I haven't posted for quite a while, first because I didn't feel I had anything to write about and then I got too busy. But thanks to my husband, I can now post a copy of our Christmas Letter.
Merry Christmas to all.
Change and Continuity,
2012:
Much
as we might want to think otherwise, there is hardly any chance that the world
will really end this December, so as we gear up for the future, here’s a review
of the recent past. This year our family experienced a few changes and more
continuity. As a fictional sheriff once said, “That could be good, or bad.”
The
biggest change was the passing of Maria’s mother, Inga Morgan, in June. After a
long wrestle with Alzheimer’s disease, her body finally succumbed. It was a
struggle to the end, and we learned that dying can be hard and perplexing, even
though death can be a sweet release. After years at her side at the Homestead,
including almost every hour in the last weeks, her husband Keith quickly left
Rexburg weather behind, returning to Oregon to live with Maria’s brother’s
family and to resume his service in the temple. There was a peaceful, hope-filled funeral, as
family and friends reflected on a noble life and a great plan of happiness.
A
different kind of change occurred in December, when Brooke completed her
undergraduate education at Brigham Young University. She has been an excellent
student, and if you want to bug her, just ask, “Now what?” She’d really like to
excel in family life more than professional achievement, but at present she
lacks a suitor and an employer. But
she does have faith, some skills (anyone need forensic linguistics?), and a creative mind. Plus she asserts more control over
the ’93 minivan than her little sister.
We
passed a couple of milestones without noticeable change. In April, Maria and
John marked 25 years of marriage with a luxurious trip to Paris, Idaho in their
Buick (also featuring stops in Soda Springs and Logan). Whew! Then in
September, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Maria’s birth. We
compiled some “golden plates” with the memories and observations of her friends
and relatives—all about her, of course—and we had a party. I don’t even think
she had to bake the cake, but I can’t remember for sure—it was all just “one
mad whirl,” like every night at our house.
Hannah
flirted with a bigger life-change this summer, when she accepted a marriage
proposal from a fellow Cougareat employee. But the engagement was “suspended”
in September—I say suspended in contrast to “broken” or “cancelled” or
“shattered,” and we’ll let the two of them figure out what the future brings.
Her short-term plans include a study abroad experience in Britain, though she
wants to squeeze in a side-trip to Florence, Italy. Her arms and fingers bear
the scars of Subway work (sandwiches, not tunnels), but she was promoted and
wears a hat of a different color when the hungry crowds descend each day.
Jordan
also strove for marital bliss, driving back and forth across the northern
border to woo a maiden. Sadly, his efforts ultimately went unrewarded, and now
he is a bitter old economist, or at least a heartsick student. Luckily he’ll be retaking a few classes
next year so he can get more practice with his major. Meanwhile he continues to
work at Porter’s Craft and Frame, which would seem like a good place to meet
potential domestic goddesses. Time should heal his wounds, if a steady diet of Taco
Bell, chicken nuggets, and Mountain Dew doesn’t kill him first. The cats
appreciate the time he spends in bed.
It
was a light year for travel, arts, and the other diversions we usually note.
John had a sabbatical semester for research and made a research trip to
Virginia (including some days in lovely ancestral Thomas lands with his parents),
as well as several road trips to Utah libraries and archives. Maria stayed home
for pretty much everything, but got to see some home improvements: new paint
for the exterior and a remodeled laundry and bathroom (ready for guests). She
continues to be a crafty queen and community contributor.
That’s
a wrap on 2012. Some things change a lot, others just a little, and some things
stay very much the same—most notably the reason for the season, He who is the
source of everlasting hope.
Merry
Christmas from the Thomas family!
As an aside let me add that the candy cane wreath does not keep well. Besides breaking easily, the candy canes get sticky over time, so plan on this one being just for one year. 
Snowmen on the piano.
How is this for cuteness? This picture was taken the day after my husband and I got engaged and I had it made into a Christmas plate. My intention was to do an updated picture each year but sadly this is the only one that got made.
Noel pillows. 
This advent calendar was another one of those things that I saw in a catalog. It was way too expensive to suit me so I asked my Dad to make it for me. He cut the wood and assembled it and I painted it. I think that I'd paint it differently if I were to do it now but there it is anyway. The biggest difference between this one and the catalog is that theirs was a music box and we didn't bother to do that. 
