September 1980 - From my journal

September 1980

2,3,4, Baseball tournament

7 - Eddie Rabbit concert at the State Fair

8 - Sommer is born

9 - Ward dinner

11 - Melinda & Mark McMillan's wedding

11 - Terri Frost's birthday

12 - Go to Linda's for birthday party

13 - Jack's wedding

15 - Eat at the El Matador

20 - Bake Sale

23 - pictures?

23 - Val's party?

September 6, 1980

It sure has been a long time since I've written, and I know it will make my descendants mad because when I read my mom and dad's journals and they skip for a long time without writing, it sure makes me aggravated.  Well so much has happened I don't quite know where to start.  Last time I wrote Mandy was sick. Well she got better (It must have been a little sore throat) and she's getting more fun everyday.  She can roll all over the place now, and she's even sitting up all by herself.  She started doing that 2 weeks ago, for 4 1/2 months I'd say that's pretty good.  I took Amanda to the doctor for her 4 month checkup and she weighs 12 pounds 14 ounces and she's 24 inches long. She is tiny for her age, but that's okay because she's a girl. It gets kinda old when everyone says how teeny she is.  Roger is to work today. It is overtime.  He has been working allot of overtime this past month and we're starting to get back on our feet gradually.  Tomorrow we start going to church in the morning at 9:00 a.m.  I think I will like this better.  I am going to be the new Sunbeam teacher in Primary.  I guess I will like it even though it's more like baby-sitting than teaching.  We've started going to the temple classes, but like last time, I don't think it'll do any good.

September 28, 1980

Today is a bummer!  Because I feel rotten, and Mandy's sick, and Roger is so onry!  Roger said he'd go to Stake Conference yesterday, (Saturday) but this morning it was a different story.

Tonight I feel allot better than I did this morning.  Roger has gone to work.  He left at 1 o'clock p.m.  He is working an afternoon shift starting today.  Lynette had a baby girl on the 8th of September.  They are naming her Sommer.  She is a cute little thing.  She looks allot like Heath did.  Heck, I don't know what I've written and what I have not.  I'm teaching the Sunbeam class now in Primary.  I have 20 little kids.  They are going to split the class in 2 weeks.  I'm also a visiting teacher now.  Vivian Mellott is my partner.  She is pregnant and is due in April.  Joan Adams is also pregnant and is due the end of March.  Lucas will only be 10 1/2 months old at this time.  It sure will be hard for her.  Roger and I have decided to wait until January to get pregnant.  Mandy will be 9 months old then.  That will put me having a baby around the 1st of October (Little did I know that exactly 1 year from today I would have another baby)  Amanda and that baby will be 18 months apart.  I've taken the tests down at I.R.S. and if I get a job I'll be going to work in January.  I'm hoping I can get on as a tax-examiner.  If Roger's still on swing shift, then it would be better if I could work days.  Then we'd only have to leave Mandy from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  That's not too bad for 6 months.  The only reason I'm working is because we want to get a new car and all my paychecks will be going towards it.  Amanda has been sick for the past week.  Ever since last Sunday when I took her to church. While I was teaching my class, the presidency was tending Mandy and they put her on the floor by a door.  When the class was over and I got her, she was TERRIBLY cold.  Her legs and arms were like ICE!!!  The next morning she woke up with a cold and it's hung on all week long.  I hope she's better tomorrow.  Looslis are gone to Portland Oregon.  We sold our truck that I wrecked in with Ambure.  Finally, after 21 months.  We got $1400.00 for it, but it sure has gone fast!  We are using the last of it to pay insurance on the truck and car.  We have changed companies.  Paul Butters has been good to us, but Farmers Insurance is the pits.  We have switched to Allstate.  It used to cost us $220.00 every 6 months for just the truck and now it's only costing us $139.00 for BOTH the truck and the car for 6 months.  Quite a difference wouldn't you say?  Mom and Dad brought up a new subject with me.  They said that they would pay for me to have my teeth fixed and straightened.  Boy, if that isn't a temptation.  My teeth aren't that bad looking, but they could be better. But I feel really low by having my parents pay for it.  Maybe I can talk them into waiting until our insurance goes into effect.

July 1980 - from my journal

July 1980

1 - started Mandy on cereal

1,2,3  Baseball tournament

9- Grandpa Reed Dickson hospital

11,12  Camp up Hardscrabble

14 - our anniversary

16 - Chet and Joan's party

23,24,25,26 mixed baseball tournament

26 - Dinner at Joan and Chet's

27 - Layne's birthday

29 - Rog and Dad's and Kelly's birthdays

30 - Mark's birthday and Court of Honor (Eagle?)

