Septembers last Week,

Our Mansfield Thiots
Miss Harper was invited to a birthday party on Friday night at a very fun place.  It's lots of bouncing and jumping and fun.  Ricky was glad that he was selected to be her driver for the night and he said he enjoyed watching the kids and loved joining in a few races too.  Last Sunday, the Primary Program in Mansfield was MARVELOUS!  I loved being there and hearing my three sweet granddaughters give their parts.  The singing was amazing.  They have a primary of about 80 children which makes for awesome volumn in singing.  I loved every minute.  Afterwards, while Ricky and Becky were preparing a yummy dinner, we made these fun twinkie Minions.  the girls were fabulous on hairdues and mouths.  I loved how they turned out. Dick passed them out at Wood Badge this week and  they were very well recieved and gobbled up. Thanks for your help girls!!!

Our Medford Granges
While the big kids were in school on Monday, Gigi invited Oscar to go to the children's museum with her on a date.  They had a great time together.  Oscar is a very brave 3 year old and loved the climbing wall and all the fun things there.  Tatia put out her fall and halloween decorations this week.  I especially loved the shelf she did with the treasures she inherited from Gram.  I love those sweet faces that my mom painted.  Wednesday is early release day and they planned a movie afteroon of watching the Princess Dairies.  Penny had been to Ruby's birthday party last weekend and watched the second one and was looking forward to the firt one.  They enjoyed the movie and popcorn too.  For Granddaddy Thiot's 111 birthday on Tuesday, Tatia make his favorite pork chops and mashed potatoes.  We all loved thinking of that dear man on Tuesday.

Our Carmichael Thiots
This was the week of the APEX FUN RUN for Keelie and Callum  They both did great.  Keelie hurt her knee early on in the race and couldn't go as far as she had hopped she would and Callum ran and ran.  He's like his dad, he is a steady great runner.  It was also school pictures this week.  I love your pretty hair Miss Keelie!  You look beautiful!  This was a 5th weekend which they alternate staying with Charlie or their Mom.  It was Mackenzie's turn this time and Charlie filled his day with service and bike ride as the sun was getting ready to set.  What a beautiful night it was.  Charlie has two more days until his birthday!  Happy Birthday Charlie Jay on Tuesday!

Our LA Thiots
This was an incredibly busy week in LA.  Stacy said that Pierce didn't get home before 9 or 10 every night.  Stacy was busy prepping for her Poppy Lane Photo Shoot that lasted for more than Six Hours on Saturday.  She got some beautiful photos including these three  of Stacy and Adelaide.  So sweet.  I'm wishing you all a calmer and more peaceful week coming up. 

Our Oak Lawn Thiots
Skyler picked up 25 boxes of books on Thursday afternoon.  He wanted to trade me cars to fit the in the Tahoe, but unfortunately the Tahoe was at Camp Wisdom at Scout Camp.  I'm not sure what other arrangements he made but he said he had all those books and now the fun begins of mailing them off to those folks who ordered one.  He told me he would deliver my copy himself, maybe this afternoon I'm hoping.  Can't wait to add it to my collection of favorite children's books. Skyler and Elie joined on on Granddaddy Thiot's birthday for Pork Chops at Norma's Cafe in Plano. It's a very eclectic cafe and we loved seeing the pegasus flying about.   She makes them pretty good however I'm guessing Grandpa Thiot prepfered a bit thicker cut than Norma made.

We Plano Thiots
I'm Happy to report that Dick is home from Wood Badge training.  It's two weekends divided by a week off.  This weekend was the completer.  It's held Wednesday through Saturday which made for a huge time commitment.  Dick loves Scouts and is so good to give so much of his time and energy to them.  He was in charge of Logistics which means he did a LOT of running about.  He said he logged over 25000 steps each day and he slept well last night.  His favorite part was paining the totem poles which was the service project he was in charge of lining up.  These totem poles are 15 feet tall and he said the Ranger in charge of the Boy Scout Camp was thrilled with how they turned out.  Dick promised to drive me to Camp Wisdom and show them to me when they get them installed next weekend.

