Jesse

At the school picnic I chatted to a very pregnant mother to be.  She asked about my births (at school I have instant credibility on all matters birth related due to having 6 children).  I said that each birth reminded me of the child - Jesse for example was somewhere between 6 and 9 weeks early.  It was as though she was just ready for the next stage.

And not much changes really - the War and Peace: A Mormon Perspective went really well - her paper was well received - it was great in my opinion.  She spoke confidently and had interesting things to say.

And now she has been invited to submit an extended version for consideration for inclusion in an edited book.

Like I said - always on to the next thing - perhaps a little earlier than expected.

And now she is knitting and planning menus for upcoming parties  - she's a well rounded girl.

The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas

Last night I browsed the bookshelf and Max joined me to ask if I thought he could read The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.  I didn't think so.  Max burst into tears.  Through the sobbing I managed to discern that he was worried about not being able to read that level of book yet and that he really wanted to read that particular book.  Jesse came to the rescue and empathised and suggested that I read it to him.

And so we sat right there on the reading couch and read for a long time.  We are up to chapter 5 and Max thinks that from now on we should read during the day - 'not because it will be scary but it will get sad' - which is true.

Later that night Max mused that he always thought the pyjamas would be blue striped when the book says they are grey striped.  I suggested maybe a grey-blue stripe.  "Oh yes," he answered, "like the grey-blue distance."*  And off he went to watch Call of the Wild on DVD.

* That's a reference to My Country which includes the line 'Strong love of grey-blue distance'

Alec

 - is still in Armidale - and likes it.
 - had a baptism last weekend.

 - has been trout fishing - and catching little trout.
 - likes his companion Elder Chan.
- is teaching quite a few Chinese students - and is therefore grateful for Elder Chan who speaks chinese.
 - thinks he will be home on November 15.
Hooray!

Winter - Queensland style

We are loving the chill in the air and the early nights.  Max has begun to memorise My Country by Dorothea McKellar - he's about half way through.

Peet continues to take lovely photos.

There is knitting going on - booties and scarfs and coasters.

Dressing gowns are out of hibernation, Fisher is wearing her coat, oven dinners are favoured, quilts are draped over the lounge, and we're trying out new brownie recipes.

Brisbane has just the right amount of winter for me - enough to enjoy winters pleasures but not so much that it becomes tedious.

Happy Mothers Day - to Roger

Roger's birthday fell on Mothers Day this year - we think it's a good idea.  Lots of celebrations - lots of food - lots of presents.

Max caught up the chart that we colour in to mark the months till Alec returns - it's starting to look good at last.

Then it was on to baking.

 And relaxing.

 And a little bit of tidying even though it was Sunday since Anne, Lee & Joan and Thomas & Kathleen were all coming for dinner.

This was a good year for presents - which included a big stack of handmade tortillas for me to freeze from Tom and Kathleen, photos from Peet for Roger and I, food from Louisa, soap and a game from Max, manly presents for  Roger including a bullet puller, a thermos, and a book and for me a quilt from Jesse.  It's divine - the backing is part of a blanket Lee brought from Canada more than 50 years ago.

I love it - and I am not alone.

The days menu went:
Breakfast - baked oatmeal.
Lunch - make your own left overs
Dinner - a cheese board as an entree followed by roast venison with a rocket, pear, blue cheese and walnut salad and a warm pumpkin, feta and beetroot salad, and a three milk cake for dessert - delicious.

And then Alec phoned - and we talked for a couple of hours.  Max and Louisa both sobbed intermittently and only managed a few words.  Alec sounds happy, complete, and fulfilled - and looking forward to coming home.  Not as much as we are looking forward to having him home though.

The day ended with family prayer with a long list of grateful things.