It's BIRTHDAY Week!

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
Little Addie Mae celebrated her two month birthday on Saturday and Dick and I got to be there to tend her and Brooklyn while her mommy and daddy went on a little Pre-birthday date for Becky whose birthday is this coming Friday. Grandpa, being the great boy Scouter he is, packed his swimming suit along with some fun new library books, and he and Brookie Cookie had a lot of fun splashing in the swimming pool. Brooklyn is turning into quite a great swimmer. They spent time practicing blowing bubbles and both Dick and Brooklyn are excellent at that. Addie and I got to watch them and have some much needed for Grammy, snuggle time. Oh she is a dear and such a sweetie. She is now starting to make some cutes sounds, I’m not sure you would call it talking but goggling. She is a smiling girl and what a beautiful smile she has. Don’t try to catch it on the camera, as it’s a FAST smile and seems to disappear with the flashing camera. We had a really fun time with the girls. Thank you for inviting us over Ricky and Becky! Happy Birthday on the 4th Becky!
Our Cobre Valle Granges
Tatia started her job on Wednesday and all week it just kept getting better. You all know what the first day of a new job can be like, she said about mid-day she wondered what she was thinking, but by Friday, she was enjoying it and is looking forward to Monday to go back. Nanny Alma, who retired on Friday, was there with Tatia last week to teach her the ropes. Tatia loved speaking Spanish with her all week. She is a very nice lady and Tatia enjoyed getting to know her. Jakes week has been busy. His anatomy lab is 3 hours a day, 3 days a week. It makes for long days but he is enjoying it. I’m sure on the top of his list this week, was the acquisition of a new Apple Computer. Now if you know Jake at all, you know he loves to eat Apples. All kinds, but especially Macintosh Apples. He is know the proud owner of one and he is excited to get better acquainted with it. Congratulations Jake! This Tuesday, Tatia is celebrating her birthday! This is a great birthday week in our family!
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
Mackenzie and Keelie had a mini vacation this week in Portland, Oregon visiting with friends. It was a good practice for their traveling this week for Keelie to get used to how fun vacations can be. Charlie was a lonesome man but survived. He called on Saturday afternoon looking for the recipe for Sister Hawkins Chocolate Chip Cookies. There was was having a party and Mackenzie had signed them up for desert. He thought he could make cookies if he had that great recipe. I hope they turned out well, actually, I hope Charlie got some baked, he is a bit of a cookie dough nibbler and might prefer the dough to the cookies. Welcome Home Carmichael Girls and we will see you on Wednesday!
Our Orem Thiot’s
This week was not quite like the Orem Thiot’s had planned it to be. Pierce got sick last weekend and it took a while to get feeling like his old cheerful self again. Not sure what kind of bug bit him, but not a very nice one. There camping trip was postponed which turned out to be a blessing. Stacy got a phone call about an application she had submitted for a fall internship. She had an interview this week which wouldn’t have worked if they had been off camping. I haven’t heard the results of the interview, but I can’t imagine anybody not loving Stacy and wanting her on their team. Good Luck. We will miss Pierce and Stacy this week not being here when Char and Kenzie come, but I have to keep reminding myself, they have already come twice this summer and we sure loved seeing them. Good luck at work and getting ready for school to start this week!
Our New York Elder Thiot
I don’t know how this keeps happening, but this week was Extraordinary! Wow, I love love love being a missionary, especially with everything going on here in the heart of Brooklyn. This past week was a flash, and I cant believe I’m a week away from 21! holy smokes I’m glad I didn’t leave for my mission when I turned 19, or I would already be done. First off, I wanted to talk about an amazing experience we had this week. Me and my compo Elder Wright were walking down a street in Canarsie, a neighborhood that is mostly Haitian. We had just had a lesson with an investigator, Joy, and we were walking back to the bus. It was getting late, and it was time to go back home. As we are walking, elder Wright said, "we should knock this block" I said ok, and off we went, and wouldn’t you guess it, the second door we knocked on was a golden woman who wanted to hear all about the Book of Mormon, and had always thought there should be a prophet on the earth! Holy cow, are you kidding me! It was sooo sweet! I love it! Happy Birthday tomorrow Elder Sky!
We Plano Thiot’s
This has been a busy week without even one nothing day. I LOVE nothing days when there is nothing that absolutely has to be done. It has been filled with good something days and a few too many something days but we have survived. Prior to heading to Mansfield for our fun tending evening, we worked a miracle in our garage. Yes, our two car garage really fits two cars. It's a Miracle! We are looking forward to this week of Thiot Family Birthdays. Three is a week is a mighty lot of celebrating. Sure love ya’ll, Robynn

Happy 1st Day of Seminary!