It was kind of lonesome around here this week, but I have to say it was kind of nice that I could turn on the bedroom lights in the morning when I was getting ready for Seminary and even put the finishing touches on my  lessons in the light.

One of the sisters I minister too is having surgery tomorrow.  I wanted to make her a blanket to take to the hospital to keep her cozy and she is a Dallas Cowboy Fan. It was fun to spend Saturday morning doing that for her.  We will take it to her this evening a she has asked Dick and her ministering brother to give her a Priesthood Blessing.  I hope she likes it.

In Seminary on Friday, we did some things to  prepare for General Conference next weekend.  Tatia helped me make labels for the class journals and they turned out nice.  Tatia made some cute ones for her children too.  Way to go T!

Saturday was the baby shower for my niece Carissa.  She is expecting her first baby in November.  I love this sweet little Rocking Chair that my dad had made for her family.  Each of the great grandchildren  have one to remember him by.  What a treasure

On a Sadder note, my little brother Jeffrey lost one  of his dogs this week.  A big dog was walking by with a 10 year old girl and no leash and Scooter ran after him and was shaken and killed.  I'm so sad for Jeffrey and Jenn.  They are animal lovers and any dog or cat that is blessed to live with them is one lucky animal.  Rest in Peace sweet Scooter!  SLY Robynn

otc

Happy III Richard Wylly Thiot III

This is Richard Wylly Thiot I,II,and III

September 25, 1907, a little baby boy was born to two very happy parents in Grovetown, Georgia.  Richard Wylly Thiot II and Annie Winslow Mundy Thiot are their names.  He had one older sister, Mary Elizabeth Thiot and would eventually have five younger sibblings.  Two younger brothers; Pierce and Charlie  and Three more Sisters; Francis, Mildred, Annie B.,  who all adored him.  That whole family is back in heaven and Charlie Thiot’s second wife is the only one still alive, Aunt Betty.  These are wonderful people.  Dad lost his dad when he was only six years old.  The same age as our Miss Harper is.  That’s not nearly long enough to have your daddy.  I know it’s hard for Dad when he thinks about his dad and all he missed out on.  I told him that he has an eternity to get to know his dad and that will be wonderful to look forward to. 

Here are some fun things we know about him.

• He served in the Army Air Corp (This was prior to the days of the Air Force)
• We have his military trunk here in our house.  It’s green with his name and number.  I love that
• He was Richard Wylly Thiot the third, (but when he was little he would say the Turd.)
• He married Mom Mom Jetta Belle Jarrell  on April 13, 1950
• She was his second wife.  He was married to Savannah Mae briefly before he met Mom Mom.
• He went by Dick, and after he passed away, your dad who went by Richie asked his mom if he could wear his dad’s name of Dick then.  I love that too.
• He had heart problems that if he were alive today, doctors would have ways to help, but in the early 60’s they did not.  Arterial Sclorsis is what his death certificate says took his life too early.
• He had both of his legs amputated at the knees.  Did he complain?  NOPE                                    
• He had a hospital bed that was in the den in the home dad grew up in.  Dad loved playing under his bed and even had a small tv with headphones that he could watch just to be close by to his daddy.
• The last time Granddaddy Thiot saw his mama alive, she told him to go home and get her a grandson,  Guess What he did that very thing.  Dick and Jetta had been married for seven years and didn’t think babies were in their future.  What a blessing it’s been to us ALL to have him.
• Ma Ma as Grandma Thiot was called, passed away only a few months prior to dad’s birth.  I have a feeling like many of our babies, she had a hand in choosing who would be her grandson.  She chose well.
• He died on my sixth birthday.  July 4, 1963 in Dallas Texas. 
• He always said, “Don’t burry me under that HOT Texas Sun.” so Mom Mom had him placed in a lovely air-conditioned mausoleum and she is right beside him. 
• I’m sure he loves watching over each one of us and is so very proud of the parent you are to his great grandchildren.
• Another fun fact that I know about Granddaddy Thiot is that he loved Pork Chops and Mashed potatoes.  I was thinking it might be a fun tradition to start to serve Pork chops on his birthday.  So if you can, or if you like or if you even like pork chops, how about serving Pork Chops and Mashed Potatoes for dinner on Tuesday this week and sharing some stories you may know about Granddaddy Thiot with your children.  I can only imagine that he must have had a great laugh just like you Thiot boys have inherited from your dad. 

