Grandpa and Kylie

This was the conversation tonight on their way home from a "date"

Kylie: Oops! I tooted.
Grandpa: (smirks) Oh?!
Kylie: I wonder what toots look like?
Grandpa: Well, I don't think you can see toots - they're kind of like the wind.
Kylie: Well, I think they look brown because they kind of make your undies brown.

....'nuff said!

Tagged - 123 Meme

My good friend Madison over at Write on the Edge tagged me. The kids are all (relatively) quiet so I thought I'd give it a go. Here's how it works:

1. Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. No cheating!
2. Find page 123.
3. Find the first 5 sentences.
4. Post the next 3 sentences.
5. Tag 5 people.

So, with no cheating allowed - this is what I found. Mind you, this is Jason's book, not mine!

The New Complete Joy of Home Brewing by Charlie Papazian Make the kind of beer you like with htis easy-to-follow guide to everything from lagers to stouts, ales, bitters, pilsners...AND MORE.

How does one safely use household bleach? Not only is chlorine bleach an effective disinfectant but is also an effective cleaner. It is able to remove some of the moset stubborn and inaccessible stains and residues from the inside of your glass fermenters and bottles. Two fluid ounces of bleach in 5 gallons of cold water and an overnight soak will remove the most hardened fermentation from the inside of your glass fermenter. This strong solution should be thoroughly rinsed with warm or hot water.
For homebrewers, an effective sanitizing solution can be prepared by mixing 1/3 - 1 1/2 teaspoons of household bleach in 5 gallons of cold water.


So - there you go. Just in case you wondering...

I am tagging Nikki, Jill, Patty & Steve, Cindy, and Beth

A Glimpse of Destiny

Kylie has been taking ballet for the last three months or so. She has loved it and is quite good. The first semester ended in January and as I was preparing to register her for the next semester I wondered if maybe she would like some other activity more. We discussed different things from Karate to Gymnastics and decided to try a month of gymnastics.

Right away there was something different about her as we walked into the first class. She seemed more excited and just...different. As the class started and she engaged in the activities I had a strange reaction. I was amazingly proud of her and, honestly (or embarrassingly) got kind of choked up and teary eyed. I know this may be over dramatic, but it was like this is what she was meant to be doing.

As I was explaining this reaction of mine to a friend I started wondering why I felt this way. Was this some sort of destiny moment for Kylie? Is she meant to be the next great gymnast? I don't quite think that is it. I think God was giving me a glimpse of what it is to walk in purpose, to step into a bit of destiny.

I loved seeing Kylie in ballet, loved watching her dance around and be all calm and controlled. But, for those of you who know Kylie even a little - calm is not a word that describes her. When she was flipping on the bars or somersaulting into the foam pit - it was beyond words! Is this a bit of how God feels? Does he enjoy seeing me do good things, things that I enjoy and find fulfillment in? Yes! But is He all the more elated and ecstatic when I realize and jump into what I was made for? Yes and even more Yes!

Happy Birthday Amy!

22 Years ago today, one of my best friends was born! I remember being at one of my parents friend's house at waking up to go to the bathroom (I was 5) and she told me I had a little sister. How exciting!
I'll admit I wasn't the nicest sister growing up (sorry Amy!), but I cannot deny my love for this little brown eyed girl!
I have enjoyed watching her grow from a spunky little kid (aka "mad dog") to an elegant, beautiful, virtuous, amazing woman. I am blessed to call her my friend, privileged to have my kids call her Aunt, and honored to call her my friend!

So - Happy Birthday Amy!!!! I love you more than words can say!

Question: What do you do with a stir crazy two year old who doesn't want to go outside on a snowy day?

Answer: You dye her hair pink!!!

Updates, Bumpo's and Investments

I'm glad they don't ban you from blogging for lack of use...
It's been very busy, and while my mind has been going a million mile a minute, and I know there are topics I want to blog about, nothing has really come to fruition. But I think I might try tonight. But first - a few antics from the fam.

Some of you may have heard of the bumpo baby seat. It really is a cool thing to have around. We have one. But being a family on the "Extreme edge of normal" (more on that later), my amazing hubby and son have found a new use for it. Check out these pics:



Yes, they really ARE throwing it at each other. Not TO eachother, mind you, but at eachother. What can I say...gotta love boys!

Now, from the girls...tonight while praying for dinner.

Kylie: Dear God, thank you for everything. Thank you for making us and we love you very much, and we hope that you like us too. Amen.

Macey: (this is the first time she has said anything besides thanks for the food) Dear God, thank you for the spaghetti and for making me pretty and so beautiful and so smart and for beauty. Amen.


Man, I love those kids!

