Thompson family chillin' on the Gulf Coast...

Chad hits the Bahama's!

2008-04-16T15:43:00.000-07:00

These pictures I took from Chad's Myspace. He took these in the Bahama's on his way to India...still somewhere in the Ocean...lucky guy, looks beautiful there...

More random photos..

2008-04-16T15:37:00.001-07:00

More random photos....

Random shots

2008-04-16T15:28:00.001-07:00

These are random shots of playing with photoshop, Shane and me in Cookeville, Tn, Wilson and Me in Cookeville, Annie and me heading to a concert in New Orleans...

Anna's 2nd ball game...

2008-04-16T15:21:00.001-07:00

Anna's ball game, Spring 2008
Below, Dera pushing Hayley
Anna playing the game
Gabe fell asleep in bleachers
Hayley sucking her thumb
Gabe and Hayley are Beth's babies, Chad's sister who flew in from Romona, Ca..Chad's mom brought them down for the day to hang with us. Good times....

Finally updating...

2008-04-16T15:10:00.001-07:00

So, It has been awhile since I have sat down and updated this thing. I went back to school this semester. Between that, travels, keeping up the girls, remodeling this house, chasing Chad down, I have forgotten about the family blog. My apologies. Here is the rundown as simple as I can make it. Chad is on his way to India with his boat for a job..something to do with pipe work that got misplaced during a storm. He will be home sometime in July. Dera is begging to get her learner's permit and her belly button pierced when she turns 15 in 2 weeks. Both I am on the fence about. She is growing so fast, both are. Miss when they were little and let me braid their hair. Anna has started Softball, the Stealers, and wishing her coach had more faith in her that she can pick up the sport. She is the type of person that once she has set her mind to learn something, she won't stop until she perfects it. Both have been painting lately, sketching, always doing something creative which warms my heart to watch. We have become addicted to Guitar Hero 3, Rockband, and Dance Dance Revolution...So glad winter is over even though we have a cold snap right now. Pool is up and ready for us to get in it. I am ready for school to be over. I got a roll in a play called, 'Heaven Help The Po'Taters'. Rehearsals have been fun. I haven't done anything in awhile so I am enjoying it. Attached are recent pictures. Anna's ballgame, Chad's family came down, and random shots over the months. Walk in love.....

2007-12-22T13:34:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas from the Thompson family!
2007
Anna, D'Nece, Dera, and Chad
Much love and blessing to you!

2007-12-22T13:33:00.001-08:00

Celebrated 16 years this month!

2007-12-22T13:32:00.001-08:00

Chad and Dera

2007-12-22T13:30:00.001-08:00

Chad and Anna

Christmas 2007

2007-12-22T13:24:00.000-08:00

Long Time no post. Since October life has thrown some curve balls that we keep on trying to catch. Why? You have to. We wanna strike out, but too competitive I suppose for that. It has just been one thing after another and you somehow have to keep on going. Not let it take you down. Continue to stand on Faith, know in your heart it will all pan out. This Christmas is just odd. But we are pulling it together. Chad went back on the boat this past Wednesday, he had his Christmas with the girls. A friend is coming to town on Monday, we are all excited. My friend took family Christmas pictures for us...post as soon as I find them. I bought cards but got so behind when I got the flu, that I gave up, put them up for next year. So if you don't get a card from me, it is okay...I just didn't get to it this year. This holiday season all I can think about is how grateful I am for my family and friends. That is my main focus. Making my Grandma's fudge tomorrow. I found the recipe. Really excited. Just relaxing. Counting my blessings. Merry Christmas to all of you and I hope you have a blessed New Year!

Tattoo for my Grandma...

2007-10-09T12:23:00.002-07:00

This is my respect to my Grandma. Last night I had this tattooed on my upper back between my shoulder blades. Yes, it hurt. I cried because I really miss her. When I think about what she has done the most for me, this would be it. Always praying for me. She never stopped. I love you Grandma, and now you are always with me....

Happy Birthday Grandma!

