Spring Book Reviews: 2024

 1.) The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Volume Two by Beth Brower

From Goodreads:

The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s. Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

This is book two in this series and I'm obsessed! I love the character of Emma with her wit, antics, and escapades. I adore her cadre of friends, neighbors, and family members. This book was absolutely delightful! I laughed out loud so many times. I am flying through these slim little volumes as Emma documents her life in her journals. I love the setting of 1883 London and Emma's quirky neighborhood of St. Crispian's and her Lapis Lazuli House. I have no idea which of Emma's handsome friends will end up being her love interest. They are all so intriguing in their own ways. These books can't come in at the library fast enough. They are so fun, charming, and readable. I am already almost done with book three. I need to buy this series!

My Rating: Fabulous!

2.) My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand

I like Barbra Streisand. I am reminded of my mom who was a big Barbra Streisand fan. I decided to *listen* to this giant of a book (48 hours) rather than read it. (The book is around 1,000 pages.) I am so glad that I did. Barbra narrates it herself and she weaves her music in and out of her story which was wonderful. I thought I would be so sick of the book and Barbra by the end of 48 hours but I actually really enjoyed listening to her tell her story in her warm and conversational way.

The long-awaited memoir by the superstar of stage, screen, recordings, and television. Barbra Streisand is by any account a living legend, a woman who in a career spanning six decades has excelled in every area of entertainment. She is among the handful of EGOT winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) and has one of the greatest and most recognizable voices in popular music. She has been nominated for a Grammy 46 times, and with Yentl she became the first woman to write, produce, direct, and star in a major motion picture. In My Name Is Barbra, she tells her own story about her life and extraordinary career, from growing up in Brooklyn to her first star-making appearances in New York nightclubs to her breakout performance in Funny Girl (musical and film) to the long string of successes in every medium in the years that followed. The book is, like Barbra herself, frank, funny, opinionated, and charming. She recounts her early struggles to become an actress, eventually turning to singing to earn a living; the recording of some of her acclaimed albums; the years of effort involved in making Yentl; her direction of The Prince of Tides; her friendships with figures ranging from Marlon Brando to Madeleine Albright; her political advocacy; and the fulfillment she’s found in her marriage to James Brolin. No entertainer’s memoir has been more anticipated than Barbra Streisand’s, and this engrossing and delightful book will be eagerly welcomed by her millions of fans.

I'm actually a little sad to be finished with this book. It's been over a week now and I miss Barbra. LOL. It's true. I felt like I was listening to a favorite binge-worthy podcaster. I also had a rather immersive experience with this book while listening to Barbra tell the story of her life. Every chapter had me searching online for more pictures, music, interviews, movie clips, album covers...all the things. It became a multimedia experience. I loved it!

This very long awaited and extremely comprehensive volume of her life is from childhood to the present. I can't believe that Barbra Streisand is in her 80s but she is. It took her ten years to write this book. She is vulnerable and candid. She shares her insecurities and weaknesses along with her incredible talents and strengths. There is a lot to like about this book if you have the patience and tenacity to wade through this giant tome. I'm glad that I did. There is so much that was fascinating to read. She's led an interesting life and had a legendary career. She said that she wrote this book so that everyone could hear the truth from her. She wanted to clear up some of the myths and misinformation that has been circulated about her over the years. She wanted to tell her story herself.

I enjoyed all of the behind-the-scenes information. Barbra goes into incredible detail of every musical, album, costume, movie, concert, TV special, song, and collaboration that she has ever done. Down to what she wore, how the room she was in was decorated, and what she ate. (Barbra loves food and coffee ice cream in particular.) Sometimes it got repetitious and a little bogged down in the minutiae but hearing her talk about her work and her process was very mesmerizing and oddly soothing. As she says in her book...she always had to have creative control over all of her projects. That is clear in the writing of this book. She said what she wanted to say. An editor be damned. LOL.

There is a lot of insider information. Who she worked with and who she was friends with. Who she was romantically involved with. Who supported her and who didn't. But even the negative reflections never seemed mean spirited just matter of fact. This is what happened and this what that person said and did. It felt honest. She was real even when something didn't portray her in the best light. She is an exacting perfectionist and she doesn't apologize for that nor does she need to. She has strong opinions...not all of which I agree with...but I still appreciated hearing her perspective.

