Summer almost over

I can't believe it but the summer is nearly gone and what have I done? Not much. I worked an awful lot, but tried to show the kids some fun when I didn't have to. Thanks to Grandpa & Grandma "T" the kids were treated to Six Flags passes and have enjoyed a few days there in their free time this summer. I did manage to take the three younger kids to Utah for a few days since my sister was there for a vacation with her kids, since her hubby is over in Iraq. They had a great time and we were able to hike to the Timp cave and yes even I was able to do it, but was shocked at how much the high altitude affected me, but to be real I am also very out of shape, so it was a nice combination for me. We wanted to go down the Alpine Slide but got rained out on that one so we took the kids to BYU and bowled, they had a great time and I thought between Ashlee and Jenna the floor was going to break when they tried to "throw" the bowling ball down the lane. It was fun for them though and that night we topped it off with going to see 17 Miracles which gave my two that went a whole new appreciation for the pioneers and they were able to see and feel some of what was sacrificed for all of us, truly humbling for me. Steven said he LOVED it and was very grateful for all they did. Kaley as well.
We love being able to fly on SouthWest but its hard to non-rev this time of year and we proved that by sitting in airports for 7-8 hours at a time both ways just to get out and back, but it was worth it.
So, while in Utah, Bob was trimming the bushes in the back and something flipped up and hit the back sliding glass door and shattered one side, but only one pane. They are supposed to replace it on Thursday, only around $400. Last week, on Wednesday Bob called me while I was getting ready for work and I assumed he was calling to tell me he got there, but instead told me he had just been in an accident. He was on I-75 and was sandwiched between two cars. Our Honda is now in the shop looking at somewhere around $8,000 in damages. I am very glad Bob was okay though he is still a bit sore from the whole thing, you can always replace a car, but not the person who was in it.
We continue to have those "missionary" blessings, but somehow I try to stay positive through the whole thing. I figure its better to have a good attitude than to let it get me down. Most of the time this works, but I must admit wondering exactly what lessons I need to learn at times when I feel I have been humbled greatly, but then being reminded by my dad that Heavenly Father really loves me to bless me with so many trials. I don't doubt I am being taught through the refiners fire, but still have the faith to always look forward and trust in him. I realize just how lucky I am to have the wonderful family and friends that I have and the fact that I am able to be here to experience life I know is a privilege and I try very hard not to take that for granted. Like the Panda Bear in Kungfu Panda says today is a gift that is why it is called the present. It makes me stop and think so I really like that one.
We are down to just over three months before Michael will be in our home again and we all can't wait. He has been an awesome missionary and is still a Zone Leader and doing a wonderful job. He of course has had trials just like we have but I have no doubt some of that for both of us is the threat he is to Satan in bringing others to the gospel. He is a great kid. Nate will no doubt be the same. Kaley and Steven already both want to go and they will be equally as good or better. Ashlee may go and may not but she prays that everyone will read the Book of Mormon each night so you know where she stands with her testimony. I have been so blessed with awesome kids who do what is right despite their lame mom. Bob is so good to remind them what is really important and loves to spend time with them doing things they like and he loves it. Right now it is football with Steven, but it was soccer for years with Michael, Nate and Kaley, then basketball with Kaley and swimming with all of them, Ashlee loves to have him throw her in the air and "watch" her swim and do flips etc. He is a great dad and I am blessed to have such a great husband that always supports me in all I do, he is truly made for me! Well school starts in one week, I think we are ready but I am sure there is something I have forgotten but it will all be good. I am one lucky lady to have such an amazing family-----truly blessed!

