Nick... I think your metaphor is not quite right. You hope that things are all downhill from there. But you hope that everything is up, up, up! from here on out.
Blaine - what a great letter. What an amazing experience you are already having. Also, I know you are not an idiot! This week is the beginning of your new job. We are going to be anxious as all get out to hear how it goes. And to learn how your battle with the internet continues.
Loves.
On Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 9:37 AM, Nick Bassett <nick.w.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
That does sound frustrating Kristi. I think I've only seen you that mad one other time. It was back when we were doing Aardvark and I told you I had to do a re-spray and couldn't squeeze in another job in the area...if I remember right you threw your phone at the ground before you got a chance to hang up...Ok ok, I'm totally kidding. You were always so nice to me although I know I was sometimes a little frustrating to deal with when it came to putting together schedules.Sorry for all the frustrating things you guys had to deal with last week. One way to look at it is that it's hopefully all uphill from there. Hope this week has been great!On Mon, Aug 25, 2014 at 5:23 AM, Kristi <kristi.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
Perfect Blaine! I'm glad you did this letter!!I'd like to clarify that before I said anything or raised my voice with the gas company I preceded it with"listen, I know this is not your fault and that you just answer the phones but...". I think I was a pretty reasonable distraught angry person. I mean, they were charging me TEN dollars for missing their phone call, which I missed because my baby was screaming. Anyway, I digress....
Sent from my iPhoneHey Max!Wow, a lot has happened since the last time I wrote. A lot has happened since the last time I even turned on this computer, or got on the Internet. Yes indeed, this was moving week and it's been a crazy one. I'll give you a quick breakdown by day. I wish I could go into more detail but I will only have time to gloss over a few details. I'll try to hit some of the good and some of the bad since there has been a lot of both. I'll also try to make it brief since I know your time is limited and I have to wake up early tomorrow to get the kids off for their first day of school in Texas. So without further ado…Sunday: We didn't get on the road until about 12. We had planned to go to church but didn't make it there either. :( It just always takes so much longer than you think or want to get going for a big trip like this. When we finally did get on the road we had the six of us (yes, we have SIX in our family now with Tess) plus Kristi's parents, but we had two cars with a total of 13 seats. We put down two of those seats to pack stuff in and then had 11 seats for 8 people. This was a good situation as long drives to Texas go. We experimented with a few different combinations of kids and adults (always with four people in each car), but the best combination we found that we kept for most of the drive was to have me, the three bigger kids, and the movies (dad let us borrow a bunch) in the van and Kristi, her parents, and Tess in the car. We got to Liz's late that night but only after a crazy experience at the KFC that entailed a power outage that Kristi thought was an armed robbery and called 911 twice about. That story is much better documented elsewhere so I'm sorry I can't give more details here, but it actually isn't as crazy as it sounds, it was really a pretty freaky thing for Kristi and very memorable for all of us! Liz and Ashley welcomed us so warmly and we got a great sleep in their home that night.Monday: Now that the Sabbath was over we could actually watch movies (well, we did watch 17 Miracles on Sunday, which makes you cry even if you're not watching it!), which made the day go by much easier. This was our longest day and we made it all the way to Lubbuck. We stopped at Torchie's Taco's—one of our favorite Austin places that I bet you've been to with Easton—for dinner. Well, actually just me and the kids stopped while Kristi, Tess and her parents went to the hotel. We got there a couple minutes before 10PM which is when it closed. It was right by Texas Tech so it had a very late night, college, bar atmosphere. It was really weird and uncomfortable taking the kids in there at that hour but they are great and seemed oblivious to it all. Regardless, the food was great as always. Also during this day we learned that our reputation preceded us. Because some friends knew we were coming, the primary had been notified of our impending arrival and Gwen's activity days leader had texted to inform us about a swim party that Gwen was invited to if we could get there by 4:30 on Tuesday. We made that our goal.Tuesday: We got a few hours of sleep and woke up early to try to make it to Gwen's swim party. We finished the drive without any major incident, for which we were really grateful. We had been told that our car needed $800 of repairs right before we left, but we decided to chance it and make the drive without putting down the money. I'm so glad we did, because we have needed every penny of that $800 since we've been here. Also, we usually run into at least some weather and, last time, we had REALLY scary weather. So we were glad to have almost perfect driving conditions the whole time. Because our lease didn't actually start until Wednesday, we stayed the night in a hotel in Austin and it was by far the nicest room and nicest hotel we had. It was really fun, while Kristi and Gwen went down to the activity days (apparently some really rich person in our ward owns like a water park in their backyard practically so they had fun making friends and enjoying that) I took the other kids and swam and hot-tubbed in our hotel pool. Kristi's mom was nice to watch Tess while we all partied. We then all tried out a new place for pizza and pasta (pretty good and nice and close to our hotel) and after we put the kids in bed we even got to go back out to the hot tub and hang out with Easton and Nicole who brought their suits. It was super fun to talk to them. They were getting excited for a One Direction concert they were driving down to Houston for and then for Easton to start back in school and Nicole to start her evening seminary class. Of course we talked a lot about you too and being with Easton just always makes me miss you more than ever.Wednesday: Crazy busy day. We got the keys to the house, we got dollies from U-Haul (I always feel silly calling them that and sometimes use "hand truck" in more formal settings but the U-Haul people didn't even know what I was talking about until I called it a "dolly.") We moved our stuff from the hotel and gave the kids the grand tour. We dealt with air conditioning that wasn't working (that is a big deal in Texas in August and almost caused us to have to stay in a hotel again). We arranged for the truck with all our stuff to be parked on the driveway. Eventually it was time for the ward members to come help and it was literally the worst turnout I've ever seen at any Elders Quorum move I've ever been a part of. We had just one guy show up, and he was a friend of ours from before. It was kind of a bummer but we tried to be understanding. Apparently we were conflicting with seminary back to school night so tons of people had a conflict. All our close friends who probably would have helped otherwise (Easton's family included) were out of town. Anyway, it was a bad situation and a TON of work. I felt so bad for the one guy who did come who was really strong and worked really hard but also spent half his time texting and trying to get other people to come help. I also felt bad for Kristi's dad, who tried to do a lot more than a man in his 70s probably should be doing. It was also extra hard since the AC was still not working and it was like 90 degrees in the house. Eventually one more big guy came and with the three of us we somehow got the really big ticket item—the piano—out of the truck and into the house. What would had have taken about 35-40 minutes with 6-8 guys took us about 2.5 hours (plus we didn't get beds made or most boxes into the right rooms but just into the garage) but we got the truck emptied and the AC guy even came at about 10PM and got the AC working. Kristi and I stayed up until about 2AM moving and unpacking boxes until we just collapsed. Crazy day!Thursday: More stress as we tried to get the gas turned on so we could take a hot shower. Frustration and tears ensued but no hot water yet (At least Kristi didn't break her phone when she yelled at the unhelpful gas company employee, hung up on her, and threw her phone at the ground! I've never seen Kristi like that at all—it was that bad…). Get the kids registered for school. Work all day unpacking and whatnot. Long, not fun day.Friday: Still lots of work (with tons more to be done) and still not a very livable house, but starting to mix some fun in with the work. Go to the kids school to see what classes they are in. They post the lists on the doors and throw a big party that everyone comes to to see if they will be in their friends' classes. We already know enough ward members and people in the neighborhood that it is fun to see a familiar name or two in each of the kids' classes. Try out one of the neighborhood swim centers and that is pretty fun. It's mostly lap swimming, but they have a little area for the kids. Ivy spends the day with our cute little 7-year-old neighbor girl. Ben has a play date with the kids of one of my coworkers. Gwen has one of the friends she made at activity days over and they get along well. We haven't even been to church yet and already we are feeling so integrated into the ward and neighborhood. Despite