My favorite part of the book was the chapter about the making of the movie The Prince of Tides and her friendship and collaboration with my very favorite author Pat Conroy. I am so glad that Mr. Conroy was as wonderful in her eyes as he has always appeared to be in mine! I also loved hearing about her relationship and marriage to James Brolin. They've been married for over 27 years. Barbra is eccentric. I particularly loved reading about those funny/quirky/interesting things that make her unique. 

Barbra has the most beautiful and distinctive voice of anyone that I've ever heard. Listening to her songs gives me goosebumps. I was shocked to hear her repeatedly describe herself as an actor...who sings. She has always preferred being an actor over a singer. Now it sounds like she prefers directing over all else. 

Often after reading a celebrity memoir I don't look at them the same or I like them less. Despite 1,000 pages of Barbra being Barbra I ended the book still really liking her. I think it is her vulnerability that makes her so endearing. 

This book might not be for everyone but I really enjoyed it. All 48 hours of it. 

My Rating: A wonderful and unique reading experience.

3.) The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 3 by Beth Brower

From Goodreads:

The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London Neighborhood of St. Crispian's. But Emma's plan for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian's. Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

This is volume #3 in what is rapidly becoming one of my favorite book series. This book is a gem! I loved everything about it especially that it was almost double the length of the previous books. Woohoo! Great characters, funny, charming, whimsical, and wonderful Jane Austin-esque writing!  I had to get the next book immediately.

My Rating: Brilliant and delightful!

4.) The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 4 by Beth Brower

From Goodreads:

"It all began very innocently. Truly." The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s. Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

Book 4!! I'm addicted. I can't stop reading! I love Emma and her friends. I love St. Crispians. I love it all! I don't want this series to ever end. I laughed so hard reading about the situation at the Drunken Duck and everything with the Reprobates Ten and pretty much all of her interactions with Islington. My eyes also welled up with how Emma was supported during her grief by her friends. And then there is the friendship circle. Who to root for as Emma's love interest? I am so torn! Beautifully written! This is the best series that I have read in a VERY LONG TIME! Moving on immediately to Book 5.

My Rating: Fantastic!!

5.) The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 5 by Beth Brower

From Goodreads:

I took Treasure Island to church with me as a talisman.
“What a lovely bible,” Mrs. Tribly said.
“Isn’t it just?” I replied, hoping she would not ask me to read a favorite verse aloud.
I do not believe the psalmist wrote,
Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest,
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum.

The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.
Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

It's Christmas in St. Crispian's! I loved spending the holidays with Emma and her friends at Lapis Lazuli House. This book and the one before it have been more poignant and definitely tug on your heart strings in addition to being witty and delightful. I love the growth that Emma has experienced since Volume One. I also love that our already beloved characters are getting even more fleshed out and interesting as we learn more about them. It doesn't get better than the Fabulous Four. Who to choose?!! I think I am #teamislingon These books are perfection! The emotional depth just makes this series richer and more vibrant. I love the themes of friendship and found family. Onto Volume #6!

My Rating: Absolute perfection!!

6.) The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

This was my book club's pick for May 2024. I'm not a murder mystery person. I read it solely for book club but I am glad that I did.

From Goodreads:

In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders. But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves. Can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer before it's too late?

Murder mysteries aren't my jam especially cozy mysteries. BUT... I was charmed by the premise and the quirky, sweet, and funny cast of characters. I thoroughly enjoyed each one of them. The retired spy (or is she?), the retired psychiatrist, the retired union boss and rabble rouser, and the retired nurse. Four septuagenarians who work on cold cases as the Thursday Murder Club until they luck out and someone gets murdered that is connected with their upscale retirement village, Coopers Chase, and they put their skills together to investigate the murder.

This offbeat British murder mystery has a lot going for it. Particularly a vibrant group of protagonists who aren't in their twenties. It's a great reminder that retirees have so much to offer in knowledge, experience, skills, and expertise. (And as characters in a novel!)  In addition to a murder that you are trying to solve...there are also some other thought provoking themes like reflecting on aging, late in life marriage, relationships with adult children, and death. The friendship and the deeper themes were what I enjoyed the most in this novel. The murder mystery part was convoluted and anticlimactic in my opinion. But again this isn't a genre that I am drawn to read but I can see why it is popular. I don't think I will move onto the next book in the series but I have heard that it is even better than the first.

