Care to Join Me?

Today is not only Black Friday, it is also my hubby’s birthday.  Anyone care to join me in wishing him the best one ever?

Happy Birthday Wayland.  We love you!!!

 

I survived Camp Flat Rock…

Well, I am happy to report that after 3 days of camping with the entire 5th grade class at Forest Dale Elementary – I am still sane, still alive, and even brought Philip back intact.  This trip is just one more example of why we love the school district here in Carmel.  Most 5th graders in the district get to spend anywhere from one to three days at this YMCA  camp about an hour and 15 minutes southeast of Indianapolis.  That’s some kind of field trip if you ask me.  When Nate went 2 years ago, I was unwilling to leave our football team behind to be a chaperone.  This year – even if we had not been knocked out of the playoffs, I knew I would be going to take care of Philip.  The alternative was to have the school district hire a personal nurse to follow Philip around to count carbs and help with insulin dosages.  They would have been required to do so – but imagine being the only kid with a personal nurse following him around.  Although there were plenty of parents there, I felt like it was important to keep a little distance since I was not only there to herd 5th graders, but also to make sure his blood sugar levels were good and he was not having to miss too much of the fun checking his blood sugars and messing with his pump.  It was my primary goal to let him be as normal as possible.  I think he got a little tired of me constantly asking him if I was giving him enough space - he finally said, “Dad, its OK, you are cool.”   That just about made the trip for me!

On the diabetes front, his numbers could not have been better.  The heavy activity kept them on the lower side of his target range – but he only had a couple of readings below range.  The only real scare came when he forgot to give himself his insulin after dinner on Thursday night.  It was partially my fault for not double-checking, but we were very afraid that we would have a hard time catching up to the carbs and that he was going to run high all night.  Instead of getting approximately 6-7 units of insulin, he only got 1.5 units 2 hours later before we caught our mistake.  Running high has a couple of negative consequences – including lots of urinating (not good when the closest bathrooms are 40 yards down the path from your cabin), feeling lousy, and worst case scenario – ketoacidosis (don’t ask!).  After a few nervous calls to Kaleesha and the endocrinologist on call, we came up with a plan.  First, we had him drink a ton of water – seventeen glasses to be exact.  This would help him rid his body of the excess sugars better.  We also decided to check his blood sugar every 2 hours through the night.  I checked before bed and at 1, 3, and 5am.  Not only were all of his numbers near perfect all through the night, but he did not wake up once.  There are only 2 reasonable explanations for these great numbers considering he got less that 1/4 of the insulin he needed - and God gets the glory either way.  Either God just miraculously intervened, or because of all the extra physical activity during the day, Philip could have experienced delayed hypoglycemia which could have been very dangerous had he gotten all 6-7 units.  Praise God that even when Philip and dad mess up, he is there to watch over us.  The other great take-away from the trip was that I got a lot of practice being the sole parent responsible for his care.  It will make me better – and gave Kaleesha a nice break from the daily toil. 

Some highlights from the trip included some awesome “in the field” education on river, fen (look it up), and forest ecologies.  The students hunted for bugs, animals, mushrooms, and geologic features – all the while learning how to tell trees apart, determine if a river is healthy, and understand the impact man has had on this area.  The counselors were fantastic (if not a wee bit eccentric – see pictures) and challenged the student’s mentally and spiritually just as much as they did physically.  Philip was also able to do archery and climb the 60 foot “Alpine Tower” in addition to taking part in the Team Challenge.  Team Challenge was probably the best session because our group of 16 students were put into several situations where they had to think their way out.  The coach in me wanted to scream out instruction, but the camp counselor held me back.  Each time they would get close to completing a challenge, one of the goof-off students would ruin it for them.  True to the counselor’s word, the leaders started to step up and instruct the group and corral the ”trouble-makers”.  It was a huge blessing to see Philip’s leadership skills come front and center as he was not only vocal – but was really thinking through the situation.  I know God has blessed him with this character trait – he is a true leader, and not a follower. 

Now, imagine all of this being done in constant rain.  Wednesday and Thursday morning were chilly, but dry.  By Thursday afternoon, we were all slogging around in mud and making the best of it.  I came away from this weekend completely impressed with these young people and what they have to contribute to society in the future.  The most hilarious/scary part of the trip was the square dance on Thursday night.  The students all knew it was coming – the majority of the girls filled with notions of grandeur and the boys filled with angst.  Philip was convinced by buddies that if he did not ask a girl to be his partner, he would probably be assigned an unknown girl.  The girl he ended up asking (through a friend of course) is a girl that he has been linked to for quite some time.  There seems to be some mutual interest – even though Philip is not allowed (and for the most part not interested) in having a girlfriend.  I told several parents that if the same interest is there in 5-6 years I would be perfectly happy as this young lady is super smart, athletic and cute as a button.  I could not believe my eyes when I got to the lodge for dinner that night.  Many of the girls had makeup on and were all dolled up after being mud and rain-soaked just an hour before.  There was a nervous buzz all through dinner and then in the interim before the dance started.  You can imagine the broken hearts and silent prayers of thanks that went up once the counselor announced that boys would dance with boys and girls with girls.  I saw more than a few tears from the girls – and there was a mass exodus from the boy’s bathroom of boys who were determined to ride out the dance in a stall. 