Summer

I can't believe the kids are finally out of school and we are all home today. I have today off and am so glad to have a Friday to spend with them. Steven is out washing Nate's car and did Bob's yesterday, he is a very hard worker. One of the ladies I work with quit and her last day is the end of the month. She is the assistant office manager so now until they get someone else I have to work more hours. The new lady from my ward they hired is taking the place of the one that just left. I was asked if I want the extra hours or just three days and I am sticking to the three days, I am a lot happier and have no interest in working full time. I just want to work enough to help out and that is it. Is should be interesting, I think they wanted me to go back to at least four days a week if not more. I am a little bummed as I wanted to do something with the kids but now will be working all of July and August nearly full time. Oh well it never goes as planned. Nate is officially graduated from high school and seminary, it is weird to have two out of school. He is working a few more hours and that is good and getting ready for his mission. We will be getting his wisdom teeth out probably next month. We see the regular dentist at the end of the month so then should get the okay for Nate. Michael is now down to six months, less really and that seems weird too. Kaley is babysitting and trying to save her money, Steven is helping out around here, Ashlee is as well and is trying to read every day now that it is summer. Bob started his new job at work and is working hard and enjoying it so far. I think its a lot of new stress but the good kind. The kids are enjoying swimming a lot and I am grateful for the pool so they have something to do when its so hot outside. It has been in the high nineties for the last few days or weeks. It has felt like summer for at least the last month. Anyway, lots to do but enjoyed having everyone stay at our house, the kids especially enjoyed it and it was fun to see my parents after so long and we hadn't seen Bob's for a while to so that was nice. Anyway, lots to get done, I have to go and buy some pants for Michael to send, I already found him some shirts so now need to mail them. Like usual it costs more to send the stuff almost than what it is worth. I guess that's what you do when you have a missionary out :) More later...

Graduation Week

That is right, Nathan will be graduating from high school on Saturday. He will then be graduating from Seminary the next night on Sunday. I can hardly believe I will have two kids out of school or at least public school. It is crazy that time goes by so quickly. I know there were times when they were little that I wondered if they would ever grow up, be careful what you wish for. Nate is probably my biggest homebody of all of my kids. That is not a bad thing, as I was the same way. I know where he is and what he is doing and trust him. I am super proud of the fine young man he has turned into and am grateful for all that he adds to our family. His next step is working, taking a few classes at the collin county college and getting ready for his two year mission. Just as one comes home (December 8th) another one will be getting ready to leave a couple of months later. At least they will have a little time to spend with each other before their lives change even more. It has been a busy month and we are nearly into the sixth month of the year, did that go really fast or is it just me? My mom and dad are home from their mission to Indonesia and the kids are super excited to see them. They were trying to surprise Nate for his graduation but he was so disappointed that I helped my dad see it would be better to tell him than to make him wait. He was so happy!!! This month Kaley got on her top braces and her teeth are already straighter. Before we could do that we had to have four teeth pulled and that was painful but it is overwith thank heavens. She is such a trooper. She has been babysitting and is enjoying having her own money. The kids love her and she is super fun and patient, after all she has been Ashlee's second mom for as long as either of them can remember. Steven has signed up for football and is super excited to be doing a different sport. He went to Sky Ranch with Bob and loved it and was recruited there by a dad who is a coach after he saw how fast he runs and how good he is at catching the ball. I am not sure it this is the sport he will settle into but its good to have a rounded perspective. Ashlee is doing well and loves school. She will need a little extra work this summer but we hope to have her back where she needs to be. She still acts like a teenager and some of what comes out of her mouth you have a hard time believing is from a six year old. Michael is doing well on his mission, he is 2/3rds of the way done and is learning a lot from being a Zone Leader. He is over two stakes and a lot of missionaries. It will be good for him later in life to have these experiences, though many are not easy. I am busy with work and trying to stay organized, a lot to handle. I am glad for the family coming this week but feel bad we don't have more room but its a free trip for the parents and a free place to stay, that is the nice part about working for an airline. I can only imagine with all the traveling Bob's parents do it would be into the thousands every month if they were having to pay for it and probably similar for my parents in buddy passes. I am glad they can use them, otherwise why work there? We definitely don't use the free flights to our advantage, the last time I flew was out to see my sister with the kids and Bob and before that over a year. That is what happens when you are working and need to go to places that are free for you as well. I really think its neat that we are able to help our parents out as much as we do and hope they feel the same. Anyway, it will be a good week and of course the focus is on Nathan and we are super proud of him and all he has accomplished, I never once had to get him up for seminary that starts at 6 a.m. and that is really saying a lot! Way to go Nate, we are honored to be your parents and I am ever grateful you came to our home. Congratulations on all you have accomplished!!! Nate the GREAT! Love you.