the bad showing for the move-in, I'm starting to really see why so many people recommended this ward and area so highly to us.Saturday: Kristi gets a steal on Craigslist for a new bunk bed, dresser, and night stand, so I spend a good part of the day with her dad driving up to Round Rock to take it all apart, squeeze it in the van, bring it back here (and up the stairs) and put it all back together. With all the beds made now and enough dresser space for everyone's stuff, it is getting significantly less messy and starting to really feel like a home. More trips to Wal-mart, Costco, Home Depot, and HEB (the big grocery store). Continued frustration trying to get the Internet setup (still don't have it, though we did get the gas). I feel like everywhere we turn we are spending $50 on this, $200 on that. Kristi used the word "hemorrhage" to describe what was happening to our money, and I think that's a perfect description. Eventually, that became code for every little fee or new thing that we needed to drop money on. "Hemorrhage." While Don and I set up the bunk beds Kristi took the kids to the other community pool and I guess it is a lot more fun but is only open until Labor Day next week (the other one is open year round). They saw and made more friends there and we all went to our favorite Austin Mexican restaurant Chuy's for dinner (I bet you've been there too).Sunday: Get ready for 11:30 church. Finally see all the disparate friends we've made in one place at one time and it is really fun. Meet lots of other new friendly people as well. The primary seems great and they welcomed the kids with really warm welcomes. One of the best gospel doctrine lessons I've ever heard. I was choked up crying by the end and really felt the spirit from a lesson that talked about Job and trials and the Hubble Telescope and was just right up my alley. Tons of apologies from everybody about not being there for the move and tons of people who already seemed to know us better than we knew them. The Bishop said that he had already had multiple people try to get "dibs" on the Bassetts as far as callings go—I don't know how our "reputation preceded us" so much but some how it did! A yummy roast for dinner with carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy—Kristi's mom's specialty. Really spiritual experience with the kids as we gave Father's Blessings. Talk to Mom and Dad over FaceTime and give them a tour of the messy house. Games with Kristi's parents. And, finally, a "quick" (Sorry—it was supposed to be quick) letter to you and bed.It's been a busy week and, as I write this, I feel like there is actually a lot more good in here than bad. There's probably a lesson to be learned in that. It didn't always (or even often) feel like that during the week. Constantly there has seemed to be much more to stress about that to celebrate. But as I try to sum up the big points, all the bad things just seem to be dumb temporary stresses while the good things seem to be the things that really matter in the long term. I wonder if our whole live don't add up like this more than we feel like they do when we're in the middle of them. The Lord certainly takes good care of us!Anyway, I better go and get some rest for another big week ahead. Sure love you!BlaineP.S. to dad, as I send this, in relation to our discussion earlier. Yeah, hooking up Internet using Kristi's phone was super easy this time. It looks like I'm on and this will work when I hit send. I don't know what was going on last time, but it was not this. Anyway, I wanted you to know that it is straightforward now and I am not an idiot… ;)Re: Love from Mom
hahahahahahahahahaha - I am going to be giggleing over the 'max' original all week. thanks for sharing with us!!Loves.On Sun, Aug 31, 2014 at 11:45 PM, Wendy Bassett <wendy.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:Dear Max,
It's been a great week. I started back to work at physical therapy on Monday and it has gone better than I expected. It's funny how I get nervous for stuff and then it turns out okay. I really enjoy the people I work with and I continue to learn a lot. I am glad I only work three days a week, however.
About a year ago Brent and Nancy and Keith and Diane Yorgason signed up to go on an 8-day bus trip up through Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, Cody, and over to Mt Rushmore and back down through Martins Cove (kind of a cowboy trip). It was like $1,300 per person. Well Keith's daughter, Candace, had a baby a few months ago who has major health problems and has to go back into surgery during the trip. They actually don't think the baby will make it. Because of this Keith and Diane are not going on the trip. They didn't get trip insurance and cannot get a refund. Nancy and Brent looked into who could take their place (dad doesn't have enough days off, none of their kids could) so it turns out that aunt Karen and I are going to take their place (for free, they absolutely refuse to take money and otherwise the trip will be wasted.). So on Wednesday I get on a bus for 8 days. I am excited and very thankful dad will support me on this. I feel bad because it is something he really would have loved to do, but he couldn't work it out. I am excited. I think next Sunday I will be writing from the Devils Tower!
Tonight we had Easton and Nicole to dinner and it was so much fun to see them again. They are so sweet and brought a little hostess gift. It was some cute little dessert plates - very classy. I made two kinds of pasta and a salad and used tons of stuff from the garden - basil for the pesto sauce, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash. Janey did breadsticks and Stef made yummy zucchini chocolate chip cookies. It was all so tasty. We missed you and Blaine and Kristi and family - a lot!!!
This past week was a YSA camp out at Heber Valley Camp. Dad and I just went up for Friday evening dinner and speaker. We heard from Richard Turley, asst. Church historian who shared interesting stuff about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and about Joseph Smith and what was going on in his life at the time. It was all very interesting and logically convincing that the Book of Mormon came from inspiration and revelation. Joseph Smith could not have written it. But as I sat and listened I realized that my testimony of the book is not based on that. All the interesting stories and facts added to my knowledge, but my testimony is based on my reading of it and having the Spirit testify to me of it's truthfulness. I thought about how the witness of the spirit is so much more powerful than any logical, manmade convincing. I love the Book of Mormon! I know it is from God.
Yorgs are down in Bryce Canyon for a family trip and I've been taking care of Tico the cat. Poor Tico is getting old ( and skinny). She just hates when they are gone and meows and meows!
Sad news. Yesterday (which happened to be the day grandpa Winder passed away nine years ago) Dennis Nordfelt died. He had gotten pneumonia a few weeks ago and he died at home. So surprising and so sad. He was 71. We loved that man and love the whole family.
I was looking for something today and came across two excellent thoughts that I will close with. I think you may remember them:
(Think light blue business card). "The bitterness of low quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."
And
(Think primary song - I love mother, she loves me. . . )
It's a talent yes it's soccer.
It is baseball yes it is.
I have talents you do too.
We both have talents yes we do.
Mine is soccer maybe yours too
If it's math it fits the story.
We all have talents yes we do.
Oh ye!!!!!!!!
I hope you are laughing as hard as Rosey did when I shared them with her. (for the rest of the family you maybe had to be there!).
Sure love you Max. Nicole shared with me an email you wrote her a couple weeks ago and I loved it. You are a kind and thoughtful boy. Keep being a great guy and wonderful missionary and know that your mother loves you. You are doing the greatest work in all the world. May you be guided to those who are searching for truth.
Love,
Mom
Sent from my iPad
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Bret Bassett - PMP | International Product Manager |
4268 Sherm Circle West Valley City UT. 84120
Home: 801.968-0760 | Cell: 801.815.5860 | bretbassett@gmail.com
Love from Mom
Dear Max,
It's been a great week. I started back to work at physical therapy on Monday and it has gone better than I expected. It's funny how I get nervous for stuff and then it turns out okay. I really enjoy the people I work with and I continue to learn a lot. I am glad I only work three days a week, however.
About a year ago Brent and Nancy and Keith and Diane Yorgason signed up to go on an 8-day bus trip up through Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, Cody, and over to Mt Rushmore and back down through Martins Cove (kind of a cowboy trip). It was like $1,300 per person. Well Keith's daughter, Candace, had a baby a few months ago who has major health problems and has to go back into surgery during the trip. They actually don't think the baby will make it. Because of this Keith and Diane are not going on the trip. They didn't get trip insurance and cannot get a refund. Nancy and Brent looked into who could take their place (dad doesn't have enough days off, none of their kids could) so it turns out that aunt Karen and I are going to take their place (for free, they absolutely refuse to take money and otherwise the trip will be wasted.). So on Wednesday I get on a bus for 8 days. I am excited and very thankful dad will support me on this. I feel bad because it is something he really would have loved to do, but he couldn't work it out. I am excited. I think next Sunday I will be writing from the Devils Tower!
