Monday Memories...

Originally, I was going to start up a "Flashback Friday" post. Then Friday came and went and I thought Sunday things would slow down and I could do a "Sentimental Sunday" post. Well, that came and went too. I have a minute and it's Monday so there you go.

A couple of weeks ago we went to Idaho to help Chris' dad clean out the basement. Most of it was stuff that his mother had saved during their 50+ years of marriage. Every card, letter, photograph, newsletter, newspaper clipping, kids art projects, etc. to, from or about all the people she loved. If you sent her a Christmas card in 1958, she had it. I am amazed at the things that she held onto and even more amazed that it didn't take up as much space as it did. It was fun going through all the things and reliving lots of memories, some of which had been long forgotten. My favorite thing we found by far was a Valentines card that Chris' sister Julie gave to her mom one year...we had a GOOD laugh over that. It was sad too, knowing that it was all being thrown away. Change is good though, right?

We came across a lot of family newsletters that I saved to keep with the genealogy stuff that Chris inherited. At one time, his family had a monthly newsletter which we were the editors for when we were first married. After the newsletter fizzled out, his mom wrote a weekly letter to her children that she kept up until she passed away. Now with the invention of blogs, we are still able to keep up with one another which is good because I really miss those weekly letters. It was fun to read over those old letters from our early married years. I remember some of the things so clearly and others I have no recollection of at all. So I thought I'd start posting some of those letters periodically. Hopefully my kids will think it is fun to read one day.

This one little tidbit was written by his mom before we were married. She included this in her letter.

September 1992:

"Chris started school at the University of Hawaii yesterday. He's all excited about that, or else it's getting to go with his girlfriend, Michelle each morning. She also is attending U.H."


February 1995 (Oregon):

Hi, how is everyone doing? Good we hope. Things here in Oregon are going good. The weather, however, is really strange. This past week we have been breaking all the records for high temperature. The trees have been budding and flowers blooming. Then all of the sudden at 9:00 this morning it starts to snow. It's now 3:00pm, we have 5 inches on the ground and there is no sign it's going to let up. Not that we mind. We love it, but it sure is weird.

Work is going good for both of us. Michelle's work had a formal Black Tie Dinner to celebrate its 18th anniversary. I rented a tuxedo and Michelle got a nice fancy dress. It was really fun adn quite expensive.

My job is great. I now qualify for benefits. All office visits cost $1.00 and prescriptions are also $1.00. When we have children it will only cost $1.00! I also get reimbursed up to $2,000.00 per year to go to school. We are pretty happy about that. I start school next week to get state certified to handle workmen compensation cases.

We had a good time last weekend. We drove up to Seattle to see Kenny and Kelly's new baby Kyle. I got to stand in the circle and help bless Kyle. Kelly's sister Christine also had a child to bless that day, so after church we had dinner with the Overson family. It was a lot of fun. Kyle is a beautiful baby.

As far as church callings go, Michelle is the YW Activities Coordinator, which means she is the coach for Volleyball, Basketball, Softball and Indoor Soccer. I have been called to be the ward Public Affairs Specialist. I am not quite sure that I am supposed to do, but I think I will have fun figuring it out. We have also been asked to plan our War campout this summer. If anyone has any good ideas, please let us know right away. We really could use the help.

I have decided to follow my dreams and restore an old car. I am not too picky about the car, as long as it was made between 1942 and 1958 and not a Ford. I don't have a lot of money to spend, so it's probably going to take me a while to find the right car.

Michelle is still making her crafts. She has been asked to take them to church several times because the women there think she does such a great job.

Well, as you can tell, there isn't a whole lot of exciting things going on with us, but we hope you are all doing good. We love you all!