Slowing it Down

Life has been so crazy lately, it seems that we are always on the move or late for something. Adam has been super busy with the website and making improvements in the programing and driving to alpaca shows and auctions to promote it. I have gone with him a couple times but he has also gone alone a handful of times. During the week I have been driving back and forth to the school and going on field trips and taking the boys to doctor appointments - it just doesn't end. However, there are moments through out all of the craziness that seem like they are happening in slow motion. Last night was one of those moments.

We had some boxes that had been sitting around for a while and needed to be burned. I told Adam I couldn't look at them another day and I was going out to burn them, even if it was still raining and wet. He convinced me to wait until he was done working for the day and we would all go out and do it so the boys could roast some marshmallows. I often forget how much boys enjoy fire and this was just what we needed, a relaxing evening as a family away from the Nintendo, t.v. and everything else families think they need to entertain themselves.

We got out the mountain pie irons and all the fix'ns and had a little cook out with the boys. They got to find everyone a roasting stick and run around the yard with swords and shields. Adam and I just watched them playing from our perch at the fire and were so content in that moment. Everything around us seemed to stop and we didn't have a thought or care about anything but what was right in front of us - our three beautiful, healthy, happy boys.

Just a quick picture

I almost forgot to share this picture. It's Isaiah's community helper dress up day at school. He was a computer geek...uh...I mean consultant.

Weekend Whirlwind

This past weekend the Thompson family traveled to New York. Syracuse to be exact. We went up to promote the website at an alpaca show and gave our members signs for their stalls. We also wanted to see what it was all about since we will be showing Power Point next fall. Our boys were troopers even though they got VERY bored at the show. On the way home we decided to take a detour up to Niagara. They all three loved it and Adam and I enjoyed watching and listening to them. We had to stop and read every sign in the park and Josiah really wanted to walk around like his big brothers. Elijah really wanted to go to Canada, but we were not prepared and had no ID for the boys. (I was planning on staying home with the boys while Adam went to the show alone.) So we couldn't take them across, but next time we will have everything we need so Lij can "get to be in another country", as he put it.

New Business Venture

Adam and I have decided to take on a new business venture. As if Adam starting his own networking business and programing a web-site weren't enough! Anyway, we had an opportunity to purchase 2 alpacas at an auction a few weeks ago; a mother with a baby or cria. The mother has also been bred again so we will have a third alpaca next summer. This is something we have been wanting to do, but wanted to wait until the timing was right. We never expected it to just fall into our laps as it has. We are very excited and see great potential in this industry; we just need a name for our new business! Any suggestions?


This is a younger picture of the mother. Her name is Consequences - no we didn't pick the name!


This is the cria a few days after he was born. His name is Power Point and no we didn't pick it either! He is about 4 months old now and I will post some updated pictures when I get a chance. They are being boarded on our friends alpaca farm for now and we go for visits (learning visits!). The boys are very excited and love the babies. I can't wait to get them scooping poop!

Great Job!

Elijah's testing went so much better than I could have asked for. He did awesome and didn't complain once!

The huff and puff test showed that he has only 68% capacity in his small bronchials, but it was correctable with the inhaled steroid. So, for now, he is still on the Flovent and is also taking Singulair. He goes back in 3 weeks to be checked again.

The allergy testing showed that he is allergic to all dust and dust mites, molds and cats. These are very easy to monitor and control, so he won't need to have allergy shots or medication.

I am so thankful to have gotten such good news and Elijah did such a great job during the allergy testing! Thanks for your prayers.

Testing and Praying

Elijah has allergy testing tomorrow. I'm not really looking forward to it because it will take a long time and because they have to prick him several times for all the different tests. I am praying that it will all go smoothly. His booster shot for kindergarten didn't go so well; it took two of us to hold him down while another nurse gave him the shot. He was kicking and screaming the entire time. I know that allergy testing is different and doesn't hurt like a booster shot, but Lij doesn't know that. So, I'm a bit nervous about how he will do. Please pray for Elijah tomorrow; that he doesn't get too scared and freak out. Hopefully this testing will give us some of the answers we are looking for.