Tonight we had Easton and Nicole to dinner and it was so much fun to see them again. They are so sweet and brought a little hostess gift. It was some cute little dessert plates - very classy. I made two kinds of pasta and a salad and used tons of stuff from the garden - basil for the pesto sauce, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash. Janey did breadsticks and Stef made yummy zucchini chocolate chip cookies. It was all so tasty. We missed you and Blaine and Kristi and family - a lot!!!
This past week was a YSA camp out at Heber Valley Camp. Dad and I just went up for Friday evening dinner and speaker. We heard from Richard Turley, asst. Church historian who shared interesting stuff about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and about Joseph Smith and what was going on in his life at the time. It was all very interesting and logically convincing that the Book of Mormon came from inspiration and revelation. Joseph Smith could not have written it. But as I sat and listened I realized that my testimony of the book is not based on that. All the interesting stories and facts added to my knowledge, but my testimony is based on my reading of it and having the Spirit testify to me of it's truthfulness. I thought about how the witness of the spirit is so much more powerful than any logical, manmade convincing. I love the Book of Mormon! I know it is from God.
Yorgs are down in Bryce Canyon for a family trip and I've been taking care of Tico the cat. Poor Tico is getting old ( and skinny). She just hates when they are gone and meows and meows!
Sad news. Yesterday (which happened to be the day grandpa Winder passed away nine years ago) Dennis Nordfelt died. He had gotten pneumonia a few weeks ago and he died at home. So surprising and so sad. He was 71. We loved that man and love the whole family.
I was looking for something today and came across two excellent thoughts that I will close with. I think you may remember them:
(Think light blue business card). "The bitterness of low quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."
And
(Think primary song - I love mother, she loves me. . . )
It's a talent yes it's soccer.
It is baseball yes it is.
I have talents you do too.
We both have talents yes we do.
Mine is soccer maybe yours too
If it's math it fits the story.
We all have talents yes we do.
Oh ye!!!!!!!!
I hope you are laughing as hard as Rosey did when I shared them with her. (for the rest of the family you maybe had to be there!).
Sure love you Max. Nicole shared with me an email you wrote her a couple weeks ago and I loved it. You are a kind and thoughtful boy. Keep being a great guy and wonderful missionary and know that your mother loves you. You are doing the greatest work in all the world. May you be guided to those who are searching for truth.
Love,
Mom
Sent from my iPadWeek 76 - Dad - 11 Questions
Week 76 (t-minus 30) - Dad - 11 Questions
Sunday, August 31, 2014
10:34 PM
What a fun night. Easton and Nichole came for dinner and we had the rest of the Utah family over. It was so great to see them. We surely miss Blaine and Kristi. We know they are loving their new Texas life as they adapt to new schools, new ward, new temperatures, new friends. But they still have their old family. And it's nice to have some consistency in their life. It's like being a missionary. And when you get transferred, everything is new and different, except the one thing that matters… the gospel is still the same.
Enjoy the greatness of what you have.
Okay I really want some answers to some questions. It will let me know you actually read letters. So here are 11 questions. You only have to answer 3 to let me know that you are reading. No pressure. For those questions you choose NOT to answer, I'll send you the answer next week.
- What color is Easton's hair?
- What is the name of the last "Strange" movie you all created? And how did it end?
- What is the best line of all the 'Strange' movies? (hint, it's got Caroline cooking eggs in it)?
- Name 2 of your favorite scriptures that deal with Faith?
- Have you ever played a song on the organ/piano in a catholic cathedral?
- What is your favorite way to contact people?
- Which has been your favorite companion so far?
- Which has been the hardest area so far?
- Are you permitted to teach and work with returning members? Or only 'non-members'?
- What is your favorite conference talk?
- What was the best/hardest scene to watch in Charly?
May the Lord bless you each day you are employed in his service. We are praying for you.
Love Dad
Jonah
Dear Max,I want to start out by publicly apologizing to Rosey for Clay's innocent joke he made at dinner today, and assure her it was entirely innocent. The kids are really into knock knock jokes right now and so Clay opened the evening with Rose by saying: "Knock Knock; Who's There?, Fat, Fat who, Fat YOU!". Rose, you are slender babe and don't let any 4 year-old tell you otherwise :).It's been a great week. Here are some highlights:Bret started first grade. Overall he seems really pleased about how it's going. Stef drives 20 minutes in the morning to drop him off and 20 minutes in the afternoon to pick him up. It's a sacrifice she's willing to make to give him the chance to be exposed to Chinese. While I maybe don't share quite the same level of commitment in that area that she does, I'm very proud of her for sticking with it. Bret is really enjoying it. The thing he likes most of all is recess. He has new shoes he has assured me are very "sticky" so he can basically run straight up the slides. He also told me that he is REALLY fast in his shoes. As soon as they get out he runs as fast as he can to get in line for the swings (apparently there's a line). He also told me races back as fast as he can when it's time to line up to try and be at the front of line. It's so funny to picture him in my minds eye because in so many ways I can relate to what he's going through. It's so close, yet so far away.We really miss Blaine and Kristi. I think tonight was the first get together we've had since they moved and while it was a delightful evening, it just wasn't the same without them there. We're excited for where they are and what they're doing but I hope they know how much they're missed.We really miss YOU! However, we had a delightful evening thinking and talking about you with Easton and her mom over for dinner. What a fun duo they are. Nicole is so nice to sit there and politely enjoy our family videos. We also had a blast going through some of the videos you made. I'm not sure you realize the gravity of it now, but I think what you've made (with your CDs and your movies) are wonderful memories all of us share. We even enjoyed Rosey's music video :).I was asked a few weeks back to teach Sunday school today. The lesson was on Jonah. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that my Old Testament bible knowledge is several lacking. I knew Jonah was swallowed by a whale and that's about it. I was nervous to teach not only because of the topic, but because most weeks in Sunday school, the class (like probably most Sunday school classes) isn't quite as up-beat as one might hope. It's kind of like pulling teeth to get people commenting and engaged. Well, I've been thinking and praying and preparing a fair bit (more than I have for a teaching opportunity in a long time) and I couldn't be more pleased with how it all went. I felt like I've come to know Jonah the prophet better and I genuinely feel like the spirit was a major part of our discussion and really helped guide it in the direction class members needed it to go. I feel very grateful for how it all went!The first BYU football game was this Friday. I wish Stef enjoyed football a little more, but she's kind to at least tolerate me and the boys getting excited about BYU. The won of course.We are in the process of getting new renters in our place in St. George. that has been an interesting experience having people apply and trying to determine who we want in our place. We ended up with a unique trio of post college kids (actually I think one is still in college) but the other two are sisters. The youngest is a boy and we're not quite sure how he fits in. However, relative to the other candidates, from what we can tell they take the best care of places they live and are very clean, and they also seemed the most financially stable. That's a great combo. Unfortunately there weren't any young families who would have worked out well for various reasons. But, time was running out and we'll see how it all goes. We're not sure how long we'll keep that place in St. George but we'll at least have it another year and see what we think about being landlords.I've been reminded several times lately of the importance of having the Holy Ghost with me at all times. As much as I'd like to think I'm capable of getting through my day-to-day stuff by just doing what I need to, I've been reminded several times recently that more than just using my head to navigate my way through the day, I really need the spirit to help prompt me as to what to say/do. I'm grateful for that powerful gift and I hope that as a missionary you're able to truly have his constant companionship with you!Finally, I just wanted to let you know that Bret and Clay wanted you to know that you only now have 6 months left. And that they got to see your girlfriend tonight, and they also got to watch your movies which they really liked. Not to make you trunky, but they are excited for you to be coming home in the not-to-distant future. You should also know that they still LOVE the Bassett Rap song. They other day they got ahold of Stef's phone (which has that song on there) and they literally played it over and over at least 10 times. What a great memory for those kids and all of us!We sure love you! Sorry this has been such a long one. Take care!NickFriday, August 29, 2014
Re: This is Nick
I've heard bits and pieces of that story, but I liked hearing the whole thing.