April 2011

Another month already here. A lot has gone on, but we are doing well. Michael was made a Zone Leader and was a bit nervous about that but it will be such a good opportunity for him. He is a natural leader, just doesn't realize it. He seems to be changing the members minds about missionaries where he is serving now, as he said there was a real problem with trust with some of the leadership and the missionaries. If anyone can rebuild that it will be Michael. He says he doesn't get much sleep as this calling takes a lot of his time, welcome to adulthood. I have been going to bed early only to wake up wide awake at 3 a.m. It makes it hard the following day for me to keep going, but I can't seem to break this new habit. Nathan is getting even closer to graduating, boy did that sneak up fast. Kaley is one step closer to braces, she sees the oral surgeon today to talk about the teeth she will need to have extracted, then braces here we come. Steven is still the greatest help around the house I have and I am so grateful. Ashlee is doing well and getting stronger by the day, what a fun little girl she is. We have had quite a few dead animals in our pool lately, so strange. We had six baby possums that were in the filters and a baby rabbit. Each day we are nervous to check the filters for fear of what we may find. Bob is going to go to Sky Ranch with Steven, its the fifth grade camp. I went with Kaley, while my parents came to watch Ashlee during the day and so Bob is going. The only difference is it was $80 for each of us when Kaley went and is now up to $190 each, double in three years, crazy. I hope he enjoys it for that price. I know he will, but wow there are a million other places our money can go. I am working and hoping to take some time off this summer to have some mental breaks as well as some fun with my kids, we will see how it all works out. Bob may be changing jobs, will keep you posted on that, of course he would still be at SouthWest just may have a better opportunity. Well next month my parents come home from their mission and we can hardly wait, should be a lot of fun to see them and catch up. Bob's dad retired at the end of March and that is also great news for our family. Well better go get ready for work, never seems to end.

Ashlee's Surgery

Well a lot has gone on with us in the last couple of weeks. Nate had two tires blow out on his way to get his new drivers' license and we ended up having to buy three new ones. It was a blessing he wasn't on the freeway and was able to control the car just fine, for that I am very grateful. I get to have a root canal tomorrow, but that is good as I have an exposed nerve that has been causing a lot of pain to say the least. It will be expensive but very worth it. I actually need two, but will wait on the other one. Then on Wednesday Miss Ashlee will be having her right kidney removed. I will spend the night with her and hopefully be able to bring her home on Thursday. The surgeon will remove it robotically and the recovery time should be a lot less than if they had to cut her all the way open. I have the rest of the week off and some of next to make sure she is recovered and able to go back to school. I am more worried about the germs she may pick up at school than if she will recover quickly. It is Spring Break for the kids. Today they cleaned the house and went on a bike ride and I rewarded them by taking them to see "Mars needs Mom's" the movie and that was fun for them. It was nice as Nate didn't go so I only had to pay for two kids. He is very good to share his benefits with all of us and saves us a lot of money all the time. Movies are one of my favorite things and he and I are able to go all of the time and when he leaves I will really miss that time with him. The earthquake in Japan was certainly humbling and once again reminds me that we are not in control of anything here. I am so grateful at times like these natural disasters and surgeries and other health issues that I have the belief system that I do and the faith I have. How do other people do it without it? I know I couldn't. I am ever grateful for parents who taught me what was really important and hopefully I am teaching that to my kids as well. I am so grateful for Ashlee and know this is hard, but in so many ways I am glad she is the age she is to that her recovery will be faster and hopefully the memories will be better. She is a joy to have in our home and we couldn't have asked for a more vibrant, loving and caring daughter. She is very artistic and has been making paper dolls of all of our family members and is soooo creative, I can't even believe how good she is and only six years old. I will be very glad for this time next week when I hope life is moving forward and this has passed. Anyway, I just wanted to catch up a little and thought this may be the only time I have for a little while. Happy March, it came so quickly and I am sure it will go just as quickly. Love to all.

End of February??

