Updates and Random Details

I recently asked for prayer for my sister and her family after their car accident, and also for my Grammi after she took a nasty fall.  Several of you have emailed and asked how they are doing, so I thought I’d give a quick update.  At the time of the accident, my sister and her family were traveling back to Odessa from East Texas for a job interview for my brother-in-law.  He got a job, and they are currently trying to pack up and be back in Odessa sometime this weekend.  I know this is extra stressful after so much going on, and it has been really hard on my sister.  Kayli will have to drive back pulling a trailer (she was the one driving at the time of the accident) and she is really nervous.  If that isn’t enough, her knee has been bothering her since the accident.  It is swollen and bruised, and after seeing a doctor yesterday, they suggested she see an orthopedic surgeon to have the blood drained from the knee so they could see if there were any fractures (they couldn’t get a good picture on the X-ray because of all the blood and fluid).  They also told her to stay off of it.  HA! Fat chance, since she is trying to pack up a house and move.  My brother-in-law is still having trouble with his shoulder as well.  Please keep them in your prayers. 

My Grammi was moved out of ICU the end of last week, and on Saturday they transferred her into a rehabilitation facility.  My dad took off Sunday afternoon and was able to be with her Monday and Tuesday to see how she is doing.  She has started some physical therapy (she is walking with a walker) and will have another CT scan on the 22nd.  Hopefully if all comes back clear, she will be released.  She is still experiencing some dizziness and nausea, which is not uncommon with a head injury.  Please continue to pray for her to regain her strength and that her spirits would be lifted.  It is hard to be so far away and not check on her in person.  We’re praying for you, Grammi.  Keep your head up and lean on Jesus like you always do. 

In the world of TEAMThompson, we are trying to make it through this last week of school in 2009.  I’m not sure why it has been so hard to drag myself out of bed these past few days.  Philip had a field trip yesterday (and, of course, I was there as well) to sing with the choir in downtown Indy.  I cried.  I can’t believe he is about to finish his elementary years.  Tomorrow they have another concert at the school…I’m hoping Wayland can make it back from Michigan in time to see it – to me, there is nothing quite like hearing children sing Christmas songs.  Speaking of Philip…I’m going to let you all in on a big surprise.  Every year, the kids’ elementary school does a fifth grade play/musical.  (You might remember Nathanael starring as “The Bill” in School House Rock, Live!  a couple of years ago)  Well, this year the fifth grade class will be performing High School Musical, Jr.  and Philip will have a featured role.  Out of over 70 kids who tried out, Philip was honored to be chosen one of sixteen who will have speaking parts and a solo.  Way to go, Philip!  (He’d never tell you this, but he was head to head with one of his buddies for the lead role…I think his lack of experience in “the theater” was the deciding factor).

This past weekend was wonderful.  After basketball, we spent the day on our quaint little Main street - window shopping and enjoying the holiday festivities around us.  We stopped off at a local burger joint to celebrate Philip’s upcoming musical debut and Nate decided to tackle the 22 ounce hamburger monstrosity called, “The Big Ugly.”  After some shaky moments, he was finally able to swallow that last bite and was awarded with his picture on the wall for his conquering achievements.  Philip ate a half pounder (which was about the equivalent of Nate’s feat) and neither of the boys ate again all day.  Saturday night, Anna E. and I braved the cold, wet weather and attended a live nativity put on by one of the hospitals in town.  There were camels, donkey, sheep and a surfeit of heavenly hosts.  Even though she spilled her very hot, hot chocolate all over me, I savored the moment of having my baby girl in my lap and watching her eyes light up as the Christmas story was told and the choir sang.  When we got to the car she told me (in her all too familiar dramatic fashion) that, “This was the best day of my life.  I will never forget this.  I’m going to tell this to my children and my children’s children.”  Yes, baby.  I know you will.  Anna is me made over when it comes to the holidays.  She loves the lights, the stories, the songs, the memories made.  She has also taken over the job of changing the days on our “Countdown to Christmas” plaque.  I’m so thankful – I did not need one more thing to be responsible for; she has lightened my load and I’m very happy!  As for Luke, I think he is more excited about having his brothers and sister home for break than for Christmas itself.  He keeps asking, ”how many more days do they have to go to school?”  I’m so thankful that despite their occasional spats, they are all really pretty close and enjoy spending time with one another.  I honestly couldn’t ask for more.  

