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

I Am Not Intoxicated

Look what came in the mail today…

The device above the pump is a Sil-serter and is used to insert the infusion set into the body to deliver the insulin from the pump.  I got a kick out of the “Warning” section of the pamphlet that came with it.  It said “pain or minor injury may occur.”  Ya think?  The pump itself is just a bit larger than a pager.  The way kids are constantly attached to their technological devices these days, I think Philip will fit right in.  Of course, his “pager” cost over 6 grand (not so much with health insurance – thank goodness), so he better not drop it in a pool or anything! 

We received a 15 Chapter, 230 page “Quick Reference Guide”  that I’m sure will be my bedside reading for the next several weeks.  Also included in our box of goodies was this handy-dandy wallet card for Philip to carry. 

I know it’s not a laughing matter, but this totally cracked me up.  I think it was worth ordering the pump for this card alone!  (Wayland thinks we should laminate it and have him wear it on a lanyard around his neck…I’m sure he’d love that!) 

Giving it to God

A little over two weeks ago I scheduled Philip’s pump “installation” at Riley Children’s Hospital.  Ever since then, I have been operating on high levels of anxiety mixed with bouts of extreme worry and fear.  I know, I know, I am the perfect picture of a Christ-follower, huh?  Last night, after receiving an email explaining that one of the students at a youth retreat Nathanael went to over the weekend had just been diagnosed with H1N1, I almost lost it. 

I hate worry.  I hate stress, and fear, and anxiety.  Unfortunately, there is hardly a day that goes by that one of these things doesn’t try to raise it’s ugly head and sneak into my life.  I do believe God builds something into mothers that causes them to be concerned for their children.  That’s healthy.  What I end up doing is not. 

I have been walking around with a baseball in my throat and a cannonball in my stomach the past few weeks.  How are we going to adjust to Philip being on the insulin pump?  How are we going to afford it all?  What if one of my kids gets swine flu?  What if Philip gets it (much more severe in people with asthma and diabetes)?  What if we give them the vaccination and there are crazy side effects from it?

After taking all I could, I finally just gave up.  Or had a slight mental break – not sure which.  I put myself in my room, opened the Bible and read ’till I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.  When I woke up at 2:00 am to do the blood sugar check and I couldn’t fall back to sleep, I prayed.  I prayed and I praised.  This morning I woke up with a substantial amount of peace.  (Thank you, Jesus).

I took Luke to the doctor this morning (cough, runny nose – scared he had swine flu) and came away with him on another round of antibiotics, steroid, and breathing treatments…but no H1N1.  Yea!  We discussed how to approach flu season with Philip, and the doctor suggested an early flu vaccine and immediate treatment at any sign of fever over 100 degrees. 

Oh, by the way…because I know I really didn’t make it clear…the exciting news about Philip is the pump.  September 9th.  Six days and counting.  (Just a slight feeling of nausea when I typed it that time).  I know this will be good for him.  I think it will be good for all of us.  I am prepared for a few bumps in the road, and am praying that God would give us clarity of mind so that we can learn an entirely new way of caring for our son.  I’ll be sure and take the camera and get lots of pics of Philip and his new machinery. 

And now, for a quick sports update, let me just tell you that this momma could hardly contain herself at her oldest son’s first football game of the season.  Named one of the team captains for the year (voted for by fellow players and his coaches), Nathanael started at center on offense, and started on the d-line as defensive tackle or noseguard.  With a win of 32-14, it was quite a victory, but way too long of a day in my book.  I put my baby  son on the bus at a little after 7:00 this morning, and he didn’t walk in the door tonight until around 9:30.  Thank goodness all the homework was done, because all he could do was shovel some food in his mouth, crawl up to the shower, and then roll into bed.  He was done!  His arms look like someone has been pounding on him with a hammer, and he has several new cuts and scrapes that bled throughout the game, but I’ll tell you what - you’d never know it when he’s out there on the field.  He plays with such heart.  I love to watch him. 

Just like I love to watch Philip.  He plays with finesse.  And with a little bit of attitude.  I like it though. 

