May 7, 1990 Orem, Utah
Dearest John; 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:
Wow - what beautiful weather we're having!!! I listened to the news this morning on television telling about the terrible flooding they're having in Arkansas and it reminded me of the time they had the flood there that ruined "The Carriage House". I was in Rochester, Minnesota at the Mayo Clinic with my parents and they interrupted the program we were watching in the motel room to tell about it - they said they had let out all the schools and sent the children home. John was at Forest Heights at that time and I called for the rest of the day trying to reach him and didn't get him until late that afternoon - Daddy had left the office and gone home to stay with him. I wasn't worried about it flooding our home or Forest Heights school but I could just see a lot of adventurous young boys going to the flood. They said this morning that it was the worst flooding in about thirty years.
Patrice & Emily were in Little Rock last week from Wednesday until Friday and when we talked to Patrice last night she said she had driven to Murray Park with a friend and the river was really high and hadn't crested yet. The rains became much worse after they left I guess because she said it was beautiful there on Friday. They have found an apartment that sounds just perfect for them until they decide what they want to do about buying a home - it is just off Rodney Parham South from that turn that goes into Pleasant Valley. I'm SO glad they won't be doing a lot of moving and yard work during the last part of Patrice's pregnancy. This apartment has a swimming pool, wading pool, tennis courts and places for Emily to play. Patrice said the home they were looking at about a month ago is much closer to completion and is just beautiful - hopefully they will be able to get it!!!
We're excited for Roy to come this weekend!!! He has to come for some Air Force assignment at Hill Field that will take his time Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then he has to go home on Tuesday so we won't get to see a lot of him. Ann called last night and said that Claire had called her - they want all of us to get together for a "hike" and picnic and meet at their home on Saturday about 3 o'clock. When I talked to Patrice she said Roy still didn't know his schedule - hopefully we will be able to work out some kind of a get together but if not, we will get together when they all come in June.
We had a WONDERFUL family get together on Saturday. Russell was baptized at 8:30 that morning and we all met at their church - it thrilled Daddy & me to see the "family from the north" come so far and so early. Ron baptized & confirmed him with Bob, John & Rick standing in the circle and it was a beautiful sight. They always have a program explaining the baptism and confirmation before the baptism and the Woolley and Weinert children sang "I Wonder When He Comes Again" and Jessie playing a violin obbligato that was absolutely gorgeous. Ann accompanied them on the piano - Susanna was going to but she broke her finger last week playing Frisbee. I was glad she didn't play because she sang with the others and it was really nice.
After the baptism, we all went to the Woolleys' home - you wouldn't believe all the delicious food - waffles with all kinds of toppings, different kinds of crepes, ham, strawberries & whipped cream and I took some baked eggs that weren't even needed. We just visited and visited and it was SO much fun!!! We decided to not go to the cabin - when the "family from the north" travels to Provo and then travels again to the cabin for such a short time it just isn't worth it and Daddy & I certainly do understand that. It was a beautiful day and the Woolleys' home is SO comfortable for all of us. The children put on a fashion show for us and I thought after I got home, what a wonderful thing for them to feel the responsibility of entertaining us in some way - most children would just "go their own way" and forget about adults.
Daddy & I went to the cabin later on Saturday and then spent the night. Really & truly that is a delightful place to go and we hope you will all want to spend some time there this Summer with your children. They are supposed to get us "hooked" up to the sewer this week and that will be great. Daddy has a "few" more projects to do on it - he has gone this morning to Salt Lake to get some windows to put in the bedroom downstairs and then he wants to build a little closet in there. We have a gas leak in the bathroom that will need to be fixed - I hope it won't involve tearing down some walls but it probably will. He is also planning to build a new dock. He just absolutely LOVES the cabin and he LOVES to work on it - frankly, I don't see an end in sight - Ha!!! He said to me the other day - "I want to get a load of slate or those flat rocks and build a stairway going down to the water from the cabin" - I said, "Watch my lips - we are NOT going to take a load of slate to the cabin and build a stairway down to the water" - Ha!!! We went to church at the little chapel there yesterday morning and what a joy - it reminded us of our missionary days in Little Rock and Montana - sweet people and very humble.
John is doing great - we are thrilled to see him REALLY enjoying doing computer "stuff". He seems to understand what he is doing too and can use the manuals for it - they are pure Greek to us!!
We surely hope you "Mothers" will have a wonderful day next Sunday - we are SO proud of each one of you!!! Remember I don't want a gift - I LOVE cards and maybe a snapshot!!! Being your mother is gift enough!!!
We love each one of you so very much. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL!!!