Memorial Day 2015.

Today we remembered those who have gone to glory before us.

Since we have moved back to South Dakota, we've spent Memorial Day morning at the De Smet Cemetery with the Widmans.  We visit the grave stones of family members, and the American Legion does a short program to honor those who have lost their lives fighting for our country and her freedoms.

I pray my children will have a spirit of reverence and gratitude for those who have laid down their lives to fight for our country. 

It is still so sobering to visit my mom's grave.  

I don't need Memorial Day to honor her...I think of her every day.

Her grave stone is on the left and my grandparents' is on the right.  My dad is very careful  to the area surrounding my mom's headstone.  He's become sort of the grounds keeper planting and fertilizing grass and picking up sticks.  He placed some planters next to the headstone that will stay out there until winter.   He also made a metal heart (that you can't see all of in the photo) with some solar lights, so that it is lit at night time. 

It's beautiful and he does a great job.

I don't know why, but it seems that Memorial Day is always cloudy and cool, often rainy.

This year was no exception.   

I took this photo from the van as we were leaving the cemetery.  Though sunshine would have felt nice, the landscape was a mix of my favorite colors: green, blue, and grey.

God is so glorious.

Last day of School!

 School's out!

Nathan officially finished 2nd grade at the Challenge Center on May 15, 2015!

Let's begin with a look back.

Here's our little guy back in August on the first day of school.  

 

Poor guy was very nervous (and excited) to embark on his first year of public school.

 Here he is on the last day of school.

Not nervous, just excited!

 Some things didn't change:
He's still wearing Star Wars t-shirts &

He still won't just stand and smile nicely!

Overall it was a great year!

Nathan loved being at school (most days).  He impressed Matt and I by getting himself up every morning at 6:45 and completely ready for breakfast by 7:00.  When at home, I had to drag him out of bed at 8:00!

The beginning of school was a big adjustment for all of us.  Like I've said before it was challenging for me to hand Nathan over for so many hours of the day.  I had to grow into this new situation of creating a home that would remain Nathan's main source of love, support, and education, while allowing him to learn and grow away from home.  We had bad days (after school, Nathan was great at school), and there were definitely opportunities for growth and maturity for both Nathan and myself.  

In the end however, God is faithful.  He continues to lead us on this journey and as we seek Him, He provides comfort and direction. 

 

We praise God that Nathan had a great teacher and got to learn with many great classmates.  I wanted a picture of Nathan and Mrs. Ivey on the last day, but Nathan had a case of the last day of school blues and wasn't up for it...I think he's going to miss her!

Once the weather got warmer in the Spring, we were able to hang out after school.  It was great because I got to get to know some of Nathan's classmates and parents better.  One particular boy that stayed to play also had a little sister, so it was perfect!

I took a couple of photos of the girls on the last day of school too (last day of Nathan's school...homeschool is almost finished for the session).

Spinning in a swing...still one of life's simple joys!

 

Here's Nathan with his friend Luke.  I wasn't able to get one of his little sister and the girls.

 

We again give thanks to God for such a great first year of (public) school!

Next year Nathan will continue at the Challenge Center as a third grader.  His school is moving to a permanent location at a new building, so there will still be some newness, but we're looking forward to it!

(especially since it's much closer to our home...yippee!)

It is Well: Meaningful DIY

  I haven't posted about any projects lately, and there are actually a couple that we've completed (somewhat) recently.  Matt has done a larger scale project in the garage to increase our storage (which I'll have to blog about because it's awesome) as well as a few things outside.  

I've done a couple of smaller weekend projects inside the house.

For a long time I've wanted the words "It is Well With My Soul" somewhere in my house.   I love the words to this old hymn.  In fact it was during a church service in March 2001 when the Holy Spirit used this hymn to convict me that it was not well with my soul.  That day I decided to quit living for myself and start living for Jesus.

