Sealed for Eternity

Saturday night we were able to go to the Bountiful Temple.  Since Scott and Sandra live in California we haven't ever been able to all get together to make a trip to the temple.  

Our plan was to go to a Five o'clock session, but when we got there the temple was PACKED.  They first told us it would be about a 30 minute wait, and then about five minutes later it turned into an hour wait and soon to be an hour and thirty minute wait.  We talked with the temple workers and asked if our family of 11 could do sealings together in one room.  They told  us the smallest room in the temple was available but if we didn't care we could do it.  I was expecting it to be shoulder to shoulder and so small, but actually the room had 12 chairs or so and fit our family perfect.  I was worried that it would be hard for Grandpa to listen to multiple people being sealed to their wives and make him miss grandma even more, but I think it ended up being such an amazing experience.  It helped us all remember the whole reason why we are here on the Earth and that we will all be together again someday thanks so the sealings done in the temple.  Grandma lived her whole life to be worthy to enter the temple and strived to live the best she could to please our Father in Heaven.  There is no doubt in my mind that grandma was an angel sitting the room with us that night. 

As I sat in the room with all my siblings, my mom and dad and grandpa it was so awesome to see each of us worthy to enter the house of the Lord and to be worthy to do his work.  I am so grateful for the gospel I have in my life and the unconditional love our Savior has for us.  I can't wait to see my grandma again and am so grateful for the experience we had to all attend the temple together.    

 This temple is so special to me because seven years ago this month we were able to be sealed for Eternity.  It was nice to go back to the temple and remember those covenants we have made with our Father in Heaven and those covenants we have made for each other.  I am so in love and so blessed to have Zac in my life.  He makes everyday worth living.  I love you babe and happy anniversary!!

My grandma passed away the day before our anniversary so we never really celebrated our anniversary like we usually do.  Each year we have gone to a new state and our plan is our on 50th wedding anniversary we will be able to say we saw all the United States together : )  but this summer we are planning on taking a trip to a new state to celebrate the eight wonderful years we have had together. 

Jessica's Baby Shower

Jessica and I met at nursing school and have been such good friends since. She has a little boy, Jacson, who is six and they have been trying for so long to get pregnant again.  After a long time of trying to get pregnant and many different procedures she is finally having a baby GIRL at the end of April. I am SO EXCITED for her and Conrad!!  I was able to drive to Evanston, WY on Saturday for her baby shower.  She is so sweet and I miss her so much.  I can't wait to meet her sweet little baby!!  

Six Months Old

I can't believe this little man is six months old.  A part of me feels like it has flown by but then I feel like he has been around forever.  He just makes our family feel so complete and just fits right in so well.  It's been so easy ever since he was born so I feel like he should be so much older because he is so easy.  He just melts my heart!!  He is such a happy baby, always smiling and so content ALL THE TIME.  The only time he fusses is when he is hungry and most the time it's just a fuss, not a cry.  The boys LOVE playing with him and Kyson is constantly carrying him around the house and playing with him.  I am SO LUCKY to have four amazing boys, it's SO FUN!!  

A Beautiful Day for a Beautiful Grandma

Grandma's funeral was such a beautiful day.  The weather was perfect and all the speakers did such a good job sharing memories of grandma.  It was such a great day to remember our beautiful grandma and the amazing life that she lived.  

It's sad that we have lost both our grandmas in two months, but it was nice to get to see Scott and Sandra again so soon.  I love when all of us kids are together, it's so fun!!  

 My cousin Jeremy was taking the picture and felt that the first one was a little too reverent, so here is our not so reverent side ha ha!! You would never know that Nicole just had a baby and Krystal is 30 weeks pregnant, they both look so amazing!! 

 The only cousins missing here from the Thomas side are; Jeremy and Aliesha, Shaylee, and Brooke

The Thomas family isn't very big, but I feel like we all get along so well.  I believe that's a huge thanks to our grandma.  We are all so different, but grandma loved everyone of us so much.  She always saw they good in everyone and wanted the very best for everyone of her grandchildren.  I hope that I can always remember the amazing Christ-like attitude my grandma always had and strive to be like her.  Thanks for being such a great example in all of our lives, I love you grandma!!

A true Angel has returned Home. . .

 This beautiful angel returned to her Father in Heaven on Saturday March 9th. She is such a beautiful lady and I know there was a special spot in Heaven just waiting for her.  

I went to visit her the day they put her on Hospice and a woman from the R.S. called (not knowing she was put on Hospice) to see about visiting teaching and I overheard her say, I got it done for Feb. but I might not get to it in March, I was just put on Hospice and might need to be released.  I just chuckled and thought, wow, if only I was that dedicated!! 

My cousin, Mer, put a post on Facebook (I don't have Facebook, so my cousin showed me what she wrote, LOL) the last Sunday that the whole family was together and this is what she posted, it is said so well. . . 

"Spend quality time with the ones you love the most!! Please send prayers and love for grandma and grandpa Thomas.  Grandma is suffering badly from a very hard battle with cancer and grandpa is by her side with many health concerns too.  Grandma has always been the glue that held the family together.  NEVER a birthday missed with out chocolate donuts, homemade chocolate chip cookies and ALWAYS a fun card or homemade gift from grandpa. They both have ALWAYS been there for each of us!! It is amazing to have such a roll model in my life as grandma has never had a bad word to say about anyone, always so positive, thoughtful, loving and always there to listen.  Seeing her be so brave and strong tonight I didn't realize just what a front she put on so we would not see exactly how much pain and misery she is in until she couldn't hide it anymore.  Tonight when she asked me to help her to the bedroom, I asked what I could do to help her she asked that I pray she doesn't have to suffer long and that she is worthy enough to see her daughter LuAnn and her son Dave again.  Wow, really?? I love them so much neither of them deserve to suffer at all.  Just thought you would like to know just how special my grandparents are." 

Grandma's phone calls on EVERY holiday and EVERY birthday call and visit will be missed so much.  She had such a strong faith in our Heavenly Father.  Up until the day she died she was trying to get all her grandkids to promise to try to make it to the temple or at least clean up their lives so she could be with them forever.  

Thanks so much for your strength grandma and your amazing example to me.  I am so grateful I have the gospel and the comfort of knowing I will be with you again someday.  I love you and I will miss you a lot, but until we meet again.  God Bless!!  

A fighter

My sweet grandma has been fighting breast cancer for about a year and a half now.  She has done really well on the chemo and hasn't been sick very much, but lately it's taken a toll on her.  Her cancer doctor talked with her and told her he only thinks she has about a month to live.  The cancer has spread everywhere.  It's moved to her breast bone, spine, liver, and other places.  I feel so bad for her and hope she doesn't have to suffer very long, but for now she is still fighting.  She has stopped all cancer treatments and is now on Hospice.  We just are enjoying the moments we get to spend with her.  She got a new wig and I think she looks so beautiful in it.  

Happy 30th Birthday

 Bethany turned 30 : )  Colt planned the whole day for her and it was so cute.  We surprised her when we showed up at Fat Cats and our families went bowling and had lunch and then we watched the girls so they could enjoy all afternoon and night together.  I love these girls so much!!  It's a good thing she could make girls because we never figured that one out.  : )  I love watching them and getting my girl fix for awhile ha ha. They are so sweet.  Happy Birthday ya old fart : )  

Hayven enjoyed the show from her bumbo chair : )  I feel bad, Beckem and Boden sat in the stroller and were so good the whole time, but I never got a picture of the little tykes.  Sorry boys : )