"Dad"

Hello Elder Rawson!

I hope you are having a fabulous week! Any progress to report with the people you are teaching? Did you do anything fun for p-day? I hope the weather is treating you well. It's been freezing here! One more busy week of May and then summer break for the boys!

This is what we’ve been up to:

1. Highlight: Ethan’s 6th grade graduation. Dad came with me, and they were having a lot of technical difficulties. They also have a really large class of 6th graders, and Dad was griping about the graduation going on for a long time—he wanted to get to work. Then the kids went up to sing another song, and each 6th grader took turns holding up a sign they had made telling what they wanted to become when they grew up (nab player, doctor, etc). When it was Ethan’s turn his sign read “Dad.” That’s what you call a parent payoff moment! 

2. Lowlight: I accidentally ripped off my toenail.

3. This week we have had a little bit of drama with Ethan’s basketball team. Coach Walkenhurst is creating a new program to replace Bantam. He is going to play the younger teams in comp leagues representing the Phoenix Elite. They are expected to prioritize this team over others. A lot of the parents from Ethan’s Empire team didn’t even want to send their kids to tryouts, because they don’t think the Elite team and coaching will be as good as what they have now. Well, everyone ended up begrudgingly showing up to tryouts, and then some of the kids got put on the B team, and it made everything worse. So they have all decided to basically keep playing on both teams, which is costly and time consuming. Sigh. 

4. I spent a whole lotta time this week weeding the yard and wrangling the blackberry bushes. This blackberry bushes are such a pain in the neck to deal with because everything is so hard to reach. We are considering a redesign of the whole garden area. How many years will it take to implement the changes? TBD. We are still thinking about changing up the garage too, but its a super long process because it requires decision making and free time on a Saturday, which is always in short supply.

5. We spent our Saturday this week at two baseball games, and then we had lunch at Subway and then went to drive see another Honda Odyssey. We are feeling torn about the family car. The Suburban feels like things are starting to fall apart a bit, but it still is nice and roomy. Replacing it with a new one would be extremely expensive—about $40 more than a minivan. But the minivan still seems like it might be a bit small. Either way, the stupid seats and headrests are UNCOMFORTABLE in any vehicle, so that stinks. Also, the car market is kinda crazy right now, and if we want to buy a new one, we will need to order it several months in advance. 

6.  Blake is finishing up the school year strong with a 4.0! Not sure how Ty’s grades are going to shake out. Ethan went this week to take a 90 minute exam for advanced math. What a bunch of smarties I have!

7. Ty is really interested in birds still. He took Brook and his brothers out to the bird refuge in Layton this afternoon. He told me that he took a picture of a bird the other day and didn’t know what it was. He showed Mr. Blundell his pictures of the bird, and Mr. Blundell was really excited because it is a rare bird—at least in Utah? I’m really glad that he has something at school that he’s so interested in learning about.

8. My friend Michelle is moving from one house in west Kaysville to another house in West Kaysville. The new house will have an indoor swimming pool, but not a circular driveway. Decisions, decisions! Anyway, she threw a farewell party last night. At the party I met her friend who is the Chinese emersion program teacher for her kids’ elementary school. She told me that during the Trump administration her husband was no longer allowed to work in the US—I think before he was able to work under her visa. Anyway she had a baby 4 years ago. Her husband took the baby back to China with him, and he has not been able to come back ever since. So she just visits with her husband and child over video calls and hopes that things will go back to normal. Can you imagine?! I’m feeling sad about not being with you for your birthday this year. I can only imagine how hard it would be to be separated from your dad and a very young child for such a long time. 

9. You will be pleased to hear that I am spending much less time on social media these days. I spend almost no time on Facebook, and much less time on Twitter. I’ve been trying to read actual books before bed, and I’m enjoying it. I just finished Michelle Obama’s book Becoming, and she is one amazing woman! Very inspiring. 

10. Your Dad’s cousin Jace and his wife Lexy asked us to fast for them today. They have been unable to have children, and really want to be able to have a baby. Maybe you could keep them in your prayers?

Today the bishop gave a great talk about what parents can do to keep their kids happy and healthy and growing in the gospel. I know that one thing that has helped me so much as a parent is having you as the oldest child. You’ve been such a great example and friend to your brothers and have set an example of success for each of them. I hope you can find a little bit of time to reach out especially to Ty who needs some extra support right now. I'm glad you two were able to talk on the phone this week. Hopefully we can get messenger set up for Ty and Blake soon so they can communicate with you a little easier.  

I love you! I hope you have a fantastic week! Happy Birthday!

Mom