Evelyn's 5th Birthday Interview

Our sweet Evelyn Jane Lucille, as it goes with every kid at every birthday, it's hard to believe how big you are.  I remember so vividly the day you were born.  You were my most traumatic labor-coming in the middle of the night and five weeks early, but pink and beautiful and completely healthy.  Now that I know your personality, I have no doubt you meant it this way.  I'm sure if you could've you would've have given us a big cheesy grin and blurted out "ha-ha".

I love your sense of humor.  You are genuinely funny and bring joy into our home.  You are always saying or doing something mildly inappropriate, always trying to walk the line and see what will make us laugh and will get you into trouble!

You can also be a fireball when angry.  Your newest thing is to put your hands on your hips and shout, "how dare you" when you feel violated.  May the Lord soften your heart and give you a desire for righteous justice.

You love to try new things, and you go forward in life with little fear.  If your big sisters are doing it, there's a good chance you are going to do it as well.  You will not be inhibited by your age or size-you will climb that tree, you will ride your bike, you will run that race...

I am always asked, "where does she get her hair?".  It is still so bright and golden blonde.  The quick easy answer is from her father.  The other day you told me you wanted to dye it brown...

You are our most snuggly.  Always giving a hug or a kiss, or when we are caught off guard, a lick on the cheek. 

I pray that God will use the sweetness in your heart (and the fire in your belly) for His kingdom work.  May your love for Him grow more and more!

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

Evelyn's 5th Birthday Interview:

My favorite food is:  Gummies!!

 
My favorite sport to play is:  Swimming & Skating  

The best show on t.v. is:  Mickey Mouse & Elmo (we don't even watch these shows ever...)

The coolest person on Earth is:  God

 
My favorite thing to learn about is: God  

The thing I do the most awesomely is:  Reading Lesson

If I could go anywhere in the world, I'd go to:  China

My favorite color is: Orange...I mean, pink.

When I grow up I'm going to be :  a Vet, even though I don't want to take care of snakes...actually, I want to be someone who works at the pet store

My favorite song is:  How Far I'll Go (Moana)

The book I am loving right now is:  an Animal book...actually, my favorite is a baby book

Three words that describe me are:  E-V-E

When I was little I used to:  Throw away my own diaper

My favorite season of the year is:  Winter

The snack I like best is:  Gummies

The food I really dislike is: Zucchini

My best friend is:  Krista & Veronica

 
If I had one wish, it would be:  Having baby rabbits.  Lots and lots of baby rabbits until they are stacked up and touch the sky.

My best memory is:  Finding Treasure in Swimming Lessons

Ella's 9th Birthday Interview

Embarrassingly, but also typically, I'm just getting to birthday interviews and here's it's been 5 months since Ella's birthday.  The good news is that I just did 3 kids in one shot, so maybe I'll get caught up....until Caleb turns 1 this weekend!

So, Ella Grace, you are 9 years old.  I remember holding your sweet little purple face when you were born and thinking, "Is this really my baby?!".  You had dark hair and olive colored skin and you were so beautiful.  Of course, given your genetics you have become fair-but still quite beautiful (despite your genetics ;))

You continue to amaze me with your positive attitude and your ability to get your hands dirty.  You love to have a good friend by your side, but you aren't afraid to try new things on your own.  

You are always thinking, always planning.  You know very clearly what you want to be when you grow up-it just changes frequently.  In fact, you change your mind frequently about most things,  "I'll take the grape popsicle....actually, I'll have an orange."  That's our Ella.

This year, you completed your first year of public school.  Last Fall your teacher said you were "exemplary."  I agree.  You do your work when it needs to be done, and you do it (mostly) well.  You are kind and sweet to all of your classmates, whether it is the shy girl or the boy with "anger issues".  You don't make judgements, you just see a friend.

 You laugh often.  You cry often (over some big things, but mainly small), and have to be reminded that it's going to be okay.   Don't worry sister, roll it over to Jesus.

You are forever crafting, wanting to be in the kitchen, drawing pictures, writing a book, or climbing a tree.  Oh yeah, and you're a great big sister.  I can trust you with Caleb if I need to finish a task quickly and that is precious to me.  

