Mom’s Home!
She left for Southern Utah Quilting Conference with Grandma on Monday, and it’s been a long, long week.
We’ve been working on a large project that was due a couple of weeks ago. When we turned it over, it didn’t work on all their computers, so we’ve spent the week trying to organize a multi-state effort to diagnose and fix the problem. The company faces a $1 Million per day fine if this is not completed and their 10,000 employees pass the training by April 1. The phrase “heads will roll” has been used, so pressure is mounting. It turns out we are solving for several problems that are not related to what we built but to their several versions of computer hardware/software interactions, but at this stage, they don’t care that it’s not our fault, it just has to be done. So I’ve been working long hours on that project, while taking care of Drew, getting all the meals, etc. I’m tired and drained. It was wonderful to lay on your mom’s lap for a few minutes this afternoon. It helps recharge batteries like nothing else can.
Everyone has been really good to help this week. Everybody but Drew helped cook dinner at least once, the older boys a couple of times. The only failure was the grilled cheese sandwiches Tad decided to keep warm by leaving them on the grill. One side was deliciously golden brown, the other was horrifically black. Scraping with a knife was a pretty good remedy.
Tad has been taking Hunter’s Education with Brigham and Isaac. They’re pretty excited, but I don’t think that group should be allowed to hold guns together.
Drew and I worked on counting this week. He started knowing 1-5. We worked 4 days on 6-9. He’s not totally there yet, but can hit them most of the time. At that point, we branched out to 1-1000 using a grid of numbers so he could see the logical progression. Now, I can point to a number on the grid (1-100) and he can get it 80% of the time. He is pretty darn proud of himself. Fun.
Sadie spent a couple of afternoons at a friend’s house, feeling her pre-teen oats. I’m sure we’re about to enter no-man’s land with her, but so far, it’s pretty tolerable.
Porter took the ACT, and felt pretty good about it generally. He didn’t really prepare for the test, just went with the knowledge he’s gotten out of classes. It’ll be interesting to see how it comes out.
Pace told us about breaking into the church janitor’s closet “restricted area” to get a light bulb for the sacrament prep room. Mom made a disapproving comment and hit me as I told him the easier way to break in. Turns out he may have legitimately inherited some of his less desirable, criminal qualities.
Davis took 4 AR tests on Saturday, even though he’s already exceeded his reading goal significantly. Hmm. Wonder where he gets that.
This week’s advice: I’m reiterating, but last week’s comment about “stupid people” confirms a suspicion :) Don’t be too much like me. When asked about my mission experience, I once told someone it had "increased my faith in the Lord, but lowered my faith in people.”
Take this next part seriously : I've spent the last 20+ years trying to learn to love people. It is probably my biggest weakness, has strained my most important relationships (including with you), and keeps me from being a more effective servant of the Lord. Try to become someone who loves others while you are 100%, full-time engaged in the work of the Lord. I wish I had known as a missionary how big of an issue it would be for me through my life. It is fully half of the 2 Great Commandments, and is developed by putting other’s welfare ahead of your own (so I’ve been told :).
We’re proud of you, proud of your desire to engage, your commitment to obedience and enthusiasm for the chance to serve. Keep the faith.
Dad
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