Please Reply About Packages

Myrna wrote: First I packed the packages too tightly last year and things broke. This year I packed them too loosely and things were spoiled. Were any of the contents damaged? Melanie told Dad that the paper was shredded off of one of the packages. Was the book inside ruined? Dad forgot to ask. What about the rest of you? Dad says he told me that we did not have enough packing on top but I don't remember him saying that. I just knew we were hurrying to get the job done because we bought the boxes at the Nephi Post Office and we were using one of their little tables (there are two) so that we were in everyone's way. I guess I should go back to UPS because Kimo and his kids take me in the back and help me package. Maybe UPS is the way to go.

Amy G wrote: We haven't opened ours. Were we supposed to?

Kirsten wrote: We haven't opened ours either, yet.  I'm sure they're fine.

Kirsten

Myrna wrote: All of the packages inside are wrapped. So you can open the big box and put the items under the tree, if you want.

Kirsten wrote: Ours were fine.

Kirsten

Myrna wrote: Three cheers! One not and one OK. That is 50 percent, so far.

Bree wrote: Myrna,

We got our packages just fine the corners were a little torn but the books look good.  From what I can tell you did good.  love you very much and thank you.

El Paso Trauntveins

Amy G wrote: Opened the package last night and everything looks perfect.  Thanks for everything, and Happy Birthday!  We will be calling later today...

Melanie wrote: The book that we didn't re-wrap was fine...we left it out to read tonight as part of our family night. The other book looked fine, I re-wrapped it and put it under the tree. 

I am excited for the children to see the other book. It is awesome!

Mel

Myrna wrote: Can you see what the books are through the paper? RATS! Next year, I have it all plotted out. . .

Thanks to all of you for your thanks. I am glad that you all, at least, got the packages. That is wonderful news.

Next year, I am packing everything in bubble wrap and then putting it inside the box. So there, Mr. Postal Service!

Thanks for all the replies. 

Did you know that I deeply love each and everyone of you? I hope so.

Christmas

Myrna wrote: LHT/Dad wanted to invite a particular ward family over for dinner on Christmas since we will be alone. I said, "No way." He thought I was terrible. I told him I wouldn't mind fixing Christmas dinner for them and taking it to them but I really was uncomfortable just having the whole family come to dinner. He thinks they need friends, and I agree, but I am not comfortable with the two oldest of the boys. Tell me that Dad is right and I am wrong.

AnnMarie wrote:
Mom,
We have been wanting to invite you up here for Christmas Day, but we know that Julie and Jim usually do something with you.  If you have no one coming to your house, we would love to have you come here.  We have a ham and everything picked out so you can just come and play with the kids, have some dinner, and visit.  If it is too much travel or the weather is yucky, we understand.

Myrna wrote: How wonderful! Did I ever tell you that I am most grateful for you and for the fact that you always include us in your family happenings? We have so enjoyed being at the concerts. It sets the stage for the season. Thank you.

After I told Dad/LHT that we were invited to be with you and your family, he decided to just buy the ward family a ham or turkey and some dinner trimmings and gift it to them. I feel much relieved because that still shows them that someone cares but keeps me from  having to be concerned.

Thinking About Christmas

Dad/LHT thinks that would be the good LDS thing to do because we will be alone on Christmas Day to invite a ward family who will be all alone. I said that we should do something, just the two of us. However, he thinks that it is a good time to open our home up to others. Of course, all of the older folks in the ward have someplace to go and are spending time with various and sundry of their family members. So I suppose he is right but, I really do not want the older kids of the family he has in mind here. Dad is right that the parents are good people but the older kids are not. He said I would have felt terrible if we were not invited places just because of our kids. I said that our kids were not the kind who entered homes without permission and took things that did not belong to them.  I said that I would have understood if we were not invited had they been. Besides, if they are not invited, how will they ever know they might have been? I guess I should pray again. A few times, when we have had disagreements on what should be done, Dad and I, we both pray and seem to get answers that are in line with what we are thinking before we pray. We don't always seem to get the same answer. The one time, when we were trying to decide whether to buy the Olpin home and rent it, we had to really work together. I admit that we finally did come to a consensus. Therefore, we bought the Water and Joey Olpin home and you know what sort of problem that proved to be. I think that confusion we had might have been the answer. Who knows, maybe we had lessons to learn and we did learn them. Of course, that has very little to do with this situation. I am just thinking in print. I suppose the best thing to do is get on my knees again. I haven't a single child who would be so worried.  They would all open their homes, as would LHT, to the unfortunate. "Tis the season. . .