Update from HOME - Sept. 4, 2006

Dear Jamie,

I thought I'd take a minute and tell you what's been happening. We thought we'd stay a couple days (labor day weekend) at the beach. Good idea, but didn't work out real great...Cassie had 2 soccer games on Saturday, we went out Saturday night, she had picture day on Sunday, it was windy and cool at the beach (hot at home-104), and then a game at 9:30 on Monday. So we spent more time in the car than at the beach, but we tried. We're going to swim at Dean and Billie's this afternoon and then bbq at grandma's. Norma I think left you a note last night because I didn't want you to think we had forgotten you. You must have a zone conference or transfers or computers down, but I know you're alright and doing well. I just thought I'd tell you the events of the kids first few days of school.

Danny - he left early Wednesday. He, Mike, Jake, and Jason all caravaned up to Provo. That was a long day. I guess Mike's stuff wouldn't fit in his car so his dad had to drive up a separate car. On Thursday eve. , dad flew to Salt Lake and rented a car. Jason and Danny met him in bountiful and they went to dinner and then drove to Pocatello and spent the night. They then drove up to Rexburg the next morning..friday.

They got to their apt. and Jason and Danny were in two different apts., so dad got that sorted out. Then they went to the apt and someone's stuff was all over the place. So they moved it to the family room...later they helped someone move it to another apt ( you know how it is...so many thoughtless kids). So while all that was going on and the mix up they thought they'd go to school and get their ID cards. They waited in line, but neither one had shaved in three days so they had to go back to their apt and shave. Then they got in line and waited again and Danny was wearing his holey jeans, which he'd worn for a week because he had packed everything else and they made him change. So they finally got their cards and then their books and meal cards. While waiting somewhere Dad got talking to a girl and then Jason came over. I guess she's quite cute, but Dad says she's about 6'2". She invited Danny and Jason over to visit and told them where she lived. Jason was all excited, but then realized he'd forgotten her name (her friend's was Mikaela) and so when Danny came back Dad told them to go over and introduce Danny as your cousin. Danny would then put his hand out and they would automatically introduce themselves and then pouff!...they'd know her name. So they did. They came back and Dad said, "how'd it go?" and Jason said, "great. it worked perfect! Her name is Jessica!" So things are off to a good start.

Jason is excited because there is a Subway right across the street. Dad says the town is bigger than he thought. There's every fast food restaruant except Carls, an Albertsons, Walmart, Penneys. They'll be fine.

Roommates. They're two brothers from Oregon, but their parents now live in Spanish Fork. They are 4th and 5th out of 9 children. The older one is an RM and the younger one was at BYU-I last year and the RM before his mission. They had lived other places, but wanted to live at Rockland where they are now. There is an indoor pool like Old Mill. The younger one has a liver problem and will need a transplant, but his counts aren't low enough to be on the priority list so it will probably be a couple years. I think it's good for Danny to see that there are people out there that have things worse than he does. I think the Lord is really watching out for Danny. They aren't nerdie and are easy going...so things are good there. I wondered if they would be bothered by living with freshman, but Dad said, "Oh no! NOt when Jason brought out his TIVo and play station. Grandma had also gotten the boys all the hot diggity dogs (the toaster thing that cooks 2 hot dogs and browns 2 buns at the same time). Danny and Jason brought up both of theirs so they can have parties. "I guess Matt (the younger one) is accident prone ...like Danny. Something happened and he said, "it can't be as bad as my first day of school here." I guess on the first day of school he broke both his arms. So Danny should be in good company. Danny is going to go out for the football team I think...there's a meeting this next week. I think it will be good for him. It will put him in a schedule. You have to have all your classes done by 1:00 so Danny actually has 8:00 classes, but can have his evenings free. (I think you did that your first semester - not 8, but early.) If everyone's gone in the afternoon you don't get distracted either. We'll see how Danny does. My gosh, you guys got up for a 6:00 class for 4 years, so 8:00 should be sleeping in, but this was Danny's decision. With the diabetes, I think it might be best for him. Plus, it's only natural to get lazy the other way ( you just got a little tooooooo lazy!) anyways, football...I think it will put Danny with a group of kids who are playing because they want to and it will have him be involved in the school more. Danny called and talked to the coach last week before he left. He told him he had knee surgery and wasn't conditioned. The coach told him they make it hard the first couple days and then lighten up. (How cool is that to call your coach Bro. " So and So"?) So I think it will be good if he's big enough to play and can handle the first few days. I'm thinking with the schedule and the diabetes that football would be good. And then of course, if Danny can stay accident free. I packed him a big ice pack and aleve...he'll need it. So more to follow there.