We had a great time – one of those experiences that strengthens those bonds.  On the home front, Kaleesha’s fears of Swine Flu at the middle school and her precious Philip away at camp were met with a Peace that passes all understanding.  Here are some pictures to enjoy. 

WT

Cabin Life (otherwise known as “Yurts”)

Philip with his teacher Mr. S

Lucky 13

Happy Anniversary to my beautiful wife.  Sometimes you have anniversaries in the midst of sheer bliss and sometimes they happen when you feel like you have been beaten with a 2X4.  This year has been one of the latter.  Our family has been tested in a number of ways - and our marriage has been a casualty to all of these external pressures from time to time (kind of like two sparrows in a hurricane – eh?).  At times it has felt like we are barely keeping our heads above water individually, much less collectively.  But…  I am a big believer in the old wise saying that “what does not kill us makes us stronger”.  And I know that I could not have made it through the past year without you.  I need you more than I ever have – and look forward to all of  the adventures we have yet to experience together.  Thanks for always having a life preserver at the ready.  And thanks for giving me a quick dunk when I need it.   Be patient with me – I am a work in progress.  I love you.

Major events from 1996:

Susan Sarandon is awarded the Oscar for Best Actress in Dead Man Walking

Dolly, the first cloned sheep, is born

militant leaders of a little known group called the Taliban take over Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan 

Wayland Thompson marries Kaleesha Eddings in quite possibly the longest wedding ceremony the world has ever seen

Bob Dole sweeps the Republican primaries

Dallas beats Pittsburg for their 3rd Super Bowl win in 3 years

Wayland plans exciting year of travel for he and his new bride

George Burns, celebrated actor, dies at age 100

Wayland’s plans of exotic travel are dashed when Kaleesha gets pregnant 3 weeks after they get married

The USA hosts the summer Olympics in Atlanta

Wayland and Kaleesha turn 20 in November, and busily prepare for the arrival of Nathanael Jamison Thompson

President Bill Clinton wins re-election in part due to a booming economy that will later be referred to as the dot.com era

Weekend in Review

Lots to report this weekend.  We started out the weekend by catching the Carmel / Center Grove high school game on Friday night.  For those of you who follow the boy’s youth football, you might recall the utter disgust these two schools share (think Permian / Midland Lee).   Last year, Carmel played CG in the state championship game going for their second consecutive state title – but lost the game in true choke fashion by giving up 22 points in the last 6 minutes.  It was a difficult loss made tragic by the fact that it was to what some refer to as “the Carmel of the South” (a name I don’t think Center Grove appreciates too much).  The good news is that we won the game and got some nice revenge.  CG was ranked #1 in the state and we were #4.  On the way to the game, with the car full of the boy’s friends, Anna had a major milestone event (see below).

Now she and Luke are both missing a tooth

She is so proud – she has had a huge, open mouth grin all weekend to show off her new gap.  By the way, anybody notice the Fall colored leaves out the window in the background.  That’s right, Fall is in the air in central Indiana.  So on Saturday, we continued the football weekend by attending the Carmel Freshman game.  Several older brothers of Nate and Phil’s friends play for that team.  They dominated Center Grove’s freshman team allowing less than 50 yards of total offense.  The son of our church life group leaders plays QB for that team and had a great game passing for 2 TDs.  He is a 6′6″ freshman with a ton of potential – it will be fun to watch him over the next few years.  We finished up Saturday with the Pup’s game, hanging out with great friends and watching them dominate their opponent as well.  On the Thompson front, we have a big week as Nate’s Clay Middle School team takes on Carmel Middle School (big rivalry with lots of friends on both sides of the ball) and Philip adjusts to football with an insulin pump.  Philip will also be evaluated for All Stars this weekend and has tryouts next Tuesday.

On Sunday, both older boys invited a friend to go with us to Turkey run State Park.  Any readers of this blog know our love for the outdoors and yesterday did not disappoint.  There are some really beautiful places here in Indiana.  This particular park is a little over an hour away.

