Welcome to the World

London Lewis Mathie!

You beautiful little girl!

Born October 29, 2008

7:29 pm

7 lbs. 15 oz.

20.5 inches

WE LOVE YOU!

Yeah Linds! We knew you could do it!

TRICK OR TREAT

We had our first ever Halloween Party on Friday night. We had a lot of fun. Jenn made wonderful chili. We had a fishing pond, donut drop, and an amazing talent show. The kids all looked so very cute in their costumes. We are going to have to make this a tradition.

Baby Mathie

Hope you like it, Linds. It should arrive tomorrow! :)

NEVER TOO OLD....

The sewn part!The "layout"

When I was growing up I always wanted what I didn't have. I had a best friend who was a "Brownie Scout". This is like boy scouts for girls. She wore the little brownie outfit to school once a week, and I thought it was SO cool. I was always beggin' my folks to let me be a brownie too. They finally consented. I went to JC Penny's and bought my cool outfit. Well..... my infatuation didn't last very long. The outfit wasn't as cool as I thought it was. Anyway it just did not work out for me. My friend and I also liked to play Barbie dolls together. The thing was that her mom sewed all of her doll clothes. I had tons of store bought clothes, but I wanted homemade clothes like Linda's doll had... and like Linda had. They sewed EVERTHING! I had to wear "store bought" clothes...and very nice ones at that. Any way when I got to junior high we had to take a sewing class. It was SO fun! I LOVED buying the fabric and looking at patterns, and picturing how it would all look! I just DID not love putting it all together. Didn't like zippers and sleeves and waists and poor fit! So I gave it all up. I am not a person to spend money on projects that I know I won't do, so I didn't indulge the part of it that I liked. Well now all of that has changed. When Isaac was born, I created my first baby quilt. I bought the fabric and got Wanda Harker to see it all together for me so I could quilt it. Then a bunch more babies came along and didn't get quilts. I had always felt bad about it, but still didn't do anything. Then Lindsay put a bug in my ear about how her boss did quilts for her grandkids and it got me going. Way to go Lindsay! Well Jana Fowers pieced six quilts for me, and I quilted them. Everyone kept saying that they liked piecing, but not quilting. I didn't think for a minute that I could ever do it. Then I decided to get caught up with the latest batch of babies. Toryn, Johnny, Josh, and Baby Mathie. I got some fabric to Jana, and got 2 of the quilts done. Then I started thinking about piecing them myself. That was about a week ago. Since then I have bought a machine, gotten a pattern, and started my first effort. It is definitely NOT perfect, but it is a decent effort for my first try. I am still struggling to see if I can proceed with the "not perfect" part, but I am thinking I will let it stand. WHAT I LOVE is the buying of the fabric, cutting it into the CUTEST little squares, and then playing with it until you have the perfect arrangement. You just have to sew a straight seam....NO zippers or sleeves or waists. It is as much fun as doing my first cross stitch kit. I was hooked when I did that first little X in that funny fabric with all the holes!!

A Perfect Birthday

Thanks to everyone for my wonderful day. I really enjoyed it. The weather cooperated and turned warmer. It was quite upsetting to think that it might snow. This time of year is almost always beautiful, and I was getting a little bit nervous. I got to do my little workout this AM and Bill made me my favorites for breakfast. It was not an early to school day, so I wandered in about 10. When I got there a beautiful bouquet of red roses greeted me. So sweet of my husband. Jenn, Kate, and Johnny came by school with cake from Dick's and cookies from Cutler's. They had balloons too. Does life get any better than that? School was busy, but I am looking ahead to a five day weekend!!! My visit to the Zundels' was a quick one. Dad's phone was broken which I thought was an unanticipated birthday present, but Jenn visited them and fixed it. Jenn....???? I was home and had time to work on my new hobby....piecing quilts. Wow, I had no idea it was so much fun. I actually started sewing the rows together tonight. It is not perfect, BUT definitely a decent start. WAY FUN!! And to think that I have a sewing machine again. I got to knit, crochet, and even stitch a little on Josh's quilt. Life, for me, doesn't get any better. Really every day is pretty perfect for me. Lots of calls from family and friends. So nice of everyone. Liz and Tracie celebrated by visiting John Adam's burial place. Appropriate since I am reading about the election of 1800. Lindsay is celebrating by having a baby in my birthday month. Can't wait to make that trip later this month. So many kind words, so much to think about after 56 years of life. What a blessing it is to have such wonderful children. I can see little bits of myself in all of my girls. We have an awesome family. When people look at my family pictures in my office, they just can't get over how gorgeous you all are. But so much more important is that you all try to be good people and always do the right thing. And you hit the mark so often. I am the one that learns so much from all of you! Thanks for the memories. Thanks for the MANY kind thoughts and words. My birthday was great!!

