80s lovin’

It is no lie that the 80s are still alive in the Thomas home. What with Transformers, Fraggle Rock and Voltron to name a few – Brian and I just can’t seem to grow up. And Ammon has – with flying colors – welcomed our childhood loves with open arms.

We can now add a new element to our repertoire: Thundercats.

Brian – why, of course – watched Thundercats as a wee little boy. We are now proud owners of part of the series – so now Ammon can see it. And … l.o.v.e it.

One of his current favorites is to run wildly and uncontrollably around the room waving his foam sword, shouting, “HO!”

We couldn’t be happier that he loves these classic things. That he loves so many things that were good. And still are.

To quote Liono: “Thunder, thunder, thunder, Thundercats ... HO!”

this boy

My, my, my. Golly. Whoo. Sheesh.

But – oh, how we love him, anyway.

I don’t even know where to begin. Unless you live a day in my shoes, or inBrian’s – you cannot even start to fathom this child. This boy.

I am not speaking as a ‘proud parent’ or a ‘doting mother’. I am speaking as a bystander. As someone simply observing the everyday. I so wish that others could see Ammon’s true personality. The one he exhibits when he is in his own territory. Because he truly is a different child there. Of course, no one else believes us when we say this. No one else believes us when try to describe some of his usual antics. Maybe if others could see his true self, I would not get so many what-is-his-deal-? comments. Maybe – whenever I run like the wind to ‘help’ him go down a slide, and someone tells me that I am too ‘overprotective’ – they will understand that I do that because I am used to him attempting to run down the slide, instead. But – we are just grateful that we get to see this side of him.

He is at such a fun age right now. Such a fun stage. And quite the character. He has personality oozing out from his toenails.

Some very random things that he is up to right now:

Practicing his letters. He goes around the house pointing out letters galore. Vowels are still his fav. However, lately our days are brought to us by the letters B, C, F, G, H, J, K, M, P, Q, and T.

Drawing. And drawing. And drawing some more. Preferably with a monochromatic color scheme (i.e.: blue, light blue, gray, white and black crayons only on mid-range blue paper). Ammon has an artistic streak I’m beginning to notice. He makes very deliberate motions with his crayons, for instance. Interesting to see where this takes him.

Head attire. I have never known a child to like things on their head like Ammon does. He has a foam crown that he will wear all day. He’ll wrap his head up in his blanket and wear it like a turban. The potty-hat incedent. Need I say more? In the photo above, Ammon is wearing a hat that belonged to my grandfather. I didn’t realize until today that the photo was taken on what would have been my Grandpa’s 81st birthday. As a matter of fact, in the photo above he is sitting on that dang little frog potty. In the kitchen. Fully clothed. Scooting around ...

Music. This boy l.o.v.e.s music. It is a rare thing for Ammon to hear music that he does not like. As a matter of fact, in his whole life I can think of only two times. Astounding, considering he has heard the entire spectrum. I love his love for music. I love that his head bobs to any beat. That his toes tap to every tune. In addition to art – I know that he has a large musical vein in him. He has already shown interest in piano and guitar. Again, making deliberate motions and strokes – not the usual banging of a 2-year old. And then – of course – there’s all the air-drumming and air-guitar playing to Metallica that he’s been doing lately…

Dancing. Oh, heavens, the dancing. I have no idea where he gets his moves. I would love to know where he learned to moonwalk, for instance. But – he dances all day long. He shakes and boogies and bee-bops and even does the salsa. We're going to have to keep our eyes on him, I have a feeling…

Sweet little Ammon. You are small, for sure – but what you lack in size you make up for in personality. A hundred times over. How we love you, little dude.

From our home to yours.

can i call you sweetheart ... or even baby doll?

Do your feet hurt?

Did you fall from heaven?

'Cause you've been running through my mind all day.

I love this picture of my boys. Today is Brian's 29th birthday. What an irreplacable person he is. My how we are grateful for him. My how we love him.

Happy Birthday, Love. I just have to ask ... do your feet hurt?

Lyrics: Do Your Feet Hurt? ; MxPx

if i only had today

It seems like I've watched a million sunsets
And stared at a thousand full moons.
Sometimes it feels like I've been here forever
And sometimes it all feels brand new.

