News from Home

Hi Family wherever you are. We hear from Travis in Germany on Saturdays and really enjoy those phone calls. He is working hard, learning a lot, and enjoying it. I guess it's hot in Europe. I think Agata is coming soon. Things seem to be going well. We're grateful for that.

Alex and Brynna are winding up their summer in Thailand. It has been a challenge! It will be good to talk to them in person. I'm sure our understanding of the whole experience will change. Alex has spent the summer in a nice apartment in the city. Brynna lives with a family in the country. They will be going to Laos and also to the beaches in Southern Thailand. Alex should be home after the 15th of August.

Rilee and Tommy bought a car, a white Honda. It looks very nice. It took a lot of shopping to find the right car. They are in Escalante today. There are thunderstorms and flash floods in the area, so they may have altered their plans to hike down the canyon. Rilee goes to the Ukraine on the 31st of July. Tommy is very busy at work. Rilee's birthday is in August.

Dawn quit work! Then got rehired parttime with full benefits on the book floor. It's been a traumatic week. She and Tyler feel good about the decisions they are making and have great hope for the future. Tyler would like to work more and Dawn would like to be with her girls more. It's time for a change. Dawn quit work because she hated it. She always wanted to work out on the book floor.

Jenni is in Canada this week learning how to teach Suzuki piano. Danny and the boys are surviving and will return to Canada to finish the course with Jenni. They are in Langely, B.C. just out of Vancouver. Danny says the time in Canada feels like a vacation to him, even though Jenni is very busy in classes.

I am busy with the young women at church, gardening, reading, yoga, cooking, but not cleaning. I tended Laurel and Lilah yesterday and really enjoyed it. Dawn, her friend Amy, and I had Inn and Out burgers for lunch and visited. I had a hair appointment Tuesday that took 4 hours. My hairdresser didn't have another appointment so she also gave me a pedicure, chemical peel, waxing while we talked. It was fun. But oh this house. I must clean.

We love you all! We know you are all living real lives with lots of decisions, accomplishments and frustrations. Thanks for sharing them with us! We are also living real lives, and really enjoying them. Dad bought a new computer for downstairs. He is moving forward on his dream to stream hulu to the upstairs tv. Anything to support choice in programming. He is also running. He is reading Chi Running (remember to read Born to Run to be reviewed after Labor Day). He is able to run and doesn't get hurt. It's hard to go as slowly making changes as you need to, so he's had to rest and heal a few times.

Keep in touch.

Love, Mom