Motherhood Fail

This is a picture of my carpet covered in chocolate ice cream.  Matilda is the little booger that put it there, not to mention various other places around the house.  It was Malia who got the ice cream out of the freezer, without permission (clearly), and left it on the kitchen counter.  I'm the moron who thought I could put on a movie for the kids--Monsters Vs. Aliens--and take a little break, as I had a very busy/stressful day.

By little break, I mean just that: a very short break, thirty minutes tops, so I could decompress before I had to pick up the clutter around the house and make some dinner.  And anyway, our place is small.  I was only one room away.

Funny thing:  I've already been through this.  Three years ago.  Except last time it was peanut butter instead of ice cream.  It was so bad I had to grab a camera and film it.  Enjoy.



Seriously,  what   is   wrong   with   me ?  Why didn't I learn from the peanut butter incident?  When will I learn that I'm never going to get a break.  Such a thing is not an option when one has small children!  Clearly, I fail at motherhood (today).

The Best Dad Ever!

Duane was supposed to be watching the girls when this happened. 
Clearly he was. (+10 Parenting Points to Duane for paying attention to what they were doing)

Brightly Woven

I know, this isn't Bitner family related, but--well, I really want to get my hands on this book.  And since we're trying to be thrifty at Casa Bitner, I'm entering book contests like a mad woman.  Which is why I'll be posting blogs about books (until my book review blog is officially up and running--I'll keep you updated).   

So.  Yeah.  Brightly Woven.  The first chapter of this book is available at Alexandra Braken's website.  I just read it and I must say, it is good--I'm hooked.  I want--no, need-- to read the rest of this book. Badly.


Description of Brightly Woven taken from author Alexandra Bracken's website:

Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him.

In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers

 Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry.

Here's to hoping I can get this book free. If you are also interested in entering this contest FOLLOW THIS LINK  to Alexandra Bracken's website.  If you want to purchase Brightly Woven, it comes out March 23rd.  Oh!  And check back for the review of Brightly Woven--because I'm going to get my hands on this book somehow.  I.  Will. 

Dystopia Mania

If you know me personally, you know I love to read, a lot.  If I could, I'd read all the live-long day. And night.  And and, to be honest, my love of reading is the real reason I've neglected to post anything here since November--my bad.    

As of late, I'm really into the whole dystopian society genre.  I believe my fascination began March 2009 when I read The Hunger Games for the first time--by the way, if you haven't read it yet, you should.  Ever since then I've read quite a few books that fall under the same genre, such as The Maze Runner by James Dashner, Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, and Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (all good books, by the way)

Anyway, the point of this blog post is to let you--the few that may still check my blog, that is--know about the fabulous giveaway going on over at Presenting Lenore, a really great review blog that just dedicated the whole month of February to dystopian fiction.  And, to wrap things up she's got 3 MEGA PRIZE PACKS to give away.  I'd love to win one of these prize packs, which is why I'm letting you all know about this giveaway--I get an extra entry by adding a link about this contest in my blog.  So yeah, CHECK IT OUT.

If you want to know what I'm reading, check out my goodreads profile.  If you haven't yet, create an account and add me as a friend.  :)

Ye Olde Blog Update

Thanksgiving just a few days away?  Already???  Wow, where did the year go?  More importantly, why didn't I do more blogging?  A whole year of semi-interesting things happened and I don't bother to blog about any of it?  Huh.  Well, as they say: "what's done is done".  And strangely enough, I'm okay with that.

Anyway, I figure it's about time I let you all know how things are going on 'round here (I mean, besides my inappropriate Twilight addiction).  So, here it goes:

Ford Motor Company (or 'Fords' as they say 'round here) just reported a $1 billion quarterly profit.  And the gravy? The Ford Fusion is 2010's Motor Trend Car of the Year.  Duane celebrated the good news by purchasing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare for his xbox, and growing a quasi-beard thingy (will post pictures later).  So Duane?  Is doing just fine, thank you.