Today is the very first day of Seminary for the School year. Before Dick went to sleep last night, he had a fun idea of showing up at Seminary to unlock the building and greeting all the kids with donuts on their first day. He woke up at 4:30 and called the wonderful donut baker at RC Donuts and ordered up 7 dozen donuts. He is the cutest Bishop I know. What a fun way to be greeted at 6:00 in the morning. He was sure pleased that Mr. Donut baker had a little bag of holes and a sausage roll for him to eat on his way to the chapel. Yummy! Have a great day ya'll!

Weddings, Anniversaries, New Jobs, Milestones

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
Becky hit a milestone this week. I’m so proud of her. She and her girls headed off to the mall by themselves. It was the first time she took such an adventure alone, well not alone but without another pair of grown up hands. She said they did good and she thinks she can do it again. Way to go Mansfield Girls. Ricky had a fun time Friday night going to a concert with some friends and then got to play golf on Saturday morning. I hope you gave Becky some time off to Ricky.
Our Cobre Valle Lane Granges

The good news for the week from Tatia and Jake is the fact that Tatia got a job! She is very happy and most excited. There is a family who was looking for a nanny for their 3 little tiny kids and Tatia scored the job. What a fun nanny she will be and I’m sure those kids will just love her and she will love them. Congratulations Tatia. Tatia and Jake came over for a swim last night. Jake had a great first week of medical school. The good news is, he is already 3 days ahead for next week on his reading and homework. Go Jake! Tatia was invited to speak in the Spanish Branch’s sacrament meeting today. She is speaking with Emily Dahl who just returned from her mission in Argentina. Tatia is excited.
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
August 20th was a great day. Charlie and Mackenzie celebrated their 4th anniversary and Justin Martin, a great young man in our ward, wanted to share that same lucky day and he married his sweet heart Kara. Dick couldn’t stand to not be there with them. He flew to Los Angeles early Thursday morning and got to the Los Angeles temple to be with them. Charlie and Mackenzie had a fun dinner date to celebrate their special day. Last Sunday Charlie and Mackenzie met with the bishop in their new ward and both received new callings to serve in the ward. What a lucky ward to have them.
Our Orem Thiot’s
Pierce and Stacy have had a good week. Stacy finally had some free time and was able to catch up their blog. You may want to take a look. Very fun Stacy! Pierce worked Saturday and towards the end of his shift started feeling really lousy. I’m hoping after a good nights sleep and some TLC from Stacy, he will be feeling better today. Sometimes after a long and busy week, our bodies just shout out, “That’s Enough” and need a rest. Piece said he and Stacy have plans later this week to sneak in another camping trip. They have loved the other times they went and can’t wait to go again. Get feeling better PJ!
Our New York Elder Thiot
I can’t believe that another week has come and gone, but I’m so excited for what this week holds in store. This last week was amazing! Yesterday, Nahshon and Nakiya were confirmed, and afterwards Nahshon told me he had been waiting his whole life for the feeling of having the Holy Ghost with him, and he said it was better then he could have imagined. What an amazing kid.
Also this week I was able to find a copy of the Book of Mormon stories book, the book of Mormon with the cartoons inside, and the Chan’s love it. It is perfect for people who are trying to understand what is going on in the Book of Mormon, and don’t understand all the complicated old English! It is sweet. During sacrament meeting, the youngest, Jacquelyn saw a painting of the dream of the tree of life, and she pointed out the iron rod, and the glowing fruit! It was an awesome moment. These kids are so bright, and by Wednesday, they will have all read the entire book. I love em.
We Plano Thiot’s
Our family has had the blessing of having a sweet gal taught the missionary lessons in our home this week. There is nothing that is quite as nice as sharing that missionary spirit with her. Dick got home from his quick trip to California late Friday night and went to the office for a few hours on Saturday and ended up staying 14 hours. Computers can be very difficult. Now it’s Sunday, his busiest day of the week. I hope you’ve all had a good week and are ready for what’s coming this week. SLY Robynn

Happy Birthday President Monson

Today is President Monson's 82nd Birthday. The August issue of the Friend Magazine has a fun article about him. The Friend asked readers to do an extra special act of service for someone in need in honor of President Monson for his birthday. They shared many of the examples that children did. I issued the same challenge in Primary on Sunday and now to you. What a great way to honor him on his special day by serving others, just like he has taught us all these years through example. What a great lesson to teach our families. Have an extra special Friday. Happy Birthday President Monson!