I love you all so much and hope this might make September 25^th, Granddaddy Thiot’s 111^th Birthday a mighty special day in our family.

SLY

Yo mama

It's Raining, it's Pouring Primary Programs!

Our Mansfield Thiots
Ricky and Becky arrived home late Tuesday night from a glorious get away to Hawaii.  The girls had a fun week with Becky's parents but were very happy to have their mom and dad back home.  Today is the Primary Sacrament Meeting Program for the Mansfield 3rd Ward.  Once a year, the children in the Primary present to the ward what they have been learning about this year.  This years theme is very dear to my heart, "I am a Child of God"  Oh how I know that is true and what a strength that can give to us all each day of our lives.  Dick and I are going this morning after he gets home from his early meetings.  I can't wait! This is Brooklyn's last Primary Program as she will be Graduating to the Young Women's program in January when she turns 12.  Ricky said she is the final speaker in the program.  I can't wait to hear from Harper, Addison and Brooklyn! thank you Laurie for sharing your cute program graphic.Her Primary Program is today too!

Our Medford Granges
Thursday night was Open House at Lone Pine Elementary School.  Jacob had to work and Tatia was trying to figure out how to navigate to two class rooms with 4 little Granges.  The Youth in the ward were not available as it was their temple night and so she called Jacob's mama and she said she would LOVE to come and spend a few days with them and stay with the little boys while Tatia took the school kids to Open House.  What fun they have had with Gigi in town.  Thank you Jackie for making the big drive to be the rescue ranger!

Our Carmichael Thiots
In the Garfield Ward, it's also the Primary Program today.  I'm sure Keelie and Callum will do a wonderful job!  Wish I could be there to watch it too!  Keelie and Callum are both getting excited for the fall fundraiser at school.  It's a runathon and you have people pledge to donate so  much a lap that they hope you can run, then the school benefits from your hard running to purchase things they need.  We are excited to see how many laps you two can go!  Run Keelie Run Callum.  Charlie's jeep has been giving him some greif again this week.  This time it's the clutch and I loved hearing he and Dick talk about it on the phone.  Thinking of possible solutions that might not be too serious.  I'm hoping one of them worked and that Charlie is back on the road again with wheels.

Our LA Thiots
Pierce was in Provo doing some portfollio reviewing for some of the students in the AD Lab at BYU.  He loves going out and looking at the amazing and creative things these new students are up to.  Lani was thrilled when he asked if he could overnight with her on Thursday night.  When Pierce was a little guy, he loved having sleep overs at Aunt Lani's house.  She would let him sit on her lap and drive her car home and he loved it.  It was a fast trip, but Pierce squeezed in a quick visit to Uncle Jeff and a trip to J Dawgs was a bonus too.  Pierce is back home with two very happy kids.  He always brings Adelaide a souvenir snow globe when he travels. She has an amazing collection all ready!

This is Miss Olivia reading her story

Our Oak Lawn Thiots
It's been a wet week in our neighborhood.  But it's been warm still which makes walks in the rain quite fun for Miss Elie.  September Showers brought something wonderful.  The book Skyler illustrated in the spring time, returned from the publisher on Friday.  (glad it came with a rain jacket in all the rain) The baby girl in the purple and teal reading it, is Miss Olivia herself with her own copy of Olivia's New Heart.  Then our baby Girl, Miss Elie is also giving it a read and loving it.  I can't wait to get my hands on my own copy too.  Oh Skyler, it looks wonderful!