31 - Lagoon

July 8, 1980

Amanda will be 3 months old tomorrow.  I can hardly believe that time has passed so fast.  I love Mandy so much. Having Ambure, and then losing her has taught me allot about just how precious these little spirits are.  Amanda is so sweet and has the best disposition a mom could want for a baby.  I'm tending Lucas Adams now, but only for 2 more days.    We are so poor, but I guess we really don't mind it because we're happy.  But it's such a worry wondering how we're gonna pay the bills.  I paid our tithing today, and it was really hard.  Roger made $537.00, but only brought home $337.00 because of taxes ( I hate them!)  So we pay $53.00 tithing, and $231.00 for truck payment, plus we have over $80.00 in bills that have to be paid and there's nothing left.  No money for food or gas.  Well I know if you pay your tithing, the Lord will provide. So I'm just praying that he'll look down and find a miracle for us.  A sort of miracle happened yesterday.  Roger got a job putting Cable TV into houses in Ogden.  We hope this will be just a temporary job, but we can't wait around forever waiting for Evanston to call.  Malan Johnson and Dennis Peterson got on up there and I sure wish they'd call Roger and Layne too.  We're going camping up Hardscrabble Canyon this weekend with Linda and Bruce and LuAnn and Ben and Randy and Lynette and all their kids.  We'll be sleeping in a tent, so I hope Mandy stays warm.  Lately Roger and I have been so happy and loving to each other.  I do love Roger with all my heart and sometimes I treat him so rotten.  He's the best husband.  I'm just listening to my favorite song on the radio now, it's "Stand By Me".  Mickey Gilley sings it, and it was in "Urban Cowboy".   Our anniversary is in 6 days on the 14th.  Just think, 3 years of being married.  Not all of our married life has been happy, in fact I guess most of it has been pretty hard and sad.  But times are getting better.  I can tell.  I want so hard to live the gospel.  I want to raise our kids up good and in the church.  I still hope that someday we can be married in the temple and sealed together for time and all eternity.  Roger still smokes, and I've got to quit swearing.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying those are all our sins, we have many, but I'm getting so I can pray again to our Heavenly Father and I feel so good about it.  For awhile there, I wasn't praying, and I'm so glad I can again.  I don't begrudge our tithing for God gives us everything we have.

July 9, 1980

Grandpa Dickson was operated on today at St. Benedict's Hospital.  His operation was scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and something went wrong and they messed up the operation a little bit.  So tonight we just got a call, and they're taking him back into surgery at 9:00 p.m.  I am so worried.  Dad and Uncle Norris went down to give him a blessing and I hope and pray that everything goes alright.  I've been trying to call mom but her phone has been busy for the last half an hour.  Roger's first day on the job yesterday was the pits!  All he did all day was dig dirt for 8 hours straight.   Well anyway, to make a long story short, Roger's back hurts him really bad and so he went to the chiropractor and he gave him a disability slip, so now Roger doesn't have to work there and we can still collect unemployment.  Amanda is in bed now, and Roger has gone over to see who's talking on mom's phone.  I sure hope everything goes alright with Grandpa Dickson.  We love him SO much and I want Mandy to grow up knowing him  Grandpa and Grandma mean so much to us, and they give us so much love.  They are such good people.  Grandpa has the greatest stories to tell us about his childhood.

July - Roger started work at Wonder Bread Bakery in Ogden.

July 26, 1980

Boy, allot sure has happened since I last wrote.  Roger has FINALLY got a new job.   We are so happy and excited to think it's finally happened.  Wonder Bread Bakery hired him, and he's working in the Shipping Department. He really loves it, and this job has good benefits.  Rog is sheetrocking with Layne today though.  I'm baking bread.  I've just scrubbed my kitchen, and I'm gonna clean my car later.

July 31, 1980

Today is Thursday.  Everyone is going to Lagoon because it's our Stake Lagoon Day.  Amanda has really been out-of-sorts this past week, and especially yesterday and last night, so we aren't going to Lagoon.  Roger is to work and I'm just home being a housewife and mom. (It sure is fun)  Tonight we're having Jan. and Dwight, and Joan and Chet down for ice cream and cake to celebrate Roger's birthday 2 days ago.  I gave him a calculator and he also got a wallet, a shirt, and some t-shirts from everybody else.  Something's wrong with Mandy, and we don't quite know what it is.  For about a week now, she's just been a changed baby.  She gets so onry at night, and I wish she could talk so she could tell us what's wrong.  It's been really hot and I don't know if she's getting enough milk nursing from me.  I started feeding her a little Similac formula to supplement her just this morning.  Last night she woke up just screaming with a temperature of 102*, and this morning it was still a little over 100*  Amanda moans and groans all the time and she's started to suck her finger ALL the time.  I started my period last week and I was so surprised, because I haven't had one for over a year and I thought I wouldn't as long as I'm nursing.  So maybe I'm losing my milk.  I sure hope not, but I guess I'll be giving her Similac along with my milk to satisfy her.  She's been on cereals for about a month and they seem to agree with her and I started her on squash a few days ago and for all I know, that could be what her problem is.  I'm not giving her any solids today and tomorrow and see what happens.

June 1980 - from my journal

June 1980

4 - Take Grandma to Ogden

5 - Darrin's birthday

6 - Clean Loosli's house

10 - Amanda's Doctor appt.  She was 22 inches long, and weighed 10.4 pounds.

11 - Cindy Nelson Thomas' Home Interior Party

I am going to Little Audrey's Health Spa really regular

13 - Amanda rolled over

15 - Father's Day

18 - Primary party

19 - Grandma to Ogden

20 - Marci's wedding (Marci & Curtis Jones?)

21 - Ernie's wedding ( Ernie & Leslie Durrant?)

