Kevin Hamilton Family: Back in time...1986 Family Life

Kevin Hamilton Famiy
Agoura Ward Directory 1985-86

Sorry...I don't like to write long blogs but...just a glimpse of daily Hamilton family life in the past...if you have some time...

I was transcribing an old journal I found this week. We had been married 7 ½ years... 3 little kids...

December 30, 1985, Monday

I was sick with the stomach flu. Visiting teacher, Kathey Mackay showed up unexpectedly, cleaned my house and took Matthew for a few hours. Ryan and Michelle went to the park with the Lewis Family. None of them knew I was sick, just happened to show up. It sure helped out. Had a short family night. Kathey also fixed a dinner for us. Matthew seems to have an incredible appetite. Every hour he has to have something to eat. He favors cookies, but will eat almost anything.

December 31, 1985, Tuesday

I felt better today, Matthew is sick with diarrhea and eye infection. Ryan has a sore throat and 100 degree fever. We started unpacking from our Seattle trip. We came home Sunday night (Mom watched the kids). Kevin and I sat down and wrote out goals for the New Year after the kids went to bed. We watched a videotape, had some chips and dip and apple juice and celebrated the New Year. Then went to bed.

Goals for the New Year 1986 – The Kevin S. Hamilton Family

1. Family Night – once a week

2. Family Prayer – once a day

3. Temple attendance – once a month

4. Get out of debt – pay off all credit cards

5. Savings account - $2,000.00

6. Finish kids bathroom

7. Bedroom furniture

8. Kitchen furniture

9. Family trip – summer time

10. Plant a garden, fruit trees and roses

11. Add to years supply – complete a 72 hour kit

12. Keep family journal

13. Sunday family scripture reading

14. Reading to kids

15. Outside play yard

16. Clean side yard

January 1, 1986, Wednesday

Kevin got up at 5:15 am and left to go skiing with some of the church kids. I stayed home and took care of the kids. We did some window shopping, played at the park and just relaxed. Kevin got sick with the flu about 2pm on the ski slope – managed to finish the day and drive home (3 hr. drive). The kids were really good today. They made their beds, cleared their plates at lunch and dinner without me asking. I hope these may be good habits blossoming.

January 2, 1986, Thursday

Ryan, Michelle and I organized the toys today. We bought some colorful plastic bins and sorted all afternoon. We threw out a lot of broken toys and collected garbage the kids had. Kevin came home a little early tonight and built three shelves in Ryan’s closet. Michelle and Matthew stood up on buckets to watch Kevin saw. I painted them after everyone went to sleep.

January 3, 1986, Friday

We thoroughly cleaned or picked up the house today. I did all the washing before my cleaning crew got here at 1 pm. I pay them $35 and they work for about 2 hours. It’s the best thing I’ve done. I feel so good when the house is clean. I took the kids to Carl’s Jr. for dinner. Kevin picked up the babysitter and we went out to a movie and dinner. We had a great time.

January 4, 1986, Saturday

Today Kevin gave me the day off since New Years he was gone. He let me sleep in as he fed the kids breakfast. I had basketball practice at 10:00am and Ryan and Michelle had doctors appointments the same time. Ryan’s ears were both infected. Michelle was fine. Kevin and I took the kids to the doctors and then I took off and ran all my errands, did some shopping and just relaxed. I came home about 4:30pm and we all went to the church for several baptisms of friends. We came home and Kevin fixed dinner, grilled cheese sandwiches and leftover soup, got the kids ready for bed, clean the house and did the dishes. I had a great, great day!!!

January 5, 1986, Sunday

We started the new time schedule today. Church meetings started at 9:00am. Matthew wasn’t too happy all through church. He cried a lot. I sat out in the foyer with him almost every meeting. We took him to the doctor when we got home. By then, he seemed to be in a lot of pain. Both his ears were infected and he had an earache. By afternoon he had a fever, which lasted shortly as the medicine started working. We had a new family over for apple cobbler and ice cream. They moved in 2 weeks ago and needed some friends. They live in a small trailer in Malibu Canyon and he’s a truck driver. They seem very nice.

January 6, 1986 Monday

Ryan started school again. Matthew really is starting to talk. All day he kept practicing saying “yes” and nodding his head. He had a hard time saying the “ye” before the “s”. He kept pulling the stool to the counter to eat last night’s apple cobbler. Michelle made her bed and dressed without me asking her this morning. It was a sunshiny beautiful day. I went to exercise class this morning, and then practiced basketball. We went to my folk’s house for Lisa’s Farewell dinner. She leaves Thursday for Austria. At the church by myself, Matthew and Michelle watched and cheered and clapped each time I made a basket. I’m playing on the Ward team Wednesday night and hadn’t touched a basketball for 12 years. I think I did fairly well at practice.

