"A Shining Light Across America"

As part of its 100th anniversary, Boy Scouts of America will broadcast a centennial celebration show, "A Shining Light across America," on Saturday, July 31, 2010. This two-hour show will be broadcast live from the National Scout Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, and will celebrate the past, present, and future of the Boy Scouts of America. Those interested in viewing the program can watch it on BYU Television at the following times:

July 31, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. (live broadcast)

August 3, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. (rebroadcast)

August 7, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. (rebroadcast)

BYU Television is also available on the Internet at byutv.org.

Happy 100 Years BSA

Today the Boy Scout of America 100 Anniversary Stamp was revealed at the BSA Jamboree. Dick said the line was LONG to purchase them and is sending me to the post office this morning. Exciting times!

Happy Pioneer Week!

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
Becky’s “Little” brother Andrew was married on Saturday to the beautiful Erin at Lake Tahoe. Becky and the little girls left Thursday afternoon and Ricky left Friday evening. Ricky will be home later tonight and Becky and the girls get to stay until next Monday. I’m sure hope they are having a wonderful time. Their dog Rocky is staying here with Grammy. I can tell he is missing the little girls, but quite enjoying his time not having anybody tug at his tail or pull on his ears. He kind of likes to be the center of attention and just have time to chill out on Grammy’s lap.
Our Barnett Granges
Our Cobre Valle Granges made the move to Barnett Drive this weekend. They are still in our ward bounderies which we LOVE. Tatia and Jake have moved 3 times in the past 14 months. That’s a lot of moving and it’s still touch even if you are only moving a few miles away. They will be house sitting for another family in our ward until February. It’s sure been a blessing for them to be able to do that, but also a little tricky to move someplace that is already filled up with “stuff” and try to make your stuff fit with there’s. They are such an amazing couple and have worked hard this weekend. I’m hoping they find some time for a nice Sunday snoozer.
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
Charlie, Mackenzie and Keelie were planning to take a drive to Lake Tahoe and see Ricky, Becky, Brooklyn and Addison this weekend. I haven’t heard if it worked but I sure found myself smiling yesterday thinking about my three little granddaughters were getting to spend some time with eachother. Charlie posted a fun video on their blog that you may want to take a peek at. It’s our little Keelie coming down the slippery slide at her Grandparents swimming pool. She was on Charlies lap and in his very loving arms. She was one happy little girl and requested a do over for Family Night on Monday. I loved it.
Our Orem Thiot’s
Pierce and Stacy have had an extra busy week. Pierce and the BYU AdLab played a BIG role in the Water Balloon World Record beater activity this week. When I talked to him on Friday afternoon, he admitted to not having been to bed for 3 days. They filled over 100,000 waterballoons. It takes a LONG time to do that. You may want to peek on his blog for additional videos and fun reports. I loved seeing the news report where they interviewed PJ. Thanks for your good support this week especially Stacy. I’m glad it’s behind you Pierce and I’m glad it was such a success. I hope you too get a Sunday afternoon Snoozer.
Our Skyler Thiot
Skyler is getting settled back into real life. He got some crazy news from BYU when trying to register for his fall class schedule. Since he had returned home from his mission on a medical leave, his Deferment was no longer in effect and so he could not return to school the end of August as planned. We had no idea that that was the case and so he is heading to BYU on Tuesday to interview with the counselor there. What a crazy and surprising thing this has been. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and Sky in my prayers in hopes that BYU will be able to figure out what is going on.
We Plano Thiot’s
After a very busy start to the week filled with interviews, meetings, work and a quick trip to Girls Camp, Dick left on an early morning flight to Washington DC. He is attending the Boy Scouts of American Jamboree in celebration of 100 Years of Scouting. Now you may think he is taking our Scouts along, Nope, he was invited to be on the IT Staff and is going along as a Staff Member, one of many I might add. He has stared a Jamboree Blog. You may want to take a peek at that too and follow along with him for the next 2 weeks. Enjoy Dick. I don’t know any other person on the planet that has earned 2 weeks off in Boy Scout Heaven.
While Dick is at Jamboree, his two counselors in the Bishopric are also out of town. We had Sacrament Meeting with our Stake President attending and the High Priest Group leader conducting. It worked and was a great meeting. Dick made everyone promise last week to not get sick, or have any really serious difficulties while he is away. I hope they will all cooperate.Tatia’s little children she nanny’s were having Texas Day on Tuesday of this past week. I got to join them on a tour of the Heritage Homestead for a field trip oh what Plano was like 100 years ago. We had a great time even though it was HOT. Tatia is going to miss these little people as they will be starting day care in 3 weeks and Tatia will begin her new job at the Apple Creek Preschool where she will be teaching the morning and afternoon classes of 3 year olds. She is getting excited. We had a fun Saturday night spending it with our dear friends the Christensens at their community swimming pool. Kinsley is a great swimmer and the little boys loved it too. It was great to have Tatia and Jake and Sky there too. Have a great week ya’ll! SLY Robynn