Another month has almost passed and how behind am I? Since I last wrote the kids ended up with five total snow days, four in a row because of ice. I ended up spending two days in the hospital as they thought I had a TIA, or a mild stroke. Since then I have had a migraine that sent me to the Dr. as my pupils wouldn't respond to light and I lost my vision. Two weeks ago on Nates' 18th birthday Bob's cousin Wendy and her eight year old daughter were killed in a head on collision on highway 6 coming out of the canyon on the way to Tillamook, Oregon. We flew out for the funeral and were the only ones representing Bob's family besides his mom and dad. It took quite a lot for us to get there as Bob had to get a space only available seat for he and I. It works like a regular ticket but you can still lose your seat. It took all day to fly there and the funeral was on the next day late afternoon and then another full day of flying and we were both back at work on Friday. I ended up getting shingles, which is my third time, the first time was when I was nineteen. I found out I am low on Vitamin B12 and that can cause a lot of the problems I have so am now getting injections for that. Ashlee has had croup this week and Nate turned up very sick and is now on an antibiotic and finally feeling better. I celebrated our 22nd anniversary on Thursday. Bob took me out to lunch, a movie and dinner. He got me a great card and it was nice to just spend the day with him. Michael is still in Logan and training for the third time. He seems to be doing well, but is getting worn out physically, which I can relate to. Work has been coming along, but continues to be a major stress in my life up to now. I am not sure if it is adding to my health problems but am certain it is causing some of them. We are ever working at trying to stay ahead and get ahead, but that is always the goal in life. I feel very grateful for all of my blessings, though I occasionally ask myself why so many of the same issues all the time, but I must really need to learn something or I wouldn't keep having them right? I know more now than ever how important your health is and we are certainly not in control of anything. I have wonderful kids who keep me ever humble at just how valiant they truly are. I know I don't have much time left with Nathan before he will go on his mission and that is good and bad. I am glad we have a new Bishop and he seems to really care about the youth, which is also a great blessing. I can hardly believe all that has happened or that we are nearly three months into the year 2011, where has the time gone. Well I think that is a huge update for now. I will certainly try to do better. Happy March, its almost here.

Happy 2011

It is true another January is upon us. We are back into school and work and life is back to normal. It snowed here in Allen, Texas and quite a bit. The kids actually got a two hour delay to the start of school because of the ice and snow. The kids were excited for the sn0w as its not very common in our neck of the woods and being from Utah we sure miss it a lot. I must admit I don't miss the shoveling but the days in the house, cooking and enjoying being together with no where to go. We have a lot going on in our lives right now, our six year old Ashlee is facing a few challenges right now, but how much she is aware of I am not sure. She has been diagnosed with reflux which Nate had at this same age, where the urine flows up to the kidney's instead of staying in the bladder where it is supposed to. This requires surgery, but the catch to this is Ashlee appears to have one kidney that has little to no function, which if this is the case will need to be taken out. We do a test tomorrow to determine what percentage of function it has and will know more what our options are then. We feel like all will be well, but it is a lot to swallow with a six year old. We hope this new year will find all of us happy and healthy with a great year ahead of us. We are excited as Michael is on the down-slope of his mission and we look forward to the end of the year when he will be home again. He is training again, while being a district leader still at the USU campus in Logan. I think that updated you for the beginning of 2011 but we are grateful for all that we have, especially family at this time. Happy New Year!

End of 2010

I can hardly believe that tomorrow is the 31st of December, but it is. I got to work today but have tomorrow off and am so grateful. I turned 45 yesterday and just writing that number is a bit of a reality check as it sounds older than I feel for sure. It was a great day for me, as my kids treated me well and as always so did Bob. We spent a good part of the day at the hospital doing a VCUG test for Ashlee to find out if she has reflux and she does, along with some other kidney issues. We find out more on Tuesday as far as how bad it is. She was a trooper and they knocked her out so she had no clue what happened, which is the way we wanted it after watching poor Nathan go through the same thing at this same age for the exact same thing. Bob took me to Bob's steak and chop house (he won a gift card there from work for $100) it was very good food, but the company was even better. We then went to the movie True Grit, a western and it was pretty good. I came home and Nate had bought me a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake for my birthday, it was so good. Overall I had a fantastic day. I didn't get one card on my actual birthday, but got three today and one of which was from Michael that made my day. Our Christmas was equally as nice and though Michael was gone we all enjoyed being able to visit with him on the phone. Kaley and Steven both got a little emotional but loved talking to him as well. The best part is he will be home next year for Christmas and I will have all of my kids here for one more year, as Nate will leave not to long after that for his mission. It is weird to see my kids growing up and moving on, but I am so proud of each and every one and its fun to see them become adults. I am most of all thankful for the Savior and that we have a holiday to celebrate his birth and all that he did for each one of us. What a special time of the year. I know that as the new year comes I have many things to improve on but plan to take each one at a time so I can accomplish as many as I can. How grateful I truly am for all of my family, the Thompson's and the Mansell's, for all of my friends who feel like family and for all the blessings we get daily from a Heavenly Father who loves each of his children. Happy New Year, hope its a good one for everyone!

