With All Our Love

***You have to answer today!!!! Uncle Roger would love for you to join him at summer camp. It's a week and a half after we've arrived in New England...up to you. Dad, Cooper, Sawyer and Porter are going. Hunter might be swayed if you go, but he also wants more time with Grampy. Let me know. He wants you to teach the trail to first class with him, which Sawyer will be attending.***

Also, we are committed to getting money into your bank account THIS week ;-) With a little extra for being so patient!

Dear Tanner,

I'm writing this a little sooner this week as I'm off to girls camp in the morning. Sometime earlier this year I felt generous and said yes, and I've been kicking my backside all day. It's too much, but I can't back out now. Our group (2nd years) is the biggest, and there was a need for a second leader (me), but it was under the condition I didn't have to do anything during the year, as I was teaching seminary. Now I'm doing it all - today ;-) Hopefully someone will write you a few words as to their survival condition while I'm gone. Multiple siblings have come to me to tell me they won't be able to survive. :-)

Sunday I was released from my calling as seminary teacher. The high counselor jokingly said I was so good that they had to replace me with two teachers (Sisters Sherry Lewis and Lim). It is a relief to no longer carry that burden but it was a calling I loved, and am so thankful I had as an answer to my prayers of how I was going to keep up with you and offer any kind of thoughtful weekly advice.

Porter also received his patriarchal blessing recommend, and has an appointment with Grampy the Sunday after we arrive. I can't believe he'll be my third to do so! What a wonderful blessing these words of guidance can be.

We celebrated Larry's birthday on Sunday. Breyer and I made a chocolate-chocolate cake, and brought it over. Everyone got to put in a candle, light it, and tell Larry why they loved him. I think his favorite was when Hunter said, "I love you because you don't get too upset about the scratches I put on your truck." Of course he was just joking. Larry would not be anywhere near laughing if that happened. This was the first time Larry's taken "the bite," and it was a first for us with a mustache in the frosting! We do love our neighbors. 

I was reading that the Pont des Arts footbridge over the Seine in central Paris was closed for a few hours on Sunday after a metal grill laden with padlocks left by amorous couples collapsed onto the walkway. Padlocks began appearing on bridges in Paris and other European cities more than five years ago left by people seeking to symbolise their enduring love - often inscribed with couples' names. Lovers typically throw the keys into the river. Nobody was hurt by the "love lock" incident, a city. I've always wanted to put a lock on and throw the key, but perhaps by the time I get there it will no longer be allowed. They're taking suggestions as how to curb lovers' symbolic enthusiasum.

I was also reading today in the news that Google sent letters to all their advertisers informing them that no longer would they be accepting or allowing pornographic material / explicit photographs or subjects in advertisements. Hip Hip Hurray! What a great thing! Hopefully many others will follow in their footsteps.

Miller has spent the entire week practicing for all stars, and he is in heaven. He spends the whole day asking me how much longer until practice! That kid can't get enough! And he'll be playing all week while I'm gone. Sawyer found out he made it as well. He'll have a later season, perhaps you'll get to see him play. Mr. Sowards had the winning team, so he's the coach, first time he's accepted as he's always had to refuse due to him also being league president. As this is his son's last year, he's done being president (next year), got an exemption, and will be coaching. He's so happy Sawyer can play. We love the Sowards family. Your father helped Tanner with a nationally advertised weight lifting graduate assistant position at Marshall, so they love as as well ;-)

I found this picture from Miller's kindergarten papers, and thought it fitting he loves Texas. He was born there, and now gets to go back. This week in preparation for that move I found a realtor, found a lender, reserved a moving truck, thought about how to get you to school and am still thinking on that, met with a lawyer...it's been busy! The boys are still helping take stuff down, repair when needed, and pack boxes.

Sawyer met with his neurologist. His results look good in the fact there has been no noticeable growth. Yeah! (You can see the white spot near his eyeball, that's the large cyst.) His headaches have actually decreased in frequency, although when he does have one it's pretty bad. We got copies of all our records and MRI's, and will find a new neurologist, and get a follow-up MRI in a year, unless he's more symptomatic. 

That's all the news over here. I think. It's late! I heard there might have been some rules issued for you and your missionaries regarding the World Cup and how it might affect your routines. It would be interesting to hear what's different. The only headline regarding the World Cup I heard today was that the USA coach didn't arrive with his team.

We're excited to hear about your week, your new missionaries, and your awesome adventures! We LOVE you dearly!

Mom and Dad

P.S. We found lovely pictures of you greeting and eating with new missionaries...I'll share with your letter...you look wonderful!