And We Are HOME!

Our Mansfield Thiots
After the 2nd week of school, things are settling down in Mansfield.  Everyone is happy and Doing well! Ricky is having a weekend of fun with a group of college buddies.  In the past they have gone out of town for the making of their fantasy football draft but with air fare high this time of year, they decided to come to Dallas which worked great for Ricky.  They are staying at the Gaylord Texas Hotel and having a fun time.  We face timed with Ricky on our drive home and he said he was surpirsed I wasn't sitting in the back seat watching a movie.  I hadn't even thought of that posibility so we stopped at a Redbox and checked out a movie and I climbed into the backseat and watched a movie for a couple of hours.  That was a fun idea!  Then the Texas Rangers played a baseball game that Dick got to listen to and then we were HOME!

 

Our Charlottesville Granges
I knew it would be hard to say goodbye to our Charlottesville Granges, so Graypa, who had flown in on Wednesday morning, and I packed up our things and snuck out the down stairs exit at 3:55 and headed for home.  We had packed in some fun memories while Graypa was there.  Penny had her first day of First Grade and after school we picked her up at the bus and off we went to the bowling alley for our 2nd annual first day of school bowling adventure.  We loved it and everyone did very well.  It was Oscars first try at bowling and he did not dissapoint!  On Thursday, we sent Penny off for her 2nd day of school and Jake took the boys on a jog to Target and then back to the library. They were gone for 3 hours and when they got to the library, they found that the pass to the Discovery Museum had come in that Tatia has requested a few weeks earlier.  So after Penny got home, we headed to the Virginia Discovery Museum and had a wonderful time.  Oscar is the perfect size to do everything and Penny and Max loved it too.  Thursday night we decided to celebrate Tatia's birthday just a week early and Jake cooked hotdogs for us over the fire and we loved Tatia's potato salad and we snuck to Costco on our way home from the museum and got her favortie chocolate birthday cake.  We loved it!
One more thing I hope I'll never forget but better write it down.  On Penny's first day of school, when Tatia went in to wake her up Penny told her that she was having the sweetest dream.  Tatia asked her what she was dreaming and Penny said that Gigi had been there to wish her a happy first day of 1st Grade and that she got to tell Gigi how much she loved her.  Oh my goodness, I think my sweet mom must have had a busy night wishing all those sweet great grandchildren happy first days of school.

Our Carmichael Thiots
Even though school has started, and fall is coming around the corner, it's still VERY much Summer in Carmichael Californina.  Charlie and the kids have been planning an EPIC bike hike for this weekend down along the banks of the American River and they didn't let the 105 temperatures scare them off.  They went, they sweated and they cooled off in the muddy river.  Way to go Carmichael Thiots.  You are made of tough stuff and I'm proud of you all! When they got home, they cleaned up and turned their back yard into an Outdoor movie theater and invited 3 fun families to come join them for the showing of the movie EPIC.  Perfect ending to a great day.

Our LA Thiots
After a wonderful, almost magical week in the beautiful country of Iceland, Stacy and  Pierce arrived home late Wednesday night.  Pierce was in the office by 8:00 Thursday morning and Stacy's mom was on the plane heading back to Texas by noon.  What a fun time Pierce and Stacy had celebrating their anniversary and Adelaide and Jackson had a ball with Omma who is such a good sitter. I'm sure it was hard to say goodbye.

