August 1982 - Calendar notes

August 1982

Topaz's wedding

7 - Tupperware party Lynette's

23 - Start work again  - Erika is tending for me now.

27 - School starts (Mark and Tonya)

28 - Haz's wedding

July 1982 - from my journal

July  1982

 2,3 Camping

5,6 Strep throat

9 - Noble party

10 - Grandma and Grandpa to California

11 - Family reunion

13 - Melinda Shower

16 - Browning party

       Erika to New York

17 - Demolition Derby

22 - Leave at midnight for California trip with the Rich's

July 16, 1982 3:15 p.m. (postcard from Erika)

Dear Mandy and Zac:  I am writing this letter to you on the airplane.  I have an aisle seat and it is a very boring ride.  The two girls sitting next to me are real nice.  One is from Kanab and the other is from Salt Lake.  We just got through eating dinner!  We had roast beef and gravy, peas and carrots, roll, salad, cake, and a pop.  I can hardly wait to get to New York!  I am going to stop now and try to sleep, I will write more later tonight.

July 17, 1982  10:40 a.m. (postcard from Erika)

We arrived in Rochester about 7:15 p.m., and our buses did not leave for Geneva till 8 o'clock.  I saw Kathleen Price at the airport and she said her mom and dad were at the hill.  On the way to the college we saw the corners with the 4 churches on them.  We also saw the Hill Cumorah (Palmyra) and the Palmyra church house.  We arrived at the college at about 9:30 p.m.  I got to bed by about 11:30. My companions name is Teri Shannon from Milford, Pennsylvania.  She is 18 years old and her father is the president of their branch.  She is going to go to Rick's College this fall.  This morning, we have been stuffing pamphlets and request cards into programs (all 157,000 of them).  Well, I had better go, have a fun time in Disneyland, and I will see you when you get home.  We go to the Hill today at 4 p.m.  I am so excited !!  It is very, very hot up here.  Love Sister Erika Dickson  P.O. Box 217 Palmyra, NY  14522  P.S.  Tell everyone "hello"

July - Went on a trip to Disneyland with the Rich's.

 I was just reading back through my journal and I forgot to write about our trip to Disneyland and California.(I said earlier that we wouldn't be able to go because of Rog's work.  I don't really know what changed, but we did end up going)  We left  July 22, 1982 (Thursday)  and drove all night, and got to Las Vegas Friday.  It rained all that day.  We went to Circus Circus with the kids that night.  The next morning we left at 5:00 a.m. for California. That after noon when we got there, we all swam in the motel pool. Saturday night we went to the Wax Museum.  It was really neat.  They have a new feature called the "Black Box".  It's really scary.  Amanda hated it, and still remembers it to this day.  Sunday we went to Knottsberry Farm all day, Monday was Sea World,  Tuesday was Disneyland, Wednesday Universal Studios, Thursday was the Beach (Huntington).  It was a blast!  Friday was Disneyland again.  The Electric Light Parade was the best!  We left 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning for Las Vegas.  That was the HOTTEST ride I have ever experienced.  It was terrible.  Saturday afternoon we swam, and that night the grownups went gambling.  We ate at Zachariah's restaurant in the bottom of the Golden Nugget Casino. It was really fun.  We came home Sunday.  We left at 6:00 a.m. and drove all day till 7:00 p.m. when we got home.  All that went were,  Ben and LuAnn and Kelly Rich,  Joni and Kerry Porter, Roger and Gwen and Amanda Rich, Bruce and Linda and 4 kids, Susan and Casey Rich.  We left Zac home with mom while we were gone.  He didn't even remember us at all!  I could have bawled!  All in all, it was a very enjoyable trip.

July 27, 1982 (Postcard written when we went with the Rich's to southern California in 1982)

Dear Family,  We went to Sea World and had a blast!  I'd forgotten all the things there were to see there.  Shamu was great!  Tomorrow we go to Disneyland!  How's Zac doing?  Fine I hope.  Amanda hasn't felt too good at all.  She has been really moody and unsociable.  I hope by tomorrow she's feeling better. We are washing right now.  I sure miss Zac a lot.  Whenever I see a baby his age, I get lonely for him.  Well, gotta go now.  Love Rog, Gwen and Amanda.

