Merry Christmas?

After reading this account of our first few days on holiday, I'll let you decide if our Christmas has been merry. :)

Christmas day was started at our house bright and early around 5:30am as we made our final preparations to fly to Michigan. We made time for stockings and coffee and everyone was merry.

Our friend Ryan also had to get up early, drive to our house to pick us up and take us to the airport (thank you Ryan!!).

Our flight was scheduled to depart at 9:50am through Allegiant. We (Rob and I, equally) thought that we were reading our itinerary correctly and had Ryan take us to the Orlando International Airport (MCO)...but when we got there and asked for help finding our ticketing gate...we were told that our flight was indeed scheduled to fly out of the Orlando/Sanford International Airport (SAN). BIG OOPS. So we ran outside, flagged down a cab driver, asked if he could take us to SAN before our flight left, he had 2 car seats, we loaded up and drove off.

We made it in 30 minutes!!! He was flying (in the cab that is). So after $106 and a Merry Christmas to the cabby, we were off to find our gate and more coffee. :)

After all that, a lot of prayer, grace, and a sense of humor, we all made it into Grand Rapids with our holiday cheer intact.

The very next day at our first party, JoeAnna came down with the stomach flu and vomited all over the kitchen rug in Nana Pitt's house. Needless to say, we've seen better days. I sure hope and pray that we don't all get the bug and that we can continue to breathe grace and laugh.

Merry Christmas! (without question! :) )

Quick Look at our family Christmas 2009

This is the before...

Thompson Family Christmas 2009 (Graham's 1st; JoeAnna's 3rd)
Here's the after...

Thompson Family Christmas Letter 2009

Don't be disappointed! We are handing out picture cards this year, and I just wanted to save on ink and write our letter here for everyone!

Merry Christmas! I love this time of year for so many reasons, and this year has brought even more. This is Graham's first Christmas, and his 2 bottom baby teeth are ready to gnaw through whatever comes his way! And this is also JoeAnna's 3rd Christmas! I can't believe how much time we've had with her already! She has been very timid towards "liking" Christmas, mostly because when we left family in November everyone told her "we will see you at Christmas" and to her that was an ominous thing to say! She didn't remember what "Christmas" was. So for about 3 weeks whenever she heard us talking about Christmas or buying Christmas things she would say "I don't like Christmas." To which I would reply, "That's okay to not like all of the fuss or parties, but Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus - He was born to save us from our sins! We celebrate his birth at Christmas." I think I said those words over a hundred times.

Then we put up our Christmas tree, and all the "I don't likes" stopped! We have an angel on top of our tree and she loves it (and she knows that the angels sang and told the shepherds of Jesus' birth). Now she sings Christmas Carols in the car and she talks about "my Christmas." I am actually thankful she didn't "like Christmas" at first because it taught us all that Christmas is about Jesus.


Well now for a recap of 2009:

What a year of gifts! And there are too many for me to list, but here are a few: Graham Alan Thompson (born 4/11/09), a job for Rob in Florida, a home in Florida, my dad (recovered from major brain surgery), family and friends who continue to love and support us, and many, many anonymous gifts (gift cards, money, time taking care of our empty house in MI, etc). God has richly blessed us this year through the generosity of others and He has provided a way for us to continue serving Him by providing for our basic needs. For me, moving to Florida has been a test of trust in God, and He has been so faithful. I am very thankful to be where He has brought us.

Please continue to join us in prayer. Our ministry here could not be accomplished without prayer, and we are reminded of that daily. We want you all to be encouraged that God has, is, and will always keep His promises. He promised a Son, and His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Merry Christmas!

Cute things they say...

so my kids always make me smile, but I just have to share what they've said...and I hope you smile too.

Earlier this week JoeAnna and I were talking about extended family relationships and how I am Grandma and Papa Hemmes' daughter - and I explained that she was my daughter, to which she said, "Mommy, I'm not a daughter - I'm a Thompson!"

Then Sunday afternoon (I shared this on FB already) we were getting ready to go to church and Sunday is Awana night, and she gets to go to Puggles. She loves it. I told her we were almost ready to go to church and she said, "I'm going to run to Jesus! I'll race ya!"
She makes me so proud.

