January 16, 2011

Dear Cathy,

How are things going for you? I have decided to keep writing letters even though kids are home from missions. That way I'll have a journal, and I will know a little about what is going on in your life. It's been a couple of weeks, so I need to do this before it is insurmountable.

Monday, 3 January 2011, was an exciting day. Aunt Kathy came up to your Grandparents' home to visit me since we would be leaving early the next day. My emotions during this day were very up and down. There was so much to feel happy about and so much to feel sad about, in saying good-bye to family. Eliza had barely gotten home, and we needed to drop her off at BYU. And many changes are ahead in life for all of us. We also needed to drop you off at your own little apartment and say good-bye for a few months. And I needed to say good-bye to my family of origin after a wonderful holiday with them. Aunt Kathy's cancer has progressed through so much of her body, making me feel uncertain as to whether I will see her again in this life or not.

In the afternoon, we all went to the museum at BYU. We saw the Carl Bloch exhibit. We also saw an exhibit by another artist. During this time, I thought I was just feeling emotional because of the wonderful artwork and because of the wonderful holiday and because of the impending good-byes. Later, I realized that I was probably coming down with the flu that you and your sisters had the two days before. Carl Bloch's interpretations on seen from Jesus's life and his other paintings were just remarkable. While the other artist was also extremely talented, I enjoyed Bloch's paintings so much more. He captured how we feel.

We had dinner at Village Inn, and I ate a lot! I think we were all hungry and enjoyed our last supper together. Then we had to say good-bye to Eliza and then to you. Earlier in the day I'd been teary about leaving Eliza behind. But back at her apartment, I expressed my excitement for her in starting a new semester and for all of the wonderful things awaiting her. Christine told me that I am bi-polar. I am glad that we stayed a little longer when we dropped you off as well. We love you very much and want you to feel happy, safe, and loved. I felt sad that we had to leave the next morning. I should have spent more time with you.

Tuesday was our drive home. Grandma made a big breakfast even though I'd asked her not to. I think Dad and everyone else enjoyed it though. I was feeling sick, and the smell of the bacon was revolting. (Usually I love bacon.) Actually, I really didn't eat anything until somewhere between Vegas and Barstow. Dad wanted to stop first thing to check his tires, and I told him I was just going to start home. We did not caravan this trip. Christine and I just pretty much blew through. It was a pretty drive none-the-less. John and Dad arrived home about an hour after us.

The house was so cold when we got home. I immediately turned on the heat. After the car was unpacked, I decided to take a hot bath, which was really rather cool. So it didn't last long. I was finally hungry, and did a little shopping and got me a lovely can of chicken and rice soup for dinner. (I like that so much better than chicken noodle.) I went to bed pretty early.

Wednesday. Tommy came home! Christine already missed a couple of days of school and she did a little work on Wednesday, but she was working like crazy last week and this week to make sure everything is done. The next two weeks are finals, and I am sure she will do well. Wednesday morning, I was back to work, getting the living room and Tom's bedroom (dining room) tidied and vacuumed.

It was exciting to go to the airport again. There were people coming down the escalator soon after we arrived, so I had my video camera ready, even though we didn't know if they were from Tom's plane. Well they were, and I should not have answered a phone call. Someone called from Eliza's insurance, and I was talking to her when I saw Tommy. That pretty much ruins a video. So I started a new one and asked if I could call her back. She kept talking, so I basically hung up. I wish I hadn't taken that call. I missed a special moment that I can't bring back. (At least I wasn't fully involved in it.)

Like Eliza, Tom also wanted Mexican food for lunch. We enjoyed a good lunch and then drove home. Tommy spent the day getting settled back in.

Thursday Dad returned to work. Tom continued unpacking and organizing. Christine and I continued her school work. It was a stressful day, just trying to get back into the swing of things.

Thursday evening, Tommy was released from his mission. President Poulsen, Dad, and John gave him a blessing. Like always, the president had only good things to say about our family, and he expressed awe and thanks for Tom's wonderful service.

Friday, more cleaning. Dad and I had our date night. I think we went to Coco's. Needed break. Don't recall Saturday much, if at all. Yes, now I remember. In the morning, Tom and I went to the bookstore and got his books. One of them, we ordered on-line. We went to Costco on Saturday and shopping for Tom's computer. We bought an upgrade from Windows Starter to Windows Home Edition which we were able to use from Tom's, Eliza's, and my computers. Yippee.

Sunday was Tom's homecoming. It was lovely. He really talked for a long time, too. I taped his talk, but I did not video it this time. I still need to upload it so you can hear it. I also taped what President Poulsen had to say at the end of the meeting. Grandpa and Grandma came, and Uncle Kris, Aunt Vicki, and Todd. Also, Sharon Willis and her daughter Brittney came.

