Richardson Review 4-28-08
Dear Children and Grandchildren,
It has been another busy week at the Richardson home. It has also been a week of joy with so many good things happening such as Amy moving into her new home, three grandchildren and a spouse graduating from BYU, Braden's Monson Presidential Scholarship, Camille's performance in a musical and two new temples announced for Arizona, etc.
Let me start at the beginning of the week. Monday evening Dad went with me to Skyline High School to listen to Dale's Franklin Spring Sing. Dale, a fourth grader, said that he had a surprise for us and indeed he did when he sang a solo about ice cream We enjoyed listening to the children perform and are grateful for the music program that helps children gain confidence in singing at an early age. Wednesday evening I went to Dale's baseball game so that he could give me some shoes, etc. to take to Utah for Adrianne to take with her to Mexico. She was to leave today for her program.
Before leaving for BYU Braden called to tell us that he received the Monson Presidential Scholarship at BYU which will pay his tuition and half tuition more which is about $3000 a year for his four year education. It will be deferred while he goes on his mission. He has worked hard to earn this honor and will make good use of it. We are so grateful that he received it.
I left very early Thursday morning on a plane for Salt Lake where I waited at the airport for Robert and Joann to arrive from Ohio. Camille picked us all up in her new car and took us to the South Hills Middle School where we met the teacher she has been student teaching with in the Jordan School District. Camille made lots of friends. They were all excited to see her again. We also drove by the Pleasant Grove Jr. High where she plans to teach next year. We met all of the Beck graduates at the Maeser Statue in front of the BYU Administration Building for pictures with their caps and gowns. I couldn't believe that it was snowing and cold in Utah and we were nearly blown away while we were taking pictures as you can see from the attached pictures. I thought Kasey, Bret and Carrie and Camille all looked very sharp in their caps and gowns. We are so happy with their accomplishments. I just realized after we got there that it has been 50 years since I also graduated from BYU. President Samuelson gave a great talk before conferring the degrees on the 6,276 BYU graduates. I especially enjoyed Elder Bednar's talk on "Learning to love Learning". He told the graduates to remember that they represent the Savior, their family, their church and Brigham Young University as they go out into the world. After graduation we planned a family picnic but since it was so cold we all met at Dantley and Erin's home. We appreciated their hospitality. I guess we are really a BYU family because we had 23 family members at the picnic and that was just our children and grandchildren and their spouses who are currently in Utah. We have three more grandchildren planning to begin their education at BYU this fall. We couldn't stay long at the picnic because we had tickets for "Smokey Joe's Café", a musical that Camille performed with at the Scera center for the Arts in Orem. She performed a solo, "I Keep Forgetting" and a duet, "Love Me/Don't" and performed with the company in nineteen other numbers. It was very entertaining. Camille loves to perform and is so talented.
I stayed Thursday night with Melvin and Tami. Friday morning after Tami got Kaitlyn and Ashley off to school she took me to the airport. I was happy to get back home because I don't like leaving Dad for long and he didn't feel like going. I was also happy to be home to support Amy in her move.
Amy is now a happy homeowner. I am attaching a photo of the front of her home and the back showing her swimming pool and yard. Amy had the final walk through at the beginning of the week and the papers were all signed on Wednesday before I left for Utah. She had to wait until late Thursday night though for the seller to finish moving out. As soon as I got home on Friday I went down to her home to help her. Amy had the carpet cleaned and changed the locks on the doors and I helped put paper down on all of the shelves in her kitchen. Very early Saturday morning Amy and I went down and painted her bedroom that she had all taped so it would be all fresh before moving in her furniture. We were grateful that Amy had a friend with a pickup to help with the move. We took many trips down before we got it all moved. We were happy that Ray, Marlene, Jaron, Quinn and Rebekah came to help us with the move. She has been busy and has her home really looking nice now.
Amy was very grateful for the painting that we all went together to give her for a house-warming gift. She has already found a place to put it. I am sure you will all be getting a thank you note from her. The painting goes good with her décor. Amy is fixing up her home to be very beautiful. I know all of you will be anxious to visit her and have a swim in her swimming pool. We miss having Amy living here with us but I am so happy for her. I am glad that she lives close. She says that she will visit us often.
We were surprised when Ray called and told us of the two new temples announced for Arizona in Gilbert and the Gila Valley. At first we thought it might just be a rumor but Ray called to verify it after attending his Priesthood Leadership Meeting as part of his Stake Conference on Saturday afternoon. We are happy and feel so blessed.
One thing happened this week to mar the joy and that is the automobile accident that Dean had in Portland when another driver cut in front of him and totaled his car. It was the other driver's fault but he has been lost without a car to get to work and the worry to find a new car that he could afford. We are so grateful that he was not hurt.
As you can see it has been a busy week. We have a full calendar for May also with three grandchildren graduating from High School. We are so grateful to all of you and for your goodness and your accomplishments. We know that the Lord blesses you as you keep his commandments, pray, daily read from the scriptures, pay your tithing and have family home evening. And as usual Dad/Grandpa and I send our love and gratitude for being your parents and grandparents. We feel so blessed. Hope you all have a good week.
Love, Mom, Grandma Lavona Richardson (a very old but grateful BYU graduate)
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