August 6 - 12, 2017
LIFE in Nyssa {my parents weekly letter}
Week Two of watching the Romans grandchildren is in the books. We realize why Rachel's weekly letters are so long, a lot happens when there are eight peoples in the family.
We keep getting rescued. The four girls went to Nampa on Monday to visit the Farnsworths. Dirk left on Wednesday morning to pick them up. And as soon as they arrived Austin and Emma got ready for a youth activity of water rafting on the Boise river. They left at noon and returned around 9 pm. Emma was one tired chicka after 3 days of activity. Thursday she stayed in her P.J.´s and was happy to be home. They enjoyed the mega rafting trip too!
Thank you Elaine for hosting the girls! They all had a great time! They went to a splash pad, ate pizza, played, held Claire, watched a movie and enjoyed the opportunity to be together.
While the girls were away we had FHE with the boys and quiet dinners. Spencer had flag football on Tuesday and Thursday nights. He scored a touchdown on Tuesday and two on Thursday. Go Spence!!!! Dirk & I also went to the temple on Tuesday afternoon. That sweet spirit greeted us at the door. So very welcome. We love the physical changes they have made to this lovely temple.
WORK & PLAY
Rachel has left a list of summer rules the children need to do before enjoying media. We are SO grateful! Grandpa is great to go down the list with them before the Kindle is passed out or computer privileges given. But a lot of the time is just checking things off and not always quality. Yes, we remember they are children and works in progress. A lot of follow up is necessary, a lot. We remind one little person to flush the toilet, others to place dishes upside down in the dishwasher so they will get clean and not fill up with water and like all parents repeat, repeat, repeat asking children to do this or that.
Oh Thursday we did a family work project. We went outside and swept off the cobwebs on the house and washed windows. We will just say that it was not an easy task. Friday we wanted to continue and sweep out the carport, wash the cars and clean off more cobwebs in the carport.
This week we introduced the kids to "Relative Race," a TV show where four couples race to find relatives each day that they have never met before. (See BYU TV) They like it as much as we do! Yeah! We have allowed them to watch two shows a day. But they were so into Relative Race and wanted to finish it and see who wins. So Friday morning Grandpa proposed our second family work project and if we do it then the reward would be to watch four shows of Relative Race! Now they were interested. Of course playing with water when you wash vehicles is always helpful. Family work project two had participants who were more engaged. Grateful for progress!
Saturday morning we had a smaller work project of bathing Jackson the dog. It required less time, less people and water. They enjoyed it more than Jackson. Poor dog, he is a good dog. Saturday afternoon the Farnsworths came to visit and have dinner with us. It was interesting to see how nice the playroom and house looked without us even asking. Motivation can be the key!
Work and play!
We enjoyed the visit of the Farnsworths. It went too quickly, but was great to have time to visit and play. The girls did a mega fashion show. Thanks Ben for grilling the hamburgers. Claire is a month old and getting bigger and cuter, but of course. We ended with games of fruit basket and charades.
Saturday evening they watched the last two shows of Relative Race and Spencer picked the winning couple! He was pleased. Don´t worry they still haven´t seen season one so we have another carrot to dangle.
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Did you know that since February Emma has had 400 sales on her Etsy account? Wow, go Emma! She sells banners and cup cake toppers for parties. She does the graphics and then the customers can download the banners and cupcake toppers. Great job Emma!
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Did you know that Ruth has been the sacrament meeting chorister in her branch for over six months? The sister missionaries were transferred this past week and they were suppose to do the music while Rachel is away. Ruth and I did it today since the Hermanas left. Pretty cool to do the sacrament music with your nine year old grand- daughter! Ruth does well.
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Did you know I finished scrap booking of the Richards Retreat pages and Nicole´s red afghan this week? 👍
*Did you know Jane comes down the stairs every night and calls to me around 2 in the morning? She sleeps in the middle of the bed with us. She has only missed one night.
*Did you know 91 year old Glen stopped by and visited us on Wednesday? He brought his keyboard and we sang along. We did Red River Valley and other old songs. Sister Tracy brought him with her when she was returning a table and tarp.
Kurt, Rachel and Nicole update. Nicole has her passport! Monday morning she is having a physical and TB test. They will read the test on Wednesday. She will also pick up her visa this week. If all goes well they are hoping to leave on Thursday night and arrive here on Friday night. (Remember they are 13 hours ahead of us.) They are ready to come home and the kids are ready to have them come home too. We talk daily with them and enjoy texts and Marco Polo videos. This communication has helped. Rachel also prepared a paper chain for each of them before she left and they tear off a chain daily. Some days they get a treat that goes with that day. The kids have done very well. Rachel and Kurt continue to give us good reports of Nicole. She is very loving! But she also likes to pull hair. Somethings are universal! Kurt has hurt his back and we all continue to pray for him. We also pray that Rachel´s lost phone will be returned from the taxi.
This coming week is the last one before school begins. We plan on doing some more play and work. Hope you all find the same balance in your week too!
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