And since Micah doesn't really say anything besides "Ga," here is a cute pic of him and his rice bowl:



Just a quick update on Micah's arm "condition," for lack of a better word. His right arm is still popping with a bit of regularity and we have noticed some increased popping in his other arm. One of the possibilities the Dr. mentioned last time is that all of his symptoms may just mean he is on the "Extreme edge of normal." Sounds good to me - I'll take it!

Anyway, we were supposed to go to Seattle today and have an appointment with the Orthopedics and Genetics departments tomorrow. But, due to a snow storm that left our street looking like this:


we have had to reschedule. We were blessed to be able to schedule the Genetics appointment at an office in Yakima. Children's Hospital does a clinic there a couple times a month, and was able to squeeze us in. We have our first consult and testing on the 6th of February and then a follow up on the 20th of March. We will head up to Seattle, God willing, on the 29th of February for the Orthopedic appointment. So, we wait a little longer and trust a little more. Thank you for your prayers!

God has been so faithful to teach me so many things through parenting these amazing little ones. Something that has come up lately has to do with investments. Not the financial kind, but the eternal kind.

Caleb is starting to REALLY come out of his shell. In the process of discovering who he is, he has begun to ask people for attention, to seek after what he wants instead of waiting for it to come to him. I don't think there is anything wrong with that, per say, but it is so neat to see him develop in this way. Recently he went up to an amazing young woman at church at said "will you take me out on a date?" Wow - who can resist. Of course she said "yes" and has since taken Kylie and soon Macey out too.

On the surface, this is amazing enough - an 18 year old college student taking time out of her VERY busy schedule to hang out with a 4, 5 and 2 year old. But God has had me look deeper. My kids are young. They are learning who they are and who they are called to be. It is a blessing to be surrounded with youth and young adults that I am happy to have influence my kids. As I was thinking about this and what a huge blessing it is I began to wonder if this is a little of how God looks at our relationships.

Do I go out of my way to hang out with those younger and more vulnerable in their spiritual journey. Do I actively sacrifice and invest of my time and energies into someone else? I believe this is something God desires and delights in. How precious to see people investing in your kids!

So thanks Jess...you are amazing!!!

treehouses, tattoos and pancakes

The Whole Fam - before the wrapping paper carnage...

My Christmas Present from my mom


Santa and Rudolph Pancakes

Jason's Christmas Present to the Kids - a treehouse - without a tree


Merry Christmas~ The Thompsons

Monday is Jason's Birthday - the BIG 30!!!!

I remember 8 years ago (when we were dating) that 30 seemed sooooo far away - and yet here it is! I cannot imagine being married to a better 30 year old than him. He is far and away more than I expected and hoped for in a husband/father/friend. The way he shows his love to me and the kids on a daily basis blows me away!
Here is a little video we made for him....We love you!

Baby Josiah

A few months ago I posted about a baby whose blog I ran across shortly after he was born. Baby Josiah was born prematurely and with quite a few health problems. I have followed his story, as narrated by his daddy, and cried and rejoiced as he has encountered and overcome quite a few obstacles. I checked for an update this morning and saw that things are really not good. You can click on "Drew's View" on my side bar and read his update.

Though I have never met him or his parents, I feel compelled to ask for all you who read this to pray for a miracle on his behalf....and for Andrew and Marie that God will give them faith, wisdom, and strength for the road ahead - whatever it may bring.

Conversations

Caleb: I have a stuffy nose
Kylie: Oh
Caleb: Why do we have noses?
Kylie: So we can smell.
Caleb: Why do we have tummies?
Kylie: So we can eat
Caleb: Why do we have legs?
Kylie: So we can walk
Caleb: Why do we have hearts?
Kylie: ...so we can listen to God.


Later...

K: I'm sorry your nose is stuffy.
C: It's okay
K: You can pray and ask God to heal it tonight
C: I don't know about that. I'm kind of shy to Him.
K: That's okay - I'll ask Him for you...

And just for fun - we got a new camera this week! Does anybody see "baby Kate?"

Update on Micah

On Wednesday, Danni, Micah and I traveled to Seattle. We were able to stay with Danni's relatives that own a town house in Seattle not far from Seattle Children's Hospital.
It turns out that Micah's ulna is formed correctly. It did not appear complete on the x-ray because portions of his ulna are still cartilage.
The Dr also said there is a "very high probability" that Micah's right elbow will correct itself just as his left elbow has. The Dr. attributed the popping to "loose ligaments" . Given this symptom, the feel of Micah's skin and some family history the Dr would like us to see a geneticist to see if Micah has a general problem with his connective tissue (which can manifest as heart and other organ trouble later in life).
In order to make sure Micah's elbow is forming correctly and to see the geneticist, we will be heading to Seattle in late January. We pray that the all goes well and that the passes are clear.

Thank you to all who prayed for the little guy.