Merry Christmas in July

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
Tatia started a fun tradition in our family a few years ago. It’s called Christmas in July. Tatia makes her famous gingersnap cookies and we have an abbreviated version of Christmas dinner and then we watch a favorite Christmas movie. This week we have had Pierce and Stacy in town and Tatia thought this would be a perfect week to have our celebration. We planned to do it on Friday evening and it was one HOT Christmas night, but fun. Thank you all for coming and for your helping hands. Brooklyn thought the little gifts that Pierce wrapped up for everybody was especially fun. I loved having everybody all together and we surely missed Charlie, Mackenzie and Keelie. Becky and the girls leave on Thursday for California. Her younger brother Andrew is getting married next Saturday in Lake Tahoe and they are sure getting excited to go. Ricky will go on Friday after work to join them. Brookie and Addie, be good little girls for your Mommy on the plane ride. J
Our Cobre Valle Granges
August 1st is coming in just two more weeks. Tatia and Jake have been beginning the packing and moving process. They have been blessed to house sit for the Martin’s this year and now the Martin’s oldest son Jerry is graduating and moving back home to start his new job here in Dallas. Tatia and Jake are moving to housesit for another family in our area until February. On Saturday afternoon, Ben, Sky, Dick and I helped move some of their things to their new home. I know moving is not supposed to be “fun”, but Tatia and Jake had everything so organized that is was fun. Thanks for letting us be some help to you.
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
I have learned something this week. You would think that having four of our five kids at home would seem like plenty. It’s an odd thing that when everyone is here but Charlie’s family, I miss them even more. I hope it won’t be too long until we can all be back together again. There is something amazing about hearing my house filled with familiar voices. At the BIG dinner table, it was a little noisy but WONDERFUL. We missed you Carmichael Thiot’s!
Our Orem Thiot’s
It was sure great to have Pierce and Stacy in town. Pierce organized an afternoon at the waterpark for Ricky, Sky and him. They had a great time together and have all 3 got tender shoulders from being kissed by the sun. Proof that sun screen indeed washes off. Pierce and Stacy got to visit with all of Stacy’s family here and LOVED meeting the two newest family members little Grayer and little Emerson. I loved getting to see the darling pictures Stacy took of them. What fun to have a great photographer in our family. P&S left Saturday morning around 11 to drive back home. Everything went well until they got to Monticello, Utah and a deer ran right in front of them. Fortunatly, they are fine, the car will need a new drivers side mirror and headlight and maybe a few other parts, but it for sure fared better than that crazy deer. They should be getting home in a few hours and hopefully can catch up on some missed sleep and be ready to get back to work and school tomorrow. Thank you so much for coming you two!
Our Returned Thiot
It’s been great to have Skyler home this week. He has enjoyed having time to relax and time to spend with family and friends. We had another young missionary return this week. Jacob Reading returned home on Wednesday and will be speaking in Sacrament Meeting this morning. I can hardly wait to see him and hear about his mission to Southern California. It’s so fun to see these young men come home after all the marvelous experiences they’ve had for two years. The only thing better than having your children go on missions, is having them come HOME.
We Plano Thiot’s
This has been an especially tough week for Dick. One of the sisters he home teaches passed away on Monday evening. Mona Cherri has been a dear friend of ours since she moved to Plano 12 years ago. She has been fighting Luekemia for the past 2 years and it finally won. She had such high hopes of getting well and being able to raise her two young boys. Dick has been a big help to her family this week. It is so hard to say goodbye to someone you love so much and who it seems is going home way to young.
Dick is leaving this coming Friday for Virginia for two weeks. It’s time for the National Boy Scout Jamberee. He has always wanted to go and was invited this year to be on Staff as a technology expert. Dick didn’t even have to think about it before saying YES, I’d LOVE to go. He’s been trying to get things in order with the ward and with work before he leaves. We are going to miss him. I hope our ward has a nice calm couple of weeks while he is away. You do deserve a break Dick Thiot. Sure love ya’ll, Robynn

