Dear Riley:
Rain rain and more rain. That's how the weekend has been. The snails and worms are having a ball. We're officially out of the woods, I think, for late frost but the other day while at work we got hit by hail nearly as big as marbles. By the time I came home, the hail had melted, but the evidence of its destructive power was everywhere. Streets were littered with debris and flowerbeds were in tatters. Just that morning I was out in the garden and wanted to take a picture of my lettuce patch. It looked like a postcard and was ready to eat. After the hail, it looked like tossed salad. Oh well, what's to be done. It's just another reminder of how dependent we are on the elements behaving just right, and how quickly circumstance can change.
Mother's Day has been nice. The kids and I made gourmet chocolate dipped strawberries yesterday and had a ball. They didn't look too shabby considering it was our first stab at it. We had a nice Sacrament program and minimal demands by way of extra meetings and interviews. I was home early and will be heading over to Grandma's in a minute. Can't wait for the Mother's Day call from our missionary. Your mother can hardly contain herself. Talk to you soon.
Love,
Dad
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Monday, May 2, 2016
Since you've been gone... May 2, 2016
...we've lost our heads!
This was Aleah's choice. Nicki sketched out the mural and the girls colored it over the past few weeks. Dad mounted and cut out the holes. We all crammed into the little space we had to fit faces.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
From Dad May 1, 2016
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Re: Letter 71 of 3
Dear Riley:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I neglected to wish you a happy birthday last Sunday, but Bro. Pinegar called on your birthday and asked that we relay his birthday wishes to you. What a week! Things are at a fever pitch as we move toward the wedding and I’m getting a little nervous about my portion of the responsibilities. I had obligations every day but in retrospect, the way things worked out was completely satisfying. I’m also a little stressed about the unfinished work in the yard and garden, but what’s to be done when almost every spare moment I have is also punctuated with rain. Today it was beautiful and sunny. Last Sunday it was beautiful and sunny. Yesterday it was cloudy with rain. Tomorrow will be more of the same. I’m still waiting for a good time to check the bees, which I hope are doing ok. Well, at least as long as it’s raining it isn’t freezing and that means my apricots are still ok. It looks like we’ll have tons this year.
I had a blessed turn of events at work. The last phase of the equipment installation involves the instrumentation. This is what enables me to monitor and control temperature, pressure, flow, agitation, etc. What it required was beyond my expertise and I really didn’t know where to start. My impression to contact the robotics and automation department at UVU didn’t yield the results I hoped for, but did provide clarity on the skills I was looking for. I went online and found someone local who seemed to have the necessary skills to help me, but was unable to make contact for several weeks. In the meantime, I had people contacting me from places as far off as Turkey, Venezuela, and India all claiming to be able to assist with my project. I just felt the individual here in Orem was the one I should be working with so I did a little sleuthing online and was able to find his address. Would you believe he lives about four blocks diagonally from me? It turned out to be a good fit, I went by his home, was able to make contact, and I’ve been working with him the past week. As it turned out, he had grown discouraged by never getting any work from the online contracting side jobs he had applied for and simply stopped checking his account. If I hadn’t dropped by, it’s likely I never would have got him. As I look at the spreadsheet he generated mapping all the parameters and equipment needs I can understand why my head was swimming, and am so grateful to have someone working on it for me. In the end, I’ll have everything on a central computer screen, data logging, mobile access and control with alarms sent to my phone if any parameters fall outside established set points. What this means is peace of mind, and repeat-ability of my process without long nights and early mornings to keep things under control. Also, no more scraping Pyrex drying trays! It’s all pretty exciting and a long time in coming. I think you’ll be impressed by what we accomplished over the past two years.
I don’t think I mentioned the passing of CH a couple weeks ago, but J M passed away on the 28th so I’ll be conducting another funeral on Tuesday. These things frequently come in threes and there are a number of other members dancing on the fringes of mortality. It’s just the price we pay for the wonderful association we share with those in their golden years. GS is among those who may not last long. She’s such a dear woman and we’ve been so blessed by her friendship, I don’t want to say goodbye.
Well, I need to sign off and send. I hope your new area is proving fruitful and you’re in a good companionship. I sort of think your mission president sends you to areas to get things moving and that you end up planting a lot of seeds that will bear fruits in the future, but every area you’ve worked was at one time unplowed soil. We’re looking forward to Mother’s Day and your final call home before you head home. I can hardly believe it. Take care, be obedient and safe.
