With All My Love

What a week! Just like another week in so many ways. What made this week just a bit unique?

Lupe Valdez resigned her office as Dallas County Sheriff today, December 6, 2017. She's decided to run on the Democratic ticket for the Governor of the State of Texas. Good luck. Our Republican Governor Abbott, in his infamous wheelchair, is very well liked.

We started putting up Christmas decorations, including getting the ornaments on the tree. Miss Breyer separated all your ornaments, but “No one else can touch them.” She’s very protective of you and yours.

I was setting out wooden candle holders made for me by Uncle Zach and Grampy he made to pass off a Cub Scout requirement. I’ve had them for many years, and while not beautiful or trendy, they remind me of family. I had to purchase new red taper candles for them, which your sister has repeatedly asked to light. She almost had me thinking she had a fire fetish, but she’s calmed down a bit. Christmas reminds me of family.

When I come home from work, and walk in the door, my family makes me happy. I'm always so grateful to come back home, even to sick children, messy rooms, no dinner and hungry tummies. My wooden candle holders remind me of all the wonderful family moments I've been so fortunate to enjoy. I'm sure letters from home remind you of home and our love for you, just as your letters do so for us.

What else? Your brother celebrated his 11 year old birthday Thursday on the 76th year anniversary of Pearl Harbor. This year President Trump signed the National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day proclamation. Bro. Bach reminded Miller that being 11 means, "There are so many things you can now do since you're officially 11."

You can:
· Attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the British wizarding school
. Say Hello to Harry and Ron if you see them
. I think you’d make a great Gryffindor, but we’ll have to let the Sorting Hat make that call
· Continue to prepare to receive the Priesthood in just one year.
· Know that in just a few years you’ll be driving, maybe even the big old white van, it just doesn’t get any better!
·Join the 11 Year old Boy Scouts and begin to work on Tenderfoot, Merit Badges and Camping !"

I have yet to make his requested cherry pie, but he did get cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

Thursday evening was also a Christmas play by Miller and all fourth graders at Oakwoods. Miller was in the chorus, and did sing, but had a smirky smile on his face watching others with their speaking parts. He does not enjoy public performances. Sawyer had a basketball game right after the play. It was not so fun to watch the team with their first loss in almost two years. Also, he had two fouls within 15 seconds of the first quarter beginning, a third two minutes later, forcing his coach to sit him through the remainder of the half. He then got a fourth foul in the third quarter, and fouled out in the fourth quarter. For some reason, he and the other two main players were handily targeted, each having four fouls in the third quarter, and the other team having none. I'm not one to blame the referees, but this was so blatant something was up.

What else has been unique this week? Breyer brought home her first First Grade needing-a-bucket virus. I worked overtime Friday evening, and walked in the door to Breyer holding The Pot. The Pot is the one I use for BIG crowds, or for canning. I guess Dad thought she must be really sick. Within minutes she did a good job filling at least the bottom of the pot; in the middle of her bath she tried again, and around 2 a.m. she did her best. But she couldn’t quite cover the bottom of the pot. She was low maintenance the rest of the day, and by dinner was fairly normal. Even after a two hour nap she went right to bed.

Saturday morning, early morning, Miller had a basketball game. 8 a.m. comes early on the weekend, but not for those of us who are already at work before 6 a.m. the rest of the week. I loved it! He squeaked by with a win, and a few buckets. We spent a good portion of the day finishing our Christmas decorations and cleaning in anticipation of our Christmas guests soon to arrive. He also had a game with his prime team at 6 p.m., the same time as the annual ward Christmas party began. We arrived a fashionably 72 minutes later, and the tables and chair were being put away, and the service project for an elderly home was already done. We were lucky to get a piece of ham and a few pieces of corn before we went back home. Ho ho ho.

All this week strong Santa Ana winds rapidly spread multiple wildfires across tens of thousands of acres, destroying hundreds of homes and other buildings, in California.  So sad to see  all the pictures depicting massive destruction. Home reminds us of family, and is so hard when we lose that familiar place.

I heard the missionaries that were evacuated from Puerto Rico are able to start handing back this week.

Your cousin Kayla has nine days before she's home. Merry Christmas.

That's all the news fit to print tonight. My eyelids are heavy, my shoulders a bit drooped, and my brain sluggish, all signs it's time to call it a night. Know of our love for you. Beyond words I can compose, I'm so thankful you're a part of my family. I hope you chose to me. Stay safe.

Love,

Mom