July 22, 2013

Dear Seth,

How are you?  We loved your letter – thank you!  It made us miss you a bunch, and we did tell Leto how much you love him.   He is kinda spoiled, in terms of going everywhere we go.  Mark will keep the car running (with Mark in the car) to keep Leto cool, while I go in to the drs.’ Office for an appt.  Today the Diabetes Educator came out to see Leto, and we had him get out of the car.  Everyone always admires him.

Tut doesn’t know how much you miss him yet – we’ll have to work on that.

Cameron and Janik just left from visiting us with their kids.  You know they adopted Stephanie’s little girl, right?  Well, she was sealed to their family in the Rexburg Temple on Saturday.  We went there and Mark was a witness to the sealing.  They can sort out any of the details on Heaven, later on; at least she is sealed in the family, and that’s great.  Their kids are so sweet.

Last Thursday we went out to Haley and Dallin’s for an outdoor birthday party for Hunter’s 4th birthday.  It was perfect in the shade of the house.  (Did I tell you that they’re buying a house near Kattie and Ben’s?  That’s so cool!)

The last of the relatives left us last Wednesday.  Megan and Brooks drove all night to get to Grandpa Cripe’s house.  They stayed in a motel that next night, and they got to swim in the evening and the morning before they left there.  Then they ate out with Grandpa and took off for home, driving till the wee hours.  I haven’t talked to her since they got back, but I know they had a fun trip, just visiting people and not hurrying.

While they were here, they went to the splash park in Rexburg a couple of times, and I went to Yellowstone with Brooks and Megan and his side of the family (plus the kids).  We hiked around on the walkways and saw Old Faithful go off twice, really high and full.  It was awesome. 


We walked around the hot pots and lots of steaming geysers that were resting, but bubbling.  Those were cool!

It’s also fun to talk to the other people from all over the world.  I met some people from South Africa, originally from China.   People were very open and friendly, like they were at the Olympics and other places with a varied crowd.
Makes me feel all peaceful and happy inside.  That’s what the whole world should be like.

The fireworks were good this year.  They were an hour late because a man drowned.  (Sad)  Did I already tell you that?  Bonnie and Dennis plan to come up next year, too.  And Megan and Brooks are coming, and probably John and Ireta and some of their grown kids.  They were so great to have; just super-nice, all of them.

So now it’s much quieter, without little kids waking us early, tapping softly on our door and coming in to play with toys.  That was so enjoyable. 

We hope you are doing well.  Are there any books you want?  We’ll see if we can get them for you.  And remember your promise to at least read Third Nephi.  Read and pray and God will answer your prayers, I know.

We are supposed to hear by tomorrow about a job in No. Idaho for Mark.  If not, he’s working on another, all administrating assisted living facilities.  I want the one in Idaho!!

Ben and Linda’s baby is doing fine, but she had a really rough patch after we sent your last letter, so keep her in your prayers, and also us.  We’re getting close to the end of our rope, so we really need your prayers to help us get a job!
I’m reading Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy right now, for book club.  I’m enjoying it so far.  It’s interesting to see how his personal philosophy comes through in his writing, as he has the characters discuss the issues of their day and as they make their choices and what comes of them.  It’s very detailed, yet doesn’t tell too much.  There’s a mystery about Anna that mesmerizes others, and the reader, I believe.  I’m very interested in the characters’ lives!

Keep your spirits up and keep learning and growing, Seth.  There’s a much wider world out there for you to excel in.  Keep building your character and it will stand you in good stead.  Take pride in your ancestors and your heritage of hard-working, honest people, and decide the things that you will and won’t do and be, no matter what, for the rest of your life. 
You can decide other things later, but those essential choices about yourself can be made and committed to now.  Stay loyal to those, and let the chips fall where they may, you will still be standing, unshakeable, to the end.  You will feel those choices and your loyalty carrying you through, and you will have your self-respect.

We love you, and so does Leto and maybe Tut. (jk)
Doc and Mommy, and Tut and Leto