My Rating: Okay.

7.) The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 6 by Beth Brower

From Goodreads:

The Year is 1884 and Emma M. Lion has, at long last, gained her majority. Entering a golden age of friendship with Pierce, Islington, and Hawkes, Emma is confident she will manage whatever comes her way. It is The Season she must help Arabella secure a husband, while navigating the threat of Aunt Eugenia, the unflagging adoration of Charles Goddard, and the amusing unpredictability of St. Crispian’s. But the secrets of her trusted friends are what might very well bring about disaster. Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

Another winner in a now a much beloved series. So many questions! That ending! It was one that I was hoping for earlier in the series but now my loyalties seem to lie elsewhere. I'm torn! This was another fantastic installment in the series. I love all of the characters so much except for Cousin Archibald and Aunt Eugenia. LOL.

I don't know what more to say other than I LOVED IT!! And then add all of the poetry quoted throughout?! DELIGHTFUL! I'm already reading Vol. 7. Can't stop! This series is too good!

My Rating: Fantastic! 

8.) The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 7 by Beth Brower

From Goodreads:

The Year is 1884 and Emma M. Lion has, at long last, gained her majority. Entering a golden age of friendship with Pierce, Islington, and Hawkes, Emma is confident she will manage whatever comes her way. It is The Season she must help Arabella secure a husband, while navigating the threat of Aunt Eugenia, the unflagging adoration of Charles Goddard, and the amusing unpredictability of St. Crispian’s. But the secrets of her trusted friends are what might very well bring about disaster.

This is book seven in the series. I wanted to slow down and savor this book because book eight isn't out yet but I couldn't. I flew through it and I LOVED it! I can't get enough of the charming neighborhood of St. Crispians. The series has evolved in the best possible way. The characters have grown and show real emotional depth. They also continue to reveal intriguing mysteries and backstories. Islington, Pierce, and Hawkes...need I say more?! Although I continue to root for Islington. 

I stayed up way too late reading this book on into the early morning hours. The series is addictive! It is so well written, witty, and clever. Each volume is an entertaining and heartfelt adventure.  I can't say enough about this series. It's special! Now I will VERY impatiently wait with all of the other Emma M. Lion fans for book eight. I'm so invested.

Now what to read? I think I will try another Beth Brower book... The Q.

My Rating: Excellent!

9.) Happy Place by Emily Henry

From Goodreads:

Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t. They broke up six months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.
Which is how they find themselves sharing the largest bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blue week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most. Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week… in front of those who know you best?

I read this book for several reasons. First, because it was the Goodreads Best Romance Winner of 2023. Second, I've read several Emily Henry books before and liked them. Third, that bright pink cheery cover. It was an entertaining and quick read. The perfect summertime beach book with some depth.

I loved that this book was set in a vacation home in Maine and the premise of post-grad college friends who have gathered there every summer since college. This group of friends have become found family and they have years of traditions and shared experiences. Unfortunately, it's also their last summer together in the vacation home. It is being sold AND they are growing up and growing apart. 

I liked Emily Henry's cast of characters...Wyn, Harriet, Sabrina, Parth, Cleo, and Kimmy. They are an eclectic, interesting, and fun group. But... I disliked their names. How is Emily Henry picking the names of her characters??

In addition to this being a second chance/forced proximity romance which was fun... the characters are all going through some hard things. Henry writes romances that have depth and I appreciate that. Each person is navigating different challenges in their lives while trying to remain friends as their lives take them in different directions. They've grown and changed and are experiencing the friendship tension that comes with that. This book was about letting go of the expectations of others, about endings and new beginnings, and the challenges that come with adulting.

At times I had to suspend some disbelief especially about Harriet. Pottery? Come on. But I loved reading about friendships that have persisted over the years especially as people mature and become different people while still maintaining a tight bond. I'm grateful to have friendships like that in my life. I also appreciated a story where a long held family vacation home is being sold and all the emotions that come with that. #reallife.

This is my third Emily Henry book. I liked it better than The People We Meet on Vacation and Beach Read and less than Book Lovers. If you've liked previous Emily Henry books...you will like this one.

My Rating: Fairly entertaining with some depth.

