Post Christmas

Dec. 27, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina,

I can’t believe we’ve already had our big phone call with you. I need a do-over with more time!! I think I shared you too much with the brothers. haha I hope you enjoyed it as much as we all did. It was soooo good seeing you face to face. It still makes me cry a little just writing about it, but I’ll be brave and move forward. :)

Dad had to work today so it was just us girls at church and home. I’ve decided I want to live somewhere where I can have lots of family around me on Sundays…big Sunday family dinners, game nights, etc etc. I don’t do as well with small families. Gee, I wonder why. :)

I talked with Michael Hansen today and told him to write you, so hopefully you’ll hear from him. Church attendance was a little sparse today since so many were out of town. Hope you had a wonderful Sabbath. Were your investigators there?? It’s just so awesome hearing how you have connected with the different people there. Heavenly Father knows what’s best-always.

It’s been so cold here lately. We have snow on the ground so it’s very pretty, but the streets are pretty much dry but it’s just so cold. Like next week it will get down to 5 degrees at night and only 20 during the day. It’s the kind of cold that makes your cheeks burn when you walk outside (both sets of cheeks-haha). The girls are still so funny and wear sandals everywhere…true Samoans. 

How did your interview with the president go? Tracey Braithwaite wrote me tonight and asked if your mission president was Pres. Wright. She said he used to be the stake president in Lissa’s stake in Arizona. Lisa said he and his wife are awesome and that he’s a great teacher and never lets a meeting go long. small world.

The big gift we gave the girls at Christmas this year was a trip to Chicago during spring break. They are excited but I’m sure it seems a long ways away. I told them they need to get in shape for walking a long way every day. They just moaned. haha I hope you and I can take a trip to Chicago one day,  I think that would be fun. Other than that, the girls just got stocking stuff and a couple of clothing pieces.

Did you like all your stuff? I loved how your dress looked on you!! Dad and I can’t even remember half the stuff we packed in the box for you, so you’ll have to remind us of what you liked, etc. I should have taken a picture of everything. We had so much fun shopping and thinking of you.

As of tonight, I still have not received your letter. I was so sad on Saturday when it didn’t come, but if it comes tomorrow, I’ll quickly write you and let you know. The mail is so slow up here.

Since we recently talked, I’ll show you a bunch of pictures from last week.

Claire and Tori Cameron

Claire, Melanie and Riley Cameron-Riley is getting so tall and is almost 17!

Christmas Eve party at the Camerons

Nikki made this layered brownie cake, decorated it and gave it to Sis. Pattee

The treats we made and gave out to friends.

It snowed a lot in Bountiful!

Pictures that Kirk sent me from Christmas in Canada

Tall Addie

 

Dad and his Christmas missionary call.

Dad had to work Christmas Eve, so here he is Christmas afternoon.

Tana Martin sent me these pics from their house.

Here’s the picture I posted on Instagram when I was getting excited to see you and get your phone call!!

Alex and Savannah and Chloe are all coming up here on Tuesday. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. It means a lot. We’re going to try to have a New Years’ Eve Eve party on Wednesday night since dad is working on the 31st. Alex said we need to call it New Years’ Adam party since Adam came before Eve. (always the comedian).

Leah is getting her leg x-rayed this Wednesday. I really hope it is starting to heal. It’s been six months and it really should have been healing faster, so we’ll see. I’ll let you know how that goes. I really hope it’s healing for her sake. She needs a little boost.I’d love her to be able to get back to TaeKwonDo.

Well, I’m now getting ready for ward conferences, writing my talk about personal righteousness and writing my talk for Stake Conference on making the Sabbath a delight, so if you have any words of wisdom or stories you can share with me about either of those, I’d love it! We’re also getting ready for our annual Women’s Conference the end of January. It’s good to be anxiously engaged in good causes.

Have a wonderful week getting ready for the baptisms this weekend. I’ll be thinking of you. Thank you for the most wonderful Christmas present!!!

Love you oh so much,

Mom xxoo

Five Sleeps

Dec. 20, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina, 

We’ve had a fun evening with Sarah, Addie and Nicole being here for the evening. They came around four this afternoon and we had dinner all ready for them. Nikki didn’t like having to wait to eat. haha She said it felt like fast Sunday. Addie was so wound up and it was so funny to watch her just running all over the house. She loves exploring, loves the dogs and we just watched her and played with her.

