With All My Life

Dear Elder Schenewark,

What a week! Sit back and relax, and enjoy your family’s adventures. Leaving work a bit early on Wednesday, I drove to the DFW airport, and caught a flight to SLC via LAX. Due to my screwdriver incident, the flight had been made a bit later than I planned, and I was unable to get a direct flight. I arrived about 9:30 p.m., and was picked up by Hunter. The area has changed dramatically, considering I haven’t been there since 1992!

Poor Hunter had to drive by a deceased pedestrian that was hit on his way. And jumping ahead a bit, on the way to bring me back to the airport, we drove by another body, this one dumped on the side of the road. Life has changed.

Early Thursday morning Nora was up and at it. She’s adorable. She was very friendly and eager to play. We got dressed for the day, ate breakfast, and went to Walmart to shop for her one year old birthday present, since I won’t be here in November. I got her a 4 in 1 Radio Flyer tricycle, that converts from 5 months to 5 years, with wheel guards, tray, pushing handle, and umbrella pieces that are able to be removed as the child gets larger. Best present ever. Might have to be a tradition for everyone’s first born at one year.

We ate lunch back at Tanner’s home, and I left for the Provo City temple. AnneMarie and Nora joined us after her nap was over. Originally I was told there wasn’t room in the sealing room for me, but I got in. So did Hunter. Grampy was spot on, and did a lovely job. Greg’s new wife is adorable. They both laugh constantly. They’ll be very happy together. Trevor and his companion actually got to come out of the Provo MTC for the sealing only, no photos. This was arranged when Rich met with Elder Gay, of the Presidency of the Seventy, for a new calling earlier this week. Watch Saturday morning session!! Your female cousins Emma from the U of U, Stevie from Snow College, and Abbey from BYU were all there. Uncle Zach drove in with two boys. It was a very warm day, and by the time we waited through the pictures, we had to rest a minute before redressing and going to the reception. Hunter and I stopped off at a store to get Greg (tools) and Hannah (crock pot ) their wedding presents.  It was at a lovely castle in a vineyard that is rented for receptions. Greg had three pies to take bites from instead of cake, plenty of food, and a little dancing at the end.

Friday morning I took both your brothers to their early morning class, ate breakfast with Nora and AnneMarie, and went to mow two yards with Ben and Joy. They have very impressive equipment – a trailer they pull loaded with three lawnmowers, leaf blowers, edgers and weed whippers. Joy said what normally took her 90 minutes took us 20 minutes. I’ve waited many years to see Ben’s house, and to rub shoulders with them. Good times in the grass.

I finished just in time to pick up Hunter from his class, pick up the girls, and go to Café Rio for lunch. Yum! We brought Tanner’s to him after his class, and toured campus, for my benefit. We also stopped into the art museum. One of the traveling exhibits was Carl Bloch’s etchings. They were amazing. I can’t imagine carving with needles to get the detail he has. When I said good bye to TannMarie, Hunter took me to his first date standard, Rockwell’s ice cream parlor. Double yum.

I had a few airport adventures, such as not remembering where I parked my  car in long term parking, not being able to wait with my parents traveling back to Boston, passing the dead body on the highway service road, my TollTag not registering to get me out of long term parking. Those kinds of things.

Saturday morning came early, and when we were finally ready to go, Miller’s game was cancelled, third week in a row. They’re going to have to double up on Saturdays and use days of the week to get the games in now. I of course had a bit of catching up to do, with wash and dishes, etc. but went to a funeral with your father. It’s always a good reminder how short mortality can be, and sometimes death comes unexpectedly. Around 2:30 am Dad was called by Bro. Point who asked for prayers, as his daughter Rachel had just died. She was traveling too quickly on a country road, and wrapped her vehicle around a tree. So sad! I haven’t heard what’s going on, but will when I get home.

Be careful! We want you home. Our Heavenly Father wants us all home, but in due time. We love you. We’re eager to watch general conference, knowing you’ll be watching as well. Have a most wonderful day.

Love,

Mom