July 30, 1982(postcard)

Hi family!  We had a fun day at Disneyland today.  All the characters were out and around.  They were so cute!  Mandy gave them hugs and kisses, and they picked her up and held her.  We've already taken over 60 pictures, and we'll have to buy more film tonight.  Hope Zachary has been a good boy.  We sure are tired.  See ya Sunday!!  Love Rog, Gwen and Amanda

July 30, 1982 (postcard)

Dear Family, We are really having a blast!  Yesterday at Knottsberry Farm was really fun.  We went on Montezuma's Revenge twice! We also went on the Corkscrew and Log Flumes and Minetrain, etc.  Amanda loved "Knottsberry Tales Ride"  We saw the wild west stunt show too.  We miss you all a whole bunch.  Hope dad got his birthday card and Mark liked his present.  Take good care of Zachary.  We'll be home soon.  Love Rog, Gwen , and Amanda

(This birthday card was written from my Aunt Dawna, probably when Roger was working in the Oil Field-

July 1982?)

Dear Roger, Gwen tells us that you have quite a drive or ride each day to work. At least you enjoy your job, that counts.  You sure have some cute kids.  Mandy is growing so fast, and I can't believe how much she looks like Tonya.  And Zac is going to be a handful when he starts running around.  Good luck.  Take Care and Have a Happy one, Love Dawna and Fred.

May 1982 - from my journal

May 1982

1 - Joni and Kerry's wedding

15 - Brooke stays (overnight?)

Looks like I'm doing aerobics, Swimming lessons for Amanda, WIC

29 - Zoo

4 - Jerry's wedding?

15 - Gwen ball game

May - Joni and Kerry were married.

May 16, 1982

Mandy and Zac both have colds really bad.  Just when it's starting to get nice outside.  Yesterday I fell down our back stairs with Zac in my arms.  He hit his head against the cement wall.  We took him over to Dr. Martineau, and he said he was alright, but he sure gave me a scare.  I don't even remember thinking about me at the time, and boy now I'm really sore.  Both knees are really banged up, and also my elbow.  I love Browning.(I worked for LaRae Baird in Accounts Receivable, which is under the Cash Department run by Kevin Threadgold.)  Amanda is enrolled in swimming lessons at Clearfield, and she's doing really good.  Rog loves his job on the oil rig.  He's on a different crew now.  Cory Preece is the driller.  We got us a Kawasaki 3-wheeler.  It's really fun to ride.  Amanda loves it.  She giggles all the time she's riding it.  Joni got married May 1, 1982 to Kerry Porter. They are living in Milton.  They sure make a cute couple.  Amanda and Zachary are growing bigger everyday.  Amanda is talking a mile a minute, and Zac is walking around furniture.  I just wish they'd get better.(from their colds)  Also, this coming week, they will be changing babysitters.  Lynda Carter, Tom's wife, will start watching them.  She has a little girl Amanda's age and a little boy a few months younger than Zac.  We are trying to sell our camper so we can buy an older used trailer.  We haven't had much luck yet, although we've advertised in the Big Nickel and on Cable T.V.  I'm gonna put it in the Ogden Standard this week,  Also the Morgan Blab.

May 19, 1982

Yesterday, we bought a trailer!  I'm so excited. It's so pretty.  It's a 1960 Aljo. (pronounced AL-HO?)  It has a table directly to your right as you come in the side door, and then the kitchen counter and sink along the far wall.  The shower and bathroom is in the back right corner, and a couch with bunk bed above is along the side across from the bathroom and sink, and then the fridge is directly to your left as you come in the side door.  It has a light oak finish on the wood, and the color scheme is orange and yellow.  There's a big table and also an oven and stove top, double sink, running water, hot and cold, a shower, and a place for a porta potti.  A little dresser, and a couch with a bed above it.  (Sorta like a crib)  A heater, a stereo system (8-track), a refrigerator and freezer.  We are still trying to sell our camper.  Hopefully this weekend.