23 - Erika's birthday

26,27,28 - Uintahs

June 10, 1980

Well, it's been a long time since I've written. Almost a month.  Amanda is sure growing.  I took her in for her second month check up today, and she weighs 10 pounds, 4 ounces.  She gained 1 pound 10 ounces from last month.  Amanda is growing up so fast that sometimes I just want to slow things down, but the next minute I'm wishing she were older.  She is so much more aware and her head isn't bobbing so much.  Amanda got her shots today, and this afternoon she was miserable.  I've never seen or heard her cry so loud and you could tell she was really in pain.  She's feeling better tonight, and I hope she sleeps well.  Roger still is out of work, and money is pretty scarce.  But we're managing okay.  Ann Wardell had her a baby girl on the 21st day of May.  She weighed 6 pounds 8 ounces, just like Mandy.  They will name her Shannon.  I've started going to Little Audrey's again, and I'm losing weight.  

June 11, 1980

I'm writing this while I'm laying outside trying to get a suntan for our Lava Hot Springs vacation.  Amanda's sitting in her swing on the porch so I can be near her.  Roger is to work for Ten Hansen this week (sheetrocking).  We're still hoping he'll get on up at Evanston Wyoming pretty soon. 

Father's Day is this Sunday and I'm so excited to give him his presents.  I bought some Old Spice deodorant for Amanda to give him, and this morning Erika put Mandy's handprints in plaster of paris, so Mandy will give him that too.  Her card says.  "To my daddy, from his little angel"  Then after she gives him that, he'll think that is all he's getting.  Then I'll pull out my present for him.  It's a putter and a ball returner.  He'll be so excited that I can hardly wait!!  I've been going to Little Audrey's lately, and I can tell I'm losing inches and firming up.  I'll try to go each day for a month, then I'll go 2 or 3 times a week after that.  If I want a baby next April, when Manda's a year old, I'll be getting pregnant next month.  But I won't be able to unless Roger gets a job, because we won't have any insurance.  I'm suppose to be watering the lawn, but all the water is gone.  Loosli's are in Ogden, and I hope it comes back on pretty soon.  It's a beautiful day, and so warm.  I wish I could take Mandy for a walk, but I'm embarrassed about my legs being so lily white.  I'm going to a Home Interior party tonight, that Cindy Thomas is giving. Roger will be tending Mandy and I hope he gets on alright with her.  Tomorrow I'm going down to Ogden with mom to Weber State College for education week.  Robyn Peterson just came over and visited me, and we talked about good old times.  She sure is a nice as ever.  Well Mandy's awake, so I better get moving so I can be ready for Ogden at 6 p.m.

June 16, 1980

You know I forgot one of the most important things.  We blessed Amanda on June 1, 1980 in our ward.  Everyone was there, and Mandy looked so cute all dressed in white.  Dad (Bishop W. Lee Dickson) blessed her.  He did a really good job.  After church we all went to the park and had a cook out.  Roger has a boil or a huge zit on his back.  It's really giving him allot of pain.  He's so miserable.  Mandy's starting to try and reach for things now, and can sorta entertain herself.  Joan Adams is going to have to go back to work for 2 weeks, and I'm going to tend Lucas while she does.  It'll be kinda hard, but It'll bring in a little extra money for my secret savings account.  I passed out my home interior gifts today. Glad that's all over with.  Rog really loved his Father's Day presents.  He was so surprised.  I wish I'd get skinnier, faster.  I'm going to Little Audrey's everyday, but it's hard to see a difference sometimes.  Casey, Layne & Susan's little boy, got two teeth the other day.

June 25, 1980

Tomorrow is really going to be a busy day because we'll be packing for our trip to the Uintahs on the 27th (Friday).  There is a huge forest fire burning out of control up there, and it's only 2 miles from where we are staying.  We're going with Jan & Dwight Gailey, and their 2 kids, Steven and Heidi, and Joan & Chet Adams and their son Lucas.  I hope it will be fun.(We stayed in Dwight's boss's cabin)    Mandy sure is growing allot.  She smiles all the time now.  We went down and got groceries today.  (Joan, Jan & me)  and then went over to Debi Rees' and sat out back around the pool.  Mandy got a little too much sun I think.  Mandy hasn't had a bowel movement for 3 days, and it's kinda got me worried.  I sure hope she goes tomorrow before we go to the Uintahs.  Roger had a ballgame tonight, and boy did they get slaughtered.  He's down getting worms for fishing at Dwight's right now.  Grandpa Dickson's going into the hospital on the 9th of July for a cataract operation.