On Friday, August 29, 2014, bret bassett <bretbassett@gmail.com> wrote:I was just standing outside behind the line, obediently waiting for the bell to ring with Dave Hadley waiting to go back to 4th period after lunch, when a total stranger walked up to me and said 5 words..."your mother wears army boots." That's all. Then he stood menacing in front of me, and slapped me across the face. I pushed him away, and said, "what?". He walked back up to me and said, "you heard me, your mother wears army boots" And he slapped me again. Total stranger. I then pushed him again when he then punched me. I then went all Ralphie (see Christmas Story) and turned into a punching machine. The two of us went down swinging until Dave ran and got the Girl's gym coach to break us apart. I broke my knuckle in the skirmish. But Dave assures me that I whipped the tar out of the troublemaker.We both went to the principles office - but I never saw the kid again. This had been his first day back from 'reform school' into a public school, and so he was sent back totally unreformed.They didn't even give me a 'swat' for my participation. I think they must have known I was the victim ust standing up for myself.And no. Grandma did NOT wear army boots.On Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 11:15 PM, Nick Bassett <nick.w.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for sharing dad. All fun little snippets of memories. What I want to know is if grandma REALLY wore army boots or if the kid was just trying to get your goat? ;)
Sent from my iPhoneDad that is hilarious! I can picture it all so perfectly too :)Clay starts preschool next Wednesday and after that will have it each subsequent MWF! 9:30 to 11:30, so if you need me to make any beds during that time, I will be around :)-StefOn Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 3:31 PM, bret bassett <bretbassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I was a big softie at school. Never looking to make any trouble... you know my white personality and all.I got in more trouble than any of my brothers and sisters, and I don't know why. I was just trying to be a good kid.- I put bubble gum in a friend's chair. Yes I had chewed it, but I thought that just made it funnier.- I pushed a friends head into the water fountain while he was drinking. I didn't know that his mouth would bang the metal and bleed.- I was talking when the teacher told everyone to be quiet and I kept talking (I didn't hear him say to be quiet because I was talking).- I was sitting out of alignment (just a little and not rebelliously) when we were all supposed to be in lines, and the gym coach came unglued all over me.- I got in a fight on school grounds when a kid told me my mother wore army boots. Long story.- I picked up a metal draftsman compass that was lying in the grass. It had fallen from the 3rd floor window above me, but I didn't know.- I was caught marking a Book of Mormon during history class (Houston) when I should have been doing classwork. The teacher cut me some slack since it was technically 'historical' in nature.- I fell asleep during class all the time. Early morning seminary made me sleepy all day- I left school early because I split my pants all along the crotch seam from the back belt to the front zipper. I was so embarrased I just left.- My mom called the police to find the guy who stole my bike off the front lawn. When I was coming home from school, I realized that it hadn't been stolen, but I had accidentally left it in the bike rack from the day before. I was too afraid to ride it home because the cops were out looking for it.- I was fired from my job as a 15 year old at a Chinese restaurant for asking for too much time off (I need a week for scout camp, a week for youth conference, sundays off every week, wednesdays off every week for mutual, etc. etc.)There's no doubt about it. I was a troublemaker. But I was still so innocent. Maybe the REASON I am so white is because of the above experiences. Maybe I was as yellow as Rosey before this... hmmmmOh well. May the Lord bless those good innocent boys of mine as they work their way through school!Grandpa.
On Wed, Aug 27, 2014 at 5:45 PM, Janey Nielsen <janeybassett@gmail.com> wrote:Profound thought Clay. That is the million dollar question.
On Wednesday, August 27, 2014, Stefanie Bassett <stef.m.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I have to share that he didn't have to flip a card yesterday :) and I have to share this. Clay, as we all know, talks nonstop these days. After we dropped Bret off on his first day, Clay asked me the following million dollar question:" Mom, if there were 2,000 (really emphasize that when you say it) Stripling warriors and NONE of them died, how come there were so many star troopers and all of them died?"He is so funny and thinks about the most random stuff. I love it!Yes Kristi I am glad Ben and Bret can love each other inspite of their imperfections. Maybe they are better at making friends than we give them credit for :) love the sanitary liner!-StefOn Tue, Aug 26, 2014 at 9:35 PM, Rosey <roseybassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I literally cried the first time I flipped a card ... Which wasn't until 3rd grade. And you thought I was a skunk....
Sent from my iPhoneThat seems a little rough on the first day. I bet he didn't even realize he was doing it! Good for him to just blow it off.
On Monday, August 25, 2014, Nick Bassett <nick.w.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
So quick follow-up from the letter last night:Bret successfully navigated his first day of first grade. When he got to the school the Salt Lake Bees Bee, and the Jazz Bear were there celebrating the first day of school with the kids. I guess that's and advantage to an east side school. haha.I did have to laugh at the dinner table when I (half jokingly) asked Bret if he'd gotten in any trouble today and had to change his green card to yellow or orange. I was really taken back when he told me he did have to change his card to yellow, and was possibly the only kid who had to (there may have been a few other kids...it was hard to tell from Bret). It sounds like he was tapping his pencil quite loudly and his teacher just said whoever is tapping their pencil to please change their card to a yellow. He handled it well and I think more than anything she was probably just trying to help the kids realize the importance of quietly listening. The teacher also made a big deal at the back-to-school night that getting a yellow card was NOT a big deal at all. Greens and Yellows are very normal and should be expected. She spent more time explaining orange, red and white.Anyway...pretty classic moment.NickOn Mon, Aug 25, 2014 at 6:24 PM, Janey Nielsen <janeybassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I sure hope the first day went well and would love to hear how it went! Warner and I love Bret's logic about how to not get into trouble....no friends! I'm thinking he can manage balancing friends and not getting into trouble too often!
