School's Over

Hello Elder Kevin,

I hope you had a great week. Things are moving right along here. Melissa and Rachel finished school on Wednesday, and Jessica ended her vacation and started her nanny job on Thursday.  Friday Rachel had some friends over for a party.  They went swimming at the pool, then came home and dad barbqed them some hamburgers and hotdogs. They hung out in the backyard and made some woof’ems.  I think they had a good time. 

Saturday I got to go to a 16 stake YW leadership training.  Sis Dibb from the YW general presidency was here. ( She is also Pres. Monson’s daughter.)   She had a lot of good things to teach us.  I liked the 100% challenge.  P.R.O.S. 

Pray-every morning and night.

Read the scriptures (preferably the Book of Mormon) 5 minutes every day.

 Obey the commandments and all the Standards from the For Strength of Youth. 

Smile.  

If we do these things 100% we can be strong and be able to have a testimony every day and will be prepared for challenges we may face each day.

I got to hear her speak again that evening with the girls at a 16 stake yw fireside.  I liked a quote she shared from her dad that she said probably won’t ever get said at general conference:  “You can’t be weak kneed”  meaning we can’t collapse under pressure but need to have a strong testimony so we can stand on our own when temptations come.

Saturday afternoon we went to a concert that was held at Skyview HS. It was the Portland Ensign Choir and Orchestra.  They had a guest violinist Jenny Oaks Baker (pres. Oaks daughter, and Julliard graduate, and grammy nominated).  They performed music from movies, and some of the arrangements of Disney movies from her latest CD “Once Upon a Dream” The concert was well done- She was amazing! 

Today was Father’s day.  Dad didn’t have any meetings so we were able to make him a special breakfast.  He requested Scones so that is what we had.  When we got home from church, Jessica had the table all set for dinner, which was almost done.  Roast Beef, green salad, asparagus, potatoes, gravy, watermelon, and Costco chocolate cake.  We were all full but ate the cake anyway.  When we asked what dad wanted to do for father’s day, he said, “make some noise” so that is what we did;  Jessica on piano, Melissa on violin, and dad on guitar.  They played some Journey, Disney, and Phantom of the Opera.  I joined in for the Disney songs on flute and even a little piccolo.  It was fun.  Rachel disappeared.- I think she was skyping with friends.

Do they celebrate Father’s Day in Brazil?

Let’s see what other stuff we’ve done this week:  Rebecca came for FHE. Dad taught about patriarchal blessings.   Melissa played tuba at the WV Graduation.  We had smoothies for mutual to take a break from finals.  Jessica and Rebecca went to institute and bowling afterwards with the class- a weekly activity.  Rachel has her permit.  She drove us to church today and we got there in one piece.  I built another smaller arbor for the roses to climb on by the fence.  It hasn’t rained for a day or two.  We have a free week before Melissa, Rachel and I go to YW camp.  This week will be spent prepping for that.  Melissa’s cabin is JAPAN and is doing some fun decorations.  To go with the Mutual them this year each cabin will be a different country.

It is good to hear that you are enjoying your companion and that you are busy working hard.  Keep up the good work.  We love you lots and pray for you daily.  Many from the ward ask about you and we tell them you are doing great.  They send their well wishes too.

Love you lots!

MomJ and co.

For you viewing pleasure: “Making some Noise” 

( I made them pose for this picture because every one I took had someone’s face blocked.  That is why they are smirking.)

Sidewalk, Arbor, and Birthday Girls

HI Kevin!

We have had sun this week!  Woo HOo!  The sidewalk is finally done.  Here is a picture of the stick figures Jessica and I put on the new slab up by our porch.   Can you guess which one is you?

Dad has had the girls out in the yard cleaning up- The backyard is looking pretty good.  I made new cushions for the swing- hopefully the squirrels won’t rip it apart.  Rachel worked cleaning up the trampoline.  We had to rip off all the foam pads and spring covers cuz it was all rotting.  Bolts all tightened up, legs attached, and net upright again.  She is planning on having friends over this summer and wants it in working condition.  We got the roof lifted on my gazebo/arbor.  Here are some pictures so you can see my creation. I plan on adding a few more screws- the roof is just sitting there.  I plan on the ivy growing over top, and maybe some other climbing plants too.

