July 14, 2010

Dear Children,

This is a normal week in our lives; saying goodbye to some of our visitors, preparing for more to come and guessing which state Katie is in! As of this week, Katie is in Dallas, Texas. Sunday started her two weeks of training at headquarters. But, just the day before she left for Dallas, Satruday she was in Seattle; she drove there with a friend, Keli Maks, and then drove back just in time to catch her plane to Texas.

Sunhee and Meeja went back to Sweet Home Last Tuesday. The neighborhood has been much more quiet with them gone. They ended their stay here with a family home evening around the fire bowl as we roasted marshmallows and Dad gave one of his lessons from Primary about building blocks of the gospel. Both girls were very motivated to memorize Articles of Faith since our ward gives out a Starburst for each one passed off; plus they get to write their names on the big white numbers in the Primary room. It is so fun, and such a great memory of their visit, to look down at the big numbers on the Primary closets and my own grandchildren’s signatures!

On their last day here, Katie, Grandma, myself and the girls went to see Toy Story. It was cute but had a few scary parts (I thought). Plus it was sad as the little boy was going off to college. It made me realize how our family was changing with our last child already a senior in college! It reminded me of the fact that, when your children start leaving for college, things can never be the same again.

Dad and I enjoyed a zoo concert after we hurried the missionaries out the door on Wednesday night. The day was a hot one so it was nice to sit outside on the lawns and listen to music. Neither of us really liked the music but it was just fun to be out.

Speaking of being out, Dad and I did a couple more bike rides this week and then Dad did his age in miles, 64, on the bike on Saturday. He went out to Hagg Lake and back. He watched a triathlon while there. And, speaking of watching, Spain won the World Cup! Woo hoo!!!

Adrianne is happy to be single and childless after watching Blake sister’s children while they were on a trip. She realized how exhausting it is. It sounded like they had a lot of fun going to Seven Peaks Water Park twice and another amusement type park in Lehi. She also went overboard in cooking and cleaning while she was there. I hope she has that drive in her while she visits here!

Adrianne and Blake are coming here tomorrow, Thursday. We will go to Lincoln City (Gleneden Beach) early Friday morning so Blake can see our coast and go to Tillamook of course. I guess that Blake will have to sleep in our guest room with the queen bed since we don’t have any twin extra long beds!

Heidi celebrated her birthday this week. It sounded like she did what all mom’s LOVE, getting treated to dinner out! This has always been one of my favorite pictures from Heidi’s childhood. Can you believe this picture? And we thought that Jenna was Lil’ Bill! Heidi sent dad a belated Father’s day slide show with a surprise ending: a picture of an ultrasound. They are having a baby; due January 19.

This weekend Dad and I were busy with some SendOutCards meetings; they were very good. I also was able to help with a wedding in the ward. The food for the Rilloraza wedding reception was all from the Philippines. It was fun to be taught by their native relatives. I copied one of their family recipes that was so tasty. Oh course, it is not low fat though! On Saturday we also went to Danielle Traynor’s wedding in Battleground Washington. It was good to see some old ward families that we hadn’t seen for a while. I don’t think that many of you knew Aaron and Stephanie Tobacco. He made the most amazing cake that looked like it was covered with a satiny ganache but it was really a thick, smooth butter cream frosting that both looked delicious and tasted that way (unlike ganache covered wedding cakes). We also had a chance to visit with the Uhls family and Johan and Alisa Knight. I just adore that couple!

My Auntie Carmen passed away this weekend. She has been very sick and I think she is very happy to be gone. Uncle Tommy died a little more than a year ago. That is the last of Grandma’s peers in the Maldonado family. I was wishing that my Southwest parent privileges was up and running so Katie, being in Texas, vigilantly watched out for me and I was cleared yesterday! Katie booked me on the morning and evening flight today so I can fly down and attend the funeral and family luncheon and be back home for my Thursday appointments and to prepare for Adrianne’s arrival. Isn’t that the coolest thing? This is so incredibly amazing. THANK YOU Katie!

The funeral was very nice. The priest spoke quite a bit about death being a beginning. He said that death means a butterfly to a caterpillar and it meant eternal life to God. My cousins Johnny, Alice and Johnny Maldonado were there at the funeral and Bud and Juanita Garrigan were there also. Most of the people there were Alga relatives. The luncheon afterwards was typical Maldonado style; lots of food and conversation.

Last night Dad remarked how we could fly down to go to an A’s game with Shawn and Aubrey some night now! I talked to Shawn and he had one all planned for us to go to; one with fireworks the first week in August but the Brady family, Adam and Adrianne will be coming and going that week here. We will just have to find another time; it sounds like fun.

I love you. Enjoy your week and be your very best; keep progressing forward! Love, Mom