October's Party

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came-
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.

Zoo

Yesterday was the Evangel Heights Zoo field trip. Elijah decided that he wanted to ride on the bus with Isaiah and Mommy and spend the day with us instead of the 1st graders. Because of the breathing problems he has been having I thought it might not be a bad idea to have him with me. I think he just didn't want to miss out on any fun that Isaiah, Tanner, Stanley, Aunt Becky and I might be having. He did get to hang out with Peter for part of the trip so it all worked out well.

Isaiah and Tanner were very excited to be riding on a real school bus. They raised their hands over their heads as if on a roller coaster for about the first half of the drive.

Elijah's favorite animals were the Elephants. (Mine too!) Isaiah liked the Polar Bears the best but he said his favorite part of the whole trip was getting the Zoo map.

Thankful

In light of my last post and how some things got taken out of context, I thought I would post on some of the things that make me most thankful.

1. Yahweh Shammah. It means The Lord Is There, the Lord Is Present. I am most thankful for this because it means that no matter where I go, or what happens to me, or even what I do, the Lord does not leave me. There is no hiding place from Christ - he knows everything about me, every last quark, every part of my temperament, every feeling I have...He even knows those things I tell no one. And you know what? He loves me the same - despite myself - He loves and accepts me.

2. My husband. He is the most amazing man I have ever met. He helps balance me out in a way no other person could. He takes all my bad with the good and shows me tons of mercy. He is also not afraid to lovingly tell me when I am wrong, or when I may have overstepped my bounds. He also supports me in a way I had never known before I met him. Making him happy, makes me happy. Adam, is also an awesome father and has taught me a lot about what it means to be a boy. (I obviously have no clue!) Our three boys thrive because of him and he makes them a priority.

3. Elijah, Isaiah, and Josiah. I have been blessed 3 times over! God is so good. I live for their smiles and hugs and kisses. I love to watch and listen to them playing with Adam. How can you not enjoy seeing a child, especially your own, learn something new or develop a new skill? What is better than looking into their beautiful eyes and telling them 'I love you'? Absolutely nothing.

4. My family. Not just my own family, but my In-Laws the whole way around. They too love and accept me for who I am. They have also shown me more support than I could ever ask. It's a great feeling to walk into a home, that is not your own, and feel just as loved as if it were your home.

5. My friends. The Lord has placed some truly awesome people in my life. A woman just plain needs other women in her life. It's more than just having fun, it's true fellowship. We share the same faith, the same beliefs and the same morals. It is someone other than your spouse to confide in. Couples also need other couples. I can go to my friend's homes and not be worried about what my kids might see or hear.

6. My church. Harvest is a great place for kids. They actually learn there - it's not just the same stories over and over again taught in a surfacy manor. The Pastors and leadership not only have hearts for Christ, but hearts to truly minister to all types of people.

7. Nature. Seriously. How can anyone look at the leaves changing into magnificent colors in Autumn, or a fresh blanket of sparkling snow in the Winter, or a sweet smelling, beautifully budding garden in the Spring, or a fiery sunset that goes from yellow, to orange to purple in the Summer and not be thankful for all that God created? He made this Earth and the universe, for that matter, for us to enjoy the splendor. To enjoy His splendor. That deserves, at the very least, great thanks.

There are many things that make me, me. But above it all God created me, He knows my name, and he had me in mind before time began. But, I am NOTHING without Him. I am thankful for His grace, kindness, mercy and compassion. I am thankful that He is slow to anger and quick to forgive and I am thankful that He has a plan for me and He only wants me to prosper. I am also thankful that He reminds me of the things in me that still need work. No one is good enough to save them self.

Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
- 1 Corinthians 1:31