April 20, 1986

Dearest Johnny; Roy & Patrice; Bob, Claire, Michael, Laura & Brett; Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean, Mary Ann & Sarah; and Ron, Ann. Susanna, Jessie, Russell & Lee Anna:

Well - believe it or not we are in our new home and we have the computer all set up and Daddy & I figured out how to plug it in. We had decided to wait several weeks before trying to set it up so we could ask Ron to help us but it wasn't all that hard. We have imposed on poor Ron so much lately we just couldn't ask him to help us one more time!!!

We will never, never move again - I don't believe you could even imagine all the things we have had to move. Besides the two huge truck loads that Ron & Daddy move last Saturday, Daddy & I have made at least fifteen trips with both the Lincoln & the Toyota during the week and then yesterday Ron helped us again and we moved things from the storage place to bring over but they are relatively small and won't be that hard to move. Our home is just beautiful and we really feel it was built for us at this time in our lives - WE LOVE IT!!!!

Johnny - I was practically waiting for the postman on Wednesday when your letter came. I was so anxious to get that letter because I knew it would have your response about our buying a new home and moving from Lehi. I have read it a million times and I kinda' think you might be a little disappointed that you won't be able to live in the Lehi house anymore. I understand how you feel because you put a lot of work into that house last Summer but when you are in our new home and go back to Lehi for little visits you will be grateful that we took care of the move before you got home. I wouldn't want this told to very many people but I feel like the move from Lehi to this home is compared to going from the Telestial to the Celestial Kingdom. We went to church over there this morning because I needed to give some Relief Society Material to the new teacher and the people are all so nice but it was wonderful to come home to our new home. The work all of you and especially Daddy have put into that home have really paid off - you just wouldn't believe the response we had had in selling it! Right now we have three people who want to bring us earnest money to save it for them and I have told Daddy I don't want to have anything to do with it - he is going to have to decide who gets it - I wish we had a dozen homes like that to sell. It really is a wonderful home for a small family. The Wanlass's grand daughter wants to buy it - the Broadbents grand daughter also wants it and then there is another lady whose name I don't know.

Johnny - you are going through the "Refiner's Fire" aren't you??? We hope you have your new companion by now (and surely you will have) and we're pulling for you to have great success and happiness. The McLeod's stopped by our Lehi home to see us but we weren't there - they were in Utah for the graduation of Lori's husband. We were so disappointed because we would have loved to visit with them and learn about your Billing's friends. Louise Erickson and her daughter were in Utah about your Billing's friends. Louise Eriksson and her daughter were in Utah doing some genealogy work and they came here for lunch but they couldn't stay very long so we didn't get much news. They did say that Dean Lythgoe was excited to be in your same mission - wouldn't it be meat if you got to be his trainer??? We really love your letters and I hope to do a better job in writing to you now that we are moved. The Lehi Newsletter editor wanted some information about you to include in this month's issue so I will write up an article and that may be the last one - I guess we will have your membership records sent over here along with ours. Did I tell you that Elder Spencer's parents live in our ward here - also, Elder Bradford's!

Bob & Roy - it was so good to talk to you both this week. Bob - a man from our new ward here came to welcome us today and he is a physician, (internal medicine) and he said they could really use another ENT doctor here. This man is Dr. Parker and really a nice man - he was a Mission President in France about ten years ago so he interrupted his practice for three years. Patrice - we're really proud of you (she has been accepted in the graduate program of Simmona College in Boston to work on her master's degree library science). Daddy, as he was closing up the Lehi house talked so much about the great electrical work Bob had done and how thorough Roy had been in putting in the water heater and making certain there were caution things put up about putting water into it before turning on the electricity. We both talked about the great decorative work done by Claire in finishing the wood frames all over the house and the beautiful wall paper and carpet. We could also see Johnny painting the house and pulling weeds and trimming all the bushes. I could get really sad and emotionally upset about selling it but I know it's the right thing to do.

The Weinerts came down this afternoon - they hadn't seen the house yet and they really love it too!!! We all walked over to the Woolleys and visited there for awhile and then we all came back over here and we cooked hamburgers and had our first family get together in our new home. It has been a beautiful day and the children had so much fin rolling down the hill in back of the house. We ate downstairs and it is so comfortable - we have put Aunt Marvel's burgundy couch and chair down there and also her kitchen table. There is mostly "cement" on the floors down in that part but we will put some kind of carpet there when we get around to it. There are a million things to do here. I had to laugh at Daddy- he said, "Here, I thought I was going to have a lot of time to go fishing this Summer" - I hope he will take time!!!!

They are going to come in the morning and put in a gas line for a dryer. We have a gas dryer and the house is wired for an electric one. While they are here, Daddy is going to have them put in the necessary things for the furnace ducts downstairs - it has been roughed in but the heat hasn't been directed there. The builder told us how to do it and it won't be a big job and will make the downstairs more comfortable.

I can't think of any more news - I may add to this in the morning. We love each one of you so very much and we're so proud of you!!! PLEASE BE CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO and let us know how we can help you.

It's Monday morning and I'm just going to add a little but to my letter. I was so tired last night I forgot some things.

Claire - we loved your letter and it was so sweet for you to write just as we were moving - it meant a lot to us. The children's sand box sounds "out of this world" and knowing how much they enjoy that we know it was time well spent. I think Brett is a fussy baby because he wants to get about and do things - he seemed so much older than his age when we saw him. He is so healthy that you can put up with his "fussiness" knowing that he is just growing. Isn't it funny how babies differ so much - in our case, we didn't have two fussy ones in a row and I guess if we did we wouldn't have had five. You're doing a super job with your family - we miss Michael & Laura so much!!!

Johnny - we definitely want a sweater or two so have the lady make them for us. If she doesn't make cardigan sweaters that's okay - we'll put some extra money in your account this month and let us know if you need more. Jimmy Willardsen leaves for San Diego this week - his family and the Braithwaites have all been to see him while he has been in the MTC so they're not going to come see him off at the airport. Knowing them, they'll see him in San Diego.

Daddy is out working in the yard - he wants to get the front part of the house pretty first and then he'll work in the back. There is a lot of beautiful landscaping in the front but it needs to be cleaned out.

WE surely hope you are all having beautiful Summer weather like we are - it's a great time of the year. Last year was cold and miserable and we understand the frost killed some of the sweet cherries but hopefully there will still be a lot of fruit. That's all for now - Lots and lots of love!!!!
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