She's Here!!!

Baby Jane has FINALLY graced us with her presence!!
Welcome to our newest and littlest member Jane Elizabeth Mann (doesn't that sounds straight out of an Austen novel?--I love it.)
She arrived at 7:30 pm and weighed in at 7 pounds 4 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long. She's currently in NICU solely as a precaution to make sure she doesn't have an infection because Devyn had contracted one after her water broke this morning, but for now strictly an observation issue.

Mommy Devyn (and Auntie DeEtte) are doing just fine and will probably come home Tuesdayish.

Congratulations Devyn and Michael! If you want to see a picture of her, check out DeEtte's blog where she'll post one sometime tonight. www.clanmcpherson.blogspot.com

(Obviously Devyn will NOT be attending next week's meeting, so all you greedy baby holders will have to wait for the next one. )

Bad News

Ok, it's only bad news for me, but it feels pretty tragic to me.
I was just putting our family vacation to Cabo on my calendar and realize that it conflicts with our book club night August 26th for Breaking Dawn!
Since we are all going to read this one in a week, do you think we could change August's book club night to the 3rd Tuesday in August, the 19th?? If we all aren't in agreement, or if someone else can't do the 19th, I suppose I'll live... What do you think?

Who voted for 'Persuasion'?

I gotta know.

The Alchemist by Paul Coehlo

Every so often a book comes along that I feel as if I have been looking for and didn't even know it. I read The Alchemist a few weeks ago and have not been able to get over it since. The story is a very simple one of a boy in search of a dream and treasure, but the real content is found in the motives behind the search, others he comes in contact with, and the lessons learned along the way.
Written very simply, but complicated in its explanation, it's really more like a very long parable rather than a novel. It's packed full with symbolism and life lessons, but still reads very quickly. For anyone out there who (like me) is a huge fan of the legendary classic "The Little Prince" by Antione de Saint Exupery, this is a must have.
Read this book, you'll be glad you did.

The Mother Ship

Check out this picture of the Barnes and Noble in Baltimore Harbor. I'm sure that one or two of you have actually been there. I don't know that I'll ever get out there but I sure hope so!!

http://photo.net/photo/pcd4315/baltimore-harbor-barnes-and-noble-80.tcl

General Conference Activity Kits

Ok, I can not take credit for this, but thought it was so cute and such a great idea for your visiting teachees, friends, family and/or kids.
I found this on one of my friend's blogs and had to share with everyone.
I think I may try to copy this for some of the people I visit teach. There is one for younger and older children, it's from the www.sugardoodle.net website that is amazing if you have never been on it.
Click here to link to these Conference Activity Kits:
http://www.sugardoodle.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1882&Itemid=406">