April 8, 1998 Dear Family,
It's about time that I
wrote you again. It seems like a long time since I did. I see some of you once
in a while, and some of you never! The family is growing to big I guess.
Conference last weekend was so
good. It brought a few thoughts to my mind about the importance of values and
standards. Everyone has them, of course. Then why are everyone's so different?
Dr. Laura Schlesinger (do you know who she is? Pretty fun to listen to!) says
that you can not set your own values and standards. God has to set the
standards and the rules and you have the choice to follow them or not. But that
doesn't change what they are! If you get to decide for your self what is right
or wrong then when a hard time comes along, you just change your standard. As
members of the church we know she is right. It really helps to know what is
right and wrong, clearly and simply, because it helps us be the best people we
can be. The people we choose to follow need to be outstanding in their
character, and we need to be sure that we are on the road that goes where we
want to end up. Elder Wirthlin tells us that if we want to end up in the place
we want to go, then we need to follow Christ, the Prophet, and the Spirit.
Well, there is my lecture for this year.
Most of you know that Grandpa had
to have his defibrillator replaced. That was on March 10th. It went
well. He recovered well. But they did have to change it from the side to up in
the shoulder. Ralph and I were with Grandma when the doctor came in. He was a new
doctor for Grandpa, and he had told them that the surgery would be about 20
minutes. Oh, yeah? Anyway it took about 5 hours and when he came out he said
that Grandpa had "kicked his butt in there". He was exhausted. Of
course, he didn't realize that we knew how bad the heart was, but since we did
he was relieved that he was not the bearer of grim tidings. He stayed overnight
and we brought him home the next day. Last week on a check up the doctor found
that the Atrium was also fibrillating and was causing a conflict between the
pacemaker and the heart and causing the fibrillater to want to go off. So
yesterday we took them in and they went in with a lead they did a procedure a
lot like a angioplasty and killed a little piece of the heart that was conflicting
with the pacemaker. This should be better. He came through it great and we brought
him home about 1:00. He is feeling better today. He was supposed to lay down
all day yesterday, but that drove him nuts so he didn't, so that drove Grandma
nuts. All of you should know that Grandma is working very hard to help him and
that it is pretty hard work to help him be active and happy. We are hoping that
the end of this month we will be able to take him for a little trip down south
to give them both a little break. It is good if you can visit and spend a
little time with them. Grandma is doing a great job, but it is very hard to be
the caretaker!
Kent and Sharon: Jarom
and Andrea are living with them so that Kent and Sharon have absolutely no
worries in their aging years. Andrea is there to dote on her parents and Jarom
does all the work. They are however trying to save money to get into a house.
They are both working for IHC and Jarom is going to start school at the Comm. College
this spring. Kirt is going to school at the University of Utah (Go Utes) and
working at the Theater League of something (Sharon talks faster than I can take
notes) in Salt Lake in the afternoons and out to the Egyptian Theater in Park
city at nites. He is currently starring in "How to succeed at business
without really trying, excuse the lack of caps in title" at nite. Breanne
and Zoanne start kindergarten! How dare they! Heath will know this month if he
gets a job in the Seminary system. He has done so well this year. Of course the
kids absolutely love him to death. They want to eat lunch with him and hang out
with him, etc. We knew he would be good. Kathy is still working and managing
and doing great at Walmart. Brent applied at 3 places for a clerkship. He
didn't get the one he didn't want, and he hasn't heard from the other two yet.
He is editor of the Law Review this summer and gets a grant and some money for
that. Also VERY prestigious. Terry and Brent would like to get closer to home
and of course the whole family would like that but then who will we stay with
when we visit Michigan?
Ralph was there once, learning about painting cars. That's why our kids think
they were at the airport when he came home from his mission. Mission/ Michigan-get it?
Cheryl is working part
time and has a part in the Clearfeild summer theater this summer, of course,
not fall or spring! All four of her kids are involved in sports, soccer I
think, but the boys are also playing baseball, or is that Alison's kids. The
point to remember is that Brian's and Alison's kids are excelling at sports and
Sharon's not
there to see it! If you haven't heard Alison's kids sing you need to. Wow, they
are not only warm, friendly and well behaved, they are talented! Jared is mr.
Cool himself! Terry was in a car accident, some guy hit her head on, so they
have a new Van, the better to visit Utah
with! This is not good news, Brent has developed diabetes. He is still in the
bishopric. He's learning a lot isn't he. Alison, Curtis and family are
seriously considering going into show business. Actually they are performing
all over, but no one is paying them for it. Katie is doing great in school. She
and Megan promised they would come stay with me this summer. If you guys would
all bring your kids home then we could have Easter Egg hunts and stuff again.
It's just not that great with Greg and Adam! No there are a few more around,
but no where near hail
Wayne and RaNae: Wayne has been substitute teaching all year,
and he is really enjoying it. He has been mostly at Midvale Mid (what do you
call that?) school. I forget. The one in the middle of Elem. And High School.
