Shower # 2 The Ladies from Melanie's Work

Melanie's friends from her job gave a shower for her yesterday. What lovely ladies! The creativity of gifts, favors, and the marvelous cake was really impressive. The cake is made from various baby items. Isn't it cute!

Natalie and I were also invited to come.

Melanie has just a little more than three weeks left in her pregnancy

Lion of the Quarter - West Jordan Middle School

Today was a special day for our grandson Derek Peterson. He was awarded the Lion of the Quarter at a ceremony at his school. We are so proud of him and all his accomplishments.

The students aren't told that they won the honor prior to the ceremony. It's supposed to be a secret. When the kids come into the Media Center, all the parents and grandparents stand up and applaud them. Alan asked Derek after the ceremony if he was really surprised. Derek said, "I didn't know about it at first. After we were all called out of class and sent to a room to wait, I looked around and noticed that all the smart kids in the school were there. That's when I knew what was going on!"

Derek is a "smart kid", and we enjoyed sharing this exceptional day with him.

Melanie's Baby Shower

One month to go!
Stephanie Olsen and Natalie Peterson have been friends since childhood
Melanie and Megan. Megan felt very grown up to come to the shower.
Mary Ann Payne and Sandy McCormick - Two of my very favorite people
Lisa Long, Catherine Ferguson, and Char Moore - Paul's two daughters and sister-in-law
Connie Mayer, Jami McKell, and Barbara McKell
Melanie and her step-mother, Janet Frost
Kristie, Debbie, and Tricia - Melanie's Frost Cousins
Melanie's mother-in-law - Sammy Kennedy
Melanie's step daughter Brandy and her sister-in-law Ivana
Melanie opening gifts.

We had such a great shower for Melanie and Baby Carson. It is a lot of fun to see ladies who I haven't seen for awhile. Melanie was thrilled!

I couldn't seem to get a captian for the third from the bottom photo of Melanie's cousin Ashley and my cousin Sharalyn.

Melanie received some beautiful gifts. Several of the baby blankets were made by talented ladies. Everyone was so generous and thoughtful.

Merry Christmas - 2010

My camera disappointed me with its quirks at the Christmas party. I took a bunch of photos, and hardly any turned out. They had shadows and strange lighting.

Melanie is seven months pregnant. We are all so excited to see little Carson in February.

We had a fun time eating, opening gifts, and visiting with each other.

12 Weeks to Go!

Here we are at Fetal Foto checking out little Carson. We could see him so clearly, and he looked very cute. Melanie looks pretty cute too. She is feeling great.

Thanksgiving Day - 2010

65 Years Old!

Well, I am officially an old person. Most of my readers are youngsters compared to me. One niece remarked to me, "Aunt Marilyn, you are the only Grandma I know who is writing blogs".

I read about an interview with the author Nora Ephron (69 years old). I very much related to her comments about getting older. "The worst part of aging is illness. What you have when you're 50--wrinkles and flab--seem so inconsequential compared to this lottery of who gets sick and who doesn't. An upside to aging is being wiser. But it's ironic, since at the age you're the wisest, you're also the dumbest since you can't remember the name of that book you just read."

65 serves well for me in several ways from a financial point. I go on Medicare instead of paying a huge amount for health insurance every month. Also, my retirement funds kick in at age 65. There are eating establishments that offer discounts to old people as well as parking spaces closer to the stores.

Most of you know this, but I will tell you that I now have a skin condition called lupus of the skin. It has posed numerous health issues; also, I really look awful with a red, itchy rash. I take prednisone which causes my face to have a "moon" look. There has been some improvement lately with various medications, so I'm feeling better on most days. One of the side effects of the disease is fatigue. Another is hair loss. Fun, huh!!

Where has all the time gone? I don't feel in my mind that I am older. I still feel young at heart.