Winter is here

 O hi elder rivera,

You know, I spent enough time with our elders this week I might answer to that. Not really, but we have really good elders in this area, it was our ward focus week, the weather was bad, they don’t have a car, and they kept crashing their borrowed bikes. So I got to drive them around a few times. And go on a few visits with the, and have them over. You actually may deserve some credit for that since they both remind me of you. I think I may have told you that elder smith reported the week before you did.

I apologize for not writing on Wednesday, with work starting back up, there just wasn’t much to say. We did have last Monday off and it was really nice to just have a normal, non holiday day off. Mom and I did our usual errands, I dinked around in the garage on my wooden toilet aka projector cabinet. I actually figured out the top which folds over itself with two piano hinges. I actually redid it Saturday because I decided to adjust the proportions of each panel and where they fold. It’s going to be cool functionally, if not aesthetically. There are three steps left. I need to cut holes to route the power cord, I need to, prep and finish, then reassemble and install. After that I’m planning on reconnecting the surround system and components, adding black curtains to eliminate the blank ends of the screen, then take down the old projector. Mom has two major home projects lined up behind that. Your bathroom and our bedroom. I wonder what state any of these projects will be at when you get home.

Speaking of which, your brother Benjamin reminded us that he’ll most likely be away at graduate school by the time you get home. That gives me such mixed feelings. I want him to be happy and successful, but I want you guys close. As you well know, what I ashamedly want is for you guys to forever be three, six, and eight and a half. I know that’s not right, and I do so want to see the great men and dads you will certainly be, but you know how I am.

Jacob brought Abril home on Saturday, they just hung out and built a Beatles fake Lego. She had dinner with us and she’s very nice and probably good for your brother. Both of her parents are converts and returned missionaries. I don’t know how this will all turn out. My main advice to Jacob is to just have fun for now. When it’s time for a change or a next step he’ll know. Your brother is smart and he told me that he’s not even sure what he wants to do in life, so I think his head is in the right place. Your brother Ben vacates the house when she’s around and has only today started to acknowledge Jacob, which is hard on both of them. Hopefully Ben’s heart will soften up a little and even try getting out himself. I don’t mean to criticize Ben, he has a plan and is committed to it. I really admire that. But I do think it’s important to experience and enjoy life, especially in your youth.

The Utes, the got swept on the Arizona road trip, embarrassingly.

The weather turned pretty cold at the end of the week, we got a few inches of snow last night. I sent Jacob to take Abril home when mom and I got home from shopping around eight. On his way back he slid really bad turning on to iron horse. Luckily he didn’t hit anything but it did rattle him. 

Other than that yesterday was just chores and errands. I finally got one of my gifts with the scheels gift card she mom gave me. I got some cool looking work boots that I had my eye on since your days at IFA. I like them a lot, but like most boots, my feet have to get used to them. It actually took me two trips to get them since my cards weren’t in mom’s car like had assumed. Luckily, I found them zipped up in a pair of pants. It wasn’t actually luck that helped me find them, it was an answer to prayer for lost things. It’s actually the second time I lost them. The first time mom had left them in one of the holiday gift bags that fortunately she recycles every year so it wasn’t in the trash. 

We’ve had some scary health news. Your cousin Madeline had to go to the ER for the flu, she was having a super hard time breathing. When I checked in with your aunt today I was told that she has pink eye in both eyes, ick. And your cousin Cecily still has that stomach flu and is having trouble eating. I guess she’s lost a bunch of weight and it’s very hard on her. I fasted for her today, and a little for your bothers too. Other than your success and happiness I wish that you guys will all be close and supportive of each other. 

Today was our first day of 10:30 church. I slept much later than normal and had to rush to get ready on time. I bore my testimony today, which I surprisingly find myself doing more often than ever before in my life. Other than ward mission huddle and taking the elders home, we stayed home on this cold and snowy day. It’s supposed to get below zero several times this week. I’m glad I work from home on days like that. We watched the new Last monk . It was good and just like the old ones. I have to admit that monk always makes me very sad from the way he misses his wife. So I’m not sure I enjoy it like you guys. Afterwords we watched the School of Rock with Jack Black, the actor from Nacho Libre. That guy cracks me up.

Well kid, I hope you know that I’m always thinking of you. I miss you but I get the sense that you are doing well. That’s what I pray for anyway. I look forward to  hearing from you .

Love,

Your dayed