Happy Birthday Audrey!

She was a little butterball. Weighing in at 9 lbs. 9 oz., Audrey joined our family on June 3.

Audrey, 2 months

Audrey came almost two weeks past her due date. I don't think she's been late for anything since. I'd been to the hospital a couple of times with false labor and was very anxious to have her born. June 2 we went to the movies and saw The Four Seasons starring Carol Burnett and Alan Alda. In the middle of the movie I began having labor pains (again), but this time they felt different. I leaned over to Ray and said, "I think this might be it." We both agreed there was no rush, but were a little distracted during the movie while we timed contractions.

We went home after the movie and my water broke. Time to go to the hospital, for real this time. We arrived a little after 10:00 p.m. as I recall. They stuck me in a labor room, gave me an epidural, and Ray and I watched Johnny Carson. Finally it was time to push. Ray asked the nurse, "how long do people usually have to push?" She gave some answer, and Ray determined that at the most I would have to push 100 times (don't ask). The next contraction I began to push. Ray said, "only 99 more!" Imagine the look I gave him then. Suffice it to say there was no more counting. There was no need. Two more pushes and out she came at 4:14 a.m.

There she was, our first child, our first daughter, and the delight of our lives. We could never have imagined before then what she would bring to us. She still continues to delight us and bring us joy each and every day.

We love you Audrey!

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

My friend Carrie recommended this book, and I'm glad I took the recommendation. I really enjoyed it. Fun, quirky characters, good plot development, and good resolution. These are some things I've missed in some of my recent reads.

It seems I'm on another mystery binge, but in reality it's mostly because that's what has come in at the library, and with that comes a definite due date.

I request a lot of books from the library, and on some I'll be 50th or 200th on the list, sometimes I'll be right at the top of the list. Somehow they all seem to come in at the same time and I'm scrambling to get them read in time. So I even prioritize my library stack either by due date or whether or not it can be renewed. Right now I have some books in my stack that I didn't get to the first time they came in. I don't want to have to request them again, so I'm having to read a little more than usual (like that's some punishment - Ha!)

Holly Blues by Susan Wittig Albert

This is the newest book in the China Bayles mystery series. It was just as solid as the former books. I like Albert's writing. I feel like her books are a little "higher class" mysteries, not just your run of the mill, milk a series for all it is worth type of mystery.

I love consistency in an author. That doesn't mean they can't try something new--I just like to know that I'll enjoy whatever they put out. In fact, variety is the spice of life. Freshness in an author is what keeps me reading him/her.

State Fair by Earlene Fowler

I must say this book was a disappointment. I have really enjoyed reading this entire series (Benni Harper). I don't know what happened, but this one was blah, topped by too many pages on a soapbox.

The final third of the book was more up to par, but it was too little too late.

The last book of hers I read, Love Mercy, didn't really measure up either. I thought it was just because it was a different story. Who knows?

Needless to say, I will not purchase another of her books. There will only be a library trial from now on. If the next one doesn't work, I'm done.

Joy

Elizabeth, eating Austin's birthday cupcake:

Photos for this post and Austin's birthday courtesy of Audrey.

Happy Birthday Austin

In celebration of this day:

May 27, 2005

Ray and I and Trish drove west to Wendover to visit Austin on his fifth birthday. We all went to lunch at a local small but terrific Mexican restaurant. I've never had better chips in the state of Utah (and we were barely still inside the state here). We had so much fun! Joseph came over during his lunch hour so we were all together.

Matthew and Diane

Trish, Ray, Diane, Matthew

Audrey even brought a birthday cupcake. We all sang Happy Birthday,

Austin

Then Austin blew out his candles. (Five!!)

Just as he began to enjoy his cupcake, Elizabeth decided it should be hers. She left no doubt in anyone's mind about how she felt. Another post on that to come.

Here's the big five (when did that happen?) year old modeling a few of his gifts (shorts, shirt, belt).

I love this boy. He makes being a g'ma great!

Why not?

1. Why can't we choose the landscaping "settings" we have in life? Then we can click on the plants we want to have grow, and click off the weeds we don't want to have.

2. Why won't garden pests (i.e. deer and snails) eat the stuff I don't want instead of the stuff I do want? (I know you've heard this before).

3. Why do my neighbors' dandelions take to heart "be fruitful and multiply" in my yard and garden?

4. Why is there a jungle of weeds growing in my otherwise desert yard?

Yes, it's that time of year again. I must take machete in hand and get to work. It puts a damper on my spring (in more ways than one) and summer.

But it does feel good to be outside. Especially before it gets hot.

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

Delightful book. Jeannette Walls has a wonderful talent of taking on the voice of her characters.

The story is based on the real life of Jeannette's maternal grandmother. I would have loved to have known her grandmother!