Sunday, September 3, 2006
I teach today in YW – combined meeting. Manda and Camryn are in Phoenix. Landon and I went to Ogden yesterday to do some school shopping for clothes, and also he wanted to pick up an IPOD and a camera. Zac is working on his little tuff shed in his back yard. We went over and laid on the lawn and visited with CJ and Treyson while Roger helped him. Colton was baptized yesterday at Martin’s Cove. We did not go – too far. We take Landon up to TVCC next Saturday. Manda and Camryn get home tomorrow afternoon – I don’t have to work because it’s Labor Day.
Later – Zac and CJ invited us over for dinner, deer roast, cheesy potatoes, jello, corn, - it was great !!!
Monday – September 4, 2006 – Labor Day – Vacation – No Work
We are all home today, Roger, Me, Landon – no work. Manda and Camryn will be picked up from the
airport at 1:55, and then all of us (including Zac, CJ and Treyson) will be
eating up at LuAnn's at 4pm yahoo!!
Yesterday, my lesson in Young Women’s went very well. The Spirit was felt, and I think the girls
grasped the message – Let Virture Garnish Thy Thoughts Unceasingly !! You are what you think !! You can’t watch a ½ hour of “Friends” and
then go and read your scriptures and expect the spirit to be with you. I cut up some of my CD’s which weren’t good, told the story of the Dad, Daughter,
Brownies, and Dog Poop. I love those
girls and leaders. I hope they know it
!!
This week will go fast – I can’t believe the Landon will be
leaving – what we have worked and hoped for and strived for – college
baseball!!! And it’s finally here (5
more days). Rog and Landon just got back
from hitting baseballs – gotta go.
September 9, 2006 -
Milestone Day
We drove over 700 miles today, to deliver Landon to Ontario
Oregon, home of the Treasure Valley Community College Chukars, where he will
attend college and play baseball for the next 9 months……………..believe it or not
I did not cry ! I’m proud of him, and
hope and pray that he will live up to his potential, both as an athlete, and
young man, and a valiant son of God.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Landon called this morning – as he was walking to church !!
He said he went to be last night about 7:30, thinking he would wake up in a
couple of hours, and he didn’t wake up until 8 this morning !!! He said the dorms leave a lot to be desired –
no drinking fountain !! He’s going to Walmart to get a case of water, and also
MOSQUITO REPELLENT !! He said it was BAD
outside last night – he couldn’t even count the number of mosquitoes on his
legs. He met a few of the Sophomore
players, and went to their apartment for a little while. He said the food at the cafeteria was
good………He didn’t have breakfast this morning (no time) and will have to skip
out on church early so that he can eat lunch between 12 and 1. Hopefully Chase Dixon, and some of the others
he met in July will get there today. I’m
going to send him an email, so that he will not be lonely. Hopefully he can figure out how to get hooked
up to the internet tonight.
Monday, September 11, 2006
5 year anniversary of my Narrows
trip, and also (9/11) Landon called this
morning (each of us - Rog & Gwen)
and he told me that he was eating well and liking the food, and he was getting
ready to go to BB practice/first meeting.
Hopefully all went well. I need
to ask him about his roommate Jonathan, where he’s from, last name, position,
etc (Keller, from Eugene Oregon, 1st base/pitcher). And also if he has met any of the other
catchers. I know that Chase Dixon and
Chase Peterson (roommates) are on the 2nd floor, right above
Landon. They went to church too. Chase is from Rexburg, and played first
base. I need to ask him about internet
hookup, and volleyball girls, and mosquito repellent, and how practice went,
etc. I miss him, and think about him
often.
Manda and Camryn are STAYING IN UTAH !!! I am soooooooooooooooo happy. Prayers ARE ANSWERED !!. They will probably be in an apartment of
their own in a couple of months.
Landon called tonight.
They had a 4 hour team meeting today.