I could never count the heartbeats
From the day I was born until now.
But not a single one goes unnoticed
By Him who breathes life in me somehow.

But if there were no more tomorrows
If I knew that I could not stay.
I know how I'd spend every moment
If only I had today.

I'd hold you and listen
And I'd let the dishes sit in the sink.
I'd tell you I loved you over and over
And for once I'd just let the phone ring.

Then I'd remind you of forever
And how our love would never change.
If I only had today.

I'd wake up before the sun did
And I'd watch as you quietly sleep.
I'd pray for time to move slowly
Knowing the moment won't keep.

All the gifts that Heaven has given
Every blessing that's come my way.
Wouldn't mean anything without you
So if I only had today:

I'd hold you and listen
I'd memorize every detail of you face.
I'd tell you I loved you over and over
I wouldn't let excuses get in the way.

Then I'd remind you of forever
And how our love would never change.
If I only had today.

There's no time like the present.
Life doesn't come with any guarantees.
The sun will set and time won't wait
So while I have today:

I'll hold you and listen
And I'd let the dishes sit in the sink.
I'll tell you I loved you over and over
And for once I'll just let the phone ring.

Then I'll remind you of forever
And how our love would never change.
If I only had today.

[ Hilary Weeks ]

reflections of christ

Most of the individuals in my world have probably veiwed this video. Those that haven't - should. I have grown to love this photography of Mark Mabry's - this exhibit entitled, Reflections of Christ. Truly inspiring. Truly beautiful.

I have made a personal study of this work - learning about the process behind it, the reason for it and the experiences had. We have had the priveledge of having Brother Mabry's work in our home for over a year now. What a blessing it has been. What an i.n.c.r.e.d.i.b.l.e depiction of our Savior, Jesus Christ. What a way to feel of his spirit and of his love.

I have been meaning to post this video here for quite a long time. And - for some reason - it keeps slipping my mind. Along with a lot of the things that I should be doing to share the light of Christ. But - rather than sit and think about all that I could be doing and about how imperfect I am, I choose to do.

Here is the slideshow that includes all of the photographs from this collection - set to one of my favorite hymns, Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing. So - pause the tunes at the right and enjoy.

quiet your fears

"If you are helpless,

He is not.

If you are lost,

He is not.

If you don't know what to do next,

He knows.

It would take a miracle, you say?

Well, if it takes a miracle,

why not?"

[ Boyd K. Packer ]

mitchell family shoot | fall 2009

The young – and often times the young at heart – and cameras don’t often share the same company. Let’s be real.

Sometimes a family shoot isn’t about capturing a row of prim little faces – all pointing towards the camera. All with sweet, adoring smiles with little halos floating about their wee little heads.

Sometimes it is about capturing two brothers fighting over a wheelbarrow. Because isn’t that something that brothers would do?

Sometimes it is about watching a 1-year old really discovering grass for the first time. Because isn’t it really such a very cool thing?

Sometimes it is about capturing a 2-year old through a hedge. Because isn’t it normal for 2-year olds to shy away from a camera and just want to have some alone time?

Sometimes it is about two parents just trying to make sense of it all. Trying to keep the peace. Trying to keep their sanity. Because isn’t that what most parents do?

In the end, a family shoot should capture family life. It should capture real.

And – I think that’s what I did here. In my own way, shape and form – I captured the dynamic of this family. I loved doing it, too. Thank you Mitchell family for another grand time. I wouldn’t exchange that Sunday afternoon, those laughs – or those grass stains – for anything in the world. Thank you for letting me capture a glimpse of your lives. Thank you – as always – for being you.

Here are some favorites from our session - a shoot that seems like it just took place yesterday and yet it has been about 4 months. My how time flies. Enjoy.

claudie beatrice | service on my mind

Isn’t she lovely? This is Brian’s great-grandmother, Claudie. And – for a reason unknown to me at present – she’s been on my mind quite a lot lately.

I never met MawMaw Claudie. She passed away before I entered Brian’s sphere. I never met her; however, I’ve made it a point in recent years to get to know this lovely lady. Through photographs, documents and anecdotes, I have come to learn much about Claudie’s personality, nature and life. I thank the few family members who have helped me in that quest.

