post-it note blues

I’ve been clearing off my poor, ravaged laptop lately. I’ve been sorting through the oddment of snips and scraps that litter my office workspace. I’ve been attempting to make sense of the madness that is my purse/Mary Poppins bag. And – in doing so – I’ve found treasures.

Little random experts from Thomas Family life. Here are a few that stood out from the masses. Stood out to me in particular ways. Hope you enjoy the funny.

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A conversation that transpired between Stacy and Brian, in response to Stacy’s uncontrollable urge to smuggle treats into the movie theater … and Brian’s unwillingness to oblige.

Stacy: “I’m going to be stuck in the middle of that movie and get thirsty.”

Brian: “You’ve got spit. Use what God gave you. Adam and Eve didn’t have Sunkist.”

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An event that went down during a shopping trip with Ammon, Stacy and her mom.

Leaving the food court at the mall, Ammon was jabbering and chattering and blathering and otherwise commentating about who-knows-what. Upon rounding the corner and being faced with the larger-than-life Victoria Secret models in the window display of the store, he immediately stopped, fell silent, and pointed. Simply saying, “Oh, wow.”

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Brian examining, drooling and otherwise loving over his new iPod after it was returned – in working order again – from Apple. All in response to all its new software with it’s organizational and multi-tasking goodness.

Brian: “… there’s just a plethora of enjoyment.”

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When asked how old he was, Ammon sheepishly avoided answering. He ran off, played for a while, and then returned – with the most serious of looks on his sweet little face – and replied, “I … am five.”

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This past Sunday, we were sitting in front of some friends at church. Ammon was shamelessly flirting with their little Miss Kaisha. Then, at the top of his lungs, he screams, “I see her toes!”

the need to remember

I remember well, the day we wed -

I can see that picture in my head.

I still believe the words we said,

forever will ring true.

Love is certain, love is kind.

Love is yours, and love is mine.

But it isn't something that we find -

it's something that we do.

It's holding tight, lettin' go.

It's flying high and laying low.

Let your strongest feelings show -

and your weakness, too.

It's a little and a lot to ask -

an endless and a welcome task.

Love isn't something that we have -

it's something that we do.

We help to make each other all that we can be -

though we can find

our strength and inspiration independently.

The way we work together is what sets our love apart -

so closely that you can't tell

where I end and where you start.

It gives me heart, remembering how,

we started with a simple vow.

There's so much to look back on now -

still it feels brand-new.

We're on a road that has no end -

and each day we begin again.

Love's not just something that we're in -

it's something that we do.

We help to make each other all that we can be -

though we can find

our strength and inspiration independently.

The way we work together is what sets our love apart -

so closely that you can't tell

where I end and where you start.

Love is wide, love is long.

Love is deep and love is strong.

Love is why I love this song -

and I hope you love it, too.

I remember well, the day we wed -

I can see that picture in my head.

Love isn't just those words we said -

it's something that we do.

There's no request too big or small -

we give ourselves, we give our all.

Love isn't someplace that we fall.

It's something that we do.

Lyrics: 'It's Something That We Do'; Clint Black

we do believe | a thought on a sunday

Every night, we read from the scriptures as a family. Ammon - the 2-year old - typically has to remind his parents - the adults - that this is the proper protocol. And - in fact - he will not go to bed until we have read from the scriptures. What a special boy he is.

We are currently reading from the Book of Mormon. We have a big, wonderful copy - filled with gorgeous pictures - that remains on display in our living room. This is the book we read from as a family. It is such a special part of the Thomas Family Day.

Tonight - we read from 2 Nephi. We completed the 4th chapter. This is - utterly, completely - one of my very favorite scripture blocks in the Book of Mormon. Ironically enough (despite my disbelief in coincidences) - it's one of Brian's favorites, too. Reading this passage of scripture this time around had a very profound impact on me - a different impact - as we read it as a family.