They are very strict – no long hair or facial hair. White shirts with ties with going on the bus
to games, no ball caps in the cafeteria or classes. Jonathan KELLER is from Eugene Oregon – he’s
Catholic. This will be a good diversity
for Landon. He has met the other
catchers. One who has his girlfriend
with him, *Kyle Kelly and who Landon doesn’t care for and thinks is lazy and
has a poor work ethic *Lane Latin. One
who the coach had previously mentioned, who will struggle in ability, and
another who is pretty good – just like Landon.
He says he is covered with mosquito bites (Landon). He sounded tired. They had the team meeting (4 hours) ate at
noon, and worked on the field all after noon.
Tonight Manda broke the news to Jim that they are staying in
Morgan. It didn’t go very well………….Looks
like it’s going to be a rough couple ??? of days, weeks, months……..who knows
when it will end – probably in another 16 years when Camryn turns 18. Manda is pretty discouraged.
Dear Landon – September 12, 2006 email to Landon
I love you !! and
miss you !! I hope all is going well at
college, I'm sure it is, because you adapt very well to different situations,
and always have such a great outlook on life !!
I know if you stay close to Heavenly Father through prayer,
that He will help you through the rough times.
Also, if you keep busy with Institute activities (Monday night home
evening) that will help also. I hope all
is going well. Take Care
Love MOM
Teresa
Rhodes wrote me, asking how Landon was doing at College on 9/12/06 – this is my
reply.
Well,
he hasn’t actually started college classes – they are NEXT week. But BB
practice HAS started, WITH a 4 hour team meeting yesterday, where they learned
they needed to be clean shaven, short hair no ball caps in the cafeteria or
classes, and in white shirt and tie when boarding all game buses for travel.
Also – they are on CHUKAR time, which is 15 minutes earlier than what
they are told to be there – so if it’s 6:00 A.M. practice time, they are to be
there at 5:45. It is a pretty strict program, and Landon will like that a lot,
because he often thought that Morgan coaches (all sports) were too lenient and
lax, and that the teams could have been better, had they been harder on the
kids.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
I called Aunt Barbara today, and her little home across the
street from mom and dad may be opening up for rent. Manda can have it, if it does become
available. $500/month. That would be sooooooooooo good. Zac is to school tonight, and CJ and Treyson are not home. He is getting his OWN van to
drive for Durrant/Slate plumbing, and will be taking the Journeyman test
soon. CJ told Manda they are serious
about adding on to their home. Camryn
played with her bubbles tonight outside.
I blew them – she had a hard time blowing them, but of course I’m a pro J. Landon called tonight and said they were
going ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL day long. He
sounded tired – but happy. I hope he is
wise enough to get enough sleep, and not stay up till all hours. He said he is getting enough to eat. All is well.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Email from Erika
Did Landon get off to Oregon? What have you been doing lately? Talk to you later!
Love Ya, Erika
My Reply
Just got back from TVCC for the second time !! Took
Landon up last Saturday (9th) and he's been up there all week. They had
an alumni game yesterday, and we went up to that. That is where a bunch
of "OLD" players from previous TVCC teams come back to play the
current team. There is a blue and orange team (current players) - Landon
in on the blue team, which is basically the "varsity" team. He
looks to be the best catcher they have, and we hope he will be the starting
catcher. (Finished letter on Monday) He started classes
today. Roger heard from him mid-day, just before baseball practice.
Haven't heard from him tonight - I hope he's a FHE at institute. He says
that he has really had his eyes opened.............language, morals, etc.
etc. Hopefully he can live in the world, but not OF the world. It
is truly a Babylon
out there. Right now the plan is that he will fly home this next weekend,
so he can attend two farewells (Josh Wilson, Leeds England mission and Jake
Blazzard, Mexico City, Mexico mission) Gotta go................. LOVE YA
Gwen
Mom email to Landon
I love you - just testing out your email
Landon’s reply
hi mom... i love you too... i miss you guys... i miss camryn
so much.. well ill see her this weekend
for sure!!!! later... oh ya by the way im on the internet
Email Gwen sent to Liz Wiscombe
I
was wondering if you could get a message to Julia, who in turn could get it to
Craig.