I Can "Chews" to Dress Modestly

Tatia volunteered to make the invites for the Young Women's Fashion Show next week. I got to be on her committee along with our friend Bonnie, and oh what fun we had. I got to do the computer work on them and it was so fun to use Stacy's font. Thanks Stacy, it was almost as fun as having you here with us too. The Blog http://pioneerpartyandgift.blogspot.com/ had a tutorial on making Sliding Candy boxes. We couldn't wait to try it. These are the fun invitations. We put a package of Extra yummy gum in the sliding boxes. I'm hoping the girls loved them and "Chews" to come to the Fashion Show next week.

Happy Birthday Mom Mom

This is Dick's Aunt Hazel, his sweet Mother and Uncle Buddy.

Today is August 18th. It's one of my favorite days of the year. Dick's wonderful Mother was born on this day in 1919. She would have been 90 years old today. She's been watching over our family from heaven for 21 years now. I think about her every day when I think of my children and how much she LOVES them. I can only imagine how crazy she would be over our 3 granddaughters. We love you Mom Mom and miss you! Sometimes I can hear her words...

“Richie Thiot, (she loved to call Dad Richie) you have grown into such an amazing man. I love watching you each day, all the good things you say and do for other people. You are just exactly the man I hoped you would grow into when you were a little tiny boy. I just love you so much and I love your sweet family.

I love seeing how Ricky has grown into such a wonderful father. I love his beautiful wife Becky and oh my goodness, do I love Brooklyn and let me tell you about the little spirit that is getting ready to come. You are going to be crazy about her. Grandpa Thiot and I love getting to love her before she comes.

Tatia, you chose just the perfect man. I was so hoping you would wait for Jake and find him at BYU and marry him. I‘ve been watching him for years and knew he was just the right fit for you. I love you Tatia and I love your Jake.

Charlie boy, oh my goodness, you have GROWN into a wonderful man and such a cute Daddy. Your little Keelie is a sweet heart and I just adore her. I love your amazing bride. I always knew there was somebody who would make you happy and I’m so glad you found Mackenzie.

Oh Pierce, like your big brothers, you too are an amazing man. I can’t believe what a clever and smart man you are. It’s wonderful that you found Stacy and that the two of you were sealed in that beautiful Salt Lake Temple. I think you know that I was there that day too.

Skyler, you know that we crossed paths. I left for heaven shortly before you came to earth. I never got to hold you on earth, but I adore you and love watching you be a missionary. Like you, I love Jesus Christ and I love that you are helping so many people find him and love Him too. Keep on working hard.

What a legacy Grandpa Thiot and I have left on this earth. Thank you all for being such great Thiot’s. We love you!”

Thiot kids, I hope you have some sweet memories of your Mom Mom. She loved you so very much and I know is still watching over all of us.

Anniversaries, Baptisms, Moves & Motorcycles

Cute Becky took this darling picture of Addison and made these darling birth annoucements this week. Way to go Becky!!!!!

Our very happy Elder last Sunday at the baptisms, Our 1st year Anniversary Couple, Tatia and Jake's home they are house sitting, Our 4th year Anniversary couple.

