May 10, 2015
Dear Riley,
This is my first time with a skype missionary experience, so
I don’t know even if you’ll write letters today. Better safe than sorry.
This week has been a wonderful, busy week. Highlights include Josie and I taking a trip
up to see my mom as she recovers from surgery on the day my dad had
surgery. B and J were sealed in
the Provo Temple and I was so grateful to be with them there. The Spirit was so strong! And B just feels settled and
comfortable and she exudes this contented air.
I am so happy for her.
Josie had her fourth birthday which I have documented for you with pictures. She did choose to sleep in the pink dress and came in at 6:00 to ask me to help her change into her blue dress and make certain her shoes were on the correct feet.
Josie loves dress up shoes. But since she doesn't have any "dress-up" shoes, she's had to make due. Mostly that means spreading the lower level of my closet throughout the house. But occassionally she becomes fixated on the shoes Aleah's build-a-bear SuzyQ came with. Only the ball of her foot fits, and that term is used loosely. She wears them walking on tip toes. They are her Cinderella shoes (Grandma wonders if that means she's a stepsister?). When she wears those SuzyQ shoes, she gets blisters on her toes which actually bleed. But she says they don't hurt. She did tell Dad, "Guess what? I put on the shoe and blood was coming out of the shoe. And I had to clean it off. Again."
I hate to confess this already, but it is possible that the new shoes I got her will leaver her much the same. The top of the shoe cuts into the top of her foot at the start of the instep.
We could see as wearing each dress transported her to some imaginary place. She's sleeping in one of these dresses tonight. She was wearing the blue Elsa dress on the way up to bed, but talking about changing into the pink one as she ascended the stairs.
What a great birthday.
Dad was up this morning making omelets and fried potatoes. Though we went to bed at midnight, he got up
at 4:30 to make this breakfast for me. I
feel guilty.
Josie said the cutest thing yesterday. She was watching Fantasia 2000. One of the first segments portrays a young
humpback whale getting separated from his parents. Josie said, “I can’t wait to tell the girls I
watched this and that I felt the Spirit.”
I asked her if she was feeling the Spirit and she said, “Yeah. And I want to cry.” Empathy is developing in your little sister.
I made an apron for SE because it was her
birthday and I visit teach her. I took
the pattern from my leopard print and pink apron. It is so cute!
PTA is almost complete.
I wrote up a job description for the positions that need to be filled
and asked Mr. C to email it out, not really expecting a response. But I
had six people respond and they are excited and the board is filled with new
people as well the ladies who have helped for years. I feel satisfied with the job I've done as I’ve worked steadily
at it and have solved some problems.
Cambry was able to skype with us today for Mother’s Day and
yesterday for Josie’s birthday. She is
having a wonderful time.
Today’s sacrament meeting was just wonderful. Brother R spoke and he did a wonderful
job. He talked about Christ-like love
being the love that causes us to look out even in the hour of greatest
need. He said that kind of love is best
demonstrated in mothers. I don’t know
that I have mastered that kind of love, but I know there have definitely been
times when I have loved that way.
He shared a personal story.
He lived in Sterling (down by Manti, but so small it’s like two blocks). His 19 year old sister was killed when she was
struck by a reckless driver who was putting on her make-up and feeding a baby
in the back seat while she sped through a snow storm at 55 mph in a 35 mph
zone. This woman later came to his
family’s house to beg forgiveness. At a
time when his parents were most in need of comfort, they extended solace to
this woman. Her father offered to bless
her and as he laid hands upon her head, he pronounced forgiveness upon
her. What good people! Brother R said he decided he couldn’t look
down at me because I had tears in my eyes every time he did. I get that a lot. I guess I sit in the front and cry. It’ll just be that way, I guess.
After we had a short skype conversation with Cambry, we went
up to hear DW report on her mission. She did such a wonderful job. She is 23 now and has matured much in recent
years. Though Dad couldn’t be there with
us, we did stay for dinner and it was good to be together again.
And so Dad is slaving in the kitchen again for me. He made me a cheesecake last night. Tonight’s dinner is grilled salmon with
Trisha’s rice, pan-seared Brussels sprouts and salad. Then we’ll have the cheesecake with the Oreo
crust and strawberry topping. Mmmm. We are a lucky family.
Dad did take a quick kayak trip down to Lake Powell Wednesday
and Thursday. I’m glad he could have a
little break. He was glad too. He borrowed J’s kayak that he made. And I got dad the audio book of The Boys in
the Boat because I loved it so much. He
is very much enjoying it.
It rained a lot this week.
The lawn is long. But since it
rained all day yesterday, I asked Dad to look at my elliptical machine. It’s been noisy for some time, but lately it
sounds like I’m rolling rocks for polishing in there. I can’t hear anything else. Dad had it all apart and diagnosed and will
replace my bearings in the morning. That
is such a kind gift. I can’t wait to
have it be quiet again.
I think that’s our week.
Or the best parts of it. We’re a
little worn out, truthfully. But we’re
so happy.
I can’t wait to speak with you.
I love you so much!
Mom
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