My Mom and I went to the Applewood Restaurant before going to Dollywood and it was so much fun! The atmosphere is all apples and they give you so much food its crazy. I totally recommend this place if you are ever in TN. My Mom is one of my best and closest friends and we wanted to have some girl time. I also wanted to go places while I was there since this trip was extremely expensive due to the airfare amount due to gas prices in the summer! But, family is worth it and I hardly see them all year.
So my Mom and I planned a fun trip and this was the first day of our trip. We went to the Applewood restaurant and then headed over to Dollywood on the most freezing day of the year! It was so cold I thought at times that I was going to freeze to death. We picked the coldest day to go! Oh well, we made the best of it (see next post)! I wanted to give my Mom something to remember our trip by and so the necklace is her gift to remember all of our fun together.
Here is a tribute to my Mom...
I adore my Mom, she is an incredible elect lady. She has taught me so much and always been there for me. She is a talented teacher, genealogist, she is a dedicated member of the church, a temple worker, she loves the Lord and has never lost her testimony even during tough trials and hardships. She is humble, kind and tries to bless everyone. She has a generous heart and a love of history and our ancestors. She has created multiple books of family history. Because of this I know who my relatives are and they are real people to me.
She has documented my life and created a magical childhood for me full of love, fun and adventure. We laugh a lot and we can be so silly together. She is warm and loving to everyone that knows her and tries to reach out to those around her. She is not perfect, but close and I know that Heavenly Father adores her. She has done more then humanly possible in genealogy and has changed lives with her love and dedication. I am so glad for every minute I get to spend with her. When I got home from this trip I felt so sad that I could not be with her.
I always felt close to my Mom from the time I was a baby to now. I could hardly stand the thought of anything happening to her it almost prevented me from going to college. I went through a phase as a little girl that when she left the house I was worried that she would not come back.
I love how she tries to bounce back when problems happen and she tries to constantly improve herself. She is AMAZING around children and they FLOCK to her. Because she is genuine and is fun! I am so excited for her that she gets to be a grandmother soon due to John and Lindsay having a baby.
She has done so many cool things in her life, going to Europe (twice), serving a mission in New York City and so many other trips to Cancun, Hawaii, etc... Joining the church as a teenager and never looking back even with so much opposition. She changed the next generations when she made that choice, blessing my life and future generations. She has always remained faithful to my Dad and has loved him. She is so quick to forgive and never means to hurt anyone. They are so good laughing through their trials and I am so glad they are my parents. They truly live the gospel to the best of their ability and are not hypocrites always teaching through example. Hopefully you now know my Mom better. Some of her words of wisdom from growing up:
I was staring at her at 5 yrs old thinking how beautiful she was and told her, "Mommy you are so beautiful." She said, "Thanks Emmie, but remember its more important to be beautiful on the inside than on the outside."
When it comes to people who might not like you: "Pretend that everyone you meet loves you and treat them like they do and you will never feel that no one does not like you." I have done this and it works!!! I feel so much better and try to be kind to everyone I know even with difficult personalities you can look at it as a challenge!
I gave every couple a custom made journal with a jar of questions to answer together and to write down in their journal so they can record their story! John's holding the Christmas CD I made for everyone in the family.
My Mom and Dad's book
My Mom gave me a teaching kit to use at church for Relief Society
Another favorite gift! This is about the Thomas family history, can't wait to read it :O)
Robert got an Art desk, because he is an INCREDIBLE artist and if you want one of a kind pictures ask me to draw one for you. He does homes really well.
A pinic basket that my Mom put together for me! I am so excited to one day use it. I could not bring it back with me due to airplane travel! I don't have a picture of it but it was one of my favorite gifts. Its a memory card game with everyone in the family's pictures and names. My Mom and I played it on that Sunday before I left. We had fun and each one a round! 