I also had the opportunity to see Anna E. at gymnastics today.  She did a one-handed cartwheel.  That about knocked my socks off.  Every once in a while, when I’m watching her do seven cartwheels in a row, followed by a handstand into a forward roll, followed by a backbend, I think I want to try it.  Then I raise my hands in the air, point my right foot out (no, not to do the hokey pokey) and muster up all the strength I have to try a cartwheel again.  I always chicken out though.  I’ve decided that this mother of four needs all her bones in the right places to keep this family moving.  I think I’ll save cartwheels for heaven.

Rhymes and Riddles

August has been a whirlwind month for us.  It started out with Granny visiting, school starting, and then – closing out the month – a five day visit from Wayland’s sister, her husband, and two precious baby girls.  (I’m glad 2 1/2 year old Reece can’t read, because she would be totally offended that I referred to her as a “baby.”  I mean it in the nicest way though, I promise).

And now for your reading pleasure (ahem!), here is a quick recap of our week together.  In rhyme.

TEAMThompson played host to the Riddles.  The honor and pleasure all ours.  Giggles and smiles were aplenty;  playing house, hide-n-seek, trains and cars.   

Exhausting but exhilarating.  Ten people in one modest house.  While daddies were insurance schooling,  the rest stayed as busy as mice a mouse (it’s gotta rhyme y’all, or my title is shot!).

Dining in, dining out – we did both.  Football practice and games (Philip’s team is now 4-0! Yea!) we saw too.  Went creek stomping and forgot the camera.  Cousins played and the fights – they were few. 

Seeing family is always a blessing.  Rachel, Scott, Reece and Rynn, oh so sweet.  All the memories made we will treasure.  The gift of your presence a treat!

Okay, that was kind of corny, but I liked my title so I was bound and determined to make it work!  We have been so blessed this summer to have seen so much family.  The kids have had the wonderful opportunity to play with all their cousins, see two aunts, two uncles and a grandma to boot!  We are truly grateful! 

Although he wasn't around much, those girls loved the time they had with cousin Nate

 

"Yuker?" (as Reece called Luke) "Are you my friend?"

 

"Of course I'm your friend!"

 

"Oh, good."

Jean Jacket Twinkies

The most smiley baby I've ever seen. I nicknamed her "Grinny Rynny."

I don’t know what’s up with all the red eyes.  This user doesn’t know how to fix it though – I’ve tried.  Just picture everyone with beautiful blue eyes, unless you’re picturing Reece.  Hers are brown.  Or if you were picturing Philip (who I didn’t get any pictures of ) you would picture hazel green – like his momma.  Speaking of Philip, we have exciting news on the horizon.  I’ll post more on that soon. 

Is it May, Yet?

Today marks the kiddos ninth day of the 2009-2010 school year.  This morning when the alarm went off all I could think was, “Is it May yet?”  Seriously, it feels like I’ve been doing this for months already.  This week has been filled with “Meet the Teacher” nights, Middle School Open Houses, and Athletic meetings.  I feel like I haven’t seen Nathanael at all this week.  He leaves for school so early, gets home so late after practice, and then I’ve been sticking him at babysitter while I run around from school to school and class to class equipping myself with loads of information on how to make my child’s educational experience excellent.  All that information is now in a large stack on my desk and will be sorted through at a much later date.  Much, much later.

Anna Elizabeth came home on Tuesday with her first spelling list.  When I told her we were going to sit down and study the words, a scene erupted that could have earned an Emmy nomination.  Even I thought it was an insurmountable task in getting her ready for today’s test.  Surprise of surprises, this morning when I quizzed her over a bowl of Frosted Mini-Wheats  (I knew we were going to need all eight layers for such an important day), she spelled all her words correctly.  She even threw in the comment that they were “easy” words.  Same girl that told me on Tuesday that “life with homework is just too hard.”  I’ll let you know how introducing addition and subtraction flashcards goes next week.  I’m gearing myself up right now. 

