It’s the Little Things

The older I get, the more I realize it doesn’t take much to make me happy.  At this point, Luke using his little potty could very well send me into the throes of unabashed elation.  Last week I went to the store with a pocketful of coupons.  I saved over 40% on my grocery bill.  You honestly would have thought I had just been given a new car.  I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.  The fact that three months ago it took $125 to fill up our Suburban, and on Friday it only took $53, was enough for me to throw myself a uni-party.  (Did I just make up a new word?)  The party itself was pretty mundane as it only consisted of a medium hazelnut latte from McDonald’s McCafe (not as good as Stbx but about $2 less – which for me was one more reason to celebrate!)  

Hey, while I’m on the subject, we don’t go to McDonald’s very often (the last time was last year on a road trip), but did you know that they are filming you while they take your order?  When I pulled up to the window the young man gave me my total and I asked him how he knew which order was mine.  I had been at one with those crazy double car lines and two people had pulled in front of me (complete cutters…it almost ruined my uni-party).  Anyway, he turned his screen toward me and there I was – head sticking out of the Suburban, face all contorted as I tried to shield myself from the rain/sleet mix while I was ordering!  SCARY!!! 

Wow – that was really off course.  Back to the little things.  This weekend was full of them, including staying in my pj’s all day on Saturday and finishing a good, LONG book (no, the postman didn’t come to the door).  As good as that was, Friday night was even better.  We made nachos and watched Kung Fu Panda as a family.  The movie came with a bonus DVD entitled Secrets of the Furious Five  (very good by the way).  It had a section of bonus material that had games, taught a dance routine to go with the song, “Kung Fu Fighting,” and also a part with a step by step guide to teach you the Kung Fu moves of your favorite characters from the movie.  Okay, seriously, this would have had you rolling on the floor.  Philip (true to form) took the part of “Crane” and mastered it completely.  Anna E.  really wanted to be “Viper,” but honestly, she is a true “Monkey” – she just didn’t want to admit it because Monkey is a boy.   Nate had to stick with “Panda” (probably because he is played by Jack Black, and he can already do a mean “Nacho Libre” impression).  Anyway, after watching them practice their killer Kung Fu moves, they decided to have a “Kung Fu Off.”   “No Touch Thompson” (aka Nathanael) did okay, although he might better stick to football because he almost knocked pictures off the wall in the process.  Philip, like I said pretty much mastered it, and little Anna E. found her new favorite thing.  Yes, say goodbye to ballet mom, my sweet little girl now wants to be a Kung Fu Fighter!  She already asked if she can have a karate uniform for Christmas.  Guess I better take back the tu-tu.  If you’re wondering, Wayland did get involved – he tried to be Crane, but he really couldn’t compete with Philip.  Luke just ran around punching the air, squealing, and running into walls.  (Maybe I should start getting worried)   The whole silly little night filled me with more joy than you can imagine.  I didn’t leave my comfort zone long enough to try any Kung Fu moves in front of everyone else, but you can bet your bottom dollar that when I’m all alone in this living room, I’m pulling out that DVD and learning that crazy dance.

The Week in Review

Just a few notes from the past week…..

Nate

Nathanael was blessed with a very humbling honor this past Sunday.  He had his end of year football banquet for Pups.  It was held at the Ritz Charles here in Carmel and everyone came “dressed to kill.”  It was really nice to go out to a nice event with the two big boys and leave the little ones at home with a baby-sitter.   There were only two individual awards given out at the banquet.  Chris Perkins, our super talented RB (and great kid) received the Terry Prather award for all-around best player.  Chris totally deserved this award (remember that name – you will be hearing at the next level some day).  The other individual award was one given for the first time this year and Nate was the recipient.  This award was given for leadership, heart, work ethic, outstanding character and true “TEAM” sportsmanship.  We are truly blessed to have a son who exhibits the types of qualities that earned him this award – way to go Nate.  Here are some pictures of Nate with his position coach (Beery) and head coach (Covington), as well as some miscellaneous pictures from the night.

 

Here is a little taste of the current leaf situation – we have about 70% of the leaves out of the trees at this point.  We spent 7 hours last Saturday blowing and bagging.  I would say that we bagged about 40% of the leaves last weekend – which is 40 large leaf bags.  Here are a couple of pictures:

Funny Stories

Our potty training war with Luke is in full swing right now.  We thought you might like to hear about how “spiritual” Luke is becoming – he is trying to turn it into a Holy War.  He went number 2 in his diaper a few days ago and when Kaleesha asked him why – he said that Jesus told him to.  When she said that Jesus did not tell him to, he said “You not hear him?”  He then preceded to cup his hands around his mouth and in a deep voice said “Luke, Jesus say poo poo in your diaper.”  Scary, isn’t it?

Last night, when I told Luke that I needed to change him, he said “Oh, Poppycock”.  That took us a little by surprise – so we asked him where he learned that word.  He proceeded to smile and dodge the question.  When pressed, he finally smiled a big smile and said “church.”  Call me crazy, but I don’t think he learned it there.

A couple of nights ago, Anna and I were making “Glow Dough” as part of a science experiment.  We had some corn starch on the table and Anna kept licking her finger and tasting it.  At one point, in her most dramatic voice, she oozed “Mmmm – kind of yummy.  Kind of yucky – but kind of yummy.”   That is exactly the type of thing Anna says on a regular basis (she kept eating it by the way). 

