Guess who else is coming to Japan?

Unless you are a mom if a 8 year old or above you probably have not heard the news. So in case you have missed the next best thing since the creation of High School Musical (which is still Sam's obsession btw) icarly is heading to Japan.

Can I even begin to tell you how excited my kids are about Nick's movie icarly ,igo to Japan? For those who have no clue what I am talking about, icarly is about Carly Shay, who creates an Internet show, called iCarly, with her best friends, Sam and Freddie. Surprisingly the characters do not annoy me and I actually find the show cute to watch.

So back to Carly and her friends coming by for a "visit". On November 8 the crew will be heading over to Japan for a visit during the first ever icarly movie. Leading up to the big movie will be "Japanese Fun Facts" both online and on television. (I encourage you to check out the list on this link.) We have heard clips of them saying some of the words that the kids and I are learning in our language class, and even looks like they are wearing UGG Boots like everyone else there does.

So if you have some time and want a sneek peak into some of the life my kids will be living for the next 3 years, make sure you catch the movie premiere on November 8. And if you don't want to admit that you are intrigued in watching this, that is fine. Just make it a family activity for the evening. My kids are always great excuses why I have to be a kid for a few hours.

The Ultimate Gift

My friend Michelle blogged here about an upcoming movie called The Ultimate Gift. I have never heard of this movie or of the book but after hearing about it I want to read and see both! The book took the nation by storm when it came out (how I missed it I will never know) and now the movie will do the same. I anticipate big things for this movie.

The Movie
When his wealthy grandfather dies, trust fund baby Jason Stevens anticipates a big inheritance. Instead, his grandfather has devised a crash course on life with twelve tasks – or “gifts” – designed to challenge Jason in improbable ways, sending him on a journey of self-discovery and forcing him to determine what is most important in life: money or happiness.

The Movement
A few years back, a little book started something very big. A message that has already prompted people to give to others, connect with friends and family, and help those in need like never before. Every one of us has powerful gifts to share, now we all have the added inspiration, resources and opportunities of a full-fledged movement. Each day, the momentum grows and the impact widens, as The Ultimate Gift continues to inspire thousands, if not millions, of others to share the gift and change the world.

Teen Initiative
Once Upon a Family, a pioneer in products that help families connect through activities, traditions and values, announced today the development and launch of "Show of Hands" – an innovative initiative designed to provide teens with a platform to discover and act on their charitable passions.

Show Of Hands is the nation's first true, hands-on initiative developed solely for the purpose of showing teens the power and rewards of giving to others. The organization's goal is to harness the compassion, energy and commitment that teens have inside in order to demonstrate how their combined interests and networking can create significant cultural change. A key component to the program is the ability for teens to choose the causes they want to support.

Show of Hands (www.raiseahand.org) features partner non-profit organizations – hundreds of groups that focus on a wide-range of issues like the environment, faith, education, health, animal welfare, inner cities, hunger and more.

Weekend of Giving
The days of March 9th, 10th and 11th will be filled with opening weekend screenings of The Ultimate Gift, and each and every one of them is an opportunity to raise donations for non-profit organizations – including the causes closest to your heart. Throughout the “Weekend Of Giving”, $1.00 of every ticket purchased for The Ultimate Gift will be donated to the charitable group of your choice, thanks to a special partnership with the Fox Film Fund.

Wow. Wow. Wow. I'm excited.

It's not just cold

It's DAMN cold here. It is amazing how in being gone only 6 months from Illinois how I have forgotten just how cold it gets here in the winter. Our little 30 and 40 degree cold spells in NC are nothing like the 4 degree, -15 degree wind chill (yes, that was NEGATIVE!!) I came into yesterday.

But I made it here safe and sound. And I am loving it. I have really missed Jamie and Val and everyone else here, but I didn't realize just how much until I came back.

Yesterday we just had a total "girls day". We went to Barnes & Nobles (surprise surprise) where I only bought **gasp** ONE book. (I must have been jet lagged). Then we went and saw Catch and Release and it was really good. Another great chick flick. And for those who may wonder, Barry Watson is NOT in this movie. Then we went to dinner where it was so good to drink margaritas and just laugh. Afterwards we went shopping and just people watched. The we came back to Decatur, where not only did I get a joyous welcome back from Ashley and Hannah, but even a big hug from Mark. After leaving for the airport at 4:30 am and such a long, but wonderful day, I actually fell asleep at 11:30 with no trouble.

Val asked me yesterday how it felt to be back. And I said it was great, but weird. It is so strange being back here knowing that I can't goto my house. That I won't be jumping back into my daily life and routine that I had for 4 years. I am no longer a guest, but a visitor.

But I am back, and for the next 4 days, I am going to soak it for all it's worth.

Step Up

I have discovered my new favorite teeny bopper movie –– Step Up. It reminds me of a modern day Grease/Dirty Dancing. Well without the singing, the cool Pink Lady Jackets, Baby sitting in the corner and a much better soundtrack.

Bad boy Tyler (played by the hunky Tatum Channing) has just one chance to make something of himself and to realize that dreams can happen. Good girl Nora is a "rich" dancer at an arts school who needs one thing to make her dreams come true – a dance partner for the senior showcase. When Tyler lands himself doing community service at the school, Nora sees the talent in Tyler and sparks fly on and off the stage as they dance their way to a better future and to each other.

Without the sex, drugs and language typically found in movies today, this awesome movie will have you dancing and cheering along right up to the end.

Trip Down Memory Lane

Today was the type of day that everyone likes. We never got dressed and watched movies all day. One of the five movies we watched today was With Honors, the 1994 film starring Brenden Fraser, Patrick Dempsey, Joe Pesci and Moira Kelly. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend renting or even buying it. But I don't just like the movie for its plot, good acting or even famous Madonna song. I like it because of the memories this movie holds.

Matt and I started dating in March 1994. During that time we were freshmen at Ohio State, living in the dorm and carless. Our "dates" consisted of him riding his bike over to study and eat dinner in my dorm, walking to English class (we were in class together) and bar hopping. One day on the way home from English class Matt said that he was going to take me on a real date. I remember it was a Friday night and he came to pick me up in his roommate's brown Celebrity, surprised me with a single rose laying on the passenger seat, and took me to see the movie With Honors.

So while some may remember this movie for its Golden Globe and Grammy nominations or its highly talented cast, I will always remember it for the memory of that single rose laying on the seat and the first real date we ever went on.

Get ready... High School Musical 2

One of the best things about Emily being older is she is my excuse to **have** to watch movies like High School Musical and shows like Hannah Montana and Drake & Josh.

I admit I LOVE the movie High School Musical. It reminds me of a 21st Century Grease, without the cool Pink Ladies and T-Birds jackets. How can you help but not fall in love with Troy and Gabriella like you did Sandy and Danny? How can you not find yourself singing the songs as you work around the house?

So all you High School Musical fans, get ready. Coming Summer 2007 (yes that is THIS summer) –– High School Musical 2!!! I can hardly wait.

Until then, why don't cha get'cha head in the game and sing along with me.

We Are Marshall

Whether you are a football fan or not, everyone needs to see the movie "We Are Marshall". Matt and I went last night and it was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. (And no ladies it isn't because Matthew McConaughey or Matthew Fox stars in it) It is a movie about life and how in a blink of an eye it can change. How to cope in the time of sorrow and grief and how to learn to live again. It is how one town and one school, rebuilds itself after a tragedy.

As someone in line for the restroom said afterwards "I don't think I have cried as much since I saw Titanic".

Go see it. Rent it. Netflix it. Buy it. I promise, you won't regret it.