Our Down Town Thiots
This has not been the best week for Skyler.  On Tuesday, he started feeling not quite right and by Friday he was in the doctors office and was diagnosed with a Viral pneumonia.  Not a good thing at all. He is coughing coughing coughing and feels horrible.  He came on Saturday afternoon and spent the night here so Kara and Elinor could sleep without his coughing waking them up.  Bless his heart.  We made him some chicken soup and tucked him into bed with the humidifier going full steam ahead.  I hope when he wakes up this morning, he feels a little bit better.  Wish I had a magic wand to wave over him.  Please add him to your prayers.  Thanks

We Plano Thiots
When we drove to West Virginia in July, we took two days to get there.  When we woke up so early on Friday morning, Dick said, he thought we could be home in our own bed by 10:30 if we got up and left right away.  We drove into our drive way at 10:27.  That was pretty dang good time.  Dick is a great driver and just kept on going.  We stopped in Memphis for a lovely lunch along the beautiful Mississippi River.  A dream we both have had and watched the river boats.  We would have loved to have taken a little cruise but were trying to keep on schedule.  We enjoyed the drive and it's good to be home.  We unpacked our bags and Dick was at the office by 9:00.  Almost as early as Pierce.  It's good to be home but I'm missing that new baby Charlie snuggling time.  Penny called us after she got out of school on Friday with some exciting news.  She lost her first tooth on the first week of first grade.  She already had it in it's special holder awaiting the tooth fairies arrival.  Yippee! As we drove through TexArkanana, there was the most glorious sunset.  It was the perfect ending to a lovely month spent with family!

  Tomorrow, 8/18 is Mom Mom’s 98^th birthday.  Holy cow!  In the photo Mom Mom is the one on the right with her sister Hazel on the left and her brother Buddy in the middle.  See their cute shoes?  She always wanted kids to have shoes that fit.   We want your kids to the start of school with new shoes that fit too from Mom Mom.  We would love to reimburse you $50 for each of your kids for school shoes.  How does that sound?

SLY,

Mom and Dad and Mom Mom

It's Back to School Time

Our Mansfield Thiots
After a busier than usual Summer of 2017, Brooklyn, Addison and Harper went Back to School on Wednesday morning.  All three girls had a great first day of school and everyone was excited to go back the next day.  I'll never ever forget Ricky's first day of Sixth Grade.  We had moved to Plano, just six weeks before the end of his 5th grade year and so it was still a LOT of changes.  He would now have six classes and a locker to deal with.  I remember him coming home on the first day of school asking, no maybe begging to do home school instead of middle school.  It didn't take long until he was able to navigate himself around that big school and get his locker combo to work and to learn to  make a beautiful sound with his trumpet too.  I'm so glad our girls love school and were so well prepared for this next step.

Our Charlottesville Granges
What a blessing filled week this has been for me in Virginia.  Our little Charlie is doing well.  We took him back to see the doctor on Wednesday and he has nearly gained back to his birth weight.  He is a good little eater and Tatia is doing great with getting up in the night and taking care of him.  Hopefully soon, he will figure out that it's more fun to sleep at night than to just want to eat.  Jacob went back to work on Wednesday and was busy preparing for his first job interview that was Friday after work.  It was a phone interview and he felt like it went well.  They will let him know in a few weeks if he will be invited to meet with them in person.  He felt very well prepared for the interview and thinks it would be a great fit for him and for their family.  I know whoever gets our Dr. Grange, is going to be one very lucky practice.  Penny is counting down the days until her school starts, this coming Wednesday and then our Max will begin after Labor Day.  Horrray!

Our Carmichael Thiots
With swim season coming to an end, It's Back to School for Keelie and for Callum.  Keelie is our 4th Grader this year and is in a class of 4th-6th children.  Callum is 1st Grader is in a class of 1st-3rd graders.  Callum has the same teacher that Keelie did last year and they are thrilled with that.  Go Callum & Keelie!  With the start of school also came the start of Soccer Season!  Callum, like his mom and dad, loves soccer and is so fast and so good at it.  Some sports it is to your advantage to be the biggest kid on the field, other sports, like soccer, it pays big time to be small and fast and sneaky.  Callum is just that.  I love  hearing about his sweet skills.  Keelie is looking forward to another opportunity to be in a play this fall.  I can't wait to hear what she chooses.

