January 1989 - from my journal

January

3 - clogging (Amanda)

7 - Baptism (I needed to attend for Primary)
8 - eat at mom's

9 - Gwen's b-day

10 - Landon is 17 pounds, 10 ounces   27 3/4 inches long

17 - aerobics

21 - Lance Prescott's b-day party - Zac went

January 11, 1989

Well, I blew it.  My diet went down the drain.  Don't know if I'll be able to climb back on the wagon.  I don't know why January, February, and March are such a hard time for me.  Maybe I'll get me an exercise cycle for my birthday.  My birthday Monday was nice.  I got flowers from (Joan Mortensen and Gloria Anderson in the Treasurer's office) (Paul Turner, Marlene Peterson, and Shelley Spendlove in the Assessor's office) and Rog  also.  I also got a cake from Rog and the kids.  Mom and Dad gave me 3 nice shirts.  Grandma and Grandpa Dickson gave me $20.00.  Erika came up and mom cooked a nice birthday dinner for me Sunday.  I started going to aerobics, and went one time and then bombed out.  I've gotta get going again.  Our kids are growing so.  Amanda is in 3rd grade, takes clogging lessons, loves to read.  She is so much like me.  I don't know if that's so good or not.  I wish she hadn't picked up so many of my bad qualities.  Zac is in 1st grade in Linda Spendlove's class.  She yells allot.  You know, it's kinda scary, when your kids get into school, it's kinda like you lose them.  You don't always know what they're doing.  You can only hope you've taught them well.  Sometimes I think I've failed in that department.  Landon is now 6 months old.  I took him to the doctor yesterday.  He weighs 17 pounds 10 ounces and is 27 3/4 inches long.  He's healthy.  He's slept so well at night since he was 3 months old, and then the last 2 weeks he has slept so poorly.  Last night, he was up and crying 5 times between 7 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.  I just about lost it.  I think he had a tummy ache, but I don't know for sure.   Babies can't talk you know.  I've been working everyday (mornings) and all day Wednesdays.

January 12, 1989

Joni's birthday.  She's 26 years old.  Going to Ogden today to get Zac's glasses fixed.

January 17, 1989

Got me an exercise bike for my birthday.  Hope I will use it. (As usual, I didn't.  I ended up selling it for $20.00 at a yard sale in 1991)  Landon got his shot (6 month one) today.  He weighs 17 pounds 10 ounces, and is 27 3/4 inches long.  He can sit really good and rolls really good.

January 20, 1989

I went to aerobics Wednesday and Thursday night.  Watching what I eat.  Biking.  Landon went to bed at 6:16 p.m.  He'll probably be up during the night.  I'm bored.

January 23, 1989

Today, Landon, for the 1st time showed his preference in foods.  I fixed him squash and cereal mixed, and bananas on the side.  He definitely thought the bananas were the best.  It was funny to watch.  Well, he started sitting a little at 5 months, and now at 6 1/2 months he's a pro!  He rolled over maybe 1-2 times at 4-5 months, but it seemed  at 6 months he really took off.  Now I expect he'll start creeping within the next month.  He's really squealing now, and screeching.  Showing his likes and dislikes.  He doesn't care for being dressed, but he loves his bath.  He's eating solids (cereal, peaches, bananas, beans, carrots, squash)  Landon drinks really well from a cup, and he's still nursing well.  I hope to be able to keep it up for 6 more months. (I ended up quitting when he was about 7-8 months.  For the same reason I quit with Zac.  Landon started teething, and started biting me really bad!!)

January 23, 1989 - Letter from Mark

Dear, Gwen and Rog and Zac and Manda and Landon, Yes, it has been a long time since I last wrote.  I'm sorry!  I guess that I'll have to repent, eh!  Christmas has come and gone and we're in 1989.  Thanks for all of the support that you give me, I appreciate it.  It was a good Christmas, and I had a Happy New Year.  As you all know, things are going great here.  I really do like my new companion.  He and I are so much alike in alot of ways, so we get along really easy.  We are working really good together, and never argue.  In short, things are going awesome.  I still have a great feeling about my mission, and I'm so glad that I came.  As of now, we have three people that are preparing for baptism.  In fact, one may be ready by next Sunday we hope.  The Ozawa's and Kawamata are still hanging in there, and doing really well.  I can't wait to tell you about each one of them in detail when I get home.  Can you believe, only 6 months left!  I'm almost 3/4 done with such a short time left.  I have mixed feelings about it, but of course I'm looking forward to it.  You seem to be all very busy and living every day to its fullest.  I love you all so much, and I'm so glad you're a part of my life.  Keep up the hard work, Rog, you a great dad.  You aren't too bad either Gwen!  Please write soon!!  Love Dickson Cho'ro'

(Approximately Winter 1988-1989) - Letters from Mark

Dear Mandy, Hey sweetie!  How are ya?  I imagine you are the smartest girl once again this year in school. Thanks for your letters, I really like them.  Do you like that Poll boy?  I saw your picture that your mom sent in the mail!  You must be pretty popular at school.  Do you like school?  How do you like tending little Landon?  I want to see him so bad!  Take good care of him, and I'll take you and Zac somewhere this summer, OK?  Well, write again soon, and work hard in school!  Bye, Mark

Dear Zac, Hey big guy!  Are you happy?  How is all the snow and the cold weather?  I bet you can make some pretty big snowmen! Who are your friends this year?  How about all the cute girls?  I can't wait until this summer, so we can go and do stuff together again.  Keep up the good work in school, and try not to pick on Amanda, because girls are babies!!  Take care.  Bye, Mark