Landon’s
email address is richriot_21@hotmail.com,
and he would like to correspond with the Bishop via email while he’s at college
in Oregon.
Landon
is doing great – he started classes yesterday, and has been practicing baseball
with the team for a week. They had an Alumni game on Saturday (16th)
And Landon was on the “varsity” team, and we are confident that he will be the
starting catcher – at least that’s what his dad says J He had a bunch of good blocks at the
plate, and got a guy out, and went 2 for 3, with a double that was 6’ from
being a homerun. Anyway, enough of my braggingJ - I hope you guys did great in CA – I
haven’t heard, and I’m writing this at 4:19 pm on Tues.
See
ya Gwen
Reply from Liz Wiscombe
Gwen,
I am so glad that Landon is doing so good and having a great
time. Keep me up on all of the baseball news from Oregon, I love to hear how great he is
doing. He is one of my all time
favorites and I really do want to know how he is. We didn't do as well as we wanted, but we had
a great time and it was good for the team to bond. We don't stop going once the plane hits the
tarmac. You have a great day and keep up the good work!! You are awesome. I will send this to Julia
and Craig.
Thanks for the news, Liz
Email from Landon
hi mom. hi dad. hi manda. hi camryn. i love you guys... im
finally being able
to get on the internet.. well im doing great... nothing new
just tons of
baseball. i miss you guys so much.... how is everything i
will be home this
weekend so ya.. oh and parents..... im driving home this
weekend.... its too
much money for me to fly so ya.. ill drive no worries...
love ya.. talk to
ya later b y
Reply to Landon from Manda
it is really good to hear from you!!! hope all is well and
that you are having a good time but also taking care of business ya know. call
me if you ever need anything... luv amanda and camryn
Landon
I am reading your letter and I am slow at writing back,
We miss you too but it is ok if we talk to you every day. We would like
it if you would fly home instead of drive but it will all depend on what
time you finish your practice sat.
Love you
>Dad
Reply from Landon
ya well it could be finished early cuz all of the sophomores
have a showcase
that they are going to so it will just be the freshman. blue
against orange.
i could be done as early as noon. or as late as four so ya i
don’t know...
well its like 200 dollars. i thought it was 100 dollars. It will
save so much
money if I just drive. and i will be safe. oh ya the high
school showcase
that it says on my schedule is actually a tournament where
we play some high
ranked high school teams i think,..... i will have more info
later.. love ya
bye.
Email from Gwen to Landon
Got your emails - that's great !! I'm glad you are on the internet.
I hear it has been raining up there !! I hope it hasn't interfered with your
practices too much. I hope you can make
it to institute, and I was wondering if you get emails from them, letting you
know what is going on? I get them, and
so I'll forward it on to you - sounds like fun. I love you, and look forward to
seeing you this weekend - I've bought the tickets, and so USE THEM !! You need to practice doing the Boise Airport
this week, so when you come home in the future it will be OLD HAT :)
I love you so much, you are such a joy to me and your dad.
LOVE MOM
Email written to Landon from Mark 9/20/06
Landon:
Just got your email from your mom...sounds like you're doing
great and that you're playing a lot of baseball. Hopefully Devin and
Dallin will turn out just like you and become awesome baseball players!
Thanks for inviting Jaden to go up to Oregon with you. He had a good time
and I'm sure talked your parents heads off on the way home. He said you
will enjoy your new place once you get into it and that you'll appreciate the
improvements since you've had to live in the older ones. He's finding his
way in football and has enjoyed playing and being on the team. It's been
fun to see him learn the game and to pay more attention to things when a
game comes on.
It's a big world out there and you're finding out that there
is more out there than Utah.
I hope you meet a ton of new people and create some lasting memories and
relationships that will carry on long after your time there is finished.
Keep your chin up, smile, look people in the eye, and say
"hello" first!
See ya.
Mark
Email written to Landon from Gwen – 9/20/06
Hey
– guess what ? I just booked you a flight home for Thanksgiving !!
You will come home Thanksgiving morning, and go back last Sunday
night Yahoo!!! – watch for an email thing about this, and don’t delete it
!!
