15 September 2024
VOLUME 12 – NUMBER 573
Monte getting wisdom teeth removed
Okay, I’ve continued the next step to finishing my mission papers—getting my wisdom teeth removed. This was something that I was not looking forward to, not because of the procedure or the pain, but because of what I would say while being loopy.
Of course the procedure went fine, and I unfortunately made a fool of myself. It’s such a weird feeling, not being able to remember anything you did at all. Mom recorded me, and I was ridiculously talkative.
Well, it’s kind of hard to talk about something that I don’t remember at all, but that is one more thing for my mission papers that I’ve got done!
Family playing games
Last week I had homecoming I had a great time with Riley. We went to Wendy's for lunch, and after that we went to Jordan Landing and got some crafts. Next, we went to the park and painted bird houses. That was really fun to do. Mine turned out good, with only a few mess ups. The dance was also really fun.
For our young women's activity we played volleyball. I had a fun time. I'm not that good, but I did better this time than any other time.
On Saturday, I went to a car show with the Danelsons. It was for Shelly Danielson's work at a senior home right next to the Jordan River Temple. It was really cool to see all kinds of cars.
After the car show, I went to church for a ward activity, and we made a pinewood derby cars. We are going to have a race sometime in November. My car looks good! Everyone liked the shape I chose. I went for a train-type look, and I named my car “Cotton Candy.”
Kai and Owen
Not much happened this week. Monte got his wisdom teeth removed, which was the next step to submit his mission papers.
Mom and Dad went to the temple with the adults for an endowment session. While they were gone, Veidi made mac and cheese for lunch, which, by the way, was really good.
Monte and I played Fortnite for a bit, and then Monte went outside to mow the lawn. We also watched some shows like Beauty and the Beast.
Children playing pickleball at Nelson’s
I got a new job a couple of weeks ago, working at Costa Vida. I really like it. So far I've been doing the salad line, which is basically assembling the lettuce, and all the cold stuff onto the people's food. I have also been doing the cashier in the lobby and drive thru, and assembling the food for the drive thru.
I have been able to work a pretty good amount of hours, which is what I was hoping for. At my old job at the school, I could only work a max of 10 hours, but at Costa Vida, I'm able to work more.
Joanna reading with Emma
Let me tell you about my life. I play with my brothers and sisters. I like to play family with my dolls, and I play princesses and queens, and tea parties too. Those are my favorite. I like to playi with Emma and Ellie the most, and Itzel too.
I also do school. I write in school. I work on my alphabet and letters. I color animals and other things in school. I also do math in school. I use blocks to help me, like when I learn what three minus one is.
I like to sing. You can sing whatever songs you want. You also get to watch people sing and dance. Those are my favorite things too.
Do I like bedtime? Not so much. I get my pajamas on, and I brush me teeth for two minutes, but I don’t do that without being asked. Mom and Dad need to remind me. Then I say my prayers, get a drink of water. Then say good night and sometimes I hop in bed, but sometimes I get in trouble because I’m not in bed like I’m supposed.
My Mom and Dad are kind, and I love them. I like to ride to the store with Mom and Dad. I also like my family.
Joanna and Ellie
This week has been pretty chill because we have no projects or family stuff going on and so my life is finally back to normal.
My routine for the last couple of days has been to wake up at 6:00am with Quinn and take the dogs outside so they can go to the bathroom. We also have to make sure they don’t bark. Then I get me Quinn, and Joanna breakfast, which is usually mini wheats or Cheerios.
After breakfast, we do school, which I have been doing great in because I am ahead and have good grades. After school, I sometimes play the piano. I have learned to love playing the piano. I first started a long time ago, but I never really got started, so I finally got going and started to play the piano more often. It is so fun to play. It has grown on me.
Children rolling dice for six of a kind
Then I do my chores which includes the front and back yards. I also have a job that I get paid for doing the “doggie duties.” I have to help take care of dogs throughout the day. Usually that means that I have a visiting dog on a leash with me during the day.
