Great letter mom! It has been a good couple weeks and I'm with you, I loved Ashley's mom and sister! Great people.
On Monday, May 2, 2016, Blaine Bassett <blainebbassett@gmail.com> wrote:
On Monday, May 2, 2016, Blaine Bassett <blainebbassett@gmail.com> wrote:
Loved every word of the letter, Mom. Thanks for writing! I love all the little details, from how you quizzed the waitress at Little America (let me guess, Kent's idea?) to the details of how the baptism worked (I was wondering if it was the stake baptism--it seemed weird they would do it at the end of the month because ours have always been the first Saturday of the month, so I was wondering if they had gotten permission to just do a service on their own...). Anyway, it was so fun to read and makes me regret not writing because it has been too long for me and we actually had some funny stuff happen last week. Maybe if I get time later I can get caught up. Either way, we sure are excited to see you all so soon. Less than a week!
Blaine
-----Original Message-----
From: bwbassetts@googlegroups.com [mailto:bwbassetts@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Wendy Bassett
Sent: Monday, May 2, 2016 1:37 AM
To: bwbassetts@googlegroups.com; bret.bassett2.bawb@blogger.com
Subject: Love from Mom - long - sorry
Dear Family,
I have missed two weeks of writing and, even though it is late, I have to write. I just feel so much gratitude for everything that has happened these last couple weeks and I feel so much gratitude for the blessed time we are looking forward to this next week. My heart is bursting!
Here are just some highlights - chronologically. (Yes, this IS my journal entry - sorry - feel free to skim or practice your speed reading or skip it all together)
Thursday, April 21 was Hale Theater with grandma, Karen, Nancy and Doug. We saw Peter and the Star Catcher. Frankly it was weird. It was well done but the story line is just really different. I was expecting more a children's show and it was not.
Friday, April 22 Karen Morris and I picked up little Bret and the three of us went shopping at Deseret Book for new scriptures for him for his 8th birthday. He was so cute about the whole thing trying to decide which size and color and case and then which scripture markers. We had his name engraved - full name, and he was truly excited about the whole thing. I loved it when later Clay was asking if me and his grandma Morris were really good friends. He was delighted when I told him we are!
That Friday night dad and I went to a 86th birthday dinner for grandma Winder. It was downtown at Little America Coffee Shop. All siblings except Janet and Howard were able to be there. We told the waitress what we were celebrating and at the end of the meal quizzed her to see if she could figure out which ones of us were the original children. I think she got every one correct!!
Saturday, April 23, Dad and I attended the Salt Lake Temple wedding ceremony of our former YSA RS president. It was a crowded room. Then dad presided at the ring ceremony a couple hours later. Because we knew Max and Ashley were "close" that was pretty much all I could think about. You can tightly fit 69 people into the sealing room that only technically holds 45 people. Robert Backman, an emeritus Seventy who worked closely with grandpa Winder on the missionary committee, was the sealer and did a beautiful job. He gave such inspiring and happy council. It all made me miss my dad.
From the ring ceremony dad and I headed up to This Is the Place State Park and met Max and Ashley there to look at the venue that we have chosen for their Utah reception. Course at this point nothing was official and she didn't have a ring. We love this place and I think Max and Ashley do, too.
Saturday and Sunday was our YSA stake conference at the Volta building. We had three inspiring sessions. Rosey was asked to speak at the leadership session on Sunday morning. She spoke about the importance of relationships and of ministering to each other and did a phenomenal job. Honestly, I can't tell you how many people have since commented to me on how much they loved her talk. It has been humbling. The YSA sister who taught our lesson this morning brought it up again. Kind of like how you do with a good general conference talk. As parents we could not be more pleased. Course it all reminds me of my pondering one scripture for that week - III John 4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
Max and Ashley spent that weekend with us and we had everyone, including aunt Liz, Ashley and Chelsea Applegate for dinner that Sunday evening. The house was rocking! Liz always brings lots of energy to a party.
