1/13/19 - Family Letter to Emma

hey  Emma!!!!!!!

I tried out for Matilda at hale center theater!!!!!!!😝😝😱😱😱😱😱

IT WAS SOOOO FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😝😝😝😝😝😝

The song was so annoying  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😐But its OK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😝😝😝😝😝😝

trying out is SOOOOOOOO fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🤣🤣🤣😊😊😝😝😝😝😘

kelly dehaun is soo funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish you were here!!!!!!!!!!!!!

love and miss

👁👁

   👄

Mari

M,

Our full week back after the new year felt like we had a lot going on but when I look back maybe not so much.  Work is the name after every new year.  Expectations are high without a whole lot of opportunity.  It will change.  It always does.  I had my first weekend of Stake basketball.  they announced my replacement today.  I might be able to pass it along in a few weeks.  It is bitter sweet.  I really like that calling but it takes a lot of time.  Mari and Mom went to have Mari audition for Matilda.  Mom said there was a lot of kids that auditioned.  Mari seemed to fit right in.  She was able to audition for Kelly Dehaun.  She mentioned she is related to Aunt Carrie and Christie.  She came back feeling very good about the audition.  We were not expecting her to get a callback and I was hoping she would have a positive experience.  It seemed to go very well.  We are going to start allowing her to audition for the local art councils productions.  She has stopped COPA and will renew her singing lessons. 

The main news to come from the family is that we have been suspicious for a while that Hyrum might be a little depressed and we were able to get him talking about it.  Hyrum has been a bit down and sleepy and not himself.  With Eve's help, her training with PLT, your Mom and I were able to get him talking a bit about his feeling.  He has always been pushing his feelings and desires aside for what he feels is "The Greater Good".  He talked the big brother or bodyguard mentality with those around him.  He is concerned about measuring up to expectations at school. We have got him some help.  The doctor gave him some meds and we are looking into to counseling.  We are thinking he could develop some coping skills.  I'm confident he will be OK.  I'm glad we get a chance to address it and work on it some. 

Family fun Fact:  Today is the Anniversary of the Hawaiian Ballistic Missile scare your Mom and Eve got to witness.

Love ya kid.  We are excited to hear of your success and are celebrating it all way from here.

Dad

Jacob 4: 2-4

Sweet Emma,

I sent off your birthday package on Friday.  LDSxpress is delivering it near the end of January.  I hope it makes it to you in time for your birthday and it doesn't miss the transfer.  The line for deliveries was almost as long as the Christmas drop-off.  It's always awesome to think of all the missionaries in South America getting love from home.  Some families could only afford to send 2 pounds.  Others sent 20 pounds.  It's always fun talking to missionary parents and hearing their experiences.  I have 2 favorite stories I share about you right now.  One is how you kept switching to Portuguese during your Christmas phone call and Sister Bernardo kept poking you saying "English...they don't speak Portuguese!"  and the story about you teaching the entire bus...until the next stop when everyone got off.  You are so awesome!  I'm so proud of you!

As Dad told you, we have been trying to help Hyrum with his depression.  He started on meds and we are working to find him a counselor to talk through some things and help him learn some coping skills.  The doctor says that his depression isn't affecting his schoolwork, home life, or other aspects...in other words, Hyrum has so many successes all around him but he can't seem to recognize the joy in them.  The doctor explained it like a deep hole that he can't see out of.  The meds will be like a 'step stool' that will help him to climb on to see out of the hole until he can pull himself out.  These meds are safe and have no big side effects.  We mention this so you can add your prayers to ours.  Life has a way of teaching us empathy for all those around us.  I have a feeling that this is what we are suppose to learn from this experience. 

Mari's audition was fun.  She felt right at home among those auditioning.  We saw Tanner Summers (who was also auditioning), Monique Welker's little brother, Eden Benson (does shows at Hale all the time...was in Madrigals with Dad), Kelly DeHaun, and a few people from COPA. Hale said they wanted kids with big personalities (Mari definitely did "Big" although she forgot some words of her song).  All the kids auditioned in a big group with the song "Miracle"   "My mommy says I'm a miracle...."  Marilee Wilson suggested she wear something to stand out.  Marilee suggested Mari wear her "My New Philosophy" outfit.  She looked cute...definitely different that what others were wearing but she had fun.  There were 223 kids who auditioned.  I'm kind of hoping Mari doesn't get a call back because if she makes it, the rehearsal schedule is INTENSE:  Mon-Fri 6:30-10pm, Sat 9-noon from mid-February until mid June....but if she does, it will be an adventure!  I will try to send a few pics and  a short video, and Mari's headshot.  Most of the kids turned in colored headshots.  One of the Hale people said the trend now is colored headshots but it doesn't really matter...Mari's was black and white...at least it will stand out.  (I tried to remember what you did when you were doing this kind of stuff....I hope I did it right).

Eve is liking her new cello teacher.  She has her doctorate in cello performance.  She is pushing Eve really hard.  If Eve learns well from this new teacher, I think she will be ready for scholarship auditions next year.  I can't believe she is almost done with high school!  Hyrum can get his learners permit this next fall....yikes!

Grandma Charlene has been taking care of Grandma Shea 3x/week.  I do think Grandma Shea CAN read...but very limited.  Grandma Charlene has been playing preschool games with Grandma Shea...like Hi-Ho Cherry-O and UNO (using only colors since Grandma Shea can't see writing very well).  Grandma Shea has been LOVING these games and if she doesn't win, she insists on playing again.  It is hilarious!  Grandma Charlene is happy too because she loves playing preschool!  It's an odd match-up but it works!  Both are happy! 

Dad has mixed emotions about being done with his sports calling.  He did such a good job and put his heart into it!  I'm so proud of him.  It will be nice to have him back for Saturdays.  We will still cheer on Hyrum at Church ball.  Dad said Hyrum did awesome at his game yesterday.  I think it wore him out because he stayed home from church today sick. 

Challenge for this week:  Study/ponder "Grace" and how it applies to you.  During Mari's audition, I felt to study "Grace".  I learned that "grace" is all the blessings from Heavenly Father to make your life beautiful and meaningful.  The more we are obedient and humble, the more blessings He allows us to access...like he touches our lives with gold.  

I love you so much!

Big Hug Comin' At You!...did you feel it?

💜Mom

Hey Emma

I'm not feeling so hot, so I'll give the small report.

First quarter just ended, and Mr. Glenn was reassigned to the

new middle school. Play is going pretty well.

I got diagnosed with with Semi-minor depression.

And my friends first stake dance was very interesting.

Love you

Hyrum B.