Dear Mom,

You've been on my mind a lot lately.... 

It's Mother's Day.

You graduated from this life in May.

Two precious babies have recently left your presence and have come to our large extended family, and two more are due this summer...JOY! 

I think more than anything, the reason why I've thought so much of you is that I'm at a point in my life where I am walking in so many of the shoes you wore... mother, wife, Primary worker, teacher, taxi driver, cook, housekeeper, nurse, etc... I found myself overwhelmed with gratitude for you today.  I appreciate the meals you prepared, the tears you wiped from my eyes (& shed for me), the ouchies you bandaged (& stitched!), your prayers, the housekeeping you did day in and day out, the drama you listened to and actually helped me through, the clothes you made, the rooms you decorated, the straight A's YOU got in paralegal school (w/ 10 kids in tow!), the church callings you labored in with love, the support you gave me in developing my talents & sharing them, the things you made just for me, for teaching me to cook for a crowd (all of our recipes served 12:)), teaching me housekeeping 101, teaching me the gospel and living it the best you knew how, all the while going through nine pregnancies (after I was born), 7 newborns, and ultimately raising 10 kids.

I didn't say, "Thank you" often enough.

I didn't say, "I love you" enough.

You never felt good enough, but I want you to know that what you gave me was more than enough. 

Today I found myself on my knees in gratitude for you.  I could not have asked for a better mother for me.  I have a flood of memories of life with you and today I was especially grateful for my testimony of Jesus Christ, because I know that because of His atonement you are a part of my present as well as my past.  I know that our mother/daughter bond continues and always will.  You are my angel mother, and my children's angel grandma; not just watching over our family, but touching our lives.

Because of Jesus Christ, I look forward to the reunion we'll have some day....."Woo-oo-Woo-oo-Woo-oo!"  Or is heaven more reverent than that?  Oh well, we can whisper, right?

Happy Mother's Day, mom.  I love you more than that!

Well Wishes!!!

A few weeks ago, we got a letter from Christina's principal letting us know that her math and science teacher, Mrs. E. was diagnosed with cancer.  While undergoing chemotherapy she has been able to continue teaching.  Today she had a planned absence as she was going to have her head shaved and fitted for a wig.  Christina's class showed their support by styling their hair in a different way today.  Christina chose pig tails. (Next week she and her friends will do the Relay for Life in honor of Mrs. E., and they are raising money to offer Mrs. E. a housecleaner on her low days.)

I had planned to get my hair done today, so I told my friend to take a chunk off.  I didn't measure inches cut, but my hair is above my shoulders now, (really not a big deal for me).  I thought, for me it was a choice to let go of my long locks, and my heart goes out to Mrs. E. whose hair loss is a result of her battle with cancer.

Our thoughts and prayers, love and support are with Mrs E!

The $100 Cheesecake

Wayne's sour cream cheesecake with hot fudge sauce and Heath Bar topping sold for $100 at tonight's dessert auction/talent show to raise money for YW girls' camp.  I can attest that this cheesecake was worth every penny and more!  Considering that nearly all of the women there tonight have 1 more day until the end of our 12 week Biggest Losers diet program, is it any surprise that the YW earned all the money they needed to cover the costs for all of the girls to attend camp this summer?!  People were very dessert deprived coming into tonight's fundraiser - you know what they say about when mom's on a diet!  I know I was ecstatic with the choc. chip cookies and brownies Wayne won.

Christina will be one of the YW going to camp this year, so this was a great thing for her to see our ward friends showing such support for the YW.....and having a ball in the process!

Bub

When Thomas was born I thought that he'd naturally bond more easily and quickly with Wayne since they were the boys of the family now.  Yet, I vividly remember holding Thomas for the first time in the delivery room and literally feeling love at first sight.  He was a beautiful, perfect baby boy and I didn't think my heart could feel more full.  I can honestly say I have loved being Thomas' mom from day 1 of his life.

Thomas was still a babe when Wayne started calling him Bub.  I love watching these two interact.  They play catch, baseball, work on the cars, do scouting- pinewood derby, homework, camp, etc.  Thomas has a lot of respect for his daddy, and he knows there is unconditional love there.

Thomas has been a loyal, protective, encouraging, and thoughtful brother to his sisters.  During a rather dramatic outburst among the girls in the confine of our minivan, Thomas wondered aloud, "WHY am I the only boy in this family?!  There MUST be a good reason."  His wish for a brother came true when Wesley was born.  Thomas loves Wesley every day.  The ability to bond isn't determined by a certain age gap; it's a choice.  Today, as we celebrated Thomas, Wesley opted out of his a.m. nap.  He wanted to be with Thomas.  Wes finally fell asleep when Thomas left for baseball practice.  Wesley woke not long after Thomas got home and he didn't go to bed until after candles were blown out after dinner.  Thomas loves being Wesley's brother as much as Wesley loves Thomas.

Thomas has taught me about faith.  He prays as if he is talking to a Father in Heaven he has known forever.

When we talk through issues or struggles, Thomas comes to know what is right and does his best to make things right.  I love and admire his honesty and his desire to do what's right.  

Thomas has some girl admirers, but he's endearingly clueless about these things....

Last year Thomas came home from church and told me that a couple girls were drawing pictures and then throwing them at him.  I told Thomas that they probably liked Thomas but didn't know how to show it, so they threw the pictures at him out of fun.  Thomas was incredibly confused by this.  Soon afterward these girls came by to deliver dinner with their mom and wanted to know if Thomas was home.....Ha ha, mom was right:)

Last Halloween Thomas was Aniken Skywalker for the second year in a row (Thank you, Thomas!)  Before he set out trick-or-treating with Wayne and the other kids, he said, "I hope I don't see a Padme tonight. (Padme was Aniken's wife) If I do I'll feel weird inside."

A year or so ago I was talking with Thomas and Christina about Wayne's mask he wears at night for sleep apnea.  Thomas said, "Since dad has breathing problems is that why you give him CPR a lot?"  What?  I had to think for a minute before I realized he was confusing a kiss with CPR.  So when Wayne got home from work that day, in front of Thomas I ran to Wayne and said, "Honey, you're not breathing!" Much to Thomas' disgust I planted a kiss on Wayne's lips.  That's been a running joke for us ever since.  Thomas isn't too cool to hug me and say, "I love you, mom," or walk arm in arm with me when I pick him up from school, but kisses?  Not his thing.  I think it's pretty darn funny.

So, I couldn't resist sharing (when I showed Thomas this post we were crying laughing at this photo)...

WE LOVE YOU, THOMAS!

Wesley & Thomas

This is what happens when Wesley goes to bed with wet hair....

Thomas and Wesley, hanging out on a Friday afternoon...

Wesley is my best buddy ever.

We were meant to be brothers.

-Thomas

Thomas' Wolf Advancement

Last night at the Cub Scout Pack Mtg, Thomas advanced from Wolf to Bear.  Our whole family attended and we are all so proud of his achievement.

After the award ceremony, the boys showed off a few magic tricks.  They all did such a great job!  Thomas did a card trick, and while it didn't turn out exactly as planned, Thomas kept his cool and we agreed that with a little more practice he'll get it down for sure.  Thomas had fun preparing and sharing what he worked on.

We love you, Thomas!!!