Also,
I just remembered, with the NEW regulations for flying you can’t carry-on any
luggage with anything liquid in it. I don’t think you’ll be bringing
enough home (this weekend) to even check a bag (for this weekend) – unless you
need bring Sunday stuff to wear?!?!? Shoes?!?!? Anyway, if you
think you can get by without checking a bag , and would only have a carry on
bag – you need to remember, they won’t let you have lotion, toothpaste,
shampoo, or EVEN THE CONSECRATED OIL on your key ring (better leave that in
your car at the airport). We can supply you with all of those things here
are home for the weekend, or if you need to CHECK the bag (not carry it on) –
then you can put all of your liquid stuff in there……………….. make sense?? I
just didn’t want you to get up to the security, and have them make you throw
away your little vial of oil – so leave it in your car.
LOVE
MOM
Another email from Gwen
Landon I need you to go to the Student Services
Center (where we signed
you up the first day we went to TVCC) and get TWO forms and fill them out
Form
1 – Opt out of insurance form – sign that you HAVE insurance (personal
insurance) and that you want to OPT OUT of TVCC insurance FOR THE WHOLE YEAR
Form
2 – Sign an Authorization of Release form, that will allow ME to CALL TVCC, and
speak to them about your financial account – right now, I tried to call and ask
a few questions, and they wouldn’t even talk to me !!
Please
get that done as soon as possible - Thanks dear !!
LOVE MOM
Reply from Landon
wow.....wooooo momma... that's alot of emails to reply to, i
cant even remember all of them.. ok ill do that stuff for the student
services tomorrow..(thurs).... tell liz and her family hi for me and
im doing great... you can fill her in.. i cant really write right now but everything you said in all of your emails sounded great haha...
everything ahha... well talk to ya later.. sorry its short... bye
ill call ya tonight
(HE NEVER DID CALL)
Letter written to Landon from Erika 9/20/06
Dear Landon,
I miss you, too! That's pretty weird, since we don't
see you much! I think it is just knowing you are officially away at
school, all grown up....and I can see my own kids at that point in their lives
in a few years! The time really does fly!
I hope you have having fun - good, clean fun! What I
remember from my college days was that is was really intense, but really
fun! I had the most fun at the institute; especially after I got involved
and met a lot of people.
Thank you for always being such a good example to me and my
family, especially the kids!
We love you!
Love Always,
Erika, (Aaron, Tiana, Lance, Brian, and Colton)
P.S. I wish you could have been at Colton's baptism at Martin's Cove! It
was so cool! I will have to show you the pictures sometime!
Email from Landon to Erika
hey i know i wish i could have been there to.... i bet it was great.... baseball is going great. i haven't gotten into to much trouble aha.. just
kidding no trouble here... but school is flying by. the first week i was here
i didn't have school just baseball and it went by so slow. now that school
has started its flying by. your so right when you say time flys... i love
you guys and i will see you at thanksgiving. i already have my flight booked
so see you then love you guys and thanks for everything... landon rich
Email from Grandma Rich to Landon 9-22-06
Landon, I was glad to hear from you. It was good
to talk to you on the phone the other night. I keep in touch thru your
dad. He tells me when you talk to him. We love you and miss you but
we know you are going to be ok. I hope we can get up to some of your
games. It will be good to see you this weekend. All the family ask
about you. Layne was wondering about you the other night. Kelly
& family are leaving for Hawaii
this morning. We are taking them to the airport. If I don't have to
pick them up on the 1st of Oct. we will be up to see you play. Again we
love you much and are thinking of you always. Love Grandma
Email from Gwen to Landon – Friday, September 22, 2006
Hey -
Rough practice last night??
Man....... I'm glad they let you EAT at least. I guess it will just make you tougher, and
weed out the ones who can't compete.
Hey, if you can't make your flight, we can just roll-over the money to
purchase another flight, so no big deal.
I know this is all confusing, but I'll try to explain as simple as
possible.