Christmas 2010

It is another year and I can hardly believe it is already that time. I think I am nearly done with all of the shopping. I have some little things to get, but very easy things. It is in the mid seventies today here in Allen and it doesn't really feel like Christmas to me! I also am working right up until Christmas and so that makes it not seem normal for me as well. We had a ton of sick kids at the office today and I am in hopes I don't bring anything home either. We were able to have Bob's mom here last week and that was nice. We skyped my parents last night and they are in the 90's year round so understand the whole not feeling like Christmas thing. They are getting closer to being home and we are all glad here. This is our last Christmas without Michael and that is also good. He is doing very well and has three baptisms planned for Christmas. We are of course the most grateful at this time of year for our Savior, Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for each and every one of us. What a glorious day it must have been when he was born and all realized what a great day that truly was. I am grateful for all of my family, but especially Bob and the great husband and father he is. Merry Christmas, I hope we all remember the true meaning of what we are really celebrating. Love to you all!

December

I can hardly believe we are already into December. Where did November go? Our tree is up and our house is decorated for Christmas. I got the kids picture taken for the cards to go out and even got those printed as well. I just need to address them and get them in the mail. I work every day except for Christmas Eve so have to get everything done at night or on Tuesdays. It is a lot to do, but its good. Michael hit his one year mark yesterday on December 2nd. I sent him a "hump day" package with a camel in it and it says, "Your half way there, now endure to the end." He is in his new area at the USU campus and apparently they have had a fair amount of snow, but we were 73 degrees here today, December 3rd, crazy. It is supposed to get colder tomorrow but it makes it hard to get in the mood for the Holiday's when it is so warm (as I am sure my parents can relate too). A lot to do, but great memories for this time of year. Now that I am a parent I understand why you get a little more stressed around the holidays, but it is all worth it when you see the kids faces on Christmas morning. Well the countdown is on until Christmas......only 22 days left. Good luck with all that everyone has to get done.

Thanksgiving 2010

It is hard to believe that another Thanksgiving has come and gone. I am enjoying having the last two days off of work to spend with my family. We had a nice thanksgiving dinner and watched the movie "Christmas Vacation." It always gets me in the mood for the holiday season. While I am so very grateful for all of my blessings, I must admit there was a longing to have my oldest home on the day that families are supposed to be together. He was transferred to Logan and I hope he is able to stay warm and was well fed, he only got to his new area on Tuesday so likely didn't know anyone to feed him, but I am in hopes some members there took good care of him. He is coming up on his one year mark, in fact we were on an airplane one year ago Thanksgiving flying to Utah to make sure we could get him to the MTC on time. He went in on December 2nd. I am very thankful for him and the fact that he was willing to go and serve a mission. I am very thankful for all of the missionaries out there who dedicate 18 months or 2 years in service to help share the message we feel so lucky to have in our lives. I love my husband and all five of my kids. I am a very blessed person. I love both Bob's family and of course my own. I have so many good examples on both sides and am amazed that I am lucky enough to be a part of each family. Most of all I am thankful for my Savior and all he did and does do for me and my family, what better example could any of us have? I hope to be more Christlike today and always. I hope you all had a great thanksgiving and are as lucky as me to have such wonderful people to be related to and celebrate these great occasions with. Happy Thanksgiving 2010!

