Find Joy

I've heard this quote alot this week and love it. So I thought I'd share it with all of you who might read this blog.

"Whatever hour God has blessed you with, take with grateful hand, nor postpone your joys from year to year, so that in whatever place you have been, you may say that you have lived happily ever after....May we adapt to the changes in our lives...realize what is most important...express our gratitude always and thus FIND JOY IN THE JOURNEY!"

-President Thomas S. Monson

Christmas madness

Christmas was amazing this year. Well every year is amazing, but I actually was really into it this year and had a blast!!


Spence and I got woken up at 9:30 am by my Mom walking up and down the hallway ringing bells. So we got up and opened presents. One that made me squeel like a little kid!! I got an iPhone...I was so excited!! I got a lot great things. I got 2 pairs of jeans (that I have to take back for smaller size...eek!!!!), 4 sweaters, a really cute red jacket, and teal coat, Marc Jacobs perfume called Daisy (yummy!), Wii Fit, GPS system for the car (that all 4 of us share), gift card to iTunes and movies, Mamma Mia, Prince Caspian, Indiana Jones, um a really cute purse!! The present that I knew I was getting because I helped make it, but ended up being the best was 2 books with photos of my grandparents on both sides, and photos of my dad growing up.

We got spoiled, and I enjoy every second of it!!

Later in the day everyone, and I mean everyone in my family came over. We opened presents, ate food, and just had an awesome time. Than it started snowing everyone freaked out and left. But before they did we got our first family photo taken in years.

Here are a few pictures from tonight!!

Merry Christmas!!

I know I'm a little late with the Christmas wishes....but I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope it was amazing for you all!! I'm uploaded pictures right now, so I'll have those posted in a little bit!! I want to know what everyone got!!!

New Director for New Moon!!

Hey Guys....I should just change the name of my blog to something Twilight related!!! Anyway...New Moon has a new director. His name is Chris Weitz, he directed a movie that I thought was great called 'About a Boy'. So I have all the faith in the world that he'll do New Moon justice. I absolutly LOVED what Catherine Hardwicke did with Twilight, but I believe it could have been better, and I think Chris can do it.

Here's a little blurb from Stephenie Meyer about what she thinks:

Hey guys,

There's been a lot of worry and speculation on the boards lately, and I want to let you know what's going on.

First of all, like you, I'm sad that Catherine is not continuing on with us for New Moon. I'm going to miss her, not just as a brilliant director, but also as a friend. She has such a distinct, authentic voice that did amazing things for Twilight. I'm looking forward to every movie she does in the future.

And she didn't leave us empty handed. We still get the benefits of her amazing casting and the beautiful visual world she created. This foundation puts us in a good place for New Moon.

Summit Films is moving forward with a new director for New Moon. They've asked Chris Weitz, director of American Pie, About a Boy, and The Golden Compass, to join us, and I am very pleased to announce that he's agreed to be a part of our Twilight world. I've had the chance to talk to Chris, and I can tell you that he is excited by the story and eager to keep the movie as close to the book as possible. He is also very aware of you, the fans, and wants to keep you all extremely happy. (Torches and pitchforks are not going to be necessary.)

I'm excited to work with Chris and I think he brings a lot to the table, not the least of which for me is that he wrote the screenplay for and directed one of my favorite movies of all time, About a Boy. I'm really looking forward to seeing his vision for New Moon.

Below is a letter from Chris to you. I think you'll get a glimpse in this note of how cool it's going to be having Chris as part of our community.

LETTER FROM CHRIS:

Dear fans of Twilight, New Moon, Bella, Edward and Jacob,
In the past few days I have been involved in a whirlwind romance with Stephenie Meyers’ extraordinary books.

And I am very grateful to have received her permission to protect New Moon in its translation from the page to the screen.

For fans of the books and of the film of Twilight, this may come as an unexpected twist. So I want to write briefly to try to put you at ease, and to give you reason to hope for and expect the best.