We let Addie open a few presents and this was a set of pajamas we got her. She loved them. It’s so cute how she still loves Minnie and how she says Minnie when she wants her Minnie quilt I made her.

She also loved sitting on the counter and watched our little Christmas TV. Dad and I are taking them to the airport first thing in the morning, and I mean first thing…around five am.  Their flight leaves at 6:30 to Spokane and then their parents are picking them up and taking them to Cranbrook. Kirk will do this same thing Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Sarah says Brett has been dating someone pretty seriously, so he might propose over the holidays. We’ll see.

Today was a wonderful day at church. The choir sounded beautiful, the talks were so great. I just love when we have meetings that focus so much on the Savior. Today I was thinking that we should just do that every single week, every talk should be about the Savior, about who we are because of the Savior, about how we can become like the Savior by emulating Him and His life, about His gift to us of the atonement, His words, etc etc.  I guess I’ll have to write Pres. Monson and make my suggestion. haha  

Speaking of the Monsons, Paul got his call to the Singapore mission leaving in January. He’ll be speaking English.

Dad has to work this week on Christmas Eve, so the girls and I will be going to the Cameron’s alone, but Melanie said it just wouldn’t be the same without us there and I feel the same way. That has become such a wonderful tradition for our family and I just love the Cameron’s! Dad will get home from work on Christmas morning, but I’m sure the girls won’t even be awake yet. We’re all having a hard time this year not having anyone here to celebrate with us. Actually I might be the one who’s having the hardest time. We can’t wait for your call!!

Our weather has been a little crazy here. One day it rains, the next it’s freezing, the next it’s warm and then it snows. Today it snowed a little. Definitely winter.

My trip to California was quick, but I got a lot done with my dad. Uncle Steve asked him if he wants to fly up to Utah after Christmas and that Steve would come down and fly with him. My dad is actually considering that, but we’ll see if that really happens. If it does, Steve told him that I would probably come down to Utah so I could be with him too. So now I’m kind of waiting to see what happens. Dad can’t get off that week, so it would just be me and the girls, so I’m actually leaning towards staying here, but we’ll see. I would be happy for my dad to get back to Utah to see some old friends and family and the sights.

How was your week?  How is Christmas time in Petaluma?  Are there lots of lights on houses, is it pretty festive? When I was down in Orange, I was pretty impressed with how many lights were up all around. It was very pretty. Lights really make the season for me plus the music. Are you doing anything special? Secret Santa type stuff or helping any families? 

Tomorrow we are making a bunch of cookies to take around. That’s one of my favorite things to do too. I’m hoping the girls will take an active part with it. I’ll take pictures and let you know how they turn out. 

How did your Christmas talent show with the Zone go?  How did your solo turn out? I sure wish I could have heard it. I bet it was beautiful. Well, I can’t wait to hear about your week and what your plans are. Keep up the great work and find people this week who can really use the spirit of Christ in their home. I love the feeling we get every time the missionaries are in our home. I hope you will even sing in their homes!!

Love you very much,

Mom xxoo

SoCal

Dec.13, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina,

Well, I'm back in Orange this week helping grandpa with a few things. Every time I talk with him he asks when I'm coming to see him. I'm here until Wednesday.

Last night I had a four hour layover in Utah, on purpose, and Kirk and Sarah and Addie picked me up and took me to dinner then back to their house to hang out. I loved it and just wanted to stay there with cute Addie. Addie literally repeats words that you say to her now. It's so cute to hear her.She's soooo smart.

Had a full Sabbath. Went to church with grandpa, but he needed a lot of help dressing and walking. He said he just wasn't feeling good and I cried a little in church just watching him struggle and realizing how hard old age is. He says it's hard enduring to the end. It breaks my heart, but I hope to help him feel calm and peace by helping him with a few things while I'm here.

It's very festive around here. Lots of people decorate their homes in fun ways. Patrice even put lights up on grandpa's house. Mike and Susan have lots of lights on their house too. I'll try to send pics of those next week. It actually rained really hard here tonight, so I couldn't take any pictures. They've really needed the rain here so it was good. We had dinner with the Starrs tonight and I loved just sitting around and talking with Mike and Susan. Then later tonight David came over and dad and I had a talk with him about the future of the business, etc. Tough stuff.

Leah and Nikki had their ehs Christmas concert on Friday. It was really nice. McMullen did a great job as usual. Nikki absolutely loves singing and choir. She even wants to take voice lessons. Leah goes back and forth with it. Some days she loves it, other days she wants to quit. But she actually has a really nice voice, so I hope she sticks with it.