10.) Romney: A Reckoning by McKay Coppins

From Goodreads:

Authoritative, personal, and vividly written, Romney: A Reckoning is a revealing account of Mitt Romney’s life. Based on dozens of exclusive interviews with Romney, his family, and his inner circle as well as hundreds of pages of his personal journals, this book offers a rare, portrait of a politician who in recent years has been at the center of our nation’s most defining political dramas.

I read this biography because this guy is a mystery to me. I don't love him and I don't hate him. But I was curious as to what made him tick. He was also my husband's boss (a good one) while he worked for the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee and also Romney's son went to college with me. I was curious to find out who Mitt Romney really is...and...what does this so-called flip-flopper actually stand for?

To write this biography the author, McKay Coppins, was given full access to Romney's journals, texts, emails, and personal papers. He interviewed him over 45 times for 2 years. Many of his family, friends, political rivals, and colleagues were interviewed as well. Romney also declined having the final say...he was willing to let people come to their own conclusions about his political choices. Coppins does a good job of making a political biography readable. I'm not a political junkie and I found it interesting.

It is also a rather disheartening look at American politics...the state of the current political climate...Congress...political campaigns...and politicians on both sides of the aisle. In that way it was depressing and frustrating especially reading about the disappointing inter-workings of Congress.

Romney doesn't hold back on his opinions. There is a lot of political tea spilled. He calls people out. He names names. He also calls people names...including calling multiple members of Congress and other politicians *stupid* and *crazy* multiple times and not all of them were Donald Trump! There were several bizarre bombshells. Apparently there was almost a Romney/Oprah Winfrey third party ticket?!

This was an interesting insider look at his life, family, career, and his astonishing wealth. As someone who shares Romney's faith it was interesting to read about how his religion influenced his life and career especially the little glimpses that we got of his interactions with the leaders of our faith. I also really enjoyed reading the part about him taking over as CEO of the Salt Lake City Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Very interesting!

I appreciated the author showing Romney's shortcomings as well as his strengths. He is portrayed as flawed but with integrity. It seems like he ultimately tried to do what he thought was right and in the best interest of the country. He is very disappointed with the members of his party...people that he once respected...but that he now feels have sold out their values and principles for reelection. He feels that there is an epidemic of cowardice in politics. Romney sees himself as a political martyr. Someone who was willing to sacrifice himself and his political career for the greater good. He also acknowledges that he didn't do everything perfectly. He admits to the loneliness that comes from having alienated many of his own party, faith, and constituents. He is angry. He feels betrayed by the members of his own party and by President Trump and all that he stands for.

Mitt Romney is weirder, cringier, and nerdier than I previously imagined. He has many strange idiosyncrasies. One of which is that he is a germaphobe; another is his constant need to overexplain (this book is evidence.)

My husband is currently reading this book so that we can discuss many of the things that were revealed in this biography. The book is frustrating AND thought-provoking. It was also an interesting glimpse into Romney's psyche and thought-process. I appreciated learning more about the complexity of the challenges that he faced.

My Rating: Good. An interesting look at a complicated political figure.

11.) The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

From Goodreads:

The Great Divorce is a novel by the British author C. S. Lewis, published in 1945, and based on a theological dream vision of his in which he reflects on the Christian conceptions of Heaven and Hell.

This was my book club's pick for June 2024. It was my second time reading. It is a quick, interesting, religious, and philosophical commentary. This is Lewis' allegorical depiction of heaven and hell and the space in between. CS Lewis always makes me think and ponder. It is his stance that many of us willingly choose hell over heaven whether it is here on Earth now or after death.

This slim volume reads like a trippy dream. A man wakes up in hell and climbs on a bus that takes a bunch of people to heaven from hell. Some choose to stay in heaven but most choose to return to hell.  As the bus travels from hell to heaven; our main character meets and observes all kinds of people who all ultimately choose to go back to hell. Their attachment to their sins is too strong. They want to return to hell rather than let go of their sins and self-interest. Their decisions are influenced by things like selfishness, pride, ego, envy, anger, hatred, personal recognition, the need to be right, bitterness, status etc. Hell is depicted as an ever expanding city where people move further and further apart until they are alone with their self and all that comes with it. That is hell.

