Mothers Day

 Oh hi kid,

Your mom enjoyed hearing from you today even though she was busy. Me and Jake did too. You look and sound good. Mostly, we love to see that you are doing well. 

This week wasn’t as eventful a the last couple. Still no word from the church jobs, so my hope there has faded. I had a great interview with that company I told you about last week, but I was notified on Friday that they had “selected another candidate.” While I felt like the interview went well, I also felt over qualified, so I’m not surprised, not even disappointed, I’m mostly feeling impatient about this whole situation. Wednesday will mark six months of being laid off. 

On the positive side, my freelance work is growing. I reluctantly wonder if that’s my future. If it is, I probably need to be more aggressive at finding freelance work. So far people are just finding me. I am very grateful for this, but I probably need to change my mindset if this is my future.

Mom is super busy this semester, the busiest she’s been this whole time. I admire her for doing this. In life, if you’re not pushing forward you are failing behind. I feel like I need to get my feet back underneath me and move forward. 

Your brother Ben is on another excursion, this time with Spencer. They went to visit their missions. Today Spencer took Ben to one if the wards in his old area. Ben texted Jacob telling him they went to both hours, then to a members house for dinner. Ben is very righteous these days.

Yesterday was a really busy day. Mom and I got up early to pick up grandma and go shopping for today’s Mother’s Day dinner. Mom had a brief meltdown because Costco doesn’t sell the big buns for the big hotdogs, so we pivoted and got normal sized hotdogs and added hamburgers to the menu. Mom’s a little stressed these days so I need to try the more supportive. But we went to the “big” Costco in Salt Lake, then to Sam’s Club. Grandma made it fun and treated us to McDonald’s on the way home. Even your old dad feels like a little kid when grandma buys McDonald’s.

After we got home and put the food away we did a bunch of yard work. I bought your mom a new plant for the little garden in front of the porch, the tree I got last year didn’t take and died. Mom did some weeding and I mowed the lawn for the second time in four days. That Step 1 might work a little too well — that plus we had a bunch of rain earlier in the week. The grass is so thick my old lawn mower really chokes on it. I probably need to tune it up and get a new blade. Also, one of the front wheels came apart yesterday, so there’s that. It’s been a great mower, I bought it when we we lived in Murphy, I’m guessing it’s at least 12 years old. That ain’t bad. I want to keep it going for as long as possible.

After that mom had made a really pretty bouquet of flowers for aunt Stella and we took them to her for Mother’s Day. Uncle Temmy likes to go for pizza when we come over, so I went with him for that. His favorite is Marco’s Pizza, and he orders it well with extra cheese and sausage. When we were there this crazy homeless person came in and started telling us off-color jokes. I think she might have been a little intoxicated so I was feeling a little protective for my uncle. But she was harmless. I was impressed that Marcos gave her a pizza for free. I felt a little guilty for the judgmental things I had in my mind after I saw that. She was with her sister, who stayed outside. It was her sister’s birthday and this lady was doing what she could to take care of her sister. She told us that they didn’t have anywhere to go, I had no idea what to tell her. On the way out I wished her sister a happy birthday and received a smile in return. They were older women and I couldn’t see that they had any transportation. That made a big impression on me as I’ve been so whiny about my job situation in my prayers. I know that God is mindful of the ladies, and I know that a lot of choices have led to their situations. Not just theirs but of their parents and those around them. As I said my prayers last night they came to mind first. I still wish I could have been more thoughtful in helping them directly. I can’t imagine Jesus encountering them and the just blowing them off. I guess he would have done something for them, then blessed them. The whole thing just made me feel selfish Joe, I need to do better.

I cleaned the kitchen when we got home, then showered up and went to bed. Your mom had a bunch of homework.

Today we got up and helped mom get ready for dinner. Church was standard. I was called in to help with primary since it was Mother’s Day. 

We got home and I cooked six dozen hotdogs on the griddle. We put them in a big crockpot to keep them warm. Mom made the hamburger patties and she cooked them on the griddle. Jake and I helped her and it was fun working on that together. They turned out good too. Grandma had supplied 10 pounds of ground beef and mom seasoned them perfectly. You won’t be surprised to hear that there was a lot of food. Six dozen hotdogs, 40 hamburgers, two pasta salads, two normal salads, grandma’s chili and on and on and on. The burgers all got eaten but there were a lot of dogs left over. I’m sure we’ll be eating them all week. There was also a bunch of deserts, chips, etc., etc.

Every one on moms side came over. It’s a little weird that Jordan’s married. But he, Jake, and Alex still went out to throw the football around. I really like talking to Nick and Alex. Jacob was a little apprehensive as he had a date with Jordan’s wife’s friend last night. He said it was fine but doesn’t want to go out again. But everyone seems kind about it.

I admire Jacob for getting out of his comfort zone on a social level. Friday night he went to the movies with Juwlynn. I used to hang out with my cousin Estrella all the time. Then his date last night, and he went to the singles ward today. He starts his new job tomorrow. With Ben being gone this week, he’s getting a taste for those couple of months of being an only child after Ben leaves and before you come home.

Next week is a busy one. Mom with her classes, she says this will be the busiest week of the semester. Jakey with his new job. Ben’s going to be in San Fran til Wednesday or Thursday, and I have at least three freelance projects. Busy is good.

I hope we get to chat again tomorrow. I love you kid. I am always so grateful for you, your brothers, and your mom.

Pops