If I abbreviate anything this computer changes the next letter to a cap. He is
a permanent sub for the rest of this year in a math course. You know, the whole
day, 6 classes kind of thing. Cool, Huh? They are still running a kennel at
their house. Joshua married Shalese Tanner. They live in the Layton Clearfeild
area. They are both working. Camille is being married on July 11 to Dustin
Haight. We met him at the Christmas party, those of you who were willing to
make the journey. Melissa is on the honor roll this quarter. Good girl. We had
a shower for Shalese and Camille over at Julie's house. She did a very good job
and the girls got some really beautiful gifts. Personally I was proud of the
givers. Chad
is the manager of the snack shop at the Theater where he works. The other day
he was entertaining some kids while a whole group was waiting for a special
show to start...I may not
have these details
correct, because if you are actually nice to kids these days you can be accused
of molestation, and he hasn't been... Anyway, a guy from The Disney Radio Station was there, was
impressed and offered Chad
an internship with them. Maybe Alison's family can sing on the station and we
will all be rich! Amy and Scott are still in South Carolina and both working. Scott is
driving truck and is home on the weekends and Amy is working as a manager of a
creel. That makes sheets. It is a big loom. She has benefits, a raise and good
stuff. Nathan and Natalie are doing very well in school.
I am trying really hard not to be
to organized in these family renditions, it wouldn't do for you to be to well
informed!
Brenda and Gary: There
is nothing to report about them except that they are getting a missionary out,
planning a wedding, helping with new baby and worrying about a kid in Russia. Neal
leaves for the Stockholm, Sweden mission
on the 22nd of this month. Brad is marrying Myrissa Tomas of Sandy on July IO h,
you might as well just come for both weddings, and Brad has a internship
with S L County conservancy district for the next six months. Myrissa has a
great job and Brad gets paid too, so they will be fine as they finish their
school. Jennifer and Randy's son was born on March 29 in Logan. They will name him Jacob Randall. Very
pretty. The addition on the house is almost done and it about doubles the space
in the downstairs. I am excited to see it. I've seen pictures but that is all.
Jennifer is going to be in trouble with Grandma, you can shorten both that
babies names. Tch, Tch.
Holly and Lee are doing the same.
The baby, Nathan, can walk now. He is a cutie. Holly is in the primary and the
sports. Boy am I surprised. There work is still going great. They have a house
and they are a good stop to visit on your way south, because there is NO place
decent to eat in Fillmore! They like visitors, Lee will make you cookies or
pie! Got that crust down yet, Lee? Chris and Allyson are both working in the
Embassy now so they can go to work together. They have made some friends so
that is good for them, and helps them with missing family. Chris has been upped
to the carpentry staff with also raise in pay. Good Job! (did you get that play
on words?)
Lynn and Gail: Amanda and Jake have
their baby of course, that proves how long it has been since I wrote. Her name
is Monroe or
Morgana or something like that! Name to big for the baby! I forgot, oh, yeah,
Monica. I knew it started with an M. Sorry Mandy. My brain was not working! But
my fingers just keep typing. A finger stutter. Paul is in a computer club at
school that has an extemporaneous speaking competition (does not compute! When
I was in school it was called drama/speech). He thought it was pretty dumb, but
he went to school the next day and he WON! He gets to go to nationals in Pennsylvania if he can
raise the money. I hate that word! Also he got his eagle and we are waiting for
the Court of Honor. Kay is going to New
York with friends this summer. Oh, the life of the
single girl! Rebecca is still working at the animal hospital and doing a great
job. But it is clear on the far side of the valley and she would like to find
something over here. Jake really likes his job with Scott Machinery. He likes
it way better than Swains/heritage. Lori is living in the Farm house on the
comer of 1300 W. and Turpin's hill. Jared is with her. I was impressed with him
at the Christmas party. She is working at a title company. Kay helped her get
the job, or just found the job and she went and applied for it. They have been good
to her.
Diana and Ralph: Hmmm,
I am getting tired of typing. Anne is still in school, third year. She teaches
every day for one period. First grade reading first quarter, 9"' math
2nd, 9d` biology 3rd., all
resource. She is very good at it and gets rave reviews from kids and teachers.
One of her professors asked her to come to work for him in his private school.
She can't for now, but he said for her to look him up when she was ready. Mark is fine. Ivory coast is
weird. He baptized the Bishop's twelve year old daughter the other day; they
forgot to do it when she was 8. He is doing fine. Any of you that have served
missions know that is is hard work. He does not ever complain. They have quite
a few baptisms, but he wonders how many conversions. He has been out 13 months.
Michael and Sara are just plain great kids. I am there mother, I should know.
Nothing really marvelous. They go to school, get good grades, irritate a couple
of teachers, the regular. Anne has been pres of the LDS sorority this year. They
asked her to do it again next year. She won't be there so she had to turn them
down. But to serve two years is pretty unheard of. Sara turned 15 yesterday.
YOU should see the big
road running through the bottoms. It is weird. Ralph took me down on the 4 wheeler
a few weeks ago. It is something to see. The store, car wash and lube shop are
all being worked on and will kick in pretty soon, I guess. It will be so good for the farm to
have extra money, money they need and deserve. But it does change the lay of
the land. I guess that
is all for this letter. We Iove you all, family is the very most important. You
will know that even more as you age.
Love, Diana
P.S. I still have not found a
smaller bathroom than the one in Sigurd. If that is the smallest I will have to
embark on a new quest! Any suggestions? All my love!
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