With All My Love

Dear Elder Schenewark,

So sad we missed your phone call last week. I was lifting boulders of bags off your grandmother's deck, and your father was in class.  We'll be looking forward to reconnecting this week.

Your grandmother's stove, that is fed wood pellets, was broken this winter because her pellets, stacked on the deck, absorbed moisture. The increased size of the pellet clogged the feeder and burned out the engine. Or something like that. Because the bag of pellets is about the cost of a bag of mulch, I asked if I could clear her deck, and spread the pellets around the yard like mulch. Basically the pellets are sawdust reconfigured. I think I moved more than ten but less than twenty bags all over the yard, and then hauled her table and chairs out of the shed so she and Grampy could sit in the sunshine. Aaron and Rachael joined us for a rousing game of Uno, won by Rachael, who wins every game I play with her.

Tuesday morning, while getting ready to leave for the airport, I heard unusual sounds coming from Grampy's room. Upon further investigation we found him with a fever, unresponsive, and his chest rattling with what sounded like pneumonia. He had an incident the night before swallowing his pills, and probably aspirated then. His system is so fragile he developed an infection overnight. We called an ambulance, got your grandmother packed, and off they went to the hospital. I had arranged with Sara to pick us up and drop us off, so we had no problems getting to the airport.

We got off our plane, walked down 12 gates, and waited 5 minutes for Porter's plane to land and deplane. It's so good to see him in person. We were going to go straight to Miller's second day track meet but after checking in with some classmates' parents determined we would not make it in time to see him in his running events so we went home. His relay team qualified by placing in fourth, but his two individual runs were not quick enough.

One of the first things Breyer did when she got home was have me hang her new curtains: rattlesnake skins. We'll take a picture so you can get the full effect of her room. She's very serious about her love of all things animals.

Wednesday Porter took two three hour long economic exams in Dad's library. I ran around trying to get the wash done and the meals planned and started. 

Miller had double header baseball games Thursday evening. I knew I would miss the first game, but laughed when I pulled up to the start of the second game, and your brother Porter was coaching first base.

Also Thursday, Tanner graduated from BYU Law School. What a wonderful milestone in his life. Such a difficult path to trod, and to do it with family and children being born, even more so, and with honors - exceptional. You children make me so proud! And your father's example of continued education has set the bar high.

By Tuesday evening Grampy was classified as combative, so he was restrained and tranquilized. Your grandmother decided that she would spend the night with him Wednesday and he did much better. Uncle Rich covered Thursday night. I'm not sure when he came home but he is home and back to getting in trouble. And on some oxygen. Which makes Grampy Grumpy.

Friday Dad and your siblings went to see Godzilla vs King Kong. It's always interesting to hear them come home from an outing and hear that the culture is talked about more than the movie. Dad wasn't a fan but it was entertaining outing. Wagner and I had a walking date instead.

Here it is Tuesday and I never even thought about finishing your letter or remembering, until you called, that it was your preparation day on Monday. This will be a quick wrap up so I can push the enter button - 

Saturday Janel and Luke came down to see Porter and stay overnight to meet Ingrid and the gang. We always love to have them in town. I know they played outside a lot while I was working - frisbee golf, baseball, basketball...lots of games. Tanner and AnneMarie flew into the airport Sunday just after lunch, picked up by Dad.  

We're excited to hear you've been moved into the office, and that the President shared with you as to how he had been inspired. You're very talented on the computer, and I'm sure being in charge of making and editing movies for the mission is right up your alley. Also, helping them get their social media account on Instagram up and running is a piece of cake.

What impresses me more is the effort you made to make your home a clean one. I appreciate that you're not only willing to work hard, but to raise the bar in terms of your standard of living. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Your future wife will be a lucky lady to not only have a man who knows how to help in the kitchen, but the house as well.

We love you. We loved talking to you even though the day was not as we expected. Miller getting hurt while on his practice jumps for the long jump, not even getting to compete in the high jump was disappointing to say the least. He's still not sure how he landed so off balance, on one leg, but his left knee is swollen, and he's in pain. He feels even worse about missing today's running event of the 4x100, as his team was a half second off of breaking the school record, and if they ran their fastest time, would have come in second. He's on crutches this morning, and I'm working to make a doctor appointment.

Until next week - 

Love,

Mom