The Bishop asked our ward to fast the following Sunday (today) for the Thomas family. JR and Summer just had a baby girl that was born with some physical problems that will require many surgeries.

I enjoyed being back to teach Sunday school. Gospel Principles is a great class. I love it.

We had pulled pork sandwiches for dinner. (Dad cooked the meat.) I made potato salad; Vicki brought a nice green salad, and Grandma brought a pasta salad and lemon bars for Tom. We had fun being together. We had Costco cake and ice cream for dessert.

Monday, 10 January 2011, Christine started back to Seminary. She also got quite a bit of school done before going to the library. I went to the bank to close Eliza's accounts, and then I sat in the parking lot and crocheted. I crocheted a baby blanket for Riley Thomas (from Monday to Wednesday). Now I just need to know when I can give it to them.

John didn't work this Monday, so he and Tom ran errands together. I made chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal raisin for the open house. We also had the Costco cake for that.

Monday evening we had an open house for Tommy. Carri and Sammi came; plus, the Chamberlains, the Goudys, and the Lomenicks. Jason and Leanna Stevens also came with their four kids. It was so great to see them. It was a fun evening. I'm glad we did it.

Tuesday Tommy started classes. He goes from 8 until 4 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. John also worked. So Christine and I had the house to ourselves pretty much the whole day. The first time in ages. We enjoyed a quiet day and accomplished a lot.

Wednesday, Christine helped at the library again. Tom babysat Jordan Muwwakkil. So while Christine was at the library, we went to the park along with Gail Purcell and a little boy she was babysitting. There is a beautiful park on Greenspot, and it was a gorgeous day. The kids enjoyed playing at the playground, playing tag with Tom, and walking through the orange trees. We ate some oranges and took many home. I hope that's okay. They are part of the park, and there is no sign that says not to eat them. Delicious.

Thursday, Tom back to school. Another quiet day at home. So necessary for homeschoolers. Dad left work in the afternoon to fly to Sacramento for leadership training committe meetings. A few of them met for dinner Thursday night, and then they were in meetings all day Friday. The rest of us watched a movie in my room that night. Scott Pilgrim versus the world. It was weird, but produced a lot of laughs.

Friday was an interesting day. Everybody except Dad was home. None of us got a good night's sleep (except John) Thursday night. The wind was howling and crashing into the house most the night. Cans were flying back and forth across the patio, etc. Christine was still getting ready for Seminary when there was a brown out. I wasn't excited about driving her there, and told her that I didn't want to go out in that. When we had a complete blackout just before 6 a.m. that decided it. I just told her she wasn't going. They may have had no electricity at the church as well. Christine, Tom, and I all went back to bed for a while. (Until John got up and was singing in the shower at the top of his lungs. Someone slept well anyhow.)

Christine got busy with school, but it is much harder when people are talking or doing Wii or vying for attention. (John didn't work on Friday.) Tom was gone all afternoon. He took an old friend to lunch and they enjoyed visiting together. I had started on a blanket that I told Christine I'd make for her, but they were out of the color at Walmart. (Dad looked at Highland's Walmart on Saturday, and they were out there, too. I hope they'll have it again. I hope that it isn't a color I found in Utah and not here.) John fixes himself dinner early, and Tom was full from lunch, so Christine and I shared a Subway sandwich.

Dad got home in the evening. I was pretty tired. When it is too late for reading a whole chapter of scripture, we just have someone share a few. So Tom did that on Friday. I wish we'd just gone straight to the prayer, because it turned into a drama session. Christine was wise and just went upstairs. By the time we finally had prayers, I just felt pretty much discouraged and done with everything. Well, you live and learn. Next time, we'll have a quick prayer. I was so overtired and glad to get to sleep.

Saturday, yesterday, John had class all day. Christine still had some school to do to be caught up for finals. But we got her room into shape first. Then she vacuumed it. Tom and I spent a good part of the day vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, and doing laundry. I also mopped the floors. Dad worked on his talks a good part of the day. (He is speaking in the Spanish ward and 1st ward today.) He also ran a couple of errands. I made spaghetti for Tom and Christine, and then Dad and I went out to eat at Souplantation. When we got back, we had scripture time early, and I went to bed fairly early. Today we are fasting for the Thomas family and their little baby girl. I need to get ready for church and read my lesson.

I hope that you have had a good couple of weeks. Tell me about the Hansel and Gretel play (in English). How is your class going? What fun things have you been doing?

I love you so much. Thanks for ready my journal entry. Have a fabulous week, and we'll talk soon.