We had a blast!  The older boys were determined to hike trail #3 which was rated as “Very Rugged” and came with the disclaimer, “Do not attempt with pets or small children”.  Well, I am happy to report that our “very rugged” Luke and Anna did just fine.  In fact, they were both complaining in the early legs of the 1.7 mile trail, but by the time we hit the most difficult parts, they were in full stride and having a blast.  This trail included many gorges and narrow passageways through the rocks.  There were also areas that required climbing ladders that were in some cases 25 feet tall and nearly vertical.  The older kids usually chose to climb the rocks to get out – Philip continues to show a real talent at rock climbing and has some extreme endurance (even though he was developing a cold).  The scariest moment came when Anna came running down a hill only to stop about 1 foot from going over a rock ledge with about a 20 foot drop below it.  Mom and dad had the “perfect” view from the bottom of the ledge (where the above picture was taken from) as our stomachs were in our throats and I was running to catch her if she came over the ledge.  That constituted the end of Anna climbing without a parent.   After hiking, the boys found some unsuspecting victims to pound in a spirited game of touch football.  We were dirty, we were tired – but we were about as happy as could be.  My favorite picture from the day is below and is a good representation of the beauty we were surrounded by. 

 

 

On the way home, the boys conspired to plan a sleepover for that night.  We dropped everyone off so they could clean up and met back at the house later that evening.  We did nacho night and the boys had a NCAA Football video game tournament (that I ended up winning!).   This morning, after everyone had been picked up, we decided to actually rest a little before our big week.  At some point, I really need to go blow leaves (already?!?) and get my lawn back to order after the big sewer dig a few weeks ago.  Maybe I’ll get to it.

Please remember to pray for us this Wednesday as we head downtown to Riley Children’s Hospital for our pump training.  When we come home, it will be a new world for us.  Please also be praying that Philip adjust quickly considering he has football practice and a game (and All Star evaluations) this week.  I hope everyone elses weekend was as great as ours.  

WT

You gotta see this…

I took Anna and Luke creek stomping this afternoon.  We really had a blast and got really dirty – good times for sure.  Here are some pics.

 

Thompson Kids Play – 4 Parts

I wish I had a better way to do this, but follow the below links to see a play that the kids put together the other day.  They are in order and are each really short.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n8fiMZZXLM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK8RhprE-kY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2IEHz1-J_E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQbP6hHmATQ

 

And for the most disturbing thing you have seen all week, I have posted Nate’s winning performance in the NorthBeach talent show Friday night.   He and Nate Sharkey put a couple of weeks worth of practice into this. 

Nate Squared… and the Digits 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njYiTPT2mtc

Just what the doctor ordered…

So we figured out the best way to shake off the dust of a pretty stressful week.  I don’t know if we are ever happier as a family than when we are out hiking, fishing, or just enjoying the great outdoors in general.  We went to Cataract Falls today – the largest waterfall(s) in Indiana.  Who knew such beauty was just an hour away – and God blessed us with a high of 66 degrees today (note the long-sleeves). 

Mill Creek covered bridge in the background

Mills Creek (yeah, it's just a creek)

just above the upper falls

hiking down to the base of the upper falls

unrivaled beauty (the waterfall is not bad either)

next time we will hike down and go behind the waterfall

hiking down to the lower falls

boys being boys

Kaleesha and kids just a few feet away from the edge of the upper falls

peace like a river

Luke being Luke at lunch

a little fishing to end the day (not even a nibble)

stand back when she is casting

my kind of fishing

Technical Difficulties

If you are wondering why we have not posted or returned any emails, it is because our laptop is currently dead.  I am writing this post from a hotel in Michigan – I will try to fix the computer when I get home tonight.

Pray for Kaleesha this week:  football camp for the boys, VBS for the little ones, getting tied into the sewer system, an MRI for Nate’s wrist, and getting the news that Luke probably has asthma have been her realities this week.   All of that and the computer going down taking away her outlet to the outside world equals a difficult week.

There is no doubt in my mind that we are experiencing some spiritual warfare right now.  Pray that we would remain faithful and that our faith would be strenghtened through it all. 

WT

pushing through the dirt…

For so long I have felt unworthy of sharing in a broad sense what God was showing me through relationship with Him.  Mainly because I knew that as soon as I shared what He is doing, I would inevitably mess up and come across as a hypocrite or insincere.  God is taking the time to show me every day that it’s just part of “doing life”.  Whats crazy is that I allow my fear of being human to get in the way of sharing the story of Christ’s mercy and love in my life. 

Today I received some news that really threw me for a loop.  In my mind, I just knew that this “thing” – which I had been praying for and desiring in my heart, was God’s will for my life.  This thing was not a selfish thing – in fact, it was motivated by things I think God would approve of.  I had set in my heart that this thing was going to fix all my worries.  All day I have been riding this roller coaster of deep lows (despair and sadness) coupled with high peaks (trusting that God stillhas a specific plan for our family).  God is having to constantly remind me lately that my existence on this earth is not about me – it’s all about Him and what His plan for my life is.  Am I pursuing Him with everything in me?  Am I progressing my relationship with Him – or am I in a constant holding pattern, trying to juggle my love for him with filling my life with what I feel is important?

