 year) and this is the one that everyone is using. Oh well, "when in Rome," eh? I'm still trying to figure out the art of creating your page... I've figured out the others on the whole, I guess I'll get this one eventually.

I've had a ball today blog hopping. I'm a shameless lurker. I'm just naturally interested in people, so blogs are quite fun for me to cruise around on. I've jumped around my cousin's blogs, Russ' cousins blogs. Some I know well, some not as much. But I've SO enjoyed getting to know them better through their writings. These little web sites can really be a blessing if used in the right way. So if you ever get that feeling that you're being watched, it might just be me. Boy, I hope that doesn't make me as creepy as that sounds. :-/

One thing I have really enjoyed is becoming acquainted with people that I haven't had the opportunity to get to know as well as I'd like. I'm afraid that I'm a little insecure and shy with folks I don't know well. That includes family members. I'm easily intimidated, which is frustrating because I really like people and getting to know them. I don't know where that comes from but it's something that I'm hoping I'll eventually over come. Yeah, 32 is a bit late to start, but you never stop trying to grow and progress, right?

As I was reading I felt that tendancy to compare or be intimidated a bit. I'm so different than some of my family. They are so NOT shy, so together, so this or that. It's easy to look at peoples lives from the outside and compare yourself and find you're lacking in someway. I think Lucifer really uses that to keep us from our full potential. Fear, low self worth, jealousy, etc, etc... Those are feelings I have to work hard at overcoming. In some I've made a lot of progress, in others I could be better. I know I have a GREAT life. I've been so tremendously blessed and even if I don't have the same strengths and gifts that others might, I still have my own that can bless the lives of others.

One of my blessings is our little Liam (aka William or Wil). What joy a new, sweet spirit brings into your life. Yeah, we may be a little more bleary eyed, but it doesn't take long until you wonder how you ever lived your life without them. He's starting to smile more and more, and every time he does it makes me so happy the joy just bursts out of me. It's so sweet. Each stage of development is so wonderful.

The kids have really enjoyed him. Britton especially. Yeah, having a brother for your 9th birthday present is a pretty good deal, in his opinion. He's so sweet and tender with him. I love that when the baby is upset he works so hard to try and make him happy. The other day I went in and found him singing to the baby. He's a great baby sitter. Though it helps that he can play his DS and hold his brother at the same time.

Darien's reaction so far has been pretty good, but I've caught myself putting him off in favor of something the baby needs. I realized that he would have to ask me several times for something he needed before I'd do it for him. "Hold on a sec, I need to feed the baby first." or "Wait a minute, I don't want to wake up the baby." I'm glad I noticed because lately he's been throwing bigger fits over smaller things. At first I thought it was just part of the terrible 3's (they say 3 is the new 2), but then when I was talking to my mom about it I realized that it might be more than that. So we've tried to be better about it.

Speaking of Darien, My favorite kid quote since Liam was born is his. During our first week home I was nursing the baby and he walks by and giggles, "Heh, heh. William eats Mom boob." Lol! How I love my children. Don't know what I did to deserve them, but I'm so grateful the Lord has been so generous.