April 1982 - from my journal

April 1982

1 - Started Zac on carrots

3 - Zac's first tooth on the bottom right

9 - Amanda is 2 years old  25 pounds, 33 1/2 inches long

10 - Mark Kimball wedding

I am going to Aerobics on Wednesdays

16 - WIC

22 - Zac's 2nd tooth

23 - Heath's b-day

24 - Joni's thing - Chuck E Cheeses

26 - Swim lesson for Amanda (Clearfield?)

27 - Relief Society

29 - Get Cable TV

April 4, 1982

So much has happened these past few months.  Rog has a new job in Evanston Wyoming working for Noble Oil on an oil rig.  He really likes it.  I went to work at I.R.S. for a month on swing shift, and now I'm at Browning working from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon every week day.  Getting out of the house helps me allot!  I'm not as depressed as I used to be.  Zac has grownup so much.  He's six months old now.  He's over 16 pounds, and 26 inches long.  He's going to be just like his dad, easy going and even tempered.(now many years later, I'd say he's more like me......high strung, a worrier, can be ornery)  He's really smart and coordinated.  He started crawling at 5 months, and sitting at 5 1/2 months.  That's really early.  He also got his 1st tooth today.  He's way ahead of the girls physically.  He's still blonde as ever, with maybe a titch of reddish.  He smiles so wide, and my Grandpa Reed Dickson says he's the most pleasant baby he's ever been around.

Amanda will be 2 years old in 5 days.  It doesn't seem possible.  She's so cute and spunky.  We've spoiled her rotten!  She's been talking a mile a minute.  Some of her favorite verses and sayings are:

Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree

Old MacDonald had a Farm

Two Little Blackbirds

Here is the Church house

Teensy, Weensy, Spider

Happy Family

Wind the Thread

Patty cake

She's running around all the time, and she still has her blankie and thumb.  Zac means allot to her.  She's always saying "Hi, Bud!"  to him.  She climbs up on the cupboards and helps me cook, and brushes her teeth and washes her hands.  She's been potty trained for about 1 1/2 months.  She really did quite well, and accidents don't happen very often.  She loves to go for walks, Primary, and over to Tonya's.  She calls her TAWHNEE.  Some of her friends are Jennifer and Allison Rees, Melanie Whimpey, Luke and Sara Adams, Kimberly McClellan.  She loves other kids and is happiest when she gets to play with them.  For her birthday I made her a new dress and a jogging suit (burgundy velour).  She also is getting new socks and shoes, and a play tea set and broom.  For Easter we're giving her and Zac some piggy banks.  

Now about me and Rog.  I'm pretty skinny, 120 pounds.  Rog loves his new job, and he's bringing home about $1,000.00 every 2 weeks.  We're hoping to buy some land up here to build on later.  I've been doing allot of sewing.  I made Amanda the prettiest dress. It is red and white with tons of lace and ribbon.  Also I'm making all our summer clothes.  I finally got new keds, (tennis shoes) after 2 years of waiting.  Rog still smokes.  I get nervous about him getting lung cancer.  It's really been publicized lately about the ill effects of tobacco.  I couldn't take working at  I.R.S. and Melinda McMillan told me this part-time job was open at Browning, so I decided to take it.  Kevin Threadgold is  my boss again, and he's really nice.  We aren't going to Disneyland this summer, because Rog can't take off on his new job without working 16 hours a day for a week straight!  It's really disappointing, but we'll probably be doing allot of camping up on Goldfleck (Hardscrabble)  Well, I'm really tired and I guess I"ll end (Yawn)

**We actually did end up going to Disneyland

1982 - February and March (calendar notes)

February 1982

2 - Lorin Brumley's wedding

6 - Housework Seminar

8 - Dentist

11 - Well baby clinic

13 - Hardware Ranch

15 - Carolyn's (Fife/Ovard) shower (baby?)

16 - WIC

17 - KIRBY?

