Swimming

Traditions - I'm all about starting new ones....but this one is actually quite enjoyable, at least I believe the kids enjoy it. I know that I do, and any chance that we can all hang out together I'm all about!
Every Sunday we've been heading down to Grandpa Timothy's house to swim in his pool. It's not a very big pool, but big enough for the kids to horse around and have a good time together. It's also heated, which is pretty cool too!
Their is water fights, splashing, kicking, punching, racing, diving, and all around good times. The kids (Cody) are even mastering back flips and front flips off of the side of the pool. Scare me to death..pretty intense! I'm really hoping that the kids are building life-time memories, that they'll one day look back upon and laugh or enjoy pondering over. Quality time with one another, who could ask for anything more!

Easter Egg Roll 04/23/2011

Trying to bring back an old tradition....the Easter egg roll!
Years and years ago, not even joking, it has been years, Joycelyn started a tradition of an Easter egg roll each Easter. She would boil dozens and dozens and dozens and dozens of eggs. We would then walk across the street from dad's house to the Pleasant Grove Jr. High and up the hill by the track at the back of the school. And this is where it would all take place!!
We would all stand at the top of the hill with a hard boiled egg in hand. On your mark, get set, and Roll! Each of us would throw or roll our egg down the hill. Whoever had their egg go the farthest would win. It was really fun - and the boys (Bryan and Dale, and whatever other boy was present) would usually win, only because they could throw further than us girls. It was a competition that everyone enjoyed.
And when it is warm out, as soon as the eggs start bursting from the throwing, we would be attacked by Seagulls....One would show up and then sooner or later dozens of the birds were flying all around us! Free food, can you blame them?
So today, Emily had arranged for another egg roll, it has honestly been years since we've had one. Probably since Joycelyn passed away, it was her tradition.
We really had a good time. Unfortunately Bryan and Katy didn't make it to the roll, Bryan wasn't there to defend his title that Dale swears is really his! Who really knows who the final winner was the last time we rolled. This year however, Tyler took the lead and is the new champion. Holy cow that kid has an arm on him! Wish he would get into sports, he's a natural!
The weather wasn't really cooperating...it was cold and a little rainy. The only advantage to that is that only 1 Seagull came to gather broken eggs. We didn't have to be on the lookout for flying bird poo, Thank Goodness!!!
The kids really enjoyed it and had a good time. Everyone was laughing and joking - it was a great time hanging out with the family. To top if off...everyone got their fill on hard boiled eggs!

The more difficulties one has to encounter, within and without,
the more significant and the higher an
inspiration his life will be.

-Horace Bushnell

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.

Then They Do

I brought children into this dark world because it needed a light that only a child can bring.

The love that I feel for my children is beyond any imaginable feeling. They bring me such joy and hope. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity that I have to be their mother, it is truly a gift to be able to spend time with them and enjoy their sweet spirits. I can never express to them how much they mean to me, and I thank the Lord that he thought I was fitting enough to have them in my life. I cannot honestly imagine my life without each and every one of them.

In these moments following a phone call or a text message I wish that I had a place I could escape to. A place that I can cry and let it all out. I need to be strong for my kids, I don't want them to see me fall apart - it's in times like these that I have questions. Mostly about the church.
For so many years I have longed for it to be a part of my life as well as my families. Growing up with the church in my life it seemed like it was the only way. I wonder sometimes now.
How, if the church is right, can a family be destroyed over it? When I"m told that the church is the sole reason for a divorce, what am I supposed to feel?
The guilt I feel is almost unbearable, suffocating even at times.

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

— Unknown

I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me. But it's hard to stay mad when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once...and it's too much. My heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst. And then I remember... to relax, and not try to hold on to it. And then it flows through me like rain. And I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life.
- American Beauty

All our young lives we search for someone to love, someone to make us complete. We choose partners and change partners. We dance to a song of heartbreak and hope, all the while wondering if somewhere, somehow, someone perfect is searching for us

Little Entrepreneurs

Oh what motivated kids I have... I came home from work today and found a large handmade sign in the driveway. Apparently we had some lemonade for sale, and a remarkable price of $1 per glass, what a bargain!!
The kids were so excited telling me about their very profitable day of door to door selling their delicious beverage. Devin, McKenzie, & Alyssa had each made $3 - not bad for one pitcher of lemonade.
So I talked with Alyssa's mother and thanked her for letting the kids use her lemonade to sell, she was a bit shocked. She thought that I had let the kids use my lemonade, however, I didn't have any lemonade. Hmmm, puzzling. Where did this lemonade come from?
Low and behold...the kids are pure genius! They found 4 lemons in the fridge and squeezed them into the picture, added some water, and just a tiny amount of sugar. Shazam - Lemonade!
And our neighbors actually bought it from them... how nice of them!