May 1980 - from my journal

May

6 - Brooke Hartman's 2nd birthday

8 - Appt. with Dr. Gardner for Mandy

11 - Mother's Day  Amanda rolled over

15 - Appt. with Dr. Godfrey for me

20 - Homemaking Day

21 - Browning (Did I take Manda down there to show her off?)
23 - Todd Frost's birthday

26 - Memorial Day, Breakfast at the park

27 - Home Interior Party at my home

29 - Tonya's Dance Recital

May 2, 1980

Well it hasn't been very long since I've written last.  I guess I'm getting better at writing in this journal.  But it's going to have to be short, because Mandy is waking up.  Looslis left today to go to Portland Oregon to visit their son Gary.  Roger has been to work 3 days this week.  It's been raining lately, but today is kinda nice.  I even took Amanda for her first stroller ride.  We went down around by the Stake Center.  She really liked it I think.  We've got to get busy outside, and get the lawn mowed and the house painted and the yard cleaned up.  We might go get groceries tonight at Bobco's in Sunset.  They're suppose to be really cheap.  We have really been BROKE lately with Roger being off work.  It's been really hard and I've been depressed.  I sure hope Roger can get on up in Evanston working on an oil rig.  But he'll be gone so many hours a day, we'll hardly ever see him and me and Mandy won't like that one little bit!  But everything will work out I'm sure.  That job for Mountain Fuel sure didn't work out.  The guy they fired called back and said his wife would divorce him if they didn't hire him back, so they did!  Darn!

May 3, 1980

Today is Saturday, May 3, 1980.  Amanda is still in bed, and Roger has gone up to his Uncle Grant's to help brand calves.  It looks like a gloomy day outside.  It is overcast and will probably rain pretty soon.  I just finished reading an auto-biography of Emma Smith, wife of Prophet Joseph Smith, it was good.  Last night we went visiting.  First we went to Grandma Dicksons.  We just love to go up there. They are so good to us, and they love us to come up there and visit, because nobody ever goes up to see them very much.  I'm glad we're so close to them and we love them very much.  I dread the day when they'll be called home to heaven.  I certainly hope they die close to each other so that they won't be lonely. (Grandma and Grandpa ended up living until 1995, when they died within 18 days of one another)

Aunt Pam came over last night when we were there.  She is very special to me.  When Ambure died she said and told me things that comforted me so much, and last night she conveyed those same feelings to me when she was admiring Amanda.  She gave us a little pink and white dress for Mandy to wear.  Grandma, then gave Manda a little brown dress, and yellow dress.  They sure are cute.  Tonight for sure, we are going to get groceries.  Mark, my brother, lost the election in school yesterday by 7 measly votes.  He was running for Student-body President of the Middle School.  I felt so bad for him, but he didn't seem too concerned.  Kelly Rich, Roger's brother, won his election.  He will be Historian.

May 19, 1980

Today is Monday.  Rog hasn't been to work for 2 weeks, but next Tuesday for sure he's going up to Evanston, Wyoming,  and is most probably getting on at AMOCO with Layne (his brother) , Malan Johnson, & Dennis Peterson.  Amanda will be 6 weeks old, day after tomorrow.  She is growing like a weed!  She gained 2 pounds and 6 ounces in a month.  I couldn't believe she weighed 8 pounds 10 ounces when she went to the doctor on the 8th of May.  Roger has textured Grandma Dickson's, LuAnn's and Linda's ceilings.  He will do Loosli's on Wednesday.  The Looslis just got back from Portland, Oregon on Sunday.  They had been gone for 2 weeks.  They are going again this weekend.  Tomorrow I'm going to Relief Society for the work day.  We are making little rocking chairs out of clothespins.  Erika gave Amanda a little swing-o-matic today.  Roger and I really appreciate it.  Amanda will too!!  Next week, I'm having a home interior party.  I'm sending out invitations tomorrow.  I'm inviting over 30 people, and maybe half of them will come. 

Mt. St. Helen's exploded Sunday, and people were killed.  Looslis were up there, and said it was really spectacular.  Mandy sure was onry today.  I don't know what her problem was.  Malan Johnson & Deanne Christensen, and Mark McMillan & Melinda Judkins are getting married this September.  Deanne has asked me to sit at her book.  I'm really excited and honored.  We are going to go to the temple classes again in this ward, and hopefully this time we'll be able to go to the temple.   Chet and Joan had a baby boy on Sunday May 11th.  He was 3 weeks premature and had trouble breathing and now he has jaundice, but he's getting along alright now.  Ann Wardell still hasn't had her baby yet.  She is now over a month overdue.  Erika was elected Senior Secretary of her class.

April 1980 - From my Journal

April 1, 1980

Today is April Fool's Day.  Only 8 more days until we get our new baby.  I'm really excited, but kinda scared too.  Rog and I were alone for 8 months before Ambure, and we had her for 9 1/2 months, then we have been alone for a year and 3 months.  So that makes almost 2 years alone and although we enjoyed every minute of Ambure's stay with us, it's still kinda scary for me to accept all this responsibility of a baby again.  Now don't get me wrong, I want this baby with all my heart.  But Roger and I have adapted and grown towards each other and we're very close now.  I hope that this baby will bring us even closer, and not apart.  In a week from now I'll probably be just checking into the hospital.  I'm also scared of all the pain I'll be going through, but I try not to think about it.  I've really got allot accomplished since I've quit work and stayed home.  I've been able to fix up the apartment really cute and homey like.  All the baby things are ready!!  Today I'm kinda bored because I got everything all spic and span yesterday.  Layne and Susan are moving today.  We helped them a little last night. (This move was to a home on the Island Road )

April 8, 1980

Well, tomorrow's the big day!!  In just 10 short hours Roger and I will be the proud parents of a new little soul.  I'm so happy, scared, and excited all at the same time.  They did the amniocentesis on me this morning, and it really hurt, but I'm glad we know for sure that the baby's lungs are all right.  Roger is so good to me, and I love him so much!!  The baby has the hiccups right now.  I can't believe that I will be holding him or her in my arms so soon.  What will it look like?  Boy or Girl?  Hair or bald?  So many questions.  I worry that we will lose this lone like Ambure.  I pray God will be with me and comfort me.  I haven't forgotten little Ambure.  In fact I told Roger I expect to have them wheel her in to us instead of this baby.  Zana Wood, had a baby boy today.  Ann Wardell hasn't gone yet.  The nurses are nice to me, and I am getting along fine here at the hospital.