It is a really good job, because it isn't that hard. I just have to wake up at 6:00am, which is probably the hardest part. I also do training with the training dogs and go on walks. We have had a lot of walks lately, because we have such energetic dogs! Walks are refreshing sometimes. Quinn goes with me, and we just talk.
Ellie, Charlie, and Braden (08/12/24)
This week we got some good news about the townhome we were planning on moving in to. Originally, we were told that our unit wasn’t going to be available until the middle to end of September, but our landlord told us that there was actually another unit available right now.
That means that, rather than unloading all our stuff into a storage unit, we were able to move in to our new home this week! We also were able to get moved in and settled quicker than we thought. So far we’re loving our new place!
This townhome is bigger than our previous place and we are loving having more space. One of our favorite new additions is probably having a garage. We can store a bunch of stuff in there and it’s so nice that our car is not a million degrees every time we need to drive somewhere.
Joanna riding pony (08/21/24)
I like going to the temple and doing baptisms for the dead. When I am doing them, I feel happy and peaceful. I enjoy helping others go through the valley so they can be with Heavenly Father.
When I am sitting in the chapel, I like to think about things I could improve in my life and what I should do less, it is also really peaceful, and it helps me be able to think. I am glad that I can do baptisms.
Misha and Kai
Last Saturday was Ti Milch’s funeral. Shauri Milch asked me to be one of the speakers at Ti’s funeral. As I mentioned in a previous newsletter, I have very fond memories of my time with Ti, so I centered my talk around our favorite experiences together as scoutmasters—river rafting trips.
For the first test-run river rafting trip, Ti and I had built experimental, homemade rafts patterned after the rafts I had once used as a young man at an annual stake young men’s rafting activity on the Gila River.
The night before this first trip, as Ti and I were dropping off one of our two vehicles at the bottom of the river, we saw a group river guides sitting around a campfire near the drop off point. In my memory they were very hippee-like—dreadlocks, tie-dye shirts, etc.
One of the guides came over to check out our three experimental rafts, which were in the back of our second vehicle. As this young woman approached, she asked about our rafts, and I was a little nervous about what a river rafting expert might think about them,
Ti and I explained that these were homemade rafts that we planned to use on the river the next day, and her response has been forever etched in our family’s river-rafting lore. In a drawling, California-hippee accent, she said: “Those rafts are legit!”
Misha on river raft (07/30/24)
After sharing that experience with the congregation, and talking about the blessings that have come from all the river trips that followed, I shared two more things that followed in the river rafting theme.
In 2014, Elder Ballard gave a talk about his friend’s experience rafting down the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon, famous for 14 miles of white-water rapids. Elder Ballard said:
“This adventure reminds me of our mortal journey. Most of us experience periods in our lives where the tranquil waters of life are appreciated. At other times, we encounter white-water rapids that are metaphorically comparable to those found in the 14-mile stretch through Cataract Canyon….”
“The Lord in His goodness has provided help, including a boat, essential supplies such as life jackets, and experienced river guides who give guidance and safety instructions to help us make our way down the river of life to our final destination.”
Owen playing
To finish my talk, I shared the story of the Savior sleeping in the fishing boat, and how he calmed the stormy sea. I talked about how we are often afraid of the storms of life, but when we recognize that the Savior is in control, and is mindful of us, we really have no need to fear.
It was a great service, and it was so nice to see many of the old ward members come back to support the Milch family. Afterwards, the ward served a special luncheon. Ti had specifically said at one point that he did not want funeral potatoes and ham at his funeral, so instead we at Kalua pig a rice. Very delicious! Ti would be pleased!
VIDEO OF FIRST RIVER TRIP WITH TI
To see a YouTube video of our first test-run river rafting trip, CLICK HERE.
Dad and Ti Milch on river trip (2011)