Kids....

I have really been thinking a lot lately about my capabilities as a parent. Have you ever just felt so overwhelmed that you don't know what to do? I try and I try, to no avail. I feel like I am fighting a losing battle with my kids, and I don't know what to really do about it. My kids are constantly complaining about how angry I am all of the time. I don't feel like I am angry all of the time, unfortunately they receive the brunt of my moods. I try to be the nice, fun, giving mother and they take advantage of it. They refuse to do what they are asked to do until I break down and yell at them. I hate yelling at them, I don't enjoy feeling angry. Why don't they just listen and do what they are supposed to do? Why am I always their last priority? Why do they have to be rewarded in some way in order to do chores and help around the house? Where did I go wrong? I realize that their actions are a direct result of my parenting, or lack of. The problem is that I do not know how to change it, to help them change their mind sets and attitudes.
I was not meant to conquer this alone.....

Love.....

I don't wish to be everything to everyone, but I would like to be something to someone. ~Javan

If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden. ~Claudia Ghandi

The way to love anything is to realize that it may be lost. ~G.K. Chesterton

When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. ~Nora Ephron

Love is when another persons need become greater than your own.

For you see, each day I love you more
Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.
~Rosemonde Gerard

“Love is like a friendship caught on fire: In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.” –Bruce Lee

“Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep… wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you’ re just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky he is to have YOU… The one who turns to his friends and says, thats her… ” — Unknown

“Love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image… otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.” –Author Unknown

“We are told that people stay in love because of chemistry, or because they remain intrigued with each other, because of many kindnesses, because of luck. But part of it has got to be forgiveness and gratefulness.” –Ellen Goodman

Life Changing

After 17 years, I am once again single. Not where I imagined my life at this point and time. It has been an emotional roller coaster to say the least. The ups and downs of moving on and moving forward.
Sometimes I wish I were a little kid again, skinned knees are easier to fix than broken hearts. ~Author Unknown
As I have looked back I can see where things went wrong and where I could have improved myself to be a better person not only for me but also for my marriage. But honestly what good does this do? I cannot go back and change the past, I can only take the knowledge of what I did wrong and correct them, as to not make the same mistakes again. Which is so much easier said than done! When they say that hard habits are hard to break, they weren't kidding. How do you change something that has become such a part of you? It's ingrained into you and you honestly have no idea how to NOT do it. I may need some intense therapy!
Also looking back however, I have seen wonderful great times in my life. Moments that I will cherish and remember always and forever. Building blocks. I wonder honestly if there are so many moments like these, why? Unfortunately we are not the only ones who make decisions that affect our lives, and sometimes are forced to change our lives and deal with the effect of another persons decisions.
I try to keep positive - some days are so much easier than others. I take it day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute. I try to find the happiness and the good in my new life.....
When a door closes, look for an open window!
When love is lost, do not bow your head in sadness; instead keep your head up high and gaze into heaven for that is where your broken heart has been sent to heal. ~Author Unknown

