I think this is it. Saturday mornings. It's quiet enough at work, like Sunday mornings, and close enough to Sunday, I think I'll adjust.
Obviously the intent to write you has fallen by the wayside. I almost miss working Sundays, when I was strapped in a chair and wanting to do something good. Now I'm never home. Last Sunday was stake conference. I had been asked to play the organ so we got there early enough to warm it up, figure out how to set the stops, and play prelude for thirty minutes. I had cramps in my fingers by 10 a.m. And I made the family sit up front. If I have to play, I want to sit by my family when I'm not. One of the best ideas came from a collaboration between President Harmer and the new President of the Fort Worth Mission. They decided that the major of questions asked by nonmembers came from the youth, and wanted to provide the youth with answers to questions that might arise. So, they came up with Thunder Thursdays: Wherein the missionaries visit seminary classes every Thursday, for five minutes, present a frequently asked question, and what the response could be.
And, by adding a few minutes to each class, the seminary classes have the option of not meeting on Fridays, which has been instituted in our ward. So we're now a four day week.
I've been asked to continue piano lessons with the young women, so we met for two hours at the church. I have seven young ladies and one young man learning, plus my three. My favorite part is when the they join me on the bench to play the organ for prelude.
From there we went to a family's house in the ward who invited us for dinner. Olaussons. Almost as confusing as Schenewark. We enjoyed getting to know their family better. It was very thoughtful of them, and much appreciated as I didn't have to worry about dinner. I guess now that our family is getting smaller invitations to dinner might be more frequent.
I am still slowly putting the house back together after the hotel like comings and goings of this summer. I had Cooper almost packed up and now he wants me to unpack to find some drawing utensils. And winter boots. Porter is all packed up and we're still missing some of his belongings. I guess I'll be checking the garage next.
It's so exciting to have four boys at the same school at the same time.
Cooper has had his big move in day, with more activities scheduled than he knew about, and fun at each one. He also experienced working his first football game, made a little longer due to the weather, but a nice bonus when the check arrives. Porter and Cooper are both still working on financial aid options. Let the games begin!
And heard from the least due to sickness in the abode - TannMarie. So sorry! but grateful it's over there. Actually, it might be over here. Wagner has had a few unmentionable episodes, requiring the rental of a carpet cleaner, and now probably a professional carpet cleaner.
Last night Breyer was convinced, after learning she had tied him to her bed, that he had thrown up on her. She insisted on taking a shower, and sleeping in the guest room, but Dad didn't find anything. Life is always an adventure.
Miller spends his afternoons still hitting baseballs or throwing frisbees in the backyard, or playing basketball and using the hit away in the front yard. Begrudgingly he practices the piano for me, and is now in the basic hymn book.
Breyer spent all week earning money for the book fair, doing chores that never quite get finished. Good for her.
Sawyer brought his friend Matthew home for steak fajitas last night, before going back to school for the football game. They were joining their third - Nathan - and had plans to also play basketball in the morning. I'm happy he has such good friends while in high school. He's been juggling adding seminary to his schedule this week, using the Schenevan, morning basketball practices, afternoon weight room requirements, and baseball practice when it all works out.
Dad had an awesome idea for a school event in February, in relation to this upcoming year being the 100th anniversary of the Negro baseball leagues. His Dean loved it, with a few tweaks of her own, but he's off and running. Between Tanner's invitation to speak at BYU, that proposal, and the on going France trip in March, he's a busy professor.
My favorite family times this week have also included our nightly Come Follow Me moments. They're not perfect but we are gathering. In Corinthians, Paul asks, "Are we not carnal?" Your father asks, "What does it mean to be carnal?" He got the definition of carnivore from Miller, the definition of carnival from Breyer, and cairn from Sawyer. I couldn't stop laughing.
Then there's the deliveries. Miller's section was a section of chapters in Corinthians. He thought it was chapter and verse, and read us a racy answer to a question about spiritual gifts. Breyer forgot to do her reading and instead presented us with a blown up balloon representing the covenants that can lift us to heaven, and asked us to tell her what the covenants we've made are, which she then wrote on the balloon.
Family is great. Aunt Jenny's family getting bigger today. Welcome Riley to the family!
Love,
Mom