20 - Tonya's meet (gymnastics)

20 - Grandpa's 80th birthday party

23 - Doctor

26 - Uncle Don's beef

February - I quit I.R.S. and went back to Browning to work in the Accounts Receivable department with Larae Baird, and my Great Aunt Lola Peterson. (Grandma Tonks' sister) 

March - Roger quit Wonder Bread Bakery, and went to work on the oil-rigs for Noble Drilling in Evanston, Wyoming.

March 1982

1 - start work at Browning (Accounts receivable with LaRae Baird)

5 - Tommy's wedding ?

5 - Sweetwater presentation (timeshare - we never bought)

6 - Crystal Springs

8 - Terry Venable Real Estate Exchange (we were looking to buy a home in Ogden/Roy)

9 - Club

10 - Zac first crawled

16 - Zac is 16 pounds, and 26 inches long   3rd DPT shot

19 - Started new job (Roger) AT the oil rigs

22 - Terri Porter tupperware party

23 - Relief Society

(Pam Jensen is tending the kids at this point)

31 - Aerobics

January 1982 - from my journal

January 1982

8 - 11 a.m. doctor, 2:00 pictures

9 - Gwen's birthday

12 - WIC, Joni's birthday, Frost hair

13 - Club

15 - Heart Drive

19 - Home teach

21 - Tend Casey

21 - Jared Rich is born

22 - SKI

24 - Started as Jr. Primary pianist

25 - SKI

January -  I started back to I.R.S. seasonal on swing shift.

January 5, 1982

Boy, with Christmas and all, I've really been neglecting this journal.  We all had a really nice Christmas, but I guess it's always a let down that week after, because of the anniversary of Ambure's death. I've been going to tape her life history for over a month now, but even as I write this about her, I'm uncomfortable and don't want to get personal about her and her death.  Right now I'm kinda confused and upset about my life.  I guess I'm depressed deep down inside.  It always comes around Ambure's anniversary.   I guess all the problems I have sometimes seem so overwhelming.  So I bury them deep inside and try not to think about what I should be doing that I'm not.  Boy, just writing this is really getting me down.  Maybe I'll tape it. ( I never did)

January 22, 1982

Susan and Layne had a baby boy yesterday.  I tended Casey all day. (They named their baby Jared.  He and Zac have been such good friends as they have grown older.  Now that they are 14 years old, they like to hang out together even more) - now as I update this in 2020, they are both grown men with kids of their own, and hardly ever see each other and are not close at all.  Isn't it funny how relationships change over the years?

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!

November 1981 - from my journal

November 1981

1 – Zac was blessed

Blessed by his grandfather President Wilden Lee Dickson and assisted by:  Roger D. Rich, father, DeLore H. Rich, Grandfather, Reed Dickson, Frank Tonks, Elmer White – Great-grandfathers, and Dave Rich a friend.  He was blessed with health and strength and the he would honor the Aaronic and Melchezidek Priesthood when he became of age.  Also, that he would choose the right friends in life.

3 - Rog dentist

6 - Amanda tonsillitis

7 - 12:30 fashion show, 4:00 shower

10 - WIC   11 pounds 10 ounces  22 1/2 inches

11 - club

12 - Casey's 2nd birthday

20 - Go out with Kurt

21 - Tonya's gymnastic meet

23 - Call I.R.S.

I am tending Casey Rich, while Susan works in the mink.

November 23, 1981

The other day in Relief Society, we had a lesson on journals and it was brought out that your journals are for your kids to read about your life, and so I would like tonight, to write to my daughter Amanda.