I want to decorate our home with things that are meaningful, so I was looking for a way to display these words in a way that would hopefully look not bad.  I decided to place them at the bottom of our stairs where they would be seen often.

I don't remember if I searched Pinterest or if a few ideas just showed up on my page.  Anyway there were a couple of different ideas that I particularly liked.

I loved the gold in this first idea.  I also liked that it was three-dimensional and not in another frame since I just hung a bunch of those.

(found here).

I also pinned this version, which is actually the same idea, just executed in a slightly different way.

 

 (found here).

My final design fell somewhere in the middle of these two ideas, but I was definitely more influenced by the first photo.  I loved the gold.

So, I went and bought all the letters at Michaels.  

That sentence was so easy to type, not as easy to do.  This simple step required three trips to Michaels!  I've now learned that Michaels only likes to have about one L and W in stock at a time.  I've also learned that they receive shipments on Tuesdays. So, you may just want to go on Wednesday and do this in one trip. Or if you're feeling extravagant pay the $6 in shipping and order online.

I also purchased some gold acrylic paint.  I went with acrylic because it was cheap.  A bottle was around $1.50 instead of $8 for a bottle of spray paint.  I was after all buying 18 letters at $2.50 a pop.

I was excited about the gold, the letters looked good (I just did a couple to test), but on the wall I wasn't sold.  Since we still have some '80's detailing here and we have gray walls  I decide gold was not the right fit. 

So, I painted them white.  Not as exciting, but clean and simple.

It then took one trip to Target (okay maybe two because I didn't count the letters) for Command strips, and it was time to hang.

I'm open to opinions.  I think it turned out okay, but not as well as I hoped.  Maybe it seems a little off balance to me, like something else need to be with it.  Or maybe "It Is" should be on one line?

 

Maybe it's ironic that it isn't well with me how this turned out?!  

This photo below helps show where it is in relation to the rest of the wall.

 Regardless of how it looks, I still love these words and I'm glad they're up.

  These words help remind me that no matter what circumstances are going on around me, these pains are temporary.  Jesus has paid the price for my sins, and I can experience peace like a river knowing that my eternal fate is sealed.

I couldn't end this post without including the words to this hymn.  

 If you haven't read them, you should.  If you have, read them again!

 

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well with my soul.
   • Refrain:
     It is well with my soul,
     It is well, it is well with my soul.
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
6. And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

The Avera Race:: Honoring Mom and Running 5Ks!

For the past I-don't-even-know years our family has participated in the Avera Race Against Breast Cancer.  For non-locals, it's the largest fund raising event in South Dakota.  There are four events: 1.5 mile Family walk, 3 mile walk, 5K and 10K.

We obviously became involved because of my mom.  It became an annual tradition to walk the 3 mile walk with her and some of her sisters.  For her 10 year anniversary of being in remission Amy and I ran the 10K.   Then she was diagnosed again and unable to walk.  I remember our very last Avera Race with her she waited inside the fitness center with baby Evelyn (who was about 3 weeks old).

Since she has passed, the Avera race has taken on a new meaning for me.  So much of the publicity of this event is about strength and celebrating survivors.  Trust me, I'm elated when anyone survives this or any form of cancer.  Yet, I admit there is a little sting.  What about those who don't survive?  Should we forget those who lost the fight for the sake of remaining positive and battling on?

Definitely not.

My mom hated the word victim.  Cancer didn't define who she was.  She embraced being a survivor and encouraged others who were affected by the dreaded "c word".  So, though my mom eventually lost the fight with this wretched disease, she is not defined by her death but the way that she chose to live. 

This year's theme for the Avera Race was Celebrate Heroes.  So, that is what we did.  We raced (or walked) in honor of mom and in celebration of the life she lived.  She showed by example how to persevere and handle the difficult cards life deals you with toughness and grace.

Because this is a family event, the children have gotten involved.  They used to participate in the family walk which is 1.5 miles.  Now that Nathan and Ella are older they are interested in the 5k.

