December 14, 1993 Orem, Utah

Dearest John; Roy, Patrice, Emily, Timothy & Jesse; Bob, Claire, Michael, Laura, Brett & Katie; Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean, Mary Ann & Sarah; and Ron, Ann, Susanna, Jessie, Russell, LeeAnna & Jimmy:

THE BIG NEWS FOR THIS LETTER IS THAT JOHN AND JULIANA HUNTER ARE ENGAGED. He showed me the gorgeous engagement ring he had for her but I wasn't sure when he was going to give it to her. He called us in Little Rock on Friday, December 10, to tell us. I am REALLY thrilled and I know all of you are too. Juliana is from Fort Worth, Texas and she has been teaching first grade in Las Vegas for the past few months. They met while they were students at BYU so they have known each other for quite a long time. She served a mission in the Tempe, Arizona mission. She has five brothers and sisters. I have only been with her for about 45 minutes so I am really anxious to get to know her better - she came for dinner one evening. I believe she is going to move up here this coming weekend so hopefully I will see more of her. I called John last night about 9:30 and when I couldn't reach his apartment, I called his personal number and the secretary at Viewpoint answered - I was surprised - but when I finally got to talk to John he told me they were working around the clock but he didn't say why. He was super busy and said he would get back with me later on in the week when things weren't so busy. He did call us in Little Rock on Sunday and suggested that they may get married April 30th - he wanted to find out if that would be a good time for Roy & Patrice.

I have had such a wonderful weekend - I did everything I wanted to do and it couldn't have been better. I arrived in Little Rock right on schedule on Friday afternoon about 4 o'clock and I felt bad when I saw Patrice with little baby Jesse but to have Emily greet me with such a big smile and hug was worth it for me even though I know it was hard on Patrice. That little Emily is something else - so grownup and yet so sweet!!! Now Timothy is also something else - ALL BOY - and he just tolerates me like most little boys his age. Baby Jesse is as perfect a little baby as there could ever be - it's a good thing I didn't stay any longer or it would have been REALLY hard to leave.

Roy couldn't meet me because he had an appointment to take Timothy to a specialist about his asthma and he wanted to be with him so he could learn first hand what the problem is. Timothy is a specimen of perfect health until he breathes really cold air and is REALLY active. I didn't help matters when I played ball with him and let him run and jump - he has such an active spirit in that little body and can you imagine how hard it is to harness that and have him play quiet games. He had a kinda' bad day on Saturday afternoon but Patrice kept him in quiet activities all day on Sunday and he was 100 percent better. They won't let him go to preschool until he gets completely over this little siege and he wants to go so much. I'm sure he will grow out of it but they have to be careful with him right now - he uses a "nebulizer" several times a day and he doesn't complain one bit so you know it makes him feel better.

They have a gorgeous Christmas tree in their "Sun" room and it is decorated with special ornaments that mean a lot to them. Roy also put Christmas lights along the top of their home and they looked SO pretty. I LOVED being in their sun room and playing games with Emily & Timothy. Their home is so "Homey" just like all of yours are - they have a puzzle set up on the coffee table in their living room - it is a HARD puzzle (500 pieces) and it was fun to work on that. They have beautiful poinsettias all over their home and Christmas stockings hanging on their fireplace and another small tree in their family room that Emily & Timothy have decorated.

Emily & Timothy are SO proud and protective of Baby Jesse - I didn't see one particle of jealousy. Emily & Timothy eat just like the rest of my grandchildren - in other words - they eat a good breakfast and that's it!!! Timothy, Jesse & Patrice drove me to the airport on Monday morning in a driving rainstorm - I really should have called a cab but I didn't. Thank you to Roy & Patrice and their family and also to you Rick - I LOVED IT.

I got home yesterday afternoon about 4 o'clock - I had stopped at Smiths to get some greens to make a salad for my Family Home Evening party last night. The phone was ringing when I got out of the car and I hurried to answer it - it was the little Primary children who have adopted me for a grandparent and they wanted to come over. I told them I had to hurry and make a salad and get ready for the party - they said they would come help me so they did. They washed and cut up all the salad ingredients and then I took them home and had to hurry to get to the party by 6 o'clock.

It was a really fun party. It was held at the Hatch's home because Dorothy Hatch is in a wheelchair - she had knee replacements and she has had a really hard time. Her husband had planned and fixed their home just beautiful - they have converted their garage into a family room with a big fireplace and there were about 18 of us there all seated around those round tables with beautiful centerpieces on each one and Quinn Hatch had done that besides decorating a big tree. He had also made gifts for everyone - he is a "potter" and makes beautiful pottery and he also works with wood - he gave me a box with a lid that he had made and also a small vase. We visited afterwards and then sang Christmas songs.

This morning I went to the store to get some Jell-O to make a congealed salad for the ward Christmas party tonight - I made a big one with raspberries, crushed pineapple, apples and bananas in it. Tomorrow is the Orem Women's Christmas Party with a luncheon at noon in the City Council Room - that is always very nice. Christmas is such a wonderful time of year and I hope you are all working to make it what it should be!!!

I wasn't going to make this a long letter but I wanted to tell you my plans for Christmas day. I am going to have a buffet with simple foods like rolls, ham, turkey and something good to drink. I would love to have as many of you come as would like to come but I absolutely do not want you to feel obligated. I WILL NOT BE LONELY AND WILL NOT FEEL BAD IF I SPEND THE DAY BY MYSELF - I may even get a video but NOT Sho-Gun - Ha!!!
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