Dearest Amanda,

Today has been a really hard day for me.  You are 19 months old now, and you're so independent.  Today you were really onry, and I was onry back to you.  You may not believe this, but you are exactly like me. Your patience is VERY thin, and sometimes I really get scared, because I'm allot like my dad, and we really went through some  terrible times and I hated him so much sometimes, and I don't ever want you to hate me.  Please try and put up with me and be like your daddy and forgive me for the many dumb things I may do and say to you.  I love you more than you'll ever know, but I'm still so young and it's really hard being cooped up in the house with two bawling kids all day.  Roger tells me that if I don't change my ways, you will grow up hating me.  I will try hard to be understanding, but sometimes I wish I were a million miles away, with no worries or problems.  I hope when you read this you will understand that I'm only human, but no matter what I want the BEST for you and Zac.  Right now you show allot of love to your little brother.  Sometimes you are mean to him, but I try and realize that you may be just a little jealous.  I know it must be hard for you now because your just learning to talk and it's so hard to make grownups understand what you mean.  Amanda please know that I love you more than life itself, and that if we ever get in arguments as you grow older, it's just because you and I are so much alike.  I also want to tell you now what a great dad you have.  I don't know for sure, but I would guess as you grow older, you will be very close to your daddy, probably closer to him, than to me.  I don't know if when you read this if our family will be sealed together in the temple for time and all eternity. But if we aren't, I hope that someday Roger and I can go and have all you kids sealed to us forever.  You are a good girl, and you can really make something of your life if you will always pray and live the commandments and someday find a man who is worthy to take you to the temple.  I love you so much, if nothing else, please believe me when I say this I LOVE YOU!

Love Mom

November 24, 1981

Today I tended Casey Rich.  He's Layne and Susan's little boy.  Amanda and he sure had a fun time playing together.  I tended him from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  I'll be doing this for the next couple of weeks while Susan works in the mink.  She's paying me $4.00 a day.  Roger has also been very busy lately.  He has started working nights, 10:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., and then today he went to work in the mink for T. J. Stuart from 8:30 a.m. to noon.  2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  He is really beat!  Today was allot better than yesterday.  Amanda was in allot better mood.  I baked bread today, and also made those Pirouskys. They are delicious.  Also I tended Lucas Adams from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. while Joan took Sara to the doctor.  She's got Roseola. (It's a form of baby measles)  Tonight I spent three enjoyable hours over at Relief Society.  We had a beautiful visiting teaching message on "The Pure Love Of Christ".  Barbara Anderson gave it, and she did an excellent job.  Then we had a candy making demonstration and an angel tree ornament display.  Then Chris Carrigan showed us how to wrap beautiful Christmas presents.  Then a delicious meal was served (Slush, Chicken salad, roll, and Christmas candy)  Mom and Tonya watched the kids for me.  Christmas is fast approaching.  I sure hope I can get all the things made that need sewing.

Zac,

You were a very good boy today.  You are smiling more and more.  All anyone has to do is look and talk to you, and you break out in a grin a mile wide.  Your daddy and I love you so much.  We can hardly wait for you to grow up and start little league wrestling and football.  We have such great expectations.  One of them is that you'll have the desire to go on a mission and serve the Lord.  Always remember that we love you very much. 

Love Mom

November 26, 1981 (Thanksgiving Day)

Well, we went up to the Lion's Lodge today, and had Thanksgiving dinner with Roger's relatives.  It was a good meal, and we had fun enjoying each others company.  Amanda sure plays well with other kids.  She had a ball running around and goofing off.  I took up some stuffed celery and chips.  Zac wore a new little outfit that Grandma Dickson made him.  It's all white, with contrasting collar and 1,2,3 appliqued on the front.  Tomorrow night we're going out to eat at the Sizzler with Sherry and Van Jeppson, and Bruce and Linda Frost.  Tonight Roger had to be to work at 8:00 p.m..  He has to go to work at T. J. Stuart's in the morning also. He'll be beat.  Tomorrow were also gonna lay away a table and chair set for LuAnn and Ben for Christmas, and a See-n-Say and little dinette set for Amanda.  I sure do love my kids and I want to teach them gospel principles in our home, but it's so hard when we don't practice them ourselves.  Well tonight I knelt down with Amanda by her bed, and said a little prayer with her.  She thought that it was pretty neat.  Zachary was sure good today.  He's growing like a weed. I had to cancel his doctor's appointment tomorrow because the roads are suppose to be slick.  There's snow on the ground from yesterday, and it's VERY cold.  18 degrees at 8:30 p.m., probably colder now.