January 7, 1986, Tuesday

Michelle had Tiny Tots from 9:30 am – 12:00pm. Kevin came home early afternoon to help Ryan finish his pinewood derby car. Ryan and I painted it and put some star decals on it. After dinner we went to the church as a family and watched and raced in the Priest Quorum Pinewood derby race. Ryan’s car came in second after several close rematches.

January 8, 1986, Wednesday

Went to exercise class then practiced basketball by myself at the church. Picked the kids up from school. Ryan had gymnastics from 3:00pm – 4:00pm. I played basketball at the ward tonight on the Ward Women’s team. I made 2 out of 3 baskets. I was really nervous. I hadn’t played for years. Most of the players are girls just a few years out of high school. We won.

January 9, 1986, Thursday

Met Kevin for lunch and looked at cars. Went to the temple with April and Bob Leder. After the temple we went out to eat at the Flaky Jakes Restaurant where we saw a wooden plaque with a J. D. Hamilton Apples sticker on it. Kevin is going to talk to the manager to see if we can purchase it. It was part of their restaurant décor.

January 10, 1986, Friday

Morning exercise class – then practiced basketball by myself. Taught a piano lesson after school. David Lewis, Ryan’s friend spent the night. Kevin took Michelle on a date to buy her some new tennis shoes. She dressed up – she looked so cute. Then he took her to dinner (at McDonalds- her request), then an ice cream cone. The boys and I went to McDonalds for dinner too.

January 11, 1986, Saturday

Had a Women’s basketball game at 10:15 am at the Stake Center. I played more – I am still a little rusty. I’m glad I’ve been practicing. I didn’t make too many points. No one seems to pass to me yet. We won 33-13. We’ve had a beautiful sunshiny warm day. Cool nights. I transplanted the strawberry plants. Kevin fixed a lot of things today and cleaned up the garage, took down the outdoor Christmas lights. The kids enjoy having him home. We went to an adult Stake Conference meeting at 7:00-9:00pm then went to a surprise birthday party for Spencer Mackay. We had to dress up 80 or older. It was fun. Didn’t get home an in bed until 1:30 am.

January 25, 1986, Saturday

Kevin ran in “The Great Race of Agoura”. It was a 10K run. There were a lot of runners from all over Los Angeles. Kevin finished about middle. After the race, we (girl friends) took Amelie Lawler to lunch for her birthday.

January 26, 1986, Sunday

We met a new family today. The Krans’. They have been in the ward for a short while but not active. They are nice. We invited them over for family night. After church we went over to visit the Lockyers.

January 28, 1986, Tuesday

A very sad day. I was cleaning the house and turned on the radio to listen to some music. I heard the tail end of a special report of the space shuttle launching. I called Kevin at work to ask him what happened. It and it’s seven passengers/crew exploded a minute after take off in the air. I couldn’t believe it. A school teacher was on it and Ryan and other school children had been following it closely. Many even watched it on T.V. as it blew up. No one knows what happened. Kevin and I watched the news and saw film clips of the blast off and the explosion. It was a very empty feeling.

February 3, 1986, Monday

I took Ryan out of Gymnastics today. They raised their fee to $61.00 for a month (2x week). I felt bad about it. His teacher called and showed quite concern for Ryan and said he really needed it. I decided to put him back in Wednesday for a while and see how it goes. Money is a little tight because of medical payments. Matthew and Ryan have been in and out of the doctors for ear infections in January and insurance pays only after the deductible $100 each. It adds up quickly. Plus we got a last hospital bill of $1,300 for Matthew birth in the mail that needs payment on.

February 4, 1986, Tuesday

Michelle changed her ballet class today. She is taking tap/ballet class. Her teacher said she is really good in ballet and is far above the others in her class. She needed a challenge. Her class meets Tuesdays 3:30- 4:30pm. Cost is $27/month.

February 5, 1986, Wednesday

I took the kids to get their pictures taken this morning at Sears. There was no school. I’m glad I only do this once in a while to get them all ready and keep them clean is quite a chore.

February 8, 1986, Saturday,

I had a Basketball game at the Stake Center at 10:15 am. Our women’s team won. I just started basketball. I’m not a great player but I’m getting better with each game. Kevin and the kids watched. After the game I had to do some shopping and baking for Sunday. The Primary President asked 4 of us to cater an open house. She bought our coupon at the ward auction sacrifice dinner in November that offered this service. As it happened, 2 of us ended up doing most of it. One had a baby and the other girl had strep throat. They did some baking and dipped strawberries for us but we did everything else. It was a lot of fun however and we made a lot of great stuff.

February 9, 1986, Sunday

Today I tried to go to Sunday School and Relief Society with Matthew but he just wanted to go outside. It was a gorgeous day. I didn’t blame him. He is so ready to go into the nursery. Only 3 more Sundays. I took him in for a little while today. He had no problem. Kevin was called and set apart to be the young men president.

