Day off

Jan. 18, 2016

Dear Sister Kristina,

So I guess it’s another holiday. I’ve decided when you’re a stay at home mom, you don’t fully appreciate these holidays. Unless it’s Sunday, sometimes I don’t really think about what day it is. haha All I know is the girls are sleeping in for a bit today. That’s what they want to do most on their day off.

Dad is home today too, so I think we’ll get some projects done around the house, make some trips to DI and clean things out. When it’s so cold outside, we get a lot more done on the inside (which I really like). He’s also going to go to West Valley Medical Center this afternoon. Remember that’s the place in Caldwell he used to work when we first moved here. Then the hospital decided they wanted a different group of ER doctors to cover their ER cuz they thought they could get a cheaper group. Well, when they brought in the cheaper group, they’ve been very unhappy with them and of course, now they are getting rid of that group and a new group has contacted dad to see if he would like to work there. Oh brother…is all I can say. What goes around, comes around. They are offering a lot of money, but dad isn’t sure he wants to go back there, so this afternoon he’s meeting with them to see what they’re offering, what the ER looks like now, etc. He’s pretty happy just working in Emmett, Mtn. Home and sometimes at the VA here in Boise, so we’ll see.

We got to facetime Kirk and Sarah last night and they had Brian and Mary and their baby, George, over. Here’s some pics of baby George. He was only 4 pounds when he was born and they are having so much fun with him. I think he looks like a little man. :)

So how was your week? I hope all your investigators are coming along. Leah has really enjoyed hearing from Fusi every so often. We had our missionaries over for dinner again this past week. They all tell us that Eagle is such a tough area to be a missionary in, but I’m glad they come into our homes and give us messages.

Yesterday was another ward conference for me, well, in fact I went to two, Eagle 2nd and Eagle 5th, so it was a long church day for me. I spoke in both wards and really enjoyed meeting with them. In Eagle 2nd, Kris Grigg is the new ward RS president so it was so fun just being with her again and this time, she got to speak. As my secretary, she never had to speak in ward conferences. She did a great job. I miss having her around all the time, but she is so loved in her ward and very needed. Her son Jordan is now engaged and they’re getting married in a few months and she’s excited about that.

This week I’m going to be preparing for Stake Conference where my subject is Sabbath Day. I’m speaking at the Sunday session. We’re also serving dinner on Saturday night to the visiting authority, but they’ve asked dad and I to attend the dinner, so now the rest of my presidency will be serving us, which will feel weird. But dad is making the tri-tip steak before. It will be yummy. We serve it between the 4pm priesthood session on Saturday and the 7pm session for the adults. So there’s about an hour or less. It’s kind of a rushed meal and then we clean up during the opening song and prayer of the 7pm session. All our husbands come in and help us so we can get it all done quicker. Lots to do this weekend. I’ll be so happy next Monday!!!

Also this week, Thursday, Sarah is going in for her big ultrasound where they take a really good look at the baby and we get to find out if it’s a boy or a girl. So exciting. They also do measurements, look at all the organs, etc so it’s a pretty big deal. I know Sarah will be nervous about it, but Kirk has the morning off and will be with her. I’ll tell them to send you the news!

Here’s a little missionary report from our stake. Kade Anderson came home last week and reported yesterday. Dad said he looks the same, but really learned a lot from his mission-life lessons. He’s getting a job for a couple of months, then will head back to BYU-I for spring semester. Our stake now has 114 full time missionaries out in the field. Most wards have 10-16 out. It’s pretty amazing. Pres. Stafford said this is the most our stake has ever had out. 

Uncle Steve said that Paul Monson had his farewell yesterday and yes, his grandpa came to hear it. I’m so jealous. Steve said Pres. Monson came in just before the sacrament and then left after Paul spoke, but he waved to everyone. Steve said he talked with Clark, Pres. Monson’s son and he said his dad really has not been feeling well, so remember the prophet in your prayers.

Leah had her first date this past weekend and she had a great time. She actually planned the whole thing, coordinated it, etc. She wanted to have a date so she could say she’s been out on a date. She doubled with Carrie Iverson who asked out Ren Hansen. Leah went with Nick Heideman, a senior who is quite popular. Tracey was worried that she had asked him out since he’s so popular and he knows it, so then I was worried for Leah. Another girl told Leah that she had also gone out with Nick, but that he was so rude the whole time and always on his phone. So I tried to prepare her for the worst case scenario, but as it turned out, she said he was nice the whole time and going to the hockey game was a blast. They sat right behind the players and Leah asked them for a puck and they actually gave her one. Then they went to Merritt’s afterwards, which is always a hit. When she came in the house that night, she was so happy. It’s not that she likes Nick, in fact he was her third choice, so I think that helped relieve any pressure you tend to feel when you really like the guy. Phew! So we made it through her first date. She keeps talking about asking other guys out, but I’m trying to calm her a little. Wish you were here to talk with her about these things. Hopefully, she’ll just run out of money. She saw how expensive it was just to go on one date. haha

Here’s a pic that Leah took from their seats. Very close to the players and the ice!!

Addie got some bath crayons for Christmas.

Leah’s front two teeth are super sensitive! So she had to get fitted for a mouth guard that she has to wear every night that has floride in it. It’s supposed to help relieve the sensitivity. We’ll see. For now she can only drink through a straw, so we have straws all over the house and all over the car and in my purse just in case she needs a drink. 

Can’t wait to hear about the Fifita’s, Camilo’s kids and JoAnne and especially how your week went with Pres. Wright’s daughter. That’s really nice that he wanted her to be with you and your companion and that he trusts you and knows you would set a great example for her. I hope it was a great week for you. Keep working hard, be obedient so the spirit can work through you. It’s when you are obedient that the entire Godhead can bless you.

Love you,

Mom xxoo

ps make sure to let me know, if you can, if there’s any major purchases you need from your acct. I don’t check it often, so I only get a notice if you’ve overdrawn, which means it was too late. Let us know if there’s ever anything we can send from our end too.  xoxoxoxoxoxoxo