Our LA  Iceland Thiots
For Pierce's birthday, Stacy surprised him with a trip to ICELAND.  They left this week for their one week adventure of a lifetime in such a beautiful and almost magical land.  Instead of staying in a hotel each night, they have rented a small RV and are spending their days and nights exploring all they can see in seven days. Dick was able to face time with them in the RV and loved traveling around with them for a few minutes. Stacy's mom came to LA to watch and love on those sweet little Grandkids of ours.  What a blessing for them and for her.  I'm sure   they are keeping her busy and smiling.  What fun kids they are.  Adelaide still has a few weeks before her Preschool begins and Jackson is going to "Mommy School" it this year.  What af fun little boy he is.

Our Down Town Thiots
One day this week, when we visited with Skyler and Elinor, Penny asked Uncle Sky if the next time he went to the zoo, if he would take a photo of the cheetah and send to her.  About two hours later, we got an invite to face time with Skyler and would you believe, he and Elinor were at the zoo!  We got to see those cheetahs and the giraffes, and the new baby elephant all up close and personal at the zoo!  WOW!  How much better could it be if you can't be there in person to have Sky and Ellie as your personal Zoo tour guides.  Thank You to both of you.  We loved it and love you too.  Sky has been busy this week helping with a ralley in downtown Dallas to get the word out about a statue that the city council is considering moving into a more appropriate location.  I don't understand all about it but Sky is passionate about helping to make good things happen and helping everyone feel loved and needed.  Good Luck Sky! Kara is Back to School and enjoying her second year of teaching.

We Plano Thiots
When I talked to Dick on the phone on Friday, and asked how he was doing, he said he was lonely.  He said he had started talking a lot to Rocky, the dog, which had him concerned that it was time for me to come home.  He is going to fly into Charlottesville on earlyWednesday morning, he leaves at 5:00 am and will be her to go bowling with Penny after her first day of school.  It's a fun tradition we started last year.  Graypa is a good bowler and Penny and Max and Oscar can't wait to go bowling with him.  I told them the story of my Uncle Bud, who is really good bowler.  He bowls in a league and travels all over the western US bowling in tournaments.  He was once in Dallas and we went bowling for Family Night together.  Dick was really hot that night and could not do anything wrong and beat Uncle Bud.  We were all surprised that anyone could beat Uncle Bud, so it's going to be hard to beat Graypa kids! Dick and I will leave Thursday or Friday to drive home. It's going to be hard to say goodbye to our Charlottesville Granges.  I'm so blessed to have been her for this long.
Penny and I  made some delicious Strawberry Jam on Saturday morning to put in the freezer.  Penny is a great helper and could wash the berry's, put ten of them into the blender and pulse it seven times and then pour them into the measuring cup, with my help and do 10 more. It was great team work.  She and Tatia designed some darling tags to put onto the jars.  Very fun project!
Laurie sent me a photo of her girls making bean bag chairs for their American Girls dolls.  Talk about CUTE!!!  Penny and I couldn't wait to try it and we loved doing it too.  If you are interested, there is a You-tube video on how to do it.  Just google American Girls Bean Bag Chairs.  I can't wait to sew one with Keelie and one with Brooklyn and Addison.  SOON!
It's been a week of healing in Charlottesville.  After such a hurtful weekend that last weekend was, we are grateful for a more peaceful one this weekend.  Jacob and Penny went on a daddy daughter date on Saturday afternoon and went to their favorite Pie Place which is on the mall downtown,  They were amazed by all the flowers and notes of sadness that have been layed at the site of the accident that took the life of one young lady.  Jacob said the woman's mother was there and people were lined up to give her their love and express their sympathy.  Penny was very touched as was Jacob.
A few years ago, a brother was baptized into the church and Tatia and Jacob have become such good friends with Robert.  Penny and Max love him but Oscar has a very special relationship with Brother Robert.  He often sits near them or with them at church and this past Sunday, Oscar was having a rough time without his mom there at church and he caught site of Robert and couldn't get back to him fast enough.  He spent the rest of the meeting sitting with him, just thrilled to be with him.   What a blessing it is that children don't see color and can love everyone the same.  My prayer is that everyone could be blessed the same way and that we could all love each other no matter what color or religion or what believes we have.  I know that is what Heavenly Father would want us to do.  Have a great new week!  Sure love you, Robynn

We've got a BABY!!!!!