I completely crack up when I think of the difference between the boys as first graders, and their precocious little sister.  Nathanael read and did a book report on Jack London’s, Call of the Wild at six years old.  Philip was reading some challenging chapter books as well, and did a report on the Titanic.  Anna E. is going to be doing good if I can convince her to read more than three pages of her library book at a time, and  I’m thinking the only report she’ll be interested in giving is “How to Do a Cartwheel and  Handstand” or “How to Wear White Shorts and Decide to Play in the Dirt So Your Mother Gets Close To Losing Her Witness”  (not that she would know anything about that or anything).  Oh sweet variety.  I love it! 

Football is going well.  Philip is doing great, his team is 2-0 and they play again tomorrow morning bright and early.  Nathanael is getting stronger and stronger in practice and (as of today) looks like he will be starting on both the offensive and defensive line.  His first scrimmage is next week and we are counting down the days.

Handsome #12

This was taken at last week’s game during a blood sugar check.  (I take what I can get).   Aunt Rachel and Uncle Scott sent the boys both a set of eye black stickers for this football season.  Philip took the ones that said Phil 4:13.  Everyone thinks we had them personalized especially for him. 

Little Luker is a constant source of joy.  I have not taken him for a hair cut since Tales From the Clipped.  You understand.  Yesterday he told me he had “Nacho Libre hair.”  I knew I had crossed a line and had to face my fear.  Actually, I didn’t want to face it, so I let Wayland.  He and Luke went for haircuts and Luke came back with his Libre fro gone, and in it’s place a nice, handsome little boy’s haircut.  Oh thank you, Jesus.  Wayland came back with something different.  After looking at himself in the mirror for a while he said, “I bet you ten bucks someone asks me if I’m a marine.”  Nathanael cracked up.  Wayland said, “If I suck in my stomach, you’d totally think I was a marine.”

Much better than the fro

Hoo-rah!

 This weekend looks to be like another crazy one, followed by more family coming to visit on Monday!  YEAH!!!  I’m sure in between football, cookouts, church and life group, I’ll be frantically trying to clean the house.  One of my dear friends reminded me that sharing and showing love was more important than a spotless house.  I’m going to remember that!

Back to School in a Nutshell

Yesterday must have had at least  36  hours in it.  By the time I went to pick Nathanael up from football practice at 5:45, I had forgotten that when I sent him off at 7:10 that morning, it was his first day of 7th grade.  It took me until we were about halfway home to ask about his schedule, his teachers, and most importantly…who he was sitting next to in each class.  That was okay with him though, because up until then we had been talking football – which, of course, took precedent.   One of the things I love most about Nathanael’s personality is that he always comes home “loving” his teachers.  He’s so positive about all of his classes and his teachers; he is sure he is on the best team in his middle school.  I hope so.  After a hot shower and some food, Nathanael vegged on the couch a bit before he came in and went through all the details of his day with me.  It was so much fun – I love more in depth conversations with my kids when the opportunity arises.  Here is a picture of Nathanael on his first day of 7th grade (I just captured what I could).

Always the charmer

Where Nathanael jumps in with open abandon, Philip approaches the first day with a bit more reserve.  Newcomers in his life have to prove that they are trustworthy, nice, and generally deserving of his approval.   Although he had a good first day, today was even better.  Anna E.’s teacher from last year moved up to 5th grade, so we have the privilege of having the same teacher twice.  He was already aware of Philip’s diagnosis, and met with both the school nurse and me on Monday to make sure he knew how to keep Philip as safe as possible at school.  I am really grateful for such wonderful school personnel.  Philip had some exciting news waiting for him yesterday when he got to school.  Each morning, a crew made up of seven fifth graders writes, produces, and delivers a live school news program on television.  Just like his big brother before him, Philip found out he will be a desk anchor this year and will have the opportunity to write his script and deliver the school news ten weeks this year.  Way to go Philip!  Who knows, we may have our own version of the Gumbel brothers in a few years!

