Non-Gooey

Here is a "non-gooey" picture of Ruby (as Erin's girls would say!) They liked the one right after her birth, but they asked me to take one that's not gooey! I just love those little cross-eyed newborn pictures. And by the way, she looks EXACTLY like Erin did when she was born. I dug out one of Erin's baby pictures, and they could be identical twins!
What do you think?

Ruby Mae

Ruby Mae Trimble was born this afternoon about 2:15 pm. She weighed 8 lbs. 1 oz. and is 22 inches long. She has lots of dark hair. Her sisters couldn't be happier or more excited. Her name is Ruby Mae Trimble.

Wondering...

I was doing so well, and I guess I fell off the blogger wagon!
The schoolgirls' sleepover was a huge success. We woke up Saturday morning and the girls quickly got dress and went with Grandpa to pick up our Bountiful Basket. They thought that was fun. When they got back home they each chose a couple of their favorite fruits to take home to enjoy. Then we all got ready and went to breakfast. We went to IHOP. That sure was fun! The girls ordered exactly what they wanted and they were all amazed that our waiter, Luis, was able to remember everyone's order, down to the slightest detail, without writing anything down! And he got everyone's orders perfect. Wendy's could take a lesson from IHOP! On our way back home, we saw a sign for an estate sale in our neighborhood. Naturally, we had to stop. They girls were delighted! They each found a cute purse to buy. And when we got home, they were eager for me to find things to fill their purses. We found pencils, pens, highlighters, mints and post-it notes. They were thrilled. We even heard the words, "This is the best day of my life!" That's what makes it all worthwhile.
The in-town girls were picked up around noon and we took Emma home after that. On our way back home, Mark and I made a few stops in the east valley and then we got home and I watched the Relief Society broadcast while Mark went to get dinner. We settled in for the night and were up bright and early Sunday morning. We had told Erin we'd go to her ward to help her with the girls since Chrystalyn was out of town. The girls did well, but I'm not sure how much the rest of us got out of the meeting. We'll have to work on that one. We spent most of the rest of the day at home. Mark had meetings in the afternoon and my siblings/spouses and Mark and I met at Dad's to begin plans for our next family reunion. It looks like it will be in January. We're planning something low-key and relaxing, I hope! Aunt Dovetta treated us all to fry bread. Yum! Thanks!!
Since we like to have cinnamon rolls for conference weekend, Erin and I had to figure out how we would make that happen this time. We decided to make the dough and get it all rolled and cut and freeze it before it had a chance to rise. Then when we're ready to eat it, we'd get it out, let it thaw and rise and then bake it. So that's what we did today. So we have two batches of cinnamon rolls ready to go! Erin had to buy stamps, so we made a quick trip to the post office. Then it was back home and on to household chores.
Tonight we're waiting for Eliza and Libby to come over. They'll be staying here while Erin has baby #5....hopefully, tomorrow. The Doc. is planning on inducing in the morning so we'll have the school girls for a few days. We'll have to get up early to get them to school on time! Yikes!
So I've been wondering the past few days a few things about our newest granddaughter...
What's she been learning before she comes to our family?
Who's been teaching her?
Is she with my mom?
What will she look like?
What will her little personality be like?
How will she fit in with her sisters?
What's she doing today as she prepares to come to earth?

Lots of thoughts passing through my mind.
I'll keep you posted when she arrives!

