A Fresh 2011

There is something wonderful about having a fresh start. I guess it shouldn't take a new year to have that mindset, but nevertheless it's refreshing.

Fresh start on:


Teaching my kids more, filling their day with more enriching activities.
Decorating my house and making it nice for our family.
Working hard on my calling, I have a feeling I am in my final days.
Supporting Russell more in his wild adventure of starting this business.
Being more active.
Reading more.
Bring more fresh food into our home.
Keeping focused on the big picture.
Staying calm.

Adios 2010

I was planning on making a post with some 2010 highlights, but I'm not gonna lie, I had to think REALLY hard to come up with just a few, and most of them consisted of trips that I've already blogged about. (Don't mean to sound ungrateful for the many blessings I DO have, but let's be honest, it's been another one of "those" years.) Speaking of "those" years, remember all the "see a black cat and you get 7 years of bad luck" and "walk under a ladder and get 7 years of bad luck" . . . do bad years really come in 7's? Please bless no.

Since my bff (Mom) passed away a year ago today, I've been thinking a lot about her (well, really I think about her all the time, so I guess nothing's different) but mostly I've been thinking about life and hard things and family and the temple and the Savior and the atonement. (That's a lot to think about! Thank goodness for the modern medicinal miracle called sleeping drugs.) And while I would give anything to have Mom and Linz back, at the same time I wouldn't trade anything for the things I've learned (I know, it's an oxymoron, just go with it). Someone recently commented that I probably have much to share about what I've been through. In some ways, yes, but in other ways, the things I've learned can't be put into thoughts or words, they can only be experienced. And isn't that really what life is all about, experiences? The good, the bad, and the (sometimes too-often) ugly? We all have our own "experiences," tailored to our strengths, weaknesses, and (I think) most importantly to our potential. There are no short-cuts to becoming the person we need to become, and there is only One who knows how to get us there.


So here's to a new year - may it bring, love, peace, joy, some discomfort (for growth) and family togetherness with whatever family you have around you.

Thomas Family Christmas Card

Hey Roomies!  Here is my wanna be Christmas Card this year!  Hopefully I can get some real ones
out to you all...The real ones looks slightly different.  Happy Holidays, Love you all!

10-10-10 = CRUISE

Top 10 Reasons Why We Need to Take a Roommate Cruise:

#1: "Almost Paradise! Knockin' on Heaven's Door. Almost paradise, how could we ask for more?" (Checkout that arm muscle! Thank you to Jillian's 30-day Shred)

#2. This was my view while I was running on the track on the top of the cruise. Blessed Catalina Island. I like you. Kind of a lot a lot.

#3. When you don't pack for cool-ish weather, Catalina provided me with the sweat pants and sweatshirt I wore pretty much everyday for the rest of the week. Even though I sat in someone else's cigarette nastiness and got stains on them on day 2. (Gross.) This is Tina. Not me. :)


#4. Haven't you always wanted to walk on water?


#5. No make-up. All week long. Oh, and meet Butch. He's the real attractive guy on my right. Our ocean-kayaking tour guide. Pretty sure he is lusting after me in this picture. We may have seen some sea lions and cool orange fishies.

#6. You get to dress up all fancy for "Mom Prom." The best part is watching all the losers, I mean weirdos, I mean fellow cruisers get their pictures taken as if they were at prom. Oh so funny!


#7. A day at a resort came with the complete package: pools, hot tubs, massages, ping pong table, ocean, lunch . . . all precluded by a wonderful visit to a Mexican museum. My comment on the Comment Card? "More sun, less museum."


#8. If you are really lucky, and you have some AMAZING friends who live near the port of the cruise, you get to visit this little guy when you're done. Go Elisabeth. Go Tyler. Go Luke.


#9. best.people.watching.ever. This guy was my boyfriend. I know you're jealous!


#10. Towanda loved it. (If you look real close you can see the cigarette stains on the sweats. How embarrassing.) Towanda ESPECIALLY loved all the food. Basically all we did was eat. With other things on the side. And it's all FREE! Want some hot cocoa late at night? Ok! Want some fresh fruit for an in-between-snack snack? Ok. Want some pizza after lunch? Ok. Want some warm chocolate melting cake every night for dessert? Ok ok ok!!!!Oh, and the hot stone massage on our last night was the BEST thing I could have ever done. Really. If your husbands need ideas on what to get you from Christmas, I more than highly recommend. Worth every cent.

So, what do you say? Roommate + spouses cruise in 2011? We could go somewhere exotic. Or not exotic, if you want. Think about it.

My Mornings

The first thing I see when I wake up is this:
That's the pillow next to me. It's empty. Sometimes it makes me sad. But then, I look out my window and I see this:
And then I think about eternity, and heavenly promises, and then I can't be sad anymore.
(Promise the temple is bigger and brighter than that when I look out my window - guess it's time for a new camera.)

Coming soon: the update on the 10-10-10 Cruise - be excited!

Thank You

Dear Sisterhood,

I just have to say thank you to you all. You have shown so much love to Justin and me as we have struggled though our loss. The flowers you sent to the hospital were beautiful and brightened my spirits. Although my heart was aching, I could still feel love. Your messages were uplifting and gave me strength and encouragement. I am so lucky to have friends like you!

Much love,
Crystal

Ok sisterhood, I have told a couple of you that I would put a couple of pictures up from the wedding. I won't try to tell a story along with it, because I''m not a great story teller like Alicia, but the wedding was great.

Just us kissing...
Traditional pose...
Everyone who was able to make it to the temple. Crystal and Justin are in there, I promise...

Soon, I will post some pictures of Vail, CO. It is beautiful!