Graham too joined in on the cute things... he's been saying "baba" for about 3 weeks, and I have been slowly working on "mama" with him. Well yesterday Graham, Joe, and I were sharing a group hug and he said "mama!" I held him out and exclaimed "you just said 'Mama!'" And he cracked up laughing! It was like he knew how all along, and he also knew I would melt. I love my little man.

Singing "Away in a Manger"

Can't really see us... Sorry about that.

Joe hanging Grandma Joe's Angel

Downtown Disney 12\5\09 (22 photos), by cara thompson

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Christmas Decor 2009 (4 photos), by cara thompson

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Christmas Time in Florida...so who wants to go to the beach?

So we've made it back from the Great Up North and we survived Thanksgiving with all of our family and friends. It was a good time to be back in Holland and with friends and family. We struggled the first week with being sick. The kids were completely depended on me and sleep, so needless to say, we didn't get out much those first few days.

I am happy to say that I believe I've "past the first test" of homesickness. I was able to go back "home", enjoy it, and return to our new home and love it. I thought for sure that I would be a mess the day we left, but I was surprisingly ready to be back here in Florida. I am learning in whatever state I am, to be content. :)

And now it is time for Christmas. Our first Christmas away from our families, and without the cold and snow! It doesn't feel right, honestly. And I am talking about the lack of coldness/snow. In the windows of our local Target are these snow flake things, and it looks completely out of place with bright sunny skies and people in shorts. So to attack new traditions head on, and not allow our family to miss out on the Holiday Cheer, I decided to go out and buy some Christmas decorations (thanks to a generous gift) and "do Christmas" anyway! It's not a Michigan Christmas here, but it's a Thompson Christmas and it's ours! I am loving it. :)

Tonight we enjoyed lots of time in the kitchen. JoeAnna and I made pizza for dinner (Friday night, homemade pizza night! (yes we are copying the Kampers!)) It was so much fun. JoeAnna is seriously good in the kitchen. She gets distracted, but that's it! She was able to do almost everything expect chop the chicken and put the pan in the oven. Then we made Christmas cookies as a family! Well, Graham didn't really help, but I let him taste one at least. :) The pictures from snapfish show how much work I should be doing in the kitchen to clean up...

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Cookies and Cheer (6 photos), by cara thompson

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

trip to Mi in Nov (55 photos), by cara thompson

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

first session with jodi (26 photos), by cara thompson

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

second session with Jodi (23 photos), by cara thompson

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Blog - oh why do I avoid thee?

So I am sitting here at the computer, quickly checking facebook to see if I have any new news on plans for family time in Michigan, and I am realizing I NEVER write updates on the blog. I must confess that I thought I would be better at this than I have been.

Let's update then shall we? Okay, where to begin...

TIME CHANGE I LOATHE THEE!!! So my kids can't seem to adjust. We are living on a "pre-fall back" schedule in a post-fall back world. Not fun. I miss having my second cup of coffee and quiet in the morning before the starting my day as a mom.

It's still in the 80's and sunny most days (and it's getting cooler in the morning and evenings, perfect for walks).

JoeAnna is still wearing size 12-18/28-24mo clothes. I can't seem to make her grow. :)

Graham is totally out of his 9mo clothes - way to long, and he will soon be bigger than JoeAnna. He can sit up, roll over, copy sounds, laugh and smile (and very well I might add). And he's eating great! He can almost feed himself puffs. He doesn't have a real interest in moving (a lot like Joe at his age) but he does turn himself in a circle. He loves rattles (his Mickey rattle is his absolute favorite, he shakes when he sees it)! He still loves to swing; he'll swing for a collective 2-3 hours a day! (And more if I'd let him).

JoeAnna loves to go to the pond in our subdivision and feed the ducks. She's made friends with all kids of animals around here: lizards, ducks, dogs, and bunnies. We say hello to them most mornings on our walks. Today, I let her walk too and she had a blast. She made it around the whole pond once! (It's a pretty nice size.)

We were recently able to visit with Rob's grandparents, Don and Patricia Pitt. They are wonderful great-grandparents. They are traveling evangelists and so being able to see them throughout the year is sometimes tough, so we are proud to say we were able to have 3 meals with them while they were on a break in Haines City (just south west of us).

