1st Day AGAIN!

When we moved to TEXAS last November, Christopher had already started Kindergarten in Mesa AZ. He had 4 months UNDER HIS BELT! He knew his alphabet, sounds and all. He was on the verge of reading. Math was making sense. He got on the correct bus to get home each day. Everything was going our way!

Then we made the family move to TEXAS and he was DENIED acceptance into the TEXAS-SYSTEM because they have a set-in-stone cut-off of September 1st. Christopher's birthday is September 26th! AUGH! We spoke with a few people. We wrote a few letters. NOTHING was going to BUDGE a TEXAS STATE-WIDE LAW! GGggrrrr...

But you know what, not a ONCE did Christopher complain about it. He was very very content to hang out with Emma and I each day. We had the best time playing Legos, swords, Legos, house, Legos, games, Legos, cards, Legos, riding bikes, etc. etc. (I think the fact that he didn't have to share any specific Legos was what kept him content.) His old teachers in Mesa sent weekly packets of homework to do so we still had our own little school going in the Thomas Kitchen. It was fun!

So, when this week rolled in I was once again feeling very very sad and thinking... my youngest son is on his way to ALL-DAY Kindergarten. Why? Well... he is so so excited to be at school again. I am glad! I am having a harder time with it than he is. He promises me that he will come home each day. He even offered to ask the teacher to see if it'd be okay if Mom waited outside the door. But he insisted that he had to go to school.

After day 1... Christopher's eating a snack after school and I ask him, "Hey, was your lunch ok?" "Yeah, it was good." "So, what do you want in your lunch tomorrow?"

"Wait! (pause) Wait... I have to go again tomorrow?! I have to go again?"

Ben walks through, "Yeah, pretty much the next 12 to 18 years of your life kid!"

Christopher just sat there. I think he thought that Kindergarten was O V E R ! I assured him that Saturday and Sunday were right around the corner! :) He was okay with that. We didn't discuss how many more days of school there were...

There haven't been any other instances since, just a lost lunchbox, but we'll find it tomorrow! And as for Emma and I, "We're off shopping!"

Balloons To Christian & Stephanie

There are so many "blogs" I would like to do. This past summer was a fun one! Grandma and Grandpa Thomas came down for a weekend. I haven't blogged about that yet. The kids did a bike ride and clocked AWESOME mileages! The sno-cone lady - an UNBELIEVABLE cool treat that is NEEDED in AZ! Today was the first day of school. More on all this later - when time permits.

I keep stopping during my day and "thinking" about a mother I know who is in the hospital and will not be coming home very soon. As I wipe sticky fingers, give a kiss off to school, practice the piano, help one with reading, sit next to that special one on the couch, prepare a meal, scratch my head, put on lotion in the morning, go for a run, take a shower... all the day-to-day, many times MUNDANE things I do. I am blessed and humbled.

On Saturday our family launched balloons with our well wishes attached for Glenn's cousin Christian and his wife Stephanie. They are the young couple from Mesa AZ in a terrible plane crash that I posted about before this one. (Christian and Stephanie have this wonderful tradition of releasing balloons with their wishes attached on special occassions.) Stephanie's sister Courtney had this GREAT idea that everyone launch a balloon with a wish attached at the same time all over the world.

Since we couldn't find any close Dallas/Ft. Worth launches, we launched in our backyard and had a great time preparing and "sending off." We are all firm believers that someone will read the notes attached - and act upon them. We know that Our Heavenly Father above has the power to do anything. He truly does love each one of us. We'll just try to do our part.

And so... the launching happened and we will continue to pray and fast. Hey, I did stop by a BOA and I asked about the Christian & Stephanie Nielson Rehab Fund. At first they were unaware. But when she entered it into the computer, IT WAS THERE!

I've Been Thinking...

This past week I have been thinking about many things, but one thing in particular.




Glenn's cousin, Christian Nielson, and his wife Stephanie were in a terrible private plane crash last Saturday. How terrible? So terrible that the pilot passed away a day later. He had burns over 90% of his body. Christian and Stephanie are currently being treated in Phoenix. Christian has about 30% of his body with burns and Stephanie has over 80% of her body with burns. If you want the complete report, you can learn more here.

Christian and Stephanie have four young children. Their oldest, Claire, went to Kindergarten with our youngest son Christopher last year (before we moved to Texas). They are a young family that we love. You would love them too - they are great people!

Many are asking, what can we do to help these people? We too are asking the same question and right now we are praying for them.

As you can imagine, their recovery will be costly. You can donate by visiting a Bank of America or a Wells Fargo bank and donating to the "Christian and Stephanie Nielson Rehab Fund."

I believe that Courtney (Stephanie's sister from UT) has also set-up a direct-deposit button on her blog if you want to use PayPal.

Thanks for anything and everything you can do to help this wonderful family out!

It is my time...

I use to be an Orowheat bread-buyer by the week...

When we lived in California there were plenty of Orowheat Outlets and I'd buy the 100% Whole Wheat bread like it was candy. It was good stuff. I felt good about myself - feeding it to the boys.

When we moved to Arizona the Orowheat bread began containing traces of peanuts and tree nuts. I inquired to the company - what's up with the nuts - and they said it was the way it had to be. With Ben and Zach having allergies I had to make a switch. I went to Costco and began buying the 100% Whole Wheat that they sold. Still felt good about myself...

A few months ago I went and bought a Bosch, thinking this was my time... and it has been a great experience! I'm not saying that one needs a Bosch to make bread, but for us that aren't much into baking bread - it is wonderful! I need to say that again - it is wonderful!

I recently purchased a bunch of whole wheat for our food storage. The kind lady that placed my order from our ward decided to have a bread making class for those who purchased the wheat. Now, I have been to many many bread making classes over the years. But with Rachel, something clicked... it was my time! She herself, having four young girls (about the same age as my boys) gave me the motivation to get on with this bread making business.

I haven't boughten a loaf of bread from Costco or any vendor for the past 2 months! Using part of Mom Thomas' recipe along with Shari Goodman... tips from Shanna Jensen... I am sold!