Our Mansfield Thiots
This was the last full week of Summer vacation for Mansfield schools.  This coming Wednesday, It's Back to School for all 3 girls.  They will all be at new schools and they are excited.  Brooklyn had a fun morning at her new Intermediate school where she got to meet teachers (6) and have a tour of the school.  Find out where her locker is and see the gym and even get her gym clothes that she will get to change into for PE each day.  What a great year is coming for Brooklyn.  Addison and Harper are going to be at the Elementary school just down the street from their new home.  It's going to be close enough to walk to school and they are all excited.  Addison will join the Terriific Third Grade team and Harper is going to be a Kindergarten Girl!  Yipee!!!!  Ricky and Becky are excited and spent the weekend checking the supply list and  making sure everyone has everything they need for a successful first week of school.  I'm excited for you girls.  You will be in my prayers!

Our Charlottesville Granges
What a great week we've had in Charlottesville.  On Tuesday, we went to see the movie STORKS in hopes that it might get Baby Grange #4 excited to come join our family and guess what?  It worked.  Tatia went into labor that night and labored and labored and our sweet little Charles Thomas Grange (Charlie) was born at 9:47 pm on Wednesday, August 9th, 2017.  He weighed in at 9lbs 13 ounces and was 20 3/4 inches long. He has the best cheeks for kissing.  Oh we can't seem to get enough of this tiny boy.  He is wonderful! The big kids got to go meet him first thing on Thursday morning.  They were all thrilled with him.  Horray for Baby Brothers!

Our Carmichael Thiots
What a great Saturday morning Charlie, Keelie and Callum had.  It was recycle day and they have been saving their empty bottles and cans for just such an occation.  They borrowed a friends Pick Up Truck and made their delivery.  They got enough moneys from the recyling to drive to the Home Depot and pick up a TON of sand to refill the Sand Box.  WOWSERS!  That is a lot of sand and Charlie and the kidos spent the afternoon shuffling the sand from the truck to the sand box via a wheelbarrow.  After getting it all inside the sand box, they decided to wash the sand by flooding the sand pile.  As a mom of four boys who loved the sand box, one of my worst times was when they would flood the sand box. They loved it and Charlie still does.  Good Job Carmichael Thiots

Our LA Thiots
Early last week, Stacy drove home from Utah.  She borrowed 3 of her cousins children to ride along with Adelaide and Jackson.  They were very fun traveling companions and made that long drive so much more fun.  Then their mom came  the next day and they have had a great week together!  Stacy,  you are a brave mama to drive with five little kids such a distance.  I'm proud of you.

Our Down Town Thiots
Saturday, the 12th of August was Miss Elinor 1/2 birthday.  Can you believe she is already six months old? Skyler said she had a perfect day and loves being six months old.  She is learning to sit all by herself and she can scoot like crazy and she can roll over to get to nearly anything she wants to get too.  She still finds Branson the cat to be her favorite play mate and is one happy girl!  Go Elinor.  Kara went Back to School on Monday and now the kids return to her classroom tomorrow!  Let the fun begin.  She said her classroom is looking very good and inviting and she's anxious to meet her new 7th graders and hopes for a great new school year.