Did you get the package with decorations in it? Hope you've made your place festive!

How did this week go? I know it was so hard for you last week, but I loved the lessons you said you learned. Grandpa said he really loved that letter, that it was so heart felt and he knew you were really feeling the spirit of what a mission is all about. He just loves reading your letters each week!How is Camilo doing? His example will be a huge impact in his children's lives. Oh yeah, Marcela also said she has some women she'd love to set him up with in her ward. She said they are successful, hard working and beautiful. Ha ha

Marcela and I talk weekly still cuz we are still doing her pathways college classes together. This week we finished her math class. In January we're doing another English class. I love talking with her. She's a good friend.

How's your training going? Is there a plan you follow or do you just spend each day teaching her as the spirit directs? Just curious how it works.

We are doing well here. When I get home we will be making cookies to deliver. I look forward to that. Our problem is picking the few people that we deliver to. Maybe we should just make a lot more cookies this year.  I'm trying something new this year-a chocolate cookie topped with a Hershey's candy cane kiss. The chocolate cookies are rolled in a coarse red and white sugar. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Well, I hope your week is full of service. Service breeds love and love keeps Christ's spirit on the earth and Christ's spirit brings light and light will always dispel darkness.

Enjoy the season. Soak it all in. Notice everything. Help everyone remember the reason for the season.

Can't wait to hear from you...as usual. Mondays are my favorite!!

Love you loads,

Mom

Xoxo

Gingerbread house making

Playing with Addie's new early Christmas present

Out to dinner

Addie wanted to walk

Addie seeing me get in the car
House decorations

Christmas Season

Dec. 6, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina,

Well, it’s officially the Christmas season when we get to sing Christmas songs for every meeting at church. Love it! The house is looking very festive. I tried something new on the mantel, kind of a white Christmas look, so I’ll send a pic next week when it’s officially decorated. 

We had a fun weekend starting off with our ward Christmas party!!! Oh Kristina, you totally kept a great secret from us. We were just sitting there enjoying the party when they put a video up on the big screen and it said, testimonies from our missionaries around the world. Then one after the other, each missionary from our ward came up and bore testimony about what this season means to them, etc. We have over 16 missionaries out and I was dying. We watched each family as their son or daughter came up and we could see that they were so touched. I was practically shaking thinking that you might be up there and I was thinking how cruel it would be if they only showed some of the missionaries and not all. But they kept showing new ones and you weren’t there. I started getting nervous now. Then at the very end, you came up on the screen and of course, I started crying. It was so good to see you and standing there in front of the Oakland temple was gorgeous. You looked and sounded awesome!! Then to top it off, you were the only one who mentioned each of us by name and told us that you loved us. That meant so much and I looked over and Leah was really crying.

Fast forward to today at fast and testimony meeting. Bro. Cooley started it off by talking about how much those missionary videos meant and he doesn’t even have anyone out in the field. Then one by one, so many people got up, mostly men, who said the same thing. Then near the end of the meeting, Leah-who had been just sitting and doodling all meeting-turns to me and says, “I’m going up”.  I said, "at least wait until Bro.Williamson is done.” She said, “If I don’t stand up right now, I may never get up.” So I said, “Get up and go.” So she said, “Also I’m going up there barefoot.” haha I said, “Ok.”

So Leah bore her testimony and spoke about how much it meant to her to see you and hear and that you mentioned her by name. She had had a bad day at school earlier that day and was feeling depressed (I knew she was depressed that day and it was even hard for me to talk her into going to the ward party-so happy it worked out). She cried when talking about how much it means to her that you’re serving a mission and how happy that makes her feel even though she misses you. I, of course, was crying listening to all of this. Then to top it off, they sang the closing song after that and I had to give the closing prayer. I had to pull myself together. :) I sure love my daughters!!!

It was a good Sunday. Leah overall is feeling so much better. She has her down moments, but we talk openly about everything and it helps. It’s good to see her laugh and smile more.

Our ward missionaries came over tonight. Elder Hatch asked me to ask you if you know anyone here in Eagle that they might be able to contact.They don’t have very many people they’re teaching right now and I wish I had someone ready for them. I am becoming friends with our new neighbors across the street and I just love them. They have two college age kids, Alex and Kristin (it’s easy for me to remember their names. haha)They moved here from California and they found a church to go to right away, so I know they are faithful people which I love to see. It’s just a matter of timing though for me to bring things up. I told her, Carla, that we need to go to lunch. It’s fun having a potential friend right across the street.