I hope and pray you are all happy, healthy and enjoying this glorious time of the year.  (If I don’t get my Christmas cards out this year, you can consider that your holiday greeting!)  9 more days!!!  (I sound like Anna E.) 

May the Force be with you…

I don’t feel I have adequately portrayed Luke’s love of all things Star Wars on the blog.  I’m talking certifiably C-R-A-Z-Y about it all.  He prefers to be called Luke Elliot  Skywalker  Thompson now.  (Guess that’s better than Bob) 

When his brothers are being nice to him, they are named “Jedi.”  When they are annoying him, it’s either Darth Vader or Darth Maul.  If he sees an inanimate object he thinks looks “good” it is also a Jedi, and Imperial Force names are given to bad things.  It’s everyday all throughout the day.  If he were my first-born I’d be concerned.  Right now, as long as he’s not hurting anyone, I’m sticking with the “it’s just a phase” theory. 

Today after another full day of doing this and that… running here and there, we were all ready for bed.  Our routine is that I brush Luke’s teeth first to rid them of all the filth and slime, and then he attempts to brush his teeth to get some practice.  I was watching him brush and noticed that he kept sticking his toothbrush into the sink.  While he was poking around in there he was making his signature “lightsaber fighting noises.”  He was also making his signature “lightsaber fighting face” which involves squinting of the eyes, crinkling of the nose, and curling of the lips.  It scares me.

“Luke, stop putting your toothbrush into the sink.  That’s gross!”

“Well, Mama!!!  Mama, there’s a bubble in there with a force field.  It has to have a force field around it because my lightsaber toothbrush can’t pop it.” 

I dismissed his comment and carried him to bed.  When I came back into the bathroom after getting him all tucked in, I noticed that I had dropped one of my disposable contacts into the sink.  It was turned upside down and looked exactly like a bubble.

A bubble with a force field.

Will You Pray?

Hi friends.  I have a prayer request for y’all.  Last night my Grammi (dad’s mom) fell down some stairs and did a fair amount of damage to her very sturdy nearly 80-year-old body.  Despite bumping her noggin pretty good (she had to have the back of her head sewn up and has a hematoma on the brain that is being monitored by a neurosurgeon) she is still her feisty, wonderful self.  She is miles from home in an ICU and has only a small amount of family to gather around her.  Please pray for her speedy recovery (head, brain, other broken/chipped bones) and that she will feel the peace that passes understanding in the arms of her loving Savior.  She is an amazing woman and if I know her well, this isn’t going to slow her down in the least.  Rumor has it that she threatened to beat her nurse with a frying pan if he didn’t let her get some sleep.  Not the first time she’s done that, probably won’t be the last!   

We love and miss you, Grammi!  Get well soon.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It’s a beautiful Monday morning here in Indiana.  White snow blankets the house, the trees and the ground.  It quiets my soul.  I need that right now.   

As I sit here typing, I am watching my little one play in the snow out the back windows.  What a beautiful picture.  

Oops! Where'd he go?

 

There he is...look how big he is getting!

 

What are you up to, little man?

 

Run for your life, Mama!!

 

  I love this time of the year.  Snuggling with my babies under blankets on the couch. 

 

  

 Feasting on delicious morsels with those I love most.  

  

Decorating the house.

 

And the tree.  

 

Listening to Christmas music.  Burning candles.  Looking at lights.  Drinking hot chocolate.  Reading our favorite Christmas stories, watching our favorite Christmas movies.  Spending time with my family.  Celebrating the birth of our glorious Savior, Jesus Christ.  It really is the most wonderful time of the year. 

