The First Day of School 2009

It was a grand first day of school for the Thomas children. Bowen loves his new teacher and so far, she seems to be handling the "Bowen" task. He has lots of new friends and loves Math and Science. Reading is apparently, "a waste of time" and Spelling is just plain old BORING! He is growing up fast and has eased into second grade without difficulty. He is fun, funny, full of life and smart!

Hannah has survived the shock of beginning junior high. It has been an uphill battle, however, she is winning so far. She has had many mishaps leading up to and on the first day, including the inability to open her locker. Then she broke her hand and finger and began the second day of 7th grade with a cast and pain. It was her right hand so that only added more pain and difficulty because now she cannot even attempt to open her locker, carrying her lunch tray is almost impossible (good thing she has had willing helpers), she even struggles when changing clothes before and after dance class. At least she has been noticed! I guess it is not the best way to get attention, but it has worked! She loves her English teacher, her dance class, her Science class and has lots of friends. She is as cute as can be and still sports a smile, even though 7th grade has been a bit traumatic!

Caitlin seems to be enjoying her junior year of high school. She is of course, very involved and active. She loves dance company and drill team. She is enjoying her seminary teacher and her Chemistry class. She loves to read and her Honors English teacher keeps her busy with books. She has a date to the Homecoming dance and a new and beautiful dress. She has a stylish hair cut and lots of cute friends! At the moment, life is good!

The college freshman has transitioned well and loves the independence that higher education and moving away from home has brought. She has met many new people and is enjoying her new adventure. She loves Snow College and is doing well in all her classes. She especially enjoys her "Intro to Education" class and loves volunteering at the nearby elementary school. She is already teaching small lessons weekly to the fourth graders and helping with the Special Needs class too. She seems to be getting along well with her roommates and she and Lexi seem to be quite content (Her mother, however, doesn't love the idea of her children growing up and leaving her behind. Hopefully, she will adjust soon!)! Go Badgers!

The College Freshman & Roommate (oooooh the independence)!

The Cutest 7th Grader!


The Very Adorable 2nd Grader & the Beautiful Junior.

What do you do to enjoy the last few weeks of summer...?

Kick...it will be over soon!


Skateboard...without the helmet until mom catches you!


Prioritize...........play time with old friends!


Definitely...have fun in the sun!


I have no idea what these two are doing......?

Make...a little time to party!

Shed a few tears...big sister and best friend is going away, to college!

Stress...moving day for Courtney!

Work hard & smile...cheer camp for Hannah!

Togetherness...it is after all, still cheer camp!

Receive....a baseball reward for playing well!

Sleepovers with cousins....finally OUT!

Definitely try to not waste time sleeping....so glad to finally not HEAR anything and it's only 3 AM! Wow, Bowen and cousins!


What did you do to enjoy the last few weeks of summer???!

September.....

Wow....September already!! It is September 8 and already we have had two birthdays, my eldest turned 19 and my youngest turned 8! Happy Birthday COURTNEY & BOWEN! Yes, I said 8, I am old! Happy, happy birthday to my two blessings! I love, love, love you both! They are so much alike in many ways; Courtney and Bowen, but yet have their differences! I am so behind and have not yet checked all the items on my to-do list. Blogging and posting pictures is one of those unchecked items.

So, for now, life is good and family is a blessing and I have lost 10 lbs! What could be better!???

A Little Blue

Just a little blue today while thinking of my friend and her loss. Thoughts of her seem to flood my mind alot these days. I cannot comprehend such a loss or such a heart ache or such a weight on my shoulders to carry. I have experienced loss before. I have lost loved ones and friends whom I miss and think of alot. This has brought me to the ultimate thought of the Plan of Happiness, that is the plan outlined by a loving Father in Heaven, not the Plan of Misery or the Plan of Blueness, but of HAPPINESS.

Do you know anyone that has "lost" someone? I do.