I got my first call from the elementary school nurse (also had dealings with the middle school nurse yesterday concerning Nathanael’s aching feet and ankles) around 11 am yesterday morning.  I assumed it would have to do with Philip and his blood sugar (those calls came later) but the victim was none other than Little Miss.  “Mrs. Thompson, Anna Elizabeth is starting her first grade year off with a bang.  Literally.”  Seems that while playing at recess she jumped off the jungle gym onto a poor unsuspecting little boy’s head.  Caused her tooth to put a pretty good size hole in her lip.  When my response was complete UNalarm, the nurse said, “You don’t seem too surprised.”  “Nope.  Not with Anna.  We go through several bumps, bruises, cuts, and scrapes a day.  I’m sure she’ll be just fine.”  I did make a quick stop at the school to make sure she was able to eat her lunch okay.  When I walked in the cafeteria, she had a gauze pad wadded up under her lip and my eyes about popped out of my head when I thought it was swollen up to the size of an egg.  Good thing I sent pudding and applesauce because that was about all she was able to handle.  The good news is she was just fine by the time she got home, although it didn’t stop her from asking for some ice cream “because that would really help it.”  She thinks her teacher is “really sweet” and seems very excited for the year ahead.  She was also very excited that the only one who had homework last night was me.  She laid out all my papers to sign and played ”teacher” for a while.  Then she wanted to switch roles and actually asked me to give her some homework.  I can’t quite figure her out?!?

Little Teacher

The infamous nails. A little boy in Anna's class told her how pretty they were.

Luke and I are loving our one on one time together, but he is miserable without his best buddy at home.  By 10:00 yesterday morning, he was in tears asking me, “How much longer ’till Anna gets home?”  He asked again at 11, and 12, and you get the picture.  We were waiting for the bus after school yesterday and when Anna got off, she and Luke hugged like they hadn’t seen each other in weeks.  They ran inside,  started playing, and didn’t stop for about three hours straight.  They also wanted to play outside, but the red fox that lives in our neighborhood is back (bigger and more menacing looking) and currently has control of our backyard.  I’m going to have to remember to start shutting our garage door so he doesn’t decide to make a den inside.

Making up for lost time

School Days

I would say I’ve missed blogging, but that would be a lie.  I’ve been far too busy to miss blogging.  Far too busy to miss anything except sleep. 

Granny has been visiting TEAMThompson the past nine days.  I am so thankful for my mother-in-law.  She is truly a joy to have in our home and we are always sad to see her go.  She left this morning before any of my little sleepy heads even thought about waking up.  It was a whirlwind trip, but loads of fun.  It was great to have an extra set of eyes to watch the kiddos while I ran errands to get us ready for back to school.  It was also great to have an extra pair of hands to load up school supplies when we went shopping with our three lists last week.  School supplies are crazy.  I know I have to have fourteen pairs of Fiskars scissors around here somewhere, but every year I buy another pair in a different color to add to the collection.  And pencils.  Seriously?  I bought 75 pencils for the three scholars, and I guarantee you they won’t have any left by January. 

Wayland did try to do a post this weekend recapping our last couple of weeks, but it totally messed up our blog, so we didn’t publish it.  It essentially had some cute pics of the kids taken by Granny, some pictures of us all hiking in beautiful Brown County, and a great football update which I will go ahead and blog about since I have control of the keyboard right now.

Philip had his first game on Saturday.  So far football season has not disappointed in the Thompson household.  We had four days of practice last week, meaning we left our house at 4:45 each afternoon and didn’t return home until almost 8:00 each night (and then had to eat, bathe, etc…).  This schedule has been ridiculous for our family of six (seven last week), but even more crazy on Philip’s numbers.  I’m sure we’ll start to get the hang of it all right around November.   Anyway, the game on Saturday was super exciting.  Not in a “nail-biting, anticipation” kind of way, but in “woo-hoo, we’re back on the football field” kind of way.  Wayland had lost his voice by halftime.  I could hear him yelling before I even got out of the car in the parking lot.  His voice was echoing all over the fields.  And just to be clear, he is not yelling in a “mean, demented way”, it’s more of a “pump-you-up, demented way.”  (Honestly, he is the best coach in the league and I’m not just saying that because he’s my man - many kids in 5th grade were hoping to get Coach Thompson this year!)  Philip is playing QB and Cornerback again, and looked really good for the first game of the season.  He had a beautiful 25 – 30 yard run for a touchdown, in which his crazy mother ran/hopped/galloped down the sideline beside him screaming unmindfully of the many other people around her.  It will be a good thing when I am confined to a bleacher.  I really think I’m going to hurt someone one day if I keep up these crazy antics.  I even had one parent come over and ask where the splits and back flips were.  I told her I was a “base” in cheerleading and never quite mastered the tumbling aspect of the sport.  Anyway, our team, the NotreDame Fighting Irish (Wayland’s first choice was Texas A&M, but they were unavailable) is now 1-0 with a 18-6 win over the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday.  Way to go boys!