Though I didn’t know Claudie in this life, I have felt of her sweet spirit many times since Brian and I met. Many times – mostly around her old home – but three times in particular stand out in my memory. First, on the night of Brian’s car accident that happened prior to our marriage – the one that should have taken his life, but did not. Second, when we were sealed together for eternity. Third, the night of Ammon’s birth – not so much after he was born, but more so beforehand, when I was having a very difficult time of things (a time when I also felt the presence of my great-grandmother, Margaret).

Though I was never around her in this life, I recognize her spirit. I know that this spirit is hers. Funny how that works.

And for the past week she has been a near constant presence in my thoughts.

Today, we had the opportunity to participate in a service project with our ‘old’ ward. We are somewhat in limbo at present – participating in various things that we had already committed to, even though we are no longer in the ward, technically. It was a special service project for our family especially.

Thursday evening while eating dinner, Brian reminded me that he would be taking part in the ward service project on Saturday. I had forgotten about it in all the hustle and bustle that has been our life of late – and he reminded me that we were cleaning up the grounds at MawMaw Claudie’s old church in Wicksburg. My initial thought was, “Oh wow – great! It sure needs it…” and then I immediately began thinking about what to do with Ammon so that I could also participate. I really wanted to go and help – not because I felt obligated to, but because I knew that MawMaw Claudie would have wanted us to. It was her church, it is where she is buried, and it is the location of one of our annual family reunions. We should contribute to its upkeep … and what a wonderful opportunity it would be to serve.

I became excited about the prospect and filled with warm fuzzies. All of which quickly turned … to shame. I was ashamed because, in that same instant, I remembered another emotion. Other thoughts. Thoughts that I had when I heard the announcement the Sunday before in Sacrament meeting. Not knowing the specifics of the project – just knowing when it was – I groaned to myself, thinking, “Oh wow – something e.l.s.e to fill my Saturday. The one and o.n.l.y day that my family gets to be together. And so early in the morning? I will n.o.t be caught d.e.a.d doing that.”

Huh.

I was only willing to participate in the project – only willing to serve – because it was for MawMaw Claudie’s old church. Which is good – but shouldn’t I be willing to serve at all times? For anyone? At any place? At any time? I should not have stipulations attached to the service I render. To my willingness to serve.

I realized while working this morning that my heart should always be willing to serve. That I should always be looking for opportunities to serve. To offer help, love and compassion to those around me.

While I worked this morning, I felt of Claudie’s sweet spirit once again – and I knew with all my heart, that she would want it that way. After all, I’ve learned that that is the life that she led. And I’m quite sure she is still serving along with my Great-Grandma Margaret.

I was in charge of picking up trash and old flowers that were littering the cemetary - and was somewhat (but not completely) surprised that, without working it out that way, the last gravesite I came to this morning was that of MawMaw Claudie and Granddaddy Oscar. I was sure to take some time and sit down there where it was quiet and peaceful and thank them both for the lives they led. I know that Brian thinks the world of both of them. And I'm grateful for the examples they shared with him. I also thanked Claudie for the service she has bestowed to me ... for the comfort that she often lends me. Me – whom she did not know on Earth – but whom she knows now. And whom – I’m pretty sure – she knew before.

Thank you, Claudie – my how I love you. Can’t wait to meet you again.

multi-tasking

When this little boy gets all quiet-like - always, always, go see what he's up to. Especially when his mother has been otherwise preoccupied for hours.

In this instance, said little boy came and found said mother - being very pleased with himself. Said mother was, of course, enamored to find him in such a cute state ... that is until she realized that said little boy's 'hat' was actually part of his potty.

Thank heaven above potty-training hadn't started yet.

ocd, anyone?

Straight lines courtesy of Ammon. Please note that they are all facing the same way as well. A boy after his mother's own heart, for sure.

the end of an era

One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite films,

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music:

When the Lord closes a door,
somewhere He opens a window.

Truth.

How very true. When one door closes,
another one surely opens ... somewhere.

Stay tuned for big changes.