Love,
Dad
Re: Letter 71 of 3
Dear Riley:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I neglected to wish you a happy birthday last Sunday, but Bro. Pinegar called on your birthday and asked that we relay his birthday wishes to you. What a week! Things are at a fever pitch as we move toward the wedding and I’m getting a little nervous about my portion of the responsibilities. I had obligations every day but in retrospect, the way things worked out was completely satisfying. I’m also a little stressed about the unfinished work in the yard and garden, but what’s to be done when almost every spare moment I have is also punctuated with rain. Today it was beautiful and sunny. Last Sunday it was beautiful and sunny. Yesterday it was cloudy with rain. Tomorrow will be more of the same. I’m still waiting for a good time to check the bees, which I hope are doing ok. Well, at least as long as it’s raining it isn’t freezing and that means my apricots are still ok. It looks like we’ll have tons this year.
I had a blessed turn of events at work. The last phase of the equipment installation involves the instrumentation. This is what enables me to monitor and control temperature, pressure, flow, agitation, etc. What it required was beyond my expertise and I really didn’t know where to start. My impression to contact the robotics and automation department at UVU didn’t yield the results I hoped for, but did provide clarity on the skills I was looking for. I went online and found someone local who seemed to have the necessary skills to help me, but was unable to make contact for several weeks. In the meantime, I had people contacting me from places as far off as Turkey, Venezuela, and India all claiming to be able to assist with my project. I just felt the individual here in Orem was the one I should be working with so I did a little sleuthing online and was able to find his address. Would you believe he lives about four blocks diagonally from me? It turned out to be a good fit, I went by his home, was able to make contact, and I’ve been working with him the past week. As it turned out, he had grown discouraged by never getting any work from the online contracting side jobs he had applied for and simply stopped checking his account. If I hadn’t dropped by, it’s likely I never would have got him. As I look at the spreadsheet he generated mapping all the parameters and equipment needs I can understand why my head was swimming, and am so grateful to have someone working on it for me. In the end, I’ll have everything on a central computer screen, data logging, mobile access and control with alarms sent to my phone if any parameters fall outside established set points. What this means is peace of mind, and repeat-ability of my process without long nights and early mornings to keep things under control. Also, no more scraping Pyrex drying trays! It’s all pretty exciting and a long time in coming. I think you’ll be impressed by what we accomplished over the past two years.
I don’t think I mentioned the passing of CH a couple weeks ago, but J M passed away on the 28th so I’ll be conducting another funeral on Tuesday. These things frequently come in threes and there are a number of other members dancing on the fringes of mortality. It’s just the price we pay for the wonderful association we share with those in their golden years. GS is among those who may not last long. She’s such a dear woman and we’ve been so blessed by her friendship, I don’t want to say goodbye.
Well, I need to sign off and send. I hope your new area is proving fruitful and you’re in a good companionship. I sort of think your mission president sends you to areas to get things moving and that you end up planting a lot of seeds that will bear fruits in the future, but every area you’ve worked was at one time unplowed soil. We’re looking forward to Mother’s Day and your final call home before you head home. I can hardly believe it. Take care, be obedient and safe.
Love,
Dad
From Mom May 1, 2016 Loose-tooth T (or J?)
Monday, April 25, 2016
Hi son,
Did I tell you that Josie's bottom front teeth are loose? She is so excited/scared. She wants us to check them often to see if they are ready to come out.
Sis S isn't doing well. She is not eating and is on hospice. Parker took Elise and Aleah to see her/say goodbye on the way home from piano. She was able to tell them she loves them and they her. Parker is sad, as you would expect.
We had more fighting while taking tonight's picture than we are accustomed. But I was sewing a dress today and the project we've expected to use twice now still isn't ready. Ah, wedding. Yet we managed to feel the Spirit during FHE and even laugh as we played Jenga. Though Josie cried because I knocked the tower over just before it was her turn! How inconsiderate, really. The Cam's were here for the picture, which took too long, and then went to the party being thrown partly in Cambry's honor for her graduation.
We hired a photographer today and met with LP about decorations. I as I think about it, a lot is already done. It's just my first wedding and all new. And my dress isn't done. But the zipper is in tonight, only the hemming left. I can totally do this. Right? Now for the jacket design.
I love you!
