Vaccinate Your Kids and Yourself!

I don't usually get on my soapbox on my blog about something like this.  I don't have small children and so I try to stay neutral on child rearing decisions.  I can no longer stay silent on this one.  We have 2 positive cases of Whooping Cough in the ward and a possible third.  Whooping Cough is completely preventable if you keep up on your vaccinations.  It is also deadly!  One of the babies is too young to be vaccinated yet but the others are old enough to have had their shots.  More and more I hear about mothers who choose not to inoculate because a movie star said it caused autism.  There is not a medical study to say that.  Some children grow out of their autistic like tendencies.  I think in her case, her son did.  More and more cases deadly childhood diseases are popping up.  A community in Massachusetts had an outbreak of measles last year in the high school and small pox is even popping up in the third world countries.  Be careful in what you choose.  These diseases are not to be trifled with.  That is why the vaccination is there.  Keep yourself and your children inoculated.

Favorite Author

When I was visiting Carianne one summer, I discovered Carolyn Hart mysteries.  I loved her writing and have read her Annie Darling and Henry O mysteries as they have come out.  Well imagine my delight when I discovered she has started a new series.  Bailey Ruth Raeburn is a heavenly emissary (not a ghost) that comes to earth to help solve mysteries in her home town.  I have read two of the books so far and love them as much as any of Caroly Hart's other books.  I highly recommend them to anyone that loves Carolyn Hart or loves that kind of mystery (what I call 'fluffy' mysteries).  These are not hardcore mysteries but more like the Nancy Drew mysteries we grew up with.  You will be delighted as I have been.

A Wonderful Surprise!

Yesterday was Clyde's and my day to be in the temple.  We work every other Friday.  Last night was supposed to be a big night because Exeter Stake was having their temple night to prepare for Stake Conference this weekend with a visiting Seventy, Elder Claudio D. Zivic.  I was out by the front desk helping and greeting.  It was as expected and we were going to run 2 sessions - a 7:00 and 7:20 because there were so many.  This does happen on occasion.  At 6:55 I assumed things were going to wind down and I was getting ready to go and start helping in the name booth when I looked up and saw Elise Cannon!  She literally ran in and was so frantic I could barely get out of her what she needed.  She kept saying she wanted to attend with the same session as her mission president.  I finally said, "We will get you on the session you need to be on but who is your mission president?"  She replied, "President Zivic!"  I laughed and told her that session wasn't going on until 7:20 and I could do even better than that for her. I ran her down to the cafeteria and got her a quick hug from Elder Zivic before the session and then onto the session - which was filling up fast.  I was running the name booth by then and I have to say it was so fun to give someone I love as daughter something that special.  This blog could go on for a hours but I will let her tell what she wants to say.  I will say that she is staying in Boston and some wonderful people have opened their homes so she can spend time the Elder Zivic.  It was just so fun to see her last night in the Boston Temple of all places.  We seem to see Elise once a year, in the fall.  It was a joy.

A funny side note.  Curt and Debbie Cannon's granddaughter, Alice is calling Curt, Popi.  Elise said Alice just started doing it on her own but of course everyone encouraged her, so now it has stuck!

Happy Birthday Sunshine!

Today is our oldest daughters birthday!  Wow!  Time flies when you are having fun!  I was so excited to finally have a child and a beautiful daughter to boot!  I could not believe how lucky I was!  I started singing 'Sunshine' songs too her and pretty soon we just started calling her that.  When she was older Carianne was inquisitive and busy.  She has never needed a lot of sleep and to be honest there were days she just plain wore me out!  Fortunately she has grown into a lovely wife, mother and a daughter we are very proud of.  Sunshine, I hope you have very happy birthday and wonderful year!

Happy Birthday, Noah!

Today is our grandson, Noah Pfiester's birthday.  Noah is a such a joy in our life.  We are so lucky to have him be a part of our family.  We are very blessed to have amazing grandchildren.  Noah is one of those special blessing.  Happy birthday, Noah.  We hope you have a wonderful birthday and a wonderful year! 
Lots of love Grandma and Grandpa Bailey

Happy Birthday Sara!

Today is my niece, Sara Dittmar Walker's birthday.  She has been such a special part of our life.  Hope you have a wonderful birthday and great year, Sara!  Lots of love.

Special Gift

Each of us has a special gift.  Most of us in fact have several.  Our oldest daughter has the gift of music and an uncanny way with small children plus many others.  Our second daughter is extremely crafty (as in she can make a little girls dress out of a man's shirt - not in that she is deceitful!).  Our third daughter is a wonderful listener, full of compassion and she too has the gift of music.   Our fourth daughter is an incredible writer who has also been blessed with a musical gift.  (Heather to has a musical talent, she just hasn't done as much with it).  By the way these are just a couple of many our daughters talents.  I would also like to say that our daughters and son-in-laws are better parents than Clyde and I ever were.  We both marvel as we watch them.

I preface the blog this way because in seminary this morning we were discussing talents or special gifts.  One of the young men said, "Sister Bailey, is your talent making goodies?"  That made me laugh, but then I started thinking about this.  Yes, my talent is being able to look at a recipe and knowing that it will taste good but especially with sweet things.  I can look on a menu and if the main components are there, I can figure out if a picky eater will like it - and I am right 95% of the time.  It is not a talent I have had to work at.  It has just come naturally.  I have one niece I know for sure that also has this talent, so maybe it is a family thing (do you agree Julianna?)  Unfortunately right now she is not feeling up to cooking right now because of her schedule and such.  So on my epitaph, I guess it will say - "She always knew what tasted good."  That will be my claim to fame.  What is yours?

Random Thoughts

• Isn't it interesting I usually  start wearing my pink 'breast cancer' jacket in October?
• I have the most amazing seminary class.  We have interesting discussions.  6 out of 7 watched 1 or more sessions of General Conference.  Pretty good group!
• Sometimes 'free' books are not worth the price.  I can get free downloads on my Kindle of best sellers occaisonally.  There are times that I cannot get rid of them fast enough, even when I have read a preview.
• Sometimes you need to just buy a favorite author for comfort.  When days are bad, or gloomy (or both!) and there are times when you can't get to the library for the latest release of your favorite author - then a purchase has to be made!  This purchase is made for your own well being.  It like a best friend coming to cheer you up in a way no one else can. 
• Our youngest daughter and her husband just celebrated their 7th anniversary.  Landmarks like that make me realize how blessed we are to have the amazing family we have been blessed with.  There are no other words but we are some of the most blessed people on earth.  I am truly grateful.