We Plano Thiots
For Family Home Evening, we went to the Stake Center and Dick with his jeteye skills, strung string from each of our 38 missionaries to the location of their mission.  This was quite an undertaking and it looks amazing.  Kind of like a giant spider web that the Plano Stake has cast over the world to bring others the truth.  I LOVED getting to be the scissor holder and slip not tyer.  Dick is preparing for his second week of wood badge this coming weekend and then the following week he heads to Las Vegas for a trade show where he will have  a booth.  Skyler has been a life saver in helping him get the booth ready to ship to Vegas.  I'm sure it will be amazing.  He has managed to sleep for a few hours this week, not many but a few.  Run Dick Run!

While Dick is busy at work, Elie and I have discovered a new love of ours,  Have you tried do a dot art markers?  Tatia's family loves them and we couldn't wait to try them too.  We've had some fun and miss Elie loves it too.  You may want to give it a try.

There is a new institute class this fall where you can bring your toddlers along.  I couldn't go to the adult class on Monday, so on Tuesday, Miss Elie and I went and had a really fun time.  When I walked in this darling young mama said, "Hi Miss Elie"  I did not recognize her and said, "How in the world do you know Miss Elie?"  She explained that she was friends with Skyler.  She is dating Skyler best buddy McKay and this is her little guy Oliver in the blue shirt.  Miss Elie was smitten with him and LOVED sharing his snacks.  He had really good pretzels and she swapped him some of her popcorn for pretzels.  I'm not sure I was very good at listening to the teacher, but it sure was fun to watch Elie play with other little kids.

When we first moved to Plano in 1982, there was a sister in the ward named Barbara Stephens.  She had two teenagers and was just darling.  Fast forward a few  years, and she is still just darling and her kids through her a 75th Birthday party on Saturday.  Dick and I were invited and had a Lovely time celebrating with her.  Her dear husband Sid passed away a bit over a year ago and she was diagnosed with AOL Disease.  It's been a very mean one, but she is not a complainer.  She has lost the ability to talk but can type really well and it was so nice to be in her new home with her and so many who love her.  She has moved to Highland Springs, a retirement community that also has assisted living features.  Dick and I are ready to pack up and move in.  It was AMAZING.

I hope you have had a good week.  I'm loving Seminary more than I thought I would.  I was so nervous when I started, but like Brother Bliss told me, "If you can love em, You can teach em!"  I do love them and I do hope they are gaining something each day too.  Sure love ya'll, Robynn

Happy 90th Birthday Dad!

My Dad was born on September 16, 1928 which today marks 90 years since that happy day.  Dad returned to heaven almost six month shy of his birthday.  This morning right before I woke up, I saw dad driving a shiny white pick up truck with a great big smile on his face in my dream  It was like he wanted to show me that he was happy and doing ok.  I wish my brain could snap photos to share with you too, but unfortunately, i-phones haven't gotten quite that sophisticated quite  yet.  I couldn't see over to the passenger side of the truck in my dream, but I'm certain, my mom was sitting right there beside him.  Thanks for the Happy Birthday Dream Dad!  Thank you Sky for adding Dad to the pick up truck!

Two weeks ago, as we all knew Dad's day was approaching, we sent out an invitation for his birthday.  For  years we have celebrated at his favorite restaurant, Burger King for a Whopper of a good time, then last year we kicked it up a notch by going to Bear Park for a Tail Gate Birthday Breakfast Celebration.  Pancakes, Bacon, Sausage and plenty of OJ Orange Juice.  Many of dads friends and much of our family were there to celebrate his 89th birthday.  It was a grand occasion and I'm so glad we were able to do that for him.  He ended up giving his BYU football game tickets to my Dick and my son Charlie.  Unfortunately Wisconsin beat BYU that day, but I am happy to report that yesterday, just a day shy of dad's 90th, BYU was able to remedy that and come in for the win in Wisconsin.  They were NOT expected to win which made it even better.  I'm hoping you can see football games from heaven and maybe that is part of what dad was smiling so big about in my dream.  GO COUGARS!