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Guess what?! NEXT week is Mother’s day!!!! It almost slipped past me but since I’m the chorister I realized we have to prepare to sing to our mothers today and I get to talk with you NEXT WEEK! I’m not that excited though. (NOT!) So what are the times/plans? You’re in Bangkok so internet might be better and we might even get video that moves this time.
How are things in Bangkok? And with your new companion? Did you have a good birthday? I felt so bad that I’d forgotten to wish you happy birthday in my letter last week. We prayed especially for you to have a nice birthday this week. I hope everything was still in pretty good shape. I don’t even remember all that the package contained food-wise, but I hope you’ve been feasting and knowing you’re loved.
I had a great plan to write a little bit to you each day this week. I made it through Monday. :) I’m running all the time and even when I’m not running, my mind is racing. There are just so many details and things to coordinate for the wedding. My dress is mostly done and I’m actually very pleased. I broke my serger finishing the edges of the jacket through the gathered lace. But a friend has an industrial strength one and took care of it for me Friday. Seeing that come together has given me great relief. (I’ve never actually LOVED anything I’ve made for myself, but I think this time is different.)
The biggest deal this week was Aleah got to go to Clear Creek. She loved it and came home all smiles. She slept in the same bunk Elise slept in which is the same one Cambry slept it. I hope it’s still there for Josie when she’s ready. ;) Aleah had been a little anxious that I signed her up for the summer program there since her friends weren’t going because it was expensive. But now that she’s been, she’s so excited that she’s going back for the week.
We’ve had cold and rain all week. Dad and I went out biking yesterday for the first time in over a week. Dad can’t get a lot of his yard things done, can’t check his bees. But lettuce is growing in the garden. :) And in the moment when the sun does come out, everything looks clean and new.
We had such a tender experience yesterday which actually began months ago. Ah, the blessings of being a bishop.
It’s made me weepy and tender. I just feel the reaching of a loving Heavenly Father who knows our needs and loves us. And it occurs to me that like in the case of Alma the younger, God does send angels to the struggling. But they are often the angels He has already placed in their path as family and friends. And some, on that basis, go unrecognized as angels.
A became officially engaged Tuesday night before leaving with J to visit her family. I haven’t heard how things have gone, but we do hope the best for them. It’s not been an easy thing. But that doesn’t mean it can’t bring blessings in the long run.
Grandma and Grandpa B were hit pretty hard in a wind storm last night and lost trees. A large volunteer group came and helped cut up the downed trees and limbs. This as they are still living in a mess from the flood downstairs. My mom is weepy and overwhelmed.
Did I tell you that BL has a mission call to Las Vegas, Spanish speaking? He leaves July 5. They come home from Korea soon but will live up in Logan. We’ve missed them.
We love you, Riley. We can’t wait to be a part of your world for a few minutes next week. Until then.
Love,
Mom
They had engagements taken last night, SO sweet!
Since you've been gone... April 25. 2016
...this idea came in handy.
This was another save week. I know, you miss me. But not as much as Josie does! ;)
From Mom April 24, 2016 Too Much!
Sunday, April 24, 2016
This week was HUGE.
I spent Monday sewing on my dress for the wedding reception. I don’t know if it will come together. But I’m trying.
Tuesday I chaperoned Aleah’s field trip. They wanted us to have one adult per four children. It was fun and my group, with Aleah, was smart and fun.
Wednesday Dad taught D and M Gygi how to make sourdough for her birthday. They came over and he took them through the making of the loaves and the baking. They took a loaf home for dinner. What a sweet memory. They brought Dad some of his paintings of bread. I had to run to the office for an audit part way through, but it really was so good to talk to them.
Thursday was Cambry’s commencement. We all went down the the Marriott Center right after school. I don’t think I could be more pleased with who Cambry has become and what she has accomplished. It was a good, full day. We ate chicken enchiladas at 7:30. But they were tasty!
Then we got up early Friday morning (also Cameron’s birthday) for her college of Humanities graduation. The talks were actually quite good and it was so impressive to see all these accomplished people celebrated for their accomplishment. After that commencement exercise, we went down to an Italian restaurant Cameron took her to the night he proposed. It was really yummy and Parker decided to use that for his prom night. After getting home from the restaurant, I ran to help CY for just a minute before darting off to Claire Ann Hudman’s graveside service. From there to work for payroll. From work I took Parker to get a tux and luckily he got one. Then Dad and I ran out to get a gift for Cameron, I felt bad I hadn’t accomplished it earlier. We gave him a set of hand tools that he’ll need as the man of the house. He appreciated them when he opened them last night.