Before they were in town, Jonathan and Heidi Grooms and their boys were in town for a Missions Conference here at BBC. We had a great time reconnecting with them and seeing each others' children for the first time. Elijah and JoeAnna were great friends. Joe has really become a "tom-boy" and loves to run around with her buddies, she is much less shy with other kids than she was.

I am still adjusting to life here in Florida. I still love the area, and our home. I am learning to accept the challenges I am faced with daily, and I am so thankful that God chose to use this opportunity to mature and prune me. I am seeking Him daily and desperately. I never want to loose this kind of passion for knowing Him. It's awesome to be more disciplined though, I was truly missing out before! The Proverbs are right, the lazy man is a fool!
I have been reading a lot more too - I have some great books I've been using to teach JoeAnna about God and they are exciting!

Well, lest I waste this time (while both kids are sleeping), I must be done for now. Here's hoping I will write again soon! :)

Facebook | Cara Thompson

Facebook Cara Thompson: "Graham trying to complain/talk :) [HQ]
By Cara Thompson
0:55 Added about an hour ago"

Facebook | My Photos - Profile Pictures

Facebook My Photos - Profile Pictures: "http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3337542&l=6521622186&id=515066441"

Graham playing peek-a-boo

Sleeping Kids in hats

Both kids are about the same ages here, I just thought they were so sweet sleeping in their car seats. :) Plus they were both wearing hats! Fun!

Thank you Aunt Amanda & Uncle Matt!

JoeAnna's favorite puzzle is this seemingly difficult one of the 50 United States. She knows where almost all of them go just by either the shape or by one of us telling her the name of the state! It's pretty amazing to watch her put it all together.

Saturday Morning Fun

So, this is my first post (this is Rob) and I'm excited to share with you a craft Joe and I did this morning.

The day started with me going to a men's Bible study at the Church. When I got home, it was Cara's turn to go to a Bible study with our Pastor's wife, Rasha. Fortunately, Graham was sleeping when Cara left, so I only had to keep Joe occupied for a couple of hours. I don't know how Cara does it day in and day out. She is a strong woman.

After going through some options with Joe on what she wanted to do, she settled on plato. So I propped her in her high chair and we started sculpting masterpieces. I got the idea to start making body parts out of plato (Nothing like Michelangelo's "David". This is a G rated home). What transpired was the pictures you see above.

We had a really good time.

yesterday

So I absolutely love Fridays! Rob's day off and we try to spend it as a family. Yesterday was no exception: we were up and at 'em and out of the house before 10am, we shipped a package (an item we sold on ebay - woo whoo), went to the library, stopped at the church (can't be avoided :) ), tried to get our licenses (but forgot our marriage license - weird, but we were turned down), went back home for lunch and naps (Graham took yet another 3 hour afternoon snooze!!), went back to the Osceola County to get our licenses (we were only able to get mine, ask Rob), SONIC for dinner (yum!!), the church again (see previous comment), and then home for baths and bed for the kiddos, and popcorn and a movie for Rob and me.

so it's official - I am a Florida resident!

Kids part 2

Kids in their natural state :)

This is kinda long so beware! (It's mostly on here for gmas and papas!)

love your brain

so not to long ago i was watching a special on PBS where this doctor/brain specialist was giving a list a 10 things to do to "love your brain" and it was interesting because he had actual brain scans to prove his message. basically, positive thinking actually heals the brain and bridges the gaps and conversely, negative thinking creates literal holes and gaps in the brain. So, my take away from that show - be happy or accept having swiss cheese for a brain.

It was easy to think positively on Friday, September 4th! (First, it was Aiden's birthday!! Way to go buddy - 7 is the perfect number!) Also, it was the first time at Disney World for 75% of my family! Rob had been there before, but JoeAnna, Graham and I were able to see it for the first time. It was a blast and blasting hot too. :) JoeAnna is such a sponge. She doesn't show a lot of emotion about things, and I just took that to mean that she was unimpressed about things or that she was still too young to really experience Disney. Not true. She talks about her experieces every day. She still wants to ride Dumbo again, and she asks everyone she talks to if she can ride that ride again. She doesn't want to ride the Tea Cups again... I think because Graham got to ride that too and that is his claim to fame and she doesn't want to share the spotlight... She is just starting to notice that he gets his own attention, but so far she is happy for him.