How’s Camilo doing? is he dating anyone? If not, I think he needs to start dating.:)  This church is difficult for single men to stay active, so he needs to get out there or online or something. He seems very fun, nice, funny, so there should be a lot of women who will want to date him. That’s probably something someone in your ward should get on him about, not you. haha Are his children still on for their baptism? Can’t wait to hear it all.

Sarah is back from Canada now. Her dad is doing well. There were some ups and downs after the procedure, but he’s back home and doing well. They will let him rest and get all the swelling down for the next month, then they’ll turn on the machine they implanted in January and hopefully he’ll see some great things that will help him with his shaking. We face timed with Sarah and Addie tonight and that little Addie is just too cute!! Her hair is getting long, but only in the back, not on the sides or in the front. She has a great mullet going on. haha

I talked with Sean and Blair tonight. Sean has been super busy at his work getting the building built, etc. Blair is enjoying working at the zoo. They both got callings today-team teachers in the Primary. They don’t know the age group yet. Also, the family they have been visiting with the missionaries had a daughter get baptized yesterday. She asked Sean to give the talk on the Holy Ghost. 

I don’t have any updates on Alex and Savannah. Alex is finishing up his semester and then he only has one more til he graduates. I’m really hoping they come up to see us sometime during the holidays. We’re going to be such a small little family this year-just the four of us. The girls aren’t very happy about that, but we’ll try to plan some fun things to do.

Well, today would have been a wonderful day except right in the middle of it, Pres. Stafford called me and asked me to speak at Stake Conference in January.  I shouldn’t have answered the phone….now I have to think about that talk all through the holidays. Also I’ve got to get my talk ready for ward conferences that are coming up in January too. When it rains, it pours-with Stake callings.

I hope you are doing well and feeling our love all around you. I told our missionaries here that they are welcome to stop by our house any time especially during this season if they are feeling like they just want to be in a home with a family. I hope your ward family is doing the same for you. But more importantly, I hope you are finding people to share Christ’s love with. There are so many sad people particularly this time of year and I know the spirit will lead you to them if you ask. They may even be the elders and sisters right around you. Even just little notes of kindness can be the most powerful things. Always look outward and upward!

Love you always,

Mom xxoo

This is a picture I found and put it on our computer as a desktop picture. I just love it. Wise men still seek Him!!!

Thanksgiving Week in Review

Nov. 29, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina,

So how was your Thanksgiving in the mission field? Did you have more than one dinner? Seems like that’s what happened with the boys on their missions. I hope it was an enjoyable day for you. We thought about you often as our numbers were kind of small this year. Next year we should have lots of family!! Please remember Leon in your prayers Monday. That’s when he’s having his brain surgery and it’s 15 hours long. If things go well, he will feel so much better and have such a better quality of life. I’ll keep you posted on that.

We took off for Utah on Tuesday and stopped at Kirk’s. Sarah and Addie had already gone to Canada. Leah and Nikki wanted to spend the night with Kirk, so we dropped their things off and then we headed towards Sandy to have dinner with Alex and Savannah and Grandma and Grandpa and Charmaine. Then Kirk and the girls went to a Samoan poetry reading night at Aunt Kathy’s school. She had contacted Leah earlier and asked her to come. The girls really liked it and said how loud all the Samoans were. haha hmmm imagine that. Dad and I drove on to Steve and Carolina’s.

I’m sending a picture of the view from our suite. Their fixed up home is so beautiful and our room felt so luxurious. We basically had the whole basement to ourselves, so Alex and Savannah decided to pack their bags and stay in one of the rooms downstairs too. Then the next night, Kirk and the girls came back and Kirk stayed in another room. There are four bedrooms and two bathrooms downstairs with a kitchen too. So we used the kitchen to prepare some of the food for Thanksgiving. Savannah made the strawberry pretzel salad which I am still craving. Dad made the mashed potatoes. I made three French Chocolate Pies. Charmaine made the sweet potato casserole, Kassie made a green bean casserole, G &G brought rolls and relishes, Carolina made the turkey and the stuffing, Laura made a bunch of cream pies.