Praising God…

This weekend my sister, her husband, and my precious little nephew and niece were in a very serious roll-over car accident.  I got a call on Friday afternoon and couldn’t believe what my sister was telling me.  When I saw pictures of the car, I was literally sick.  I’m thanking God for His hand of protection.  For keeping the lives of my family.  That they were wearing their seatbelts.  That they will get a new car.  That I will see them again in this life. 

Please pray for their complete recovery – both physically and emotionally.

A weekend to be thankful for…

We are just completing a great weekend hanging out all by our lonesome.  It’s always tough facing another holiday away from family - but I have got to say that these are times that draw us closer still.  We were told when we moved from Odessa to Albuquerque that it would be a time that would stretch us both emotionally and spiritually.  The move to Indiana, we knew, would test our fortitude even more.  Even as approach our 5th anniversary of living here, we still find it difficult to hear all the voices in the background over the phone and realize everyone is having a great time together.  But as sure as we feel those things, we are also blessed to cling to each other and make special memories.  God has deepened our faith in Him and our need for each other in a way that has enhanced our family and made us stronger.  This long weekend was complete with new memories that were made and a new appreciation for our “team.”

Thursday morning found us older boys getting ready for our first Turkey Bowl football game put on by our great friends the McGinnises.  We have been invited for the past 3 years, but have either had family in town or been out-of-town.  I started stretching at about 8:45 for our 10am game.  Kaleesha thought it was hilarious that I then announced we had to get there 15 minutes early so I could stretch some more (doesn’t she know by now that these Thompson boys don’t do anything halfway…)  I am proud to admit I escaped the morning’s games with no major injuries – just pain in areas that have not been sore for quite a long time.  Philip played some great QB and Nate was catching passes like I have never seen him.  A good time was had by all – great friends are a must when you are so far from home.

When we got home, we started looking for the restaurant that we would eat at for Thanksgiving – that’s right… a restaurant.  Kaleesha decided that rather than slave over a meal for 5 hours that only 3 of us would eat anyway – that we would go out to eat and spare ourselves the preparation/cleanup.  My vote was for a restaurant that was downtown and offered a pretty fancy spread.  In the end, Cracker Barrel won out due to the kid vote.  Actually, I am glad – we had a delicious meal for about a quarter of what the other meal would have cost.  The only downside was that it was surprisingly busy - we had to wait about an hour to eat.  We upheld our yearly tradition of going around the table sharing things we are most thankful for and I am always blown away by the what I hear come out of our kid’s mouths.  They seem to get it – their answers revolve around love, family, and God’s blessings in our lives.    

After eating, we decided to go see a movie.  We have one of those new IMAX theaters in town and decided to go see a Christmas Carol (the animated with Jim Carrey).  We could have just seen the movie on one of the normal, smaller screens – but in a rare moment of weakness, we decided to splurge and do the whole 3-D IMAX experience on the big screen.  It was unbelievable - it looked like you were going to get whacked upside the head by the stuff jumping off the screen.  Kaleesha made the comment that for the first time in a long time she felt like we got our money’s worth at the movie theater (even though she got motion sickness as Scrooge was flying through the London streets). 

Friday morning, Kaleesha braved the crowds with a friend while the rest of us hung out at the house.  The day was pretty laid back as we got out Christmas decorations and got the outside lights ready to put up.  I was working – but it was a pretty quiet day as all my sales reps and their customers were on vacation.  It was my birthday as well – so Kaleesha made me my meal of choice that night and we just hung out together.

Saturday, we finished our decorating on the inside and outside of the house.  We then met the McGinnises and another couple for an early dinner so that we could caravan down to the Indiana 5A High School Championship game.  Carmel played in its 4th straight state championship game – but came up short this time.  Without reliving the debacle all over again for the 42nd time, lets just say the officials blatantly missed a call that would have ended the game in Carmel’s favor.  It was yet another scenario that we could drive home the life lesson that life is not always fair to Nate and Philip.  As always, we were very proud of the player’s and coach’s reaction and handling of the situation. 

