Attention All Readers!!!

I have been reading the most amazing book serious and I wanted to share it with you. The series is called Mark of the Lion by Francine Rivers. It is Christian fiction. I know what you're thinking because I had the same thought, boring and stuffy, but it is anything but that. It takes place around 40AD in Rome and Ephesus. If you're an avid reader or just someone who picks up a book on occasion you will enjoy these books. If you do read them let me know what you think!

What a BRAVE Boy!

Easton had to be allergy tested today. This is the second time he's had to have the skin prick test. He did not like it AT ALL the first time. He asked me all the way to the doctor today if he was going to have to get "those shots". I really felt bad for him. Let me tell you that I think I honestly saw the face of true bravery today. He had a strange need to watch the nurse prick him, almost like he couldn't take his eyes off of it. She talked to him the entire time to keep him distracted. It worked really well but there were a few times when his voice would change or he would tear up but none ever fell! I guess it's just another sign that he's maturing. Man, Easton is, at times, the most sweetest child and other times he is the absolute most difficult...but we love'em any way!! And yes, he's pretty much allergic to everything!!

Happy Birthday Parker!!

Eleven years ago today my sweet little Parker was born. I can't believe its already been that long. He has grown into a sweet spirited, compassionate, tweenager with a great sense of humor. I know God has great things planned for Parker. I love you Park!!

Leelou Blogs

Anyone in need of a blog make-over? Check them out!!

I Just Wanna be a Rock Star!!

Today was "Dress Like a Rock Star" for the kids at school in honor of Red Ribbon Week. Of course, Olivia is at the age that dressing up is fun. After she got dressed this morning she had a major meltdown. She didn't like the clothes she had on. She said her shirt was a halloween shirt and not a rock star shirt. I told her I would make her pony-tail big and that seemed to calm her down. Here are the results of her dress-up. I think she looks AWESOME!! One more note...I asked her after school if she liked her outfit now and she said, "No, no one said I looked cute!" I know that wasn't true but man, we're in trouble!! Sheesh!

GO COWBOYS!!!

Do you ever look back on your life and realize there was something different you should have done? Like you made the wrong decision somewhere and the choice you should have made becomes clear? Well, I think I probably should have gone to OSU! I have always enjoyed going to Stillwater...even in high school attending cheer clinic. I love the college town atmosphere and Stillwater seemed just close enough and at the same time just far enough away from Mom & Dad! As a junior I went there for student orientation and it just felt natural. Most of you know my decision for college was totally driven by where Phil was...that wasn't a smart choice. Needless to say, that's the choice I made and I can't dwell on the past.
So for now, I totally enjoy going to Stillwater on game days for tailgating and the game, if I'm lucky enough to have a ticket. Phil and I got to spend most of the weekend there and we had a great time. Gary and Nancy took the kids with them to Houston and gave us their tickets to the game. THANK YOU SO MUCH GARY & NANCY! We love you!! I think our weekend together without the kids gave us a much needed recharge in our marriage and a reminder of the importance of time spent together. We missed the kids but we had a good time.
Here is a pic I took at the game. I took it with my Blackberry and think it came out pretty good. For my next purchase though I want a camera I can carry in my purse. Phil says it's a "girl" thing! Hehe!!

New Do!

I know I'm always changing my hair everytime I get it colored or cut but I think this is by far the most dramatic. It's probably going to shock some of you and it'll take me a little getting used to but I kind of like it. I've been trying to let my hair grow out and putting bleach on it for so long is slowing that process. I'll probably stay dark through the winter and hopefully by summer it will be longer and healthier.

BTW...Parker did a great job taking the pic for me! Thanks Park!!

Tag You're It!!

I was tagged by Jeana over at her blog, Keeping Up With the Sorrells, so I guess I should be a good sport and play along. I'm supposed to get the 6th picture from my 6th file in my photos.

Okay, if this couldn't be anymore boring; none the less, this is THE picture. I guess I could have cheated and just gone with something else but I have too much of a guilty conscience (yes, even with something as small as this). This is one of the very first cards I made when I started stamping. In fact, the date on it is Oct 2004. Sheesh!!! That was a long time ago.

I also feel like I need to explain the heading of our newly remodeled Blog. I know it's off center and I've been searching like crazy on how to fix this. I know for some of you AR people, like myself, this was probably bothering you!!

First Concert!