On Sunday, August 24, 2014, Stefanie Bassett <stef.m.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:Hi Max,This is Nick writing from Stef's email box. Tomorrow is the first day of first grade for Bret. It's weird because you'd think Kindergarten is the big year where it's sad and crazy that your kids are growing up, but I've got to say first grade has been much more difficult for me. It's so strange to think that Bret will be gone all day at school. He's got to figure out what to do with his lunch box, how lining up at recess works, who the nice kids are and who they aren't, etc. etc. Somehow in Kindygarten that didn't seem like such a big deal. This year, it does. Another thing may also be that we knew at least a kid of two at his elementary school where as this year, he's going to be at Spring Lane elementary which is 25 minutes away in Holladay where he will continue his Chinese immersion stuff. We have been very impressed with the school and his teachers (Bret's chinese teacher was actually Stef's grandma in the mission - she trained Stef's trainer) but we really don't know any kids out there. Keep him in your prayers as I'm sure it's going to be a rough few weeks for him.Part of the reason I'm in Stef's email is because we were just sending and email to his teachers explaining the eye patch that he wears for his amplyopia (lazy eye). I dread the thought of kids making fun of him for it, but I just have to think to myself that hopefully (if they do) he'll learn how to cope with it and it will make him that much stronger. I think school is going to be very humbling for Bret.After back-to-school night where they reviewed the disciplined program (the green, yellow, organ, red thing where Red is the principle's office) we were talking and he just said: "you know dad, the easiest way to not get in trouble is to just not make any friends." I couldn't necessarily argue with that statement because it dramatically reduces the risk of having too much fun, or being tempted to do something you shouldn't, but I encouraged him to try and find good friends and that doing so would make school much more fun for him. I don't think that making friends is necessarily his strong suite, but he seems to do ok with it. We'll see how it goes.Life here is great. We hope you're doing well out there. We love you and pray for you.Sincerely,
Re: This is Nick
I was just standing outside behind the line, obediently waiting for the bell to ring with Dave Hadley waiting to go back to 4th period after lunch, when a total stranger walked up to me and said 5 words..."your mother wears army boots." That's all. Then he stood menacing in front of me, and slapped me across the face. I pushed him away, and said, "what?". He walked back up to me and said, "you heard me, your mother wears army boots" And he slapped me again. Total stranger. I then pushed him again when he then punched me. I then went all Ralphie (see Christmas Story) and turned into a punching machine. The two of us went down swinging until Dave ran and got the Girl's gym coach to break us apart. I broke my knuckle in the skirmish. But Dave assures me that I whipped the tar out of the troublemaker.We both went to the principles office - but I never saw the kid again. This had been his first day back from 'reform school' into a public school, and so he was sent back totally unreformed.They didn't even give me a 'swat' for my participation. I think they must have known I was the victim ust standing up for myself.And no. Grandma did NOT wear army boots.On Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 11:15 PM, Nick Bassett <nick.w.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for sharing dad. All fun little snippets of memories. What I want to know is if grandma REALLY wore army boots or if the kid was just trying to get your goat? ;)
Sent from my iPhoneDad that is hilarious! I can picture it all so perfectly too :)Clay starts preschool next Wednesday and after that will have it each subsequent MWF! 9:30 to 11:30, so if you need me to make any beds during that time, I will be around :)-StefOn Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 3:31 PM, bret bassett <bretbassett@gmail.com> wrote:I was a big softie at school. Never looking to make any trouble... you know my white personality and all.I got in more trouble than any of my brothers and sisters, and I don't know why. I was just trying to be a good kid.- I put bubble gum in a friend's chair. Yes I had chewed it, but I thought that just made it funnier.- I pushed a friends head into the water fountain while he was drinking. I didn't know that his mouth would bang the metal and bleed.- I was talking when the teacher told everyone to be quiet and I kept talking (I didn't hear him say to be quiet because I was talking).- I was sitting out of alignment (just a little and not rebelliously) when we were all supposed to be in lines, and the gym coach came unglued all over me.- I got in a fight on school grounds when a kid told me my mother wore army boots. Long story.- I picked up a metal draftsman compass that was lying in the grass. It had fallen from the 3rd floor window above me, but I didn't know.- I was caught marking a Book of Mormon during history class (Houston) when I should have been doing classwork. The teacher cut me some slack since it was technically 'historical' in nature.- I fell asleep during class all the time. Early morning seminary made me sleepy all day- I left school early because I split my pants all along the crotch seam from the back belt to the front zipper. I was so embarrased I just left.- My mom called the police to find the guy who stole my bike off the front lawn. When I was coming home from school, I realized that it hadn't been stolen, but I had accidentally left it in the bike rack from the day before. I was too afraid to ride it home because the cops were out looking for it.- I was fired from my job as a 15 year old at a Chinese restaurant for asking for too much time off (I need a week for scout camp, a week for youth conference, sundays off every week, wednesdays off every week for mutual, etc. etc.)There's no doubt about it. I was a troublemaker. But I was still so innocent. Maybe the REASON I am so white is because of the above experiences. Maybe I was as yellow as Rosey before this... hmmmmOh well. May the Lord bless those good innocent boys of mine as they work their way through school!Grandpa.
On Wed, Aug 27, 2014 at 5:45 PM, Janey Nielsen <janeybassett@gmail.com> wrote:Profound thought Clay. That is the million dollar question.
On Wednesday, August 27, 2014, Stefanie Bassett <stef.m.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I have to share that he didn't have to flip a card yesterday :) and I have to share this. Clay, as we all know, talks nonstop these days. After we dropped Bret off on his first day, Clay asked me the following million dollar question:" Mom, if there were 2,000 (really emphasize that when you say it) Stripling warriors and NONE of them died, how come there were so many star troopers and all of them died?"He is so funny and thinks about the most random stuff. I love it!Yes Kristi I am glad Ben and Bret can love each other inspite of their imperfections. Maybe they are better at making friends than we give them credit for :) love the sanitary liner!-StefOn Tue, Aug 26, 2014 at 9:35 PM, Rosey <roseybassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I literally cried the first time I flipped a card ... Which wasn't until 3rd grade. And you thought I was a skunk....
Sent from my iPhoneThat seems a little rough on the first day. I bet he didn't even realize he was doing it! Good for him to just blow it off.
On Monday, August 25, 2014, Nick Bassett <nick.w.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
So quick follow-up from the letter last night:Bret successfully navigated his first day of first grade. When he got to the school the Salt Lake Bees Bee, and the Jazz Bear were there celebrating the first day of school with the kids. I guess that's and advantage to an east side school. haha.I did have to laugh at the dinner table when I (half jokingly) asked Bret if he'd gotten in any trouble today and had to change his green card to yellow or orange. I was really taken back when he told me he did have to change his card to yellow, and was possibly the only kid who had to (there may have been a few other kids...it was hard to tell from Bret). It sounds like he was tapping his pencil quite loudly and his teacher just said whoever is tapping their pencil to please change their card to a yellow. He handled it well and I think more than anything she was probably just trying to help the kids realize the importance of quietly listening. The teacher also made a big deal at the back-to-school night that getting a yellow card was NOT a big deal at all. Greens and Yellows are very normal and should be expected. She spent more time explaining orange, red and white.Anyway...pretty classic moment.NickOn Mon, Aug 25, 2014 at 6:24 PM, Janey Nielsen <janeybassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I sure hope the first day went well and would love to hear how it went! Warner and I love Bret's logic about how to not get into trouble....no friends! I'm thinking he can manage balancing friends and not getting into trouble too often!
On Sunday, August 24, 2014, Stefanie Bassett <stef.m.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:Hi Max,This is Nick writing from Stef's email box. Tomorrow is the first day of first grade for Bret. It's weird because you'd think Kindergarten is the big year where it's sad and crazy that your kids are growing up, but I've got to say first grade has been much more difficult for me. It's so strange to think that Bret will be gone all day at school. He's got to figure out what to do with his lunch box, how lining up at recess works, who the nice kids are and who they aren't, etc. etc. Somehow in Kindygarten that didn't seem like such a big deal. This year, it does. Another thing may also be that we knew at least a kid of two at his elementary school where as this year, he's going to be at Spring Lane elementary which is 25 minutes away in Holladay where he will continue his Chinese immersion stuff. We have been very impressed with the school and his teachers (Bret's chinese teacher was actually Stef's grandma in the mission - she trained Stef's trainer) but we really don't know any kids out there. Keep him in your prayers as I'm sure it's going to be a rough few weeks for him.Part of the reason I'm in Stef's email is because we were just sending and email to his teachers explaining the eye patch that he wears for his amplyopia (lazy eye). I dread the thought of kids making fun of him for it, but I just have to think to myself that hopefully (if they do) he'll learn how to cope with it and it will make him that much stronger. I think school is going to be very humbling for Bret.After back-to-school night where they reviewed the disciplined program (the green, yellow, organ, red thing where Red is the principle's office) we were talking and he just said: "you know dad, the easiest way to not get in trouble is to just not make any friends." I couldn't necessarily argue with that statement because it dramatically reduces the risk of having too much fun, or being tempted to do something you shouldn't, but I encouraged him to try and find good friends and that doing so would make school much more fun for him. I don't think that making friends is necessarily his strong suite, but he seems to do ok with it. We'll see how it goes.Life here is great. We hope you're doing well out there. We love you and pray for you.Sincerely,
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Re: This is Nick
Thanks for sharing dad. All fun little snippets of memories. What I want to know is if grandma REALLY wore army boots or if the kid was just trying to get your goat? ;)
Sent from my iPhoneDad that is hilarious! I can picture it all so perfectly too :)Clay starts preschool next Wednesday and after that will have it each subsequent MWF! 9:30 to 11:30, so if you need me to make any beds during that time, I will be around :)-StefOn Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 3:31 PM, bret bassett <bretbassett@gmail.com> wrote:I was a big softie at school. Never looking to make any trouble... you know my white personality and all.I got in more trouble than any of my brothers and sisters, and I don't know why. I was just trying to be a good kid.- I put bubble gum in a friend's chair. Yes I had chewed it, but I thought that just made it funnier.- I pushed a friends head into the water fountain while he was drinking. I didn't know that his mouth would bang the metal and bleed.- I was talking when the teacher told everyone to be quiet and I kept talking (I didn't hear him say to be quiet because I was talking).- I was sitting out of alignment (just a little and not rebelliously) when we were all supposed to be in lines, and the gym coach came unglued all over me.- I got in a fight on school grounds when a kid told me my mother wore army boots. Long story.- I picked up a metal draftsman compass that was lying in the grass. It had fallen from the 3rd floor window above me, but I didn't know.- I was caught marking a Book of Mormon during history class (Houston) when I should have been doing classwork. The teacher cut me some slack since it was technically 'historical' in nature.- I fell asleep during class all the time. Early morning seminary made me sleepy all day- I left school early because I split my pants all along the crotch seam from the back belt to the front zipper. I was so embarrased I just left.- My mom called the police to find the guy who stole my bike off the front lawn. When I was coming home from school, I realized that it hadn't been stolen, but I had accidentally left it in the bike rack from the day before. I was too afraid to ride it home because the cops were out looking for it.- I was fired from my job as a 15 year old at a Chinese restaurant for asking for too much time off (I need a week for scout camp, a week for youth conference, sundays off every week, wednesdays off every week for mutual, etc. etc.)There's no doubt about it. I was a troublemaker. But I was still so innocent. Maybe the REASON I am so white is because of the above experiences. Maybe I was as yellow as Rosey before this... hmmmmOh well. May the Lord bless those good innocent boys of mine as they work their way through school!Grandpa.
