May 16, 1988 Orem, Utah
Dearest Johnny; Roy, Patrice & Emily; Bob, Claire, Michael, Laura, Brett & Katie; Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean, Mary Ann & Sarah; and Ron, Ann, Susanna, Jessie, Russell, LeeAnna & Jimmy:
Monday morning and all is well - a beautiful day!!!! Our yard is so pretty and it's fun to see the new plants all growing - our Iris are all in bloom and they are really early this year. When we first moved into this home two years ago I remember picking Iris by the baskets full to take to the cemeteries for Memorial Day - Barji had spent the night with me and she helped me decorate the graves in Lehi and Brigham City. There won't be any Iris this year but maybe we'll have something else.
We haven't had any family visits this week so I don't have much news. We loved talking to you yesterday, Patrice. It sounds like little Emily is really growing and everything is going fine with you. We're excited for you to take Emily home to meet her Aunts and see her Grandmother Susie again - I'll bet the Thomases will be excited to see her too!!! (Patrice is going to go to Connecticut for about two weeks the first of June - her good friend is getting married.) That will be a long two weeks for Roy but I'm sure he will survive. He will be able to work on his trail bike during that time - Ha!!!!
We have talked to Ann and things are fine at the Woolley home. The children's school had their annual "field day" last week and Ann said that Jessie won four first place ribbons - she is going to be a real little athlete!!!! So far, the athletes in the family are Ricky & Jessie and the other children excel in other things - it's great to have talent in lots of areas. Daddy was always good in athletes but I am like I have two left feet!!!
We haven't talked to the Weinerts or the Bob Mellors this week. We are wondering if Claire is going to have the surgery she needs on her legs - we wish we were closer so we could help. We have thought about Bob & Alice a lot this week (they entered the MTC and that is such a neat experience). I'll bet Ricky & Rick are involved in their baseball practices - Ricky will be a star, that's for sure!!!!
The big news for this week is that JOHNNY HAS BOUGHT A BOAT!!!! He has spent a lot of time looking through the want ads here in this area and also in Salt Lake - he has made several offers on other boats but someone has always offered more!!! Daddy & I went up to Salt Lake last week and we looked at the one he bought. It is a "Sabre Jet" and is orange and brown - a really beautiful boat. He has spent last weekend buffing it and cleaning it up and it looks almost new - it's nine years old. He is getting it registered, licensed & insured today so he can take it out to the lake tonight and try it out. He & Daddy cleaned up our old boat and painted the stripes, etc. and they are going to try to sell it. It is probably in the best condition it has been in for years and Johnny & his friends have had a lot of fun skiing with it. Johnny says that it is just ridiculous to have a lake in your back yard and not have a good boat. We surely hope it turns out to be the kind of boat he wants. He started work this morning and it will be interesting and a good experience for him.
Daddy went fishing Friday and Saturday with his buddies from Lehi. They left early Friday afternoon and got home about nine o'clock Saturday night - when he came in he looked like he was about 40 years old - he was sunburned and had really had a relaxing good time - they didn't catch any fish but that didn't matter. They just called us from Dr. Middleton's office in Salt Lake - his PSA test is still elevated but lower than it has been and that is good news. Daddy talked to them and didn't ask for the number count. He feels really good - our Bishop called on him yesterday to give an extemporaneous talk and he just did an excellent job.
One of our former lady missionaries, Lauri Hirschi, came and stayed with us Thursday & Friday nights. She lives in Las Vegas and is coming to BYU for the Summer term and wanted a place to stay while she looked for an apartment. She is a darling girl with a lot of musical talent - she has a beautiful singing voice. It was fun having her - I feel sorry for young people in her situation - they really want to get married!!!! She has to work to put her self through school and Daddy gave her some very good recommendations but the competition at the Y is really stiff. Two of our other lady missionaries came and had dinner with us on Thursday night - they want to get married too!!!!
Little Sarah will be three years old this Saturday - what a doll she is!!!! She was just a tiny baby when we came home from our mission and now she is so independent and grown-up. Life is easier at the Weinert's home without diapers, bottles, etc. but Jeannie is "baby hungry"!!!!!
I do believe that is all the news. We love each one of you so very much - PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO - LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP YOU.!!!!