November 2010

A lot going on in our lives in the last couple of weeks. I started my new job and am quickly coming up to speed on it and feel like I contribute a lot. It has been hard on my house being gone for four days a week but Bob and the kids have sure stepped up to help out. Like always our furnace for the downstairs went out when it got cold last week but Bob was able to fix the part after watching the guy do the same thing when the lightning hit our house and we had to get them both fixed. I am grateful he is more talented than me in these things. The Lincoln is starting to act up and we really need that extra car with me being gone so early in the morning and getting home so late at night. I know it will all work out though, as it always seems to. It is already getting close to Thanksgiving and that seems crazy as a year ago we were on a plane with Michael to go to Utah so he would for sure get there for his MTC arrival on December 2nd. Time has gone really quickly for us here. Halloween came and went, Steven was Darth Vader and Ashlee was a "pretty" witch and we went to the Trunk or Treat which was a bust as we arrived at the time they said it would be and all the candy was mostly gone. I didn't feel bad, but did for the kids. Steven and Kaley are both full on into Basketball and Steven is enjoying the practices before the season starts. Kaley is the starting point guard for the 8th grade team at her school and loves it. She starts her season on the 18th. Bob and I are keeping busy with both working and then all of the kids extra activities going on. I can hardly believe that Christmas is next month, where did the year go? I have a lot to do, I know that for sure. It is hard with one day off to get everything done I need to and our weekends are so packed its even harder to get things done then as well. I like to spend time with the kids on the weekends since I don't see much of them during the week. I got to bed by 11 and am up at 6 every day. It makes for a long day. Well I just thought I would take a minute to catch you all up. Michael is doing well and having success in Farr West. He had three baptisms for last week and was pretty happy about that as he had a bit of a dry spell for a while. I know he is working hard and he sent home some pictures (finally) and he looks so grown up, its amazing what changes when your not around them for a while. A lot of people say he looks like Bob now. I think he looks like an older Michael but I am sure he has a lot of his dad in him as well. We all miss him, especially since he was here this time last year. Well Happy Fall and Happy November. I know Bryan has a birthday coming up on the 14th, time sure flies. I will write more later. Have a great weekend.

October already???

Yes it is true, we are already half way through October. I can't believe we are almost to Halloween and then Thanksgiving and then Christmas. My brother, Chris and his wife, Jannie just had a new little girl added to their family on October 3. Her name I Eliza and she is just adorable. I didn't get to see her when we went to Washington D.C. as she was born the day we had planned to see Chris and Jannie and of course they were a little busy that day. I am sure I will see her someday. Michael was super excited to have a new little cousin and is anxious to meet her as are all of my kids. I am so glad to be a mom to five wonderful kids and know soon enough I will have my own little grand kids running around and I will love it. We enjoyed our time in D.C. checking out all of the history that is so prevalent in that great city. We especially enjoyed the Ford Theater and seeing Lincoln's actual clothes he was wearing the night he was shot and the gun that shot him, it was a lot smaller than we expected. The Holocaust museum was very humbling and its amazing anyone could ever say that tragedy never happened, the proof is there and then some. I am amazed at the Spirit of those great men and women that put up with everything because of their beliefs in who they were and what they believed. I wonder if I would be strong enough to stand up for what I believe. I am so grateful for what so many of us take for granted when it comes to our freedom of religion. I love our country so much and am so grateful to the founding father's for all they did to ensure our freedoms. I hope my kids will remember all the great things they were able to see and do. I will have Michael and Nathan go next year sometime so they to can enjoy all we were able to see and do.

I started a new job yesterday and then had today off. I am a receptionist at a pediatrician's office in Plano, Texas. I work four days a week from 8-5 but am excited to be able to do more to help out our family. I think it will be a great place to work and I will be appreciated and paid for it as well. I am excited to have a new opportunity and hopefully this will help me to decide what direction I want to go while I am still able to work and help out. I realize how much Bob does going to work everyday and how lucky I am to have a husband who has done all he can to support us for so many years so I could be home with my kids during critical times. I am so grateful for older kids who will help teach and care for my younger kids so I can work. I realize as an adult all the sacrifices my own mom made for me and my siblings by working and being a full time mom as well. It surely takes a special person and family to be able to do both. Hopefully I can do as good as balancing as what she was able to do for me as a kid. Conference was very much needed and loved as it always is for me. I am grateful for modern revelation that we are so blessed to have to help us to make the decisions we need to make every day in an ever increasing world of unhappiness and unrest, we are so lucky to have leaders to lead us. Lots on my mind right now, but how grateful I am for the gospel of Jesus Christ that teaches us everything we need to know to return to our Heavenly Father and be with our families forever. After all the older I get the more I realize how important your family is, the most important thing and relationships you will ever have. We are truly blessed. Happy October, only a few weeks to go. I will update more later, if I haven't bored you enough as it is.....Love to the new niece, can't wait to meet you! Love to the missionary who has been out for nearly 11 months, where has the time gone? Only one more Christmas and he will be home, yippee!!