God is changing you and growing you each year.  Lean into Him, He has great things in store for you!

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

And without further rambling from me, here is Ella Grace's

9th Birthday Interview:

My favorite food is:  Sour Cream & Onion Chips

 
My favorite sport to play is:  Volleyball 

The best show on t.v. is:  Wild Kratts

The coolest person on Earth is:  Carol

 
My favorite thing to learn about is: People in History 

The thing I do the most awesomely is:  Dancing & Singing

If I could go anywhere in the world, I'd go to:  France

My favorite color is: Blue or Turquoise

When I grow up I'm going to be :  Hair Stylist

My favorite song is:  True Colors

The book I am loving right now is:  Matilda

Three words that describe me are:  Dance, Live, Love

When I was little I used to:  Spit -up

My favorite season of the year is:  Spring, because it's the prettiest

The snack I like best is:  Cheeze-Its

The food I really dislike is:  Zucchini

My best friend is:  Lyla

 
If I had one wish, it would be:  That I could climb a really tall tree

My best memory is:  Watching home videos with my family

Addie's 7th Birthday Interview

We're still catching up around here, and since birthday interviews are our favorite thing to look back on, I'd thought that I would get Addie's completed....even though she's almost 7 1/2! 

Addie continues to be passionate (read, moody and difficult).  She has big emotions and big ideas, all wrapped up in a small, curly blonde-haired package. 

Addie loves to sit and be read to, and she's slowly developing a love for reading herself.  If she can, she would choose to be outside.  She's always playing and imagining.  She loves to run, and though she's still so young, it seems God has given her gift for it.

We love this sweet feisty girl.  We can't imagine our family without her!

Adeline's 7th Birthday Interview:

My favorite food is:  Breakfast Sausage

 
My favorite sport to play is:  Soccer 

The best show on t.v. is:  Wild Kratts

The coolest person on Earth is:  Daddy

 
My favorite thing to learn about is: History 

The thing I do the most awesomely is:  Running!!!

If I could go anywhere in the world, I'd go to:  Arizona

My favorite color is: Pink

When I grow up I'm going to be :  A Mommy That Helps Mommies Give Birth to Babies

My favorite song is:  This is My Father's World

The book I am loving right now is:  The Story of the World

Three words that describe me are:  Loves Soccer So Much

When I was little I used to:  Cry

My favorite season of the year is:  Fall, because it has so pretty leaves

The snack I like best is:  Popcorn

The food I really dislike is:  Corn

My best friend is:  Molly

 
If I had one wish, it would be:  To be a Doctor Right Now

My best memory is:  When I was born (I watched it on a video)

First Meetings.

Since baby "Teddy" came late at night, the children didn't get to meet him right away.  As you can imagine, they were at the hospital first thing next morning.  They were all very giddy and excited to see and hold their new baby brother.  And Papa was of course excited to meet grandbaby #11.

It seemed diplomatic to go in birth order. 

So, first Nathan got to hold him,

then Ella,

Adeline,

and Evelyn.

Evelyn looooves babies.  She felt pretty special to get to hold "her" baby all by herself.

Finally, they even let Papa have a turn...kind of. :)

Matt likes to make sure I get in at least one photo, so here's me with all the kids.  My new brood of five (though Caleb's hard to see).  After the baby, the kids considered my bed the second most exciting thing.

The weekend coincided with our nephew's birthday party, so my sister Brenda and her family also got to meet him in the hospital.  As a bonus, Matt and the kids got spend a few hours at Chuck-E-Cheese.

We also were pleasantly surprised that some friends from church also stopped by for a visit.

With their four kids and our five, it was a full room!

Since the kids were always with us, Matt and I didn't have a lot of time to discuss a name.  Matt took the kids home that night as well and stayed with them.  We had a list of five names we were choosing from and had to speak in code.  For example, "I'm leaning towards C, but how do you feel about S"?  It could have been fun to include the kids in the conversation, but I knew they would have opinions and would likely just end up upset their choice didn't win.