Back to the Birthday Invitation, we were invited to do a Random Act of Kindness in honor of Dad, who loved doing those every day of his life.   As people sent me their pictures of what they have done, I'll add them to this post.  I'd love to have a record of the Kindness rendered in my sweet Dad's honor.  Here is what I have so far

Mike Brown, who is my mom's baby brother, shared with me that while he serves in the Draper Temple this week, he had Jay on his mind as he helped the youth in the baptistry.  He also was able to give service to his friends this week in Dad's memory.  Mike is much like my dad and goes about doing good every day.  Thank you Uncle Mike!

This isn't very "random" but today Jordan and I went over to help our friends who moved two weeks ago. She is expecting her first baby in 3 weeks and was feeling very overwhelmed by all the boxes and things to do! We put together her crib and other baby things and set up her nursery, and Jordan and her hubby worked on setting up beds and moving boxes and furniture. I didn't get a picture of the boys but I've included one of my friend and I in front of the crib. Jordan also helped boy Jamie today put up a fence at his rental house and Laurie and Mike served us by watching our boys all day. So much service today! From the Orem Cline, Jordan, Jamie, Logan, Parker (Now for the rest of the story, this sweet baby boy arrived 3 days after Jordan and Jamies day of service.  Mama and baby are doing well and loving the darling nursery.)

This is Baby Rowen, rocking in her Rocking Chair Grandpa Gr-8 gave her when she was born.  She loved rocking away as her Random Act of Kindness for Grandpa's birthday!  Thanks Baby Rowen

Tatia and her kidos made a triple batch of pumpkin muffins and her famous chex mix and delivered them with some hugs to a family friend of Jacob's family who lost a family member this week.  I'm sure they brought great comfort to that sweet family.  Thanks Granges for your Random Acts you do often too.

Sophie Ella Hurst and her Grammy spend a morning making a peach pie.  Sophie rolled out the crust, poked the holes in it so it wouldn't buble out of the pan and sliced the peaches, did the whole thing is what I am stumbling but trying to tell you with her Grammy Laurie at her side.  What a blessing that pie was to her family.  Thanks for your Random Act Sophie Ella!

Laurie has a friend with 3 peach trees that needed help to pick and enjoy.  Laurie learned from Dad, to never, ever let fruit go to waste on the ground who learned it from his mom, Minnie Maude, and so Laurie took her sweet Logan over and they picked peaches and she brought them home and bottled them.  They look beautiful.  Mom always made her bottled fruit look so perfect.  I can see Laurie learned well from both Mom and Dad!  Way to go Laurie.

Mister Oscar has been wishing for a matching pillow case to for his bed.  He has a toddler bed which doesnt' make matching pillow cases.  His Grammy found a matching crib sheet and turned it into a pillow case, (rather Randomly) and mailed it to this cute boy who loved it.  Thank you for letting me serve you Mister O! 

I have a sweet friend who suffers from lots of hard mental illness things.  She lost her husband almost a year ago and has recently gotten out of the hospital.  I invited her to come spend the weekend with me and we did some Random Acts of Kindness together.  We made Raspberry muffins and took some to a mutual friend of ours Sister Kennedy who needed some cheering up and read her some stories in the friend magazine.  We went by the temple as Letitia is preparing to have her husbands temple work done and be sealed to him.  What a sweet Ramdom weekend. She called me when she got home Saturday evening and said she had shared one of her muffins she took home with a room mate and asked if she could count that as her Random Act for my Dad's special day.  I loved it!

Laurie, Lani and Ric were able to take a quick trip to Nampa Idaho on Tuesday to attend Cousin Karen's funeral service.  I'm so glad they were able to be there.  I know Dad would have wanted to go.  Thanks for your kindness!

One of Lani's many super powers is baking banana nut bread.  Oh how dad loved her bread and so she baked 8 loaves on Saturday morning and delivered them Randomly to people she felt could use a little boost of love.  What lucky recipients those were.  Way to go Lani!

This photo "Randomly" popped up on my phone and I believe it was taken in 2004.  I love Dad's hand waving to us all.  Happy Birthday Dad! So glad Ric had a free Saturday to go to the game with you. 