 

Today, Kaleesha took the kids swimming at the Monon Center while I finished prepping the house for the winter.  The high temperatures by the end of week are supposed to be in the mid 20’s.  Its been unseasonably warm this fall which has allowed us to work on the yard longer and enjoy the outdoors more.  This evening Philip played in one of his All-Star games.  It always takes him a few weeks to start playing well.  To Philip, basketball and baseball are something to fill the time between football seasons.  He hardly picks up a basketball outside of the season.  Tonight he continued to play solid defense and hustle  for loose balls (his normal style) while missing some easy shots (he gets lots of fast break opportunities because of his defense).  But something clicked in the second half of his game and he exploded for 9 points – pretty good considering we only had 18 points total.  His shooting is coming around – so it should be interesting.  Nate starts wrestling tomorrow – we hear it is the most brutal sport as far as practice goes.  We will let you know how he feels when he gets home. 

We hope everyone had as blessed a weekend as we did.  We all have so much to be thankful for.

Na Na Na Na Boo Boo

Okay, so my title is tacky.  I know that.  Sorry.  I really can’t help it. 

It dawned on me today that Thanksgiving is only two days away, and I haven’t given one single iota of thought to what I have to make or what I have to clean up.  My house is in shambles, and my fridge and pantry are scantily stocked at best.  Considering we are not going anywhere, and no one is coming here to visit (the first time that has happened since we’ve lived in here in the Hoosier state), I feel no pressure to clean house or turkeys.  Yeah!  Maybe I would feel differently if it felt more like a holiday.  The kids are in school until their normal dismissal time tomorrow, and I won’t feel like we’re taking a break until the notorious parade is in full swing on Thursday morning.  By that time, we’ll be heading over to join in our first “Turkey Bowl” – a game of pickup football between a great group of family friends.  Our food plans for the day???  I think we’ve decided on Cracker Barrel.  I don’t plan to do anything more than pass through my kitchen on Thursday, and I feel pretty darn excited about it to tell you the truth. 

The downside to all the free time we have on Thanksgiving this year?  Time not devoted to packing, driving half-way across the country, unpacking and then starting all over again?  Time not spent scrubbing floors and tubs, and planning out a week’s worth of meals for company?  It’s pretty clear, isn’t it?  Although the six of us will be together and enjoying each other’s company, we will dearly miss our extended family – the laughter, the craziness, the food that no one makes like Mom or Grandma.  Cracker Barrel may be inexpensive and hassle free (and perfectly perfect for this year), but you can be sure that even though we’re far away, we’ll be counting our wonderful family and friends among the things we are most thankful for this year!

Round and Foxy

The other day, my sweet little Luke looked over at me and said, “Mama, you’re round.” 

I begin to choke on the chocolate chip cookie I had in my mouth.  When I finally regained my composure, I asked him to repeat himself.  (I’m a sucker for punishment).  Sure enough, I had heard him correctly.

“Mama, you’re round. (long, long pause) Round and foxy.”

By this time my head was swimming.  “Round and foxy???”

“Yep, just like Manny says on Ice Age 3.”

Okay, we have watched that movie one time.  Once!!!  That’s the line he takes away from it???  I really wasn’t sure whether to be offended after being compared to a female wooly mammoth, or if he meant it as an enduring term of love and affection.  I’m going with the latter, even though my rational mind tells me I’m perfectly pathetic for believing that. 

That, along with a good inch and a half of dark brown and gray root growth, was enough to plunge my self-confidence to new depths.  I was in dire need of a cut/color so that’s where I headed this afternoon.  It never ceases to amaze me how much sheer joy I receive sitting in that chair for at least an hour without having any other duty.  Thanks Mom and Dad for the birthday money…now my new boots have a decent head of hair to go along with them!   And to all the rest of you wonderful friends and family…thanks so much for the sweet cards, lunch, the flowers, and the steady infusion of caffeine (aka Stbx cards!!!) you sent my way to celebrate my birthday.  I am humbled by your kindness and the gift God has given me in such faithful friends. 

In completely other unrelated news, Philip has started basketball and is in full frenzied play.  That kid has more hustle than Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony.  (Just so you know…I had to look that up because, although I am old – I’m not quite THAT old!)  It is completely exhausting and exhilarating watching Philip play.  He has inherited some of his Granddad’s super-athletic basketball moves, all the while reminding me of his Papa dribbling down the court with his tongue peeking out of the corner of his mouth.   