Easton went to his very first concert last weekend. My mom, dad and me took him to see Jars of Clay, Switchfoot and Third Day (there was another one that I'd never heard of); they are Christian rock groups. We first went to eat at Earl's in Bricktown. When we got to the concert Easton got to pick out a t-shirt. Of course he wanted the one that had Third Day as Wii people on it. Easton made it through three of the groups but slept in my lap during all of Third Day. In the end he said he really liked it! For me, it gave me a good feeling that Easton knew all the songs from Switchfoot and Jars of Clay!

Things I Made!

I'm finally going to post a couple of things I made. I really enjoy stamping and scrapbooking and I've started to have an interest in the digital world of scrapbooking. I'll try to post my first digital layout...when I make it! Ha! But for now here is a name frame (Stampin Room) that I made for Pam to give as a gift. I've actually made several of them, some as gifts and some to sell. The main problem I have is getting started. Once I figure out what I want to use I usually can breeze through it. The 2nd thing was made for Pam to take to Stampin' Up Convention in July as a make-and-take, a picture frame tin. That was cool cause ladies from all over were able to see and make what I designed. I enjoy making things a lot more when there is a purpose. It's hard for me to just sit down and "play". I'll try to post more of my creations in the future but I hope you enjoy these for now!

Be Watching for a Blog Face-lift!!

Ugh!!

I know what you're thinking!! School started almost a month ago and I am just now getting the rest of the pictures posted. It took me forever to figure out how to get the slideshow posted. After I did it, it wasn't so hard. I apparently was using the wrong photo editing web site. There are actually other things that I've wanted to post so now that I'm over that hurdle I'll move forward. I also have family and friends that have decided to start blogging. Check out their blogs in my blog list on the right. I've also found some other really cool blogs and sites that I will post in the future. Most of them pertain to my interests...some of you will enjoy them.

On more of a serious note, our little niece, Amelia, is in surgery as I type. She is so small and fragile; it's just hard to imagine. I just keep picturing God laying right next to her...I'm sure he is. Check out Brad & Cat's blog for all the news (click the link "The Princess and Her Peons" on the right).
Please keep them all in your prayers.

1st Day of School 2008

We're ALL Briarwood Bears!

I now know that we have hit a milestone in our lives. All of our children are now attending school...all day!! It is a sad thing but it is also exciting to see where God will take us next.
Last Thursday, Aug 14th, we took all of our kids to their first day of school. Parker is in the 5th grade, Easton is in 1st, and Olivia is in Kindergarten. It is our tradition to take the kids to breakfast every year on the first day of school. The past several years we've gone to I-HOP! Phil and I enjoy it just as much as the kids.
We are very thankful for the teachers the kids got this year. My philosophy on teachers is not to request a specific teacher but to pray that God puts them with the teacher they need and He hasn't let us down yet!! Olivia got the same teacher Easton had last year, who I just found out attends the CoC. When I dropped Olivia off she asked me if I could stay with her for awhile. I think that is so sweet because I know the time is coming when she will want me to leave as quick as possible...much like Parker did this year! Easton got a teacher that is just back this year from maternity leave and she seems very pleasant. Parker got the teacher he wanted but unfortunately none of his close buddies are in his class. So far things are going well...no calls from the principal. We are fortunate in that there is a teacher at their school that we go to church with. She has taken the kids under her wing...that's very comforting. The kids really like her and I think feel special that they get her attention.

In some other family news...I have been added as a permanent employee with the company I work for, Shipley Associates. I was given the opportunity to set my own schedule working 32 hours a week and still be considered a full time/salaried employee. I work 9am-3pm every day. This is wonderful as it allows me to be home with the kids before and after school. It also takes the finacial burden of daycare away. Things are going well!!

Gimme' a Break!

