December 1981 - from my journal

December 1981

5 - Brenda's birthday

5 - Doe Hunt

7 - WIC

9 - Club Christmas party

12 - LuAnn's Christmas party

17 - Zac is 12 pounds 4 ounces and 25 inches long

18 - pictures?

19 - Christmas party at Aunt Barbara's

December 2, 1981

Well, it's 11:16 p.m.  Roger left for work an hour ago, and I just finished cutting out the rest of Amanda's Christmas clothes to be sewn.  There are 4 jumpers, 2 pants, and 4 shirts.  I still would like to make her one more pair of dark blue Levis and a plain white shirt.  Maybe even a jumper dress if I get around to it.  I really feel like we're hardly getting Zac anything at all, but he's really so tiny and Lynette gave me plenty of clothes to last awhile for him.  Dad's gonna get the railrunner train for him tomorrow at Grand Central.  It's on sale for $12.98.(This was a musical train, that fit on the crib rail, and moved back and forth and played tunes)  Boy I'm glad when night comes.  Kids wear a person out, but I'm really enjoying tending Casey.  So far I've made $28.00 for 7 days at $4.00 a day.  Next week is really busy.  Tuesday is WIC,

(WIC stands for Women, Infant and Children.  It is a program that low income and at risk babies can get on.  It provides vouchers to purchase milk, cheese, cereals, juices, etc.  I was on it for Ambure, and then I guess for Zac.  I don't know if I was for Mandy.  It involved going to a monthly class on nutrition and child development.  It was at this class that they, would give you the vouchers for the month) 

and we're getting our Christmas Tree.  Wednesday is my Utah Homemakers Club party. Friday we're killing our beef, and Saturday is LuAnn's family Christmas party.  Santa is coming to give out gifts for the kids.  Uncle Don hasn't been feeling too good since last Saturday.  The doctor says it's his heart.  Rog is doing his chores, morning and night, and also working at Wonder Bread from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. and at T. J. Stuart's from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon.  He sleeps from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.  He's really tired.  Kelly Rich wrestled his 1st match today in Logan.  Don't know how he did though.  I better write this down in case I ever need to refer back to it.

Zac's birth cost approximately.

Anesthesia    $205.00   Insurance paid $165.00

Dr. Godfrey  $450.00   Insurance paid $411.00

Hospital     $1,200.00   Insurance paid $950.00

Dr. Gardner   ?                                    ?

That's really not too bad compared to having no insurance with Ambure.  With Amanda, Rog's insurance paid EVERYTHING.

Dear Amanda,

You were a good girl today,  although you sure have a mind of your own like your mama. You love to tell me NO!  But I guess it's cuz I tell you that allot too.  You are so beautiful!  I'm so proud you're my girl and I love you so much.  Please be patient with me, I have so much to learn about raising kids. 

Love Mom.

Dear Zac

Your dad and I can hardly wait for you to grow up.  But then as write this, I want you to stay little always.  You smile so much and you love to have people talk to you.  You are a tough kid.  Already you're trying to stand up.  Your Great Grandma Dickson says you're the strongest and most alert 2 month old she's ever seen.  Last night you fell out of your infant seat from the couch onto the floor.  You weren't hurt, but I'll have to be more careful where I put you, won't I?  I love you very much.  You look so much like your big sister, Ambure.  I wish you could talk and tell me about her up in heaven.  Sometimes we miss her so much.  We love having you in our family, and we only want the best for you and Amanda. 

Love Mom.

Also, Rog got a letter from H.A.F.B., and he'll be getting called in for an interview pretty soon.  He sure is excited!

December 4, 1981

It's 11:26 p.m.  I've been sewing on Christmas clothes for the past 2 hours.  The kids are in bed, and Rog left for work about 9:15 p.m..  I'm really tired, so I won't write much.  We went to Morgan High's wrestling match tonight.  Roger's brother Kelly got beat last night in Logan.  Casey and Amanda played pretty good today, except Casey pushes and hits her allot.  I hope Amanda and Zac get along good and aren't always fighting when they get a little older.  I better hit the sack, I'm beat.

December 10, 1981

Postcard/letter from Mom (Veloy)
Dear Roger, Gwen, Amanda ad  Zac,  Here is your Christmas card! Merry Christmas!!  We have had beautiful weather.  It is 79 degrees in Los Angeles, but quite overcast because of the smog. The kids had a good time at Circus Circus in Las Vegas, and have played with their Rubicks Cubes all the time we traveled, thank goodness.  Tonya can beat us all, and it is sure frustrating to Mark, although he is getting better.  We went to he Wax Museum yesterday, and watched Val race at the Los Alametos race track last night. We also saw John Creager race (he won a race)  We are now ( 9 a.m.) leaving for Disneyland.  Our motel is right across the street (Magic Carpet)  Tomorrow we are going to Knott's Berry Farm, and the next day to Magic Mountain.  Don't know if we will be able to see a T.V. show or not.  Sure hope so.  We will be writing again and also calling.  Take care, we love you.  Love, Mom (Hope you can read this - everyone is after me to hurry!!!)  P.S. Mark says he can beat Tonya now!!!

December 11, 1981
Postcard/letter from Tonya)

Gwen, Roger, Mandy and Zac,  I miss you all so very much and wish you were with us.  We are staying at the Magic Carpet instead of the Magic Lamp.  It is also right across the street from Disneyland.  So far I have had fun.  Please tell Mandy and Zac Hi for me.  The motel we are staying in has a pretty good view of the Matterhorn.  Tonight we get to see Val race.  Tomorrow Disneyland.  I am excited.  Miss you, Tonya

December 14, 1981
Postcard/letter from Mom (Veloy)

Dear Gwen, Roger and kids,  Went to Knottsberry Farm the day after we called.  This was a really fun ride.  We were going to Magic Mountain Saturday, but the kids had had their fill of amusement parks and rides.  Instead, we went to Sea World in San Diego and Tiajuana, Mexico.  The weather has been good, but hazy and overcast.  We are now driving north to Aunt Dixie's.  We have about a 6 hour ride.  We miss you all very much.  Love Mom

December 12, 1981

Today was a busy day.  I had to make augratin potatoes for LuAnn's family Christmas party at noon.  It was really fun!  The kids had a good time, and Zac was as good as gold!  Most of our Christmas shopping is done now.  We found an old cradle of Joni's in  Uncle Don's barn that we're gonna fix up for Amanda for Christmas  Tomorrow's the last day of the doe hunt, so we're going from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Grandma Dickson is fixing us dinner, and then I'm going to decorate her tree.  I'd like to write more, but it's 12:17 a.m. and I'm beat!