Here they are pre-race.

 

They are supposed to be holding a 5 to show they're running the 5K.  Unfortunately Nathan didn't feel like being photo-cooperative this morning.  Though who am I kidding, when is he ever?

I'm convinced that some day he'll look back at these and feel badly.

This was Nathan's second year running the 5K.  Last year he ran with Matt and surprised us all by running it in about 34 minutes (before the race he had only ran a mile at time).  This year with very little training he ran it in 28:35!  Matt ran with him again (with NO training or stretching) and found himself to be a little sore the next day!

I ran with Ella.  Since this was her first time, our goal was to not walk.  She did amazing!  She was so positive the entire time.  She made her goal of not walking and finished with a time of 37: 45!

Adeline and Evelyn walked with my dad in the 1.5 Family Fun walk.  Addie's goal  was to walk the entire thing, which she did with no problems!

This photo also shows how chilly it was.  The race started at 8:00 a.m.  When we showed up at 7:30 it was  35 degrees!

Evelyn was not feeling very well.   Fortunately she had the stroller, which she quietly rode in.

Here's my Dad with his girls following the race.

 

 Lynette, Brenda, Amy, Dad, & me

Here is most of the family that participated.  

(Some bailed early because of the cold.)

 Finally here's the Thompson crew.

Evelyn was pretty tired at this point since she was sick.  My dad is just trying to get a photo of Evelyn's face, which resulted in a big photo bomb.  I'm not sure what my niece Mayah is doing...

 

I was so proud of everyone.  

It was great to see Nathan and Ella's positive attitudes even when they were tired, and to hear them talk about Nana.   

I would say I hope this continues to be a treasured family tradition, but I would prefer that breast cancer be eradicated and this event become completely unnecessary!  Until then, we'll continue to race and celebrate Mom.

 

Nemo Party!

 With Evelyn's 3rd birthday, came Evelyn's 3rd birthday party!

This was the first year she got to choose a theme.  She was consistent about having a "Mickey Mouse/ Elmo" party for the longest time, but the week of the party changed it to "Word World".  I was excited about having a party with lots of letters and word building.  However, girly changed her mind one more time and decided to have a Nemo party.  (This may be why she's becoming a little sassy...since the completion of her birthday she has definitely not been aloud to make so many stinkin' decisions!)

I'm pretty sure Evelyn has never seen Nemo.  The girl however does loves orange!

 

We looked for some Finding Nemo decor, but apparently that doesn't exist since the movie came out circa 2003.  (We literally could not "find" Nemo.)

My printer was also on the fritz, but we did manage to print out a Nemo which Ella colored.  Other than that it was simple fixings with a theme of orange and blue.

As you can see we did throw out some goldfish crackers and Swedish fish just for the occasion.

Ella had the idea to decorate the clementines to look like Nemo with 3's on them.  A girl after my own heart.

Pinterest is full of amazing cakes that I can't replicate.  However, this Nemo cake I could do.

(unless you think it looks more like a tennis ball...)

We again were blessed with a beautiful day for a birthday party.  Papa, the nearby cousins, aunties and uncles came over to celebrate with us.  Given the beautiful weather we skipped the pizza and opted for burgers and hot dogs instead.

The chandelier looks like a jellyfish right?!

 

Following lunch the kid played outside for a long while.  I regret not taking photos, but they played so well without much supervision it was amazing!  They did go through a gazillion bubbles, but it was well worth it and it even fit our underwater theme.  

Ella hid Nemo so we could play a game called "Finding Nemo", but everyone had so much fun that we forgot about it.  It's been almost two weeks, and we still haven't found (or even looked for) Nemo. Oops!

We were able to convince the kids to come in for gifts!

 

Evelyn got some great gifts including clothes, coloring books, and a suit case.

 After gifts, you should have a tissue paper party!

Then cake time!