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
We had a very fun evening on Tuesday night with our Mansfield Thiot’s. Ricky and Becky and the Girls came over for dinner and a very fun visit with Uncle Jeff who came through town on his Across America tour on his Harley Motorcycle. He had already logged 4,709 miles by the time he got to our house and he still had another 1200 miles to go. It was so fun to have him here if only for 12 hours. We did enjoy every minute. Brooklyn thought Uncle Jeff was really a lot of fun. Addison was just too sleepy to get very well acquainted but she did take a peek at him and I know she loves him too. Thanks for putting us on your tour Jeffrey Mike and thank you Mansfield Thiot’s for coming. We love seeing you.
Our Cobre Valle Granges
On Wednesday morning, after Uncle Jeff got back on the road, Tatia and Jake started boxing up their “stuff” and loading up the cars. The Missionaries in our ward always ask if there is anything they can do for us. We decided maybe they were serious and called and they came and spent an hour with us loading and unloading. What a great help they were. Elder Clayton was a real Tetras player in his former life, and was amazing at getting the boxes stacked up in the car to fit the most in. It was a thing of beauty to behold. By the end of the day, Tatia and Jake were all settled in on Cobre Valle. They returned on Thursday for the cleaning of the upstairs and their check out. This weekend they are in Glen Rose Texas for Medical School Orientation. School starts this week, exciting times!
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
Charlie called on his way home from the dentist on Thursday with a big smile on his face. His new smile is all installed and he looks like a movie star. Thanks for sending the photos Charlie. You are too funny. Keelie and Mackenzie have had a fun week hanging out together and enjoying these nice warm August days of Summer. I can hardly wait to see them in just a couple of more weeks. On Thursday, the 20th, Charlie and Mackenzie will celebrate their 4th Anniversary! This is Anniversary week for sure!
Our Orem Thiot’s
Happy Anniversary today to Pierce and Stacy!!!!!! They spent the last week up in Park City, Utah with Stacy’s family. After the cousins reunion the previous week, Stacy’s immediate family took some time together in Park City. Pierce said they had such a fun time. They got to go to the Olympic Park where the ski jumpers train in the summer time. Stacy found a darling little shop in down town Park City that was interested in selling the darling button earrings that Stacy is having such fun making. Very fun!!!!!
Our New York Elder Thiot
Things in Benson Hurst just keep getting better! I can hardly believe it myself. Yesterday (August 9th) we had a double baptism for Nakiya and Nahshon Jacob, the coolest kids you'll ever meet. They are sooo smart, and have gained a testimony of the gospel quickly, and had the desire to be baptized. It was a real honor to walk into the font with them.
Baptisms are the greatest moment you can have as a missionary. It is the real purpose why we serve. Helping others make a promise with God that will last them through the eternities, that is the ultimate feeling! This baptism was extra special because of the testimony their mother gave while she gave her talk before hand. It was so strong, that I couldn’t see anyone with a dry eye.
We Plano Thiot’s
We’ve had a good week in Plano, Texas. As usual, Dick has not had many spare minutes. He’s been finishing up a big programming job for a college on the east coast, has helped a young man get his eagle project approved, started and also completed. They re-fenced the coral at the Heritage Farmstead. Quite an ambitious project! He has taken 20 youth to the temple to do baptisms. He made a fruit salad for 50 and took it to the reunion meeting for his Wood Badge Group. I’m exhausted just watching him most days. While we visited this morning, I asked him what the highlight of his week was and we both agreed that having my brother Jeffrey Mike come for a visit was the very best part of the week. What a thrill that was to see him coming down the road and having him spend the night here. We LOVED it. Thank you Jeff for putting us on your route. Sure love ya’ll, Robynn

Charlie's New Smile

Thursday was the day that our Charlie has been waititng for for a long time. The implant process is not a quick one and he has been a very patient patient. You look great Charlie! Do you think there is any family resemblence with little Miss Keelie?

You look wonderful Charlie, we can hardly wait to see you in person in a few weeks. Thanks for sharing the photos!

The Road to a Friend's House is Never Long

My cute neighbor and her husband went last week on the World's Largest Yard Sale that HGTV sponsors. It is a 450 mile yard sale, They had a great time and when she got home, she brought this over to me. I loved it and need to find a fun place to put it. I was thinking about it yesterday when Tatia and Jake moved out of the upstairs and over to the Martin's lovely home. I am happy for them to have such a lovely place but kind of sad to have them not upstairs. When I looked at this saying this morning I thought of Tatia. It's an interesting thing how baby girls grow up to be such special friends in our lives. I'm glad you are going to be our neighbors, Tatia and Jake. Come by often.

Uncle Jeff Comes to Texas!

What a fun surprise we had on Tuesday night when Uncle Jeff came to town. He is on a cross country road trip on his motor cycle and we were lucky enough to be his Tuesday destination. Ricky and Becky and the girls came over for dinner and we all LOVED getting to see him.

He left about 8:30 this morning and is heading back home. He's got two more long days on the road. He has had a wonderful week and a half. I'm so glad he stopped and stayed over with us last night. Have a safe journey home Jeffrey Mike, we love you!!!!!

Golf, Surprised, iphones, Trips, Reunions, New Teeth

Meet Elder John Grange, Jakes younger brother who just returned home from Korea on Friday night.

What a great welcoming committee were at the airport to welcome him home!