This evening Micah enjoyed his first concert and checked out Lincoln Brewster's moves on the guitar while wearing his Harley hat. He was also fond of the cool colors the lights the video screens made. He expressed his appreciation by drooling, kicking and talking while chewing on his hands.

- Jason

Micah News

I realize that most of you who read my blog attend The Bridge and have already received an email requesting prayer for Micah. But, for those of you who don't, I wanted to give you a run down (from my very non-medical understanding) and ask for your prayer as well.

When Micah was born, I noticed right away that his arms would pop when I would dress him or hold on to his hands. His left arm and both shoulders have since stopped popping, but when I took him into his 4 month appointment I asked the doctor about his right arm. He felt around and moved the arm a bit and suggested we get an x-ray. After the Dr. reviewed the x-ray, he recommended we see a specialist. It seems that Micah's ulna (the smaller bone in the arm) is not formed properly. The tip of it, where it is supposed to join in with the elbow, is shortened and shaped like a pin tip instead of the mushroom so that it is not properly in the elbow joint. Our Dr. said he has never seen something like this and neither have his colleagues. So, on Tuesday, Jason and I are heading to Seattle for a Wednesday appointment at Seattle Children's Hospital with an Pediatric Orthopedic Specialist.

We are praying that God would work a miracle in Micah - that his bone would grow and be formed perfectly to fit in the joint. I know that God can do this, and that this situation with Micah, however it works out, is not for naught - that He will work this for His glory!

Thank you for your prayers! We will keep you updated!

Birthdays!

It's been a couple of weeks. Kylie turned 5 on the 22nd and Caleb turned 4 on the 1st. Ideally I would write about the wonderful things my kids have done and how crazy in love I am with each of them - how they steal my heart a little more everyday and teach me more about who God is with all the little miracles I experience through them. But, it is 8:36 and I have quite a day ahead of me, so I think I will post a few pictures and let you see for yourself how amazing they are!!!!

Caleb at the pumpkin patch on his birthday two years ago.


Caleb at the pumpkin patch on Monday.
Big Micah Smiles!
Princess Kylie with her princess PJ's and purse from Disney Land.
Macey on Daddy's shoulders...life is good!
navigating the hay maze...


Pumpkin Patch family picture from two years ago (that's Macey all bundled in my coat).
Same Place....one more kid!
Group Shots....
the counsins - Kylie, Caleb, Macey, Micah, Aiden, and Ana
on top of the hay pyramid (notice mom is not up there...I don't care much for the high places + little people combo)

Cathedral Builders

My mom sent this to me today. How she knew that it was exactly what I needed can only be explained by knowing she is an amazing woman who was there once herself. Thanks for helping build Cathedrals, Mom, I hope you see the beauty in it today!



I'm invisible. It all began to make sense - the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone or cooking or sweeping the floor or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.


Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30, please."

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!


One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . My friend had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when she turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this." It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Danielle, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work. No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees."


I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Danielle. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You a re building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become." At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.


When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there." As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

The offer of a lifetime-OR-What Kylie said yesterday!

I just had to share this story:

There is this really cool new show on PBS Kids - Kylie and Caleb LOOOOVVVVEEE it! So, I made a new rule: Before they can watch it, they have to have their rooms clean - like really clean. The show starts at 10. At 9 we start the cleaning thing. Their rooms are not that messy (not always, anyway) but it can take quite a while to get it done to "mom satisfaction." Yesterday at about 9:10 Kylie decided she was too tired to clean. She laid out the merits of me cleaning it for her and when simple reason didn't work she said "Okay, mom, I'll pay you $13 to clean my room for me and I'll watch TV." Gotta love 4 year old reasoning!!!


Oh - this has nothing to do with Kylie - but I just got this adorable picture of Micah:

You know you're a mom of toddlers if....

* You know who Kofi Annan is because you saw him on Sesame Street

* During worship the most consistent thing you receive is a chewed up bagel in your outstretched hands

* You have "Rock n' Roll Nursery Rhymes" on your iPod

* You are out with your friends and say "I have to go potty."

* The last time you took communion at church more of it ended up on your khaki pants than anywhere else

* You measure time in cartoon increments (you need to stay on your bed for one whole Clifford!)

And - just an amusing side story:
We were sitting at church during worship last Sunday and Macey was desperately trying to tell me something. As usual, it was very hard to hear her so I told her "say it in my ear" and leaned down to where she was. She looked at me really weird - maybe she hadn't heard me - so I said it again "Tell me in my ear." Again, she looked at me like I was crazy and I got a little frustrated. "Macey - tell me in my ear." Next thing I know - she was wiping her face in my hair...turns out she was asking for a Kleenex and thought I said "wipe it in my hair." Ahhhh...clear communication is of the essence with a two year old!!!

cowboy hats and dress up shoes

Imagination is a wonderful thing! Where did mine go? I wonder....I wonder....