Love,

Mom

Dear Eliza,

How are things going for you? I have decided to keep writing letters even though kids are home from missions. That way I'll have a journal, and I will know a little about what is going on in your life. It's been a couple of weeks, so I need to do this before it is insurmountable.

Monday, 3 January 2011, was an exciting day. Aunt Kathy came up to your Grandparents' home to visit me since we would be leaving early the next day. My emotions during this day were very up and down. There was so much to feel happy about and so much to feel sad about, in saying good-bye to family. Our Eliza had barely gotten home, and we needed to drop her off at BYU. And many changes are ahead in life for all of us. We also needed to drop Cathy off at your own little apartment and say good-bye for a few months. And I needed to say good-bye to my family of origin after a wonderful holiday with them. Aunt Kathy's cancer has progressed through so much of her body, making me feel uncertain as to whether I will see her again in this life or not.

In the afternoon, we all went to the museum at BYU. We saw the Carl Bloch exhibit. We also saw an exhibit by another artist. During this time, I thought I was just feeling emotional because of the wonderful artwork and because of the wonderful holiday and because of the impending good-byes. Later, I realized that I was probably coming down with the flu that you and your sisters had the two days before. Carl Bloch's interpretations on seen from Jesus's life and his other paintings were just remarkable. While the other artist was also extremely talented, I enjoyed Bloch's paintings so much more. He captured how we feel.

We had dinner at Village Inn, and I ate a lot! I think we were all hungry and enjoyed our last supper together. Then we had to say good-bye to Eliza and then to Cathy. Earlier in the day I'd been teary about leaving Eliza behind. But back at her apartment, I expressed my excitement for her in starting a new semester and for all of the wonderful things awaiting her. Christine told me that I am bi-polar. I am glad that we stayed a little longer when we dropped Cathy off as well. We love her very much and want all of you to feel happy, safe, and loved. I felt sad that we had to leave the next morning. I should have spent more time with my girls.

Tuesday was our drive home. Grandma made a big breakfast even though I'd asked her not to. I think Dad and everyone else enjoyed it though. I was feeling sick, and the smell of the bacon was revolting. (Usually, I love bacon.) Actually, I really didn't eat anything until somewhere between Vegas and Barstow. Dad wanted to stop first thing to check his tires, and I told him I was just going to start home. We did not caravan this trip. Christine and I just pretty much blew through. It was a pretty drive none-the-less. John and Dad arrived home about an hour after us.

The house was so cold when we got home. I immediately turned on the heat. After the car was unpacked, I decided to take a hot bath, which was really rather cool. So it didn't last long. I was finally hungry, and did a little shopping and got me a lovely can of chicken and rice soup for dinner. (I like that so much better than chicken noodle.) I went to bed pretty early.

Wednesday. Tommy came home! Christine already missed a couple of days of school and she did a little work on Wednesday, but she was working like crazy last week and this week to make sure everything is done. The next two weeks are finals, and I am sure she will do well. Wednesday morning, I was back to work, getting the living room and Tom's bedroom (dining room) tidied and vacuumed.

It was exciting to go to the airport again. There were people coming down the escalator soon after we arrived, so I had my video camera ready, even though we didn't know if they were from Tom's plane. Well they were, and I should not have answered a phone call. Someone called from missionary insurance, and I was talking to her when I saw Tommy. That pretty much ruins a video. So I started a new one and asked if I could call her back. She kept talking, so I basically hung up. I wish I hadn't taken that call. I missed a special moment that I can't bring back. (At least I wasn't fully involved in it.)

Like you, Tom also wanted Mexican food for lunch. We enjoyed a good lunch and then drove home. Tommy spent the day getting settled back in.

Thursday Dad returned to work. Tom continued unpacking and organizing. Christine and I continued her school work. It was a stressful day, just trying to get back into the swing of things.

Thursday evening, Tommy was released from his mission. President Poulsen, Dad, and John gave him a blessing. Like always, the president had only good things to say about our family, and he expressed awe and thanks for Tom's wonderful service.

Friday, more cleaning. Dad and I had our date night. I think we went to Coco's. Needed break. Don't recall Saturday much, if at all. Yes, now I remember. In the morning, Tom and I went to the bookstore and got his books. One of them, we ordered on-line. We went to Costco on Saturday and shopping for Tom's computer. We bought an upgrade from Windows Starter to Windows Home Edition which we were able to use from Tom's, Eliza's, and my computers. Yippee.

Sunday was Tom's homecoming. It was lovely. He really talked for a long time, too. I taped his talk, but I did not video it this time. I still need to upload it so you can hear it. I also taped what President Poulsen had to say at the end of the meeting. Grandpa and Grandma came, and Uncle Kris, Aunt Vicki, and Todd. Also, Sharon Willis and her daughter Brittney came.