Welcome Home Edition

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
Ricky, Becky, Brooklyn and Addison were at the airport to welcome Elder Skyler home on Wednesday afternoon. What a surprise it was to have Ricky behind security. He was able to greet Skyler right as he walked off the plane. Ricky left later that afternoon for New Orleans for his Sales Meetings. When each of the boys have retured, Ricky has been at the gate to greet them. A tender mercy of the Lord to have their oldest brother Welcome them HOME!
Our Cobre Valle Granges
Tatia made a super human effort to be there when Sky returned. She and Jake had gotten home the night before from their wonderful quick trip to Washington and Utah. They made a lot of great memories in a very short time. On Wednesday, Tatia and her three little kids she nanny’s, drove to the Medical School and picked up Jake and then headed to the airport. She had misunderstood when I told her Sky was coming to the E terminal and thought I said the B terminal. She and her team arrived just about 45 seconds before Skyler. WHEW!!!!
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
Charlie and his girls were here in spirit all weekend. We wish they could have been here to welcome Skyler home too. We have really missed them being here. It’s hard to miss these special family times, but thank heaven for telephones that make us feel close by. We love you Carmichael Thiot’s and miss you.
Our Orem Thiot’s
Pierce picked up Stacy from work on Friday evening and they started their all night drive to Texas. I loved it Saturday morning when Dick got a Text that that has just crossed into Texas!!!! They made great time and were here in time for a fun dinner barbeque with our family. We are loving having them here. Stacy’s parents came to Sacrament meeting to hear Elder Sky speak. It was great to have them their with us too. They will leave on Saturday morning to go home. We hope we get to see some more of them but we are happy to share with Stacy’s family too.
Our Returned New York Thiot
I dont know how to title my last letter, because how to you put a cap on the most amazing experience of your life? I think this week feels alot like leaving home all over again. I have family, best friends, and people that I will know til the end of time here in nyc. Its hard to put into words. I feel bad because there is no way anyone can experience what has happened here to me, but I can just say, it is impossible to write with words what im feeling. The best part of coming back to texas is knowing I get to see fam and friends that I havent seen for as much as 27 months. Its going to be so crazy riding on the plane home.
Im leaving alot of people I love here in new york, but I am glad I get to take one of my converts home with me, and it might be the convert I had to put the most effort and sleepless nights into, me.
For anyone ever considering going on a mission, stop, think about what is the happiest moment of your life, and then consider feeling that way for 2 years nearly non-stop. The gospel is what makes us happy, and as a missionary, we get to try and live the gospel all the time.
I was teaching young mens/young womens yesterday at church with a way cool member, and he made a comment that is profoundly true. He said, "If the church wasnt true, the missionaries would have destroyed it along time ago." We are just 19-22 year olds, but because the church is true, the work moves on despite us.
I'm way excited to see everyone wednesday, and I cant wait for some good home cooking, taco bueno, and some on the border. But its a weird feeling when for a long time you look towards a mission, and then your one shot is over. But thankfully, I have had the greatest luck to go to the two coolest missions on planet earth, and meet the coolest people in the whole mundo. I love new york, but more then new york, I love new yorkers, even with all their quirks, they are amazing people.