Whether it be a baby, a spouse, a mom, a dad, a grandparent or a dear friend.

We all lose people to death, at some time in our lives. Death is a part of living.

Have you lost someone? I have.

Sometimes during the course of our lives, we lose "things." Things like health, or jobs, or security. Sometimes we lose mobility, or function. Or a relationship is lost when it comes to an end.

I guess a part of living is experiencing loss.

However, it is called the Plan of Happiness. So maybe I should smile and remember the great eternal plan. We are loved and a loving parent's desire is for their children to be happy. Our Father in Heaven wants the same, our happiness.

So, although a little blue, I will smile and feel happiness!

Sooooooo Behind....

I'm so behind on everything, including the whole blogging thing. I will update with new pictures and posts in the very near future. It's on my "to-do" list!

Just to give you a quick summary: We have survived the summer and a new school year has begun. Bowen has met his second grade teacher and we love her. Let's hope she is up to the "Bowen" task. Hannah survived her first day of junior high, it wasn't easy, she was unsuccessful at every attempt of opening her locker, but she came home smiling, nonetheless! Catilin has begun her junior year of high school and the jury is still out on how this year will be. We moved Courtney to Snow College and mom and dad and Caitlin are still able to talk about this with only a few tears. Courtney, however, seems to be adjusted and enjoying the independence of higher education, let's see, dinners with football players, rock band with returned missionaries and dances, dances, dances. Let's hope her homework is getting done.

A friend of mine lost her husband in a plane crash. She is now left with three small children to raise, ages 4, 2 and 3 months. She is so amazing, however, the loss is difficult. I am so impressed with her strength and her faith, she teaches me daily. I know she can do this! She will be happy again. I believe that you never stop loving the people you lose, but that you are able to keep living with their memories, remembering will bring you happiness!

Soccer season has begun. Eric and Caitlin are coaching Bowen's soccer team. This makes for very fun games. Bowen is quite a natural and very agressive. He is quick and seems to enjoy being in the middle of all the action.

Hannah broke her middle finger and right hand a few days ago. This is going to make 7th grade all the more difficult. She is even more frustrated and stressed, I did not know this was possible! She will not be tumbling or stunting during the entire football season and we are keeping our fingers crossed that a full recovery will be made prior to cheer competition season, only a few short months away.

Hope all is well and everyone is happy to be back in school!

Peace

My babies.....love the 4-wheeler (yes, it's true, Hannah is too scared to drive the 4-wheeler, but not Bowen)!



Bowen is ready for some action (I really feel that this was a great photography moment for me, nice picture)!



Hannah & Caitlin are really "roughing it!"



Courtney enjoying the great outdoors (ooooh, that's my grandma's old couch)!



Beautiful Birdseye & Beautiful Children!



Bowen enjoying a moment of "sisterly love!"


The long 24th of July weekend was spent in Birdseye, the former home of my grandfather's cattle ranch. The cabin was nice and the kids all had a great time. Eric and Bowen were successful at fishing and the 4-wheeler added to the fun. Being in Birdseye for the weekend flooded my mind with memories of my grandpa Huck and I felt his presence as I walked the ground he loved. I was all warm and fuzzy and it was a very peaceful few days for me.

Eric enjoyed himself so much that he shared the fun with his family. His brother's family and his sister's family joined us. We most definitely have to make Birdseye a priority and spend more time at the cabin.

I Love the Weekend

The weekend was great! I love weekends that are full of kid spending time, family togetherness, low amounts of stress, and homemade apple pie! Hello Monday...looking forward to the up and coming 3 Day Weekend!










Yes...it's true, I will admit that I loved, loved, loved it! Although, I really want to view the ending of all of this Harry Potter stuff...hurry up and end, this movie held me spellbound. I was in my kidadulthood while watching this movie. It was funny, suspenseful and entertaining and definitely sets us up for the showdown scheduled for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Have a nice Monday!