2007-10-07T13:10:00.001-07:00

Today is my Grandma's birthday. It is the first one without her. It is odd really. I would normally be up in Meridian, holding her hand. But I am at home. I have decided to throw myself into cleaning to get thru the day. I don't want to cry. It is not that I don't miss her. I do terribly. It is because crying won't bring her back. It is unfair to wish she were here with all that she had gone thru in the last few years. I want peace for her and I know she found it. So with that said, 'We love you Grandma, we miss you, we will soon you again." I wanted post this poem she gave me when I was young. It was given to her when she had buried two of her baby boys. It has stayed with me, taught me, and comforted me. My Grandma taught me so much. To love, laugh, be humble, grateful, giving, to hold, to fight for what you love, to try to be the best person you could be. She never gave up on me and was always praying for me. Tomorrow I am going to get a tattoo on the bad of my neck. Prayers Hands. Why? Because that is what she did for me. Enjoy the poem, take it to heart, and heck even try to live by it, I do.

Lord Forgive Me When I Whine
Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely girl with golden hair. I envied her
she seemed so gay. When she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle. She had one leg, and used a crutch. But as she passed she smile. Oh God, forgive me when I whine. I have legs. The world is mine!

I stopped to buy some candy. The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him. He seemed so glad. And as I left he said to me, "I thank you. You have been so kind. It's so good to talk with folks like you. You see, " he said, "I am blind." Oh God, forgive me when I whine. I have two eyes.
The world is mine!

Later, while walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue.
He stood and watched the others play. I stopped a moment, then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?" He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he couldn't hear. Oh God, forgive me when I whine. I have two ears.
The world is mine!

With feet to take me where I want to go, with eyes to see the sunset's glow, with ears to hear what I would know....
Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I am blessed indeed.
The world is mine!

September 29, 2007; Katy's birthday party

2007-10-01T12:20:00.001-07:00

Photo 1: Anna and Allison trying to rock in the float.
Photo 2: Dera and Kaitlyn huddled up together, you would think they were twins at times.
Photo 3: Anna jumps in!
Photo 4: Katy blows out her candles. Happy 13th Kaitlyn!
Photo 5: Dera and Katy do the 'Soulja Boy' dance, they never get tired of it. I do.

2007-10-01T12:18:00.001-07:00

Chad hiding from the camera @ Jen's shower, Cypress, TX 9/22/07

2007-10-01T12:17:00.001-07:00

Anna's first school dance!
September 2007
6th grade

2007-10-01T12:09:00.001-07:00

Dera and Andrew
Cypress, TX
September 22, 2007

2007-10-01T12:07:00.001-07:00

Anna and Andrew (Jen's new little guy)
Cypress, TX
September 22, 2007

New Tattoo

2007-10-01T12:05:00.001-07:00

Newest tattoo, inside my right ankle. Dera drew the butterfly on the right, Anna drew the one on the left, the Birds of Paradise represent my Nanny. It is still healing and will have to get touched up, some color did not stick..

2007-10-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

As I sit and wait on the carpet guys who already came by once this morning, but had to send them away because they were super early (and I was undressed), I thought I would post on this blog and update of sorts. September ended with Kaitlyn (dear family friend) turning 13 and her sister Sydney turning 7. I will post pictures of the pool party shortly. Also posting a couple of pictures from Jen's baby shower, Anna's first dance, and whatever I feel up too. I wanna post pictures of my new carpet because I am about to bust at the seems for them to get here and put it in. My house looks like someone threw up all over it. I can't clean because I have 3 bedrooms crammed into 2 different rooms. I am restless. I want the house cleaned. Fun week planned. Going to see 'Horrorpops' (sound is so not what you think, it is actually pretty cool) and 'Loverboy', that one is old school and both will be a blast. Fun! Fun! Fun! Enjoy the pictures....

Where did the months go?

2007-09-26T13:17:00.000-07:00

August flew by and now September is over in a week. You wake up one day, roll over, and it is the next day already. A lot is going on. Carpet has been ordered and the bedrooms are semi-cleared out, slow process. Just waiting on the carpet guys to come install. That can happen any time within the next 2 weeks. So we are living on top of each other. Went to Houston last week. Jennifer's baby is adorable. The party we threw for them went well. Hit IKEA up on the way home and stocked up on my favorite jumbo tea light candles and some other stuff needed for the house. Our goal is to have the house back to pre-Katrina remodel state by November. We have thrown ourself into with superhuman powers. We are so ready to put Katrina behind us as much as one can and just pitter patter around a home that has floors and whatnot. Part of me is really excited and the other part is tired already. Today is a lazy day to recharge my batteries, tomorrow it is back to work. Flooring, repainting, cleaning, sanding, etc....gotta be done. No excuses. The girls are well. Growing like weeds and adjusting to Middle school and High school. Cannot believe I am the parent of a teen and tween. Some days that really ages me, others it is fun. I will post pictures soon, really as soon as I locate my camera among my topsy-turvy home. Much love and prayers to you all.