-Wayland

Happy, Happy Birthday Baby….

I had intended to do this post on Wednesday night from a hotel in Michigan.  It did not work out, so I am resigned to the fact that this post will actually hit on the 7th – the day after my bride’s birthday. 

Her day started with birthday love from her older sons – they both made her homemade cards.  Both cards included coupons for various chores – including “One Free Toilet Cleaning” (WOW!) and “One Free Game Night” (as in board games).  I got a pretty good laugh out of Philip’s – his coupons had an expiration date of January 19th which is his birthday.  I guess his desire to please ends abruptly on his own special day.  I got home around 5pm from Michigan and we went out to eat at one of our favorite local restaurants – Mudsock Grill (yes – she had the fish tacos).  When we got home, we got the little ones to bed – then the 4 of us started a game of Monopoly.  That was fun, even though Kaleesha was the first to go bankrupt – oops.  Nate and Phil then went to bed and Kaleesha and I “laughed until it hurt” to our DVR’ed “Office” episode.  After that, I promptly puked up my hamburger from dinner.  I know, I know – I am quite the romantic.  She is upstairs now reading a book.  

I just want to let everyone know how wonderful I think my wife is.  It is a rare person that brings out the best in those around them – Kaleesha has been blessed with this gift.  She is a tireless servant to her family - and is always looking for ways to improve our lives, while constantly making sacrifices in her own.  Kaleesha has been my best friend since the summer after our 9th grade school year – that is almost 18 of our 32 years.  I cannot imagine making this journey without her.  We always talk about how we are in the middle of what will surely prove to be our ”glory years”.   It is so reassuring to know that even though I can’t tell you where we will live in 3, 5, or 10 years – I know that I will have Kaleesha.  That has always been enough for me.  When we started talking about marriage (way too prematurely) all the way back in 10th grade, we had no way of knowing just how difficult it would be.  I also had no idea that it would be so much better than I ever imagined. 

I love you Kaleesha – Happy Birthday.   

-Wayland

Turkey Run State Park

We took advantage of our first Saturday off in a LONG time and went to Turkey Run State Park in western Indiana for a day of hiking.  Turkey Run is close enough that we were able to sleep in and leave around noon – rest that we would soon need as we decided to throw caution to the wind and hike some of the “rugged” trails with all four kids.  Some of the highlights from the day were getting swarmed by Ladybugs, watching Philip sprint up near verticle hills and rock formations, being amused by Anna’s high maintenance ways, and Luke addressing people all day with various greetings as we laughed until it hurt.  It is also fun to see the older boys test their limits and courage as they explored today.  I love the fact that even though Kaleesha gets nervous, she balances her motherly instincts with her own sense of adventure and lets her boys develop as young men. 

The park was beautiful – the leaves are turning right now, and the temperature was perfect considering it is November.  The park centers around Sugar Creek – which in Texas would be considered a full-fledged river.  There is a large suspension bridge (see picture below) that bounces and sways as you cross it.  Philip had been asking to join a long standing tradition (and an illegal one at that) by jumping off the bridge (about 30 feet) into the “creek.”  There were two main issues with this – it has not rained in a while so the creek was only about 3 feet deep and the water is, of course, super cold this time of year. 

The best part of the trip was hiking down into the many gorges and ravines that are the main attraction of the park.  Anna and Luke were real troopers and even thrived on the trails.  My favorite part of the trip was when we would find ourselves alone on the trail enjoying the peace of God’s creation.  At one point, Luke was on my shoulders and we were ahead of the rest of the group.  We were enjoying singing songs together in the middle of the woods without a care in the world. 

Towards the end of the day, Philip had conviced us to hike to one more rock formation that was on the opposite side of the creek from the parking lots.  It was a very “up and down” trail that none of us were very excited about following back to the bridge.  I made the half-serious suggestion that we just wade across the river and hike back down the shoreline to where the car was.  Despite the boys’ warnings that there were posted signs stating “No Wading in River,” Kaleesha thought my idea was a great option.  Before I could think it through, she had socks and shoes off and her pants rolled up.  With many curious onlookers, off went Team Thompson crossing the creek.  Fortunately, that part of the river was knee deep at worse and no park rangers were around. 

It was so good to get back outdoors (other than football games) and enjoy each other’s company.  I have posted some pictures below and hope to get some links to some video later.

-Wayland

Happy Halloween

Here are some pictures from tonight.  Check out the awesome costumes that my very talented mom made for the little ones.  We received many compliments on them tonight.

Indian Warrior

           

Indian Princess

      

Fanatic Fan

           

Sidelined Tony Romo

              

Some of the highlights from tonight were Luke telling everyone he passed “Hey Big Guy” and Anna trying desperately to stay in the moccasins that were about 3 sizes too big (even with 3 Kleenex stuffed in the toes). 

We went to one of our dear friend’s wedding last weekend.  It was a kid friendly event – we ended up taking everyone but Nate (he was at a church youth retreat).  It was a blast – Philip never left the dance floor at the reception.  Philip was also the recipient of the garter – they wanted him to take a picture with the groom and he was having none of it.  He finally relented and cracked everyone up by putting the garter around his head.  I have included a picture of our “Little Luker” all dressed up.  He is so handsome.