Luke joined Anna this past week at her gym for a trial gymnastics class.  I wasn’t sure how he’d do, but I don’t think he was the one I should have been worried about.  He listened well and fit right in with the other 3 and 4 years old who have been in the class for several months.  Unfortunately, Anna E. couldn’t concentrate on her class with little brother within 100 yards of her.  She kept yelling his name, waving, and giving “across the room” hugs and kisses to him.  One time she even ran over and almost tackled him in her excitement.  He was waiting in line for his turn to do an obstacle course, and despite the fact he was finding it very hard to keep his balance with his sister hanging all over him, he never took his hands from behind his back.  He just looked at me with eyes that were screaming, “HELP!!!”  I had to laugh.  He is quite the rule follower and I find that very interesting.  The other night at a basketball practice, Anna kept running between the two teams from one side of the court to another.  That drives me crazy, and I kept getting on to her about making sure she didn’t get in the players’ way.  Luke eventually decided that he would like to join Anna on the other side (she was practicing dribbling in a little alcove).  I told him to follow the black line across the court so he didn’t get in the middle of the practices going on around him.  He painstakingly put one foot in front of the other and walked toe to heel on that black line…even going around the semi-circle at center court.  Another mom looked at me and said, “Wow.  He’s quite the rule follower isn’t he?”  About that time Anna E. came flying across the court; arms waving, legs flying.  I looked at the mom and said, “Yes, but his sister is quite the free spirit.”  It guess it takes all kinds.   

Of course, Luke comes by his rule following ways naturally.  His mom and oldest brother being quite the rule followers themselves.  When Anna gave him some stamps today, he asked me what he should do with them.  “I don’t know, Luke.  Put them on your face if you want…just don’t put them on any windows.”  A few minutes later he came back in the kitchen and said, “Like this, Mama?”

Yes, baby.  Just like that.

Saying Goodbye

When I wrote this over a year and a half ago, our family thought we only had days left with Great-Gran.  Those days passed.  Weeks too.  When we visited Texas a year ago at Thanksgiving, we felt we had been granted a special blessing to visit and love on her in person.  When we said goodbye, we thought it might be for the last time.

Wednesday, our precious Iris went home to be with the love of her life…her Savior, Jesus Christ.  Today, the family will be celebrating her life in a small service in East Texas.  She will be laid to rest next to her husband and remembered with all the love and fondness you can imagine.  Sadly, Wayland has been in Wisconsin on business since last Sunday.  He is scheduled to teach a class today, and is not going to be able to attend the funeral.  Please pray for him as he has been alone this week and had much time to ponder.  He flies home tonight – I know he wishes he could be with his family right now.  We all do.  Please join us in praising God for calling home one of His faithful servants, and pray for the family as they deal with the loss of a precious, precious gift.

Yes. I’m Still Here.

I feel I have neglected the poor blog long enough.  When so much time elapses, I really don’t know where to start.  Too much has happened.  I have new gray hairs and wrinkles to prove it. 

Granny left last week.  I think I laid on the couch almost all day Tuesday.  I felt like a lazy bum.  A lazy, comfy, content and warm bum.  (Typing bum that many times makes me feel a bit judgemental and politically incorrect – please don’t take it that way though).  It’s really all my mother-in-law’s fault.  If she hadn’t made all the kids “snuggies” while she was here, I wouldn’t have felt the need to play Goldilocks and try them all out.  That pretty much summed up my Tuesday.  Reading in Nate’s snuggie.  Snack break.  Reading in Philip’s snuggie.  Lunch break.  Reading in Anna’s snuggie.  Another snack break.  Using Luke’s snuggie as a blanket until he caught me and took it away.  He really doesn’t like to wear it around his neck that much, but after some coaxing, he does finally think his is “awesomer” than Anna E.’s because his has a pocket underneath for his feet.  Here are the kids modeling Granny’s latest gifts:

Nathanael wears his all the time. I mean all the time. We call him "monk boy" when he walks through the house in it with nothing on underneath except his boxers.

