what the fetch?

This has been a topic of much debate in the Thomas home for the last 4 years. I hope that you all enjoy this - because it doesn't happen often.

As you have all been told before, Brian is an avid fan of Ghost Hunters. His favorite ghost hunter being Grant Wilson, the co-founder of TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society).

Brian has always thought that Grant is LDS - a member of our faith. I have staunchly disagreed and fought him to the death on this issue.

Well... I just found out that he is. He is, in fact, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and actually served a two-year mission in Italy.

I stand corrected. Now, as to whether or not he's active or not...

it’s that time of the year again…

Fall. It’s that time of the year again. My favorite season. Heavenly! That crisp nip is f.i.n.a.l.l.y in the air – that beautiful thing that comes but once a year. And you know what that means… Halloween. And then Thanksgiving. And then – then! – Christmas. And, of course, Ammon’s 2nd birthday is tossed in there somewhere (…we’re hoping that if we don’t think about that too much then it will not come…).

I know that we – the Thomases Three – are hopeful that the sweet and funky Halloween decorations of Woodburn Drive will be going up soon. Until then, we are at least enjoying our freshly-made Halloween advent calendar – and counting down the days until that most ghoulish of nights: All Hallows’ Eve.

Happy Fall to you and yours. Here’s to hoping that you can sit a bit outside, soaking up the lovely weather. Here’s to hoping that you can smell a bonfire – and maybe even roast a marshmallow. Here’s to hoping that you can find that perfect pumpkin. Here’s to hoping that you can crack out your sweaters. Here’s to hoping that you can devour some chili and candy and apple cider – or at least some pumpkin pie smothered in cool whip. Here’s to hoping that you can build up a store of this Fall-ish goodness – enough to last you the whole year through.

random acts of ammon | part two

So --- I saw this little something hanging out of Ammon’s Lightning McQueen car. This thought immediately interrupted the constant stream of conundrums that runs through my mind on a daily basis: “…and what does he have stashed in there now. Hopefully not another 3-day old sippy cup…”

However, what I found sent a smile to my lips rather than an obscenity. Apparently this little boy has learned the time-honored lesson to always, always take the important stuff on road trips. In this case, his well-loved mimi (i.e.: blanket).

It is never dull here on Woodburn Drive. A certain little boy sees to that. He certainly keeps up hopping and light on our feet. Never boring, but sometimes nerve-wracking. And yet – how could you not love this face?

random acts of ammon | part one

Ammon usually brings some little something to ‘hold’ while he is in his highchair. It could be anything: a book, a toy, some little doodad from around our home. He also always has his sippy cup with him, of course.

Last night, I found this little surprise in the seat of his highchair. Just sitting there waiting for their owner and his dinner. I’m gathering that sometimes Mom isn’t quite fast enough.

What is that saying? “If the theory of evolution were true, moms would have more arms.” I’ve deduced that – with the two arms and hands that I do have – I can only do 11 things at one time. Let’s not push it…

Sorry, little man. You sure are funny, though. You make my heart sing with giggles.

it's nice to know that some things haven't changed...

... yet.

random : on my mind

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about our family unit – the similarities between us, as well as the differences. Those things that make us uniquely individual people.

The three of us here on Woodburn Drive are undoubtedly distinctive, diverse individuals. And yet we are all very similar. We all have very creative minds. We all have very sensitive hearts. We all have an excess of spunk.

Physically, we match. We are all short. And yet there is one thing that separates us. Our eye color. Brian and Ammon both have deep, penetrating dark brown eyes. Mine? Baby blue, through and through. And while this is so not a very flattering picture of us, the Thomases Three – we are on vacation at the beach, exhausted and disgustingly hot (you can actually see the moisture in the air – s.i.c.k) – but, it is the most handy depiction of the point at hand.

I’ve never liked my eyes. And yet, I find myself admiring them now. Admiring them and the lively personality that they have.

On a normal day, my eyes are a deep azure blue. When outside, they have a cerulean hue. When I wear blue – my eyes are a vivid indigo. When I wear purple – startling violet. When I wake up from a deep sleep – those rare occasions – they are green with a yellowish tinge. And yet after I cry, my eyes look like a crystal-blue sea – a cloudless sky.

Don’t get me wrong: I cherish my brown-eyed boys. Easily done, as brown eyes are my very favorite. But… I love my blue eyes. Maybe one of these days, genetics will forget that brown is the dominant color, and we’ll have another set of baby blues here on Woodburn Drive.

Until then – here's looking at you, kid.

***

Blue eyes -
Baby’s got blue eyes.
Like a deep blue sea
on a blue, blue day.

Blue eyes -
Baby’s got blue eyes.
When the morning comes
I’ll be far away.
And I say -

Blue eyes
holding back the tears,
holding back the pain.
Baby’s got blue eyes…
and she’s alone again.

Blue eyes -
Baby’s got blue eyes.
Like a clear blue sky
watching over me.

Blue eyes -
Oh, I love blue eyes.
When I’m by her side
where I long to be.
I will see –

Blue eyes laughing in the sun,
laughing in the rain.
Baby’s got blue eyes…
and I am home again.

Blue Eyes; Gary Osborne

ode to one who is almost two

Apparently – a certain little boy has not yet fully learned the concept of ‘consequence’.

Big word.

Means lump on head.

Although this particular scrap – this purple ear – was caused by a complete accident… most of the bumps, bruises and other calamities that this boy brings upon himself are not. Ammon is nothing short of a complete daredevil. He. Is. Wild. I laugh riotously to myself whenever any random person comments on his ‘mellow’ personality. Oh what these poor souls do not know about this boy.

In honor of Ammon’s official entrance into that wonder of joys, the terrible two’s – Brian and I have opted to share with you Ammon’s 2-year old theme song. Simply titled, ‘Prisoner of Society’, it fits him to a tee:

Well, we don't need no one to tell us what to do.

Oh, yes, we're on our own and there's nothing you can do.

So we don't need no one like you –

to tell us what to do.

We don't refer to the past when showing what we've done.

The generation gap means the war is never won.

The past is in your head –

The future's in our hands.

‘Cause I'm a brat –

and I know everything.

And I talk back –

‘Cause I'm not listening

to anything you say.

And if you count to three – 1, 2, 3 –
you'll see there's no emergency.

You'll see I'm not the enemy,

just a prisoner of society.

‘Prisoner of Society’ by Living End

- Happy 200th Post -

From:

The Happy Thomas Family... Here on Woodburn Drive.

today

"And what in the name of holy heck am I going to do with a boy?"

That would be what was running through my mind the second we found out that I was incubating a boy... and not a girl. You see, I was used to girls. So much more used to girls than boys. And while Brian said, "I know what to do with boys." my uncertainty was not swayed. That wouldn't help me during the day when I ran out of 'boy' things to do.

And yet, I have found over the last 20 1/2 months that boys seem to already know how to play with trucks and cars and produce bodily functions to make their daddies proud. They come with that know-how. And I haven't had to do a thing. Just sit back and marvel. Sit back and wonder at the inner-workings of a certain little boys' mind.

Today - I am loving this.

boys and their joys

This is a very, very old picture. A very old picture that - after all this time - I find I still want to share. I want to share this simple glimpse into our everyday life because... I love it. My boys. My boys and their joys. Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen toys, to be exact. And, to quote Brian, "And this is only the first phase!" Of course, the second phase has come and gone - yet I still adore this photograph that I snapped on the sly.

Love seeing my boys together. Love seeing my boys so in their element. Just, you know... love my boys.