Praise God!!

I wanted to take a few minutes this morning to share a praise with you. Since I've started this blogging thing, I have gotten into reading some other people's blogs---some of dear friends, and some of people I've never met, but whose blog I happened upon thru another blog.

One of those blogs is that of MckMama, as she calls herself. She is now the mom of 4 kids under 4--God bless her. (I wonder if she knows what causes that!! : ) ) Anyway, a few months ago, when she was 20 weeks pregnant, they detected some serious heart and lung issues in her baby. At 24 weeks, she was told that her baby would most likely not live another week. Every week since then has been ups and downs of "the baby is doing better" or "the baby is so, so sick and probably won't make it to delivery". She is a Christian and her blog has been so telling about the strength and peace God can give us if we rely on Him. And, the number of people around the world that have joined her in prayer and support is amazing---and, of course, quite powerful.

Well, 2 weeks or so ago, some medicine that MckMama was on to help the baby was affecting her heart so much, she had to be hospitalized. She was doing so bad that they decided to take her off the medicine and just keep monitoring the baby. They thought the baby's condition would go down so much that they might have to deliver sooner than normal.

Then, when MckMama goes in for check-up, baby is doing fine even without the medicine!! Here is what MckMama had to say about it....

The doctor said:"I hesitate to say this, for I really want to see what his strips on Friday and Monday look like, but it would appear that there is a chance your baby will be born perfectly fine, two weeks from today, not needing medical interventions of any kind. Hmm. Odd!"

Raise your hand if you actually find this odd. I didn't think so.

Anyway, the baby, Stellan, was born yesterday and has some small issues, but overall is doing fine!! He is in a special care nursery, but not even in the NICU!! Praise God. As MckMama testifies, what God did for Stellan was awesome, amazing, miraculous-----but odd? Not if you know our God!!

Please join me in praising God for saving Stellan. May He continue to work in that little boy and work Hs wonders thru this little life. Praise Him that He knew and knows all the days of Stellan's life before one of them came to be!

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Tailgating with the kids

We took the kids to Tuscaloosa to tailgate before the Ole Miss v. Alabama game on Saturday. Tailgating with kids is fun----but it is a totally different experience than without kids. Towards the end of of our time at the tent, I walked up from a stint at the play area with Reese, to find that Lee was letting John play with his empty beer can "because every time I take it away from him, he cries." Atta way to stand up to your kids on the issue of drugs and alcohol, dad! After taking the beer can away from my son, and finding him some appropriate toy, like a rock or a stick to play with, I honestly couldn't say much to Lee b/c while John was under my watch about an hour earlier, I let him fall out of a chair and get a busted nose and a black eye. If you know us, you know Lee and I are not up for any "Parents of the Year" award---but Saturday was not a fine parenting day, even for us. : ) However, we did have alot of fun with the kids and friends.

We were not crazy enough to take the kids to the actual game...so we left when our friends were heading to the stadium and went to Fayette. We listened to the first quarter on the radio and got to the cabin to see the rest of the game on the TV. Mama and Daddy were there and spent the rest of the weekend with us. Pretty much a perfect weekend, I must say.

A few pics:

John and I wait with our stuff while Lee and Reese go park the truck...

Reese yelled "Yea Amabama" all the way to T'town. Once we got there, she got her game face on..

She was not in the mood for pics on Saturday. Here are she and John hanging out in the tent. She is yelling at me to stop pointing the camera at her. My attempts to tell her that I was just taking pics of John was met with the comment "Well, he's over there, not over here." She has totally inherited Lee's smart-alec mouth. : ) I get no respect.

She perked up when we went to the play area. Certainly her favorite part of the day, other than the fact that I let her eat iced sugar cookies all day, even for lunch. Yes, folks, you too can be an awesome parent like me. Just watch and learn, my friends, watch and learn.

Thanks to Barry and Heather for always letting us crash their tailgating tent. Always a good time with great friends!

John's 1st Bday Party

Not much to say. Had John's bday at Overton Park---just cupcakes, a few snacks, and the Ice Cream man came especially for us! Here are some pics/commentary...

