Father Daughter Dance

The girls and Chris went to their 5th Father/Daughter dance on saturday night.  This was the first year however, that it wasn't a Girl Scouts Dance.  This year they went to the Redwood Covenant Church for the dance.  They had a spectacular time together, dancing for 3 hours.  They really hoped that the song "Cinderella" would be played, and were not dissapointed when it was the last song of the dance.

I had a great time helping the girls get ready for the evening.  They were really excited for Chris to see them, even keeping their dresses hidden from him last week.  They were all beautiful when they left for the evening, and Daddy was so proud of them.  They already told us they are "soooo going again next year".

Christmas Eve and Morning

Christmas has come and gone, and I am asking myself, "What... am I 5?"  Why is it that I always have the after Christmas blues? Since I was a little girl, I have always felt sad after Christmas day is over.  It was a good Christmas, a little differant this year, working until last friday, but it was still good.  We read lots of Christmas books together, we did a Christmas puzzle (500 pieces, their biggest puzzle so far) baked cut out cookies and made an impressive mess in the kitchen doing it, watched Christmas movies, drank gallons of hot chocolate, wrapped presents, listened to all our big band Christmas music, looked at Christmas lights, and saved the bottom 2 inches of our Christmas tree. It was all great, so why is it sad... I guess because it's over.  So then I say, why does it have to be over?  Yeah, the tree will eventually have to go, and Christmas activities wouldn't be special if we did all of it 365 days of the year, but the spending time together, and the slowing down and focusing on each other doesn't have to end.  So, instead of it ending abruptly, I am trying to keep the spirit of the season going in my heart.  I guess I will always be a sap when it comes to the holidays and start counting down to next year!

Christmas is here!

Well, the house is decorated, the outside lights are complete and last night we had our first "Christmas outing" of the season... (wait! does black friday count?!) Abbey and Olivia were both in their schools choir Christmas performance.  They did great at the singing, however I think the dressing up part was their favorite part of the entire evening.  They looked pretty sweet, and Daddy thought they looked a little too pretty ; )  As we watched the program last night, visions of them all as toddlers seemed to keep going through my mind.  Watching them, looking so beautiful, innocent, and singing a song like "O Holy Night" made me feel like they are just growing up so fast.  It was one of those moments where their beauty, both inside and out makes your heart ache, and you think it was only yesterday  when Makayla and Olivia were in flannel Christmas nightgowns that Grammie made them, with Barney slippers on.  Or that little Abbey had no embarassment in stripping down to her tinkerbell panties to try on a new dress-up dress she just opened at her birthday party.  So.... I tell myself to hold on to these moments, treasure them away in my heart, and enjoy the moments while they are here!

Day of Giving

Well today at church was our Thanksgiving dinner.  It topped a 5 week series on giving at church, and was  a great way to top it off.  I was very thankful for all the wonderful cooks at church today... the food was amazing!  Like Thanksgiving dinner on steroids.  Olivia gave the blessing for dinner, and although she was a little nervous to pray in front of the entire church, she did a very beautiful job.  It was a great day and thankfulness and giving, spent with our family and church family.  A truly beautiful day!

Auntie M's Baby Shower

Well yesterday was Auntie M's shower, and I think it went pretty spectacularly, although being one of the hosts, I really shouldn't say that.... what went so wonderfully is the support that everyone who came gave Amanda.  Not only was there friends and family from here in Santa Rosa, but family from Eureka came down to support her as well.  With 50 ladies there it was a real out pouring of love for Amanda and her soon to arrive Lucas Michael.  Opening all her new baby things sure did make this auntie pretty excited for the big day.  He is going to be a very loved little guy.  Personally I can't wait to help give him a bath, put on that sweet smelling Johnson and Johnson's baby lotion and slip him into some fuzzy footsie pajamas.  She is definitely set though, in the baby department!  His room is ready, and his bag is packed; now if we can just get his Mommy to pack her bag... considering he's already almost 7 pounds and she still has 3 weeks to go, I think she needs to get movin'... if praying her into labor was possible, he would already be here... can you tell I'm excited?

Halloween through the decades!

Well this year we went through the decades in our family for Halloween.  Makayla was a poodle girl from the 50's and skipping right through the dark 60's and moving straight into the 70's with our Disco Diva Olivia.  To top it all of we come to the decade where I personally feel style hit it's all time best... Abbey was our 80's "Material Girl" complete with neon, bangle bracelets, and "walla bangs" that I must say... she totally rocked!  Mommy on the other hand, went for a more sinister feel as Cruella Devile!  We all had a great time at "Trunk or Treat" at church and I think the girls got about 20 pounds of candy.  The girls loved dressing up and playing the part of their eras.  It was a great night and we all had a ball... This morning as we were reminiscing about last night the girls said to me.... "AAHHH... it feels like CHRISTMAS!"   HEY!  What happened to Thanksgiving?

Maggie Mae is home!

