Earnestly yours...

Dear family,

It's interesting that a day spent in "mundane" tasks - chores, errands, preparing for Sunday - can be uplifting.  Throw in a few hours with favorite people watching a light-hearted farce, and it's a good day.  Hope yours was too!

Love,

Dad

Saturday, February 13, 2021
9:13 pm

Families are silly.  Tonight we had some struggles with the typical bedtime complaints – it's lots of fun to play and do what we want until we have to actually get ready for bed, then "no one is being nice to me," with "me" being whoever is complaining.  While one of his sisters was busy complaining about how unfair life is, Isaac snuck out and sat on my chair with an impish grin on his face.  It was perfect and broke the "woe is me" cycle.  He came out three or four times giggling madly each time; Neil joined him once and sat on his lap.  I couldn't resist joining the silliness.  After getting everyone a final drink, there were a couple tablespoons of water left in the glass.  When Isaac crept towards my chair one last time, I threw the water on him.  Everyone laughed, Isaac changed his PJ's, and now everyone is mostly cheerful in bed.  Hopefully they'll be asleep soon.

This afternoon Julie and I went to the play The Importance of being Earnest at the Hale Center Theater in Orem with Dad and Mom.  It was Dad's birthday present from us.  The play was very silly, and some of the characterizations were magnificently done.  I really enjoyed it.

Thankful: I am thankful for our ministering brother, Don Vinson.  He brought us two packages of cookies for Valentine's Day.  While the cookies weren't particularly tasty, the act was thoughtful and generous.  That is much more important.

Ministering: Yesterday I had the thought I ought to call Mike Christensen.  Instead I took a call from Bro. Kent and we discussed some ward/EQ items.  Today I learned that Mike's dad passed away yesterday.  That's the second time this week I've noticed a prompting after the fact and missed the opportunity to act on it as promptly as would have been a blessing.  So when we got home after the play and Jessie asked me to take a plate of cookies to the Bates next door, I immediately put my coat on, picked up Camilla and Nathaniel (who insisted on coming too) and took the cookies to our neighbors.

More later…

Intermission selfie.  Mom said she was sticking her tongue out when I took the photo... 😛