Willy-this week update

I was so excited to hear from Willy today. Why? Well we had a sister stop and get a suitcase of goods to take to Willy. I loved my letter today. He is doing well. He is going to be staying in the same area for another 6 weeks. He is going to be getting a new companion on the 14th. The companion he has now is going home. He has helped teach Willy alot and he will miss him when he goes. He said that the suitcase of stuff made him alittle homesick. He had to put his 12 days of Christmas stuff away, so he was not tempted to open them. He did say that he can hardly wait to hear my voice on Christmas. Awwwww! It made me alittle teary!!! He said that he loves the area that he is in. Thanks for the letters that he receives! Love ya son!

Payton-humorous

So it is always fun to tell the funny things that your kids do. So this is a time I get to tell about Payton. He was at church sitting on the stand and he fell asleep. He was in the choir seats and he was stretched out and his head leaned back and his mouth open and was having great snooze. Everyone on the right side of the chapel caught on to Payton and kept looking back and smiling letting us know that he was asleep. The poor speaker was not getting much attention, Payton had stole the show. Well we caught the attention of the organist and signaled for her to poke Payton to wake him up, she got him to look up and then he went right back to sleep. So we told her to do it again. This time she said, "look at your dad" so he looked up and just grinned at us and kept smiling! He did everything he could to stay awake. After it was over, he came down and said, "I am never going to live this down" He did get flipped alot of crap. We went up and thanked the organist for helping us.....WE have laughed and giggled about it!

Payton-potato peeling

Payton had the job to peel the potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner. I have never seen a potato peeler like this. He sure did not mind peeling them after seeing how easy this "kitchen gadget" worked.

Super Stars!

Noah and Payton found some awesome sunglasses at the Cabin and had to show off their new look!!! You look like STARS!!! We had a great time there!!!

Willy-amazing suprise!

Elder Thomas had let us know that there was a sister from his ward that would be coming to Utah to visit and then would be happy to stop on her way through town to pick up a package for him if we wanted to send something to him. Of course I was thrilled, so I put his birthday stuff together, and his Thanksgiving stuff together and I did a small tree (pre lit and with decorations), did a binder with a story a day until Christmas, then the 12 days of Christmas for him. Then added his winter items that he needed. Needless to say, we sent him a suitcase! Rhubin met the sister tonight and his suitcase of gifts were on their way.....(so glad I did not have to pay postage--so grateful for this sister) Then as we were headed to Salmon, I got a strange number on my cell phone, I answered and this sweet sister asked if I was Sister Thomas, my heart sunk and I said yes. She said I am from Elder Thomas ward and he has sent a box to the family, we are in Idaho Falls. I said crazy as it sounds, I am about 20 minutes from Idaho Falls. We met at the Albertsons in Idaho Falls and got a box from Willy. I was so full of emotion. He sent us each letters and a letter for his grandparents, he also sent some candy and bowl he had made for us. I asked if I could give them a hug. Of course they were ok with that. I am so grateful! They let me know what a good missionary he is and that he has a great knowledge of automotive. He has helped out with lots of things. This mom is still trying to adjust to "Elder Thomas" instead of Willy. Thanks for the sweet members in his ward that were so kind to help us with packages!!! Thanks son for making our day!!!

Day 22- Gratitude

Today I ama grateful for Hugh Suenaga. He is a great man! He has touched my kids lives in many ways. He is always giving encouragement and motivation to kids. He is a wrestler that wants to share his knowledge with the kids. He gives up lots of time to be with the youth. He always is putting others before him. He has many body issues, but never lets on that he is in pain. Willy still has a binder with all his thoughts, stories and words of wisdom with him. Noah remembers the first day he met him very well. Hugh means alot to many people. We love ya tons!!!!

Noah-Outstanding Student

Noah got Outstanding Student of the first Trimester. Here is Noah pointing at his name and picture in the display case!!! Nice job Noah! (8th grade)

Day 21-gratitude

Today I am thankful for the great friends that my sons have. I love that my kids have awesome friends. I love having them over and hang out with us just as part as the family. I also like it when they call me "mom" then I know they feel comfortable being at the house. I have lots of extra sons! (and daughters) Thanks for being awesome examples.

Willy is Awesome!