Tatia and I had a fun day this week shopping. We found 3 strawberry dresses that we are hoping will fit 3 little Thiot girls for a photo shoot when they are altogether the first week in September. Three of anything is awfully Cute!

These are 3 of Dick's favorite Golfing buddies.

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
Maybe the big news of the week in Mansfield, is Ricky’s new iphone. Who would have thought you could enjoy a new phone as much. When Dick got one a few months ago, I teased him that his iphone took more time than his church job or his work job. It’s quite a process getting all the special features and then learning how to use them and then finding time to use them. I’m sure they are truly a wonderful thing, but I will admit to feeling a bit jealous of the silly phone with all the attention it received in the beginning. He he he. Tatia and I had a fun couple of hours in Mansfield with Brooklyn and Addison on Wednesday while Becky had her doctors appointment. I was sure glad Tatia came along as two is a little trickier than I remember it being in my younger daysJ
Our UpStairs Granges
Jake left EARLY Friday morning for Vancouver, Washington to be home to greet his little brother Elder John Grange home from the Korea Mission. He’s had a wonderful weekend catching up with him and has loved spending time with his family. Tatia has missed him and Dick and I too but are sure glad it worked out that he could go. His last day of work was on Thursday and school starts this coming week. What an adventure he is in for. Tatia has been busy with the application process of finding a job. She had to wait for her test scores to come back, so it’s been a long process. We are sure hoping this week will bring some interviews and a job. Please keep her in your prayers. Hurry Home Jake, we miss you!
Our Carmichael Thiot’s

I had a fun visit with Charlie on Friday afternoon. He sounded so happy and excited. Then I found out why. On Thursday, August 13th, he is getting his new teeth. Now that may sound silly to you, but let me explain. Charlie has a crazy condition where he got beautiful baby teeth as a little fellow but then come to find out, when the baby teeth never got loose, he only had 4 permanent teeth to come in and take their place. That is highly unusual but Charlie has for sure made the best of it. He’s gone through the $$ process of implants for the past 8 years and they are now ready to put the teeth on. Charlie is going to be the owner of a beautiful smile and won’t have to worry so much about having his teeth break on him when eating anything that isn’t soft. Uggggg. Charlie, you’ve been a very patient man and I’m so excited for you next week too. Can’t wait to see you and your family in just a few more weeks.
Our Orem Thiot’s
Every time I think about Pierce and Stacy, I find myself smiling. Stacy’s Grandma, Billie Brinkerhoff is celebrating her 90th birthday this weekend. Instead of taking a cruise or going to Hawaii, she wanted to have her entire family come to her neighborhood and have a family reunion. So this week there have been 74 people in this family cul-de-sac having the time of their lives. I can just see cute Grandma Billie smiling and enjoying every one of those children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Pierce and Stacy have been very involved in the planning and carrying out of this weekend. Stacy said it took 3 Huge baskets at Costco and 2 giant loads at Wal-Mart to secure the food for the weekend and what fun it’s been. I’m sure they will share about it in their blog soon.
Our New York Elder Thiot
This week was awesome and so many amazing things happened, but transfer calls came and a lot of surprising things are happening. So Elder Oliva, Elder Wu, and Elder Maughan are all leaving. They are turning Benson Hurst into a 2 elder area instead of 4, so me and my new comp are going to be in our apartment all by ourselves, which is going to be a big change. I have no idea who my companion will be, but I guess he is pretty new. I will tell you more next Monday. So yesterday was another amazing Sunday! I love being able to feel the spirit that is so strong during our ward's testimony meeting. This was my 6th testimony meeting in this ward, and I’m loving everyone more then the last. The members here are amazing, and everyone we are working with rock! I love being a missionary here in Brooklyn. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world!
We Plain’Ol Thiot’s
Dick has been smiling this week as he’s had two opportunities, two days in a row to play golf. Those don’t come very often and he has sure earned them with all he has done in the past month. He said he hit some sweet shots. We had a cute couple in our ward get married on Saturday in the Dallas Temple. It was wonderful to be there with them to share that special time. On Wednesday our kitty that we’ve had for 9 years went to heaven. I don’t think I knew how hard it is to loose a pet. We’ve had four cats in the 30 years we’ve been a family, and the other 3 simply disappeared when they got old. They didn’t get sick, they just left. Miss Silkee has had a tough couple of months and it was time for her to go, but I still miss her. I hope you’ve had a good week and that you have good memories. SLY Robynn