We had the middle named settled.  We had chosen Louis, after my mother Lois. 

For first names we considered:  Caleb, Harmon, Henry, Silas, and Theodore.

As you know, we choose Caleb Louis. 

Caleb seemed the most "Thompson-like".  The other boys in the family, Matthew and Nathan, are Biblical names that start with a consonant (if you're curious all the girls are non-Biblical names that start with a vowel).

We also loved the character of Caleb from the Bible.  Joshua 14:14 states that Caleb "followed the Lord, the God of Israel, whole heartedly".  My soul would desire nothing greater than to see all of my children follow the Lord whole heartedly...and so it was the chosen name.

Side note: you may have been thrown by the name Harmon...I was too.  Matt really liked it though, and it is kind of cute. 

The rest of the hospital stay was spent snuggling baby and of course enjoying all of our provided, prepared meals...my personal favorite! 

I like this photo of Evelyn.  I imagine it's the moment where she realized she's not the baby anymore and everything is about to change!

 The boys. 

Nathan is so happy to have a brother! 

Next adventure: Home!

Introducing Baby "Teddy": A Birth Story

This is the story of the day we got to meet sweet Caleb Louis Thompson.

Like many birth stories, this really starts the day before...My children were convinced we needed to check out the new space exhibit at the local science center.  So, knowing our days were numbered I agreed we should go.  I got my 37 week pregnant, puffy self out and we spent an afternoon walking around the air conditioned (a must in August), three-story tall museum.  Later once we were home I finished up our laundry-which requires multiple trip from the basement to the second story.  By the end of the day I had done a lot of steps (too bad I don't have a fitbit) and was exhausted!

After the kids went to bed, I remember looking up what vegetable our baby was comparable to and reading an article on the benefits for baby of going to 39 weeks. I even told Matt my goal was to make it 39 weeks (I hadn't 3 out of 4 previous pregnancies), and we went to bed.

The next morning was a Saturday.  I woke up earlier than usual for a weekend, because my water had broke!  So much for my plan! From experience, we knew a few things: 1.  Once you go to the hospital, they don't let you leave  2.  I wasn't going to start contractions for a while, and likely not without "help" 3.  The baby was coming this weekend!

We milled around the house and Matt spent the morning getting work done in the basement, (which we've been working on finishing for about 1 1/2 years, sigh). I purposely ate something, because I was also aware that I wouldn't get to eat once I went in!

The kids found this massive caterpillar, so that added to the excitement!

(We did keep it, and it is currently wintering on our back deck...we'll see if we get a giant moth this Spring.  Gross or cool, I'm not sure yet).

After lunch I decided to go for a walk.  Fittingly Evelyn came with me and  I got to take a lovely summer walk with my "baby" for the last time.  It was perfect.  We played eye-spy and she told silly stories and I soaked up every minute knowing our lives were about to drastically change.

I finally decided around 2:00 to call the midwife, and she of course told me to come in.  At that point I told Matt is was "time" and we made the kids aware of what was about to happen.  They were over the moon excited!  Everyone all of sudden was filled with giddy.  Nathan was concerned about how I was feeling, but mainly they were ready to meet their brother!

Here's a belly shot before we left.  Since this was baby #5, I didn't get any before this!

The whole way to the hospital, a quick 10 minute drive, the kids say, "Happy Possible Birthday" to the baby, nicknamed Teddy.

We walked into the hospital as a family, and were given another sweet moment.  As we passed by, we were able to see my mom's photo.  I didn't even know it was still up, but they have a running video of photos of organ donors.  We were just in time to see her photo.  It was a special blessing since I'd cried many tears over not having my mom here to meet this baby.  Our God is good.

By God's perfect provision we already had arrangements for our kids to go to a friends' house that evening.  We were suppose to go on a date, but we figured this was kind of like that.  Matt dropped them off at 5:30, and we continued to wait around to see if something would happen.  We tried different natural stimuli, and in the end I opted for Pitocin, a drug that starts contractions.  Many women are scared of it.  I however am not, since I've now had it with every.single.labor.