Nathanael finally started practice yesterday afternoon.  When I picked him up he was hobbling across the parking lot.  He came home, took an ice-cold bath, ate dinner, laid on the couch for a while and then crashed.  He was completely worn out.  This morning, when I woke him up for the first day of school, he didn’t seem much better.  He looked super duper handsome, but he had a certain gimp to his gait and when he crawled up into the bus he looked like he was at least seventy-seven years old.  The bad thing is, I didn’t even get a picture to memoralize the occasion.  Seventh grade?!?  It honestly doesn’t seem possible.

Philip was pumped and ready for fifth grade this morning.  He also looked super handsome, and I did get a picture in his case.

Don't let the expression fool you - he's ready for this year!

 My sweet little Anna E. was a little more nervous about 1st grade.  At the breakfast table this morning she asked me, once again, about homework.  It is a scary, larger-than-life image she has floating around in her mind that I’m hoping will vanish over the next few weeks.  I so wish I would have gotten a close-up picture of her fingernails and toenails.  Granny took us for some “girl time” yesterday and spoiled us with a manicure.  Actually Anna E. got her feet done as well.  I don’t know that she has ever been still that long.  She could hardly keep her eyes open as the lady was painting her fingernails.   They were precious.  Purple nails with pretty flowers on her big toes and thumbs, and white polka-dots on the rest.  I’ll try and remember to get a picture later.  Here is my princess on her first day of first grade.

Not sure about that smile

First Day of School 2009

Luke and I are heading up to the school in a bit to check on Philip and Anna Elizabeth.  I can’t believe summer is gone and we didn’t go camping, or to the beach, or even make it to the pool as much as I would have liked.  Just doesn’t seem quite right.  Oh well, hopefully next summer.  Here’s to another year of reading, and writing, arithmetic.

Thought I’d Share

For all of you who have helped support JDRF in honor of Philip, I thought I’d share an exciting new development that they are working on.  All of the $1,600+  that was raised for “Philip’s Future” went toward the Artificial Pancreas Project that JDRF funds.   Here is a link to an interesting update on the project:

 http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=104576

This other link is totally random and simply made me smile so I thought I’d share it.  You may have already seen it (it’s had 11,000,000+ hits) but if not…I hope you enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0&feature=player_embedded

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

Back in the Saddle

Why is it that once you step away from something, it is so hard to get back on track?  The gym and blogging have been my neglected areas lately.  I did put on my Pilates DVD yesterday because I could feel my hips expanding as I walked back to the kitchen for one more handful of blueberry pomegranate trail mix crunch.  Ms. Windsor and her routine of torture did something, because today I feel like the muscles in my legs are wound up so tight I am sure they would snap if I attempted to stretch my legs out into a fully extended position.  That is why I am currently sitting here at the computer with the bag of blueberry pomegranate trail mix crunch right next to me, so there is no need to get up and walk anywhere that might lead me to think of the gym, or Pilates, or the likes. 

Since Pilates didn’t sound like any fun at all, I decided to make myself sit down at this computer and blog.  I really have wanted to, I’ve just needed about five or six more hours in my day to fit that in.  It’s one of those nights  mornings that I am waiting up ’til 2am to check Philip’s blood sugar, so I thought I’d fill my time catching everyone up on the completely insignificant happenings of our lives the past week or so. 