Sleepover/Pajama Party

Tonight has been so much fun! The school-aged granddaughters are her for a sleepover/pajama party. We started out the evening getting everyone picked up/dropped off at various points in the valley. Then it was dinner. At first, it looked like it might be a problem getting all four of them to decide on one dinner location. But then they asked if they went to Wendy's, could they have a Frosty. Of course, the answer was a resounding, "Yes!" (especially if that meant just one stop!). So we stopped and picked up Wendy's on the way home. Naturally, they got the order totally wrong, so after a rather stern phone call, Mark returned and they got things straightened out. Sheesh! How hard is it?? It would have helped had we been able to understand the broken English of the order-taker! Oh, well. Then it took another hour plus to finish up dinner, brush teeth and get ready for bed. And of course, it was a little interesting getting their bedrolls situated just right. Then we watched a new movie I picked up today, Princess Protection Program. It was a very cute movie and the girls all seemed to enjoy it. By the way, while Grandpa was out getting our dinner, the girls called him to request some movie snacks. Their requests were simple....popcorn, candy corn and M&Ms. They nibbled a bit and then started quieting down. As of this moment, we have two down, and two to go! Who knows what tomorrow will hold!!??!!
As far as earlier in the week goes...
Monday I spent at the dentist getting a couple of teeth worked on. No cavities or anything, just a little cosmetic stuff. But nobody would notice but me! Oh, well. The doc wanted to do it to "strengthen" my teeth. Ok....as long as insurance will pay.
Tuesday was book group. We read Minding Mama, by Marilyn Arnold this month. It was a funny book about a woman who promised her mother that when she died she'd take her to southern Utah (from Georgia) to be buried. So she did...literally. She propped her up in the cab of her old pickup and headed across the country. The book tells of her various antics/encounters on the road. It's a very funny book.
Wednesday, I went back to the dentist so he could finish up the teeth he worked on on Monday. Then I went to Erin's to take pictures of my 7gypsies Christmas project. As soon as I get the ok, I'll post pictures here.
Thursday was a full day. Brian called on Wednesday night and asked if I was available on Thursday to watch Luke. Their sitter and her kids were feeling ill and they needed a place for Luke. Of course, I agreed. So Luke came early Thursday morning. We watched Snow White and Lady and the Tramp. He also entertained himself very well playing with blocks and the little box of plastic animals. And he loves to pound the pegs with the wooden mallet. He could do that forever, it seems! He was building something with the blocks and called to me, "Grandma, I'm building a house. Take my picture!" Of course, I did! What a cute boy. After lunch, he took a 2+ hour nap. I had to wake him to take him to Brian's school.
Today Erin and I got together to bake bread one last time before the baby comes so they will have enough bread to get them through a couple of weeks. We made a quick run to Target for lunch and a couple of movies and Erin needed to stop at Costco. Then it was back home until the girls started to arrive for tonight's festivities. Lest you'd think we left the boys out...not to worry. Their sleepover will be next month! I'm sure it won't include lotions, colognes, lip gloss and hair styling, like the girls' did tonight!

My New Notebook and Stitchery

A week or so ago, I helped Erin put together some composition books for her girls to use during church time to help them be reverent. I made them cute and personalized them for each of the girls. I guess they were totally surprised when Erin pulled them out during sacrament meeting the first Sunday. As a thank you, Libby and Eliza made me the sweetest gifts. They're ones I'll treasure forever. Eliza made the "I Love You" stitchery project. She did all of the stitching herself and I think she did a wonderful job. Libby personalized a small notebook for me to carry in my purse. She did it all herself....even down to choosing which stickers and messages to put on it. There are lots of meanings incorporated into the project. I got to use the notebook today during stake conference while I took some notes. Thanks, girls. I love your creativity and willingness to share your talents with me.

Sunday Session Lessons

This morning was the Sunday session of stake conference. The talks were great and the music very moving. Elder Pickard taught some simple, but deep spiritual messages.
Here are some of the suggestions that he had:
To the Primary children: Have a temple picture in your bedroom that you can look at and think about every day. Be someone the Lord can depend on.
To the Youth: Follow the guidelines given in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet and there are promises made to you if you do. Also....the For the Strength of Youth guidelines are for both the youth and the not so young. He suggested that it be called...For the Strength of YOU(th)!
He urged all who are old enough and who haven't yet received their partriarchal blessing, to do so. By the way...we got a new stake Patriarch....Maurice Baysa from our ward. He will be WONDERFUL!!! He's such a spiritual man, I know he will be a great asset to our stake.
Elder Pickard then asked another question to ponder...Where are your priorities? He suggested several scriptures that talk about our treasures and where our hearts are. He counseled us to have Family Home Evening, even if we don't have children at home. And his final message (thought provoking, for sure) was, "You can change your life."
So that's what I learned today in stake conference. I have some studying, pondering, and changing to do. I'd better get on it!!

Thoughts to Ponder

Tonight was the adult session of stake conference. Among lots of other things, Elder Pickard, our visiting area authority, asked two questions that he wanted us to ponder. 1) What voice are we listening to? 2) What way are we facing?
I know....deep thoughts to ponder. But try.