Dear Kids,
      Lots of you have been asking how Missy is doing, and as of yesterday, she was still in the hospital. Dad and I visited her on our way to Heber. She was sitting up, smiling, talking on the phone, and her mom, who was there, said she was looking really good, compared with how she looked at first. She’s taking a medication that seems to be helping, even though they still haven’t figured out what’s causing her problems. She was hoping to come home today. Eleven days there has been tough. She said she misses her “babies.” While Dad and I were there, a nurse was trying to draw some of her blood. There didn’t seem to be much left in Missy. The nurse said the doctor wanted to test for something “weird.” I don’t doubt it’s weird, whatever it is.
      Dad and I were on our way to Heber to swap out our truck for John’s little yellow car, and to see the famous new piano in John and Heather’s living room. It really is spectacular. It has great tone! It’s the same size and brand as mine (Boston,) but shiny black. Dad and I also had fun just hanging out at John and Heather’s house, and visiting with Tom’s family, who were also there. At one point, all the kids were out in the back yard, and it looked like a preschool.
      Speaking of pianos, I had my annual spring recital on Saturday, here at our house. So many of my students are playing such difficult songs now, it was like a real concert. We’ve never had such a great program. I miss the days when all you kids played in my recitals, but time marches on.
      I had to have an emergency root canal last Wednesday, on a tooth that Dr. Condie worked on last June. He said, way back then, that it would give me further problems. Luckily he was able to do the root canal the day I called, but it’s taking its own sweet time about healing. I was on hard drugs for five or six days, but now I’m down to ibuprofin. Not chewing anything has been the hardest. I’m getting tired of mashed potatoes and ice cream.
      I’ll be cooking Sunday dinner again on May 2nd. Normally I go for the second Sunday of the month, but that will be Mothers Day, so Dad and I will be visiting Grandma and Grandpa Allen that day. So, if you can come on the 2nd, let me know.
      I love you all! Mom