My Favorite Moments - Book 4

The 4th book was really difficult to narrow down to just a few moments. Can I say the whole book is my favorite moment? 

No?

Ok then, here are four of my faves.

When Ron quips about Uranus. 

"'Oh Professor, look! I think I've got an unasapected planet! Oooh, which one's that, Professor?'
'It is Uranus, my dear,' said Professor Trelawney, peering at the chart.
'Can I have a look at Uranus too, Lavendar?' said Ron.
-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 13, page 201

Hahahahaha!!


When the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang arrive at Hogwarts.

"And then Dumbledore called out from the back row where he stood with the other teachers --'Aha! Unless I am very much mistaken, the delegations from Beauxbatons approaches!'...

Something large, much larger than a broomstick -- or, indeed, a hundred broomsticks -- was hurtling across the deep blue sky toward the castle, growing larger all the time...

As the gigantic black shape skimmed over the treetops of the Forbidden Forrest and the lights shining from the castle windows hit it, they saw a gigantic, powder-blue, horse-drawn carriage, the size of a large house, soaring toward them, pulled through the air by a dozen winged horses, all palominos, and each the size of an elephant."

"'The lake!' yelled Lee Jordan, pointing down at it. 'Look at the lake!'

From their position at the top of the lawns overlooking the grounds, they had a clear view of the smooth black surface of the water -- except that the surface was suddenly not smooth at all. Some disturbance was taking place deep in the center; great bubbles were forming on the surface, waves were now washing over the muddy banks -- and then, out of the very middle of the lake, a whirlpool appeared, as if a giant plug had just been pulled out of the lake's floor...
Slowly, magnificently, the ship rose out of the water, gleaming in the moonlight. It had a strangely skeletal look about it, as though it were a resurrected wreck, and the dim, misty lights shimmering at its portholes looked like ghostly eyes. Finally, with a great sloshing noise, the ship emerged entirely, bobbing on the turbulent water, and began to glide toward the bank."
-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 15, pages 242, 246

This part is so exciting to me! It shows that there is a whole world of magic out there beyond the UK. What are wizarding schools like in Asia? Or America? Is there an equivalent of Gringotts in South America, and is it run by goblins too? My imagination runs wild!

Snape's assignment.

"'Severus,' said Dumbledore, turning to Snape, 'you know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready...if you are prepared...'
'I am,' said Snape. 
He looked slightly paler than usual, and his cold, black eyes glittered strangely.
'Then good luck,' said Dumbledore, and he watched, with a trace of apprehension on his face, as Snape swept wordlessly after Sirius."
-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 36, page 713

Voldemort has just come back earlier that evening, and following Fudge's absolute refusal to accept the facts, Dumbledore has started giving orders left and right. This is his last assignment, and it's so mysterious! What does Snape have to do? Why does he seem so afraid? What does this all mean for the future? 
When I first read this 13 years ago (wow! 13 years?!?), Carrie and I had many a discussion about this moment, and what we thought it meant.

When Molly hugs Harry.

"'It wasn't your fault, Harry,' Mrs. Weasley whispered.
'I told him to take the cup with me,' said Harry.
Now the burning feeling was in his throat too. He wished Ron would look away.
Mrs. Weasley set the potion down on the bedside cabinet, bent down, and put her arms around Harry. He had no memory of ever being hugged like this, as though by a mother. The full weight of everything he had seen that night seemed to fall in upon him as Mrs. Weasley held him to her."
-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 36, page 714

Throughout the series, I think it's easy to forget that Harry is just a boy. He is only 14 at this point in the story, and is afraid and confused and traumatized. And Molly Weasley, bless her soul, is one of the only ones remembering that he's just a kid. Just a kid with no family to turn to. 

I love Molly for loving Harry like a son. I like to imagine that somewhere, Lily Potter is grateful that Harry has a mother to hug him when he needs it most.

Book 5 coming soon!

My Favorite Moments - Book 3

Here comes the third installment of my favorite moments in each of the Harry Potter books!

When the Marauder's Map insults Snape. 

"As though an invisible hand were writing upon it, words appeared on the smooth surface of the map.
'Mr. Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business.' 
Snape froze. Harry stared, dumbstruck, at the message. But the map didn't stop there. More writing was appearing beneath the first.
'Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony, and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git.'
It would have been very funny if the situation hadn't been so serious. And there was more...
'Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a professor.'
Harry closed his eyes in horror. When he'd opened them, the map had had its last word.
'Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wash his hair, the slimeball.'"
-Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 14, page 287

Glorious, wonderful marauders. The first time I read this part, I laughed so hard I cried. Snape is an ugly git, and I loved that someone finally told him so! I know, I know, Snape plays a great role in the story, and is instrumental to Harry's success, but he's still a slimeball.
Plus, we really get to see a bit of the personality of the marauders.