February 14, 1986, Friday

Valentine’s Day

Kevin gave me a card and a balloon. I took him to lunch at a benefit luncheon that a friend was having for their non-profit family counseling organization. We then took off about 4:00pm for Lake Arrowhead. A lot of rain and traffic. Because of the many fires this year a lot of flooding is expected. It started to snow when we got up the mountain, but it didn’t stay.

February 15, 1986, Saturday

Lake Arrowhead Cabin

Still raining and raining hard. The day was nice and relaxing. Kevin built a nice fire and we filled the day with reading books. The kids played, went outside in the rain and found large puddles to soak themselves in. I put their clothes in the dryer twice today. Their boots were soaking, but they didn’t mind. Matthew is quite the busy one. He didn’t stop moving or exploring all day. He’s fun but very busy. He eats a lot too. He eats every meal twice and snacks in between. He understands what I tell him and is really big into saying “me” when I ask, “Who wants this or that?”

February 26, 1986, Wednesday

Kevin and I helped chaperone the Priest and Laurels ski trip at Mammoth. We left after school and drove up in four big cars. There were six chaperones and 18 kids. We had 2 condos they split us into. Mom kept Matthew, he was sick with diarrhea and an ear infection. Ryan stayed with the Lewis’ and Michelle stayed with the Lawlers and the Leders.

March 1, 1986, Saturday

Last day skiing and the best! We drove to Bishop and had dinner at the Sizzlers. We picked up Matthew on the way home. Mom told me while he was there he had gotten into airplane model glue and Jenny’s valium pills. They found one pill in his mouth. He had a few hours of the day where he tried to walk and would fall down. Mom kept him awake all day until the drug wore off. Matthew was glad to see us. We got home late about 12:30pm after we dropped everyone off. We were sure tired.

March 2, 1986, Sunday

We picked up Michelle at Leders and Ryan at Lewis’. We were sure tired today. The kids missed us.

March 3, 1986, Monday

Matthew “ran away” today. After my exercise class, we pulled in the driveway and went into the house through the garage door. Michelle and Matthew were behind me. I ran in and hurried and changed out of my leotard so I could do some shopping. In less than 5 minutes, I was heading out for the car calling for Michelle and Matthew. Michelle came, but no Matthew. He had never made it in the house. The garage doors were wide open. I ran in the back yard and checked through the house and checked toward the park and saw him across and down the street sitting in the gutter of the street. I was so relieved to find him. I need to really watch him now that he thinks he can wander off by himself.

March 6, 1986, Thursday

Ryan woke up with an earache. I took him to the doctor and he found both ears infected. Matthew also got his polio and Dtp shot today. We had a very nice program at Relief Society Homemaking meeting. It was on the life of Emma Smith. It was very touching. We also had a nice dinner.

March 20, 1986, Thursday

It’s been a busy week. I’ve finally got all the children in bed and it’s 9:15 pm. I’m tired but need to write a talk for church this Sunday. I’ve been trying all week to find some time to myself but have been busy with church callings and babysitting other children after school and emergency drop-ins all week. One day I had 8 children until 6pm. I finished the ward newsletter and got it to the printer Wednesday. That take up a lot of my time when Matthew is asleep (he likes to be involved in all my projects, so I wait until he is napping or asleep at night so I won’t have to ignore him or get mad at him when I’m working). The newsletter is a great missionary tool and activation also. I thank the Lord for giving me the talents and skill to do it. I enjoy it and really feel like I’m serving the ward. Today I baked and decorated a cake for Duff Lockyer. It was his 18^th birthday and at the ward auction last November I submitted a “decorate a custom B-day cake coupon” and the Bishop (Lockyer) got it. It came out really nice. I made a mound on top with a skier and trees on it. Duff is a skier and enjoyed it. It was chocolate with chocolate mousse filling and whipped cream. Right after I finished it Matthew invaded my kitchen when I wasn’t looking he dropped my glass mixing bowl on the floor. It shattered and sent glass and whipped cream all over. I mopped it all up and hurried out the door to take the cake to Lockyers. They invited us to dinner. It was very thoughtful of them. I was very tired and had not even begun to prepare our dinner. Duff enjoyed his cake. We came home and Ryan went into the kitchen to get a drink of water and dropped a glass on the counter, it shattered and I cleaned up the floor again, plus the counter. All I could do was to chuckle. I was too tired to get mad. Ryan felt bad, but I assured him it wasn’t a favorite glass anyway. He read tonight for me in his bed. It was the first time I could see he was sounding words out. It was as though a light was beginning to turn on in his head. He wants so bad to read and tries so hard. I think this finally may be the time for him.