The story challenges us to think about our priorities, motivations, and how we treat people. It is about the choices we make right now. Why do we so often choose misery over joy? Lewis invites us to reflect on ourselves and the choices that we are making. He also invites us to see God's love, mercy, and forgiveness.

“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done, and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘THY will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires Joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened.”

My Rating: Insightful and worth a re-read.

12.) The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

From Goodreads:

Drawn into twisted games on opposite sides of the globe, Grayson and Jameson—with the help of their brothers and the girl who inherited their grandfather’s fortune—must dig deep to decide who they want to be and what each of them will sacrifice to win.

This is the fourth book in the Inheritance Game Series. I've enjoyed the first three books. They were light entertaining YA reads. This book starts after the previous plotline wrapped up in book three. I wasn't sure about the direction that this book was headed. Our main protagonist, Avery, is now a side character in this book. I missed her POV. This book is about two of the brothers, Jameson and Grayson, heading off on their own storylines that revolve around their biological fathers and family secrets. It took me a lot longer to get into this book. Quite a bit longer. I was on page 247 before it started picking up and getting interesting. I almost DNFed it several times. One of the brothers storylines was more interesting to me than the other brother's and every time it flipped to him...my interest waned. But by page 247 I was interested in both stories. The pacing in this book, despite its short chapters, was so slow unlike the other books in the series which were quite fast-paced.

I liked the addition of Grayson's sisters and their mother. I especially liked the character of Gigi. I would've like more of Nash and Xander too. I love the sibling dynamic between the four Hawthorne brothers. In a book called The Brothers Hawthorne I wish ALL of the Hawthorne brothers would have been featured more prominently. 

This is my least favorite book in the series. Will I read another one? Probably. Clearly there will be another book because there were several plotlines that were left dangling and lots of questions including a big reveal at the end. All in all...I like the world of the Hawthorne family and will keep reading.

My Rating: Okay

April 2024

April was birthday month for Bryn! It's hard to believe that baby Brynnie is now 15! But she sure is! Before we get to her birthday celebrations it was General Conference. We got home from Southern Idaho and it was Conference. We also had some stinking snow the first week of April. Be gone I say!

Kameron and Erin attended conference in person with some of Kameron's roommates. 

It's so crazy to see the SLC Temple under construction behind them. I'm glad the spires are back on! 

My two favs!

There were so many talks on temples and covenants. Nearly every single one. I was so happy to see that Elder Holland was back. I was also excited to see President Nelson and... Elder Anderson... and President Uchtdorf... both of whom I saw in real life in the last little while. It was fun to have live comments from the kids on our family chat. President Nelson was there in person the session that Kameron and Erin were at but he didn't speak. They were happy to see him though! It was a cold and rainy conference weekend for us. Perfect for snuggling up, eating good food, and watching.

Pugs for Jesus!

The day after General Conference was the solar eclipse. It was cloudy and gloomy. So basically a normal day in Spokane. We were nowhere near totality and we saw nothing. While the eclipse was happening actually I was getting my yearly mammogram. That was about as thrilling as it got here. I am happy to report that my mammogram was normal!

Then it WAS Bryn's birthday!! And...the sun finally came out!

She requested Taco Bell for lunch and I brought it to her at school.

Reilly and Karson picked Bryn up after track and treated her to Starbucks. Then they came over to hang out for awhile. Is there a better way to celebrate your birthday than with loves and kisses from Karson?! Nope.

Bryn wanted to go to dinner at our favorite Thai restaurant so we did and we feasted! Wow! So good!

Our favorite mango black sticky rice! Heaven.

We made her blow out a candle on her actual birthday. We put it in one of her birthday donuts. LOL.

But the celebrations didn't stop...

That weekend she and her besties had a "downtown" birthday that she loves and saw a movie too. They had a great time and we did too!

Sunday evening she had her family birthday dinner and Reilly, Hunter, and Karson came over to help her celebrate. 

Bryn requested my sister-in-law, Meki's, homemade mac and cheese which is divine. She also wanted salad bar and Dr. Pepper to drink. Her cake was a large Lemon Nothing Bundt Cake. 

She had a good birthday with three full days of celebrating!!

But the birthdays didn't stop here...

Luke turned 21!

It was my friend Shannon's birthday too and our group of friends went out for sushi and actually remembered to take a picture! Woohoo!