A Few Things I Love About My Mom

Her advice and objectiveness. I can always count on my mom to have the best and most updated advice available. She is always prepared whenever I have a problem. She knows it all! Which is great for me as a new mom and still kind of newlywed.
Her testimony. Growing up I never questioned my mom's testimony. She always had us to church on Sunday (not easy being single with 4 young girls) and we always had family scripture time and family prayer. I hope I can have the same standards for my daughter that my mom insisted of me.
Her innocence (some may call it naivety), but I love that my mom refrains from watching or participating in things that tamper negatively with her thoughts. I don't even think she watches PG-13 movies. Law and Order is as extreme as she gets.
Her willingness to ALWAYS listen. I can call my mom anytime and no matter what she is doing, she will always listen to me. Sometimes the second I get done ranting, she'll say she's in a meeting and has to call back, but she always lets me get what I need to say said. I love that I can always depend on her to help me with my problems. And she always does call back with great advice:) Also, her objectiveness. Whenever I am complaining about something, she always tries to stick with the fairness approach. She is completely non-judgemental and can always look at both sides of an issue. Even in politics...
Her courage and long suffering. She has been through more than people know and doesn't have one bitter thing to say about it. She knows she has been through the refiner's fire and is better because of it. I look up to her so much for accomplishments through her struggles and hope that I can one day have that kind of faith. She is the bravest woman I know to have done the things she has.
Her thoughtfulness. Not a birthday, mother's/father's day or anniversary goes by without a call and card (love those gift certificates!) from my mom.
Her committment. My mom is one of the hardest working people I know. She is always doing something for everyone, including all of her kids, her grandkids, her parents (which includes their helpers), her husband, her students/teachers, and her young women. She is always working on a project, reading a new book for school, running errands for family, taking Liz lunch, posting messages on my blog, and so much more.

I could write so much more, but I'll leave it with this.
Mom- Happy Birthday. I hope you know how much all of us love you. And I want you to know that I want to be just like you when I grow up, you are really my hero. Have a good birthday "week." Hopefully next year we'll be celebrating in BOSTON!
(side note, Jenn: hold off on baby #3)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Mary Catherine Zundel Lewis

During my younger years in Achievement Days, I was asked to pick out a scripture to describe my mother so that it could be typed up and made into a magnet. With the help of my sister [I think it was Lindsay], I picked Moroni 7:45 that says:

"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

This describes Mary Kay to a tee. My mom is the most patient person in the world, most long-suffering, least envious, and just all-around most awesome. She puts up with my friends, complaints about my friends, my obsessions, and my less-than-reputable qualities.

Thank you for the Law&Order marathons, political and history education, pictures of my dog while I'm on vacation, shopping trips, pedicures, birthday parties, chicken and broccoli bake, Cutler cookies, Dick's cakes, Creme savers, rides/drives in the BMW, counsel and words of advice, and wonderful example. I'm sorry I'm not there to help celebrate your special day, but I sure do love you and so does the rest of us. Happy Birthday!!!

Why I am supporting John McCain

Lindsay has done a post about the debate, and she wanted a response. I had more to say than the comments would allow for.