On Wed, Aug 27, 2014 at 5:45 PM, Janey Nielsen <janeybassett@gmail.com> wrote:Profound thought Clay. That is the million dollar question.
On Wednesday, August 27, 2014, Stefanie Bassett <stef.m.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I have to share that he didn't have to flip a card yesterday :) and I have to share this. Clay, as we all know, talks nonstop these days. After we dropped Bret off on his first day, Clay asked me the following million dollar question:" Mom, if there were 2,000 (really emphasize that when you say it) Stripling warriors and NONE of them died, how come there were so many star troopers and all of them died?"He is so funny and thinks about the most random stuff. I love it!Yes Kristi I am glad Ben and Bret can love each other inspite of their imperfections. Maybe they are better at making friends than we give them credit for :) love the sanitary liner!-StefOn Tue, Aug 26, 2014 at 9:35 PM, Rosey <roseybassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I literally cried the first time I flipped a card ... Which wasn't until 3rd grade. And you thought I was a skunk....
Sent from my iPhoneThat seems a little rough on the first day. I bet he didn't even realize he was doing it! Good for him to just blow it off.
On Monday, August 25, 2014, Nick Bassett <nick.w.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
So quick follow-up from the letter last night:Bret successfully navigated his first day of first grade. When he got to the school the Salt Lake Bees Bee, and the Jazz Bear were there celebrating the first day of school with the kids. I guess that's and advantage to an east side school. haha.I did have to laugh at the dinner table when I (half jokingly) asked Bret if he'd gotten in any trouble today and had to change his green card to yellow or orange. I was really taken back when he told me he did have to change his card to yellow, and was possibly the only kid who had to (there may have been a few other kids...it was hard to tell from Bret). It sounds like he was tapping his pencil quite loudly and his teacher just said whoever is tapping their pencil to please change their card to a yellow. He handled it well and I think more than anything she was probably just trying to help the kids realize the importance of quietly listening. The teacher also made a big deal at the back-to-school night that getting a yellow card was NOT a big deal at all. Greens and Yellows are very normal and should be expected. She spent more time explaining orange, red and white.Anyway...pretty classic moment.NickOn Mon, Aug 25, 2014 at 6:24 PM, Janey Nielsen <janeybassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I sure hope the first day went well and would love to hear how it went! Warner and I love Bret's logic about how to not get into trouble....no friends! I'm thinking he can manage balancing friends and not getting into trouble too often!
On Sunday, August 24, 2014, Stefanie Bassett <stef.m.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:Hi Max,This is Nick writing from Stef's email box. Tomorrow is the first day of first grade for Bret. It's weird because you'd think Kindergarten is the big year where it's sad and crazy that your kids are growing up, but I've got to say first grade has been much more difficult for me. It's so strange to think that Bret will be gone all day at school. He's got to figure out what to do with his lunch box, how lining up at recess works, who the nice kids are and who they aren't, etc. etc. Somehow in Kindygarten that didn't seem like such a big deal. This year, it does. Another thing may also be that we knew at least a kid of two at his elementary school where as this year, he's going to be at Spring Lane elementary which is 25 minutes away in Holladay where he will continue his Chinese immersion stuff. We have been very impressed with the school and his teachers (Bret's chinese teacher was actually Stef's grandma in the mission - she trained Stef's trainer) but we really don't know any kids out there. Keep him in your prayers as I'm sure it's going to be a rough few weeks for him.Part of the reason I'm in Stef's email is because we were just sending and email to his teachers explaining the eye patch that he wears for his amplyopia (lazy eye). I dread the thought of kids making fun of him for it, but I just have to think to myself that hopefully (if they do) he'll learn how to cope with it and it will make him that much stronger. I think school is going to be very humbling for Bret.After back-to-school night where they reviewed the disciplined program (the green, yellow, organ, red thing where Red is the principle's office) we were talking and he just said: "you know dad, the easiest way to not get in trouble is to just not make any friends." I couldn't necessarily argue with that statement because it dramatically reduces the risk of having too much fun, or being tempted to do something you shouldn't, but I encouraged him to try and find good friends and that doing so would make school much more fun for him. I don't think that making friends is necessarily his strong suite, but he seems to do ok with it. We'll see how it goes.Life here is great. We hope you're doing well out there. We love you and pray for you.Sincerely,
Re: This is Nick
Dad that is hilarious! I can picture it all so perfectly too :)Clay starts preschool next Wednesday and after that will have it each subsequent MWF! 9:30 to 11:30, so if you need me to make any beds during that time, I will be around :)-StefOn Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 3:31 PM, bret bassett <bretbassett@gmail.com> wrote:I was a big softie at school. Never looking to make any trouble... you know my white personality and all.I got in more trouble than any of my brothers and sisters, and I don't know why. I was just trying to be a good kid.- I put bubble gum in a friend's chair. Yes I had chewed it, but I thought that just made it funnier.- I pushed a friends head into the water fountain while he was drinking. I didn't know that his mouth would bang the metal and bleed.- I was talking when the teacher told everyone to be quiet and I kept talking (I didn't hear him say to be quiet because I was talking).- I was sitting out of alignment (just a little and not rebelliously) when we were all supposed to be in lines, and the gym coach came unglued all over me.- I got in a fight on school grounds when a kid told me my mother wore army boots. Long story.- I picked up a metal draftsman compass that was lying in the grass. It had fallen from the 3rd floor window above me, but I didn't know.- I was caught marking a Book of Mormon during history class (Houston) when I should have been doing classwork. The teacher cut me some slack since it was technically 'historical' in nature.- I fell asleep during class all the time. Early morning seminary made me sleepy all day- I left school early because I split my pants all along the crotch seam from the back belt to the front zipper. I was so embarrased I just left.- My mom called the police to find the guy who stole my bike off the front lawn. When I was coming home from school, I realized that it hadn't been stolen, but I had accidentally left it in the bike rack from the day before. I was too afraid to ride it home because the cops were out looking for it.- I was fired from my job as a 15 year old at a Chinese restaurant for asking for too much time off (I need a week for scout camp, a week for youth conference, sundays off every week, wednesdays off every week for mutual, etc. etc.)There's no doubt about it. I was a troublemaker. But I was still so innocent. Maybe the REASON I am so white is because of the above experiences. Maybe I was as yellow as Rosey before this... hmmmmOh well. May the Lord bless those good innocent boys of mine as they work their way through school!Grandpa.
