Quick Cincinnati trip....

So January is gone....wow that went so fast!!! Thomas is home from Brazil and we have made our trip to Cincinnati for Anna's scope! All went well with that--her biopsies looked GREAT and we do not have to scope on a schedule....unless something comes up--change in her or a food she wants to trial!! God is good--this was great news!!!

Lauren & Thomas hang out while I am back with Anna....they join us in the room--if they can--after they grab lunch together. I asked Lauren if she enjoyed sharing pizza with Daddy yesterday? Her quick response was "We didn't SHARE pizza....we had our OWN!" (personal pan) haha She is my funny girl! I then told her I think their little dates are cute.....that was met promptly with, "It was NOT a date...it was an ULTIMATE GET-TOGETHER!!" Where does she come up with her comments?

Full life.....Full heart....

These are pictures from saying good-bye to Thomas through Emma's sleep over and everything in between! (Anna learned to blow a bubble with her gum....go Anna!!!







Thomas is in Brazil....has been for 2 weeks....we have 1 more week without him and are missing him in a big way!!! The girls run for the phone and can't wait to talk to him each night!!! We have been busy and that helps the time go by faster!! We hung out at home the first weekend he was gone.....just to adjust to him being gone.....Then we were "snowed" in from Sunday to Thursday.....9 inches of snow
in TN will do that to you!!! :) We had a playdate at the Gobble's and it was a much needed sweet time with my sweet friend Terra...and playtime for the girls with Emma & Grey! This was followed by Friday night at the Brown's home....always fun times with Amy and family!!! Anna's Sunday School class had the pizza party (she had BK) for all the kids doing their books of the Bible.....so that was a fun time for Anna!
Tuesday was dinner with the Rogers....Chick-fil-a family night....free food and fun times!!!
That brings us to this week....whew.....glad it is over but I can say Anna's hard work paid off....she was the top Speller for the 2011 Chattanooga Home School Spelling Bee!!! So proud of my girl....she worked and studied....spelling is one of her loves....and she loves a good competition! (especially if she wills!) haha This wasn't the end of hte day though....nope not even close.....off to deliver her speech....which she did--twice. And now she was ready for the highlight of the day....going to pick up Emma!!! SLEEPOVER.....and they are still going strong!!! The Wii, computer, Dsi, reading, Barbies, painting, playing instruments, watching home videos, Barbies again....they have been to camp--with horses--of course--and are now college roommates! I am going to have to settle those roomies in for a little winter's nap!!! :)
Lauren has been a trooper through it all....the BEE, speeches and trying her hardest to do what the Big Girls are doing without getting mad or upset...not an easy task when you are 6! :)
I have just though all night how blessed I am...my heart is full of love for my girls and their dear, sweet friends.....my life is full with wonderful friends, family and a great husband.....I am truly blessed and my heart is full.....

2010 in REVIEW!!!

Wow....an entire year has passed without one post!!! I kept putting it off so I would order a book of the blog and never ordered!!! There have been many milestones that didn't make it on here....trips made....friendships cemented in our hearts.....Let's see a year in review....2010....
Anna finished 2nd grade and started 3rd that fall. She continues to amaze us with her amazing memory...it serves her well in school and with Awana....Her love for reading continues to grow....she read her weight in books.....ummm maybe even my weight in books! haha She lost 8 teeth by the end of 2010....sad for me....she is growing up way to fast!! She asked me about Santa one sad night and I had always said I would never lie if she asked me a straight question....she told me she knew so I told her she was right and she really just wanted to still believe....so we dealt with a few sad tears :(.....Now she likes knowing something her sister doesn't! She has been a great girl at keeping it to herself--and come on you KNOW she would love to let the cat out of the bag!!! She was a flower girl in my cousin's wedding and LOVED that....she got her ears pierced November 13th.....She got glasses in August....only wears them when reading.....she continues to love animals--the dog is still her personal favorite! Anna maintains that she wants to be a vet when she grows up....whatever she does she will be amazing!!! She turned 8 and had a party at Westwood Pavilion with a GREAT group of her dearest friends!!! She had her first sleepover....with Emma Gobble....and her 2nd sleepover with Emma and went to Tim Gobble's returns party. It was a great experience for her and she adores the Gobble family!! Her dear friend Annie Brown has spent the night several times in 2010.....Anna's first sleepover at our house!!!