Ariel is currently a sophomore at BYU and having fun.  Today her Facebook status says she's on a man fast.  Sounds good to me (hee).  The fact is, weddings are expensive.  So yeah, she's welcome to keep fasting for another year or so (Duane agrees with me).  In other news: she just declared her major.  This is a really big deal since she's been stressing out about what she wants to major in.  Ariel's major is, (drumroll please)... 

Exercise and Wellness.  

 We are quite excited for Ariel and hope that she keeps up the good work!

Mayah is in the first grade and loving it... sort of.  Here's the deal: she loves her teacher, her classmates and is doing quite well academically speaking.  BUT, I just found out she doesn't pay attention in class and has a problem with being defiant.  I'm not surprised about the defiance, since we're sort of dealing with that at home.  But the inattentiveness totally confuses me since Mayah does well with homework and tests well.  I thought she was learning in school, and apparently she's not--which just boggles my mind.  Like I said, she knows her stuff.  Otherwise, Mayah is doing great.  She's a wonderful little girl who enjoys playing with her ever-expanding Webkinz collection, writing cute stories about poor kids (don't ask), drawing pictures, and reading bedtime stories to her little sisters.  Aaaand she seems to think that we'll be buying her a puppy for Christmas (not happening).

Malia is in preschool.  She loves it.  A lot.  And were it up to her she'd go every single day--no joke.  She loves her teachers, loves her friends and loves having a life outside our home.  While Mayah has a bit of a defiant streak, Malia is the queen of defiance.  The girl wants to be in control.  All.  The.  Time.  For example, last night, I found her in bed with nothing but a very thin blanket covering her.  It was cold.  Very cold.  And she was shivering, so, I put another blanket on her.  Unfortunately, while draping the second blanket on her, I woke her up and she got very upset with me since she 'already had a blanket'.  She then proceeded to peel the second blanket off of her body.  I could have forced the issue, and made her use the blanket, but I didn't.  Why?  Because I just don't have the energy to fight Malia all the time, about everything.  Besides, I waited the five minutes until she passed out and put the extra blanket on her again.  Oh! And socks.  I can't wait until she's a teenager (because I've heard the way they are at four is the way they're supposed to be at sixteen.  Or whatever).  Anyway, Malia has a very, very sweet side, too.  She loves her sisters, especially Mayah, whom she still calls 'idog' because she knows that Mayah really likes that (loooong story) and she loves playing with Matilda.  She really is a wonderful sister.

Matilda.  Where to start?  Well, she likes attention.  And she's persistent.  So if you're not giving her the attention she craves, she'll find a way to get it, guaranteed.  Matilda is also tough as nails, with the ability to bounce back from any injury in a New York minute.  Last Sunday, she smashed her finger in the hall closet, effectively ripping the whole nail off of her little finger.  While she did cry, she was only traumatized for about twenty minutes, if not less (Heck, I was more traumatized then she was, and for much longer).  Before we knew it she was back to playing with Malia as if nothing happened.  She's a tough kid.  She's also incredibly fun and super cute.  We all enjoy Baby Matilda (yeah, I know she's not a baby.  But she's still the baby of the family so the name stays.  For now). 

Me, you ask?  What am I up to these days?  Reading.  I love to read.  Far too much.  And of course, I'm always fulfilling my duties as a wife and mother, which takes up most of my time.  When I'm not busy doing any of that, I go out with my friends.  Yeah, you read that right.  I said, I go out with my friends.  And when I say 'go out' I mean, 'watch SYTYCD and/or Glee'.  Sometimes we see a movie.  And we drink Slurpees.  Lots and lots of Slurpees. : )

The End. 

New Moon: The Review

So, I just got home from the theater and I've got some good news.

First off, GNO was a success.  I feel like I just had a vacation.  My friends and I had a lot of fun.