We Plano Thiots
Dick has been home alone this week and has been my right hand man for a few things I needed.  He helped me do my schedule for the temple early Thursday morning.  He's getting so good at helping me that it's going to be hard for me to do it alone when I go home.  Thank you honey.  Then on Friday, he was able to attend the funeral service for our friend Brother Bob Raxter.  He passed away last Sunday shortly after I wrote the Thiot Times.  His daughters and wife drove from Utah to Texas and were there to help plan the funeral for him.  Lisa said everything turned out just like he wanted it and the service was nice.  I'm glad Dick was able to attend and represent our family who loves the Raxter Family.
Dick had one of his Tent Mates from Jamboree come into town to check out the area in hopes of a possible job change.  Dick took him and his wife to dinner at Chuy's on Saturday night and then invited them to go to church with him and to come home and have Sunday dinner with him.  I'm anxious to hear how it all turned out.  Good Luck honey!
I've sure been grateful that I am here in Charlottesville.  It was a blessing to be able to watch these three fun kids while Tatia and Jake were at the hospital.  They are so much fun.  We had a few memorable things happen that are going to take a little longer for me to be able to laugh about them.  I wanted to write them down so I won't forget and will hopefully learn from them.
1. Do NOT put your keys on  your lunch tray when dining out at McDonalds with three small children.  You see, when I dumped our lunch trash, I also dumped my car keys.  When we got to the car to leave, I couldn't find them in my bag.  We went back inside and I looked in the trash can I thought I had dumped it into, and Penny told me I was looking in the wrong can.  Once we hunted in the right can, her great eagle eye spied the keys in a jiffy and we were in business.
2.  Always take careful notice of where  you park your car in a hospital parking garage.  We came our after meeting baby Charlie and our car was NOT where I thought we had parked.  UGGGGG  Come to find out, we were in the WRONG parking garage.  I had followed a family off the elevator and thought they were going to the same place were were, but boy was I wrong.  We finally made it to the right garage and found the right silver mini van.  (there are a LOT of silver mini vans out there)
3. Do not open  your car door when someone has left you and 3 kids in the van while they run into the store for  a quick minute.  Tatia ran into Home Goods to pick up something quickly and locked us in the car, I tried to get out of the car to get my purse which had treats in it, that was in the back seat, and low and behold the car alarm went off, LOUD LOUD LOUD!!!!  The store manager came out and we explained what had happened and he paged Tatia and said,"Would the woman who left her mother and 3 kids in the car please come turn off her car alarm."  Oh my she was embarrassed, we were embarrassed, it was Crazy Pants as we have learned say.
4.  Be careful where you put the TV remote control as it may take you over an hour to locate it.  Tatia always has things in just the right places and I tend to not be quite like that.  It was sure a relief to find it and I only had to offer a one dollar bribe to two children.  ugg
When my mom was about my age, she started a Mary Poppins business where she would go to peoples homes, and watch their children while they were out of town.  She had a carpet bag that she would pack with her fun things and she was very much in demand in her neighborhood and as far away as Provo, Utah.   All I can say is, she had it together a lot better than I do.  It's been so fun to be here and I'm going to try to not loose anyone, or anything for the rest of my stay.
Have a great week ya'll, say a little prayer for me if you think about it.  SLY Robynn

Summer Time

Our Mansfield Thiots
Becky and the Girls left just a few days after moving into their new home for the month of July in California for a month.  They had a wonderful time going on hikes, going to caves, going camping in a tent and of course swimming, swimming swimming.  Little Harper has learned to swim and is quite remarkable.   They returned home from their summer adventure on Tuesday and their dad is soooooo glad to have them back. Addison had her friend birthday party on Saturday afternoon at the pool and loved catching up with her girl friends who she hadn't seen since school got out.  Ricky had a busy month at home getting lots of travels in and he enjoyed a weekend when his friend from elementary school, Blake Jackson, came to town and they were able to go to the wake board park and do a few other fun things together.  It's been a great summer, and now it's time to get ready to go back to school!  Enjoy your last week girls!