Yesterday I cut Dad and Parker’s hair. I shopped groceries and clothes. Made dinner. Went to the temple. Parker had prom. It’s been a lot. My head hurts.
J asked for A’s hand, so I imagine she’ll be engaged soon and from what we hear, they plan to be married a couple weeks after Cambry. We wish them the best.
PY was given an honorable release from her mission last week after 6 days in the MTC. She was hit by a previously unrecognized condition and was quite debilitated. She’s doing OK, now. We don’t know if she will go back out at this point. She’s pursuing treatment.
Grandma and Grandpa P came over just now because they’ve been away since church without dinner and were hoping I’d have some leftovers. You betcha!
So where are you? Who are you with? How are things going? What does Mother’s day look like for you? It will be so good to talk to you. We’re so pleased with your work and hope you are sensing your Father’s approval.
I love you so much!
Mom
I chaperoned Aleah's class on their field trip to the curiosity museum up at Thanksgiving Point. They left a little earlier than we'd been told, so my hair is still wet.
The funniest part was out on the playground while the kids in my group were waiting their turn on the zipline. There were these two different disks mounted off balance that just begged a body to stand on them. So I did. At first not much happened. But then my body weight started an almost perpetual acceleration. As I spinned faster and faster I experimented with my arms checking the impact on my speed. Straight up, more speed, outstretched a little slower. Once it was a smidgy bit slower, I jumped off. All the kids had to try too. I was the champion! It's my master stoker skills from tandem biking that made the difference, I'm pretty sure.
The other kids were all jealous I'd never gone on a field trip with them. Awww. Sorry.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Re: Letter 70 of 3
Re: Letter 70 of 3
Dear Riley:
Last week was a category 5 whirlwind of activity. There wasn’t a day without multiple obligations outside of work and by Saturday evening we were exhausted. Cambry graduated from college. That was two days of pomp and ceremony which is sort of funny when you consider all the colorful robes, silks and heady rhetoric. All the same, I was so pleased for Cambry and her accomplishments. She looked beautiful and radiant. Now she’s fully focused on working full time at dōTERRA and wedding planning. dōTERRA has really been good to her and was recently recognized in Forbes magazine as one of the best places to work. Now that Cambry has a degree in English studies, they have encouraged her to consider technical writing and will be looking to promote her talents in more distinguished, and higher paying, endeavors.
The weather has been beautiful and the garden is coming along nicely. I’m surprised by how quickly the 5’ X 5’planters are filled up and feel motivated to put in a few more before the end of summer. I’ll send you a picture of how things are coming along. Sadly, much of the beautiful weather was lost on other obligations. Saturday brought some respite from external obligations but brought some wet weather which made working outside less than ideal. Today was beautiful and sunny. Tomorrow and Tuesday is forecast rain again. Oh well, we need the moisture, but I wish my schedule would get in sync with good weather.
You’re on, so I need to send this. Sorry so short!
Love you!
Dad
Last week was a category 5 whirlwind of activity. There wasn’t a day without multiple obligations outside of work and by Saturday evening we were exhausted. Cambry graduated from college. That was two days of pomp and ceremony which is sort of funny when you consider all the colorful robes, silks and heady rhetoric. All the same, I was so pleased for Cambry and her accomplishments. She looked beautiful and radiant. Now she’s fully focused on working full time at dōTERRA and wedding planning. dōTERRA has really been good to her and was recently recognized in Forbes magazine as one of the best places to work. Now that Cambry has a degree in English studies, they have encouraged her to consider technical writing and will be looking to promote her talents in more distinguished, and higher paying, endeavors.
The weather has been beautiful and the garden is coming along nicely. I’m surprised by how quickly the 5’ X 5’planters are filled up and feel motivated to put in a few more before the end of summer. I’ll send you a picture of how things are coming along. Sadly, much of the beautiful weather was lost on other obligations. Saturday brought some respite from external obligations but brought some wet weather which made working outside less than ideal. Today was beautiful and sunny. Tomorrow and Tuesday is forecast rain again. Oh well, we need the moisture, but I wish my schedule would get in sync with good weather.
You’re on, so I need to send this. Sorry so short!
Love you!
Dad