1/16/22 Family Letter

 yello

i'm more or less recovered from Covid, and UTA is coming this wednesday.

UTA is a theater conference where we can do workshops and learn a lot. i'm really looking forward to it

Emma introduced us to virgin drinks and last week we enjoyed some margaritas and mojitos, so i'm gonna learn how to make them so i can make them at UTA when we go to Vegas to see cirque de solea.

It'll be a blast! anyway, We'll see how the new semester goes!

love ya

hyrum

Hey Eve!

This week has been really fun!!!! I had my dance concert on Wednesday!! And quarantine has been really fun!!!

We have been painting the banister. It's looking so good!!!

 I had my Choir audition this week. Mrs. Battenfeild said that next year I could go into the concert choir!

That's pretty much it! Love YA!!!!!!

 Mari Barlow

Sweet Eve,

As the kids said, we've been in quarantine since Wednesday.  Hyum tested positive at school and was escorted out.  When my school found out he had Covid, they asked me if I had symptoms.  I did and so they sent me home right away.  They 'kicked me out' so quickly that I left with some tape in my hand that I was trying to put back in my classroom closet.  I left Carden and went to get a Covid test.  I just barely got my results back...negative!  It looks like I'll be back to school by Tuesday.  But, tender mercy through all of this:  I was able to get some much needed sleep and recover from whatever I had.  Plus, since Mari was forced home too, she has been helping me paint the banister.  What a blessing to be stuck at home and have forced time to do something so involved and tedious that I have wanted to get done for years.  I'll send you pictures.  I hope you like it.  I think it ties in the look/colors of the kitchen and new fireplace. Tomorrow we get a new fridge.  Thursday we will get new carpet for the front room, family room, stairs and upper hallway.  The color is "Fawn".  It's light beige/gray.  It should look good with the fireplace and new stairs. It's lighter than our current carpet so I hope it doesn't get dirty too quickly.  We were overdue for new carpet.  Life gets busy!

On Google Pictures we saw the video of you playing cello with the older lady singing. I think it's so cool that you were able to be involved in an event that was sponsored by another faith.  Way to build bridges of friendship! You did a great job! I also loved the American Flag music stands....perhaps a South Dakota specialty? We also saw your cute 'LOVE' Plan of Salvation picture lesson.  Clever!  Very Clever! You are so good at teaching the gospel.  It's fun to see how you've developed that talent since you've been on your mission. How are your friends progressing? Have you met anyone new?

Joey puppy is so fluffy right now that he is panting.  He doesn't want to wear his clothes and he can't see.  He gets his haircut this week.  We figured he has one more (after this haircut) before you get home so he can be fluffy. It's been too cold to keep the doggy door in so he just sits at the back door guarding the yard from birds.  He loves to chase the birds! While we've been painting he has been sleeping on each step as we move up or down, trying to stay with us.  When I was up on the ladder, Joey was really upset, trying to figure out how to get up there.  He also still gets confused if he can see us in the library and can't figure out how to find us.  He's not the smartest little dog but he is the cutest! Right now, as I type, he's seated behind me on this kitchen chair.  He really likes his people! When he sniffed some of the things you sent home, he seemed confused.  Maybe he remembers your scent but can't quite place it.  He will be so excited to see you!

How did playing in Sacrament meeting go?  I can't wait to hear all about it!

Any word about transfers?  How are you doing in this area? It sounds like you are making friends of all faiths and ages.  Way to go!

I love you so much!  I hope you have a marvelous week.

 Mom

Millie,

We had Sacrament Meeting at home today.  Hyrum tested positive for COVD and was escorted out of the building by security.  Tiffany let her school know about Hyrum and her symptoms and she was immediately escorted out.  She just got her negative test results back.  Mari had a dance concert and a fun assignment she needed to deliver so she waited until the end of the day to ask the school what she needed to do.  Hyrum and Tiffany came home early on Wednesday.  Mari was forced to stay home on Friday.  I'm the only one who worked a full week.  As soon as your Mom got home she took about 4 naps. She felt better and decided she could not sit down anymore and decided she wanted to paint the banister.  So she and Mari have been elbow deep in paint.  I have made all the trips to Lowe's for supplies because we thought she might have COVID.  It looks good so far.  They have painted the handle rails and base.  Tomorrow we will paint the spindles.  We are also getting a new fridge.  Our fridge has been having problems for a while.  We had a power outage a few days ago and the fridge is not cooling like it should.  We decided to finally get a new fridge.  I went once again to Lowe's and Facetimed your Mom so she could see all the options.  It will be delivered tomorrow.  We also made a decision on carpet and that will be installed on Thursday and Friday.  I keep hearing Grandmother Mildred saying "your money means nothing until you spend it on something."

Hyrum is doing a lot better.  He is more involved.  While he has been quarantined he has complained about how bored he is.  We took that as a good sign.  Logan brought a gift for him.  He knows Hyrum loves Barq's root beer.  I don't know if it was a joke or not but he brought him Diet Barq's and it is not great.  He is able to get more social tomorrow.  His drama buddies are trying to get together but the COVID outbreak might change their plans.  There are some Stakes in Idaho that have canceled church for 2 weeks.  It is very wide spread right now.  Due to Hyrum being positive I had to arrange for a sub for my High Council talk today.  It felt good to have a very lazy Sunday.  We assume this last outbreak will pass in a few weeks.  Tiffany spoke with Adrienne today about using our home for her Open House.  We hope things will calm down before then.  

Is this the week you hear about transfers?  We know it is coming soon.  Hopefully you have found a good way to work with the Ward to get your teaching pool a little more beefy.  Love you kid.  Good luck this week.  Do what you can to increase your Faith and the angels that accompany you will lead the way.

Love,

Dad

Moses 5:8-9