San Diego

We spent a busy and super fun 5 days in San Diego again this month for the Utah Bar Convention. The best part about going to the bar convention each year is that we get to hang out with about a dozen other close friends and their families.

Digging at the Beach

Jumping in the water at Sea World

Waiting to see a show at Sea World

Gabe and Persy at the incredible San Diego Zoo

Sun Valley

Last week, we took a really fun family trip to Sun Valley, Idaho for the Utah Bar Convention. While Gabe attended morning classes, Persy and I enjoyed hiking and running on the excellent trails surrounding our resort. In the afternoons, our family spent time hanging out with some of our wonderful friends.


What you can't see in this awful picture is Sandra Day O'Connor. She spoke to the attorneys and their families about civil education and judicial reform. It was an honor to hear her speak. I found her to very down to earth and interesting.
One of the best parts of the trip was hanging out with so many of our friends.
Persy is drowning in her paddle boat life jacket.

So Long, Library "Anne"

For reasons far too boring to name, I have decided to leave my job at the library and stay at home with Persephone. My last day will be the 24th of this month. I wish the situation had worked out, because I've really enjoyed my job. It was a difficult choice to make, but I'm grateful that Gabe's job situation makes this option possible for our family. Here are a few things I'll miss about being Library "Anne."

1. Being able to peruse an endless selection of titles as I check-in books.
2. Having literary conversations with random strangers throughout the day.
3. Having "back stage" access to the awesome downtown library.
4. No library fines.
5. My fun and quirky co-workers.
6. Rainy and snowy days spent in a library.
7. Doing the children's story time and book baby programs.
8. My fun responsibility of picking art work for display in the library's gallery.
9. Staff Development Day
10. Being proud to work for such an awesome organization.

Back to Work

I started back at work this week. I am fortunate enough to work at the library with people I love and in a very happy environment. I am also lucky to be going back just part-time so I can keep up my important job as full-time mom to Miss Persy Pie. I hope the situation goes well. Here's a couple of cute pics from this week.

Showered with Love

I've had a couple of showers this month with friends and co-workers. I have been amazed with how generous everyone has been. It has been a blast to see everyone and introduce Persy. Gabe and I are very, very blessed to have so many people that care about us. (Note: I also had a wonderful shower from my dear book club friends and I foolishly forgot to take pictures. Thanks to Sharon for hosting!)



Melia and Julia



Shower with girlfriends at P.F. Chang's



Rebecca and Melia



Some library friends Eboni, Abbie, Dane (Not all of my library friends are shown because I know some of them are potentially blog shy.)



Big Balloons from library shower

New Job!

We are happy to report that Gabe has been offered a new job at a law firm in town! Better pay. Great benefits. We're excited about this new opportunity. Gabe will be starting on Monday. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!

57 More Superheroes!!

I hope the world is ready for 57 additional superheroes! This week I have done a "Superhero" story time at the library that is turning out to be a favorite. I start by donning my own superhero cape and inviting the kids to "Superhero Academy.” In order to graduate from the academy they must learn all the important skills of a real superhero! We read books and do superhero exercises and muscle poses, (because superheroes have to be in top shape to fit into their tight suits!) After all the books, singing, and dancing they are ready to take the superhero pledge which is, "I promise to only do good with my Superhero Powers!" Upon "graduating" from the academy I give each of the kids their very own red cape cut out of plastic table covers. We fly around the room to the "Superman" soundtrack and everyone leaves excited and happy. I knew this story time was a winner when I had one mother shyly asked me for a second cape at the end of story time, so that her husband and son could play superheroes together. Having the privilege to do story time is one of the best things about my job as a librarian.

Funny things patrons do

One of the reasons I enjoy being a librarian is that I honestly love people. Most of the patrons where I work are pleasant and fun to be around, but I am always amused at some of the requests that they make! Today, we had a patron bring in a book that was overdue and she lamented to a fellow employee that she just wasn't done yet. "I'm sorry," my co-worker replied, "but this item has a hold on it and cannot be renewed."

The patron was upset, "Well, can't you just call the person that placed the hold and ask them to remove their request? I'm sure they'd understand if you tell them that I really need the book." Oh, well then, if you really need it . . . . :)

Story Telling

Last weekend the library paid for me to attend a Storytelling Conference at Brigham Young University. Truthfully, the conference didn't have a whole lot to do with my library position, but I have always had a love for oral storytelling so I bravely asked for my employer to foot the bill.

Anyhow, for two days I was able to listen to world class storytellers and take workshops on topics like bedtime story rituals, storytelling 101, the power of the oral tradition, and creating a family heritage of storytelling. It was a really great weekend and I left with some ideas that I will use in my weekly children's story time at the library as well as ideas to use when I become a mother. Also, it's hard to explain, but attending the conference made me feel a sense of wonder that had recently been absent from my life. Thank goodness I am starting to dream again!

Meet the Attorney

I have been working as a Librarian for 2 1/2 years. I love my job! My favorite duties include doing the children's story time, and directing the art shows. This is a picture of me holding, (or rather caressing,) my favorite book: Anne of Green Gables.

Meet the Librarian (Otherwise known as Library "Anne)