Willy is having a Awesome week!! He is so happy and doing well. He had two interviews with his Mission President and said that he is learning alot and growing each day. He sometimes gets down on him self because he does not know everything, but it will come in time. He is still doing service and helping ward members. He did give us alittle spirtial note this week, he said that we all need to remember our personal prayers morning and night, and family prayers especially at night. He said to never forget to pray for him and his companion. He did mention that he is sad that he is missing hunting, but he will survive. Keep up the good work Son!!!

Day 20-gratitude

Today I am thankful for the power of prayer. I have prayer as a comfort to get me through some hard times. I have seen amazing answers to prayers. We are so blessed to have the knowledge of knowing our prayers will be answered, even it is not when we are ready for the answers. Thanks for all the prayers that have been said on my behalf. We are truly blessed.

Noah-nomination

Noah was nominated by a teacher at Hawthorne Middle School to the People to People Ambassador Leadership Program. What a honor, he is going to be going to a conference in Washington DC in February. He is pretty excited about it.

His letter says: "People to People Ambassador Programs recognizes Noah Thomas on being nominated by Kathy Leishman of Hawthorne Middle School to become a Leadership Ambassador based on demonstration of outstanding scholastic merit, leadership potential, and exemplary citizenship. Invintation to this Leadership Ambassador Program has been bestowed up the the nomination by a respected educator or parent. "

Day 19-Gratitude

Today I am grateful for the Boy Scout program. It has helped my boys to grow and develop into great leaders. I love that they are excited about the program and love the merit badges they are working on. I am glad they have the scouting fever and want to be successful in what they start out doing! Great job boys....Love ya tons!

Day 18-gratitude

Today I am grateful for a half a day of work. I enjoy having some time to get things done. We are having the missionaries over for dinner tonight and I hate feeling rushed after work. It will be nice to have everything ready and not just rushing to throw it together.

Day 17-gratitude

Today I am grateful for trials. Call me crazy!!! But when we have trials, that is what helps us to become better people. I hope that from the lessons that I have learned in life I can always be a better and more improved person. ( I am thinking I must have alot to learn) :)

Day 16-gratitude

Today I am grateful for hugs! I think a hug says alot. I love that when I come home I have a couple of neighbor kids that always come and give me a hug. I am glad that my kids don't think they are to hold to hug their mom. I love that my neices and nephews run up to me and hug me as well. Nothing wrong with a quick hug from family and friends!!! Thanks for all my hugs!!

Day 15-gratitude

Today I am grateful for the Kerb, Kinney, Dodge family. They are great friends of ours, and we are lucky to have some of their kids live close to us, and we are "adopted grandparents" to Chanel. We are quite fond of that little girl! Thanks for letting us be a part of your lives!!! Hugs to Chanel!

Willy-update

Willy is doing well. He is still adjusting. He has been helping members in the ward he is in and got the opportunity to help load a bull. He said that was exciting but intimidating at the same time. He loves the area he is in and the people that he has come in contact with. I think he is still alittle homesick, considering it is hunting season here. He is thankful for the opportunity that he has to be on a mission and he knows that he is suppose to be there. He has been doing some teaching and still not all that comfortable with that, but he is learning and growing.

Day 14-gratitude

Today I am grateful for my siblings. I know that sometimes we have differences, but one thing we know we always have each others backs!! I am grateful for the closeness we all share. The joke in the family is "if it wasn't for you nothing would get done" so I am glad they let me be in charge.......Love ya tons, Kai, Darwin, Tanis and Mindy!

Day 13-gratitude

Today I am grateful for Kayla Hickman. There are many reasons why. She is such a special girl and when she is home she always finds time to come and hang out and visit just like when Willy was home. Willy is lucky to have such a awesome person to support him regardless of the distances between. Thanks for your great friendship and support for Willy. We love ya!!

Day 12-Gratitude

Today I am thankful for a house to live in. I am so thankful it is a place to call home! I love that it is warm and cozy and my family has a safe place to live. I love my house and so blessed to have a roof over our heads!!!!

Day 11-Gratitude

I am thankful for Payton. He teaches me lots of things. He has red hair in this picture for red ribbon week, I am glad he has the confidence to do things like this and he does not care what people think. I wish I could do that! He keeps me organized! Thanks for being a awesome son!!! Love ya tons!