For the last decade of my career as a director, I have chosen to make adaptations of complex and involved works of literature. This has always begun with the love of a book and its characters, story, and theme; and it has always involved a respect of and responsiveness to the feelings of other people who loved those books.

When I saw the film of Twilight, I was alternately entranced and left hungry for more. I was also struck by the extraordinary passion for the characters, story and theme that was evident in the people sitting in the seats around me. My job is to live up to that devotion.

Like many of you, I am a fan of Catherine Hardwicke’s work. I can’t really say much about why she is not doing New Moon because I wasn’t involved in those decisions. But I can say that I will devote myself to making the very best and most faithful version of New Moon that can be brought to the screen. To those who doubt that as a male director I can capture Bella’s experience, I can only say that emotion is universal and that my work has often involved working with some of the most talented actresses in the world.

For the rest, the proof will have to be in the pudding. But I promise to remain responsive to your hopes and fears.

I thank you for this opportunity and for your faith.

Very best,
Chris Weitz

Merry Christmas

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

My BIG news

So my big news isn't news anymore....I didn't get the job. You want to know WHY I didn't get the job??? Oh because apparently I am a criminal....yup...ME...a criminal!! I Lindsay Murdock have a criminal record for...PARKING TICKETS!!! Yup that's right! Parking tickets! Tickets I never even got!! Since when does that stuff go on a criminal record anyway?? Who doesn't get a job because of parking tickets?!?!? Ugh!!

I'm so mad about it!! I sent in a letter to dispute it so we'll see what happens. Hopefully they'll take them off my record. I seriously never got parking tickets and I never appeared in court for them either. Lame!!

Twilight

Ok so I promised a sort of review. If you haven't seen the movie stop reading now!!

I guess this isn't really a review...more of a what I liked and didn't like about the movie.

Basically....I am in love with Robert Pattinson! I was a huge skeptic when he was cast. He convinced me 100% that he is Edward Cullen. I thought he captured Edwards tortured desire for Bella look perfectly. My favorite was in the Biology room and he first gets a whiff of Bella...classic! Than the look of terror as he saves the day in Port Angeles. Bottom line...Robert...I'm single!!

Kristen Stewart as Bella. She was good, but I've never really been a big fan of hers. But I thought she did a fine job. Enough said.

The rest of the Cullens....Ashley Greene as Alice...Sheer perfectness!!! Jackson Rathbone as Jasper....PERFECT!! Kellen Lutz as Emmett so cute! Nikki Reed as Rosalie....loved her bitchiness! Elizabeth Reaser as Esme surprised me...I like her! and last but not least Peter Facinelli as Carlisle....I absolutly adore this man, the character and the actor. I thought he captured Carlisles compasion and sweetness perfectly.

As for the rest of the cast I really enjoyed everyone of them. But my surprise favorites were Justin Chon and Billy Burke. Justin was hilarious and Billy IS Charlie. He pulled off the awkardness of Charlie and Bellas relationship just how I imagined it.

Oh and Taylor Lautner as Jacob. I think he's cute as a button and I can't wait to see him in New Moon!!

Ok so I loved how closely the book actually stuck with the book. Yea things were changed but I liked the changes. I even liked that they put Victoria at the Prom. My favorite scene was the baseball scene. I didn't want it to end. Oh and the scene where Edward had to suck the venom out of Bella, the combination of the music and mixture of the scenes was beautiful.

What I didn't like about the movie was the F/X with the running. It just seemed too Smallville. I also thought that the beginning was really choppy and rushed. I also wished they would have gone into the Cullen's abilities a little more, they never mentioned Jaspers ability or the fact that Emmett is extra strong.

But I still loved the movie and will see it about 10 more times before it leaves the theatres!! I saw if Friday, Saturday, and I'm going again Monday!!

Now we have New Moon to look forward to!!!

New Moon is being made!!

