Sarah's Key

This book takes place in two time periods. One in Paris during WWII, one in Paris 60 years later. This book opened my eyes to an event I never remember learning about let alone hearing about.

Early in the morning of July 16, 1942, the French Police, acting under orders from the German Gestapo, wrenched over thirteen thousand Jewish men, women, and children from their beds. Most of the adults were sent directly to the camp at Drancy, while parents with children went to the Vel' d'Hiv'. (An indoor used for 6 day bicycle races, concerts, boxing matches). Conditions inside were horrendous, it was hot, there were no toilet facilities, and there was little food and no place to sleep. For six days, horrified prisoners endured physical illness, exhaustion, and general indignity while the French Police stood by and watched. After 6 days, they were shipped off to near by camps, such as Drancy, men being separated from women and children. After a while the women were torn from their children, and the adults were sent to Auschwitz, with the children following shortly after.

This book was very sad and very tragic. It reminded me of what happened to Hurricane Katrina survivors went through. They lost their homes, they were rounded up and housed in the big Super Dome with little supplies while looting and other horrible things happened.

I really enjoyed the book, I think it would make an interesting movie.

Inception Wardrobe

I know this is a stupid and frivolous subject to be writing about, but I'm going to do it anyway. Inception, not only is it an amazing, brilliant, and completely unique subject matter, but the movie is so just perfectly put together. The wardrobe in particular is so well done. Everyone is so well dressed, there aren't even words. The three piece suits, the beautiful ties, it all just works. Here is a sampling . . but they don't do it justice.

To Kill A Mockingbird

Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.

So I haven't read this book since 9th grade. I forgot how much I love this book. The characters are so well written. Scout is precocious and hilarious, Atticus Finch is such a good example. He is a hard working father who believes in doing the right thing. I love the dynamic between Jem and Scout. Even though he is growing up he still looks out for his little sister. This books is truly so well developed. the setting of a sleepy southern town ends up erupting with emotion and mystery. This books makes you wonder how well you can really know a person, and how important first impressions are.

I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.

As the book states, To Kill a Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior-to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, humor and pathos.

 You never really understand a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them.

These are some quotes from Scout that I thought were pretty funny.

"I was proceeding on the dim theory, aside from the innate attractiveness of such words, that if Atticus discovered I had picked them up at school he wouldn't make me go."

"[uncle Jack] and Aunty looked alike, but Uncle Jack made better use of his face: we were never wary of his sharp nose and chin."

"Long ago, in a burst of friendliness, Aunty and Uncle Jimmy produced a son named Henry."

"Anyway, I highly recommend this book for anybody who hasn't read it."

July-the Saga and the Happenings

Since the beggining of July my grandpa has been so sick. So only a week or

two after they week home, my sisters came back to Utah. Although it was a

sad occassion it was so fun and I love spending time with my munchkins.

. Lynn Crook 1918 ~ 2010 Darwin Lynn Crook, 92, passed away quietly

at his Orem home on July 22, 2010 after a short illness.

Lynn was born in Payson, UT on Feb 15, 1918. Lynn served as the Mayor of

Santaquin for 16 years and as a Nebo School Board member.

He also served as an LDS Bishop, and as a counselor in a Stake Presidency.

He was married to Josephine Cannon from Feb 15, 1940 until her death on March 7, 1996.

The funeral was really sweet and heartfelt. There were a few laughs but also many tears. I love

hearing storiesabout grandpa. I"ve been thinking a lot that as sad

as this past couple of weeks have been, its great that grandma and grandpa can be together again

after all of these years.

Poor little Bianca broke her ankle. She got an adorable purple cast. She could run around and climb on things better than anyone I've ever seen with that cast on.

We went to Sacrament meeting and got to hear President Monson Speak.

I haven't seen Jordan since the end of April and he drove home for the weekend.

We taught Tristan TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME and Yankee Doodle Dandy. I love hearing little man sing. Its probably the cutest thing I've ever seen. Especially when he and jack are doing One. . . two. . . three strikes you're out (hand gestures and everything).

We went to This is the Place Park. We all enjoyed icecream, train rides, chasing kids, getting heat stroke. The kids were great though. We did discover that Scarlett is afraid of cows. Go figure.

I'm sad everyone is gone, but despite the funeral and everything it was a lot of fun.