December 29, 2014
Dear Riley,
I got up early this morning so I would have time to email
you before your computer time. But I
decided to exercise and bathe and get ready for the day because I have a lunch
appointment with MB (we’re trying a Thai place by
Macey’s). Anyway, you know that by the
time I was sitting down to the computer, you had started your time. And this letter is going take a bit to throw
down.
OK, so just now Josie found those wild, crazy colored
tight/leggings from Grandma Parish’s house.
She had a wad at the foot of one leg and asked me to free it. Before helping her, I put lotion on my hands
to reduce the velco-grab effect and it stung where I had a split so I made a
face. Josie asked if I did that because
it hurt because my hands were dry, like dried apples. After I freed her legging, she said, “I just
knew you could do it.” Riley, there is
no possible way we can keep you entirely updated on her funny sayings. But I’ll try to keep you fresh with a few of
them.
I got your last letter while I was at the dentist. They were happy to hear that you have extreme
dental hygiene. But they noted that most
missionaries have zero dental hygiene, so don’t let it go to your head. J
We drew names for gifting among the kids. I told you last week that there had been a
terrible battle the morning of the Christmas
breakfast. Well that seems to have been
the heart of all the contention: the
entire house was one scene of scream and tear-shed. When we drew names, one sibling sensed before it happened: the one they had trouble with was going to be the name they drew. Fate is too generous to miss that kind of opportunity. But the impulsive response wasn't pretty: they would NOT get a present for someone they hated. I didn’t give much response
other than, “You make your choices, I make mine.” But my heart was so sad at this and as we talked about it later, after the Christmas breakfast battle, one child decided the other wasn't sufficiently punished. At least talking gave
room for a release and there was a handmade gift under the tree Christmas morning.
We spent Christmas Eve in Christ. Novel.
Josie was too young to attend, but the rest of us drove up to the
Conference Center to watch the presentation Savior of the World. L had pushed us to get tickets and I’m
glad we did because it did make Christmas more sacred, though I’m sad L couldn’t go as she is laid up from surgery.
We ate at the food court in City Creek and headed home. Grandma Parish hadn’t remembered me asking
her to babysit Josie and was wondering where we were. But bless her for taking care of Josie anyway. I was responsible for clam chowder Christmas
Eve and it was right up to the minute, but I did get it done and it was soooo
yummy. K and J were there as
well as J and A. K is doing
better and I’m so hopeful for her.
Cambry cleaned up the house for Christmas morning and said
she missed her cleaning buddy. Then she
and dad wrapped gifts, not one was wrapped, while I put the cranberry orange
Christmas casserole together. I was so
tired I was certain I’d make a catastrophic error, but it turned out delicious
in spite of me.
In the night of Christmas Eve I was awakened after an hour
of sleep. I was up homemedics massaging
my hips when Josie got up. She had
gotten Tinkerbell pajamas to sleep in before bed and had an accident in
them. Horror. She was trying to dry them off with toilet
paper. When I understood what had
happened, I went up and had her take them off and washed her up and started
the clean up. Most times when she’s had
an accident, it happens in the bathroom, but this time it was in the
bed… Aleah’s bed. So I went in to change
her bed and you know how difficult Aleah is to waken. But I shook her gently and said, “Aleah. Josie had an accident in your bed and your
arm is actually in pee.” Sheer terror
swept across her face as she moved from sleep into horrified
consciousness. I wish I’d videoed. It would have earned me a million bucks for
sure. But it wouldn’t have been worth
the humiliation of the world seeing the state of their bedroom. ;)
Christmas morning was magical as always. I used my cell camera to take the pictures on
the stairs and downstairs and the flash was so bright that you can see the pain
of anticipation on the faces of your siblings.
They actually hid my cell when I went up to make the sauce for the
Christmas casserole.
This was the year of the blankets. Elise wanted a plush blanket like she’d
gotten Faith so then Aleah wanted a leopard print blanket. I already had gotten Josie a plush Frozen
blanket. I found a really soft blanket
for Parker. Just Cambry didn’t get one, well
actually she did, but from doTERRA, not us.
Dad loves the softness of Josie’s blanket and was getting her wrapped up
in it one night this week and she said, “No, that is a sweaty blanket.”
P K gave me the sweetest gift. She brought it over a head of time and I
asked if I could open it in front of her.
A grave expression washed her features and she somberly told me, “No,
it’s for Christmas.” But it was a sweet
little hand held, hand-crank music box which plays Jesus Said Love Everyone. So thoughtful.
Talking with you was the highlight of my Christmas, no
doubt. I was so stressed that I might
miss the call because Grandma and Grandpa Bramwell have a cell phone-proof
house. Actually I woke up thinking you
might somehow not know my cell phone number by heart. Parker recited it to me and assured me you
knew it. But at Grandma’s Christmas day,
I panicked and was trying frantically to forward our home phone remotely. But you called before I could accomplish it.
I’m so sad because I’m not even half way through the things
I want to tell you. But I have to leave
for lunch. Good thing I placed things in
the order I did. Many days lately I’m
still in my workout clothes, not worked out, looking grungy after lunch. I love you so much. Congratulations on being made zone
leader. You’ll be great.
Love you,
Mom
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