April 9, 1980 - Amanda Rich was born

April 9, 1980

Well I just had my baby, a beautiful, gorgeous, beautiful baby girl.  I wanted a girl SO bad!!  It was so  neat when they pushed her out, and I said, "What is it?", and the doctor said, "Heck, you can't tell by the ears!"  Roger got kinda sick, and had to go out, but the nurses brought her back to me and laid her on my chest and I kissed her.  She is SO TINY, only 6 pounds, 8 ounces, and only 18 inches long.  She has curly black hair all over her head.  We will name her Amanda Rich, and just like the song says, she will light up our life.  I thank God for letting us have a perfect, healthy baby.  I prayed so hard that everything would be all right.  I love Ambure too, and we won't forget her ever.  This baby will know she has a sister up in heaven.

April 11, 1980 (morning)

Today is Friday.  Amanda is so adorable, and she's nursing so well.  I'm so proud of her, she is the perfect little angel.  Her hair is so dark, and it looks like a little cap on her head.

(evening)

Boy, today sure turned out bad.  Dr. Gardner came in and said Amanda has lost down to 6 pounds, 1 ounce.  It really worries me because she's been nursing so well. I'm getting so much conflicting advice from so many nurses.  One says my milk is in, one says it's not.  One says I nurse too long,  another says cut back.    Amanda has yet to really cry when she's around me, and I worry about that.  The Percodan pain killers I'm taking, goes through me to Amanda and that's why I think she sleeps so much.  Everything's got me SO worried.  I'm not nervous with her, but I worry that everything is not all right.  I love her so much, and I can't bear anything to be wrong.  Maybe tomorrow will be better.

April 12, 1980

Today IS better.  Dr. Gardner came in first thing this morning and said that Amanda gained, instead of lost an ounce.  Oh, that makes me so happy.  My milk has come in and I'm kinda uncomfortable.  Amanda nursed really good last night, but this morning she didn't do so good. She fell asleep.  I'm kinda feeling weird today,  and I wish Rog was here.  I'm kinda nervous and unsettled and tired.  My stitches hurt allot and I don't like to walk.  Last night Bishop Rees asked Rog to be the Aaronic Priesthood Secretary.  Rog wasn't too excited, but he accepted and I'm glad.  This will require him to be to ALL his meetings , ALL the time, which will be good for him.  But he won't get to come to Sunday School with me anymore.

I'm finally getting out of the hospital tomorrow.  I'm really getting bored up here.  I hope I can nurse Amanda good, so she'll gain and be a satisfied happy baby.  She is prettier everyday.  Her hair is fixed so cute with a little ribbon.  She's got so many presents too. 

4 sleep-n-play outfits, 1 pair booties, one sunsuit, a tank top & shorts and a beautiful quilt. I've got 2 planters, one from Roger, and one from Linda, Lynette & Layne & families.  Mom's looking for me a baby book for Amanda, just like Ambure's.  Well Amanda is starting to wake up now and I better get her.

April 27, 1980

I thought I'd better sit down and write since I haven't for such a long time.  I've been so busy with Amanda, and getting settled back at home that I've neglected writing in this journal.  Mandy is getting cuter every day, and I really think she's growing allot!  Her little legs are getting stockier, and she's filling out really well.  She is the best baby!  She hardly ever cries, and when she does it's only  because she's hungry.  We haven't given her a pacifier yet, and I don't think she'll need one.  I'm still nursing, and I LOVE IT!  It makes me feel so close to her, and I know she's getting enough because she's so satisfied, and she sleeps so good.  Sometimes at night, she sleeps up to 6 1/2 hours at a time, and I only have to get up once with her.  Mandy's cord fell off when she was a week and 3 days old.  That's early compared to Ambures falling off after she was a month old!  Amanda likes being bathed (I think).  She opens her eyes up wide, and thinks "Oh my heck, what-cha doin' to me momma?"  Roger is so cute with her, I can't believe it!  It makes me so happy to see him with her.  He always wants to hold her and pick her up and he even fed her a bottle once when I was eating.  I think we both realize how precious she is and how one minute we can have her and the next she could be gone like Ambure.  Ambure's death has made us really appreciate how lucky we are to have a baby, and Roger and I both love Mandy so much, it's almost unbelievable.  Today is Sunday.  Roger is to Priesthood meeting and is taking care of his new job (Aaronic Priesthood Secretary).  I'm so glad he accepted this responsibility, and I'm sure it will help him grow in the gospel.  We may have some good news tomorrow.  Mountain Fuel has released a man, and if they decide to rehire someone in his place, Roger will have the job.  That is what they told Uncle Norris.  But they might not rehire anyone.  We will just keep our fingers crossed, and not get our hopes up too high.  We are really hurting for money.  We had to tell Loosli's we couldn't pay the rent for another week.  Roger is painting the outside of the house this week.  It has been beautiful weather these past 2 weeks.  I hope summer is finally here.  My stitches are healing good,  and I hope to start exercising soon, so I can get into my clothes for summer.  Linda &  LuAnn gave us an umbrella stroller for Amanda.  We put her in it, this morning and I think she liked it.