Happy Birthday Michael----Elder Mansell

Yes, you are right, today is Michael's 20th birthday. I can still remember the day he was born, there was a BYU game on and the Dr. and Bob were more interested in that than the fact that I was having a baby, so I prayed they would lose and lose they did. Don't mess with a lady having a baby! Michael was a great baby, hardly ever cried and was super obedient. He has grown up to be a very handsome young man. We are so proud of him serving a mission and grateful for the ten months he has already served. One more birthday and he will be home with us to celebrate the next one. I sent him a package and wrote Happy Birthday..September 29th in hopes the office would make sure he got it on time and he told me today he has it and can't wait to open it tomorrow. He is truly a good young man. We can't for one minute imagine our lives without him in it and though there is a hole in our family right now, know it will be filled in a few short months again. I wish I could sneak in and see his face as he opens his gifts, but I will have to imagine the faces and comments from here. I love you Michael and hope you have a wonderful birthday, you are never far from our thoughts and are always in our hearts. We love you and will miss you on your special day. Happy Birthday!! Love you, Mom

EAGLE SCOUT

That is right you read that right, after a long struggle with Nate being "too old" to get his eagle, he finally got it. He had his Board of Review tonight and passed with flying colors. I am so proud of him and know that one day he will be so glad he finished it. He had all done but the project and some paperwork when we moved here and he took baby items to the Alley House in Dallas which is a home for teenage pregnant girls. They were so grateful and said they had never received so much stuff in one donation. I was proud of him and so glad he saw it through to the end. He really is an amazing young man and one that his parents and his Heavenly Father can be so proud of. He will be a great missionary in a year from February and that will come all too soon. Michael is doing well on his mission and was made a Trainer and seems to be enjoying it a lot. He said he has a very obedient companion, which makes it really easy for him. Bob reminded him to have fun and he seems to be doing that as well. He is able to golf on p-days and has been doing that with investigators as well, so always the missionary. All my kids are great. Ashlee has been sick but is doing better finally. Our air conditioner went out in our upstairs, more missionary blessings. I just remind myself that means Michael is very much needed right where he is........and our "blessings" will come-----eventually :) Good job Nathan---we are so proud.

Labor Day 2010

It is so great to have a three day holiday. We were totally lazy today and just hung out together. That is my idea of a great day anytime though. I was at the Dr.'s on Saturday but got an antibiotic and some steroids and seem to be feeling a lot better. Not quite up to my usual self but that is okay, better than the way I was feeling. I have to give credit to Bob for making me go in, I feel like its such a waste of money and time, but he was right this time. My sister is so lucky as her kids will be starting school tomorrow in Washington D.C. We are on our third week here in Texas, but that is okay. Bob has been helping Nathan all day with his new sub and amp that he put into the Lincoln, you hear him coming before you ever see him, but that is apparently the thing to have here in Allen. Not much else going on, they made Michael a trainer and he got his new companion last week, so we will hear how this week went tomorrow sometime. He is already training an Elder who is Homebound, he goes home to sleep at night, he is a schitsophrenic (sp) so Michael is technically training two Elders. He will do well I am sure. I think he might have some of the luck I had as a missionary though, "we think you would do well with this sister etc." I know he will do well and it is I am sure preparing him for the future. Well I hope all of you all had a great holiday out there. Maybe next time I will have something more interesting to post.