I don't watch the debates. They really don't influence my vote. I am happy when my candidate does well, but that is not always the case.

Some of the reasons that I admire John McCain:

He was a prominent candidate in the 2000 election. He was the darling of the media. He won the New Hampshire Primary, and it was a big surprise. He set George W. on his heels. George W. had to win in South Carolina if he wanted to get his party's nomination. The Bush campaign played very dirty, and they won that primary. It was over for John McCain. He was a bitter man. He went through having melanoma, and having his wife's substance abuse made public at that time. The democrats wanted him on their side. I am sure it was a very difficult period for him. In 2004, John Kerry would have loved to have him as his vice-presidential candidate. They even had talks about it. John McCain stayed with the republicans because he believed in the same things that they stood for, and he couldn't turn his back on the principles that he believed to be true. He campaigned at the side of George W. Bush during the 2004 election, and he made a significant difference for him in that election. Without a doubt it had to be a very difficult thing for him to do. I have had a tremendous admiration for him since that election. He has had many disagreements with George W. and he has never been afraid to go public with them. Beliefs about torture and the surge come to mind. Sad to me that George W. is doing him harm again and this time it is unintentional. The idea that he would be a third Bush term is a very bitter pill. He has shown me to be a man that stands by what he believes in even when it seems his party did not stand by him.

The most important thing for me this year is to elect someone who will bring our country together. I believe that both candidates will say anything at this point to get elected. Therefore, the only way to judge them is to look at their records. So I have.
During the last two congresses, John McCain sponsored legislation with 55% of his cosponsors from the democratic side. For Barrack Obama it is 13% from the republican side. John McCain has sponsored legislation with democrats involving climate change, government spending, torture, patients' bill of rights, campaign finance reform, tax cuts, and gun control. John McCain voted with his party 85% of the time. Barrack Obama voted with his party 97% of the time. Which one will be more likely to "reach across the aisle"? In my opinion, it will be the one that has already done it.

Conference was great, I really enjoyed watching it this past weekend.
But, did anyone watch the debate tonight? I just can't believe how incredibly different these 2 men are! One seems to really know what he's talking about, and the other just seems to dance around questions and ignore answering the real questions. I thought McCain did awesome tonight. I think he really addressed the issues (something he has been constantly criticized for in the press), and I think he was extremely confident in his answers, you could tell he had experience in what he was talking about. He didn't come off as being polished or having memorized answers and I really liked that. Of course, I'm sure according to the press, he lost. He could only win if he told the American people he was going to raise taxes to pay for everyone's health care, deflate the military, and continue to beat down off shore drilling.
Your thoughts family? Mom?

Fall Conference

Without a doubt, one of my favorite fall activities is conference weekend. The world is so beautiful. I have been so ornery about the changing leaves this year. I have been resentful of the colors turning gold and orange. I was feeling like it was the coming of cold and dark. I don't like the cold and dark. I like spring and the world when it turns green. Watching conference this weekend has helped me to remember that I love fall also. It is a beautiful time of year. I love listening to the leadership of our church. I loved when President Monson talked about enjoying the journey. I thought about the years when my girls were little. He talked about the regrets that we have when our children are gone. I have plenty of things that I know I could have done better. But I have so many wonderful memories of good times. The girls and I spent many happy hours together....watching TV late at night, running to movies, getting pizza, and treat runs to Smith's. Sitting together at church and holding hands during the Sacrament, reading the scriptures together, and listening to conference together. I am so grateful for the many memories of good times. It is so fun to make new memories with all of you as you mold and develop your own families. It is such a blessing in my life to see you grow to love the gospel and teach it to your children. Remeber what President Monson said and "Enjoy the Journey".
http://lds.org/conference/sessions/display/0,5239,23-1-947,00.html

Welcome Joshua Welti Lewis

We would like to welcome Josh to the family. Weighing in at 10#9oz. he has made a big impression. Congratulations Jeff, Brooke, and boys. We are so happy that he is safely here, and you are all doing well. Way to go Brooke!!