The night before Thanksgiving since we weren’t having a pie night, we decided to go to the BYU basketball game which was a lot of fun, then we went bowling at Fat Cats. That’s where we saw Paul Monson. I saw him behind the counter and he recognized me so I went up to talk with him. He told me he had juts barely put his mission papers in and was very excited about it. I told him where you were and we chatted for a bit, then we started getting our shoes, etc. When I went to pay he said he wanted to give us the Paul Monson special. I asked, What’s that? He said, It’s free ninety-nine. I said, no you can’t do that and he insisted. Then while we were bowling he kept coming over to us because if the head pin is orange, you’re supposed to grab a manager and bowl in front of them and if you get a strike, you get a prize. Well, we kept getting orange head pins and he wanted to come every time. He’d stand around and talk to all of us and even if we didn’t get a strike he said we earned a free drink and would bring us whatever drink we wanted. It was so funny and he really made it a lot of fun for all of us. Chloe, Nash and Keith came too. He and Alex kept talking and then he even asked Alex for his number so they could practice bowling together. Then dad started getting a bunch of strikes and Paul came over cuz he said he wanted to witness a perfect 300 game. After 4 strikes in a row, dad finally didn’t get one but his final score was 189. So Paul made an announcement over the intercom about his friend Harold and what a high score he had and if there was anyone who could beat that score, etc etc. Then as we were leaving he took dad’s picture so he could put it up on the bowling wall of fame. haha We were all laughing so hard. But you know Alex, he’s determined more than ever now to beat dad’s score, so I’m sure he’s going to be calling Paul to practice his bowling. We’ll let you know how that goes.

So in the end, we actually got a turkey that night which was our goal! It may also be our new tradition.

At Thanksgiving, we had our family and only Kassie and Marc came from Steve and Carolina’s this year. But Dakota and Downing really wanted to play greed so we had to have the greed game before dinner so they could be part of things. The big news from the game this year was that Steve gave $200 in one of his envelopes. Dakota got the envelope and Kassie was not happy about it. So now Steve says he’s never doing that again. haha

After dinner we went to the movies and then everyone in the basement played xbox til the wee hours. Alex and Savannah and Chloe and Nikki all went shopping for black Friday around midnight. Kirk had to get home since he was working long hours on Black Friday at Verizon. He’s trying to put in as much overtime as he can while Sarah is gone.

On Friday we went up to Mary and Brian’s to see their little George. He is sooooo cute and sooooo little. He actually weighs 5 pounds now but it felt like you were only holding a blanket. We all loved holding him!

Then we went to Trolley Square in Salt Lake and then on to Patrice and Jason’s where Toni was and also McKenna and Trevor. We hung out at their house for a little bit then we all decided to go to Temple Square. Toni said she hadn’t been there to see the lights since her kids were little, so I was so glad that they all wanted to go. Patrice’s little boy, Henry, seemed so big compared to George, but he’s is such a cutey and so cuddly. It was very crowded at temple square and so cold, but we made it and it was just fun being with Toni and her kids.

That night the girls spent the night with Alex and Savannah and he made them watch really cheaply made sci-fy shows. haha Dad and I stayed up til one talking with Steve and Carolina (well, I stayed up, but dad slept next to me). We had such a fun conversation about everything. We were laughing so much.

On Saturday we woke up to snow so we got a later start going home. We met Alex and Savannah and the girls at Broadbent’s in Lehi to do some shopping. Then Cole met us there, then Allen and Lisa met us there. It was such a strange meeting spot, but it all worked out beautifully. Then we went to lunch where G&G and Charmaine met us also and we took off from there to go home.

It was really a nice week even though I was so not looking forward to it because Addie would not be there. But in the end, I was able to cuddle with some other little babies so I think that helped. :)  

Church today was nice as usual. I thought they were going to release Kris as my secretary because Denise Frame has accepted the call to be the new secretary, but nothing happened. So Kris is pulling double duty for another week. 

So I’m very excited to hear about your first week training. I know you’ll give us the details but I’ve been thinking of you and I know you’ll be such a great trainer. If I had another daughter just going into the field, I would hope and pray that you’d be the one to train her!!!

We’re back to the grind this next week. Girls back in school, dad working a lot, me running errands and catching up with everything. I have a full week ahead of me. I hope you are doing well, teaching a lot, sharing your testimony often and finding new people to love. Those are the things that will bring true joy…just living the gospel. If only everyone would be open to hearing about that great secret.

Love you so much,

Mom xxoo