Today she laid down next to him and asked me to take a picture of them side-by-side. She is really starting to like her picture taken - not in a "I'm a ham" way though. I wish I could truly capture how she talks to me. She starts conversations, asks legitimate questions, and she is very witty.

I found the first lizard in the house. In JoeAnna's room. It was a baby. I was so freaked out. I stayed calm. I now walk lightly. I don't like lizards inside. Ugh. At least it wasn't a cockroach. Please pray that doesn't happen again. I can't handle the thought of things crawling on us while we sleep. I will handle any gross bug during the day... it's the thought that they are there at night.

Well Mom T. and Rick left this morning. It was so nice to have family visit. And now it is on with life as usual - and usual is still in the defining stage. Please pray for us to be a faithful family. We are so blessed here in Florida.

Pictures to come!!

Another side-by-side :)

This comparison is a little uneven because Graham is in his third month and JoeAnna is in her fifth month seen here.

They are so loving to one another; I wish all of you could see them playing together now. I can sit Graham in the "bumbo" type seat (borrowed from my handsome nephew William!) and JoeAnna will "make dinner" for Graham in her kitchen. Basically Graham ends up getting a lap-full of plastic food. It's super cute. He is an easy going, generous giggler, and JoeAnna displays a great balance of big sister/playmate and mother/protector.

More later!

Name that baby (2 photos), by cara thompson

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

JoeAnna singing a short prayer for pizza!

JoeAnna loves to sing "Thank you Father" which she learned from her cousin Carter :). She knows the whole thing, but she often shortens it to just the basics as seen here. We were having pizza at the church in the gym with Rick, Randi, Tessa and our family. JoeAnna loves being at the church!

Saturday, August 22nd

This is Graham before he really figured out that he wanted this stuff. He ate his first meal with purpose on August 28th.

cool slideshow of Joe's 2nd b-day party

http://www1.snapfish.com/mmsshareewelcome/p=970171250530204630/l=1721329012/g=91575134/otsc=SYE/otsi=SMMS

going back to snail mail and phone calls

grrr... nothing i did today to upload videos and update this blog worked... i feel disgruntled and sad to not have anything to show for my efforts. sorry!!!

JoeAnna's Birthday & Party (162 photos), by cara thompson

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

in my head

This morning has been very nice, thanks to my wonderful husband who got up way before dawn to start his day and tend to the kids. I haven't been able to get to bed before midnight, so he let me sleep in until 7:15am!!! :)

This is the song that I have in my head this morning.

You love is life to me, my truest longing my deepest need

Without it one moment I don't know where I'd be

You love is life to me

Bread for my body, light for my eyes

All that I need you daily provide

Deep in my being, more than my blood

My very existence depends on your love...

lifesavers

PBS kids

caffeine

family

my kids

Rob

Jesus Christ

(these are in increasing order)

#2 Pictures of Joe's Party

William - almost 1yr here!

JoeAnna "thinking" just like her daddy does. :)

Opening gifts

Elsa "salsa" Hemmes - she and Joe are so cute watching Dora together!

This is Rob "loving" Sparty! I had to post this because I love him too!

Haven - he and Joe have a great bond!

Tessa-boo!! I love this one - both the picture and the girl!

Carter Graham - playing with his bouncy ball, miss you buddy!!

#1 Pictures of JoeAnna at her Tunnel Park Birthday Party

Birthday girl Joe and her daddy!

"Aunt" Casie, Haven, Cara & JoeAnna

3 people changing Graham's diaper ;)

Aiden Lee

Eldest cousin, Ev

Happy 1st Birthday to Will!

We Love you William Adrian Hemmes!!!

so many things

So this is Graham blogging with me. He and JoeAnna were babysat all day today while I was with my dad. We all had a great time! Our wonderful friend, pastor's wife, and neighbor Rasha Flowers graciously watched my two kiddos - she is a huge blessing to me!

My dad had a great day! We started it by having some time in the Word, followed by physical therapy, doctors visits, and we actually watched a movie on his laptop. It was good for both of us. He was moved to an intermediate hospital room - yay no more ICU!!! He's just down the hall now, but we are getting closer everyday to recovering fully. Thank you all so much for your earnest prayers and thoughts for my dad and our family.

Sunday was a big day! I am so proud of Rob. We know that this is just where God wants us. Please continue to pray for us as we work towards being fully transitioned.

