Lulu and Nie Nie

A few weeks ago we were out celebrating my sweet baby Lucy's first birthday.  I felt that more than any other birthday, this one had been earned.  It has been a year full of struggle, but this little one has fought so hard and been so sweet through it all.   

Her big sister said, "Mom, how come Lucy always smiles even though she has so many hard things?  And how come I sometimes have a hard time smiling even if things aren't that hard?  I am kind of jealous of her smile." 

I thought it was especially nice that we happened to run into Stephanie Nielson (nieniedialogues)that night.  It was the week before her baby was due, and maybe it was because she was almost to have another little girl, or maybe because she could sense that Lucy knows about fighting to live and being happy in the process, or maybe she is just super nice.  At any rate, she could not have been any sweeter or more interested in little Lulu and all that she has been through in her first year.  I am glad to have this photo as a memento of that sweet little time we spent.  She was so sweet talking to Lucy and playing with her and loving her smiles.  I will love to get to show it to Lucy when she is big.  

I also want to read Stephanie's new book, Heaven is Here, actually, I am not really much of a reader, so I looked it up on i tunes to see if I could listen instead, and guess what, it's there, and she reads it herself.  I really want to get it and hear her tell her story in her own voice.

I just checked her blog and she is in New York City right now.  She has posted a schedule of the shows she will be appearing on this upcoming week.

lunch and learn at Deseret Book

Last Friday I was the featured artist at The Deseret Book Flagship Store at City Creek.  Richard Paul Evans was there as the featured writer.  He was signing copies of his new book, "The Road to Grace".  He was very nice.  

The City Creek shopping area is open now, and the weather was so nice, so there was a good amount of traffic in the store.  I always love getting to get out and talk to people about my art.  It is always a great opportunity to be invited to Deseret Book.

I am also excited about the new products Deseret Book is working on for me.  They are trying to get a couple of different options of my Noah's Ark painting into some frames that will work great for children's rooms.  I had a couple good title options for that at one time and I am trying to remember what they were, something about hope that referenced the tulips and rainbow... I should have written them down in a better spot.