Our Charlottesville Granges
It's been a very fun few weeks in Charlottesville while I have been in town.  Graypa and I arrived on Saturday, July 22nd.  Our plan was to stay until Tuesday or Wednesday and then head for home until the new baby arrived.  But upon arrival, Tatia was having lots of labor pains and we thought that this little guy may have other plans and want to come earlier than we were expecting him.  Graypa said he could stay until the following Sunday while working from here so we began what we've called, The Baby watch.  We took Penny, Max and Oscar on Monday, Pioneer day to Williamsburg to stay at The Great Wolf Lodge.  Oh my, we had so much fun playing at the indoor water park and sleeping in the Kids Club Cabin.  We all loved it and the time went past too fast.  Max and Penny even tried the surfing area which was very brave for both of them. We all loved the lazy river, Graypa and Max loved the long super slides, Oscar loved the slides in the kiddy area and Penny loved making countless new friends to play with and she loved the slides too.  We came home on Tuesday and the fun hasn't slowed down yet.  We've loved going to Bounce and Play and Create, we've loved spending time at Penny Park, we took an awesome bike ride to the river and Penny, Max and I missed the turn and ended up having a MUCH LONGER experience than we had expected. We had a prayer and found some fellow travelers who helped us find our way back to the play ground.  Max and Penny are great bike riders but 3 miles was a bit more than any of us had bargained for.  We've been to the movies of Cars and then to the Summer movie Happy Feet 2.  It was fun and again we had a tender experience with prayer when we became separated.  Oh boy am I glad Heavenly Father is so close by and can help us.  Saturday, Jake hooked up his new kid trailer to his bike and drove the kids to the library for a fun adventure.  They loved it and came home with some fun books to read and a couple of movies to watch.  It's going to be another great week as we await the arrival of baby Grange #4. Max was picked to give the scripture in Primary today. Go Max!
Our Carmichael Thiots
Last Sunday afternoon when we face timed with Charlie's family, they were busy cleaning up their house. Keelie and Callum were in the bathroom scrubbing things up and making it shine and they had the toys picked up and everything looking sooooooo good.  Charlie was preparing dinner as they were getting ready to have Grandma and Grandpa Smith, Kelzie and sweet little Holland over for Sunday dinner.  Charlie grilled chicken and made the most delicious corn on the cob.  It was so fun to have them over and everyone was good sports in helping get the house ready and everything set.  Swim team ended the same weekend which was both sad and glad.  It's fun but it makes life VERY busy as they practice every night of the week expect for Sunday and have meets on many of the weekends.  It's going to be nice to have time to get ready for school to start again and have a bit more relaxed schedule.  Keelie lost a tooth this week and it's already growning back in.  Go Keelie! Callum is still awaiting his first loose tooth just like Miss Penny is.

