An August-ellent Week

An August-ellent Week

Our Mansfield Thiot’s

After a rocky start to the school year for the world’s cutest 1st and 4th graders, all 3 girls had much better second weeks of schools and are enjoying their teachers. Hoping that week 3 will be vomit free as well! Ricky and Dick had a fun morning playing golf this week.  There isn't a much better way to spend a morning and golfing with Ricky is very good too.  Thank You Ricky!

Charles and Margaret Duncan, our Stonecutter

Our Medford Granges
Tatia and her kiddos were feeling extra crafty this week and made some of the most incredible fairy houses you’ve ever seen. They used some of the knowledge that Great Great Grandpa Duncan used as a stone cutter to make those little houses just perfect! If anyone needs to commission some fairy houses, Tatia and her gang are the ones to contact! WOW, those houses are cute! Tatia also had a fun moment at the grocery store with her 4 kiddos when a lady(who was a little rude) asked if all 4 kids were hers, and apologized for Tatia having to have so many little ones. But T smiled and said she wouldn’t trade her family for the world. We agree and are so grateful for those great Medford Granges! YOU ROCK TATIA! Jacob is off to Florida to take his FINAL BOARD EXAMS!  Please keep him in your prayers.  He had a rocky start to the trip as his flight was cancelled and he had to drive to Portland to catch the next available flight with O hours of sleep.  Good Luck!!!

Our Carmichael Thiots
After a tough week for the blue Jeep, things were looking up this week for Charlie and his kiddos! On Friday night Keelie headed to a birthday party so Callum and Char headed to a wedding reception for the cute Josh Richmond who married a girl from the Sacramento area. It’s such a small world, but Josh has sure grown up from the adorable kid passing the Sacramento into a man getting married. After the reception Charlie and Callum got to watch one of Char’s favorite movies from his childhood, 3 Ninjas, and build LEGO together. Talk about a great boys night. Saturday morning meant heading to the soccer field for the Keelie’s tournament. She had a ton of fun and looked great in her minion uniform!

Our LA Thiots

What fun Pierce and Adelaide had at an IceSkating Birthday party she was invited to.  They piled a big pile of SNOW in the middle of the rink and she LOVED tossing snow until her hands were too cold.  Cute Jackson is missing his best play mate but is loving his mommy time.  I loved this picture of him with a bit of a messy face.  Love you Jackson boy.  Pierce and Adelaide camped inside this weekend in a fort they made using every blanket in their house.  FUN!!!!

Our Oaklawn Thiots

This was an exciting week for Kara as she had students in her classroom for the first time. She loved getting to meet all of them and already knows most of their names! Elinor had a great week exploring while her mom was at work. She got to go to the Children’s Aquarium at Fairpark for the first time and see all the amazing animals they have, and you can even pet some sting rays, although Elinor decided she’d wait til next time for that. Elinor also loved the time she got with her Grammy and Greypa this week and loves every moment she gets with those 2. 

We Plano Thiots

It was another busy week in Plano and we were all over the place getting everything done that needed to get done. Week number 2 of seminary was a big success and Dick has been busy with work and making sure his clients in Houston are taken care of. He also had the opportunity to use his HAM radio skills to participate in the HAM radio marathon on Friday and Saturday. If you could have seen his face you would know he was in his element. One sister at the temple on Friday told me I was sister sunshine, but on my way home I saw a sweet, older lady in a sundress driving a bright yellow corvette, who I think is the REAL sister sunshine. What a fun way to get around! Fridays, one student is invited to bring a treat to share.  This week Banana Crumb Cake arrived with the most heavenly scent.  I was tickeled when she shared the recipe with me.  Here you go. 

https://neighborfoodblog.com/2016/02/banana-crumb-cake.html It's wonderful! I want to give a shoutout to Skyler who’s birthday is this week! He was the ghostwriter for today’s Thiot Times. He did a great job, thanks Sky! I hope you've had a great week.  SLY Robynn

Five Months Missing Dad

Friday marked 5 months since my Dad returned to heaven. I asked my sibblings what they miss most about him being gone Here is what we shared