March 1980 - from my journal

March 1980 - I quit working at Browning, to get ready for the baby.

March 8, 1980

Today our little Ambure would have been 2 years old.  It's really hard to believe it's been that long since we've been to the hospital and had a baby.  It's hard to imagine her being able to run around and talk like we see other two year olds doing. 

Yesterday was my last day of work.  Boy I never thought I would get out of Browning.  But I'm really glad I had the opportunity to work there.  The accounting department gave me a playpen and I'm really glad because I never had one with Ambure.  Kevin Thredgold, my boss, gave me an electric frying pan.  It's really neat!! 

Roger has gone to the NCAA finals with Mark (my brother) down at Weber State College.  The water went out in the apartment today.  Something happened with the well up on the hill.  I had a nice visit with Mrs. Loosli today.  She had been in the hospital a few days ago because her blood was so low.  She's better now, but she's going in for  tests on Tuesday.  Also Roger had two teeth pulled and the dentist left the roots in one and it's been giving him so much pain and trouble.  He's going again on Tuesday, and I hope everything will work out.  I went to the doctor Wednesday, and I go again on the 19th.

March 30, 1980

Boy I sure am getting terrible about writing in this journal.  It seems like when I think about it,  I'm always too busy to get it out and sit down for a few minutes.  So many things have happened since I last wrote.  Roger almost got a job at Mountain Fuel, but it didn't work out.  Sheetrocking is really slowing down and Rog, Layne and Malan all  want out.  Maybe they can get on up in Evanston, Wyoming (Oil wells)  in about a month, it would pay really good money ($48,000) a year!  I just want to feel secure and know I'll be able to feed my kids  Hey!  That reminds me. 

In just "11" more days, Rog and I will again get to have a new little spirit in our home.  We are both so excited.  I quit work 3 weeks ago and I've been working hard and keeping busy getting my house fixed up for the big day!!  I went to Dr. Godfrey on the 28th (March) and he scheduled me to go in and be C-sectioned on the 9th day of April!

(It looked like I wasn't thinning or dialating, and so he decided that a C-section would be better than normal)  I can hardly believe that this pregnancy is finally over.  It's gone SO fast!  When I sit and wonder what this baby will be, and what it'll look like, I get so anxious.  These past two weeks there have been obituaries of babies who have died shortly after birth.  It gets me really scared for this baby and I think that it will die like Ambure did.  But I try not to think about it. 

Roger has sure been playing allot of basketball lately.  He just finished playing in the Morgan First Tournament  in the championship game.  They lost 60 to 65, but he played a great game and made about 14 or 15 points.  He has improved so much.  He even got a trophy!  We got mom and dad's fish tank over here and we really enjoy it.  We bought 7 fish yesterday (4 white clouds, 1 angel, 1 neon tetra, 1 algae eater)  Mom gave us a rainbow shark that was getting picked on in their tank also.

Today is Sunday and we went over to moms and read the Book of Mormon this morning.  The consolidated meeting time is working out really well, and I think everybody likes it.  Well I've got to fix dinner and curl my hair so I better go for now.

February 1980 - From my Journal

February 2, 1980

I really haven't been writing as much as I should in this journal.  I'll try harder.  This is Saturday morning & I'm washing & cleaning my home.  Roger has gone with Bruce to Tooele to cut wood to burn in the new woodburning stoves they're coming out with.  Linda & Bruce have just bought one.  I'd sure like to get one but we probably couldn't put it in this apartment anyway. I've been doing allot of crocheting lately.   I've made 2 blankets for the baby & now I'm starting on a bunting.

Roger's been on unemployment, but he really shouldn't be,  he's worked almost everyday this week.  Layne & him will be doing Uncle Don's house tomorrow.  I wish he wouldn't on a Sunday, but what can I say?  I can't remember if I wrote about us tending Casey about a week ago.  It was SO fun.  It really made me think about Ambure allot.  It brought back so many memories.  I can hardly wait for this little one that is inside of me now.  I only have 2 more months in this pregnancy & only 30 more days to work.  Carol Wilkinson quit yesterday, her boy is due at the end of this month  I can't believe it's February already!  Dad has been to Tucson this past week doing work for the college.  Erika & Grandma Tonks will be going to Florida on the 13th, they are both really excited.  Me & Erika get along so much better since I got married.  I'm teaching her how to crochet one of the blankets I made  . She really catches on fast.  The girls dance is coming up and I think she's gonna ask Kenny Hicks.  Mark has been snomobiling allot lately.  Roger & me went the other night and it was so fun.  I have a doctor appointment.  the 5th, and I've been watching what I've been eating.  I'm gaining too much 148!!  YUCK!!  Well I'd better get back to work at cleaning YUCK!!