On Wed, Aug 27, 2014 at 5:45 PM, Janey Nielsen <janeybassett@gmail.com> wrote:Profound thought Clay. That is the million dollar question.
On Wednesday, August 27, 2014, Stefanie Bassett <stef.m.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I have to share that he didn't have to flip a card yesterday :) and I have to share this. Clay, as we all know, talks nonstop these days. After we dropped Bret off on his first day, Clay asked me the following million dollar question:" Mom, if there were 2,000 (really emphasize that when you say it) Stripling warriors and NONE of them died, how come there were so many star troopers and all of them died?"He is so funny and thinks about the most random stuff. I love it!Yes Kristi I am glad Ben and Bret can love each other inspite of their imperfections. Maybe they are better at making friends than we give them credit for :) love the sanitary liner!-StefOn Tue, Aug 26, 2014 at 9:35 PM, Rosey <roseybassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I literally cried the first time I flipped a card ... Which wasn't until 3rd grade. And you thought I was a skunk....
Sent from my iPhoneThat seems a little rough on the first day. I bet he didn't even realize he was doing it! Good for him to just blow it off.
On Monday, August 25, 2014, Nick Bassett <nick.w.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
So quick follow-up from the letter last night:Bret successfully navigated his first day of first grade. When he got to the school the Salt Lake Bees Bee, and the Jazz Bear were there celebrating the first day of school with the kids. I guess that's and advantage to an east side school. haha.I did have to laugh at the dinner table when I (half jokingly) asked Bret if he'd gotten in any trouble today and had to change his green card to yellow or orange. I was really taken back when he told me he did have to change his card to yellow, and was possibly the only kid who had to (there may have been a few other kids...it was hard to tell from Bret). It sounds like he was tapping his pencil quite loudly and his teacher just said whoever is tapping their pencil to please change their card to a yellow. He handled it well and I think more than anything she was probably just trying to help the kids realize the importance of quietly listening. The teacher also made a big deal at the back-to-school night that getting a yellow card was NOT a big deal at all. Greens and Yellows are very normal and should be expected. She spent more time explaining orange, red and white.Anyway...pretty classic moment.NickOn Mon, Aug 25, 2014 at 6:24 PM, Janey Nielsen <janeybassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I sure hope the first day went well and would love to hear how it went! Warner and I love Bret's logic about how to not get into trouble....no friends! I'm thinking he can manage balancing friends and not getting into trouble too often!
On Sunday, August 24, 2014, Stefanie Bassett <stef.m.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:Hi Max,This is Nick writing from Stef's email box. Tomorrow is the first day of first grade for Bret. It's weird because you'd think Kindergarten is the big year where it's sad and crazy that your kids are growing up, but I've got to say first grade has been much more difficult for me. It's so strange to think that Bret will be gone all day at school. He's got to figure out what to do with his lunch box, how lining up at recess works, who the nice kids are and who they aren't, etc. etc. Somehow in Kindygarten that didn't seem like such a big deal. This year, it does. Another thing may also be that we knew at least a kid of two at his elementary school where as this year, he's going to be at Spring Lane elementary which is 25 minutes away in Holladay where he will continue his Chinese immersion stuff. We have been very impressed with the school and his teachers (Bret's chinese teacher was actually Stef's grandma in the mission - she trained Stef's trainer) but we really don't know any kids out there. Keep him in your prayers as I'm sure it's going to be a rough few weeks for him.Part of the reason I'm in Stef's email is because we were just sending and email to his teachers explaining the eye patch that he wears for his amplyopia (lazy eye). I dread the thought of kids making fun of him for it, but I just have to think to myself that hopefully (if they do) he'll learn how to cope with it and it will make him that much stronger. I think school is going to be very humbling for Bret.After back-to-school night where they reviewed the disciplined program (the green, yellow, organ, red thing where Red is the principle's office) we were talking and he just said: "you know dad, the easiest way to not get in trouble is to just not make any friends." I couldn't necessarily argue with that statement because it dramatically reduces the risk of having too much fun, or being tempted to do something you shouldn't, but I encouraged him to try and find good friends and that doing so would make school much more fun for him. I don't think that making friends is necessarily his strong suite, but he seems to do ok with it. We'll see how it goes.Life here is great. We hope you're doing well out there. We love you and pray for you.Sincerely,
Re: Love from mom
Great letter my love. It has been fun for mom and I to talk about the grandkids this week as they start school. You parents have got to be loving life. I hope you do...it moves way too quickly. Also, the corn is an eyesore. I couldn't agree more. But the legos are fun.Enjoy!On Sun, Aug 24, 2014 at 11:12 PM, Rosey <roseybassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I love that in the listing of who went to the Ogden temple, Louie was listed in the daughter group :) she really does feel that way! Love ya mom!
Sent from my iPhone
> On Aug 24, 2014, at 9:01 PM, Wendy Bassett <wendy.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Dear Max,
>
> First, let's start out with two responses from last week's letter (in case you've forgotten - you mentioned the gross white squishy things in your apartment!)
>
> From Ashleigh:
> Max...loved your letter, though that is suuuuper gross. Like, REALLY gross. We had a similar experience in Beijing with cockroaches...tried little hotels, sprays, etc...finally one night Bob came home from school, i was up high on a chair yanking EVERYTHING out of EVERY SINGLE CUPBOARD...(and we surprisingly had a lot of cupboards) and i went bizerk on them. Totally worked.
>
> Keep teaching and being focused like you are, YOU'RE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!
> --------------
> From aunt Liz:
> Max, Max, Max! I love you! I love your focus. I'm totally grossed out with the ant story (Kent thinks they were ant larva). You keep on keepin' on! This too shall pass. Love you.
> -----------------
>
> I believe Uncle Kent. I wish I could send you some lemon pine sol! Hopefully, somehow, the problem is taken care of! It sounded awful but I'm thankful it didn't get you down!
>
> So it's a beautiful summer evening. In a few minutes we are heading over to Margaret and Mark's to join other GHS family alumni to properly sing the school song. Last week was all the meetings for teachers (Marg) and I guess when the teachers sang the school song it was so pathetic that Marg decided something needed to be done about it. So she is on a quest to teach the song correctly. I think they are video taping it to show at either a teachers' meeting or a school assembly. Funny huh?
>
> Today was the last of our 11 YSA modesty lessons. We are done and I came home with a lighter step! I am thankful for the experience and thankful to have it behind me. It was amazing how different it was taught in each Relief Society. It makes you realize how much a lesson depends on it's recipients! The three of us in the presidency taught every lesson together and it drew us much closer as a presidency. It was a wonderful experience and I felt very blessed. Now on to more challenges - but you don't have to hear about them now.
>
> So this past week was officially MY last week of summer. I start back at PT work tomorrow morning. Wow have I loved not working. I hope I can get back into the swing of things at work without too much trouble.
>
> A highlight of this week was going to the Ogden Temple open house with my sisters and nieces and daughters. Karen, Nancy and Suzy all went, along with Karen and Gwen Yorg and kids, along with Caroline, Janey and Rosey. It is such a beautiful temple. One of our new YSA high council members did all of the gold leafing on the walls and ceiling and had told me about it and that made the temple so much more meaningful to me. I spent a lot of the tour looking up! I cannot wait to go through after it is dedicated. It makes me think that we need to do another Utah temple trip when you are home!
>
> Another good thing I did was yesterday when Kent and Suzy and I headed up to the cabin to help with the "canyon neighbors" clean up. We didn't actually go to the cabin but met at another cabin by the gate and learned about which weeds were nuisance weeds and the best way to get rid of them. I found it all rather interesting. After a bit of training we all went to work getting rid of those "weeds." I met the family that lives in that new cabin you can see from the zip line. They live there year round. When we told her who we were she got this look and we said "we're the noisy ones" And she nodded her head. It was funny.
