Happy

The same lady that does the annual gift exchange has a photo a day challenge. Yesterdays challenge was to take and post a picture of something that makes you happy. This is my stack of groceries fresh from the car of a grocery delivery person. It makes me happy because I am not the one walking through walmart picking all of this stuff out. I just have to put it away.

The forecast is COLD

Every morning, during the winter, I can easily predict the outside temperature. I just look at the roof of our shed. 

Today I looked out and there was significant frost on the roof. Some winter mornings there is no frost. I love this simple non-electronic way to see the tempature. Looks like we will be bundling up with coats and boots.

Gnome friends

Over Christmas I kept seeing adorable gnomes everywhere. I was.so excited to make my own. I got most of the supplies at the Dollar Store and DI. I really loved how they turned out.

Their fluffy beards make me laugh so much. I had one more that I made. We gave that one to Luke's friend Quin. This is what it looks like at their house. Super adorable, huh!!!! I have a feeling I will make more. 

1st YM activity for Peter

This past Tuesday night Peter attended his first YM activity. When I picked him up from school he and Talmadge were saying how glad they were that they didn't have to wear a uniform anymore.

At this activity they went over the route for passing the Sacrament. Peter has been so, so nervous about this part of his new duties. I am glad they went over it multiple times. He told me they even got out the sacrament trays out to practice.

Then, when he got home he drew me a map and explained to me how it works. I think he is all ready to pass on Sunday. We have 15 deacons though so he might not get a turn. I really enjoy seeing him so excited about it.

A temple gift

Last week I was sitting in the chapel of the Payson temple. There was another sister who was also sitting next to me. All of a sudden she reaches over and hands me this little packet.

I could see that there was a little braclet and some cough drops. The most touching part was this little poem that was folded neatly inside.

I love it so much. It especially resonates with me because I always chit chat with the lady whose name I have for each session. I ask her what she is thinking/feeling and tell her to get ready when the exciting parts come.  Doing this helps me create a very tangible way to connect with her. I love it. I will never forget this simple gesture of kindness I received from a fellow temple sister. I feel so loved. Heavenly Father is so aware of me and I am so thankful for his tender mercies.

Peter is growing up

This adorable kid is growing up so fast now. I can't believe that he is 11 years old. He has been wanting to wear a tie for a few months now. He picked out the one he wanted from Seagull Book. Just this week he decided that he wanted to learn how to tie it on his own. Thank goodness for YouTube because I have no idea how to teach that. He is so proud of himself.

Since he turned 11 he has made the decision to be ordained a deacon. This was not a decision he made lightly. We've talked about the added responsibility and he made the decision to do it. We were so thankful for Grandpa Thomas. He left a PG city council meeting early so he could come and preform this special ordnance for Peter.  Luke also came along so we got a picture of both boys and Grandpa too.

Not only is Peter now a deacon, he has been asked to serve as the secretary in the deacon presidency. He said he isn't sure what he'll need to do, but he is willing to make phone calls and write notes down if that's what they need. I love his giving heart and willingness to serve.

New Year thoughts

I've been thinking about what I would like 2020 to be. Have you? I always have been a big resolution maker. This year will be no different.

Last year was a rough year for me. Going from a full time homeschool momma to a very part time school helper had left me wondering who I am and what I should be.

The thoughts that have been rolling thru my mind have been:

-becoming a better cook

-keeping my house cleaner 

-figuring out how to wear makeup

-paying to attend yoga classes

-taking a craft class (bobbin lace)

Hum......so many possibilities. What does the year hold for me?

Thomas Family Christmas Newsletter

As with many of you, 2019 has been a year filled with many ups, downs, and all arounds. It’s been a blessing to look back on all the things we’ve done and the ways we have grown.

Brandon – continues to work at Salt Lake Community College as the Director of Purchasing/Accounts Payable/Travel.  He enjoys the people he works with, and continues to work hard to ensure the campus follows state and federal laws in all their purchasing acquisitions.  This year, he also decided to run, and was then elected, as the Utah Chapter treasurer for NIGP (National Institute for Government Procurement).  He has enjoyed the challenges and opportunities this new position has given him. He and Peter spent six weekends this summer camping in the mountains near our home. 

Their favorite place ended up being a campground called Soapstone. The drive getting there wasn’t fun for Peter, but they enjoyed this new spot they’ve never been to. They also enjoy hiking together on these camping trips. Brandon also took Peter on a trip to Disneyland in January and he had a two-week work trip to San Diego in October.

Laurie Ann – at the beginning of the year I made the decision to enroll the boys in public school for the 2019/2020 school year.  It has been a significant change for me, yet I’ve found ways to manage the huge adjustment. In July, I was hired as an ESL teacher for the online company Qkids. I wake up in the early morning (and during the busy season I work nights) and teach English to children in China. This job still fulfills my need to be a teacher. 