A guy and a girl came over and asked who Danny and Jason were. They were part of the freshman orientation team and told them they were picking them up tomorrow for games and free bbq. So it's kind of neat how they pull everyone together...different from Provo and so far, I think better. They do have an RA that checks on them and stuff like that so it's kind of like a dorm. Then after meeting 30 or so other freshman from their ward and of course others, they went back to their apt to watch the Uof U football game vs UCLA. (Danny and Jason had wanted to watch it because Greg Newman is playing this year). So there were a bunch that came with them so the party was at their apt and Matt and Ammon (the other roommate) were watching the Oregon game before so they all hung out together. The girls will figure this out and follow and things will be set. So good. Afterwards, the whole school has a huge party with karaoke, inflatable games, skating, food and lot s of games and activities until 11:30 so they were all off to do that on Saturday. Sunday they have church at 1:00 and then a fireside. Today, I'm not sure. We havent talked to Danny, but he's so excited for this. After spending a day in Provo (Thursday)...going to a minor league baseball game, seeing Deanie, hanging with Mike, Peter Hamilton, James Pace, Kevin Clifford and newbury park kids (they're all in the same ward and guess who their bishop is....Bishop Lytle! I wonder how that happened? How fun for them!) Anyways, I asked Danny, "does this make you want to go to Provo? and he immediately said, "No!". I know he thinks of himself as a loser (for a lot of reasons) and he needed a new start. This seems to be his moment in time, just like being on a mission is yours...
He got glasses because he thinks he'll need them in the larger classes, but ever since he got them he wears them all the time. I think they're part of his new identity...kind of like Clark Kent or something ( thank goodness they don't look like that). Oh that reminds me. I got superman pjs for Jason and Danny and then made them a cape...I'll have to see if the Oregon brothers want some.
Danny's classes: He's taking two 1 credit study & organization classes that will help him and put him in a situation to get help. He then has a geology class about natural disasters and then a 4 credit BofM/Missionary Prep Class and an IS140 class. I guess the IS140 class is hard but it is a pre req for all the business classes and I know Dad can help him, so were're going to see how it goes. This is what's good. I think he's done, by 11:00 each day and only has an 8:00 class on Friday so that day is mainly open if he wanted to go to Provo for the weekend he could leave right after that. Monday-Thursday...the challenge is before him. We'll probably talked to him today. We did not have him take your laptop because it's too easy to waste time, but I'll try to keep you posted. I don't know how good he'd be about writing. Everyone just expects me to do it because they know I will. Is Dad good at least? Danny's apt does have a computer lab with I think Dad said 4 computers and he can use Jason's. Jason is not in classes for fall so he's taking internet classes, but can still be involved in football and everything. He was thinking he was going to get a job, he likes to spend money, but he may go to the football orientation with Danny.
Dad then drove back to Pocatello Friday night and drove to Salt Lake Saturday Morning and then flew home Saturday. so the boys are gone.
Grandma is doing fine. She and Dad(of course) took Grandpa to the ENT and I guess his ears were all clogged with wax. Grandma thought his hearing was gone. Well now he hears so well she says she's going to have to be careful what she says. But really...she's doing fine and said they've had some really good conversations. He seems to be clearer.
Carly will finally get her license on Thursday. Then I think she's going to see if she can help grandma out. I don't know if Tom's been doing it or what. It's hard for me to figure out. Dave does nothing. I mentioned to Dad that maybe Dean could take a morning off every other week to help grandma with appts and things and he said and he said, "forget it, it won't happen." Jake I think goes over on Wednesday and helps bath him. She has Stella Monday, Wednesday, Friday and (maybe Thursdays too). Then she's getting another lady for Thursday nights so she's doing good. She's doing Lindora also. I think she's lost 20-25 lbs. More than the weight, it's good for her to think of herself and to take care of herself. Which, by the way, how are you? I know you mentioned shoes and you didn't mention what music so I'll hold on that. Are you keeping your hair short and do you need any clothes? Is it cooling off atleast a little? The worst has got to be almost over. I know we've been really hot, of course the first week of school. Dad said it was a little chilly in Idaho at night...and for Dad to say that, I'm a little worried. But Danny will survive. We didn't go shopping, but he's got his snowboard jacket and board, and golf clubs and a football. Remember your long black coat with a hood and your ugg boots...I wonder if I'm going to get hate mail at Christmas for letting him go to idaho. We'll see....It does make you appreciate California!!!

Carly and Cassie have done just fine. Cassie was worried, but she'll be fine and she's got all her classes in the morning so if she gets sick or has a really bad week I can bring her home at 11:00 and she can go to bed. Nikki Blake from Agoura is her seminary teacher. This is her first year, she teaches at La Reina, I think she'll be good. Carly likes school and she does pretty well, so I know she'll be fine. She's of course in Women's and then piano and dance (jazz, hip hop, and turns) and I think she'll take a guitar class too. Then she'll also be helping grandma so I think she'll be busy. Oh and voice with Debi. Cassie's going to take lessons too.

I don't know Katie and Julie's teachers, but I'm the roommom for both of them so I'm sure I will. I hope I don't get too overwhelmed. We're going to redo the kitchen and bathrooms and that takes a lot of time. I'm back in nursery at church so that will take some time to get set up, but then it will be fine. I think we're hoping to get up to Idaho and visit Danny sometime this fall...like he did when you were a freshman.

another school year...oh, what fun!...I know it's good, but the changing of schedules is always tough. And believe it or not, it seems strange to not have Danny here and to only be down to 4 kids! Everyone will have their own room...Julie thinks she's going to be in Danny's room. It will take me a few weeks to get things sorted out.

Honey, we love you. It's sounds like you're settling in. Hope you enjoyed the dictaphone. It was so sad when dad gave father's blessings and for the first time in 21 years...you weren't here. I don't know if he noticed and you probably don't need a blessing with the mantle of a missionary on your shoulders, but please know we pray for you always and constantly. We love you. We really love you! The kids seems so young in high school and I think I'm getting old.

Love you,
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxooxoxoxxooxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooooooooooooooooxxxx
Mom