Robynn misses
Dad's Cheery "Yello" when ever he answered his telephone
His "Top of the Morning" greeting when you talked to him
He always closed with "Cheerio" and don't forget to "Keep Smiling" and "I LOVE YOU"
Holding his rough, yet soft dear hard working hands
Always hearing what crazy and unique thing he had eaten for breakfast. He didn't mind dinner leftovers for breakfast
Lani misses
Visiting with him on the way home from work each day
Stopping by to see him after she got home
Sometimes picking him up and going out to dinner or joining him at his home
Inviting him over for Sunday dinner or going to Laurie's or Ric's
Being able to ask him for a Father's blessing
Laurie misses
His willingness to help her no matter what she might need
Wake up phone calls, years ago he used to wake her up and then more recently, she would wake him up
Hearing about what crazy thing he had eaten for breakfast
Always asking how everyone in her family was doing?
Going to Doctors appointments with him. She didn't ever know she would miss that
Jenn misses
Hearing about the BYU Football games. This will be the first year after 40 years he won't have those great seats at the ballgames
Watching their BIG CAT Carl give Papa B Hugs

First Week Back to School

Our Mansfield Thiots
Wednesday morning the girls were so excited for the first day of school.  They took the first day photos and they were off.  Becky got a call from the school just before lunch time and Miss Harper had gotten sick and needed to come home.  Becky picked her up and she slept for the rest of the day.  She still wasn't feeling great on Thursday but on Friday she felt better.  On Friday Miss Addison woke up with the same crud and so she stayed home.  So far, Brooklyn has not caught the nasty bug and we are all hoping she won't.  We are hoping for a better 2nd week of school in Mansfield.

Our Medford Granges
Friday was a clean air day in Medford.  A trip to the park was planned when Jacob got home from work followed by a visit to In and Out Burger for fried and shakes.  Tatia said it felt so good to be outside and they all had a great time.  With the fires in Califonrina, Oregon has been getting the smoke and it's made for unhealthy air days which means lots of time in the house.  It was a welcome relief for a clean air day.  Gigi and Bumpa, Jacobs parents came for a quick visit on their way to Jacob's sisters home in Santa Rosa, California.  They loved seeing them and are looking forward to their return visit later today on their way back home.  They hope they can stay longer than 12 hours this time.  Me too.  

Our Carmichael Thiots
Callum and Keelie started back to school on Wednesday too.  Callum's in the 2nd Grade and Keelie a 5th Grader.  They were excited and had a good first day.  Later that evening, they went to Target to get some soccer shorts as soccer season is just aroung the corner and the Jeep started sounding strange.  By the time they got home, it was sprewing oil or something all around and smelled really bad.  Needless to say, it is in the shop waiting to have the back end repaired.  Ugggg.  Hopefully they can get it fixed up quickly.  So sorry Charlie!  On Thursday when I was going to meet Skyler to return Elie to him, I stopped at a red light and there was a Jeep in front of me, a Jeep on my right side and another on my left side.  I felt like I was being well protected by the Jeep Patrol that day.  What fun.  I snapped a photo which did not work.  But take my word it was interesting.  Funny how the Thiot boys love jeeps.

Our LA Thiots
This was an exciting week in California.  Adelaide started her first day of T-K and is in love with going to school.  On the very first day, her teacher gave her a piece of paper and asked her to draw something that would help the class get to know her better.  Adelaide drew three things.  First, she drew a picture of Gigi holding her.  Gigi was wearing red, because Adelaide said, "Gigi looks FABULOUS in Red".  Then she drew a picture of an Easter Egg.  We loved coloring easter eggs this year and last was a picture of Reagan who is a friend from church. Pierce said at least 3 times a week she will mention that she will be marrying Reagan when they are both grown up.  My sweet Adelaide has such vivid and sweet memories of her Gigi, my mom.  I love that she wanted to draw them together on her first day of school.
Pierce and Stacy celebrated their 10th Anniversary this week too.  Actuarlly they celebrated back in June when they went to Hawaii but the 16th was the official 10 year mark.  Happy Anniversary you two!

Our Oak Lawn Thiots
Monday, August 20th is the first day of school for the Grand Prairie schools where Kara teaches.  She has spent  a lot of time getting her room looking great.  When I saw the pictures, I wanted to sign up for 9th grade English/Lit.  It looks fabulous and I think every student who walks through her door will be enchanted and ready to read and write.  I hope she has great classes this year and loves her new school and new students too.
Miss Elie got to have two Grammy Days this week.  I loved that and we tried puzzles for the first time this week.  She must have had some experience because she is quite good already.  I love how her little fingers can grab the pieces and try to put them in the right place.  So fun to watch her learn and grow.  I have two little cash registers.  The working one is in my grocery store and the other on my toy shelf.  The drawer on it doesn't open any more, but it's still cute.  When Elie noticed it, she picked it up and carried it to the grocery store and put it by the other one.  She knew it should be in the store.  I love watching her brain think and discover her world.

