With All My Love

Dear Elder Schenewark,

Loved, loved, loved your letter you mailed home. You mentioned that "men are that they might have joy." You bring me great joy. That you even chose me to be your mother brings me eternal joy. That you're willing to serve a mission, and be obedient, brings me great joy. That you would write to me brought me great joy this week. And your spelling is not any worse, but your handwriting is beautiful! Your siblings also loved to receive their letters.

Monday mornings I make out a BIG to-do list, as its the first of my days off. This week your siblings had Monday off, so my list was set aside for three dentist appointments, buying food, a homecoming parade, and fixing dinner for an additional seven people. Your father coming home to a driveway full of cars always makes me smile, as I always forget to let him know when the missionaries and widows are dining. Homemade rolls and ham were a hit, but the homemade cherry pies made the night. No one cooks any more! When your brothers marched in the homecoming parade I was still feeding the crowd, so Dad left early to drop them off, and wait for them to finish.

My to-do list got tackled more on Tuesday with mowing, wash, soccer practice, tennis meet and football game. It's been really fun watching Sawyer play. This week he had four passes, carrying about 15 yards each, a pass off from the quarterback for another 15, and a touchdown, caught with one hand, while being tackled, diving into the end zone. He received the player of the week award from last week's game, and would have gotten it again this week, except they already had a certificate with his name on it to hand out (see no school Monday comments above).

Cooper won his two matches handily. He's enjoying his build-a-plane class, Home Depot on steroids.

Breyer made a goal this week in her game that she was excited to share with you. More exciting was the animal of the week. Breyer, while sitting out her mandatory one or two quarters, loves to find mostly dogs,brought to the games on leashes, that she can pet. This week? A chicken. On a leash. Only in Texas.

Miller made two. He played goalie the first half, and kept the score at zero. When he went in as striker the second half, the new goalie had three goals scored on him to make the score 3-3. Miller's coach gave him the option of going back to goalie, or not, and he chose to stay as striker and helped them win with two goals. Miller has long legs, and the coach commented on them as the reason why he's got such a strong kick from the box.

We picked up some sparkly water for general conference, pulled out the Lego bucket, and continued our traditions. I am wondering whether or not you had to listen in Portuguese? That was for Saturday. Sunday morning we determined too late our phone and internet service were gone. We played catch up the rest of the day and into the evening. LOVE conference!

I think this might be my new weekly feature:

Top Ten Reasons (This Week) For Getting a Cell Phone

10. I could have called Jarrod while he was on his way home to let him know I needed something for dinner

9. I could have called Jarrod while he was on his way home to let him know Cooper needed to be picked up early, and to not drive by the high school without stopping, on his way home.

8. Sawyer would not have had to try to reach me between each of his classes by calling, instead of sending one text that he’d be staying to watch the girls’ volleyball games.

7. Cooper trying to tell me due to rain he was done at 420 instead of 530.

6. Breyer’s soccer coach would have me on the text list when he found out the fields were too wet for practice.

5. Miller’s coach would have me on the text list when he found out the fields were too wet for practice.

4. I could have called Jarrod to ask about the quantity of gas in my car, since the gauge is broken, and not worry about running out of gas.

3. I would be able to make phone calls while driving home in the morning, instead of desperately trying to stay awake.

2. When I saw a car drive off the road this morning, like the driver was asleep or incapacitated, I wouldn’t have had to drive off the next exit to a gas station to borrow a cell phone to call 911.

1. When I was surrounded by black men, demanding hugs and dates because I was a Good Samaritan, at said gas station, I could have dialed 911 myself.

Speaking of work, your father found a free app for his I pad that allows him to listen to me at work. Some kind of a scanner app that allows you to pick which department in which county and state you want to monitor. He falls asleep listening to my voice. How romantic. Not. Only because of what my voice is lulling him to sleep with.

Your father and I have had to make multiple visits to the dentists this month. The new dentist would not clean our teeth. She said we needed special gum treatment because we had a few measured 4’s, instead of 1, 2 or 3. Personally, I had two gum spots, not a whole mouthful, and was not happy about paying extra for said gum treatment, as the procedure isn’t covered by my dental insurance. I need to make a phone call. I don’t understand how she can refuse to clean my teeth, and then make me have a procedure that the insurance company doesn’t cover. There seems to be a missing step. But we went. We both are heavily invested in keeping our teeth. And keeping them as healthy as we can. It amazes me that even trying to eat healthy foods, never drinking soda, flossing every night, brushing my teeth multiple times every day, I still need special treatment. Makes me wonder about the condition of everybody else’s teeth. I digress. Hunter too is suffering with us. Take care of your teeth!

This might be a wrap up. My eyelids are getting stickier and stickier, and it is getting close to bed time. Know of our love for you. Our desire that you're safe and happy where you are.

Love,

Mom