Madam

Meet Madam.

Madi + Adam=Best Friends

(plus a little more, I'm am pretty sure)

We really like Adam. He makes our Madi very happy and they are always laughing when they are together. Plus, he's not afraid of us (especially Steve) He will even eat my dinners!

This is the young man that will be taking Madi to BHS Homecoming NEXT week. This week, however, is the WXHS Homecoming, and Madi was asked to this dance by a cute boy named Craig.

Madi was supposed to be ready to go and at her friends house by 5:00. I knew she was cutting it close when Adam showed up on the doorstep at 4:00 to say "hello." There's no resisting Adam, he's just too darned cute. The compromise? Adam talked to Madi while she did her hair, and even helped her get ready by collecting all of her "stuff": dress, jacket, shoes, purse, check, check, check, check.

It was so funny to listen to their conversation. And as Madi walked out the door, I offered to let Adam ride over to Kaitlin's with us to take pictures of Madi and her date. He was all for it.

We didn't push it, but as we drove over to Kaitlin's, Steve remarked, "That is one secure young man."
Madi looked gorgeous, and her date was darling. They were going with a big group of really great kids.
Thanks for helping her out, Adam. Maybe I'll invite Craig over to help Madi get ready for the BHS Homecoming dance next week....

About A Boy

Yesterday was a good day. The Sabbath. We attended the missionary homecoming of our good friend's son, Benjamin B. We knew him when he was just a longed-for presence in his mommy's tummy. Now he is a tall and strapping valiant young man...a Saturday's Warrior, Returning With Honor with his scriptures in hand and a sincere testimony and a love for the people of Brazil. He is on a good path and will do good things with his life.

We made it back to our own ward with enough time to allow me to get the Young Women room ready for opening exercises and have a little chit chat with two of the most awesome women that I have the privilege to work with, Alicia T. and Shauna R. As we were talking, Steve came up to me in the hall and showed me a text from our brother-in-law, Treion: If Karen would like to be at the baby's birth, tell her to leave right now. We are heading for the hospital. (or something to that effect. I was too frazzled with excitement for Soni and Teion's baby at that point) This is where the awesomeness of Alicia and Shauna REALLY kicked in. I was supposed to teach today, but there was no way I was going to miss the chance to see Soni's baby being born. Without hesitation, both ladies stepped in to help me make this happen. Alicia already had her lesson for next week planned and ready to go, so she went home to get that put together, and Shauna took care of getting opening exercises going.

Steve and I jumped into the car and made a mad dash for Davis Hospital. I kept telling Steve to hurry, because I just knew that Soni would have this baby quickly...it's what she does. She has them natural, no drugs, and she waits until the last possible moment to head to the hospital. We later learned that she'd been in labor since 4 a.m., but still went to church....they only left when her contractions were just minutes apart.

When we walked into her room, this is the sight that greeted us:

Isn't she beautiful?

Soon, all of the other sisters arrived: Kim, Sheridan and Suzette, along with Bam and Dandad. Steve didn't think he was invited, so he left to get a diet Coke.

In between contractions we talked and laughed, during contractions we all tried to breathe for her and encourage her. It was like watching someone run a marathon or climb a mountain. Soni is so tough and focused, I was in awe of her strength. Treion was such a calming presence and her rock solid coach.

When the Doc arrived (straight from church, still in his suit---he's the bishop of his ward), he had enough time to change into scrubs and then he checked Soni, broke her water and literally within MINUTES we were all holding onto Soni and the head was out. She had that baby within an hour of arriving at the hospital!

Introducing Treion John, Jr. (TJ)

7lbs, 10 oz, born September 19, 2010 @1:48 p.m

After four girls, Treion got himself a boy! Welcome to the world, little (Sunday) Warrior!

Just like riding a bike...

My big brother, Peter, has always been a performer. He's always wanted to be famous. We used to laugh at his visions of grandiose living. But, by golly, he never gave up on his dream. And tonight, as we watched him perform with his band, Werewolf Afro, at the Utah State Fair I had an epiphany. Pete is so comfortable and in his element when he is dancing around on stage, singing and dramatically moving his hands in theatrical gestures, that performing to him is just as satisfying and fulfilling as riding a bike is to Steve. And just like Steve, because he has been doing this for so long, Pete is really good at what he does. He makes it look so effortless. Rock on, big brother, Rock on! (until the arthritis sets in...)