From Mom December 12, 2014

Friday, December 12, 2014

Hi Riley,

Sorry I’ve been so slow corresponding this week; it’s December.

The singles dinner was beautiful and we had more help than we’ve ever had which was so nice.  Dinner wasn’t cooked in time and that was disappointing.  But it did taste nice once we ate.  And the brothers and sisters are so happy and generous to us for our efforts.   My assignments were the spiced cider and hot chocolate and they tasted superb.  I really couldn’t have done much more than I did, but I would have like to have had my homemade rolls and made a dessert as well.  But I just couldn’t this year.  Maybe next year.

Tonight was M M’s wedding.  Dad married her and S this evening before the reception.  About five minutes into his counsel to them, R, who was bearing M’s ring, blacked out.  Dad says it rattled him a little.  Luckily she had her hair in small braid buns in the back and they must have cushioned her head on impact, because by the time I got there for the reception, she was bouncing around and fine.  It was a nice event and S was so just so happy and that makes me so happy for M.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Dad is at a Regional Training for bishops and stake presidents this morning which will carry into the afternoon.  He’s feeling run ragged I think. Tithing settlement and all the Christmas events in recent day have him spinning.  But he is there and he said this morning that he remembers Bishop Warner saying there were meetings that he resented until he’s gone and he was so relieved for the counsel he’d received.

I just got back from dropping Elise to Sis Warner’s for the birthday breakfast.  She’d gotten the reminder call just as she was getting up from German Pancakes, but went anyway.  With Dad gone, I made only the large pan and we had leftovers!  Crazy.

Last night on the way home from the wedding reception, the girls were so excited to see the lights in the Riverwoods.  They asked if we could go there and my first impression was just to get home because I was tired.  But then I decided it was the nicest weather we’d have to do this and I pulled in and we walked around.  They were offering carriage rides and we got to take one of the last ones.  Aleah was bored stiff, of course. ;)  I guess we were about 30 minutes walking around down there and it made me consider.  My contemplations have been focused on being more available to my family even in busyness.  I did resist momentarily, but more importantly, I also did yield.

Speaking of, Grandma Bramwell just called so I’m going cut this short.

·         Sis S wants to know how much you spent on a ring.  She knows that your best intentions die with you, so she wants it done.  Please take some time this PDay.

·         Also, let me know for sure that you don’t want the PJ’s from Costco so I can return them.

·         Remember to send home a wallet size pic for your plaque.

·         The kids enjoyed their letters.  You can send one for Josie and I’ll read it to her.  Or you could draw a picture.  She’d love that too.

I love you.  I feel like I’ve neglected you a bit this week.  But so have I all the children.

We think of you and pray for you constantly.