We Plano Thiots
Our week began with funerals and ended with weddings.  Our neighbor Madeline married her sweet heart Blake and Dick and I loved being there.  It was just lovely. The setting was so pretty and when a Giant Sized Texas thunderstorm moved in, it just made it even more beautiful.  Glad it was an indoor wedding.  My cousin Lance Kevin married his sweetheart Kathy.  They were married in Utah and so I didn't get to attend, but Laurie sent me these fun pictures.  It was up in the mountains and what a beautiful setting and fortunately for them, no unexpected thunderstorm..  Laurie said it was very nice too.

I got this darling Back to School picture from our Christensen kids.  Kinsley and Luke and Owen were also excited to go back to school.  Even their dog Lexi was excited.  When they opened the front door to take photos, she snuck out and took off down the street.  She wanted to be the first dog to make it to school but fortunately, they caught her and she will not be going to school this year.  Sorry Lexi!  Such great kids!
I had my first week of Seminary this week and guess what?  I have the nicest class.  They are amazing and I am going to love teaching Seminary.
Dick has been busy working on Wood Badge Preparation. It's coming up next month and he is on staff and gets to figure out a bunch of stuff before it starts.  Good Luck Dick!
I hope you've had a good week and that you know you are loved. SLY Robynn

Happy Birthday Mom Mom!

Happy Birthday Jetta Belle Jarrell Thiot (Mom Mom)

August 18, 1919

Hazel Elizabeth, James Franklin (Buddy) our Jetta Belle Jarrell

I love this picture of Mom Mom.  She was the BEST!!!

Hello Dear Family,

I found this copy of Mom-Mom’s obituary and thought you would love to have it too.  It’s also on Familysearch.org.  What a lot of great things she did in her 68 years.  I think the thing she did best, that wasn’t mentioned in these words was to LOVE her friends, her family and especially her son.  She thought the world of your dad and was such a great cheerleader for him and I’m certain she is for all of us, watching over us in heaven above.  I hope you will have a minute to think about her on her birthday and try to remember what you love most about her too. After thirty years we can change the grandchildren count from 4 to 5 and add 12 Wonderful Great Grandchildren!  Wahoo!  

SLY

Mom

It's Back to School

Our Mansfield Thiots
Wednesday the 15th is Back to School for Brooklyn, 6th Grade,  Addison 4th Grade and Harper 1st Grade.  What a fast summer it's been in Mansfield.  They have packed in a LOT of good times and made many good memories.  Nobody has had time to be bored at all.  Happy First Day of School Girls!  Mom Mom's birthday is next Saturday.  Every year for her birthday, we help her get new school shoes for the grandkids.  You see, Mom Mom (Dick's mother) LOVED shoes and most of all she loved kids to have shoes that fit and were comfortable.  I remember especially Charlie as a little boy, had feet that grew and grew.  Each time she saw him, she would ask if she could borrow him for an hour and would take him shoe shopping.  So, it's become a tradition in our family, that the school kids get school shoes to remember Mom Mom.  How we  miss her.  It's been 30 years since she had her Heaven Day.  Thank you for your good example Mom Mom!

I love how Oscar is looking right at Charlie.  How he loves him.  We ALL do!

I loved the kids washing the farm animals to sit on Charlie's birthday cake

Our Medford Granges
Charlie Thomas Grange turned 1 on Thursday and what a happy day that was.  Tatia and the kids have been planning his birthday.  They have had so much fun getting ready to celebrate his big day.  I loved the Farm Theme as Charlie does love playing with his farm.  Penny was sure the confetti cake would be his favorite even though Max was secretly hoping for chocolate.  Oscar couldn't wait to help him blow out the candle.  What fun sibblings these kids are.  On Saturday, they drove to Portland for the burial of Jacob's dear Grandma Sullivan.  I'm so glad they were all about to go and be there with Jacobs family.  This is the week Penny and Max get to go sign up for School.  That will be great fun to see the inside of the school and get all registered!

Our Carmichael Thiots
Keelie and Callum earned a ticket to Six Flags in school last year and it was about to expire.  They invited Miss Sophie to come along and headed out on Saturday morning.  When they arrived they discovered their tickets were not good on Saturdays,  uggggg.  Charlie is such a nice guy and didn't even tell the kids and just got everybody in.  What a nice dad! They had a really good time and it was fun to run into some other friends while they were at the park too.  They closed the park down at 8:00 and Charlie said they fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow.  They start back to school on Wednesday just like or Mansfield Girls!

