this easter ...

... remember the reason for this season. Pause the tunes at the right and enjoy Mark Mabry's Another Testament.

Happy Easter to you

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 ]