Happy Birthday!

2007-08-14T22:18:00.001-07:00

The girls adding candles to Anna and Bubba's baseball/softball cake. Anna turned 11 on the 1rst and Bubba turned 33 on the 2nd. Anna wanted to share a cake with him since they were coming to town.

Trumie always happy!

2007-08-14T22:15:00.001-07:00

2007-08-14T22:12:00.001-07:00

My Mother's new view from her yard. So pretty watching the colors change on the mountain through out the day. Caballo Lake, New Mexico

2007-08-14T22:09:00.001-07:00

Will (brother) and his little guy Truman...He has the most adorable smile and personality!

2007-08-14T22:07:00.001-07:00

80's themed party, Yeah, I had to bring the 80's back...My hair was sick...I couldn't quit laughing!

'Dog Days of Summer'

2007-08-14T22:00:00.000-07:00

Long time no post. Sorry. This summer has been a whirlwind of heat, fun, and running around. We are all back home. The girls went to a river I cannot even begin to spell in North Carolina with their grandparents while I went to the Great Out West to see my mom, cousin's graduation, and help Mother move. She moved to New Mexico. Absolutely beautiful there. And they have the best burritos in Elephant Butte I have ever eaten. So blessed good. I now crave them. My friends daughter came to stay with us after we got home, Chad came home, Anna turned 11, My brother and family stopped in for a visit, and the girls started school. On top of that we finished prepping the floors for flooring (soon, keep praying please), went to an 80's themed party, and have been working out like a mad woman to get slim, fit, and trim. It is hard to do since we currently are experiencing what Chad's great-grandmother would call the 'Dog Days' of summer....a.k.a Heat Wave folks. You walk outside, you get soaked by your own sweat, so gross. So, I am gonna try to post picks since I cannot sleep...Chad goes back to the boat around 3am and I can never sleep when he goes to work. Later!

Heading for the West...

2007-07-16T21:59:00.000-07:00

Hey friends and family! I hope this blog finds you doing well. Good news today, my oldest and dearest friend, Jen (Houston) gave birth to a little boy just over 7lbs at 35 weeks. Both are doing well and I am so happy for her. I could just burst. On the home front, all is quiet. Chad is on the boat, Girls have to gone to their grandparents in Meridian for a trip to TN to go white water rafting with them (they will have pictures I am sure), and I am about to head out West for a week. Flying into to Tuscon where Mother will pick me up on her way into Blythe for one last load and my cousin's graduation, then back to Truth-or-Consequences, NM. I am excited about the move. I am excited to go out West. I miss home, I miss Del Taco, I miss EZ Mart soda, I miss the food, I miss the desert, heck I miss everyone and everything. So I am just finishing up some last minute things, errands, dog to kennel, arrangements for the cat, packing...and I am on my way. Love to all!

Summer update

2007-06-26T01:43:00.000-07:00

Sorry folks for the long delay in blog world. I do have pictures to post, just not the time to sift through them. Chad is home for another week and then back to the boat. Work on the house has come to a halt so he can have at least one bit of summer with the kids before they go back to school, August 6th I believe. I am heading out tomorrow for Houston to see my friend Jen. She is about to give birth to her first child. Say a prayer for her please, she is not due until August 19th but has been in the hospital about 3 weeks now. Summer is going pretty smooth thus far. I started it off with Strep so the girls went to Meridian to hang with the grandparents. A visit from my Sis-in-law and her babies followed (yes I do have pictures to post later). Then a visit from my cousin and Wilson. Before you knew it Chad was home. The month flew by. Took the girls to get hair cuts. I thought Anna was gonna puke everywhere (she has a touch of anxiety), but she ended up with the cute stacked bop like she wanted and was happy. Now she really looks as though she will be in Middle school. She has spent most of her days in the pool when not doing chores. That is the best money we have spent. The pool gets her off the couch and moving. We love it, she loves it, Dera on the other hand is just to cool to be bothered with such things. Teenagers! If it isn't the phone, computer, shopping, or dancing, leave her alone she says, whatever, I say! She earned some babysitting money and bought a digital camera with it. I am proud that she spent it on something that will use her mind. She loves art, photos, photo shopping, so it will keep her busy. Well, that is about it. Maybe dreamland will come now....much love to you all...

Chad's loves photoshopping...