November 29, 1981

Today is Sunday. Erika came over and went to church with me, Amanda, and Zac this morning.  Scott Stenberg was having his mission farewell.  Zac messed his pants in Sunday School, and  Sacrament meeting and I finally went home.  Amanda went to Primary pretty good today.  At first she's always nervous and doesn't want to leave her mom.  Yesterday Zachary was 2 months old. My how time flies. He rolled over for the first time also (back to front).  Roger and the kids are sleeping right now, and I've been doing a little sewing for Christmas.  Mom and Dad and Erika, Mark and Tonya are going to California from the 9th of December until the 18th.  I'm gonna bottle 3 bushels of apples for applesauce while they are gone.  Grandma Dickson will help me I hope?!?!  Well, I better wake Rog up so we can go visiting. 

November 30, 1981

Boy, today is rotten!  Casey and Amanda have fought and bawled, and bawled and fought all day long.  Also, Zac's been awake allot.  I got the rest of Amanda's jumper overalls cut out.  The colors are dark blue, pink and white flowered,  maroon corduroy, and bright yellow with pink butterfly pockets.  Roger worked all night last night and 4 hours this morning for T. J. Stuart.  He's sleeping right now.  Our car is still broke. Bruce says it's the valves and he'll fix it for us if Rog will buy the parts and give him 1/2 of his wood in payment for labor.  Who knows when it will get done.  We're gonna go see the lights this Saturday for Brenda's birthday.  Also, I'm gonna kill me a doe and fill my doe permit.  Last night I went to bed at 10:30 p.m., and slept until 8:00 a.m. this morning.  I feel rotten.

October 1981 - from my journal

October 1981

2 - brought Zac home

12 - Zac is 8 pounds 12 ounces 21 1/4 inches long

13 - immunization Amanda

16,17 - Deer Hunt

19  - cow

20 - Deer hunting

23,24 Bowl games (Mark and Kelly little league)
26 - PKU Zac 10 pounds, 22 inches

October 9, 1981

Well, we've been home from the hospital one week now, and all in all things have gone pretty smoothly.  The first two days were kinda rough, with Amanda getting used to being shared, but now she's sure a loving big sister.  She loves to touch and hold Zac.  We really have to keep an eye on her.  Zac is a good baby, but he sure has a tender stomach.  He's really hard to burp, and he gets gas really easy.  I really have to watch what I eat, because yesterday I ate dried apricots to help me, and last night Zac had the worst tummy ache. I finally had to give him paregoric to help ease it.  Two kids are surely allot work, but Roger helps out so much!!  Everyone has been so good, and we've had meals brought in and Zac has received many cute little outfits. Mom got him a baby book like Ambure and Amanda's. Monday is Zac's appointment with the doctor.  I'm taking Amanda also, and am going to have him look under her arm.  There are blisters in her pit area, and they're spreading.

October 16, 1981

Today, Amanda, Zac and I went with my family down to Salt Lake to tour the Jordan River Temple before it is dedicated.  It was very pretty and it surely makes me want to go there so bad and be sealed to our kids.  Last night Roger and I had a really serious talk, and hopefully he'll quit smoking this coming year.  Tomorrow is the opening day of deer hunting, Rog is going up tonight with Bruce to Sheep Canyon.  He is so excited, just like a little kid at Christmas.  I sure hope he gets a buck.  I love my kids so much, but sometimes my patience is so thin with Mandy, that I could kick myself.

October 23, 1981

Mandy and Zac are down for their afternoon naps.  Roger's on days this week, and next week.  It's really nice having him home at 4:30, but tonight he's staying down because Mark and Kelly are playing in the WFFL Bowl game.  They won all their football games on the 125 lb. team this year, and tonight they play Sunset for the championship bowl game.  I'm going down with mom to see them play.  Zac is in the crib now, and Manda's in her own little bed. Last night was the first night, and it went really well.  We are blessing Zac a week and 1 day from now.  He's really a cute little guy, even though he's allot crosser than Amanda.