I honestly love Florida! For somebody who had only been to Florida once and not on a vacation, I had no idea what I was missing! Even during the "wet season" and "hot" summer, I am loving the climate and the sunshine!

I should record JoeAnna for all of you to hear - she is amazing Rob and me with her conversational speech! It's incredible. And she has transitioned so well to the big change with being more active on Sundays - we were going from 8:30am - 8:30pm and she was smiling and singing and asking for her new friends Gavin and Keighlah even after being with them in class for 3 services. So thank you to those of you who said that she would be okay with major change. You were right. It's been a big blessing and relief. :)

Finally - I do miss all of you from Michigan!!! Visit soon!

more firsts

Let's see, we've been so busy, but I don't want to lose the little things. Sunday, July 26th Graham rolled from his tummy to his back. Today, he went in his exersaucer for the first time! He is so strong and ready for it, but still a little too short so I put a big photo album under his feet so he can push with his legs and not just dangle there.

Also we went to the park yesterday for the first time, and we saw two lizards and a tropical frog. I took some pictures on my phone that are fun, and we all had a great time. It's so nice to have a park and a pool right here in our subdivision!!

chain reactions

you know how when you have a plan, and then one thing falls out of line and the whole day is effected by that one thing? that happens to me a lot. today it was the door-to-door Jehovah's Witnesses. they came right as I was trying to finish putting things away in the kitchen before Graham needed to eat. I answered the door, there they were, and they continued to talk to me until Graham was almost beside himself with hunger. grr... and it took over 2 hours to get things back in order. I say all of this not because it is (or was) that big of a deal, but to wonder out loud, am I the only one that this happens to? I hope not.

summary of today

Rob went to work this morning for his first day at BBC!!!

JoeAnna and Graham had their first bath together today! I was nervous at first, but it went really well and actually saved a lot of time and energy. :)

I created this blog while the kids napped.

We had 2 meals together today as a family! It was wonderful.

And I got to drive up to see my mom and dad for the evening while Rob played with the kids at home. My dad had a good day - I could tell by his facial expressions. My mom was also encouraged by how today went.

I am just so thankful for my family. Today was a good day.

where to begin...

Friday, July 17th 2009, will always be an important date to our family. This was the day we moved to Kissimmee, Florida from Holland, MI (aka home).

It was a grace-full drive. Seriously, the kids were wonderful, my parents and Rob's parents were with us and an enormous help and encouragement! We estimated it took us 27 hours from beginning to end. Not bad with an almost 2 yr old and a 3 month old. :)

Moving in wasn't bad either, hot, but not bad. We had a lot of help from the church (Bible Baptist Church, where Rob is now Director Children's Ministries) and our parents to unload boxes from the trucks and such.

The house is much bigger than our house in Holland. The main floor is actually over double the size, but there isn't a basement and very minimal storage, so we will have to be creative (and I would love suggestions). Plus we found out that we shouldn't really use the garage for storage of anything that could mold or mildew!

Monday, July 20th 2009, will also be an important date to our family. My dad, while here in Florida helping us move, was taken to the ER because of a massive headache. It turned out that he had multiple aneurisms on the same artery in his brain. One of them burst and the blood on his brain caused him extreme pain.

The surgery to repair the artery lasted approximately 9 hours in all, and it was overnight. Needless to say, we didn't sleep all that much while we were waiting to hear from the surgeon.

Tuesday morning my brothers arrived from Holland and we all went to the hospital to be together as a family. I think that's the first time in a long time it has just been us five.

My mom and brothers found a hotel next to the hospital and set up "home" there. Someone was almost always with dad.

Wednesday morning I woke up severely ill. I was running a high temperature and unable to walk or lift my own glass. That evening I was able to get on an antibiotic and have been getting better ever since.

So my family and I weren't able to visit the hospital until that Friday, and we found dad well cared for and in good spirits.

Sunday was Rob's first time teaching children's church here and today was his official "first day of work!" We couldn't be more excited! There is still so much to do - everywhere we look - but we are so thankful for our health and our family and our church.

This has been an amazing process because we have such an awesome God who knows us and cares for us in such intimate ways. Thank you to all who have been praying, and please continue to pray for my mom and dad as his recovery is going to be long and difficult.