That’s my standard greeting for those checking in service for the day at work. That simple phrase can be just that – simple, or convey a multitude of meanings. This morning it’s I love you, I miss you, I’m so proud of you, I’m so excited to talk to you soon, I can hardly wait.
Loved your last letter. Do it again.
Breyer made me laugh one day while she was reminiscing about her nursery days in Granbury. We had just left West Virginia, and under Sis. Kirby’s tutelage and a small class of three-five, she had thrived. When we arrived in Granbury there were over twenty children in a crowded, noisy environment. “Mom, I did not like nursery. Please. They put their Cheetos in their water. Who does that? And where were the adults? I’m so glad I got out of there.”
Miller is excited to begin basketball. I know it’s all about sports with him, but it’s such a big part of who he is. He was asked to be on the recreational prime team, so he’ll have two games each weekend. And because of the Thanksgiving holiday break, he won’t begin this week. His latest craze is the frisbee. He watches how-to's on line, then goes outside by himself and throws.
The kids all got out of school Friday afternoon, and will have the entire next week off. I think we’re all ready for a break! Uncle Zach and his crew should be arriving Tuesday evening some time. Breyer and I have been cleaning house, changing beds, scrubbing the bathroom, and planning menus in preparation for their arrival.
Sawyer’s basketball season is in full swing. I stopped off on the way home in Joshua to see him play in his first freshman game. He was not feeling well, with cedar fever allergies making it difficult to breath, which made it difficult to run up and down the court. But he did well. They won, he played most of the game, including the start, made all his free throws but one, and walked away with at least 12 points. The coach just came from the football staff, met with them for about 15 minutes, and then had to coach the team. He quickly figured out which players had played together (AMS vs GMS), and who prevented the other team from scoring. Sawyer’s friend Nathan had a tremendous game and picked up the slack from Sawyer. They are good together. Sawyer is the glue. When he’s off the court, the level of play goes down, more to jungle ball.
I sat next to Nathan’s mother the entire game. I was so thrilled when she leaned over and asked, “Can I ask you something about your church?” Isn’t that the question we all wait to hear? She said her son Nathan wanted to go to church with Sawyer but didn’t know if he would be allowed. Because she’s a single mother, working a second job as a chauffeur on the weekends, Nathan will need to spend the night Saturday evenings so he can go. His bunk, above Sawyer, was ready to go. Nathan currently occupies the bunk. He was dropped off Saturday morning, rode with Sawyer to the high school to get on the bus, and played a game in Wichita Falls, over two hours away. After all the multiple games they pulled in close to 11 p.m.. Sawyer was played in the fourth spot, post this game, and scored 10 points in 90 seconds, including four free throws, a technical and two put backs. The T was for a player that was getting frustrated with his defense and pushed Sawyer to the ground. He actually fouled out of that game, not knowing he had that many fouls
Cooper had a double date Thursday to see a new movie, and again last night at the stake's monthly eat-free-with-a-date in Weatherford. He also found out he was the winner of a year supply of frozen yogurt, in a shop in Weatherford, He entered some kind of drawing when he was in their last week and was notified this week. He stopped in last night to claim his prize - some kind of VISA card I think. He was also asked to work for a man in the ward who has a knife making business on the side. He had Cooper come in to see how orders were filled. As Monday is their busiest day filling orders, he'll start this week while out on holiday. He'll be paid $13.50 an hour, for which he 's very grateful, doing something he thoroughly enjoys.
Your brother turned 26 years old this week. Tanner is now officially off of my insurance plan. Other than that, he's still Tanner. We love him.
Hunter's also alive and well. Really busy with school, work, and presidential duties. He had a date, probably the one he's been most excited about all semester. He was sticking with his old standby of making soap. We're waiting for the details.
Have you heard about the California fires? A camp fire started a fire that burned over night through the town of Paradise. Nobody knew, and 1000 are missing. Only 71 have been confirmed dead. Retrieving the bodies from burned structures and vehicles is arduous work. Law enforcement agencies all over the country, including Dallas, are now collecting DNA samples from concerned family members that are calling, to help the county to identify all the bodies as they're brought in.
Your father has continued to exercise like crazy, record what he eats, and checked in again for his weekly blood draw at work. He finally stepped on the scale yesterday, and is down 30 pounds in three weeks. That's crazy! That's more than a pound a day. In terms of my baking skillz, that's six 5 pound bags of flour. Thank you so much for sharing your blessings.
I spent a good portion of yesterday outdoors, readying the yard for winter. I mowed a large portion of the yard, spread two bags of dirt in holes created while developing the fire pit, cleaned up the fire pit area, replanted the flower pots out front, and filled a tub full of firewood for future fires. The wonderful part of being a homeowner is creating a home for you, including the outdoors. Doing things like this makes it more permanent, as you're investing yourself in your property. The second picture is a Meyer lemon tree, that will eventually have to be replanted, and will reproduce lemons. Obviously your father is very excited about that new addition. The third picture is a Scottish pine. There are two of them, and will also have to be replanted as they grow larger, but will also become a permanent part of our landscape, provided they are tended carefully. You're investing a large part of you with the people of Brazil, and are tending and caring for them under the direction of our Father in Heaven. Brazil will always hold a special place in your heart, and you will always consider that part of the world a piece of your home.
Stay safe. Know of my love for you and the work you are doing. Otherwise I'd never let you go.
Mom
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