Our LA Thiots
Miss Adelaide had her Back to School Date on Saturday night.  She got to dress up and may have even had some mascara and lip liner on, and have a date with her parents.  She chose her favorite sushi restaurant to go to and loved it.  After dinner they went to the beach where they were having an outdoor movie showing.  Talk about a great date.  Jackson boy was home snoozing with a sitter.  What a fun back to school tradition.  I loved it!  Adelaide starts school on Tuesday I do believe.  Happy first day of Pre-K!

Our Oak Lawn Thiots
On Sunday we took dinner to our new Oak Lawn Thiots and Dick snapped this fun picture of them in front of their new home.  It's a four plex and they are upstairs on the front.  It's quite an old building and has such a fun feel to it.  Its in a lovely  neighborhood and they are looking forward to lots of walks and discovering some fun neighbors.  Kara started school last monday with meetings, meetings, meeting and that will continue this week and the students will arrive next Monday.  Hip Hip Hooray!  Little Miss Elie got to be my buddy on Thursday afternoon while we were getting my seminary room ready.  She is a WONDERFUL duster.  If you need one give her a call.  Sky's been working his fanny off getting the old apartment ready to turn back in.  He's been touching up the paint and making it look ready for a new family to move in.  He finished up his contracting job and is looking for more opportunities.  If you need a fabulous guy, give him a buzz.

We Plano Thiots
On Friday on my way home from the temple, I got a message from my little sister Lani, that my sweet cousin Lisa was back in the hospital and was not expected to live much longer.  How I love Lisa.  She and  my sister Lani are 10 weeks apart and have been best friends all their lives. Lisa has struggled with many health issues including MS which has been a beast.  She has been a trouper and is not a complainer.  I am so glad i got to visit her earlier this summer and tell her how much I love her.  I'm going to miss her sweet phone calls to check on me and see how I'm doing.
Dick and I had our very first date with Lisa.  She had come over to my apartment at BYU for a visit and when it was time to take her home, Dick was there and offered to drive us home.  He even stopped at McDonalds and bought us each a sprite.  I love thinking how she had a part of our courtship.  I lived with her family one summer while I was working with Morris Erkanbrach in his Cherry sorting and packing shed.  I shared a room with Lisa and we loved visiting late into the night.  I remember laying on her bed and blasting the song, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.  We thought we sounded really good singing along and I'm sure we did.  Now it's my sweet Lisa in the Sky with Heavenly Father.  That's even better than diamonds.  I LOVED what my Aunt Bonnie wrote about her...

We had some hard news this morning, my niece Lisa passed away. Oh how it hurts to lose a
sweet member of your family. Lisa was a bright spot in our family who loved EVERYONE. She
could always make you feel good about yourself. She had a fun sense of humor and was a
valiant daughter of God. But she was also very sick most of her life. She and her first husband
had three beautiful children that were the light of her life. She lost her first husband to death
and remarried a man who had lost his wife to breast cancer. Together they had seven children
and Lisa loved all of those kids like crazy. We are so grateful that we know and understand
God’s plan for her. That she will be with the ones she loved in this life and also the ones she
never met in this life who love her. My mom passed away in October of 1961 and six months
later Lisa Elaine Borget was born. She was named after my mom and I know that there is a
wonderful reunion going on right now. I wish I could wrap my arms around my sister tonight. I
sure am grateful that she has a big family who have been supporting her like crazy and who
have been able to help during this difficult time. FAMILY IS EVERYTHING. Knowing that our
family is a forever family makes this bearable.

Dick used his super powers to help me Saturday morning to finish up the book covers for my seminary class journals.  A friend at the temple Sister Walton had made them for her class and showed them to me and told me I might want to make some for my class.  It's takes two grocery bags, three pieces of tape and a WHOLE LOT OF PATIENCE.  By the time Dick and I were almost done, we got the groove of making them.  Our last three look awesome.  I couldn't have done it without you Dick.  You are my hero!

Geniel Crandall  9-12-1953-8-8-2018

While I've been preparing for Seminary this week, a friend Geniel Crandall passed away and then my cousin.  Interesting that the first lesson I am teaching in Seminary tomorrow is titled, The Plan of Salvation.  What a perfect lesson to study and focus on during this very tender time.  Our Heavenly Father does have a plan for each one of us.  His timing is not the same as our timing, but the plan is the same.  I'm looking forward to sharing that with my students in the morning.  I hope you know how loved you are by me. SLY Robynn