Day 10-Gratitude

I am so grateful for Willy. You are never to old to have a kiss from mom!! I am so thankful for his example he is. I am thankful for him as a soldier, and also has a missionary. I love his sense of humor, (which is like his dads) and I am so blessed to be his MOM! Love ya son!

Day 9-Gratitude

I am grateful for Noah....He is truly an inspiration. Our neighbors son Tyson has cancer and there was a fundraising even going on in Logan, UT-people were shaving their heads....Noah wanted to do it but with his wrestling going on he could go, so we shaved his head in honor of Tyson!!!

Day 8-Gratitude

Today I am grateful for medication. I want to say it is more like a reality check. I have been sick the last few days, and Sunday I spent the day in bed, worked Monday and by the afternoon I was in pain and sick again. I kept thinking I was having a heart attack. After work I went to the doctor and had them check me out to see why I was having pain and sickness. After chest xrays, blood work, ect....It all came back normal. They told me I had a URI and that I needed to rest and drink fluids. They gave me a shot in the behind and told me that would help with pain. I got home said my prayers and went to bed. Through out the night, I was up several times. I have come to the conclucion that the Lord is telling me to SLOW down and that I can not do as much as I think I can. I have taken 2 days off from work (which I never do) and have decided that I need to take it easy. Thanks for my little warning that I can not take on everything!

Willy update

Willy is doing great. He is finally adjusting and feeling good about everything. Transfers were on the 2nd and he did not get transferred. He said he may not get transferred for 3 times. He is in a town away from town. He finally got the box that we sent the beginning of October. He was excited to have it. There is a member in his ward that he is in that is in Utah and will be going back home next week, she is going to stop get a package for him. I am sending Birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas all together, save on postage and he will get it for the holidays. He is positive what he is doing. We are so proud of him and his desire to serve.

Day 7- Gratitude

Today I am grateful for my parents. They are truly strong examples of many things. I am thankful for the things they have taught me and how to be a good person. I love that no matter what my faults are ......they still LOVE me. I hope to be as great examples as they are. My parents ROCK!!!!

Day 6-gratitude

I am so thankful for my friends. I have so many friends and what examples they are to me. I know that if I ever needed them they would be here for me. I have friends all over and I know they still care about me even if they don't see me all the time. I am so lucky to have friends that keep me positive and upbeat when I am down. I love you all, thank for your gracious friendship!

Day 5- gratitude

I am so thankful for my neices and nephews. They bring me lots of happiness. I love it when they are around and give me hugs!!! I want to be the best aunt around.....so I do tend to spoil them all. I am so blessed to have them all close to me!!! Hugs to all my nieces and nephews!!!Aunt Jo loves ya all !

Day 4-gratitude

Today I am so thankful for my boys!!! I love my boys. They are my pride and joy. I am so glad that they are good kids and are always willing to help everyone. They have a great sense of humor and can always make me smile. I have the best sons around!!!

Day 3- gratitude

Today I am so thankful for my yellow socks! There is a story behind my yellow socks. For girls camp this year our color was yellow, and we each got a pair of yellow socks to remind us of camp. I took it a step farther to help with a motivational thought at work. I wore my yellow socks and had people tell me what they thought of when they saw the color yellow....sun, warmth, happiness, smiles, ect.....so I told them when they see yellow to think of the positive atmosphere that we have and that is can brighten us when we are done, it can bring us cheer. Still till this day, I wear my yellow socks every Tuesday to remind them of cheer and happiness, I have been teased that they are going to take me down and rip my socks off because I am always reminding them to be happy.....when it is a rough day, I tell them that I am going to let them touch my socks to make them SMILE!!! I love my yellow socks!!!!

Day 2-gratitude

Today I am so grateful for my husband. He is a great example of service and a great provider for our family. He has a great sense of humor and is an amazing father to our boys! Love ya tons Babe!

Halloween-Kidds Dental candy buy back

Blondes have more fun!!!! Well We had out candy buy back at work, I dressed up like a Hippy!!!! We had a huge success with our buy back program this year......We got 311 pounds of candy! Trust me that is alot of candy! It was fun being apart of the committee to make this event successful!!!!

Day 1-gratitude

As we go through the month of November, I have challenged myself and others to think of something every day until Thanksgiving of what they are thankful for. Today I am thankful for a job. With the economy and the way the world is right now, I am blessed to have a job and to have amazing doctors that care about me.