When the Marauders are revealed.

"'I doubt whether any Hogwarts students ever found out more about the Hogwarts grounds and Hogsmeade than we did... And that's how we came to write the Marauder's Map, and sign it with our nicknames. Sirius is Padfoot. Peter is Wormtail. James was Prongs.'" 
-Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 18, page 355

I love the moment where Harry first realizes that he's been carrying around his father's map all year. He has so little knowledge of his parent's personalities, and this map helps him to understand who his father was a bit more.

Book 3: When Sirius asks Harry to live with him.

"'You're free,' said Harry.
'Yes...,' said Black. 'But I'm also --I don't know if anyone ever told you -- I'm your godfather.'
'Yeah, I knew that,' said Harry.
'Well...your parents appointed me your guardian,' said Black stiffly. 'If anything happened to them...'
Harry waited. Did Black mean what he thought he meant?
'I'll understand, of course, if you wanted to stay with your aunt and uncle, ' said Black. 'But...well...think about it. Once my name's cleared...if you wanted a...a different home...'
Some sort of explosion took place in the pit of Harry's stomach.
'What -- live with you?' he said...'Leave the Dursleys?'
'Of course, I thought you wouldn't want to,' said Black quickly. 'I understand, I just thought I'd --'
'Are you insane?' said Harry, his voice easily as croaky as Black's. 'Of course I want to leave the Dursleys! Have you got a house? When can I move in?'
Black turned right around to look at him... 'You want to?' he said. 'You mean it?'
'Yeah, I mean it!' said Harry.
Black's gaunt face broke into the first true smile Harry had seen upon it."
-Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 20, page 379

This is the first glimmer of hope for Harry. He gets to leave the Dursleys, and live with someone who not only knew his parents, but loved them! And most importantly, someone who loves him. This is the first time in his life that Harry is looking forward to having a home, and the first time he has felt love from a family member that he can remember.

Stay tuned for Book 4!

My Favorite Moments -Book 2

Ready for book 2?


When the trio brews Polyjuice Potion. 

"Immediately, his insides started writhing as though he'd swallowed live snakes -- doubled up, he wondered whether he was going to be sick -- then a burning sensation spread rapidly from his stomach to the very ends of his fingers and toes -- next, bringing him gasping to all fours, came a horrible melting feeling, as the skin all over his body bubbled like hot wax -- and before his eyes, his hands began to grow, the fingers thickened, the nails broadened, the knuckles were bulging like bolts -- his shoulders stretched painfully and a prickling on his forehead told him that hair was creeping down toward his eyebrows -- his robes ripped as his chest expanded like a barrel bursting its hoops -- his feet were agony in shoes four sizes too small--"

-Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 12, page 216-217

 This shows that Hermione really is the brightest witch of her age. She is not only attempting to brew Polyjuice potion, but she brews it perfectly, as a second year! You go, girl!

When it is revealed that Harry is a Parslemouth.

"'A Parselmouth!' said Ron. 'You can talk to snakes!'...

'So?' said Harry. 'I bet loads of people here can do it.' 

'Oh, no they can't," said Ron. 'It's not a very common gift. Harry, this is bad.'

'What's bad?' said Harry, starting to feel quite angry. 'What's wrong with everyone?...What does it matter...?'

'It matters,' said Hermione, speaking at last in a hushed voice, 'because being able to talk to snakes was what Salazar Slytherin was famous for. That's why the symbol of Slytherin house is a serpent.'"

-Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 11, page 195-196

This moment is where the reader starts to wonder a bit about Harry. What does it all mean? Why is he able to talk to snakes? Why does he share so many qualities with Voldemort?
There is so much foreshadowing here about what is to come, and for the first time ever, Harry is really afraid that he may be just what everyone thinks he is.


When Lockhart Obliviates himself.

"'His memory's gone,' said Ron. 'The Memory Charm backfired. Hit him instead of us. Hasn't got a clue who he is, or where he is, or who we are. I told him to come and wait here. He's a danger to himself.'

Lockhart peered good-naturedly up at them all.

'Hello,' he said. 'Odd sort of place, this, isn't it? Do you live here?'

No,' said Ron, raising his eyebrows at Harry."

-Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 17, page 324

Hysterical. I laughed so hard when I first read this book. Lockhart was a conman, and obnoxious, and I loved that he got a taste of his own medicine.
Plus, it added some much needed humor in a very serious part of the story.


What are your favorite moments?

My Favorite Moments -Book 1

Several months ago, a friend requested that I write about my favorite non-climactic moments in each of the Harry Potter books. I've literally been stewing over this for weeks. It's been incredibly difficult to choose, but I think I've narrowed it down to just a few moments per book! 

