With All Our Love

Dear Tanner,

Just a few items of business up front. I don't know why but sometimes you send us pictures, and we don't get them. Sometimes they'll arrive five hours later, or not at all. So we've made it a habit now to check to see if we've gotten everything. Doesn't happen all the time, but we didn't want to miss anything. When we type your email into our computer, your password comes up already entered, as dots. Please tell us what it is just in case one day we'll need to enter it ourselves. We'll just stick it in your folder with your other passwords: __________

I (FINALLY) wrote your former companion, Elder Anderson, but needed his first name: _________

Did you get our package this week? __________

Do you need your prescription refilled? __________ 

Do you need more Clariton/Allegra/Benedryl, or can you purchase allergy medication over there? __________

If you have access to dry ice out there, I can mail root beer flavoring, and a recipe. I'm sure that would be a fun activity! __________

Elder Cummings was called as a district leader in Cascavel!

I couldn't really find anything that interesting in world news to share, but on the homefront Evan's graduation card arrived in the mail. You'd be proud! He heads to West Point this summer. Unbelievable!

Dad's trying to kick off his celestial reading program...again...Dad's also trying to pin down a few goals that the older boys could be working towards this summer. 

This week the three younger boys went to basketball camp with Coach Speed for three days, 3 - 6 p.m. each day. Porter worked the camp, of course, helping with the stations. Miller came home the first night describing his last second three point shot, excited that while he was shooting, he was knocked flat onto his back, and the shot still went in. How can I compete? I pushed through five loads of laundry! It's amazing, though what I can get done when there's only Hunter and Breyer home, and one of them is taking a nap.

Tuesday was Larry's birthday, and feed the "threesome" missionaries, so I made two chocolate banana cakes, and had plenty to share. I spent basketball camp quiet time reflecting on referrals for the missionaries, and sent them away with three. It was a good thing to do, and hopefully I'll have more this week as I'm feeding them three times. When there three sets in our branch size ward, there are a lot of holes to fill on the monthly calendar. Sandy and Larry came over after dinner, and with the help of Breyer putting in the candles and Sawyer lighting them, we made it an official birthday cake.

Wednesday was Sawyer and Cooper's last baseball game. I think their team is last in the league, and this game was no different. But, we have fun together in the dugout, and I have learned to keep a "mean" book.

Thursday Hunter played in his first summer golf tournament, and brought home our first "golf" trophy for second place in his age division, fifth overall. He was leading in the first nine holes, so he's got to learn how to keep up the momentum.

Friday we spent the evening with Sis. Parrish. What a gal! We always have such a good time over there, even if Breyer can't leave her water dispenser alone! That girl fills up glasses the whole evening, and when everybody has had as much as they can to drink, she starts filling up the cups and dumping the water in the sink. While we're on Breyer, we can stay awhile. She found the gas can on the porch and dumped out the whole gallon. Hunter was in charge of watching her, and this happened while he was going to the garage for a chair. Oh dear.

Miller has enjoyed the summer reading programs here in town and down in Huntington. Friday I took the boys to the annual book sale, but it wasn't the "bag" sale so they weren't interested.

Miller's on a karate/judo/jujitsu kick and has been looking for books on "fighting." Does that surprise you? Mr. "Beat-up-the-Box" finally found a librarian to help him and came home delighted. "Mom, you better watch out! These teach you how to be a Ninja!" And my favorite, with a little explanation: When I try to get Breyer to elevate her behavior, such as learning to use the toilet, her line is always, "But I'm a little girl." So when she calls Miller, a "little boy," he got a little offended this week and said, "I'm not a little boy, or a little kid, Breyer, I'm a man."

Saturday was Miller's last baseball game. It was a glorious day to play ball, and I was by myself in the sun to enjoy the cracks of the bat. His team handily won the game, and were crowned champions. He LOVES to play baseball. His little hips wiggle in anticipation of getting the ball from a hit. His head is IN the game. He was one of the youngest on the team of 6 to 8 year olds. I'll post pictures later. That afternoon I sat in the dugout at Porter's game and kept book. It was very peaceful not having any children hanging on me. Hunter called me during the game to let me know he had successfully fed the missionaries all by himself. Good thing I had all the food prepared ;-)

Tonight we went to Sawyer's 2nd grade teacher's father's viewing. I brought Sawyer, who made a beautiful card for her, as well as Hunter because he's friends with her son. It was a good thing to do. We saw the your principal, and Sawyer's neurosurgeon, as well as your favorite Pastor who you worked with on the homeless coalition. 

Tonight Hunter and Sawyer have been getting their golf bags ready for the Optimist tournament tomorrow morning. Do you remember last year's tournament, where we drove around and around in a golf cart, and swam in the country club swimming pool, all while waiting to go to Indianapolis? That was a fun trip. Sawyer is the only ten year old who qualified to enter the tournament, but he's SOOOO excited to be playing! Hunter has to get below 78 AND win his age division for the free trip to the Florida tournament. So we'll let you know next week what happens ;-)

One evening as I was drifting off to sleep, listening to Dad's "celestial" sleeping music, I jolted awake listening to the words that were being sung:

The world has need of willing men who wear the worker's seal.
Come, help the good work more along; Put your shoulder to the wheel.
The Church has need of helping hands, and hearts that know and feel.
The work to do is here for you; Put your shoulder to the wheel.
Then don't stand idly looking on; the fight with sin is real.
It will be long but must go on; Put your shoulder to the wheel.
Then work and watch and fight and pray with all your might and zeal.
Push ev'ry worthy work along; Put your shoulder to the wheel.
I thought of you pushing people to church, serving others with your might and zeal, fighting against sin and Satan...putting your shoulder to the wheel...We're grateful you're one of the willing men, wearing the worker's seal, now in the form of a missionary name tag, and helping the work move along. Inspired me to do my part in a better way. Love you to pieces! Until next week! 

Love, 

Mom and Dad