Year in Review

To our friends and family:

It’s hard to believe the 2008 is almost over. This year has gone by so fast. It’s amazing how so much can change in what seems the blink of an eye. 2008 seemed like an uneventful year but in looking back there were some awesome things that happened.

Our family continues to be involved in foster care. This year our Itty Bitty, Brittany was successfully reunited with her father. While it’s always good to see the parents step up and get their life straight, it always hurts when you lose children that you’ve opened up your heart to and have taken care of for so long. Brittany was such an awesome little girl who blossomed in our home and it was tough to say goodbye. However like it happens so many times, when one door closes, the Lord opens another. We welcomed into our home a brand new baby girl in the spring. We got her straight from the hospital, since she didn’t have a name when we got her, we nick named her Hannah. She is the happiest baby I’ve seen since our Ty Ty was little. She is just the best baby. And the good news is that there is a very real chance that we will get to make her a permanent part of our family and adopt her. So please keep us in your prayers that she is able to join our family.

A few moths later we got a call to take care of a couple of sisters, Sariah and Fantasia who were 2 ½ and 1 ½. Of course we said yes. They’ve been a treat to have. Sariah is always smiling and singing, while Fantasia is always doing the cutest little dance. About a month ago CPS called again and said, “Hey, The girls just had a baby brother born, will you take him?” Brook was wise in not asking me, and she of course said yes. So now we also have a little baby boy named Roosevelt. I call him Rosy after Rosy Grier and Brook calls him RJ (Roosevelt Junior).

So for those keeping track, we now at the time this letter is being written have an 8 year old, a 3 year old, almost 2 year old, a 9 month old, and a one month old. Brook and I actually took our little troop on a trip to Colorado for Thanksgiving. You haven’t lived until you’ve taken a 9 hour drive with 5 kids.

The only adventure we took this year was a trip to Grand Junction, which meant me facing my fear and drive on the million dollar highway through Silverton and Ouray. It really wasn’t so bad if you keep your eyes closed. Tightly. And think of something pleasant and distracting, like fried cheese.

I would say though the biggest news of they year is that Tyler turned 8 and decided to be baptized. We are so proud of him. He continues to grow and become everything we ever wanted in a son. He is smart, funny, and most of all he has the biggest heart of any child I’ve ever known. He is the perfect big brother for the parade of children that come through our house. He loves them all.

I can’t close this letter without expressing our love for our Savior Jesus Christ. It’s his love and watchful eye that has got us through the rough spots the last couple of years. We have a testimony of His mission and His Gospel. We are so grateful that he was willing to come down and be born. Let us take some time this Christmas season and ponder how wonderful it is to have a personal Savior.

We love you all and wish all the best.

Sincerely,

The Thomas Family