Hey guys...so I saw Twilight yesterday and LOVED it...there were a few things that kind of bugged me, but not enough for me to hate it. I'm going to see it again with my dad and brother later tonight. So when I get home I'll post a review...sort of review. Anyway reason for my post, the production company that produced Twilight announced today that they will officially be making New Moon. I'm so excited!!! I love having things to look forward to and be excited about. So I'm happy Twilight has done so well that they're going on with the saga!!!

Here's the press release:

SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES TWILIGHT SEQUEL - NEW MOONLos Angeles, CA November 22, 2008 — Summit Entertainment announced today that the studio is officially moving forward with the production of NEW MOON, the second installment of its filmed franchise TWILIGHT, the action-packed, modern day vampire love story. The movie will be based on the second novel in author Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series titled, New Moon. The first movie in the TWILIGHT franchise, the self-titled TWILIGHT, arrived in theaters this weekend to sold-out showings.Stephenie Meyer stated, "I don't think any other author has had a more positive experience with the makers of her movie adaptation than I have had with Summit Entertainment. I'm thrilled to have the chance to work with them again on NEW MOON."Starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, TWILIGHT tells the story of 17-year-old Bella Swan who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington to live with her father, and becomes drawn to Edward Cullen, a pale, mysterious classmate who seems determined to push her away. But neither can deny the attraction that pulls them together...even when Edward confides that he and his family are vampires. Their unorthodox romance puts her in physical danger when Edward's nemesis comes to town and sets his sights on Bella.source: summit-ent. com

Just call me Bella

I am so accident prone!! So on Sunday at work I slammed my thumb in the kitchen door at work, today I cut myself cleaning the popcorn machine (it's late...did I spell that right?), and than I got hit in the face while I was drinking a soda and the glass made me get a fat lip. Kristina suggested I just start wearing bubble wrap and a helmet to work! I think I agree!!

I was tagged by Haley

Upload the 4th picture from your 4th album or file and tell about it. Then tag 4 people to do the same.

This was from August 2006. This is Camie, Fred, and Malinda at my goodbye BBQ before I left to work in Hawaii.

I tag: Lindsey, Angel, Kristina, and Mom

So not happy!!

Ok so Friday was supposed to be a full day for me. Twilight movie in the morning and than the Celine Dion concert at night. Oh but no...they rescheduled the Celine Dion concert till FEBRUARY. My Aunt Jodi is flying down here on Wednesday for the concert. I feel bad that she spent the money on a plane ticket and she's not going to be able to see what she came for. Ugh...so frustrating!!

Don and Norma

I've been scanning photos of my grandparents into our new computer, and I wanted to show you some of my favorites of them. I miss them both so much!!

Keep an eye out

So I have some great news coming. I just want to make sure it's 100% before I post. So keep an eye on my blog for some news!!!!

Halloween

All the kiddos were SO fun last night. Roxy, Zeke, Ellie, Kaity, Jackson, and Julia were all together for the first time trick or treating we had so much fun!!

Kaity was a devil, Roxy was a Vampire, Ellie was a horse/cowgirl, Zeke was a punk, Jackson was Optimus Prime, Julia was a princess. Ollie and Sam didn't go trick or treating with us but they were SO cute. Ollie was a Bumble Bee and Sam was a puppy.

Me...I was Cruella De Ville, and Oscar was a lobster.

This is the only picture I had of her that wasn't her back!!

New Twilight Clip

UPATED with new video link....THIS is the best video yet!!!! This clip makes me crazy with excitment for this movie!! Enjoy!! Let me know what you think!

Everything is Twilight!!

Ok I can't stand this!! The next 25 days needs to go by FAST!!! Seriously! Everywhere I look there's a new promo on TV. Here are a few I've seen.

5 months in

I was looking through pictures of our trip in May to Disneyland. Right after that trip I came home and started Weight Watchers. Since I've started I've lost almost 30 pounds.