On the email from southwest for this weekend (make sure you
don't get it confused with the one for Thanksgiving)
Click on the "LINK" in the email that southwest
sent you, or go to www.southwest.com and
click on TRAVEL CENTER (at the top of the page) and then go down to Check In
Online/Print Boarding Pass and type your confirmation number 5IJCIZ
(from your email) and your name, and you need to be able to be hooked up
to a printer, so you can print out your boarding pass - you can't do this more
than 24 hours BEFORE your flight departs, so you would have to do it later
Friday night after baseball practice, or Saturday morning before practice. Important - IF YOU CAN"T DO THIS - DON't
Worry - you can check in at the airport.
Also, you can do this (print boarding pass) even if you
don't know for sure if you will be flying (because of practice times)
What I was thinking is this - if you are ALL READY to go,
and have everything loaded in your car,
you could do practice, and if the time was getting short, you could TRY
to make your flight...........and if not, then just come on home via car.
Your flight leaves Boise
at 10 minutes to 4pm, and you should try to be at the airport by 10
minutes to 3pm, and it takes almost an hour from Ontario
to get to the Boise
airport, so you should try to leave Ontario
by 10 minutes to 2pm.
But - you absolutely don't need to be there 1 hour early,
and you could probably make it to the airport in LESS than one hour (Don't
drive like a maniac).
Important things to remember
NO LIQUID on
your take-on bag
Checking a bag
(not your take-on) will take more time
If you can
print your boarding pass out at school, then you just go straight to the
security checkpoint at the airport
If
not, you'll have to check in at the southwest desk at the airport
You need your
picture ID - Driver's license and your confirmation number 5IJCIZ if you are
checking in at the southwest desk
Also - Take
EXIT 53, and go to the left, and it will lead you directly into the airport -
park in LONG TERM parking - look for signs that say Departure, Security
Checkpoint, Check-in, etc. - Don't be afraid to ask someone !!
Keep us
informed on Saturday, of what is going on.
Remember we love you and are proud of you, and can hardly wait to see
you again this weekend.
LOVE MOM and DAD
Email from Joni to Landon
Hey Landon how are you doing? Your dad told us about your last weekend and
said you look great!! (as always). How
is school? Are you staying out of
trouble? Just thought I would drop an
email to say hello. Maybe we will see
you this weekend when you come home. Be
careful. Keep us posted on tournaments
and we will try to make one. Talk to you
later, Joni
PS - Chans got a nice 5 point elk on Tuesday. He was pretty pumped. They had a good time hunting. Later
Monday, September 25, 2006
Landon came home this past weekend. It was good to see
him. Josh Wilson’s farewell was
good. He leaves tomorrow for Leeds, England. I have been working on a webpage for Landon,
and am enjoying it VERY much. I hope
everyone will like it.
Email from mom to Landon on Monday Night (but he won’t read
it till tomorrow)
How was your day yesterday?
Did you get a chance to go to Family Home Evening? I hope you will take advantage of all the
institute has to offer. Remember to take
time to feel the spirit. I love you very
much, LOVE MOM
Email from mom to Landon
I was wondering if you would mind if I sent an email every day, with a little "thought" that might help you out spiritually. Please let me know if you would like this.LOVE MOM
Reply from Landon
ya i would love it.... thanks..... love you
9/29/06
Gwen and Landon were writing back and forth via email the
following:
I'm just sitting here At work, looking at your picture on your website -
I bring it up several times a day, just to see your smiling face. I love
you so much, and sometimes I miss you more than I should
:-(....anyway, just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you and looking forward to
seeing you tomorrow - in
ONTARIO
:-)
ya kinda haha.. cool well good.. sounds good...
I guess this is ALMOST like instant messaging huh? I just remembered that you might be "ONLINE"
now.... Brother Tibbitts was just in, and I got his email, It is
russtibbitts@gmail.com, so give him a note !! LOVE MOM
hello haha your weird haha just playin well thank you..
im just getting ready for class... well have a good day and drive safe. ill talk to ya later tonight.. oh ya.. DONT FORGET TO BRING MY SPARE KEY haha
thanks.