The only one of our kids that hasn't broken a bone was Easton, which I always thought was ironic, until now. The funny, or not-so-funny, thing about my kids is there is always a crazy story that goes along with their breaks. Easton's isn't quite as dramatic as the other two...well here's the story.
The kids had a carnival at the Y a week before school started. Easton was jumping in a moon bounce and fell on his arm. He was really crying from it so the Y counselor called me around 3pm. It's sometimes hard to tell if your kids are being dramatic or if it's legit. I got off work at 3:30 and picked them up. By this time he had stopped crying so we decided to wait it out a bit to see how he did. Oh yeah, this was the same day as the kids slumber party. We figured if anything this would let us know if he was seriously injured. He ended up babying his arm all night and complaing some about it. He also woke in the middle of the night crying that his arm was hurt. Phil and I decided to take him to the Bone & Joint Hospital Friday morning. After all the crazy stuff that's happened in the past we were hoping this would be a one stop trip. Ha!! That's funny!! They x-rayed his arm and yep it was broke. A doctor was not there, only the PA, so all we got was a sling, a CD with his x-ray, and a business card of a doctor we could go see. Easton was not very happy about having to wear the sling (you'll have to ask Phil for details). He threw the biggest fit because the sling made him look "dumb". I guess Parker felt sorry for him because he ironed Easton's name onto it and Easton was fine with it after that. We weren't able to see another doctor until the following Tuesday. He gave us a wrap and said the break was too high up his arm to cast; the only thing we could do was keep it wrapped(that's the craziness of E's break). Does he have any children, better yet a 6 yr old BOY?!?! Needless to say I was a little nervous about that.
Well, we go back to the doctor tomorrow...hopefully Easton hasn't done anymore damage to it. Say a prayer!! If there is anything more to tell after tomorrow I'll try to get on and let you know!!
BTW, this was not the break I wanted!!

Make a Smilebox postcard

Summer Slumber

I decided to let the kids have what we called a Summer Slumber the week before school started. Phil and I let each one chose 1-2 friends to stay the night...yes, we had about 8 kids sleeping at our house. I know a lot of people thought we were out of our mind by the questions we repeatedly got but honestly it went really well. I've always said that if the kids have a friend over to entertain them it generally occupies their time and things tend to run smoothly, in other words they aren't under my feet begging (usually)! Ha! We all had a good time. I preapared all the toppings for the kids to make their own individual pizzas. I think thay all enjoyed that and I thought it was fun to see how everyone made theirs. Then they played outside for awhile. Later they all decorated a t-shirt. I tried real hard not to "tell" them what to put on them. That's something I struggle with but I'm working on it! Enjoy the pics...and yes, this is something I would do again.






I love these pics of Liv and Aub. They are so silly. They were so good and had a GREAT time together!!

I'm starting to experiment more with Photoshop. I still haven't taken that online class yet but it's on the 'To Do' list.

Summer Vacation

The kids and I went with Nancy to visit Brad, Catherine and Amelia in Frisco last weekend. We got there Saturday at 3:30pm and left Sunday about 5pm; that was our summer vacation. It's kind of like driving through a small town; you better take a picture otherwise you might miss it. Good thing I got a few! We had a good time spending Saturday in the pool. Brad grilled out hamburgers and we just relaxed all evening. Sunday we went to church. Nancy had made Amelia and Olivia matching dresses; they looked like sisters. Afterwards Catherine, Parker and me went shopping. I was able to get some school clothes for the kids. We looked for shoes for Parker but the older he gets the more expensive his taste gets. Sheesh! And I still have two more after him. The highlight for the kids is always getting to take a bath in their big whirlpool bath...who cares about the brand new pool?!?! Nothing too crazy happened...I know that's hard to believe. Enjoy the pics and I'll be back soon!

I forgot to mention, the kids had their first taste of homemade Zucchini Bread that Catherine made...it was delicious!! YUMMY!!!!! Here are pics of their first taste...how do you think they liked it?

Okay, I can't talk about the weekend unless I show you the sweetest pic!! My little Easton can be the sweetest thing ever. He's my little lover...and apparently Amelias too!! I guess I'll share with her.

"IT'S BROKEN!!!!"

Ok, I was reprimanded by the blog expert...hehe...that I didn't blog enough!! Which I guess she's right! By the way, this "expert" doesn't even have her own blog but she can tell you A LOT about other people's! Ha!! What's that called again? A blog stalker? Hmmm! It's all in love!!

So here I go...

Olivia is going to kill me but I think it is so funny...and typical drama-girl behavior. This is a typical morning at the Thompson home; Phil gets the kids up and makes them breakfast and packs their lunches every day. On this day Liv wanted a pop tart (Exhibit A).



Does anything look wrong with this to you? Looks pretty yummy to me! Well, if you look really closely you might notice a couple of cracks down the middle (you probably need the magnifying glass). Needless to say, Olivia noticed it. "IT'S BROKEN!!" ,was her hysterical response. I snapped a few pics of her reaction, she didn't like that too well!! Hehe!!--future blackmail!!

More 4th Pics!!

It was late when I posted the last time. I wasn't able to post all the pictures I wanted to. I hope you enjoy these.

Olivia

Parker


Easton

Easton, Parker, Sawyer & Olivia