Crazy girls on the swing.

We have enjoyed FHE out around the fire.  We roasted hotdogs for dinner on Monday.  Rebecca’s mom thought we were silly having a fire on the hottest day of the week!  We enjoyed them anyway- did some woof’ems too.

We had a fun activity for Young Women’s on Tuesday.  We hosted a Newlywed game for the Sr. Citizens/empty nesters of our ward.  The contestants provided us with some great entertainment.  They have even requested to have this activity again next year.

Jessica’s bday was on Thursday. She got a bunch of books (all Jane Austen and also Ella Enchanted). Also a pattern for a dress she wants to make, and an apron pattern that she already sewed.

She had cinnamon rolls for breakfast, ranch chicken for dinner and an ice-cream pie that was melting as we lit the candles!

Jennifer’s birthday was on Saturday.  She told us that she wanted homemade cookies and brownies.  So Jessica baked up a storm- 3 types of cookies:  chocolate chip, snicker doodles, and oatmeal.  Melissa made brownies.  We shipped those to her and also sent her a children’s book with great illustrations that she wanted.  Rachel sent her an artist magnet that she wanted.  And dad gave in and bought her an Appa plushy.  We got one very happy phone call from her when she received that in the mail!

So that has been our week.  It was fun.  Hope you had a great one too.  Our prayers are with you.  Lots of love, MomJ

Mother's Day

What a wonderful Day!  Jessica made a yummy breakfast: waffles, pancake (yes only one with left over batter for Rachel), and fried eggs.  I got some great new metal spinners from Melissa and Jessica for the backyard. (It’s time to throw out the old ugly worn out ones).  Rachel gave me a nice little card book that she made. I got a nice phone call from Jennifer.  I also got a nice Hallmark from my husband.  Church was very nice.  Two nice talks on how great their moms are by 2 college girls home for the summer (my former Laurels), and 2 talks from some wise sr. men of our ward.  One is 100 years old!  Some great stuff.  The ward was also treated to a sweet song sung by the primary kids.  All the RS sisters were given a box with 3 chocolates in it hand delivered by the YM. YUM.  We came home from church to have the table all set and dinner almost ready- that is one advantage of having Jessica attend the singles ward.  She served us up some great curry.  The highlight of the day was to skype with Elder Kevin Leete.  We were all set up so we could see him on the TV, and Jennifer was logged in too and skyping to Melissa’s account- we had that laptop set up so Jennifer could watch and hear Kevin on the TV.  We all sat on the couch- with the laptop on the coffee table pushed out far enough so we all fit on the screen.  We waited patiently for Kevin to log in at 1. . .however we waited an hour- he appeared at 2.  We had a great time talking and seeing him.  All is good in missionland.  His testimony is strong.  He is working hard.  He is happy.  And we are proud.

One of our mother’s day traditions that I enjoy is to have a mother’s day concert where the kids all perform for me.  Well, earlier this week the kids said that no way was that happening this year.  I was bummed, but had accepted it.  Well, today in the kitchen while Melissa was making brownies- I mentioned that something was missing this year.  She said, “You mean your concert?”  And I said, ”yes”.  She then told me that she had prepared to sing something and that Jessica was going to accompany her.  That brought a smile to my face.  So later after dinner, we gathered in the living room for the little concert (little, cuz there was only going to be one number performed).  To my surprise, as Jessica started playing- I started to recognize the song and was so excited.  Melissa was singing the Knot Fairy!!  She was so cute and sounded wonderful (voice lessons are really paying off).  I was a little thrown off, when the accompaniment sounded different- Jessica had made a new arrangement.  I had to listen to it again to appreciate it and accept the fact that they had made it better.  A big thank you to my lovely daughters for sharing their talent with me.

 It was a very nice mother’s day.  I am very blessed.