Miss Silkee Has Gone to Heaven

Nine years ago when my dear friend Mandy died, her kitty Miss Silkee came to live with us. Miss Silkee is truly one of the prettiest kitties I have ever seen in all my life. She has the softest pretty fur and I'm sure that's how she got her name as Miss Silkee. I can honestly say that Miss Silkee is not one of the friendliest kitties. She doesn't really care for children, she flat out hates dogs, but she kind of liked me. One year ago, she wasn't doing very well and off we went to see Dr. Sharp, her vet. He told us she had developed a tumor in her lung and was probably not going to live to see the end of the month. Well, Miss Silkee would have none of that and came home and lived another year. This past month, she's been struggling. She has really gone down hill in a jiffy. When she was crying and looking so sad, and could no longer eat, I couldn't stand it any longer. She and I went to see the vet this morning and sadly, I came home alone. Miss SIlkee has gone to heaven. As I sat there with her lifeless body, I think I could hear the voice of my friend Mandy calling her home to heaven with her. I am sure they are having a happy reunion and that Silkee is no longer hungry and hurting. I remember hearing the phrase that if you love someone enough, you can let them go. I never understood that until I watched Miss Silkee feel so bad. I couldn't stand her to hurt just so I would have a cat to pet and love. On Monday morning she came into my room at 4:00 am crying. This had become a common happening of hers to wake us up EARLY. I tried all the usual things that made her happy and none of them worked. Finally, I just picked her up and sat in my rocking chair and rocked her for an hour. I think this was her way of letting me know that she was ready to go. I will miss her. Tatia and Jake have been so good to her this last week and Dick even admitted to me that he misses her too. We love you Miss Silkee, save us a place in Heaven. While I was gone yesterday, Tatia did a photo shoot with Miss Silkee and when I got home last night, there was a beautiful framed picture of her with a sweet note that Tatia helped her write to me. Thank you Tatia for your kind and thoughtful ways. I love you!

5 Week Old Addie Mae

Tatia and I were invited to go to Mansfield and watch two tiny girls while there Mommy went to the doctor. We were both DELIGHTED to be asked. Becky has lots of friends who I'm sure would have LOVED it, but she chose us. Thank you Becky! Tatia got some good SNUGGLING and ROCKING time with Addie and Brooklyn and I had a very fun tea party with CHOCOLATE ANIMAL CRACKERS. Have you tried them? YUMMY! We had a double treat of having Ricky come home for a few minutes between appointments. It was Gr-8 to see him too.

Elder Capell is Going Home

I was fixing dinner tonight and for some funny reason, when I made the rice for fried rice, I made a LOT. I was afraid Jake was going to be taking it in his lunch for the next 3 weeks. Then the telephone rang, and Tatia answered it and said it sounded like a missionary. Sure enough it was Elder Capell, who is going home. His parents came to Dallas to pick him up and he asked if they could stop by. I asked if they had eaten dinner and he said no and that they would love to come for dinner. Now I knew why I had made so much rice. It was a delight to get to visit with Elder Capell and to get acquainted with his parents. They are wonderful people and they have raised a remarkable Missionary. Elder Capell was one of the first elders who lived with us. He will forever have a special place in our family.

This picture is Elder Capell and Elder Frandsen. They gave me this picture for my birthday and on the back of the picture it says: "Elders Capell and Frandsen (Your favorites) I think it was well labeled. What they don't know is that they are ALL my favorites :)

Oh What do you do in the Summertime

Make a Smilebox slideshow

What a Week Edition

Our Sweet One Month old Addie Mae Thiot

Our Fun Christmas in July Family Night on Monday. Thanks Tatia!
Strawberry Jam and Jollipops with the Young Women, so easy and so yummy

Our cute friends who loved making jollipops too.

