In this amazing video Keith Loutit captures video of a monster truck rally and using creative filming techniques makes it look exactly like animated hot wheels.

Amazing.

Metal Heart from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

The Da Vinci Code was a good book, but frankly it was just an OK movie. I know you’re always be disappointed in a movie after reading a book, but the film version of Da Vinci Code seemed to drag and while it should have excelled with Tom Hanks playing Robert Langdon, the movie just didn’t seem to have that sparkle.

After reading The Da Vinci Code I decided to read some of Dan Brown’s other novels. I was blown away. Angels & Demons is by far a more compelling book with a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat nearly the entire time. Angels & Demons, with its focus on the Illuminati and the Vatican, pulls from all the strengths of The Da Vinci Code without many of its weaknesses.

Now Ron Howard is working on producing this spectacular book into a movie. He has promised to give this new story a more fast paced feeling, and to give Tom Hanks a different hair cut. If Howard can pull it off and do this story justice this movie should be spectacular.

When I worked at Mason’s Bakery back in high school once or twice a week they would make Irish Soda Bread.  I just remember this delectable treat with a yummy sugar coating.  So I searched for a recipe that sounded some what like I remember.  Simple Recipies had a great rendition.  I changed it up a little by doubling the sugar and brushing the top with butter milk and sprinkling sugar.  It came out amazing.  Next time I will divied the dough in 2 and give one loaf away as the one big one got dry fast and was really best on the first day.  Give it a try, I think you’ll like it.  ( My favorite part of this picture are Evan’s little hands trying to grab the bread, it was hard for him to wait to try it)

Dean is just really getting his personality.  He’s a happy baby except for when we are in the car.  And I can’t just keep driving until he puts himself to sleep.  I have to pull over, calm him down and then put him back in his seat and hopes he stays happy.  It’s alright though, his letting me sleep 5-6 hours at a time at night.  I love it!  These few snap shots were taken Sunday morning while Daddy and Evan were still sleeping.

There are many who are angry at the LDS church for its backing and disproportionate support for Prop 8 in California. I cannot say that I blame them, but I think they simply do not understand the reality of why the LDS church played such an important role in the campaign.

The thing that most No on 8 supporters do not understand is that it is not some special dislike of gays or gay marriage that led the LDS church to become by far the largest supporter of prop 8. The LDS church supported this issue for the same reasons that all of the other churches and groups in that coalition supported it. The difference between levels of support isn’t that Mormons feel this more deeply; it is that the LDS church has a unique capability to organize its members and to spur them to extraordinary action.

The special ability of the church to mobilize its members to get things done has been lauded many, many times. Whether it is in disaster relief or in missionary service, church members act when they are called on to do so by their leaders. The difference in this case of course is that the mobilization efforts were not targeted in bringing relief to the fire ravaged Californians, or food to hurricane victims, it was to support banning gay marriage.

The backlash against the LDS church is fundamentally misguided. The churches disproportionate support in the No on 8 campaign does not show that Mormons hold a special animosity against gays, any more than any other member of the coalition. It only shows that the church has an ability to spur its members to action when asked.

I love my boys, but it’s not always easy being a Mommy. I’ve finally put away the last of the throw-up laundry from last week, and I think I changed 12 diapers today- 5 were more than one wipers. But then there are the sweet moments like Dean’s smiles and Evan’s increased vocabulary. It’s not just “milk” it’s “more milk please”.