 

So, our dear little Maggie came home with us yesterday after the long ride up from San Diego. 

What a sweetie she is... she is a complete little princess!  She was 9 weeks old yesterday, and the smallest in her litter.  She has a pretty mellow personality, and is such a little lover.   She loves to nuzzle her head in your neck when you pick her up.  She has silky soft fur, and smells like puppy breath... she is so far doing good on her accidents.  When we came home from church today, she did kind of "happy pee", but other than that, she is doing good.  Bailey is still kind of trying to figure out if there's a love connection between himself and Maggie, and Jack (out  kitty) sees her as a new chew toy.  We will keep you updated on Maggies adaptation in the the Thompson household... but I will say... so far.... SO SWEET!

Can You Say School Spirit?

Well as you can see, today was our school colors, school spirit day at Santa Rosa Christian.  The girls and I had such a great time this week planning everything that we could do to show school spirit.  From black and yellow finger nails to homemade puffy paint shirts, to curly ribbon and 3 cans of glitter spray paint, we were decked out in LION Pride!  The girls were a little nervous to get out of the car when we pulled up, but once we were there, they felt pretty proud of themselves.  Everyone thought they looked great!  One thing you can't see in these pics are their yellow and white striped knee highs... they really do complete their outfits :o)... I was pretty proud of our school and my girls school spirit today!  Go Lions!

The Newest Thompson

So it's not a new baby... I guess until the girls are married and having babies of their own, this is as good as it gets.  Until then, we are pretty excited to welcome "Maggie-Mae" or just Maggie to the family.  She is a blond golden retriever and she is 2 and a half weeks old.  Her Mommy and Daddy belong to friends of ours who live in San Diego and we are so excited to bring her home.  Every time the girls see more pictures of her, they squeal and jump up and down.... is there anything better than little girls and puppies?  OK maybe they're not little, little girls any more, but they still act like it when it comes to Maggie.  Truth be told.... so does Mom.  She looks so sweet and we can't wait to rub her little fat belly and pet her soft fur... it is definitely a case of love at first sight.... don't you think?

Anyone for Body Surfing?

For Labor day, we went out to the ocean with a bunch of friends from church.  The girls had their first experience trying to body surf, and I think it is safe to say they absolutely loved it!  When they finally got the hang of it, you could hardly get them out of the water.  The ocean was so beautiful on Monday, which isn't always the case in Northern California.  It was probably about 85 degrees, with very little wind... just enough to keep you from feeling like you were sweltering on the sand.  It smelled salty and fishy and sandy all in one sniff!  Going to the ocean is always a kind of spiritual experience for me; the beauty and majesty of it never cease to amaze me.  I love seeing the girls enjoy it too, and learn to love being out at the coast.  It was a beautiful day for all of us, and boy were we tired when we got home... totally not ready to go back to work and school the next day... oh well... not every day can be a "day at the beach" at least not until heaven!

First Day At our New School!

Today the girls started school at their new school.  After many months of praying and trying to figure out what we could do differently with the girls, the Lord opened the doors to send them to Santa Rosa Christian.  It is a private school, and one that I never imagined we would be able to send the girls to.  It it only the Lord that has made it possible, and we are truly thankful.  I have a job at the school as the kindergarten aide and the job has made it affordable for us.  As I watched the parents drop off their kindergartners today, I thought back to what it was like when the girls first went to their first days of school.... I remembered Makayla falling apart crying and her teacher scooping her up in her arms, and Abbey running around in circles all by herself as Chris and I wondered how she would make friends... all gut wrenching moments for me; today however was full of more of those moments.  Watching Makayla and Olivia standing off to the side not quite sure how to join in the middle school.  Abbey standing at the 3rd grade orange cone alone, while groups of other 3rd grade girls were huddled together laughing and talking... to be completely honest, my knee jerk reaction was that I wished I could scoop them up and drive them the half mile to their old public school where they know everyone and are completely comfortable.  However, as a Mom, part of loving our kids, isn't always doing what is "comfortable" for our kids, but what is the best for them... that is a mothers sacrificial love, putting our own hurting hearts aside so that our kids can grow.  As I have pondered this all day, I have thought a lot about my Heavenly Father.  I have asked Him many times and on several occasions over the years, "Why can't you take me out of this difficult situation?"  "If you love me, why do you stand by while I am hurting so much?"  Today, I think the Lord was showing me a bit of His heart for me.  I think there are times when the Lord looks at me... at us, and wishes that He could just scoop us up and place us where it is more comfortable... but He, in His wisdom, in His ultimate goodness, sees what is best for us, knows that certain situations, though maybe more comfortable, are not ultimately, the best He has for us.  

I am still processing the entire day.  The girls had some great moments, and some hard moments... all part of the transition to a new school...  I know they will be fine, I know that God has directed us, and opened the doors for this move, and so I trust Him.  I trust His Fathers heart that sometimes must allow the difficult moments!