Dutch helping John down the slide.....

John then got brave enough to tackle the slide himself...

Posing with cousin, Jonathan....

All in all, John's favorite thing about the park was definately the slide,

and all the stuff he could put in his mouth...

Reese and Kate (another cousin) had fun on the see-saw....

Then, it was time for cupcakes and ice cream. Dutch got into the festive mood...

While John was just looking around at everybody wondering what in the heck was going on and why everyone was trying to force him to eat the cupcake...

Then, we opened gifts. Reese loved the horse that GiGi gave John.... (By the way, LOVED the Colt symbol on the side....kickin' it old school, Lee Academy style!)

And, John decided to take a nap...

He did love the truck from Diddee and Car-Car, which was a hand-me-down toy that Lee played with when he was little. Very special.

Thanks to family and friends for helping us celebrate.

Happy 1st, John!

Happy 1st Birthday, John!!

(above are pics from our day together on your 1st bday. The chair was your gift from Daddy and me.)

John,

Today is your first birthday. I took off work to spend the day with you. Wasn't quite the day I had planned because you are a little sick, but still I got to spend the day with my John.

I've thought alot over the past few days about this time last year. In some ways, I can't believe it has already been a year---and in some ways, it feels like you've been with me forever. I guess that's because I honestly can't imagine my life without you. The day you were born, Daddy and I checked into the hospital oh so early in the morning. I was so tired that morning because I had a tummy ache all night because I decided the night before that it would be a great idea to eat a dozen Krisy Kremes as close to midnight as possible to carry me thru the next day. (Because I had a c-section, I couldn't eat or drink anything after midnight.) Big mistake. But, Dr. Gray was about 45 minutes late to my surgery, so I got a little nap in on the operating table before you came.

Oh, John, those few days in the hospital with you after you were born were some of the happiest in my life. We didn't have too many visitors during the day, so you and I just hung out. We talked, we laughed, we played. Just me and my boy. You stole my heart from the first moment I saw you.

When we got home, I started to get a little sick with postpartum depression. You poor thing---I hate that I put you thru all of the tears you must have seen and heard. None of it was because of you. I couldn't even tell you why I was sad. I just was. I remember one of the very few things that gave me peace was laying in our bed with you next to me. I remember it was one of the only times that I felt like I could breathe. How someone so little and so helpless could save his mommy at such a dark time, I'll never know. Well, I guess I do know---grace. But, thank goodness, thru all of those tears and all of that craziness, you still turned out to be just the happiest little boy. Again, grace.

I'm glad for all of that snuggling time now, because goodness knows you don't stop long enough for me to get much lovin' from my boy now. So appropriate that your first word was "Go". You love to play. You are non-stop. The only time I really get to snuggle is during our bedtime routine when we snuggle and sing lullabies. I kiss on you and tell you that I love you. The past couple of days you have tried to kiss me back. It is the most disgusting, slobbery thing that only your mother could absolutely adore and look forward to. Thank you for those kisses.

You love your sister and look up to her so much----but you are not at all afraid to let her know when she is on your last nerve. You do take up for yourself--and I am glad for that. I think you will be a strong one.

I pray so many things for you. I pray that you are better than me. I pray that you are a man of God. I pray that you are happy and find your passion in life. I pray that you are kind. I pray that you are wise. I pray that you and your sister are life-long best friends and always have each other's back. I pray that you love the outdoors like your daddy and your grandfathers, and that you can see God's handiwork in it. I pray that you get a full college scholarship and are able to support yourself directly out of college-----oh wait, did I just say that? : )

Well, I could go on and on, but I should end. The rest I'll just whisper to you during our nighttime snuggles. I hope you always know that I love you. You are my love, my heart. Your smile makes even my most stressful days melt away. In so many ways, you and your sister make me a better person. For that, and for all of your unconditional love, I thank you.

Can't wait for the next year!!

Mommy

Funny clip from Ellen

I got a giggle out of this, so I thought I'd share.