Late Christmas Gift & Awesome Birthday Gift

August 26, 2009

Well, it has come around again, my birthday. I used to really want to get older, now I only want to stay young! If I was getting wiser with age it probably wouldn't be so bad!
This year however, I received a special present. A homemade cedar chest, hand-crafted by my wonderful father Bill.
It's kind of a funny story....
Nine years ago after drawing names within the family for xmas gifts, and having decided that the gifts should be hand made gifts, I was given a piece of wood. With this piece of wood came the promise of a cedar chest, to be constructed within the near future. I took the wood and laughed, delighted with the fact that I would soon be the owner of a homemade cedar chest. It was a very exciting Christmas.
The years came and went, and I still had not received the promised present. After a couple of years, the gift actually slipped my mind and was completely forgotten, until yesterday.
My dad has been taking Friday's off of work, he called them his retirement day. He was enjoying spending time in his shop building things, and of course cutting chalk boards out for us. It was fun to see his excitement.
Little did I know that he was actually working on the the promised cedar chest for me! The wood had almost all been purchased 9 years earlier, so he didn't have to buy much to finish the present. He got it finished and gave it to me for my birthday. It was such a big surprise, that apparently everyone had knowledge of except for me. He even had a plaque engraved to attach to the front of the chest. It says: To Brenda A Thompson
Hand built 9 years late
by your dad
William A Timothy
2009
It is so beautiful, I just love it. Dad did such a great job on it, it looks like something you would buy from the store, he is just wonderful. This present meant so much to me.
Thanks to Wade for having bought the wood years ago, and thanks to dad for putting it together for me. I LOVE IT!

First days of school 2009

August 27, 2007

Before I forget, which I do rather quickly, I think I will notate some fun things that have happened while starting this school year.
We have just moved from Elk Ridge up to Cedar Hills. This is a brand new school for all the kids, and some of them are a bit nervous. Not that I can say that I blame them, it isn't easy being the "new" kid.
After moving in, I located the schools that each of the kids would be attending this fall. Tyler will be attending Mountain Ridge Jr. High and Cody, Devin, and McKenzie will attend Cedar Ridge Elementary. They both look like really nice schools, and I have heard nothing but good things from the neighbors.
I went and registered the kids for school, picked classes for Tyler, the whole shebang. The Jr. high would be mailing Tyler's class list and locker within a few weeks, and the elementary would be posting the class lists on the 14th.
The mail came with the instructions on the school year starting, the class fees for Tyler, his locker code, his classes, etc. So far everything was running smoothly.
On the 14th of August I went to the school to write down the classes the other kids were assigned to, and what supplies I needed to purchase before school began. I found Devin's teacher, Miss Sechrest, and McKenzie's teacher, Mrs. Johnson. I hunted the 5 6th grade lists, but was unable to locate Cody's name. There was one teacher with a note attached that said their class list would be updated with more students. I assumed that he would be in that class, all was well. I jotted down what he needed as far as school supplies and went to work.
A few days passed, and still hadn't heard if he had been placed in that "pending" class. So I called the school to make sure. The meet and greet was coming up, and I needed as well as wanted to know who we were going to meet.
The lady at the office pulled up Cody's name and told me that Cody had Mrs. Johnson in the pm session. Funny. I told her that McKenzie had a Mrs. Johnson for the am session. She then asked me if they were twins. Twins? Are you serious? Cody is (should be) going to 6th grade, and Kenz is only in the 2nd. I would have remembered being pregnant with a "twin" for almost 5 years!!! Now we were both baffled. She did some more research and discovered that Cody was automatically placed in the Alpine School District from where he left off. He had attened an Alpine school for Kindergarted and 1st grade, which is why they put him in a 2nd grade class. However, 4 school years had passed in between..
They quickly assigned him to a 6th grade class, and everything worked out. I didn get a chuckle, as did everyone I told about him starting over in school. That would've been a tough time for him, not only being the "new" kid, but also being so much older... so funny.
So the grade school kids are all taken care of. 3 down, 1 to go.
Now, being so on top of everything, I read the paperwork and noticed that on one day only the 7th graders attended school, the next day the 8th and 9th graders went. I remember this, the new adjustment from grade school to Jr. High. No big whoop. The only problem was, the first day of school for Tyler was supposed to be the 20th, and the 7th graders first day was the 19th. Without even taking a second look at the dates, I told Tyler he went the 21st, you know, because he was in 8th grade. He was excited, get to stay home all day alone, playing WOW. The other kids had school, he was stoked.
That night I came home from work, went over the first day of school with everyone else, double checked the school start time and whether it was an A day or a B day for Tyler so we made sure what classes he was attending. And to my surprise, he had missed the first day of school! He was supposed to start on the 20th, I cannot believe it. Oh he was upset, and kept saying "Thanks a lot Mom." What a horrible mixup! I cannot believe what a moron I was! It all worked out okay, he had a good 2nd (1st) day of school.
Since that crazy first week, everything has been running smoothly. The kids are still enjoying school, and cooperate in the morning.
Lesson learned.... buy a calender!