2007-05-28T17:28:00.000-07:00

I took this photo for Mother's Day 2005 on the beach.
It was a gift for my friend Amy (her girls are pictured).
From small to big:
Sydney, Anna, Kaitlyn, Dera
Chad was playing around on photoshop and turned this photo
into a metal plate look.
Thought it was cool and shared it with yall.
They grow up so fast.
We need to go take another one just to compare!

Sick again...

2007-05-27T05:50:00.000-07:00

It is Memorial weekend and I am bogged down with Strep throat and sinus issues that have kept me awake all night. Seriously. Because I loathe breathing with my mouth open I refuse to open so I can sleep. Yes, I realize this is a problem and that I am going to have to give in and open my mouth to breathe while I sleep. I am pretty miserable. My bro-in-law is here to pick up the girls and take them to Meridian for a week or so. Hopefully then I can rest. I hate that their summer is starting out with me being sick AGAIN. I was just starting to feel better from the last crud, ready to tackle house projects to get it ready for inspection from Katrina mess, and especially work on the old church pew my maw-in-law got for me that I have been wanting for like ever! Nope, not today or tomorrow...rest is what they say...I am tired of being in bed. I am tired of being sick. I realize I am being a baby. But I wanna get in our pool we put up and float. I had been working out in it at night. It makes jogging much easier on my belly fat. It is too dark for anyone to see jiggle so I have been running laps. Running laps until I caught Chad's cold just a day after he went back to the boat...hmm...and why did my cold turn into Strep and his did not. So not fair. He is all but over it. Well, I had better go lay down, AGAIN...maybe sleep will come....

Pirate party! Ahoy!

2007-05-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

Chad and I went to a Pirate themed birthday party for our friends. It was fun to dress up and act silly. Chad of course, had on shorts and flip flops...what you see is all I could get him to wear. He was a good sport though and had more fun then I think he thought he would. My costume was too big and I kept having to keep it in place all night. LOL! Good times!

Dera's graduations pictures...

2007-05-24T14:19:00.000-07:00

These are Dera's graduation pictures. We would have taken more but didn't know our battery was low until it was too late. We were very proud of her. Our baby is on her way to High School..wow, time flies.

2007-05-24T14:14:00.000-07:00

2007-05-24T14:11:00.000-07:00

This is us putting up a pool in the backyard. The bird's nest is in our Grapefruit tree. Sweet!

Dera is growing up...

2007-05-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

Well, today my baby graduates from Jr. High. I think about when I was 14 and what all was going thru my head and worries begin to flood my heart. She is growing up. We took her to Florida for fun in the sun. Check out where we stayed. www.navarrebeachcampground.com We really enjoyed it. Yes, I know I am behind on pics. Chad is home right now so I will get him to link them on here. And yes we will take some of the graduation. Her dress is so cute. It is a strapless sun dress with a vintage feel. Very pretty with her red hair. I am so proud of her. More to come....

Spring cleaning failed...

2007-04-25T13:09:00.000-07:00

I am trying to get better about this blog thing. Keeping ya'll up to date and informed. Anna is devastated this week to learn that Paula and Randy will not be coming to the Gulf Coast instead opting to hit the New Orleans scene for their visit from American Idol. She cried so hard. Not because she wanted to see them but because she feels like celebs only care about New Orleans and their loss. Anna's words, "They still have their history and ours is wiped away, I don't get it!" I felt so bad for her. After almost two years it still effects her. She never cries and is pretty internal with most thoughts. So this was big. Dera says when she gross up she will a speaker of some sort. Of this I have no doubt. Dera is turning 14 in a week exactly. She graduates from 8th grade on the 14th of May as well. Time flies folks. One day they are little and the next thing you know they are grown. Anna is into scrapbooking and Dera has taken a huge liking to photography. We are all waiting for school to get out. Only two more weeks to go. I cannot wait. I think it is silly to get up so early. Just not a morning gal I suppose. The house is the same. Spring cleaning is not flowing as well as I had hoped. I am having a hard time getting the girls involved. I have threatened to have their Maw-maw come down and bark orders but that still provides no results. Chad will be home in a couple of weeks so I am hoping that will motivate them. I think they are just burned out from school, nervous about their state testing coming up (I loath that test), and need a break. So we are going camping in Navarre Beach, Fl the first weekend in May. Yes, I will post pics. Meantime, enjoy these that Dera and Chad have taken. I think Dera's are just her playing around and Chad's might be of the boat...not sure..never mind..going to have to wait until Dera gets home to find the pictures. Much love to you all!