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
This has been a busy week in Mansfield. Two little girls keep Ricky and Becky busy busy. Tatia took a visit to Mansfield on Thursday and got to bring Brooklyn to our house for a sleep over. We all LOVED having that darling little girl here. Tatia and I took her to the Duck pond where I used to take Ricky, Tatia and Charlie when they were tiny kids. She loved feeding the ducks and I’m happy to report she did not fall into the pond feeding them. She loved the play ground at the park and especially the big swing and the school bus. Dick and I took her home on Friday night and got to see our little Addison. Oh, she is so darling and so sweet. I loved getting to feed her a bottle and just enjoy her. Thanks Becky and Ricky for sharing with us!
Our Upstairs Granges
After much study and much worry, Tatia’s tests are OVER and she passed with flying colors. Go Tatia! Tatia is serving as the Personal Progress Leader in Young Women’s in our ward. She hosted and taught the activity this week. She taught the girls to make her famous Freezer Strawberry Jam and they also made Jolly Pops. What fun that was. She and Jake had a fun date on Friday night at the City of Plano Public Library Book Sale. Every summer they have this and it’s something they have been looking forward to since they moved here. They both LOVE books and found some treasures at the Book Sale. They also found a fun new pizza place that some of Jake’s train riding friends, recommended to him. The pizza was delicious and they hope to go again some time.
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
Mackenzie and Keelie have been busy this week unpacking and getting things put away and making their new home look like there’s. Mackenzie had a friend come over one day this week who has a great eye for decorating to help her put things together. That is always fun to have somebody’s else’s good ideas. I love that. I’m looking forward to seeing the pictures so I will feel like I’ve been to your new home. hint hint. Thanks for the outside photo. I love that Keelie has a yard to play in and Charlie has a yard to Mow. He has been a great lawn mower man since he was a very small.
Our Orem Thiot’s
Pierce has worked and worked this week and he and Stacy were my heroes on Friday when they were able to go up to Sandy and deliver some balloons and take lunch to Gram and Gramps. My dad had surgery on his eye on Wednesday and the doctor put a new lens on and we are praying that it will heal properly and stay where it belongs. Thanks Pierce and Stacy for your kind and thoughtful ways. It’s so nice to have part of our family close by our Big family.
Our New York Elder Thiot
First off, I wanted to tell you a kind of crazy-cool miracle that happened. I will call it The Parable of the Cell Phone: As missionaries, we get assigned a cell phone, and they give us the most durable phones you could imagine. I think they make it out of the same stuff they build tanks. So this week on Tuesday I was messing around with the phone during planning and dropped it and it hit the wood floor. Oops! I picked it up and the screen looked fine, no cracks, except the screen was BLANK! The phone was still fully functioning except no screen. So I quickly learned how to call people by trying to remember where they were in the address book. This worked pretty well, but I called the wrong people a lot. By Tuesday my compo was not very happy with me about it so, and wanted me to call the mission office and get a new phone. Being a missionary, and knowing it would cost 50 bucks to get a new phone, I kept trying to just use the broken phone. By Thursday, I was sending text messages with out being able to see what I was typing, but it didn’t work too well. I was getting pretty frustrated too. I tried everything I could to fix it, but nothing worked. Finally, on Friday we went to district meeting, and I pulled the phone out my pocket to check something (not remembering the fact it was broken), and started looking the info up. Then I realized the phone was working again!!!!
I know it sounds pretty hard to believe, but after 3 days, it just started working again. I had been praying every night to figure out a way to fix it, then all of the sudden, boom! It worked. I can’t explain it, but it helped us call an investigator who we wouldn’t have been able to otherwise, set up an appointment, and they came to church on Sunday! So miracles can happen where the Lord needs to them to happen. Plus I got to save 50 bucks, which is pretty nice too!
The same is true with us. We make mistakes and things can seem like no matter what we do, we are hopeless. But it is the moment when we put our fate in the Lord's hands, that we can see again! The Lord can do all things.
We Plano Thiot’s
This has been an extra special week in our family. We have felt the influence and love of our Heavenly Father many times. Dick was able to baptize a little girl in our ward yesterday whose daddy is too sick to do it. What a sweet and tender experience that was. Dick is a great man and Priesthood holder. I’m so blessed to be married to him. Can I tell you how fun it is to have Tatia and Jake living here? Tatia has the funnest ideas. She’s been wanting to have Christmas in July. So on Monday night we had a mini Christmas diner with all the trimmings, ham, Christmas potatoes, Red jello and green beans. Tatia gave a sweet message about having Christ in our lives every single day, not just in December. Then Tatia made her famous gingersnap cookies that Sister Ence taught her to make and we each took turns showing our favorite scenes in our favorite Christmas movies. Tatia chose It’s A Wonderful Life, Jake choose Elf, Dick chose the Polar Express and I chose Mr. Krueger’s Christmas. I have to tell you, Christmas in July is WONDERFUL. I wished you all could have been here to enjoy it with us. We loved it and I love each of you. I hope you have a wonderful week. SLY Rob