We went to a lot of track meets and most were very cold! We took a lot of video! Bryn had some great PRs this month! She is also singing with a stake youth choir next month for the anniversary of Expo '72. She had a couple practices for that this month too.

Bryn continued to do her practicum at her elementary school in her little kindergarten class this month. Those kids love her, cling to her, and call her Miss Brynnie. It makes her week! One of Bryn's high school teachers has a daughter in that kindergarten class and she pulled Bryn aside in the hallway to tell her that every Thursday morning at breakfast all her daughter can talk about is that Miss Brynnie is coming to school that day. So incredibly sweet and meant it so much to Bryn.

Bryn decided that she wants to lifeguard this summer. She and several of her friends signed up for the training. It is expensive and quite the process. Before she could even start the in-person training she had to do an online class and pass the online exam which she did. 

One night I went with the youth and Bryn to the temple. I am so glad I did! I almost didn't. Tyler had a work thing that night and I was all prepared to order food for myself and enjoy a good book. But the youth needed extra adults and so I said that I would go. When Bryn was getting her jumpsuit for baptisms; one of the temple workers pulled us aside and said to keep our eyes open tonight because we might get a special surprise. We were like "Huh?" The youth did their baptisms and nothing happened but then as they were sitting on the benches waiting to be confirmed in walked an APOSTLE! Elder Gerrit W. Gong along with his wife and Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran. They were in town to do are reginal training meeting in Coeur d' Alene and were touring our little temple! Our youth's mouths dropped open in amazement along with all of the adults. They came around and chatted with each of the youth and the adults personally and shook all of our hands. Then as we were leaving we saw them again and they stopped and spoke personally to everyone again. This was such a cool experience! It was momentous for Bryn (and me!) Her 2nd apostle sighting in a year and my third?! What in the world?! I've gone my whole life seeing none of them in person! Now three! Especially cool for two of our youth who were at the temple for the very first time! Such an amazing evening!

Spring semester started at BYU-I and both Kameron and Ailey moved into new apartments. Ailey was super sad because Luke left Rexburg to work in CA doing summer sales. 

He's official in his summer sales uniform! LOL.

Ailey and her friend Ellie moved into a different apartment complex and feel like they got scammed. They were shown and promised an apartment in the new side and ended up with an apartment in the old side. When they complained they were told that current residents got priority. Lame. I really liked her old apartment complex and it's too bad that she just didn't stay there. Oh well.

Luke was gone for about a week when he surprised Ailey by driving up. She was shopping at the Target in Idaho Falls and was talking to him on the phone. When she came out to her car he was parked right next to her. So sweet!!

Ailey also earned some extra money dog sitting for her supervisor at work. She brought the dog over to Kameron's apartment too. Everyone needs some comfort animal snuggles in their lives. 

The brakes were going out on the Camry so Kameron and his roommate Jackson came over and replaced them for Ailey. He is a good big bro! (and son!)

It was an exciting month for Kameron. He moved back into his old apartment complex for Spring semester. Then he and Erin drove to Utah several times. Once for conference and then they drove to St. George mid-month to attend a milestone birthday party for her grandpa. I think it was his 80th?? Erin's family all came for the big event. Kameron was in the thick of a big Utah family gathering...meeting aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was helping set up and greet people as they came in. He also got to finally meet Erin's dad. A little daunting. Kameron really enjoyed the whole experience and meeting all of Erin's family on her dad's side. Once they got back from St. George...Kam and Erin went ring shopping and a stunningly beautiful ring was purchased!! Exciting times ahead!! Kameron and Erin have been hanging out with Ailey quite a bit which has been really nice since she's been pretty morose since Luke left.

Erin's brother and sister-in-law had their second baby and so Kameron and Erin were helping out with Erin's niece. She and Karson were born on the same day and Karson is like three times her size! Ha ha! They had Ailey come over and hang out with them and she got to play with Erin's niece too. She had a great time!

We've gotten to see quite a bit of Reilly, Hunter, and Karson this month. We babysat Karson one night while Reilly and Hunter went on their first date night since Karson was born! They had tickets for the Cody Johnson concert. Karson did great! He didn't bat an eye when they left. No tears were shed. He just walked right over to the armoire that we keep his toys in and started dragging them out. LOL!