Wednesday afternoon at 1:48, Skyler’s Delta Airlines flight landed in Dallas Texas. He had left NYC at 8:00 in the morning and had flown to Atlanta where he had a couple of hours to wait before boarding the flight to bring him home. He had a couple of great “Last” missionary miracles on his way home. We are convinced that everything happens for a reason even right down to the seat you are assigned to sit in. It is so good to have him HOME! We headed to “On the Border” for some good TexMex lunch and then to the Stake Center to have him released. That was a tender moment to be there with him. It’s hard for me to take my eyes off of him. I have to keep pinching myself to make sure I am not dreaming all of this. Welcome Home Elder SKY!!!
We Plano Thiot’s
This has been one of the best weeks of my life. Preparing to have a missionary come home is a tiny bit like preparing to have a baby. Even though I’ve had 18 months to get ready, it seems like the last few days are the busiest. I LOVED dusting his room and washing his bedding in preparation for his return. I was at Walmart on Monday when they were taking down their Toy Story display and they gave it to me to bring home and decorate his room. So Woody and Buzz were there to say WELCOME HOME! I loved it. Sunday morning at 7:00, Sky reported to our Stake High Counsel. He did a super job sharing his mission with them in only 8 minutes. Tatia, Jake, Ricky, Pierce, Stacy, Dick and I were able to go with him and we all loved it. Then at 9:00, he spoke in our Sacrament meeting. I even got to speak with him. I loved getting to sit by him on the stand. Oh, it’s great when missionaries get their “Call to Serve” and when they leave and while they serve, but when they return after giving it their all for two years, it’s truly the very BEST! I wish all of you could have been there to hear him. .He was certainly blessed with some marvelous experiences that will be with him forever. I’m so greatful for the gospel and the many ways that it blesses the Thiot families lives. Sure love ya’ll, Robynn

Elder Thiot is HOME!!!!!

At 1:47 this afternoon, Delta Airlines delivered HOME Elder Skyler Thiot.

Brooklyn got the very first hug and she was thrilled to see him. Sky couldn't believe how much she had grown up.

Ricky is flying to New Orleans later this afternoon, so he was able to go through security and be the first one to Welcome Sky Home!

Brooklyn and Becky made cute signs to Welcome him Home!

What a fun Welcoming Committee. Tatia drove her 3 kids she nanny's down to pick up Jake from work and then came to the airport. She thought I said Terminal "B" when I said "E". They called from B wondering where we were. They got her just one minute before Elder SKy. Perfect timing Tatia and Jake and kidos! The girls looked mighty cute in their Welcome Home Shirts. Thanks Becky for thinking of such a fun idea and thank you Pierce for making such a fun design. Welcome Home Elder SKY!!!!!

The Count Down is Officially ON!!!!!!

Hey everybody, have you heard the news, Elder Sky comes home Wednesday!

Hey Buzz, can you believe it, SKy's coming home!!!!

Pierce designed some darling shirts for the little girls to wear to the airport tomorrow (Thank you PJ) and we found a fun lady to come paint the window. Sky's sheets are in the washer to freshen them up and I've dusted away 19 months of dust from his room. We are very excited to see that Elder Thiot tomorrow at 1:40 pm. More pictures to come TOMORROW!!!!!

Ok, I think we are ready! We can hardly wait to put our arms around that sweet Elder Thiot and Welcome him HOME!

BonJour!

Dick called this week and asked me if my Passport was current and if I would like to get a stamp from Paris.

Well as you might imagine, I didn't even have to think twice, Yes, I said, I am so there....

We left Friday afternoon and had one of the most wonderful weekend getaways I can remember in a long time.

The field have the most beautifully coufed' cattle. I loved seeing them.

They truly know how to hold a parade in Paris.... Tractors, Jeeps, whatever you have is Perfect for a Parade in Paris.

The High School band and the Paris Trolley were favorites of ours.

Friday night on the town square, everyone with "hot" cars brought them into town for a fine showcasing. We LOVED it too. What a fun time we had in Paris this weekend. Thank you so much Dick for making my Birthday weekend so very memorable and so much Fun!!!!!