MATTHEW

Today is Matthew's birthday. 39 years ago today, I was ready to have a baby. Boy, was I ready. I'd like to write a few things about that day.

It's 10am now. At this time 39 years ago I was heading to the doctor for another appointment. I was already a week overdue. Matthew is the second child and I had Samantha 1month late, so I didn't want to see a pattern. (It was a pattern, though, that carried through all 7 times.) My parents were in town and had to be leaving. So I had decided to push the doctor for some help. He gave in and said he would meet us at the hospital at 5pm. I came to realize that the only reason he agreed was because he could see I was already in the early stages of labor. So I went home and let things happen. There was a girl in our University ward that was pregnant and we were racing each other to see who would go first. I called her to give her the news and she was already in the hospital. But Matthew was born first. 5:35pm Feb. 4, 1969.

In 1969 father's were not allowed in the delivery room. Old school, I know. This was our first experience at LDS Hospital, since Samantha was born in LA. All the rest of our children were born at LDS and John Z. Brown was the OB all the time. He died some years ago. He was a good doctor and had a sense of humor, so we got along.

At the time of Matthew's birth we lived on Whitlock Ave. in Sugar House. It was a two bedroom home, big back yard, and we paid $110 a month. Dad was working for the church as a computer programmer and going to school at the U with help from the GI Bill. He graduated in May of 1969.

We were so grateful to have a son to go with our daughter. We had no idea then that we would be so blessed with so many fabulous kids. Tender mercies from the Lord.