Monday, April 25 was the day the engagement ring was to arrive at our house being mailed from Kentucky. When Max checked on line it said it would come at 3 pm but when I got home from work for lunch there was a note in the door that we missed it. Dang! Max was planning to propose that night and was driving up to get it. I called the post office and they kindly tracked down our postman who brought it back. So nice! Cheers for USPS! (He's the same postman who always stands important looking letters up in front of the mailbox.).
Dad and I were asked to helped teach our YSA Family Home Evening that night. We, along with one of his counsellors and his wife (Karl and Tina Thorup), told our stories of how we met and fell in love. It was so much fun. Then they did a panel discussion and asked questions and I saw a new side of some of the YSA. I even had a couple of guys come up afterwards and ask specific dating questions they didn't want to ask out loud. My love for these YSA grows stronger over time. This really is a blessed calling. I know it is much harder for dad and it is inspiring for me to see him in action as bishop.
I'm still working three days a week. Three more days and I will be done for the summer - wahooooo!!!! Cannot wait. But I do like work. I was really humbled the other day. Besides Wade (PT) and Katie (office manager) I work a couple of days with a PT Assistant named Kyle. Working with him reminds me that as Latter Day Saints we do not have the corner on goodness and kindness. Kyle is 26, Catholic and grew up in West Jordan. I really enjoy his personality and his work style. I was impressed a couple days ago to watch him deal with a patient who is extremely difficult. I had been whining all morning knowing this patient was coming in (very intimidating guy) and it put me to shame to see how kind and good Kyle was with this guy. He went out of his way to talk to him and try to help him.
Ashley's mom Julie and sister Katie have been in town this week. On Friday, April 29 the two of them met Janey, Griff and I at the reception venue to look around. It was fun for me to see it twice. Then we went downtown and showed them the JSB and Lion House to think about where we might have the wedding luncheon. (We decided on the JSB - Kirtland Room that overlooks the Temple). They are delightful people. It shouldn't surprise me because Ashley is so nice, but we just had the best time getting to know them. Then that evening we all (with dad, Max and Ashley) went out to dinner at Goodwood BBQ and came back to the house for ice cream and hard sauce. They are so comfortable to be around. We just wished we could have met her dad, too. They also joined us for other events this weekend - the baptism and dinner today.
Yesterday, Saturday, April 30 was a special day - Bret's baptism and Sofie Mei's blessing day. The opening exercises for the baptism were with the whole stake. I loved how they did it - spotlighting each child. Then bonus because Stef was the speaker on baptism. She gave such a nice message - just stick with it!! We then separated to the font area a ward at a time and Bret was the only one from his ward. I got so tearful (surprise) watching Nick lead Bret into the water and listening to that beautiful ordinance being spoken. It was payday (see III John 4). Then we went into another room for the confirmation and sweet Sofie's beautiful blessing. From there we all went over to Nick and Stef's home for a nice lunch in the backyard. Thanks again guys!
Max and I did some shopping yesterday afternoon and got killer deals with all my Kohls coupons. He was exhausted and I was just warming up! Then we met Ashley and her mom at Charming Charlie's to look at necklaces. Just what Max wanted to do. Ash and her mom have gotten so much done this week - a wedding dress, announcements, bridesmaids dresses.
Today has been a wonderful Fast Sunday. We all celebrated Janey's 30th birthday together with a Cafe Rio dinner and homemade ice cream sandwiches (made by Janey from yesterday's baptism that we never ate). It was all yummy. There were 11 of us around the table plus three boys at the counter, Grif wandering and Sofie sleeping. It was fun to just sit and visit after dinner. Ashley's cute sister Katie opened up about the date she had last night and we all gave our advice. Good times. Slowly people had to leave. Katie had to fly back home tonight but Julie stays a couple more days. We got in a game of Zilch and Rosey and Ash challenged each other to push-ups. You are buff girls! Julie and I talked wedding details until late. It's fun to plan with someone who has such similar opinions and who is so darn easy to work with.
Six more days and we are all together. I'm so excited to see Blaine, Kristi, Gwen, Ben, Ivy and Tess. I cannot wait! Love you all.
Mom
Sent from my iPad
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