Family Day Pics

For those of ya'll I missed in my mass email, we got our pics taken 2 Fridays ago by my friend, Heather Swanner. Thank God for Heather!! She can take a day when the kids are out of control, Reese is having a "I don't want to take pictures" day, and John is eating rocks and turn out some really cute pictures. The slideshow is at www.heatherswannerphotography.com/thompson if anyone wants to see. Puppydog even makes an appearance for the 3rd year straight.

Poor Reese, she just can't have a good hair day on family picture day---I just want to reach into the picture and push the hair out of her face. And, one of our family pictures, you can see a big brush sticking out of my pocket---not sure why given the state of Reese's hair. And, John ate rocks the whole day. I even found one in his mouth and hour after pictures were over----after a nap, a bottle, some juice and some crackers---the kid had just stored it in his cheeks, I guess. Oh well---I guess I won't get mother of the year this year. And, I was so close! : )

Hope you enjoy seeing pics of the kids by a real picture-taker!

Funny Kid Stories

I was reading one of my favorite blogs yesterday and she had posted some pretty funny kid stories. I thought I'd share some of them with you. To make sure I give credit where credit is due...the originals are on the Bring the Rain blog (link in the sidebar.)
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Several years ago, we bought a new house. It is a nice house, and I was a little over-eager to show it off. We were having company over one evening, and I had spent most of the day throwing clutter into the back of closets, hanging "skinny" pictures in strategic places, and making sure the bed linens were crisp. I was flittering around the house, one room to the next, preparing my "image."

Abby and Ellie, sensing my eagerness, decided that they wanted to help me "decorate." They were 3 at the time, and while their intentions were good, they were really more in the way than they were helpful, so I shuffled them into a little space off of my bedroom that I use as a craft closet and I told them to work on it. They were so content to have this little space to design, and I needed to fluff things. It sounded like a good plan.

I checked in on them every few minutes, but as it started getting closer to "company" time, I had to go put on my makeup, so I slipped into the bathroom in search of the right lipstick to impress the guests.

I will look like I have it all together tonight, that's for sure.

They weren't really close friends, so there was a chance I could pull it off.

And they were going to love my style (and, in turn, love me! Isn't that the way the world works?)

Ellie comes and stands beside me, trying to get my attention.
"We made it pwetty, momma."
"Mmm-hmm. I bet you did!" I am nodding like I am listening, but I'm distracted by my own reflection.
"I can't wait to see it." Now for eyeliner.
"We did the stickers." Ellie is smiling. She is really proud of herself.
"Oh, how great! Where's Abbby?"
"She's workin' on it. Wanna see?"
"Oh, baby, I can't. I need to get ready, but thanks so much for your help."
"You don't wanna see it, momma? We were workin' on it. It's so pwetty"
"OK, honey, I'll come see it soon." I dart into the closet and leave her standing there alone in the bathroom. I get dressed and brush past her again.

They kept chasing me around the house while I lit candles and vacuumed. They just wanted my attention, but I had a one track mind. They were so proud of their work and all they wanted was to show it to me, and I was too busy to care. Too wrapped up in myself and my stupid house to listen. Well, God was about to have the last laugh.

I am taking the guests around the house and showing them the layout, kicking any semblance of normalcy under the bed, telling about this and that and who knows what else. The girls are dancing one step behind me because they know that the last stop on the grand tour is the master bedroom and I am going to show off their contribution.

I get to the little door and say something like, "And this is what I use as a craft room...." and before I can finish my sentence, I look into the room.

"We did the stickers, momma!!!" They are dancing around and clapping because they are so deliriously excited that they have thought to decorate with stickers, and the stickers are everywhere.

Only, they aren't "stickers" in the traditional sense.

They are maxi-pads.

And they are everywhere.

They are hanging from the bookshelf, from the windowsill, from my fabric, from my desk. It is a maxi-pad party and it is happening. To me.

That sticky side is no mess, people, because they are hovering from angles previously unattempted by personal products.