Our LA Thiots
This has been a wonderful few weeks for our LA Thiots.  Stacy's fun family had a family reunion in Southern Utah at the greatest place called Zion's Ponderosa.  We went their many years ago for our family reunion and we all loved it too.  Pierce sent us some very fun photos and videos of them hiking the canyon and having such a fun time.  I was so impressed that Adelaide was such a good hiker and that Jackson Boy loved it too.  He got to spend time on his Mommy or Daddys back being carried over most of the hikes but he loves being out side.  But maybe my favorite part of their trip happened last weekend.  On Saturday and Sunday and up until 10:00 Monday, they had a vacation with my dad,  Grandpa Great.  He had been so looking forward to them coming and loved having them in his home.  Adelaide had wanted to spend some time with him and it was a very, very wonderful time for them and for Grandpa Great.  Laurie invited them to dinner with some of her grandchildren on Sunday and Adelaide loved Aunt Laurie's home and especially her magical play room.  It's like Kids Heaven in there and she told her daddy she wanted to move there. Oh she is a dear little girl.  Jackson loved it too and time went oh too fast.  Pierce had to leave at 4:00 Monday morning to be back to work, but Stacy and the kids got to stay the rest of the week with Stacy's fun cousins in Orem.  I can only imagine what a fun time they had together.
Our Down Town Thiots
What a fun summer our Down Town Thiots have had.  They've enjoyed so much their swimming pool at their apartment and our tiny little Elinor has turned into quite a water lover.  She took her first set of swimming lessons and has loved being in the water.  Skyler said they are thinking of signing her up for the next set.  They want her to grow up to love water and to be safe around it and not afraid.  I got to face time with them on Saturday  night and guess who is a sitting up girl?  Next Saturday is her six month old birthday and she is remarkable.  She can roll over, multiple times in a row to get to where she wants to be and she gets up on her knees and rocks back and fourth, she scoots in reverse gear just like her daddy did when he was trying to figure out the mobility thing and is just plain marvelous.  She is even getting the sleeping business figured out and has taken some nice naps this week.  What a fun little girl she is.  I think she is growing up a little tooo fast.  You had better not be walking before I get home!
We Plano Thiots
After spending two straight weeks nonstop with Dick Thiot, it's especially lonesome to have him gone home.  He left last Sunday after church and had an exciting flight home.  Their was a medical emergency with one of the flight attendants and they ended up making an emergency landing in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dick said it really made him wish for the first time in a long time, that he was a doctor and could have helped her out.  He was a good help on the plane in other ways and took her spot with helping to serve water to the other folks on the flight and keep everyones spirits high.  He is a fun guy who loves to help. When he got back to our home, after Sky picked him up and they picked up Rocky the dog from our friend Brett, there was another emergency.  Someone had backed into our Gas Meter and their was gas leaking.  They could smell it and called 911 to come out.  They quickly found the leak and  had to call ATMOS Gas Company to come and fix it.  We now are owners of a new Gas meter and it's all safe and secure again.  I asked Dick if someone had left a note about the damage and he said no note.  We will have to see how our gas bill looks to have an idea of how long ago it happened.  Since we were gone for two weeks.  Yikes, it could be a nice hefty bill.
After those two events, I'm sure Dick welcomed returning to work on Monday and except for squeezing in time to go to a Ranger Baseball game on Monday night with Ricky, he has been busy all week long.  One of his favorite things was getting to issue a couple of Stake Callings to a couple of great men who will serve with our Stake Young Men's presidency.  Dick is great at those kind of things and loves meeting new people.  Saturday morning was the monthly Emergency Communication get together and he was glad he was able to attend and help those who needed help with their ham radios.

We had some sad news this week.  When we first moved to Texas, many moons ago, we met the Bob and Mary Raxter family.  They have three children, Leticia, Lisa and Bobby.  Lisa used to babysit for us and Bob was Ricky's nursery leader.  Ricky called him Grandpa and just loved him.  We have stayed in touch through the years and we heard several months ago that Bob was diagnosed with cancer and that he didn't have long to live.  This week I heard from Lisa that hospice thinks he will be gone in a week.  He isn't able to eat or drink anymore and just sleeps.  What a dear man he is. His family is surely going to miss him.  His son Bobby went up to Utah and picked him up and took him home with him.  He wanted to be able to care for him in his last days.  What a kind and loving thing to do for him.  He was able to meet his newest great granddaughter who was born just a few days after he arrived.  He loved that. My thoughts and prayers are with you sweet Raxter Family during this difficult time.
When Dick and I first were planning our trip to come to Jamboree, and realized how close we would be to Tatia and Jake's home, I half jokinly asked her if she would like me to stay until the baby came.  She said she would rather have my help after the baby came but this has worked out the best of both worlds.  I somehow think my mother has had a hand in it all.  I've always believed that the sweet spirits who are waiting to come to this world are close by those who have departed.  I'm sure my mom has this sweet little boy close by her and is letting him wait until just the right moment to come and letting me have this special time with Tatia and Jake and the kids prior to his arrival.  Tatia is not feeling very well with lots of contractions and so it's so nice to be able to help with the kids and to help with meals.  One of my co workers at the temple said what a gift this little baby gave to me even before he arrived, that of letting  me be here and enjoy this sweet family.  She was spot on right!   Have a great week!  SLY Robynn