Happy Birthday Amy

Since Amy has anything she wants it is hard to know what to do for her on her birthday..especially this landmark 40th year. I think of the song, "Row, row,row your boat gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily life is but a dream." It seems like looking back my life has been a dream since it seems like only yesterday that I had her in my arms as an infant. She is a cherished and important part of my life..making life sweet when it was sometimes challenging. I know people who meet her and say she has a special light about her. She has been an example to me in many ways. She is the glue that holds us together and just as she did as a child, watches over and cares for her siblings. There is so much I could say but I'll let a few photos of her life tell part of the history.

This is Amy's blessing day. I am stuffing her with rice cereal with an "Infa-Feeder". I'm hoping any problems she now has didn't come from this method of feeding.

Amy was an easy baby..so happy and sweet. Being the first born, I'm sure is a challenge since she is the "practice child". We learned as we went along with the others but she was from the start the mother sibling as her brothers and sister came into our home. She watched over each one and helped me in so many ways.

Raggedy Ann and Andy..the first of many fun Halloween costumes.
Giving Calder his bath in the sink.
A fun day at Grandma Stratford's.
Amy and Sally have always had a special relationship. If ever Sally was sad or in trouble she went to Amy for comfort. They continue that bond as they talk on the phone or email almost every day.
Waiting for her new baby sister to get born.

Twelve years old.
Graduating from Jr. High
One of our trips to Education Week at BYU. She is with her cousin Angela...just nine months apart in age. She is around 16 years old.
Outdoorsy looking at the Johnson's ranch in Oregon that we visited for vacation.
The glamour shot.
Her mission farewell. She served in the Independence Missouri Visitor Center Mission.
Prior to her mission she took many gifts to the MTC for her missionary.
High school graduation.
London Study Abroad.
Graduating with a Master's Degree from Harvard School of International Education.
One of her many trips to Africa. She worked for The World Bank overseeing education programs.
The long awaited..GREAT DAY! Amy waited for the best possible husband ever with Brian Barker. He is kind and loving and has served her well during the years of childbearing which has been a sacrifice for both of them with her illnesses and complications. Her goal was to have her children before she turned 40 and she accomplished this with one week to spare...Hooray for Amy and Brian as they brought forth little George Stratford Barker to join with Ella Jane and Vera Elizabeth.



A radiant, beautiful mother. Happy birthday Amy. You are a blessing to all who know you. I love you so much and feel so privileged to be your mother.

Happy Days in Colorado

I just returned from my second annual outing with Wyatt and Hank. This is the second year Sally has taken the young women (about 14 girls) on a backpacking trip to the Sawtooth Mountains and has asked me to be with the boys while she is away. I was greeted by a room full of flowers as only Sally can provide.
I have my own private antique filled space in the lower level of their home.

The days usually began with Wyatt and Hank greeting their friends from next door. It is such a pleasant neighborhood with nice people who have fun and watch out for each other. The two next door boys are the same age so they play with gusto and share each other's toys. There used to be a fence dividing the properties which has recently come down to make it easier to go back and forth.


Wyatt asked me to draw a target and make him an arrow so he could work at practice with his homemade bow.

Ginny gave me a rest by taking all the boys to the park.
We went to the city pool and Wyatt said he thought he would like a snorkle. He was so kind and helpful the whole time I was there that I was happy to get one for him.
What more would a grandma want than two boys who run up and want to have snuggle time.
Wyatt was impressive as he practiced his Karate and listened so well to instruction.
Wyatt is Hank's protector and friend.

Hank loved his glasses.
Refreshing on the porch.
Going out to lunch.
Wyatt and Hank are very musical as you might imagine. Every night before they go to bed they choose a song to sing and sometimes during the day they like to sing as well.
Sally is a photographer extraordinaire. She can even me look good.
I'll treasure the sweet photos she took of me and the boys.

We had lots of fun. Maybe she'll go camping again next year.