And I literally start laughing so hard that my children think it is a response to their genius decorating, and they are laughing and pointing and we all just fall on the ground, because really, what else can you do?
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Ok, so a few years ago, when my little boys were about 2 and 4, I decided to take a shower. First mistake! I put on a movie in my room for them to watch. They were very quiet and unusually good during my shower. When I got out of the shower, I peeked out and asked then what they were doing and they both told me to "SHHH". I asked why I needed to be quiet and they said that their baby mice were sleeping. I was just pleased that they were happy and continued getting ready. When I was done, we all went out in the living room and started playing. A few minutee later, a lady from church rang the doorbell to drop off some things for the sunday lesson I was teaching for her. We went to the door, always a highlight, to meet her and her little 5 year old boy. My "sweet" little boys then asked the little boy if they wanted to play 'mouse' with them. The little boy said yes and off they went. As they were running off, I did hear my 4 year old say to the new boy 'wait, I will get you one'. So, the church friend and I started talking a little when we were greeted by three boys...all with an opened tampon cupped in their little hand, petting it with the opposite hand. I was speechles and asked what they were doing with 'those'. My 2 year old then said 'mommy, you wanna hold mousy. Mommy see mousy tail?" The 5 year old had even found a crayon and gave his mouse some eyes!
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My cousin, who was 3 at the time, came home from church one Sunday and proudly announced to the family: "I figured out why we drink grape juice at church." (You know, for communion.) My aunt, ready for a beautifully spiritual answer from her sweet, little blonde daughter, retorts, "Why, honey?" And my cousin, fully convinced that she was now in-the-know, replied "Because Jesus was the King of the Juice!" This is a classic story in my family that we still laugh about 20 years later!
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hmmmmm... how about this one. After we lost our sweety Mackenzie friends of ours offered us their beach house in St. Pete Florida. We were thrilled to be able to take the kids and get away for awhile. We had a fabulous time and the kids loved it. Right before it was time to come home they were preparing for a hurrican....... sorry can't remember which one but I did remember to bring all the kids.... anyway, we loaded up the van and headed home. The next week I went to pick up the Logan at Sunday school and his teacher came out in the hall and asked about our vacation. I told her we had a great time and wished we could have stayed. She said "Well, I thought I should tell you when we asked for prayers and praises Logan raised his hand and said "Thanks God for letting us go on vacation it was really fun. I just wish Mom didn't make us go home when the "hooker came". I blanched for a moment and then realized what he meant. I told her no hooker but Hurricane..... She still giggles about it.

Ache

Today is a day that I miss my kids so, so bad while I am work. I mean so bad that my heart aches almost to the point that I can physically feel it. I have these days decently regulary, but they have no apparent regular impetus. But, today is one of those days that I miss those 2 little buggers.

So, in honor of them, I thought I'd post 2 quick things they've done lately that crack me up.

John---his 2nd word that he's chosen to say is "Whoa". Again, not "mama" or "dada". But, I'll be darned if he's not the cutest little thing when he falls on his bottom while walking and he just pauses for a minute to get his bearings and says "Whoa".

Reese---she has decided to rename 2 of her babydolls. For the record, she has 3 babydolls. The first, she received when she was around 18 months old and we have always called her "Babydoll". The 2nd, she got when John was born (about 2 years old) and we named her "Janie" (can't remember why). And the 3rd is a Cabbage Patch doll she received at 2.5 years old that I honestly can't remember what we called her b/c Reese has only recently started to play with her.

Well, Janie is still "Janie". She is the lucky one. The Cabbage Patch doll is now "Purple". Nevermind that the doll has not one inch of purple on her. But Purple is now her name. And, then there is Babydoll. Sweet, faithful Babydoll...who has been with Reese thru potty training, thru transition to her big girl bed, thru the introduction of her baby brother. The glorious name that has been re-assigned to this wonderful friend....Feet. Yep, you heard it right...Feet. And, when she tells you the name, she is serious---dead serious. No inkling that Feet is a weird name for a doll. No idea where she comes up with this stuff.

Reese and John, I miss ya'll every day. Ya'll constantly crack me up and bring a smile to my face!