Lauren....sweet, spunky Lauren....she learned to read and she is tearing up the books!!!! She loves it all....and is very much her own person but she and Anna are truly sisters.....I am blessed beyond measure with 2 girls that love to learn and that makes home schooling even more rewarding!!!! Lauren started K the fall of 2010 and she is Kindergartenish/1stish...and she loves to bump herself up to 1st grade! haha She also has an amazing memory and is a whiz in math! She loved being a flower girl this summer and loved meeting her Michigan family for the first time!!! We also went to 6 Flags as a family trip...she road her 1st roller coasters....and LOVED it!!!! She is a DARE DEVIL!!!!! No fear in my climber....she loves to climb trees....can't stand and talk too long or she will be up a tree!!! She learned to swim this summer and is a water dog!!!Lauren had her 1st sleepover at Lauren Orr's house.....and Lauren also slept over here for Lauren's first sleepover here. They have the sweetest friendship and just adore each other!!! We have had so much fun watching them grow closer and closer....and we adore the Orr family! Summer, Fall & Winter....much fun was had....from their pool, fall festivals and various Christmas activities! Lauren also got her ears pierced on her birthday, November 12th. She turned 6 and had her party at Beyond The Garden Gate Tearoom......
8 & 6....where has the time gone? I just can not believe my girls are growing up so fast!!! I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be able to home school them and be at home with them.....the time goes so quickly and I treasure each moment!! I love watching them acheive each thing....and don't want someone else to have that privelage! Selfish....I don't think so....I just think I was born for this!!! I feel so satisfied in life and it is a great place to be.....I can imagine nothing being more rewarding then being their mommy and teacher......love my family!
Thomas has continued golfing and he did a summer program at The First Tee with Anna.....she likes golf and enjoyed the time with Daddy.....but she hates to be HOT!!!! haha
Anna started her 2nd year of violin....loves it.....and her 4th year of dance.....loves that too! Lauren switched to gymnastics....she is crazy flexible.....and she has informed us she wants to start playing the guitar the fall of 2011. She also likes to write songs.....I love listening to her sing her songs.....mostly they are about her "saviour"...Jesus.....
A-D-O-R-E that girl!!!!
My girls....Lauren is my heart and Anna is my soul.....can't explain...it is just who they are!!!

Waiting for 2010.....at home!

Well, since my Mom asked why I hadn't updated this.....I thought I would try and get one more in before 2010!! 2009.....while not all bad, I am glad to see you go!!!! Reflecting on the year.....my parents moved to MO, my Mom had a horrible car accident, I got a big speeding ticket, Thomas had an accident, Thomas got a speeding ticket.....so while I don't dwell on the bad--no point--God is in control.....we had a few speed bumps along the way!

We have had our share of good....Anna turned 7, Lauren turned 5, lots of fun park dates, playdates and movie dataes, we went to the beach, we went to Chicago, the girls saw Miley in concert, we went to MO....yes....it was a busy year!!! Amid all of the business, we still strive to alwyas put God first. I have loved watching my girls grow in their knowledge and relationship with Christ! Lauren announced loudly (at Steak n' shake) that Our God is MIGHTY! Anna has asked many questions about salvation and wnats to read the Bible through in 2010 with me! Wow....God is good....I just did it the first time in 2009. Anna had a great report at her October visit for EE.....no need to scope again until October 2010!!!! So we have been blessed....much more than not and I am very thankful for all that God has provided and not provided! I see in the times that something isn't just handed to me---where we have to save or wait for it.....it is so much more appreciated.....

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year.....Welcome 2010.....less than an hour left!! I will sign off and enjoy our little family party.....thank you God for blessing me with my GREAT family! No one else I would rather welcome the new year in with....than the ones I love to spend it with!!!!

My baby is 5.....