I loved this photo of Dad and my Penny.  Today in Primary Miss Penny is giving a talk about service.  She is going to talk about her Great Grandfather, Orval Jay Birks who I do believe is a great example of Service every day of his life.  Oh Penny, you are a dear soul to think of Grandpa Gr-8! 

I love this picture of Adelaide and my Dad and me at our family reunion 3 years ago.  Adelaide and her daddy called me from her school this week.  She wanted to show me that she was wearing her Gigi sweater.  She has a darling navy blue cartigan sweater that reminds her of the one Gigi is wearing in a picture of the two of them.  Adelaide often thinks of Grandpa Gr-8 and Gigi.  I love that her parents keep their memories of them for her.  

Charlie randomly sent me this picture of my dad while he was serving in the Navy.  Dad loved our country and was willing to fight for it.  I don't remember ever seeing this photo.  Charlie said he found it in a box of photos and loved it too. Thanks for Randomly sharing it Charlie!

This is Oscar and Max with my Dad.  This was taken three years ago at our family reunion.  I'm so glad he knew these darling great grandsons and loves them so much as he loves us ALL.

Skyler used his Super Powers to Randomly help me make a Review Game this week for Seminary.  "SEMINAPARDY" He is amazing and I so appreciate his help.  The game was a hit and it Randomly helped my students review our First Month  in seminary.  Thanks Sky!

Miss Elie came to play with me this week on Thursday and we had so much fun.  When it was time to go, I was gathering up her things and lost site of her for a few minutes.  I found her in my room with a blue marker and she had Randomly colored her hands and her arms and was looking so very proud.  of herself .  I rushed her to the sink, didn't even snap a picture and started scrubbing off the blue.  It almost all came off and I was able to return her to her parents without feeling too horrible.  Now the best part happened the next morning.  I was preparing for seminary and found this darling note she had written.  It simply said Hi in her very nicest hand writing.  She has the new free style font that so many of us are trying to develop.  I LOVED it and had to put it right into her baby book.  What a lovely Random Act of Kindness Miss Elie!

 

Becky and I had a little bit of a designed act of kindness and some random acts. Two years ago Becky’s grandmother passed away. Since then Becky has been diligent in getting her temple work done. Well, she just needed to be sealed to her husband and to her parents. Her grandmother’s favorite place on earth is Hawaii. She had a condo in Maui that she would spend several weeks at every year. She loved Hawaii so much that her wish was to have her ashes spread out at sea in Hawaii. It was a beautiful memorial a year and a half ago. While Becky was doing her temple work we had booked a trip to Oahu and Becky knew that being able to seal her grandparents together in Hawaii would be perfect. So yesterday we went to Laie to the temple and finished the temple work. It was a beautiful experience. In addition we stayed and helped seal a lot of people together. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity. Here’s a picture of us outside the temple. It’s so pretty there. 

We didn’t get a picture but we ended up inviting the missionaries over for dinner tonight because we found out that they didn’t have a dinner appointment set up. It was fun to have them over and get to know them better. One missionary is from Utah and the other is from Serbia. The missionary from Serbia actually knows and old neighbor of Ric and Kathy’s because he (the old neighbor) was a past mission president in Serbia. 

Love, 

Chase, Morgan, Heidi & Ella

Max and Oscar designed a railroad track shaped like 90 for Grandpa Gr-8!

Laurie planned a Birthday Party for Dad and even had his picture hanging on the door.  I'm sure he was there in spirit.

When she went out to wave goodbye to Jeffrey and Jenn, this car that looks like his old one was parked out front.  Maybe he was there????

Ric went to his VW club show on Saturday and knew dad would want to be there beside him.  Laurie went to the show in Riverton too.

Krista's family took a trip to the cemetery and took a beautiful mum and I love the pretty fall wreath Laurie took too.

Jacob and Penny and Max made brownies on Sunday after church and invited our cousins Becky Birks and her hubby and kids to have Brownie Sundaes!  The kids had such a good time playing together and the grown ups loved getting acquainted.  I'm sure that made Grandpa Smile as it did me. 
 
I promise I will add others Random Acts as they share with me.  Happy 90th Birthday Dad!  How I LOVE YOU!!!