A New Brother for Christopher

I thought I would indulge myself and post a few more pictures of Andrew and Christopher. Here Andrew is looking like the cap is a bit tight. 

"Wow, Mom. This is a cool new brother you made for me. He's got eyes and a  nose and everything." 
"Hey! You caught Dad eating the hospital food!!
"See! Aren't we just the cutest!!??"

Goings and Comings . . .

I am thrilled to announce the arrival of Andrew Dale Garlick, born last night at 7:23 pm, PST. He weighed in at 7lbs. 14oz. and is 19 3/4" long. Here you see him taking a little snooze in the arms of his mother, Kristin Catmull Garlick. He made is entrance at St. Vincent Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Just down the street (as a matter of speaking) from where his Dad, Davin, was born during THE BIG windstrom, November 14, 1981. Who would have thought!!??!!

I love those "OK. Now where have I gotten myself to?" looks.

Kristin poses here after what she termed her "dream delivery." Thanks for taking care of that in the daytime for us so there were no all-night "nail biters" for the grandparents. Good job!!! We love you. You are a "dream."

So. . . some go and some come. Barry and I couldn't help reflecting on our friend's son leaving earth this week while our dear little Andrew came.

Goings and comings. This is life. And as my Mother observed after 87 years of goings and comings, "Life isn't what I thought." My thinking is, "If life isn't what we think then we'd better listen to another mother who said, 'Come what may and love it.'" Life is good. 

P.S. The count now stands at 9 grandsons and 2 granddaughters.

Heartache. . .

Last night I was writing a post when an email came in from my friend and first college roommate, Wynette. This is us at our recent dorm reunion.

Her third son, Bryce was killed in an accident on I-15 near Spanish Fork, yesterday morning. Bryce just returned in October from a mission to South Africa. This is her beautiful boy.

All our 'mother hearts' ache for her. You can read more about this precious boy on Wynette's blog. The link is on the right under 'My blogs.'

Grandma Day

Yesterday Alli and Noah came for an hour while their mom, Alisa, went to help at Joseph and Dallin's school. Alli is 4 and talks non-stop. Noah is 7 months and smiles non-stop but yesterday he didn't feel well and he couldn't smile. He is still adorable.

It's always an adventure with Alli. She apparently thought the garden bench needed sitting on.

The trick was getting back. The buzzing noise in the video clip below is her version of chattering teeth . . . note the bare legs!

Out to Lunch

Monday I did something I rarely do . . . I went to lunch with a friend. I don't know why I'm not a "go to lunch-er." Everyone would rather go out and have someone else fix the food and wait on them, than have do it themselves. Right? Well, not everyone. Not me. If I could, I'd invite all my friends . . . in groups . . . or one at a time . . . it wouldn't matter . . . to come and have lunch at my house. And I would cook. Or sometimes I would have people bring some food but I would still cook. I like to cook. I would do it once a month . . . at least. But my friends would probably think they were imposing on me or feel obligated to return the favor so I don't do it. Who knows . . . ? Maybe sometime I will anyway.

So Monday I went to out to lunch. What got me to do it? First, Barry gave me a Chili's gift card for Christmas. Maybe he knows I don't go if I have to spend "unspent" money. But a gift card . . . well, that is already spent so . . . yut tah hey! Second, I hadn't seen my friend Emily in about 6 months and I was past due for a dose of Emily. 

I met Emily at a Master Gardener class in 2001. We had just moved to Utah and I needed to get educated about gardening in the desert. Emily sat up in the front of the class and asked good questions. I decided I wanted to be friends with her, so after about 4 classes I positioned myself in her vicinity and foisted myself into her space. We found we had tons more than gardening in common.

I love Emily. Here are a couple of the many reasons why. She gives me way too much credit. But even if I'm not as good or smart or talented as she seems to think I am, she makes me want to be good. That's because she is good. That's another reason I love her. She is just good. She is also smart, capable, talented, generous and a host of other glowing adjectives. But I love her because she is good. One more reason I love her is that she is an "includer." She is always doing something and including people. I have personally been the beneficiary of her 'including.'

I picked on Emily because we just went to lunch but she is just today's poster child for all of my women friends. I love them because they are good. I think I'll have some more 'poster friends' in the future. 

We had a great lunch. The food . . . just marginal. The service . . . hmmmm . . . maybe we won't go there. I think the waitress needed a hug or something. The conversation . . . GREAT! It could only have been better if it had been at my kitchen table. Maybe after this gift card is all used up we'll just have to do lunch at . . . say . . . GARLICK'S!

Words to Live By

Recently I read Collin Powell's "Rules to Live By."

I thought they were pretty good:

1. It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.
   
2. Get mad, then get over it.
   
3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.
   
4. It can be done!
   
5. Be careful what you choose. You may get it.
   
6. Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.
   
7. You can't make someone else's choices. You shouldn't let someone else make yours.
   
8. Check small things.
   
9. Share credit.
   
10. Remain calm. Be kind.
    
11. Have a vision.
    
12. Don't take counsel of your fears or naysayers.
    
13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.*
    

*"force multiplier" is a military term basically meaning something that will increase the effectiveness of a person or group. The more optimistic you are, the more powerful you are, no matter the circumstances.

This set me to thinking. Do I have rules I live by? Well, of course I do. But could I distill them down to a short list? I've been thinking about it off and on for days now and I have a list. I'm not suggesting this is comprehensive but it has been fun.

Eva's Rules

1. Do the maintenance. Take care of your stuff, your body and the laundry.
   
2. Pray, read scriptures and put on makeup every day as many times as needed.*(refer to #9)
   
3. Make bread and attend the temple once a week.
   
4. Don't be caught short. Keep the pantry stocked and have milk in the fridge.
   
5. Stay connected to the earth- garden without gloves.
   
6. Make friends with children.
   
7. Feed people. Feed people good food.
   
8. Never "sit on a blister" or "suck your thumb." Do something instead.
   
9. If you feel like crying, do it, then blow your nose and move on.*
   
10. When you see someone you want to be friends with, make it happen.
    
11. If given an option pick red!
    
12. Remember to be grateful and say it.
    
13. Don't leave the house without food.
    
14. Always have a list.
    
15. Get over yourself.
    
16. Choose happy.
    

So there you have it. Do you have a list? Everyone has one but writing it down is the trick.

Happy New Year!!