I realize, yet again, what special things we do believe. We do have the power to conquer sin and temptation. Our mind is in control - our bodies are merely instruments. These few verses from the mouth of Nephi give me hope. Complete hope. If this great prophet of the Lord felt this way from time to time - and yet continued to be the incredible individual that he was - then there is hope for me, too. Maybe there is a better version of myself hiding just underneath the surface. All I need to do, is chisel her out.

A thought to share. A thought this Sabbath Day. A thought ... about what we do believe.

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16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.

23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.

24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.

25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.

26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!

33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.

34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.

[ 2 Nephi 4 : 16-35 ]

baby jacob | teaser

A brand new ball of fuzz.

Stay tuned for more.

all sentient beings rejoice

The overall mood of the Thomas home here in Abbeville, USA has been quite merry these last few weeks.

Brian has learned (from his reliable source of choice) that - in this next, third, installment of the Transformers film franchise - Optimus Prime will have a trailer. He is complete. As is only just. Only right. Only true.

Brian, of course, is on cloud nine because of this information. This discovery that has truly made his life complete. On behalf of the man that has idolized this particular trailer since toddlerhood - we have all finally been given the approval to get excited about the upcoming film.

We're happy people. Sentient beings rejoice.

G1 and current Optimus photos courtesy of Transformer World 2005

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it
is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

[ William Arthur Ward ]

Today, I feel very – very – blessed.

I have always felt very fortunate – blessed in ways I do not deserve – to have the friends that I have. The best people. Some, I hold a stronger connection to than others – though that surely doesn’t mean that I don’t cherish those others just as much, for other reasons.

There are some who have always been there – even when they don’t have to be. There are those that I would walk a million miles for. And have. It’s nice to know that there are some, who would do the same for me. And have.

You know who you are – even if you’re not reading. And – for reasons you already know – thank you.

"As far as I'm concerned,

taking photographs is a means of understanding

which cannot be separated from other means

of visual expression.

It is a way of shouting,

of freeing oneself,

not of proving or asserting one's own originality.

It is a way of life."

[ Henri Cartier-Bresson ]

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates
wearing beautifully, tailored clothes,
my hair expertly coiffed,
and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon
that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there
with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt
from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there
with a little dirt under my fingernails
from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there
with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks
and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know
I was really here
and that I really lived."

[ Marjorie Pay Hinckley ]

mr. and mrs. parris | teaser

Enjoy.

mr. and mrs. salmon | sneak peek

Do you remember these two?

Well ... guess what happened a few weeks ago? The big day.

I had the chance to do Russell and Amber's reception photographs. While I wasn't the official photographer at the Temple, we did take the opportunity to have some fun after she was done. Look at these two. My goodness. Russell was looking quite debonair - while Amber was, without a doubt, the most g.o.r.g.e.o.u.s bride I've ever seen. Thank you, Russell and Amber for sharing your special day with me. I'm overjoyed for you. Really.

I've chosen a selection of favorites from the day. Enjoy.

Amber asked if we could recreate some favorites shots from their engagement shoot. Ones like this one:

And, of course, our homage to American Gothic:

The obligatory 'fish face' ... you know, as in Salmon:

And this one so reminds me of the 'Something Good' moment between Maria and Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music. A film both Amber and I love. How fitting ... :

And - of course - we can't forget the farewell. The camera doesn't lie. Here they are - off in the distance - preparing to leave by boat. The reception was at a lake house - "... they'll leave by boat ..." - cute, right? We thought so. Until it happened. Like I said ... here they are, just coming into veiw ...

... and then WHAM! What a way to go. A perfect ending to an incredibly hot day (hotter than even the seasoned Southerner could imagine). A day they - or anyone else - won't be forgetting any time soon. Look at those smiles. Priceless. [... and yes, that is my mother, dripping wet ...]

A favorite thought of Amber's is, "Come what may, and love it." They sure did it that day. And I'm sure they'll keep doing it forever.