I was looking at those old photos and I can not believe how huge I was!! Seriously, you were all being kind by not telling me how huge I was! I'm embarrassed and will NEVER be that way again! Anyway I wanted to put the comparison on here to show how miserable I was compared to now. I have 30 more to go!! So cheer me on!!

Me in May 2008 (on left) and September 2008 (on right)
Me in May 2008 (on left) and October 2008 (on right)

Got em!

We bought our tickets to see Twilight today!!! I can't wait!!! We got 8 tickets so all the girls in the fam can go!! Less than a month!!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Today is my Mama Jo's Birthday. I just want to take a second to say Thank you for everything Mom and I hope you had a great day!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I LOVE YOU!!!

Sunday night fun!

Tonight was so funny. My mom bought these wax lips and we could not stop laughing about them! Erin, Mom, and Me were laughing so hard we were crying!! Oh what a silly family I have!!

HELP!!!

I really need to find a 2nd job. Does anyone have any ideas as to what I can do from home??? My other job is so demanding and time consuming I have to do something from home. Anyway if you have any ideas let me know!!!

New Twilight Trailer

As most of you know, I am OBSESSED with Twilight. The final trailer for the movie was released a few days ago. I thought I'd just post it because it's my job to Cullenize you all!!!

Twilight HD Exclusive Trailer

Meeting Gavin DeGraw

A few weeks ago I got to go see one of my favorite singers in concert. Gavin DeGraw was amazing!! One of the best concerts I've been to since U2. After the concert Malinda and I went out back behind the venue to where his bus was parked. He came out and took pictures with us!! I was so excited I about peed my pants!! Anyway if you ever get a chance to go see him in concert DO!!! Besides being an awesome performer he's a really sweet guy!!

Forks Washington

In September I went to Forks Washington. I went to celebrate Stephenie Meyer Day because I'm pretty much obsessed with the Twilight books. I had SO much fun!!

Here are some pictures from my trip!

We stopped at Bella Italia in Port Angeles on the way to Forks. This is the restaurant that Bella and Edward go to after Bella almost gets attacked and Edward saves the day. It was YUMMY!!

While in Forks we stayed at the cutest place called The Dew Drop Inn. It was across the street from The Forks Outfitter (where Bella works in the book) and the Thriftyway (also in the book).

We hiked in the Hoh National Forest in a place called The Hall of Mosses. It was so pretty! I wish we had places like that here in Utah. I mean we have trees...but not Washington trees.

I also went and visited Forks High School.

Got up one morning at 4am and hiked down to Kalaloch Beach to some tide pools and explored. That was the best part of the trip!! I loved the mist on the beach, actually the mist was everywhere in Forks!

Later that day we drove down to La Push to the Quielluette indian reservation and enjoyed a Wolf Dance by the tribe. After that we went to First Beach in La Push and had a bon fire on the beach and just enjoyed the cold night!

Met some missionaries from California and Colorado in La Push. Totally random but cool!

Met Jacob Black...Ok not really but he totally could have been Jacob if he was real!!

I had a great time in Forks and met some great new friends!! Thanks Haley and Brandie for basically adopting me for the week!! ;D

Anyway this was the best trip I've ever had. Though there were some blips I still had a blast and I'm hoping to go back for my Birthday!!!



If you want to see ALL my pictures you can at this link: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v661/Lu2283/Forks%20Washington/

So confused

I cannot figure this thing out. I know how to post a blog...obviously. BUT I can't seem to figure out how to add people as friends. If anyone can help me that would be great!

Update: Thanks to my lovely sister in law Lindsey....I figured it out!! Thanks Linds!

Thought I'd join the club!!

Hi everyone! So since pretty much everyone else in my family has a blog, I thought I'd start one to. Though my life isn't really that interesting to blog about I do have some funny moments. So check back often for updates..complaints on boys and work, vacations, anything! You'll find it here...oh and probably some Twilight stuff!! Cheers!