I was sitting in the back seat of the van with the kids the other day. If you have never done this with your kids, I recommend that you do. It allows for a whole new perspective.

So there I was, wedged between a three and a four year old. Caleb has taken to bringing an old coffee tin of toys wherever he goes - today, it was a bunch of match box cars, superman and Buzz Lightyear. He was playing and having a great time and then looked at me with those big blue eyes and said "Mommy, why don't you play with toys?" Hmmm....good question.

My kids can take anything and turn it into something cool. Macey puts on a pair of purple high heels and is a princess, Caleb can take a cowboy hat and goggles and is an outer-space creature, Kylie can turn a box, big or small, into almost anything. Imagination is an amazing thing!!!

At what point did it become "un-cool" to play with toys? When did dress up get replaced by designer jeans and cowboy replaced with the newest hair style? Granted, it may be silly and a bit childish for an adult to play with toys, but aren't we supposed to be childish to a certain extent? I mean, if we think about it, how much do we limit our freedom and potential in the Spirit because of what we think others expect or out of a fear of looking foolish? I remember a great Someone saying some time ago that foolishness and child-likeness is actually a key to the kingdom!

What if the freedom that we are glimpsing, merely glimpsing, right now is just a shadow of what is to come. What would our church, our homes, our lives look like if we just let go - if we let our imagination go a bit farther than normal....? It seems I could do with a bit more of the cowboy hat and dress up shoes mentality.

Today...

So - it was 6:30 this morning - I was sitting outside with my half-calf Folgers (I know, very sacrilegious) coffee and my bible. I had just gotten back from a bike ride and was thinking about the day. The main thought was ---"Aghhhhhhhhhh." I wonder - is it a bad sign if you've been up for only an hour, haven't spoken more than two words to another human being, and already overwhelmed? I think maybe it's not so good. But then, about two hours later I got these pics....Kind of hard to not have a good day when these are the guys you get to spend it with....

Happenings

Another month is almost gone - wow - how time flies.
I am running low on sleep and deep thoughts, or any coherent thoughts at all, are few and far between. But, I figure I can at least post a few pictures from the last month...






























This is how the Thompson kids spent their 4th of July - eating loads of ice cream and being incredibly cute (although Micah doesn't look particularly thrilled)!

Macey turned 2 on the 14th:


Despite the girls having pink eye (yuck) and the three older kids having ear infections, the day was pretty good. However, one of her presents had some trouble during shipping:




























Here is a great picture of the girls being girls!:





































So - that's the short of it! I know there isn't much writing here, but we all now "a picture is worth a thousand words." So, really, this is a super-long blog!!! It's all in how you look at it!

Vacations

We are leaving today for a whole week to a beautiful cabin on an amazing lake with an even more amazing family and another good friend! It is quite an ordeal packing for 6 - our van is loaded to capacity (and maybe beyond)! But, alas, it is done and we are on our way (God willing) in a few short hours!
I've been wanting to post a couple kid stories - so I figured I'd try to get those done before I go:


Caleb has been having a TON of dreams lately. Some good, some not so good. So - we've been encouraging and praying and talking to him about calling for Jesus in his dreams to help him. The other day he woke up and said he had a bad dream with monsters and stuff in the kitchen. I reminded him that he could talk to Jesus in his dreams and he said "Yeah, I know, but I just asked for Spider man and he came to help" Hmmm....sounds like his dream language!!

And then there's Kylie! She was sitting in the van the other day and saw an airplane. She asked "when to Caleb and I get to fly?" I said, "You mean in an airplane? I don't know honey." "No mom - in the air with our wings?" Wow! Ky - I think you can do anything you put your mind to! (Oh - Tyler, I told her to ask you how to fly)!!! Fly, Kylie, Fly!!!







Now, who could forget about Macey. Macey, Macey, Macey - who is EVERY BIT of a two year old! She has chosen to make getting out of bed "THE battle." You know - the one where she will be incredibly stubborn and test mom and dad to see how stubborn we can be with discipline - fun, fun!!! Well this was the scene the other night: She pokes her head out of her room and wanders into the hallway."Macey - are you out of bed." "Ummm....yeah." "Macey - what happens when you get out of bed?" "know" (meaning - I don't know). "Do you get spankers?" "yeah" "Come here" macey takes off running, goes into her room. I follow and say "come here" She looks at me with her very cute, very big blue eyes with her scruffy blonde hair everywhere and says "spank" and swats her own bottom. Pretty cute!!!

What can I say about Micah? Oh man - this little guy (and the big guy) has stolen my heart!!! Take a look at this pic:









Enough said!!

Here's to a great, relaxing vacation with great friends and many more stories to tell when we get back!!!

Adios!