Bracken and I took turns going to the temple today.  I thought a lot about the challenges and trials I have faced and what some of my friends are facing right now. Life can be rough. I'm grateful for the perspective that we have heavenly parents and the strength that provides.

I took the kids to the library while Bracken was at the temple. Hayes is getting a bit old for story time but he still is a good sport. I love reading and it's exciting to me to watch my kids love of reading/books grow. Their (and mine too) favorite book they checked out last time was "Chalk" by Bill Thomson. There are no words but the illustrations are amazing and tell a fun story.  The kids love how the dinosaur is defeated at the end.

Bracken donates blood whenever United Blood asks him too, they have given him free vouchers for ice cream and shows and now movie tickets! (Shh, don't tell that he'd do it for nothing, this has made our date night planning easier & cheaper!) We went to the latest Batman tonight.  After watching the HALF HOUR of movie previews I was already feeling a bit violenced out and the movie was super violent as well.  Here I am supporting more violent films by watching it.. Sometimes my economist head gets in the way of just enjoying something when I think about how consuming this product is a "vote" for more of it. ( in this case, violence) It was fun being with Bracken though! Kamri kept asking all day when the babysitter would get here.  I should be offended, she was way too excited to get us out of the house!

As we were going to bed, I asked Bracken why it seems most people that are for gun control aren't for harder ratings against violent video games/ movies. I know because it is free speech and the argument that watching violence doesn't make you violent but I wanted to hear his perspective. He asked me why I randomly brought that up. I replied "Oh, I was just thinking about Batman". You can imagine that in a dreamy voice and Bracken said that should be my favorite line of the day. In my defense, I was referring to the movie, not the man!

Thanks to all of you that left me your emails. I'll send you invites to my blog when I make it private tomorrow night.