With All Our Love

Dear Tanner,

What a lovely chat we had! It was interesting having so many people in the room, an airport worth of airplanes flying regularly overhead, smiling face on our screen, and a lot of Portuguese noise! And we're SO excited to know you're coming home. Your face was priceless when I planted one on your father. I so wish he had taken a picture - wait! He couldn't! His lips were busy. I'm glad you enjoyed my silly antics.

I figured out your president would probably keep you, after you wrote of how young the mission might be. Just a perfect way to end Mother's Day! Speaking of mother's day, it was a good day. Sometimes it isn't my favorite day. Just not at the stage in my life where I can rest from my labors but I do love my job. I made myself laugh today thinking that if I relinquished to Dad's wishes to keep the house air conditioning at frigid, then I could get away with serving soup. What kind of mother plots like that?

You seemed worried whenever some form of money was mentioned.?. I know this is a concern for you. Let it go. Heavenly Father will bless you, and we'll get it all figured out when you get home.

Dad's been reading a book called "Rocket Men" by Craig Nelson. Sometimes he shares parts with me he finds interesting. The best such moment? When Dad was reading why the visor on the space helmet was made out of reflective material. First, it would be used as mild sunglasses from the sun glare. Second, in the unlikely event of an alien encounter, the human face would be protected. What?!? Isn't that bit of trivia SO funny? The other tidbit I read that was REALLY interesting is that the NASA designers neglected to place a handle on the Eagle's outside door, which meant that Armstrong and Aldrin had to make sure to leave it open while they walked on the Moon! "Uh, Houston, we have a problem!" I'll leave you with one more. They had such big to-do-lists, that they needed to do while they were on the moon, that they wrote in teeny tiny words all over the cuffs of their space suit before they left the space ship.

We were at the ballfields bright and early Saturday. It's nice to get them over quickly! Miller's coach wrote another great update: "Eastham Black moves to 10-0 after squeezing by a much improved Red team today, 7-4. We pounded out 17 hits with Miller Schenewark, Evan and Brycen all going 3 for 3. Miller knocked in the go ahead run in the 6th." Miller also had seven outs made to first base, and made a leaping catch at home for the tag. Sawyer laid down two sacrifice bunts, with a man on second and third, both times. The coaches ALWAYS ask him to bunt! He never got to swing away - all three times up to bat he had to bunt. He also got to finish out the game pitching. He does enjoy that, but he's a thing of beauty to watch playing short. Nothing gets by him, and he reacts so quickly I'm always surprised.

I also gave everybody haircuts. I've been wondering whether or not you'll want me to cut yours any more ;-) I'm two years better than I use to be! And it's still free ;-)

Saturday was also when I pulled an epic surprise on Hunter. As he has not ever had a party here and is graduating, I thought it would be fun for him and a few of his friends and Porter to go out to eat and to a movie. He drove me to the store under the pretense of leaving me at the store and picking up Cooper at the middle school, as he was just getting home from a band contest. Instead, I kicked him out of the van, and I picked up his brother. The boys had a great time, even went to Dairy Queen afterwards with leftover change, and dubbed me the coolest high school mom. Hunter had a good time, even if he was wearing his size too large olive green crocs, and an "I indexed 1000 names!" tee shirt ;-)

Today was the senior and induction ceremony for Fairland's National Honor Society. Porter was one of nine sophomores that were eligible for induction. Hunter was awarded his senior stole. He was President of his chapter this year, and spoke on leadership, one of the four tenants (scholarship, service, character). I'll post his speech later, but you would have been proud. He represented well.

Also today your grandparents visited the courtroom and officially had Tina adopted. Uncle Aaron posted, "This morning, with the help of Judge Keamy, one local family added another member to its ranks. Adoption is one of our services here at Hutchins Law, P.C. And this particular one was personal to our firm. Welcome to the family, Tina!" She loves you dearly, and you'll be in her presence soon.

Your sister continues to believe, truly, that she is a princess. Go ahead. Ask her a question. What do you want to be when you grow up? A princess. What is your favorite color? Pink! Some questions she might have for you? Where IS my castle? When will my boys be princes? Where is Daddy's crown? Her other thoughts? I don't want my mom to be a mean queen! And in her dreams, some good, some scary: There was a mean queen, and she was laughing at me! I don't like rats in my castle, only cats! And so forth. You'll have so much fun. When you listen to classical music, she calls it princess music (and yes, you can take credit for her love of that!). So we listen to and tell a lot of fairy tales over here.

 I was thinking today that we, as children of God, and of a royal birthright, fit right into her story. Earning your high school diploma, or graduating from college, would allow you the right to carry a scroll as a symbol of your quest for learning, as is reading the scriptures and learning in the temple. Having the kind of mission experience you did, and being the kind of leader you are, would give you the right to carry the scepter as a symbol of your character. Receiving the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods put keys in your pocket, just like learning how to drive, symbolizing the tools you need on your journey. Finding a wife, and having children will allow you the crown. Happily ever after.

While reading for seminary in Moroni, I found the perfect scripture for you. "My beloved son, I rejoice exceedingly that Jesus Christ hath been mindful of you, and hath called you to his ministry, and to his holy work...I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying...And now, my beloved son, labor diligently; for [you] have a labor to perform." Elder Eyring said, "Spiritual staying power comes from working past the point when others would have taken a rest...If you do all that you can God will magnify your strength and your wisdom." We know you'll finish strong, you'll continue to work hard, and serve Him with all your might, mind and strength. For which we're indeed grateful.

Full of love for you,

Mom and Dad