The children are so loving and excited to learn. They often say: “Teacher, you are beautiful”, “Teacher, I love you”.  Waking up to this love and acceptance has been life changing. A few months later I also accepted a similar position with a another company - VIPkids. I juggle both companies in an attempt to keep myself busy when one company has a slow booking month. I also attend the temple weekly and volunteer as a parent helper in Luke’s school class twice a week. In October, I also found and joined my local group of DUP (Daughters of the Utah Pioneer). They are the highlight of my month because of the love that fills me up anytime I'm around them. Oh yes, lastly, , in May I cut my hair. I love it so much and I’ll never go back. 

Peter – is now 11 years old. He loves, Loves, LOVES school. He has the most amazing teacher who cares about his feelings and supports him in the things he loves. He works hard at school and academically is right on target. 

His friend Talmadge also made the transition from homeschool to public school this year and they are in the same class. It’s a delight to see them go off to school together every morning. Having Talmadge has made the adjustment so easy for Peter. Peter also finished up the Scouting program by receiving his Arrow of Light, Webelos, and Faith in God awards. Whew, that was a lot of work for both of us. His Webelos leaders have been amazing this year. Jenny Colvin and Laurie Ann Thomas have been fabulous. Wahoo!

Luke – is now 8 years old. He kinda likes school. It’s hard to get him there (most mornings), but once he is there, he loves it. He and I have a routine of walking to and from school. He thinks I’m torturing him.. Luke is lucky enough to have a teacher from England. 

Woot, woot! It’s his first-year teaching at Luke’s school and Luke really likes him. Luke also enjoys having Mom come in and help in the classroom twice a week. He also thinks it’s awesome when I bring my own lunch and we eat together. I try to eat school lunch with him every week. He doesn’t have any close friends at school yet. Hopefully that will happen soon. This year Luke decided he didn’t want to go camping with Dad and Peter. So, he and I have spent a lot of summer weekends together.  Video games are Luke’s favorite thing right now. I wish I could say I was improving with all the practice, but I’m not.

Rex - is now three years old. We love having him in our home. He gave me a panic attack earlier this year when he wouldn’t eat for a solid month. We also figured out that he does not enjoy eating crickets. He just watches them hop around his cage and then eventually goes back to snoozing. His favorite food is chicken breast and pumpkin puree. I also grew beets for him this year. He loves to munch the baby beet greens. Rex is still growing and sheds every other month. He is currently 24 inches long and weighs 39 ounces. He is an imposing specimen. All the neighbor kids love to see him when they come over.

We wish all our family and friends the happiest of holiday seasons and an amazing 2020. 

My special gift

Long ago I stumbled upon a blog (fatmumslim.com.au) written by this fabulous lady in Australia. She loves to snap pictures and has a photo a day list every month. 

However, every November she organizes a massive gift exchange between loving people all over the world. She has 4 different groups - USA only, Europe only, worldwide, and kids. 

This is the second year I've participated. She uses a 3rd party website (elfster.com) that keeps track of everyone's addresses. Plus she requires a $5 donation to a charity of her choosing to make sure you are fully invested in this exchange.

This year I sent my pacakge to a Mom of two athletic teenagers in Washington State. I received my package from a Mom of two boys in Arizona. I received it almost 3 weeks ago. 

I knew I would open it early. When I had a quiet moment yesterday I sat down and slowly opened and treasured all the gifts inside.

I loved the cactus and desert theme that my elf used. Once she didn't know is that we are coming to her area of Arizona soon. It was like a pretrip welcome to her beautiful state.

I was particularly amazed that she sent this ornament. She obviously knows what religion I belong to. The cool thing is that this ornament will remind me of Grandpa Burr. We are planning to go visit the cemetary where he is buried. I never met him.when he was alive (at least that I can remember).

The rest of the presseies were amazing too. The chap stick is desert fig and walnut. It smells so delicious and I just want to eat it! My elf also must have seen I love toffee and coconut because she sent me coconut toffee. Super good. I ate those so fast.

Temple Square

I have two amazing friends that homeschool their kids. Our families have shared so many happy memories together. Last night, the daughters of both families had a Christmas choir concert at the Assembly Hall at Temple Square. I jumped at the chance to go. 

It was amazing to go and hear them perform. Plus, Temple Square was astounding too with all the lights and mobs of families. It has been many, many years since I've been there at Christmas time.

We took the time to look at the lights, the reflecting pool, and the narrated nativity (at least as much as Luke could handle). It was a treasured night. Plus, I didn't have any worries about driving myself up there without Brandon. Hurray!