I am reading a book right now called Crazy Love that is just plain tough to digest.  Tonight, I read the chapters titled “Profile of the Lukewarm” and “Serving Leftovers to a Holy God”…. yeah, heavy hitters.   God is trying to teach me that until I can really turn my hopes and desires over to His perfect plan for my life, I can never live the life He has destined for me from the beginning of time.  Lord, please give me the strength to resist being lukewarm – and to never give you just whatever is left over.   Help me to hold myself to the standard that You have set in my life, instead of comparing myself to others and having a false sense of righteousness.   I have been focusing on a certain verse of a song that God is using to teach me lately:

I am full of earth
You are heaven’s worth
I am stained with dirt, prone to depravity
You are everything that is bright and clean
The antonym of me
You are divinity
But a certain sign of grace is this
From a broken earth flowers come up
Pushing through the dirt

I am so thankful that we serve a God that never grows weak or weary – otherwise, he would be exhausted having to deal with me.  He actually loves me, despite me.  

-Wayland

like father, like daughter

Anyone that knows me is aware of my love for a good zoo.  Anna Elizabeth’s love of animals is also very well documented on this blog.  Since Kaleesha is only good for about one trip to the zoo (and it’s smells) a year, and that she had filled her quota already – I decided to have a daddy/daughter date and take advantage of a warm (45 degrees) day.  I should back up and say that it was originally designed as a daddy/little ones date - both Anna and Luke.  However, Luke did not hold up his end of the bargain and poop in the potty this week (oh well…)

It is always a special time between dads and daughters – Anna maximizes the experience by gushing over dear old dad….. and my heart skips a beat.   There are, of course, a couple of great stories that obviously revolve around Anna entertaining those around her. 

We took a break from animal gazing so that Anna could play on the playground.  She found a set of bars that were kind of like a figure eight about 5 feet off the ground.  She had to climb another toy and jump over just to get to them.  She then proceeded to flip, twist, hang upside down, and squeeze through the bars for the next 10 minutes.  She never fell – and never tired to the point that she needed to come down.  At first, she attracted some open mouth stares from some of the kids around here.  Then I started noticing some moms and grandmothers staring and moving in closer (for the inevitable fall no doubt).  Pretty soon, moms were pointing out to their kids the “show” that was taking place – a few people might have even clapped.  It was a little surreal and I decided to end the show once I figured out Anna was getting even more daring with all of the attention. 

The next performance was at the Walrus exhibit.  This is one of our favorites – there is a below ground viewing area where you can see the walrus family underwater.  One of the smaller walrus was pressed up against the glass looking at all the people sitting in the stands watching them.  Anna squeezed in to the window frame where the walrus was – there was a ledge she could stand on.  The walrus, about the size of a Mini-Cooper, was looking right at her (with eyes the size of tennis balls).  Their faces were literally separated by an inch of plexiglas.  It really became entertaining when Anna started moving her head all around – up, down, left and right.  Everytime she moved, the walrus would move with her.  Every once in a while, he would go up for a breath and then come back down and find her again.  Keep in mind – there are at least 5-6 other kids right next to her – but he always found her.  At one point, she jumped over to another pane of glass (on the other side of a column).  The walrus took on a frightful look until he figured it out and switched panes as well - at which point the crowd of about 40 people all broke into applause.  It was really special for Anna - maybe she has a future as one of those zoo-keepers who wears a microphone and interacts with the animals during a show. 

She also took pride in reminding me every time I made a comment about an animal starting by referring to it as a  ”he”, that “he could be a she”.  I did make the comment at one point that “I know that baboon is a boy”, only to quickly correct myself with, ”Never-mind Anna.  I bet your right - its probably a girl”.   The only negative moment was when she blamed me for not getting picked to participate in the dolphin show.  She just knew it was a conspiracy because I did not want her to have fun.  She was all good though when I let her go up to one of the dolphin trainers afterward to ask some questions. 

I must say – it is a little scary at how quickly my daughter is changing from girl to young lady.  It makes my heart hurt to know that I will never get these days back.  It is equally exciting to see how God is molding her into a vessel he can use to impact this world.

petting sharks

love that look

she likes the green ones

this ones my favorite

baby Kodiaks

good times

 

Here is a picture of the “little ones” sleeping from a couple of nights ago.  You never know what your going to find with those two.

Serious.Life

I just wanted to share a link to an e-magazine that I find really inspiring.  The Riggs Family Blog is on my Blogroll, and Brent, (the dad) also publishes this incredible magazine with great stories, advice, and pics from the blog community.  At the end of this month’s issue, there is a blog directory and TEAMThompson is on the list!  (There are hundreds of blogs listed, and I checked out a several that were great).  Anyway, just wanted to pass it on – hope you enjoy!

http://www.seriouslifemagazine.com