Happy Anniversary!

Tim and Donna Thomasson
Married May 25, 1991

How can it be that 17 years have passed since the picture above was taken? I really don't know. Those years certainly have gone fast. Granted, there were times when the clock seemed to stand still, like when we had a new baby and we were up in the night more than we were down. But mostly, the time has flown. There have been easy times and hard times. Happy times and sad times. We're so fortunate that the easy and happy times far outweigh the hard and sad times. We're fabulously blessed with good jobs, a loving extended family, strong faith, good friends and four fantastic healthy boys. It just doesn't get any better than that. :o)

May 25, 2008

Brotherly Love...Right?

There are times in life when things are not exactly what they seem. For instance, it would seem that, at least in these pictures, Nick is trying seriously to beat Tyler to death with a pool noodle. Of course, we know this frolic is all fun and games. Right? I mean, based on the look on his face when he's launched himself into the air, all the better to get a good glancing blow, you might think that Nick was intent on causing bodily harm. But you would know better, because it's fun to get hit repeatedly with a pool noodle. I'm sure of it. At least when you're playing with your brother.

I am so glad I'm a woman. I would hate to be expected to haul refrigerators and pianos around when someone decides to move. I'm much better suited to, say, holding the door open while large bags of groceries are transported into the house. Certainly not back breaking work of any form.

This is dirt. This is a big, big pile of dirt, to be precise.

A pile of dirt that had to be loaded, shovelful by shovelful, into the wheelbarrow then hefted across the yard...

To this area where it was dumped (quite capably by Tim),

And expertly smoothed (equally capably by Luke).

This process repeated itself all weekend. Whew! I need a glass of iced tea just reliving it through pictures.

And, like any job site, there was a supervisor. How come the super always gets the wheels?

I repeat, I am so glad I'm a woman!

This time of year is perfect. Everything is green and fresh. It's neither too hot nor too cold. Even I like to be outside this time of year...and we know how rare that is. Soon, it will be hot and humid like a sauna, with the grass all dry and sharp when you step on it. I know those days will come and I will hate them and yearn for cooler weather. But for now, there is an awful lot of fun to be had outside.

Disneyland is reportedly the happiest place on earth, but I think the Play Place at McDonald's probably runs a close second. There are lots of things to do: little places to explore, tunnels to crawl through, slides to swoosh down, even video games to attack.

And, of course, eat, which these three do handsomely.

While poor Sissy was undergoing dental torture, we were dining upon Quarter Pounders and MSG-coated french fries. Yes, I am puffy today, but it was heaven then.

Chip was alternately drawn to and repulsed by Ronald.

But Tyler is suave and cool and quickly made friends with Ronald.

Finally, as I watched the boys play together, I was mindful of a very, very important thought: Thank goodness I'll never have to squeeze myself up one of those slides to retrieve Chip should he get up there and get stuck. I'll just send one of them. That's a very good thing.

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day is pretty neat...I get presents and everyone makes a fuss over me.What could be better? I'm very proud of All Those Boys and, although it sounds silly, everyday is kind of Mother's Day when you are as blessed as I am.

Today I wanted to show you some Moms who are blessed indeed.

Grandma and Grandpa got to come in for dinner and presents this evening. Between them they have 6 kids and a whole bunch of grandkids.

Looks to me like being a Mom must just get better and better with time as your family grows.

There are lots of Moms I love: mine, Ginger, Paula, Sandy, Angie, Lisa.

I love future moms: Carrie, Jennifer, Leslie, Angela.

My friends are all Moms. I love them all too.

But this Mother's Day, there is one Mom who stands out in my mind as extremely blessed.

All kids are miracles, but this one outdid himself this week.

Chris Paul, we are SO thankful you are going to be okay.

Christy, I hope you have the BEST Mother's Day EVER!

Spring Has Sprung

Well, the final freeze has passed, the trees are abloom and the birds are twittering. That can mean only one thing: it's time to get dirty.

We finally got our garden and flowers planted. They look sparse and rather frightened right now, so I'll get you some pictures in a couple weeks when they feel strong and confident.

One thing I'll say, I always have plenty of help.