 Granny set up her sewing machine (it’s actually one she gave me but she still uses it more than me…even though she lives hundreds of miles away) while she was here she worked non-stop on recovering couch cushions, snuggies, a nightgown, a baby gift, Halloween costumes, and all the mending we had stockpiled for her since her last visit.  This is how the kids ended up looking on the 31st:

Anna E. as Lucy from Chronicles of Narnia

She's really getting into character here

Sir Luke from the House of Thompson

Watch out - he's deadly with that thing

Purple-icious

When the wig got "itchy" he went for the Middle Eastern look

Philip teased his Granny by sending her an email asking for a princess dress.  He didn’t think she’d take him seriously.  When she came with dress in tow, we made sure Philip followed through with it.  The worst part of the night was, despite the sun shining brightly for a while, it was pretty cold.  I told Philip before we left to go put on a pair of leggings under his dress.  Yes. Leggings.  Unfortunately, when we met up with some friends and Philip wanted to take off his dress to throw the football, he was wearing his sister’s pink lace leggings under that dress instead of basketball shorts or wind pants.  I don’t know what I was thinking…I guess I was in the “girl” mindset and doing what I would if Anna E. was wearing a dress.  Oops!  You’ll notice Nathanael is missing from the above pics.  He went all “middle-schooler” on us and opted to attend a bonfire with some friends instead of hanging out with his family.  That’s okay, I ended up getting some great one-on-one time with him later in the week.

This past Thursday, Nathanael and I went downtown to the Convention Center to attend the National Middle School Conference.  Nate’s school was chosen to represent a 21st Century Model Classroom and Nathanael was one of about thirty students chosen to demonstrate how technology can be used to make learning more efficient in the classroom.  On his permission slip there was a line for parent chaperones and after much begging and pleading, Wayland made a way to rearrange his schedule so I could attend as well.  All I can say is that what I saw was amazing and awe-inspiring.  I watched Nathanael use electronic microscopes to take pictures and record video of hair and cheek cells, download them on a laptop notebook and then proceed to explain the whole thing to teachers from Florida who were looking in on the process.  His group also linked up with NASA to use what they were learning in math to land airplanes on a flight simulator.  Nathanael was the first one to get it right.  A heart surgeon did a distance learning lab with the kids where they compared and contrasted real hearts from healthy people and those who had suffered heart attacks.  It was just like he was in the classroom.  The technology there blew me away and what’s even better was that our middle school actually received some of the equipment that was being demonstrated at the conference.  What an honor.

Nathanael and I got some more mother/son time on Saturday night participating in a living drama at Conner Prairie.  For my birthday…yes – I’m another year older, and no, Wayland didn’t do a blog card this year.  He did write me a pretty nice letter on notebook paper though…just like in the old days.  Anyway – for my birthday I asked Wayland if Nathanael and I could do this program that gives people a glimpse of what it would have been like to be part of the Underground Railroad.  I’ve wanted to do this from the first year we moved here, but participants have to be at least 12 years old.  Now I know why.  Nathanael and I, along with 13 others, were taken out into a dark wooded area of the settlement and told that we would be playing the role of slaves who would try to escape from their master and reach freedom on the infamous Underground Railroad.  I was scared and extremely emotional during a good portion of it.  Although the “slave traders” were only actors, and more than likely really nice people in real life, they did an amazing job of verbally and mentally abusing us into believing we were nothing more than animals.  When Nathanael and I were separated into a “bucks” and “breeders” line, I begin to cry.  I couldn’t lift my eyes to look for him and see if he was okay without the actors yelling and berating me.  They gave all participants strips of white fabric that they could tie around their head if the experience got too intense.  Evidently, Nathanael was fine and only worried about me – neither of us ended up using our white strips.  I wouldn’t call the experience “fun,” but I will say it was very poignant and thought-provoking.  A perfect birthday present for me. 

I know there are about forty-two more things I promised myself I would blog about, but I’ve run out juice.  Lucky you.