You ready?

Here we go!

When Harry goes to Diagon Alley for the first time.

"Harry wished he had eight more eyes... There were shops selling robes, shops selling telescopes and strange silver instruments Harry had never seen before, windows stacked with barrels of bat spleens and eels' eyes, tottering piles of spell books, quills, and rolls of parchment, potion bottles, globes of the moon...."

—Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 5, page 71-72

I love this moment. It's the first time Harry really sees the wonder of this new world. He is amazed that it is all real, and even more amazed that he gets to virtually start his life over. He is no longer the abused little kid hiding underneath the stairs at Number 4, Privet Drive. He is for the first time in his mind, the boy who lived.



When Ron sacrifices himself in the chess game.

"'Yes...' said Ron softly, 'it's the only way...I've got to be taken.'
'NO!' Harry and Hermione shouted.
'That's chess!' snapped Ron. 'You've got to make some sacrifices! I take one step forward and she'll take me - that leaves you free to checkmate the king, Harry!'...
'But-'
'Look, if you don't hurry up, he'll already have the Stone!' There was no alternative. 
'Ready?' Ron called, his face pale but determined...He stepped forward, and the white queen pounced. She struck Ron hard across the head with her stone arm, and he crashed to the floor...The white queen dragged Ron to one side."
-Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 16, page 283

I love Ron. He is so important to the story of Harry. 
Throughout the books, Ron frequently sacrifices his wants, feelings, and even sometimes his life for the cause. Think about it. Who went with Harry into the Forbidden Forrest to talk to giant spiders, even though they were his biggest fear? Whose only desire is life is to be recognized and loved for himself, and yet allows himself to almost constantly be in the shadow of his famous best friend, usually without complaint? Who drops out of school and leaves his home and family to help Harry search for horcruxes? Who remained friends with Harry year after year, knowing that it put not only him, but his entire family in grave danger? 
Ron. 
No, he wasn't perfect, but he was willing to give his life for Harry, and this moment in the first book illustrates that perfectly.


So there's Book 1! Stay tuned for more!

I love being a hairstylist.

About 6  years ago, I decided to go to hair school. 

Brandon and I were engaged at the time, and I had gone to three years of college without picking a major...and without passing many classes. I felt stuck. I came to the realization that traditional college was just not for me. I knew that I wanted to get some sort of education, and that I wanted to be able to work while being a mom in the future. One day, Brandon mentioned that he thought I'd make a good hairstylist. And so I decided.

At first, I went to hair school because it was a fun career. I would get to choose my own hours, be in the know when it comes to fashion trends, and never have to pay for a haircut again! It wasn't until I started really working with clients, that I learned that there's so much more.

I get to help people feel good about themselves on a daily basis. There is a visible change in people when they leave a salon with a fabulous new do. They feel lighter, happier, like they can conquer the world, and it's so exciting to be a part of that change!

One of my favorite moments of my career was when I received a message from the husband of one of my clients. I had cut her hair a few days before, and was surprised when I heard from him. He told me that I had no idea how much I helped his wife, that she was on cloud nine for days after her haircuts from me. He thanked me for helping his busy wife feel as beautiful on the outside as she was on the inside. It brought tears to my eyes. 

This is why I love being a hairstylist. I get to help people feel happy. I get to help people love themselves, inside and out.

What more could you want?

things I'm lovin' today

1. Margot let me put real clothes on her today. 

This kid is a perpetual summertime dresser, so the fact that she's wearing not only leggings, but a jacket too?!? Miraculous!

2. This video:

I love Pentatonix, and this song is wicked cool.

3. We're having Marco's pizza tonight. Yum!

4. My good friend Dr. Pepper.

We're buddies.

5. I get to go hang out at my parents' house tomorrow, while my awesome dad fixes my car. The girls are so excited to spend the day at the lake!

Spooky!

Happy Halloween (a few days ago)!!

I love Halloween. I like creepy, morbid decorations, I like dressing up, and guys, I really like candy. 

This year was really fun. Brandon and I got invited to dj our church's youth Halloween dance. So of course, we pulled out some awesome costumes. Brandon was Seneca Crane, from Hunger Games. I drew the beard myself! 

And I was electronic superstar, Skrillex.

The dance was  blast, and we had so much fun doing it!

A few days later was the annual trunk-or-treat/pig roast at church. Portia and Margot were so excited to dress up, as you can see.

Really excited. 

And so was I!

I made my shirt using this tutorial.

There was a costume parade, lots of food, and plenty of candy. 

 These two were in heaven.

 The next night was Halloween! We trick-or-treated until the girls were too tired and too cold to handle it anymore, and have been enjoying the loot ever since!

Hope you had as much fun as we did!