February 10, 1980

Today is Sunday.  We went to all of our meetings today.  The cub scouts put on a program in Sacrament meeting.  It was really good.  We spent the rest of the day up to Rich's visiting.  I took up a picture of Ambure that I want made into a pillow.  Aunt Shanna does it.  She made one for LuAnn that's really beautiful.  Roger has still been laid off from work, but he has gone a few days & worked for Dick Parsons.  I went to the doctor Tuesday, he said the heartbeat sounded like a little girl.  I gained 5 pounds. (too much!)  I'm suppose to go back in 2 weeks.  It's only a little ways off now.  There's only 26 more days until I quit work.  I sure hope Roger's back to work by then or we'll sure be hurting for money!

February 16, 1980

This is Saturday morning and I'm all by myself with nothing much to do so I will be writing quite a bit more than I usually write.  Dieter Mudrow is finally here to hook up our dryer with  a 220 electricity line.  It will sure be good to have one (a dryer) for the permanent pressed things, and to make the babies things soft.  I haven't really been bothered without  one, and I'm sure that our electricity bill will go up if I use it like I did down at Andersons, but I have lines here and I'll still continue to use them. 

Roger has gone to Tooele again to cut wood for his mom's stove.  I really don't mind him going at all , the only thing that worries me, is that the he'll get hurt while using the chain saw.  But we had family prayer before he left and it seems good to know that Heavenly Father will be with us and protect us.  I have started reading the Book of Mormon and unlike other times, I have gotten past the first chapter.  I am up to the part where Lehi and his family have traveled over desert and ocean and finally reach the promised land.  I usually get up in the mornings at 5:00 a.m. and sit in the tub and read till 6:30  This is the easiest time for me.  Erika and Grandma Tonks left for Florida 4 days ago, and I imagine they're having a wonderful time.  Grandpa Dickson's birthday is tomorrow  the 17th of February. I think he'll be 75 or 76, I'm not sure . Tomorrow we will be very busy in doing what is right. After attending all our meetings, Roger has to help his dad for awhile, and also home teach & go to evaluation meetings.  Also we must find time to go up to Grandpa & Grandma Dicksons.  Mrs. Loosli (our landlady) was taken to the hospital yesterday.  Wednesday while doing sealings in the temple, she fainted and she doesn't seem to have much energy.  Doctor Martineau checked her blood and it was awfully low so they're running tests on her.  I certainly hope it's nothing serious and she can come home soon.  I'm going to make Shirl Loosli a pie today.  I hope he likes cherry!

The church came out with the announcement last week that starting March 2nd, 1980, (first Sunday in March) we're going into block times.  This will combine Relief Society, Priesthood, Primary, Junior Sunday School, Senior Sunday School and Sacrament meeting all together in a 3 hour time block on Sundays.  I know this is an inspired program, and after all the bugs are worked out, it will work well.  I hope that Roger will especially like it, and it might be easier for him to go.  He is becoming so strong and I love him SO much!  Last night he asked if we might be able to buy him some pop, so he wouldn't have to drink beer with all the other guys today.  I'm so proud!!! I just wish that I could help him with his cigarette habit.  He's cut down an awful lot, but he just can't seem to quit completely. But I must remember to be patient with him and not push to hard.

Thursday was Valentines Day, and he got me a beautiful plant.  The leaves are green and  they feel like velvet and it has big red bell shaped flowers blooming on it.  I hope I can keep it alive and growing.  He also got me a card that joked about me not looking too sexy in my condition (7 1/2 months pregnant, HA!) But then he wrote a little saying that we memorized, and that really means allot to both of us. Here it is:

THE YEARS MAY COME, THE YEARS MAY GO,

AND TIMES MAY CHANGE IT'S TRUE.

BUT TIME WILL NEVER CHANGE THE LOVE,

WITHIN MY HEART FOR YOU

When I read it I started crying.  He is always so sweet & thoughtful.  We figured out our income tax last night and it's enough to make us sick.  We're going to wind up paying Federal $109.00 and State $176.00.  It sure is a good thing I'm still working.  I guess that's what part of my last big paycheck will go towards.  When I go back to work on Tuesday, I'll only have 18 more days to work, Hurrah!! 

The baby is only a month and a half away.  I can't believe it!  The time has gone so fast!!  It seems that the baby is all I think about anymore, wondering what it looks like, whether it's a boy or girl, and if everything will be okay with it.  I go to the doctor on Wednesday, he's gonna be upset when he sees how much I've gained.  I now weigh 152 pounds.  When I delivered Ambure I weighed 160 pounds.  It's a good thing I'll get to go back to Little Audrey's (Health Spa) for awhile after this baby.

Boy, I sure am writing allot today!  I can't do much else, though, because our electricity is off due to the dryer line being installed.  I guess I'm going to try and nurse this baby again, like I did Ambure.  I will try especially hard and hope I have better luck than I did with Ambure.  We went to those Cesarean childbirth classes and now I'm more scared than ever to go through that again.  I sure hope that the baby is turned the right way and Dr. Godfrey will let me try to have it normally.  It's just that it hurts so much being cut open and healing up again, it's just like a major operation!  Well I guess I'll read the Book of Mormon for awhile since there's no electricity.