Still can't believe this precious little bean is three years old!  

Ready to blow out the candle!

 

Following cake the party cleared out and we got a chance to relax clean up the disaster area.

We are so thankful beyond words for our little Evelyn Jane Lucille.  She is a blessing to our family, and she makes this world a better place.  The more I'm a parent, the more I realize how much it is totally worth any little sacrifice on my part.  

Happy Birthday Evs, we love you!

Evelyn is 3!

 My BABY is three!

 (big, big, sigh...)

That's right, Evelyn Jane Lucille has turned three years old on April 23rd.
As usual, we celebrated it up all.day.long.  You only get one birthday a year after all.
Our day started early so we could bring Nathan to school.  We then came home to brush our hair and (ahem) get dressed.  The birthday girl got to choose her breakfast.  The conversation went like this:
Me: Evelyn, what would you like for breakfast?
Addie:  Doughnuts, you want doughnuts.
Evelyn: Doughnuts.

So, off to our fave local doughnut place, Flyboys!

Evelyn went for the frosted cream-filled sprinkled doughnut!

We then spent the rest of the morning shopping for her upcoming party on Saturday.  We shopped all of Target for almost two hours, but had a fun time.  Shopping without a time limit or major agenda can be surprisingly enjoyable!

For lunch we grabbed a couple of Lunchables and ate at home.
I'm fully aware that so far my girls have only eaten junk, but you can do fun things with a cracker and cookie!

She was in a really fun mood (which will happen when you get what you want I guess).  She also picked out her flower dress (with a tutu on underneath) for her birthday outfit.

The day turned out to be much warmer and sunnier than forecasted, so I decided to renew our family pass to the zoo.  We hadn't been there for almost a year, so it was fun to go again.

There wasn't a lot of action at the zoo yet.  

Here Evelyn  is looking at a goat.

I'm sure she was making some adorable comment here, but I don't remember what.  She also chose the hat to accessorize for going out.  

Lovely.

The zoo is conveniently located about 3 blocks from Nathan's school.  So after about an hour at the zoo we left to get him, then came right back again!

Nathan's such a boy.  Here he requested I photograph him fighting this bear.

(Nathan has a little Dwight Schrute in him, if you've seen The Office you know what I mean.)

Then Ella wanted to also show off her bear fighting skills.  

Nathan was very clear that Ella must fight the smaller bear.  Only he was brave and strong enough to fight the big bear...

More goats.

Wingspan:  Nathan's comparable to a red-tailed hawk.

The kids were then playing on some small statues.  I didn't ask anyone to pose, I just simply told them I was going to take their picture.  I like how each one's personality came out!

Sweet, goofy Evelyn.

Spunky, independent Addie.

Charming, lady-like Ella.

(7 going on 17.)

and , Adventurous spirited Nathan.

I'm noticing that all of my photos are with statues of animals.  Like I said it was a slow day at the zoo!

Last stop before we left was to lay in a fake egg and pretend to be a baby bird.

We went home to meet Matt, then promptly left again for birthday dinner at Qdoba.

This is what three looked like after doughnuts, shopping, the zoo, and dinner out:

(Ok, it's what thirty-three looked like as well)

We had a small group meeting this night with dear friends from our church, so the fun didn't stop!  Our friends who hosted were very sweet and decorated their house with balloons and a birthday banner just for Evelyn (I wish I would've taken a picture!).  

We brought cupcakes, because you can't have a birthday without some cake!

The last half of our day was so full that Evelyn didn't even open her birthday packages (Nathan didn't want to miss out on it, so we didn't do it earlier in the day).  

She did open her gift from Nathan, Ella, and Addie though!

She was very excited to open their gift, and it was fun because they were so excited to give it to her.

(It was a sippy cup and bottle for her baby dolls.  She loved them!)

Wow!  

As you can imagine she slept well her first night as a three year-old.  

She had a day of recovery, and then it was time for her birthday party!