My dad graciously picked up the kids at our friends' house, they came to say good night, and then I wanted to be alone since the contractions were getting more intense. 

My goal was to have this baby by midnight (Evelyn was born at 3:40 a.m. and the whole experience scarred me).  Labor progressed slower than I expected, but then in a matter of about two contractions I went from 6 cm to ready to push.

Two (maybe three) contractions after this, baby boy Thompson arrived!

It was the most precious moment. I soaked up every second of him laying softly against my chest.  I hope I never forgot his squinty eyes searching around, and his squished little head.  He had a prominent cone head and a swollen chubby face.  He was so dear, and so completely ours.  Matt and I laughed and cried over how precious and wonderful this little baby was that was given to us.

As a bonus, he was born before midnight, 11:46 pm!

He weighed 7 lbs 3 oz. and was 21 1/2 inches long.

Perfect.

This baby didn't have a name yet, but that would come later. 

We were so glad for the quiet time we had with him.  The next day with be full of family and visitors. 

After a room transfer we all went to sleep around 3:00 a.m. completely exhausted. 

(Unfortunately I was up at 4:30 a.m. so famished I couldn't sleep...)

I am so thankful to God. 

I do not take this life for granted, but may I try to live with my hands open to His plan for baby boy.

Nathan's Interview: Age 10

So....life happened and the blog went by the wayside.  Much has happened in the past 6 months (like ahem, a baby being born), and sitting down to type about it just hasn't seemed a priority.

However, recently after watching a few home videos (oh the sweetness) and going through family albums and baby books I realized how much we like to look back.  It reminds us of the good times and the hard times, and how faithful our God is.
So, I'm picking up where I left off: Nathan's 10 year birthday interview.  He has since had a half-birthday (yes, that's a thing, and no we don't celebrate it), and I'm sure he would answer some of these differently today, but it brings a smile to my face to read through these.

So, without further ado,

Nathan's 10-year Birthday Interview:

My favorite food is:  Pizza
 
My favorite sport to play is:  Baseball or Football

The best show on t.v. is:  Bot Fights

The coolest person on Earth is:  My Father
 
My favorite thing to learn about is:  How Machines Work

The thing I do the most awesomely is:  Play Sports

If I could anywhere in the world, I'd go to:  India

My favorite color is:  Black & Blue

When I grow up I'm going to be :  a Geotechnical engineer, like Dad

My favorite song is:  Your Love is Saving Me by Shawn McDonald

The book I am loving right now is:  Lord of the Rings

Three words that describe me are:  Noble, Trustworthy & Creative

When I was little I used to:  Dribble with Two Basketballs

My favorite season of the year is:  Summer

The snack I like best is:  Pizza

The food I really dislike is:  Zuccini

My best friend is:  Dane & Mark
 
If I had one wish, it would be:  The Whole World Would Know Jesus

My best memory is:  My 10th Birthday!

I left all the answer as is.  I love his heart for Jesus, and his great love for his earthly father too.  Nathan is a strong-willed, take charge, first born son, and it's nice to read the sweet innocence in these answers.

Photos will have to wait (I did take some), but our old computer was laid to rest, and we have yet to upload them onto our new one.  Another day...

A Super Hero Show.

 At the end of the school year, the two third-grade classes at Nathan's school took an interim break to learn about theater production, which concluded with a performance on Friday evening.  A group called Dakota Players from the Black Hills area came in to teach the kids about the ins and outs of putting on a play.  They passed out parts, and the kids learned the script during the school day that week.

It was fun to see Nathan's first performance.  It was titled, "The Super Hero Show".  Nathan  played a chemical scavenger, which is sort of like a minion for the bad guy...who of course in the end learns a lesson and turns out to be not so bad.  All the kids got a lot of stage time, and Nathan had about five lines.

He was super nervous, but he delivered his lines well and did a great job.  It was fun as a parent to see him do something out of his comfort zone and to try hard to do it well.

They performed in their gym, so it was difficult to get any good photos during the show (no elevated stage), so I did my best to get a few after the show.  

All the kids were pretty pumped after the performance!

 

Nathan stayed in character and went for the tough look!