January 1980 - from my journal

January 13, 1980

Today is Sunday, January 13, 1980.  For the first time since we've been married (I think), Roger and I have gone to every single meeting we were supposed to attend.  It sure is a GOOD feeling.

Roger is out home teaching with Chet Adams tonight, so I'm all alone for awhile.  I thought it would be a good time to start writing in this journal.  This morning Roger got up when the alarm rang at 8:00,  he bathed & shaved for Priesthood without me even suggesting it.  He's really changing allot!  For the better.

We just love this ward (Morgan 4th).  The people are so nice & friendly, and already we've had our own home teachers drop by.  They are Stan Rees and Kyle Porter.  They're the first home teachers we've had since we got married.  I put a roast in the oven before we left for priesthood meeting and Sunday morning Relief Society.

Roger just loves priesthood.  Steve Carrigan is the Elder's Quorum teacher and Rog really enjoys the lessons.  I also like Relief Society.  Ardath Peterson taught the lesson today. It was on immunizing your kids.  These are mostly older ladies who all work in the class and I'm the youngest of them all.  But I still really enjoy it.

 At 11:00 we went to Sunday School.  I just love to watch all the little kids who Ambure would have been just like right now.  I can hardly wait until this little baby I have inside me is born.  I hope and pray that every thing will be all right.  I don't know if I could take losing another baby.

We had a very good Sunday dinner.  Roast, scalloped potatoes, and creamed corn.  It's pretty fun having one big meal a week, even if it's just the two of us. 

Sacrament meeting was very good.  The Gerald Anderson family talked on reading the scriptures.  It was really inspirational and I'd like to try to get me and Roger reading the Book of Mormon tonight.  We were asked to go and meet with the bishop tonight.  Rog and I were both pretty scared.  I thought I would probably be asked to serve in a position.  First Bishop Scott Rees and one of his counselors, Dave Rich just talked to us and asked us allot of questions.  I really like them both, they are both so strong in the church.  The bishop finally asked us if we would speak in sacrament meeting next week.  I thought Roger was just going to die.  I'm really scared to talk, but at least I've given talks when I was a little girl, but Roger has never even given a talk in his life.  But I was so surprised and so PROUD.  He said yes!!  And now, tonight, he is here sitting on the loveseat trying to decide what he wants to say and how to say it!

 I love him so much, he is so good  in so many ways, and he is the kind of father I know our kids will be proud to have.  I know that someday he will take me to the temple where we can be sealed for all eternity to Ambure and all our other children!

January 14, 1980

Today has been a good day.  Getting up out of bed was pretty hard, but I made it.  Boy it sure rained HARD last night.  It woke me up about 2:40 a.m.  It seems I always wake up around 3:00, it must be the baby's fussy time because he sure is moving around allot  .(Roger gets a big "kick" out of it)

 Mr. & Mrs. Loosli left this morning for a weeks vacation in Nevada.  I'm suppose to water her plants and look after the house while they're gone.  Work wasn't too bad at work today. The baby afghan is coming along really good, but it looks too much like a little girl's so I'm in trouble if I have a boy.  I made homemade pancakes tonight for supper, they were delicious!  But Roger didn't want too many because he has a basketball game at 8:30.  That's where he is now.

Malan Johnson came over tonight.  He sure is a good friend of ours.  I wish he could find himself a girlfriend and get married.  It's just what he needs.

I had a really good talk with Heavenly Father tonight. For the first time in a long while  I felt his spirit very close to me. 

January 17, 1980

I thought I better write a quick note.  It seems we've been so busy lately. We've invited Chet & Joan Adams over for tacos and cherry pie tonight.  Roger has church ball tonight.  We've been working on our talks for Sunday in sacrament meeting.  Rog is really changing, I can't believe it .  Tithing is the FIRST thing now.  I'm so glad.  I've almost got the baby afghan finished.  Just putting on the edging now.  Tomorrow we're going to B-Mart to get paneling and things to fix up the house.  Only 50 more days of work!!  YAH !!

January 20, 1980

Today was a special day (Sunday).  Roger and I had to talk in Sacrament meeting.  It was a very scary experience, but I'm so glad we had the opportunity.  We've really changed this past week.  We've started praying together and individually, and also reading the Doctrine & Covenants.  We pay a full tithing now, and Roger is the one who sees it's getting paid.  He has really changed, and when he talked today, I was so proud of him I could burst.  We've both got a long way to go, but we'll make it and Ambure will be ours and we will be each others forever!  Tomorrow is work again, YUK!  I'm becoming more and more uncomfortable in my pregnancy.  Only 2 1/2 more months, I can hardly wait!!  A new little spirit in the house will be nice.

January 28, 1980

I haven't written lately.  Been really busy.  Roger went on unemployment 1-25-80.  Sheetrocking is just completely slowed down.  I'm almost 7 months pregnant now and I'm sticking out more and more.  Only 39 more days to work!!  I wanted to go down to the Deseret Industries and get a rocking chair, but Rog has to work tomorrow.  I'm working on a baby Indian afghan now.  Mrs. Loosli gave me the pattern.  It's really cute.  Current events in the world are the IRAN crisis, the hostage have already been held 80-90 days.   Also the Russians invading Afghanistan.  Roger's bugging me to turn off the light.