>
> A couple of random things:
>
> I went and applied for a new passport this week. I think I told you I lost mine and even after hours and hours of searching and cleaning out all the files I could not find it. So instead of continuing to stew over it I just applied for a new one.
>
> We have had tons more rain this week, and cooler temperatures. It's weird because it hasn't really felt like August (since I love summer I have felt cheated)
>
> I miss having the Brock's farm the fields. There is some sad looking corn growing in the middle of the fields (I think being grown organically so they can't spray for weeds or grow it too close to our homes) and the fields are pretty weedy. I just miss that tall corn growing. It's not nearly so pretty.
>
> Bret and Clay have been over to play a few times and absolutely LOVE the Legos. They are pretty patient to look for parts and to do what it takes to try and build things according to directions. Cute little Ned, in watching us, just stands and sifts his hands through the big tub of Legos, pretending he is looking for something. It's funny.
>
> We got to talk to all the grandkids tonight who are starting school in the morning. I was happy to hear the dad's had given them a Father's blessing. Gwen will be in 4th grade, Ben and Bret in 1st, Ivy in Kindergarten, Clay in preschool. Exciting stuff!
>
> Sure love you. Know that we think about you and pray for you always. We pray for both your physical and your spiritual health and feel so grateful to know that Heavenly Father hears our prayers. We pray for Marina and for your mission president and for the people you come in contact with. We pray that you will stay healthy also that you will be worthy of the Spirit. We pray for your companion and your relationships and that you can get rid of those gross looking bugs! Sure love you. Have a productive and happy week.
>
> Love,
> Mom
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
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Bret Bassett - PMP | International Product Manager |
4268 Sherm Circle West Valley City UT. 84120
Home: 801.968-0760 | Cell: 801.815.5860 | bretbassett@gmail.com
Re: This is Nick
I was a big softie at school. Never looking to make any trouble... you know my white personality and all.I got in more trouble than any of my brothers and sisters, and I don't know why. I was just trying to be a good kid.- I put bubble gum in a friend's chair. Yes I had chewed it, but I thought that just made it funnier.- I pushed a friends head into the water fountain while he was drinking. I didn't know that his mouth would bang the metal and bleed.- I was talking when the teacher told everyone to be quiet and I kept talking (I didn't hear him say to be quiet because I was talking).- I was sitting out of alignment (just a little and not rebelliously) when we were all supposed to be in lines, and the gym coach came unglued all over me.- I got in a fight on school grounds when a kid told me my mother wore army boots. Long story.- I picked up a metal draftsman compass that was lying in the grass. It had fallen from the 3rd floor window above me, but I didn't know.- I was caught marking a Book of Mormon during history class (Houston) when I should have been doing classwork. The teacher cut me some slack since it was technically 'historical' in nature.- I fell asleep during class all the time. Early morning seminary made me sleepy all day- I left school early because I split my pants all along the crotch seam from the back belt to the front zipper. I was so embarrased I just left.- My mom called the police to find the guy who stole my bike off the front lawn. When I was coming home from school, I realized that it hadn't been stolen, but I had accidentally left it in the bike rack from the day before. I was too afraid to ride it home because the cops were out looking for it.- I was fired from my job as a 15 year old at a Chinese restaurant for asking for too much time off (I need a week for scout camp, a week for youth conference, sundays off every week, wednesdays off every week for mutual, etc. etc.)There's no doubt about it. I was a troublemaker. But I was still so innocent. Maybe the REASON I am so white is because of the above experiences. Maybe I was as yellow as Rosey before this... hmmmmOh well. May the Lord bless those good innocent boys of mine as they work their way through school!Grandpa.On Wed, Aug 27, 2014 at 5:45 PM, Janey Nielsen <janeybassett@gmail.com> wrote:Profound thought Clay. That is the million dollar question.
On Wednesday, August 27, 2014, Stefanie Bassett <stef.m.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I have to share that he didn't have to flip a card yesterday :) and I have to share this. Clay, as we all know, talks nonstop these days. After we dropped Bret off on his first day, Clay asked me the following million dollar question:" Mom, if there were 2,000 (really emphasize that when you say it) Stripling warriors and NONE of them died, how come there were so many star troopers and all of them died?"He is so funny and thinks about the most random stuff. I love it!Yes Kristi I am glad Ben and Bret can love each other inspite of their imperfections. Maybe they are better at making friends than we give them credit for :) love the sanitary liner!-StefOn Tue, Aug 26, 2014 at 9:35 PM, Rosey <roseybassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I literally cried the first time I flipped a card ... Which wasn't until 3rd grade. And you thought I was a skunk....
Sent from my iPhoneThat seems a little rough on the first day. I bet he didn't even realize he was doing it! Good for him to just blow it off.
On Monday, August 25, 2014, Nick Bassett <nick.w.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
So quick follow-up from the letter last night:Bret successfully navigated his first day of first grade. When he got to the school the Salt Lake Bees Bee, and the Jazz Bear were there celebrating the first day of school with the kids. I guess that's and advantage to an east side school. haha.I did have to laugh at the dinner table when I (half jokingly) asked Bret if he'd gotten in any trouble today and had to change his green card to yellow or orange. I was really taken back when he told me he did have to change his card to yellow, and was possibly the only kid who had to (there may have been a few other kids...it was hard to tell from Bret). It sounds like he was tapping his pencil quite loudly and his teacher just said whoever is tapping their pencil to please change their card to a yellow. He handled it well and I think more than anything she was probably just trying to help the kids realize the importance of quietly listening. The teacher also made a big deal at the back-to-school night that getting a yellow card was NOT a big deal at all. Greens and Yellows are very normal and should be expected. She spent more time explaining orange, red and white.Anyway...pretty classic moment.NickOn Mon, Aug 25, 2014 at 6:24 PM, Janey Nielsen <janeybassett@gmail.com> wrote:
I sure hope the first day went well and would love to hear how it went! Warner and I love Bret's logic about how to not get into trouble....no friends! I'm thinking he can manage balancing friends and not getting into trouble too often!
On Sunday, August 24, 2014, Stefanie Bassett <stef.m.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:Hi Max,This is Nick writing from Stef's email box. Tomorrow is the first day of first grade for Bret. It's weird because you'd think Kindergarten is the big year where it's sad and crazy that your kids are growing up, but I've got to say first grade has been much more difficult for me. It's so strange to think that Bret will be gone all day at school. He's got to figure out what to do with his lunch box, how lining up at recess works, who the nice kids are and who they aren't, etc. etc. Somehow in Kindygarten that didn't seem like such a big deal. This year, it does. Another thing may also be that we knew at least a kid of two at his elementary school where as this year, he's going to be at Spring Lane elementary which is 25 minutes away in Holladay where he will continue his Chinese immersion stuff. We have been very impressed with the school and his teachers (Bret's chinese teacher was actually Stef's grandma in the mission - she trained Stef's trainer) but we really don't know any kids out there. Keep him in your prayers as I'm sure it's going to be a rough few weeks for him.Part of the reason I'm in Stef's email is because we were just sending and email to his teachers explaining the eye patch that he wears for his amplyopia (lazy eye). I dread the thought of kids making fun of him for it, but I just have to think to myself that hopefully (if they do) he'll learn how to cope with it and it will make him that much stronger. I think school is going to be very humbling for Bret.After back-to-school night where they reviewed the disciplined program (the green, yellow, organ, red thing where Red is the principle's office) we were talking and he just said: "you know dad, the easiest way to not get in trouble is to just not make any friends." I couldn't necessarily argue with that statement because it dramatically reduces the risk of having too much fun, or being tempted to do something you shouldn't, but I encouraged him to try and find good friends and that doing so would make school much more fun for him. I don't think that making friends is necessarily his strong suite, but he seems to do ok with it. We'll see how it goes.Life here is great. We hope you're doing well out there. We love you and pray for you.Sincerely,
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