Happy Anniversary THOMPSONS

Today is the 49th Anniversary of John and Mary Thompson. Why is that so significant to me? Well for starters I would not be here without them and so am very glad they met on a blind date many years ago and were married in the Los Angeles temple. They are currently in Indonesia serving a mission which is great. We are glad they will be home next year so we can celebrate their 50th with them, hopefully with all the family together. They are a great example to me and my kids of enduring to the end and doing it with a positive attitude. They fit together and one would certainly be lost without the other. I hope that Bob and I end up being the same way, in another 28 years from now. This a a milestone for any couple, but what a great example of keeping covenants and loving the person you marry forever. Just wanted to say, Happy Anniversary mom and dad, we all Love you! Have a great day.

First Day of School 2010

First day of school 2010. Nate is more than ready for his SENIOR year, Kaley is excited for 8th grade and finally the oldest in the school again for one more year. Steven is ready for 5th grade and already had P.E. so had a great day. Ashlee is in first grade and came home with a sticker, she was good today, so we are off to a good start. Seminary doesn't start until next week, so Nate can sleep in for a few more days. It was 107 degrees here today and over 21 days of over a hundred degrees so a very HOT August. Michael has been out for nine months, so a lot going on in our house.

School starts tomorrow!

I can't believe that school is already going to start tomorrow. It seems like the kids just got out and were talking of plans of what they wanted to do this summer. They ended up going to Six Flags on Friday and had a blast. I worked most of the summer so didn't get to do much, but we did have fun when I wasn't working. Kaley and Steven came to work with me a couple of times and it was fun to have them there. Nate was very good to bring me lunch when he wanted to get out of the house. All the kids have new shoes and at least one outfit for the first day of school. Nate and Kaley are excited to be the "older" ones in the school this year. Steven is excited his good friend will be in his class, with his new teacher whose name is Miss Duck :) Ashlee has a teacher who looks brand new so will have her work cut out for her with Ashlee, who is a chatty natty. We went to seminary orientation for Nate and I am so grateful to have been raised in UT. where we didn't have to get up and be in seminary at 6 a.m. It shows me even more how much more valiant the kids of today are than my generation. They come stronger and are more prepared to stand up to the hard things that are thrown at him that I never had to worry about. Nate got the same two teachers that Michael had and was thrilled. Just a shout out to my cute nephew that turned TWO yesterday and my sister-in-law Cindi who also had a birthday yesterday. Well a lot going on tomorrow with the first day and all......will write more later.

August already!!

We are already nearly half way through August and in Texas we have had eleven days at or over one hundred degrees! With the heat index we are a good five degrees hotter than that every day. Today was a balmy 104 outside. You go outside and instantly sweat. It has been interesting ever since Michael left on his mission, lots has gone wrong. I know he is a very valuable missionary for Satan to work so hard on our family while he is out serving. Just a recap of last week to give you an idea of how things have gone for the past eight months. Bob got a flat tire on his way home from work, of course we had to get a new tire. The guy said it looked like he ran over a razor blade, yippee. Then our computer totally crashed and we had to go and get a new hard drive. We took Ashlee to the Dr. and it looks like she has the same reflux that Nate had and will probably have to have surgery. Bob got a ticket a block from our house for an expired safety inspection (we were waiting for payday). I got the same ticket last month and it cost me $102, not counting what the inspection itself was. We love Allen police by the way. That is just a couple of the things from last week. I gave up keeping track as its too depressing to see all that goes wrong on a weekly basis, plus the Lord definately gives us "tender mercies" that help us to get through all the stuff we are going through. Anyway, lots of fun here for sure. I am ever grateful for Michael and his example through this whole thing. He has two baptisms this saturday, one a ninety year old and one a twenty year old. He has eight baptisms planned for this month already and is pretty excited. He really is an amazing young man. We have and continue to receive several letters from people where he has served thanking us for the person he is and the Spirit he brings into their homes. Michael has always had that and came with it to our family, but it sure helps when things go wrong, as they seem to all the time lately. If the church wasn't true this would all be a big joke, but since it is we endure and try to do it with faith and as patiently as we can. We are sure proud of all of our kids and especially Michael for the good example he is setting for the others. Nate went to EFY and had an amazing time and feels it should be a requirement for all youth to go to. I am glad it helped him, he has a whole new attitude/outlook since he has been home. Well less than two weeks before school starts. I will have a senior, 8th grader, 5th grader and first grader, should be a fun year!! What a ride......