Smiling Sophia

Look at this cherib! Who believes that she screams and cries? Not me.

Grandmas are Earthangels!

Generousity and Selflessness! Two blessings I receive from so many. I'd just like to spotlight one such friend. Semi-annually I am blessed with an amazing new plastic canvas creation, lunch out and Arlo entertainment from this friend of nearly 19 (count them) years. Bless her heart, yesterday was no exception~Birthday celebration 2007.

I hope this finds you having a better day!

Jake used to do this to keep cool in the summer. Thankfully, I think we are finally going to see a cooling trend without the refrigerator door open. We'll be able to ride our ponies outside every day. It's going to be fun!

I got a haircut yesterday. I wanted to look like Nicole, but turned out looking like a 7th grade boy. Oh wait, that's not the first time that happened. It has repeated off and on since I was in 7th grade. (Sure was fun having you kids here, can't wait for Christmas for all the fam to be together!)

I'm posting my two favorite "hair" pix in order to feel better.

I'm not sure why Melissa didn't post this on her own, but it made my day better. Thanks, Miss!
Take a vote, does she still look like me?

Jigs!

In case you didn't know that Melvin really does love to dance, here's da proof. He's pretty good at jigs.

Bragging Rights!

Tell me that there aren't bragging rights here! Beth and Chris have the sweetest little gal living at their house, and I think Sophia is pretty happy about here surroundings as well. This shot reminded me of the "Guess How Much I Love You" book where little nutbrown hare says, "I love you all the way up to my toes!"

Beth's parents brought baby pictures that prove that Sophia looks like her mother, but right here I think Sophia looks just like Chris at a week old. Of course, we couldn't find any documentation right off hand. Who remembers when Chris was born? Oh wait, none of you.

For the Love! Is Todd feeling left out or does he just want to share "mom"? Do you think there will be a challenge here with sibling rivalry? I don't. Todd and Willa both run to the bedside if Sophia makes even a whimper. Their ears pulse up and down when she cries. They remind me of Carl the babysitter lab retriever in the kids picture books. I wonder if Sophia isn't quite sure what to think of them yet. Maybe she expresses her emotions with her feet.

So content with Mom. Beth is such a calm, loving, perfect mom.

Yup! I think there are bragging rights here. Sopia has a good mom and a good dad, doggies who love her, grandpas and grandmas, even greats, cousins, aunts, uncles, and lots of friends. And she's cute too.

Sophia Ione Blue Jones

She's beautiful, her dad says! She'd have to be if she's anything like her mother. I personally think she must look like Beth because she is so beautiful. I don't know how my kids all turned out to be so good looking because when they were born they resembled lizards and then grew into a rather plump version of a naked mole rat. This little girl right here is a vast improvement over naked mole rats or lizards so, we're excited to see her true (or should I say Ione)personality bloom.

Sophia was born this morning at 2:57AM. She weighs 7 pounds 4 ounces, same as her dad at birth. She has long nails and eyelashes, (lucky!) and a fair amount of red hair. She showed her determination for acting dramatically by holding her breath and having the cord double wrapped around her neck when she first came on center stage, but she is here safe and sound. Yay! Parenting begins for Chris and Beth.

A Time of Remembering

So, I stopped to see a couple of my friends on my way home from Pima the other weekend. It was so beautiful, quiet and peaceful out there in the morning light. The road right before the gate was a desert wash that felt like quicksand as I went through. I thought I was hot and I wondered how hot Dan and Sandra are. Then I realized that I am grateful to know that they really aren't in that hot place, they have moved on to a beautiful and peaceful place.

I am so grateful for all the lessons I learned from these two valiant souls. They both were so good and it is hard not to miss them when the flood of memories come. May I remember each day to live so that I can see them again.

I thought again of them as I watched President Faust's funeral. President Hinckley called that occasion a day of sorrow. He said, "The Lord Himself has said, 'Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die... [But] those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them (Doctrine and Covenants 42:45).' Peace be to [their] memory. We are all the richer for our association with [them]. May [their] memory remain with us to comfort and guide us, to bless and sustain us." I'm grateful for that day of reflection.

Moving forward: Beth and Chris are eagerly awaiting (with swollen legs and ankles) the birth of their little girl. Beth is now two days overdue! Talk about hot and uncomfortable! Todd and Willa can hardly wait for their new sister as well. I don't think they understand the change she'll bring to their lives. Maybe it's better that they can't comprehend that right now. Have a great day.