We had so much fun with him while he was here. We took him on a walk with Beverly. We played and played with him. He REALLY enjoyed playing the piano! Ha ha!

He's also tall enough to peek over the couch now! Ha ha! 

He wore Aunt Bryn out who fell asleep on the floor amongst all Karson's toys...unfortunately at one point Karson had Tyler's iPhone in his hand and dropped it on Bryn's face while she was asleep and split her eye open. That added some extra excitement to the night. Yikes! 

Reilly and Hunter did fine too. I sent them regular updates on Karson and they had a great time at the concert. They came over after the concert and chatted until about 1am. I'm glad they were able to go on a date and take a little time to enjoy themselves! Date nights are important! Also...a few days later Karson had his mom's phone and called Lovey again and this time he was babbling away. I love it!

Tyler hit an awesome milestone at work. He is now an official Trailblazer. That means he has been with his company for 20 years. He was very excited about this and got to attend a very fancy dinner and banquet at the Davenport Hotel. He was supposed to get me pictures from this (spouses were not invited...rude) but I'm still waiting...

Tyler also had his endocrinology appointment. His A1C is still around 8...frustrating...after having it so low over the summer. He's also been going to the temple regularly and will go early in the morning. He is enjoying it. He and I were both busy with ward conferences this month. Lucky for us we got to over lap for one of them!

Tyler's mom cancelled her big 80th birthday party that was planned for the end of June and she also cancelled her move to Sagewood at Daybreak which is a retirement community in South Jordan. Tyler's sister, Lori, who moved back to Utah last fall has decided that she doesn't want to deal with Utah winters anymore and is looking to move to either Florida or Tennessee and is planning to take Judie with her. WHAT?! Will wonders never cease?! They are gearing up for a Golden Girls adventure!!

Bryn and I had a little Mother/Daughter date around all of her hanging out with her friends and track to do a little shopping. She wanted a shopping spree for her main birthday present from us. I was happy to oblige! We had a great time!

The owners of Midtown Market took vendor pictures one night so we headed to CDA for the event:

We also won Best Antique Store for 2023.

Midtown Market also had it's Spring Open House right after this and it was a great event for me and for the store.

The next week our friends, Jennifer and Nathan, were hosted their vintage show Funky Junk in Sandpoint, Idaho. Tyler, Bryn, and I drove up to support them. That show was always so much fun!

We love Jennifer! I wish we would've gotten Nathan in the picture too!

We also got to see some other dear friends of ours... Jennifer and Kathy...missing from the picture were both of their husbands...Jamie and Eric. It was so fun to see everyone!

We had such a fun time visiting with good friends and shopping in beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho!

I had a dental appointment this month too. To my children's great chagrin I had zero cavities. I've only had two cavities in my life and I got them in my 30s and have gone another 20 years without a single one. Do I like to gloat about this to them in our family chat? Yes, I do! I also had a consult about getting new retainers. Mine have been long gone for about 30 years and my bottom teeth are starting to shift a bit. Annoying.

I also finally finished my Storyworth project, sent it off, and got it back. That sucker was hanging over my head and filling me with guilt. My brother and sister-in-law gave me the subscription for my birthday 2 years ago. I had to finish it. 101 dull details and stories of my life. LOL. I got it back and it now sits on a shelf. Tyler, Bryn, and Reilly briefly flipped through it and set it back on the shelf. The kids will read the blog because it's all about them but this was all about me so...snooze. 

Riveting reading n'est pas? 

Tyler and I did a temple session together at the end of the month. Can you tell that one of our couple goals for 2024 was to go to the temple more. We've never gone so much in our lives! LOL. To celebrate our diligence we went out for sushi. Our neighborhood sushi place has been closed for remodeling for over six months. It finally opened up again and it is fabulous with LARGE booths. Finally!

What else? A good month of socializing and all kinds of things going on. Book Club was at Summer's house this month which is always fun! Tyler and I were at the gym pretty regularly in addition to our daily walks. We watched a few things this month...A Gentleman in Moscow. We both read the book so it was fun to watch the the show. We decompressed with more episodes of All Creatures Great and Small. We love it! Our next door neighbors painted their house a hideous shade of green. For the first time I wished we lived in an HOA. What are people thinking?!

We also had sunsets like this! (No filter.) All in all, April was a pretty great month and a definite improvement over March! ;)