Sunday Go to Meeting Dress

 

Celeste is wearing a dress that a dear sweet friend gave as a shower gift. We al oohed and awed about the dress so I thought I would take a picture of Celeste wearing it for the first time so that the person who gave it could see her in it. Not a big deal, but I thought she looked adorable.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

I have had the pleasure of being in a monthly book group for the past 15 years. Over that time I have come to know, respect, and become fond of some wonderful women. We have read a variety of books from Twilight by Stephenie Meyer to Angle of Repose by Wallace Earle Stegner. Mysteries, Sci-fi, Romance, Non-fiction are just some of the genres we have perused. We try to only limit ourselves to reading wholesome uplifting books. We are all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and so try to keep our standards when choosing a book for the group to read. I haven't always liked the books we read, but am always willing to give a book a shot.
These last few years it has been very difficult for me to read as I have struggled with depression. One of the ways the depression affects me is in my ability to focus. I am easily distracted in some areas and reading is one of them. It frustrates me to no end because as a child, teen and adult, reading has been a way for me to escape and to relax. I have discovered that listening to books is a great solution to the problem. The only problem with that is not all books come in an audio version.
The book the group is reading for February is called The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. While it is a very lovely fictitious book it has not been an easy read for me. The format of the book is pleasing and it is very well done. It's a collection of letters set just after WWII a time in history where many atrocious things occurred. I was getting through the book just fine until almost the end where in one of the letters the writer was explaining the condition of young man that was found trying to steal a potato from a vegetable garden. I had to stop reading because I started sobbing. Even though I know this is a work of fiction, those types of things really happened. I know from first hand experience the wicked things that others can inflict on someone whether on purpose or through a lack of understanding. As I have battled my own past demons these types of events seem to affect me more and more. I don't know if that's a good thing or not.

A Lesson from a Hymn

I was holding Celeste feeding her a bottle and decided to start singing to her. Not that it sounds that great, but because I like to sing. I started singing “I Am a Child of God” by Naomi W. Randall because it’s my favorite Primary song. It was one of those moments where I had to get konked on the head so to speak. There is so much truth in that song. After I sang the first phrase “and he has sent me here” I had a witness that I am here for a reason. I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. It was a moment where a hymn can teach so much in a fraction of a moment. How many times have I sung that song and it not hit me before so strongly? I had to be singing it to my granddaughter for it to sink in. I've included the words even though most reading this will know them anyway.
I Am a Child of God
Fervently

35395, Children’s Songbook, My Heavenly Father, I Am a Child of God, 2–3

1. I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.

2. I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows too late.

3. I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will,
I’ll live with him once more.

4. I am a child of God.
His promises are sure;
Celestial glory shall be mine
If I can but endure.

Giddyap Horsie

Okay, I know this is so posed, but it's funny, at least I think it is. Our Border Collie is jealous of the attention that Celeste gets when she comes over. But he also gets upset if she cries. I think this dog has an identity crisis as well. I sometimes think that he thinks he's a cat. He's still lovable and he has been in our family for 8 years.

More Rolling Over

 

 

 

 

These are pictures of Celeste in the process of turning over. Linda was taping it while I was taking pictures. It was so fun to watch her. She is such a cutie. I know I'm a bit biased, but that's how I see it.

Quotes

Just a short post with this one.
"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation." * George Washington (1732 - 1799)
"A woman can and must have an identity and feel useful, valued, and needed whether she is single or married. She must feel that she can do something for someone else that no one else ever born can do" (Pres. James E. Faust "What It Means to Be a Daughter of God," Liahona, Jan. 2000, 123–24; Ensign, Nov. 1999, 102)

See What I Can Do Now!

You would almost think I was the Mama instead of the Nana. Celeste had the greatest play of the game. She rolled over for the first time and I missed it. We were over at the cousins' house and I had to leave early so Rebekah could work on school stuff. Maybe I'll get to see her do it today when Linda comes to clean. These are some pictures I took a couple of days ago. She was getting ready for her big event.