Second (and the part everyone wants to know), the movie was good.  That's right, I said good.  Actually, now that I think about it I'm going to go ahead and say it was really great!  I loved it.  A lot.

I feel that the screenwriter and the director did a fabulous job with Mrs. Meyers book.  And even though they took some artistic license, changing things up a little, none of the changes were drastic enough to bother me.  There were times when I felt  the deviations from the original storyline were pure genius, only adding to the plot.

Director, Chris Weitz, was able to breathe life into the characters--giving them personalities--an area I feel Catherine Hardwicke failed, epically.  I found myself caring about the characters again, though yeah, Bella is grating on my nerves.  But I suppose that's to be expected since I've never really liked Bella all that much.  The thing is, I'm not sure if it's Bella I can't stand or if its just Kristen Stewart.  Maybe both? 

Which brings me to my only real criticism of the movie: I don't think Kristen Stewart can act.  I gave her a free pass after seeing Twilight, but that's only because everything about that movie was horrible.  All the actors seemed to struggle in Twilight and I was fully willing to blame their short-comings on poor direction.  But now, with a new director, all the actors seem to thrive while Kristen Stewart just... doesn't.  Okay, and Taylor Lautner kind of sucks, too, but not half so bad [as his wig].  So yeah, not liking Kristen.

I want to mention that I really like Billy Burke in the roll of Charlie, Bella's dad.  He does an awesome job and really, I can't see anyone else do better.  Billy is Charlie.

The Volturi?  Exactly as I pictured them.  EXACTLY! 

Oh! And did I mention that I love the wolf pack?  'Cause I do.  I love love love them!  I feel they were, for the most part, well cast.  I mean, amirite?

Sam, Jared, Paul, and Embry, the wolf pack sans Jacob.

Anyway, like I said, I loved the movie.  I think it is well worth seeing (more then once).  And girls, I think there is enough action that guys will like seeing it too... maybe (there still is a lot of teenage angst and brooding but I don't think my husband will mind.  Not after seeing the the showdown in Italy.  That's right I said showdown).

P.S. Am I the only woman in the world that doesn't think Edward is attractive?  I'm pretty sure I am.  But seriously, I just don't get why everyone is losing it over this guy:

Unattractive much?  I think yes.  I mean, with his smashed-in nose, angular face and freakishly pale skin there are times I could swear I'm looking at Lord Voldemort.  That's right, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named!  Not Sexy!   

Girls Night Out

It is Girls Night Out at Bitner Manor. Tonight I am going out sans kids and husband and meeting up with a few of my close friends. What are we going to do, you ask? Oh, you know, the usual: dinner, dessert, girls' talk--nothing out of the ordinary... unless you think it's weird that--around at the stroke of midnight--we'll transform into these squeeing, love-sick fangirls:


That's right, we're going to see New Moon, the second installment in the Twilight saga.

I know, I know, I can't believe I'm going to go see New Moon either. Ever since I read Breaking Dawn I've become a very out-spoken critic of the series. And I was extremely disappointed in the first movie of the Twilight Saga. I even wrote about it. Despite all my criticism I've always maintained that New Moon is my favorite book in the series. Besides, this movie was directed by Chris Weitz not Catherine Hardwicke, so I figure it cannot possibly be worse then the last movie (knock on wood).

Anyway, I'm excited!  I'm grateful that I have a husband who puts up with my love/hate relationship with the Twilight series and is cool with my going out tonight--a school night.  I'm glad I have an opportunity to go out with my friends.  And even if the movie is the worst thing to ever grace the big screen, I'll still have a great time (though I won't hesitate to post a scathing review here).

Here's to vampires, werewolves, irritating protagonists, Girls Night Out, good friends, and awesome (read: patient) husbands (I love you Duane.  You are My Jacob, which, in my book, is a very very good thing)!

TEAM JACOB!

P.S. Speaking of Duane, he now has his very own blog.  Check it out.