The Bishop asked our ward to fast the following Sunday (today) for the Thomas family. JR and Summer just had a baby girl that was born with some physical problems that will require many surgeries.

I enjoyed being back to teach Sunday school. Gospel Principles is a great class. I love it.

We had pulled pork sandwiches for dinner. (Dad cooked the meat.) I made potato salad; Vicki brought a nice green salad, and Grandma brought a pasta salad and lemon bars for Tom. We had fun being together. We had Costco cake and ice cream for dessert.

Monday, 10 January 2011, Christine started back to Seminary. She also got quite a bit of school done before going to the library. I went to the bank to close Eliza's accounts, and then I sat in the parking lot and crocheted. I crocheted a baby blanket for Riley Thomas (from Monday to Wednesday). Now I just need to know when I can give it to them.

John didn't work this Monday, so he and Tom ran errands together. I made chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal raisin for the open house. We also had the Costco cake for that.

Monday evening we had an open house for Tommy. Carri and Sammi came; plus, the Chamberlains, the Goudys, and the Lomenicks. Jason and Leanna Stevens also came with their four kids. It was so great to see them. It was a fun evening. I'm glad we did it.

Tuesday Tommy started classes. He goes from 8 until 4 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. John also worked. So Christine and I had the house to ourselves pretty much the whole day. The first time in ages. We enjoyed a quiet day and accomplished a lot.

Wednesday, Christine helped at the library again. Tom babysat Jordan Muwwakkil. So while Christine was at the library, we went to the park along with Gail Purcell and a little boy she was babysitting. There is a beautiful park on Greenspot, and it was a gorgeous day. The kids enjoyed playing at the playground, playing tag with Tom, and walking through the orange trees. We ate some oranges and took many home. I hope that's okay. They are part of the park, and there is no sign that says not to eat them. Delicious.

Thursday, Tom back to school. Another quiet day at home. So necessary for homeschoolers. Dad left work in the afternoon to fly to Sacramento for leadership training committe meetings. A few of them met for dinner Thursday night, and then they were in meetings all day Friday. The rest of us watched a movie in my room that night. Scott Pilgrim versus the world. It was weird, but produced a lot of laughs.

Friday was an interesting day. Everybody except Dad was home. None of us got a good night's sleep (except John) Thursday night. The wind was howling and crashing into the house most the night. Cans were flying back and forth across the patio, etc. Christine was still getting ready for Seminary when there was a brown out. I wasn't excited about driving her there, and told her that I didn't want to go out in that. When we had a complete blackout just before 6 a.m. that decided it. I just told her she wasn't going. They may have had no electricity at the church as well. Christine, Tom, and I all went back to bed for a while. (Until John got up and was singing in the shower at the top of his lungs. Someone slept well anyhow.)

Christine got busy with school, but it is much harder when people are talking or doing Wii or vying for attention. (John didn't work on Friday.) Tom was gone all afternoon. He took an old friend to lunch and they enjoyed visiting together. I had started on a blanket that I told Christine I'd make for her, but they were out of the color at Walmart. (Dad looked at Highland's Walmart on Saturday, and they were out there, too. I hope they'll have it again. I hope that it isn't a color I found in Utah and not here.) John fixes himself dinner early, and Tom was full from lunch, so Christine and I shared a Subway sandwich.

Dad got home in the evening. I was pretty tired. When it is too late for reading a whole chapter of scripture, we just have someone share a few. So Tom did that on Friday. I wish we'd just gone straight to the prayer, because it turned into a drama session. Christine was wise and just went upstairs. By the time we finally had prayers, I just felt pretty much discouraged and done with everything. Well, you live and learn. Next time, we'll have a quick prayer. I was so overtired and glad to get to sleep.

Saturday, yesterday, John had class all day. Christine still had some school to do to be caught up for finals. But we got her room into shape first. Then she vacuumed it. Tom and I spent a good part of the day vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, and doing laundry. I also mopped the floors. Dad worked on his talks a good part of the day. (He is speaking in the Spanish ward and 1st ward today.) He also ran a couple of errands. I made spaghetti for Tom and Christine, and then Dad and I went out to eat at Souplantation. When we got back, we had scripture time early, and I went to bed fairly early. Today we are fasting for the Thomas family and their little baby girl. I need to get ready for church and read my lesson.

I hope that you have had a good couple of weeks. How are your classes? Have you been spending time with Alex every day? Duh. Do you have a calling? Keep writing in your journal. It's a great thing to do.

I love you so much. Thanks for ready my journal entry. Have a fabulous week, and we'll talk soon.

Love,

Mom