So here I sit, crying like...well....a baby because my baby is going to be 5! It has just gone so fast and it gets so hard to remember--thank God for pictures--and I have A LOT of pictures--her being so little.....Anna too!!!! Wow...wasn't expecting that pouring out of tears....neither was my keyboard....

So, Happy 5th Birthday Lauren Nicole Thompson.....I look forward to many, many more years of memories with you and blessings from you! Oh...and Lauren finds out in a few hours that she is ALSO going to see Miley in concert....the secret kept since June!!!!

Lauren

My sweet baby will be 5 this week! I CAN NOT believe it! The theme on facebook this month is what we are thankful for and I have to say it carries into every aspect of life! This will be a quick update and I am hoping for a longer one later!

I am so thankful for my girl (girls but this is Lauren's week!)...what a blessing she is! She is funny, smart, loving, generous and God blessed us with her! She completes our family and what joy she brings to us daily!

Those of you that know us well, also know that Lauren is a little stinker! God teaches me lessons in each one of those stinker moments and again, I am so blessed by her!

She loves unconditionally and with everything she has! She is amazing and I learn so much from her! I am lucky enough to be the one that gets to teach her. How amazing it is not to miss those BIG moments....the joy of seeing her learn to read...the connection of 2 + 2 + 4, the teachable moments that are mine not someone else's-- where she asks questions and we seek the answers.....The pride she has in herself for doing it or getting it....seeing her learn side by side with her sister....watching her sister teach her (Anna LOVES this!)....watching her learn her Bible verses and seeing her connect God to what he has made! Yes, I am blessed beyond measure and so thankful to God for the gift of my girls.....specifically Lauren as she turns 5 this week!!!

She had a great birthday party yesterday at the Princess Parlor. She is blessed with (as we all are) some amazing, Godly friends! Thank you to all of you for taking time out of your busy lives--we are all too busy--it just shows how much you care and she so enjoyed each one of you!!! The girls had hair done, make-up, nails polished, dressed up as princesses, went on a fabulous carriage ride and danced at a ball! What a grand time they had and I hope and pray that 5 is your best year yet my little girl!!!! We love you so very much Lou-Lou!!! Be blessed baby!

October ALREADY!!!!!

I really do have good intentions of updating often....life is just way to busy to get that much computer time! Lauren is reading....she read 3 sentences to Jennifer on the phone today....a totally differnet experience for me since Anna taught herself! It is such a joy to be able to watch these milestones!!! We have a long way to go but her progress is amazing and she is like her sister in that they LOVE school and learning! (they even want to do school when we are done.....whew....I have to have a break so they read books or quiz each other!)

This year has flown by....I can't believe it is October already!!! I started reading the Bible through this year and Jan. 1 seems like just yesterday!! We are in the New Testament now.....yes, I have now read the entire Old Testament and I have to say it was an amazing experience!!! We are on Day 2 of the NT....join in even if you have read it before! Here is the blog: http://readingthebible365.wordpress.com/

Life just continues with much of the same....for Anna it is violin, Awana and dance...plus school and CC (our classic co-op)....for Lauren it is dance, speech therapy, Cubbies, school and CC. We went on a fieldtrip to a cheese farm and that was pretty cool....the girls LOVED the fresh air!!! (especially Anna!) :-) ha ha It was a very interesting and informative trip--who knew that milking cows was so high tech!!!

We have a trip to Chicago coming up and we are excited to head there....we may just freeze with the way the weather is right now though!!! It will be a busy few days but we look forward to a new adventure!!!

Healthwise, all are healthy and we thank God daily for those blessings! Anna seems to be doing great and her next scope is coming up--if all is well--we will have more time in between scopes!!! 6 months to a year is what I would love to hear!!!

Then comes November....a fun filled month...Lauren turns 5!!! She is very excited about this and her Princess party!!! They fix all the girl's hair in updos, paint nails, do makeup and dress up in the beautiful gowns they provide. Did I mention hse is very excited? Plus a carriage ride...brrr but it can't be missed! We are going to see Miley Cyrus in concert, my parents are coming in for Thanksgiving and my Grandma turns 100!!!! Whew....whilrwind month...leading to December....recitals....dance and violin....Christmas and Christmas BREAK!!!!