 First off, something not so insignificant.  Luke has been pooping on the potty for one week now.  No accidents.  Every time.  Hallelujah.  We have a ways to go on the tinkling.  (The boys hate that word – tinkling.  It’s what a bell does, they say).  Regardless, I am praising God that I haven’t changed one dirty diaper in over a week.  Do you know how many years it has been since this has happened to me?  Over six years, four months, and five days.  That’s a long time.  That’s why Wayland and I signed up to start working in the nursery at church.  I just can’t let it go.

Also, something seemingly insignificant, but not.  I can do laundry whenever I want.  I can shower two times a day if I feel like it, and I no longer have to spray my children down with a hose in the front yard to replace their bath time.  Such is life with city sewer services.  I am using thick, plush toilet paper and sometimes I just walk by a bathroom and flush the toilet for the fun of it.  It has honestly been life changing.  I mean that in the most non-dramatic way possible.  Really, it has revolutionized my life as a SAHM with four children.  I don’t care that it cost us more than 1/4 of what we paid for our first home.  This feeling of wasteful water use is pure bliss.  (Please don’t judge me.  I’ve been rationing water for the past 18 months, so I should be able to enjoy a week or two of being a tad irresponsible). 

Philip started his football training camp this past Monday.  It has made his numbers crazy, but what would we do if we didn’t have a new hurdle to overcome in dealing with diabetes?  We just met another family, who goes to our church, with a daughter a year older than Philip that was just diagnosed.  She is a gymnast and tennis player.  We took over some of Philip’s favorite snacks and shared the littletiny bit of wisdom we have acquired in the past seven months.  When I got in the car to leave, I cried.  They are two weeks in.  At two weeks in, you feel like you’ve been thrown enough information to last you a lifetime.  You feel like you can’t turn your back for a moment, or allow sleep to fully take you in it’s grasp.  You are tired of counting carbs, checking blood sugars, and adjusting insulin.  You’d like things to go back to normal.  At two weeks in, you are just beginning to realize that normal will never be the same.  

Philip is totally pumped about football season and the team his dad will be coaching for his 5th grade year.  NotreDame Fighting Irish.  (The draft was last night and Wayland walked away with a great group of boys – not just athletically, but character wise as well).  First team practice is Tuesday and the first scrimmage is one week from today.  Nathanael would be heartbroken since his football season hasn’t yet started, but he has been named the honorary “line” coach for Philip’s team.  He will relish this role like you couldn’t imagine. 

Speaking of Nathanael…and football…and coaching…you’d find it interesting to note that he appeared in full drag last night for the youth group’s annual talent show.  He and a group of friends did a little number to Journey’s, “Don’t Stop Believing.”  He was the small town girl.  What a scary girl he was.  They did win the contest, though.  Ended up just being bragging rights and high fives, but he walked away happy with the win.  That’s Nate for you.

And this is also Nate for you

We also have video that we will try to upload.  It’s quite a riot.   

Guess that covers everyone except my sweet baby girl.  She has been quite the girly girl this week.  Today we took a walk to the school with our babies in their strollers.  She is constantly changing her doll’s clothes, and taking them with her everywhere she goes.  We’ve played Barbie’s, Strawberry Shortcake, and My Little Ponies (just the two of us – NO BOYS ALLOWED).  We did a makeover the other night before Philip’s football practice.  I walked away with tons of glitter (she did the same thing to my sister when she was here a couple of weeks ago), purple eyeshadow, and pink and purple painted fingernails (I’ve only peeled off half of mine so far, so right now it is quite a sight).  She is so funny.  Last week all she wanted to do was climb trees and catch fireflies.  This week, she keeps calling herself “the little mommy.”  When I grow lighten up, I want to be just like her.

School starts in a little over two weeks.  I just can’t believe it.  We are going to have to make the most of the next few days before the chaos ensues.  Anna is already complaining that she will have homework everyday.  (Thank you Philip for being so excited to point that out!)  She’s never even had homework, and she is already acting like it’s the plague or something.  Granny will be here next week to help us close out our summer with a bang.  Everyone is excited to have more family back to visit.  The good news is, she’ll be able to bathe whenever she wants.  My poor sister and brother weren’t so lucky.  I’m not sure they’ll ever let me live that down.