Coffee drinkers beware...

2007-04-13T05:19:00.000-07:00

Long time no blog...

2007-04-13T05:05:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe two seasons have gone by and I hadn't posted a family update. Fall came and went. Nothing exciting to report there. We put a new fence up that is about all. Winter was cold. Work on the house came to a stop. January I got really sick and stayed that way for a few months. My birthday came around and had a blast. I flew out to California to see my Mom in good ole' Blythe. I will post pics soon, I promise. Came home and got sick again. The crud is finally out of my lungs. Amen! The girls are growing up and aging me by the minute. In less then a month Dera will 14 years old! She will be in 9th grade next year, WOW! Anna will be in Jr. High. Time flies when you are not looking closely. I am taking Dera to Florida for her birthday that weekend. The girls and I ( and friends) will camp at Navarre Beach campground. They have really cool cabins right there on the Santa Rosa Sound. I am looking forward to it. I think Dera is looking forward to the shopping. Anna is looking forward to the beach. I am looking forward to the fun of it all. I am going to start painting on the house again next week. I am hoping to put carpet in the girls room's as well. Chad is on the boat so I am going to have to get it done without him. I am tired of living in a 'coming undone at the seams' house. I am ready to finish it and move on. Put Katrina and her crap behind me. Seriously. My grandma passed away recently and we have trying to deal with that the best we can. I have huge amounts of peace but sadness as well. My grandfather is having a hard time as well as my Dad. That breaks my heart. I feel like she is watching over me. I know where she is and take comfort that she is no longer struggling to breathe or swallow...the choking is done. She was loved. She taught me so much. Her greatist gift to me was to learn to be unselfish. While I am by no means unselfish, I am trying hard not to be. Well, the girls are on the bus so I had better get a move on my day.

Almost done!

2006-10-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hey there folks! I posted some pics but the link is invisible inside a box. Just click on it and it will take you to the photos. They are what we have done in the girls room so far. Enjoy!

2006-10-23T20:41:00.000-07:00

Another day in the South!

2006-10-13T14:31:00.000-07:00

Well folks, it is Fall time in the South and because we live on the beach the leaves just aren't falling fast enough. Chad is home from the boat and currently harrassing his teenage daughter who had the nerve to ask if Jacob (her little boyfriend) could hang out in her room tonight. Um, NO! Does she think we are stupid? She just can't resist pushing the envelope further. Anna will be playing Mrs. Claus in her school Christmas play...she has tons of songs to learn and is excited about it. Dera made the National Honor Roll Society. That warms our hearts completely. We are so proud of her. We are about to decorate for Halloween. Dera is going to a bday part at a Bunny Rabbit, she wants to be a Playboy rabbit (even though we are pretty sure she has no idea really what that is)...Yes, of course we said no...and not very quietly. 'But Mom all my friends are going to be one!'...well, that is lovely and sad for them but she is not. She is just gonna be a rabbit, plain and simple. Anna is going to be a black cat for Halloween and her dog a spider. I am going to try an upload a video. This video was made purely for laughs on our trip to the Good Ole West this summer. It is of me singing Air Supply 'All By Myself'...the girls are in the back mortified. I have laughed so hard at this video. Chad and I are gonna make one of REO..I will sing, he will play the guitar, and the girls will be back up singers...it will be hysterical. So enjoy it and remember to have a good laugh! And I promise as soon as I figure this picture thing out they will be on here!

Girl's rooms...

2006-09-11T14:43:00.000-07:00

If you know how to post pics please show me how. Just got back this weekend from Houston. I went over there to IKEA to get some stuff to finish the girl's rooms. Dera is getting a Moroccan theme and seems to be happy about it. She is in her room with Chad painting as I type. Anna's room will be green/white/flowers. Chad built custom closets for the girls so we can eliminate dressers in their small spaces. They look great! He did this while I was gone. Of course I came home to a messy house and now need to get busy on cleaning it. Can't have it all can we, LOL. I hope all is well with everyone! Much love to you!

Katrina

2006-08-29T06:58:00.000-07:00

Blue is about how I am feeling this morning. Today marks the first year since Hurricane Katrina blew through our state and took our town away. She tooks lives, homes, trees, jobs, and reshaped how we will see things for a long time. I don't know anyone who has experience life here can say that they are uneffected by all that has gone on this year. I have already cried once today and I imagine that I will cry again. My emotions are raw.

New site...

2006-08-24T02:51:00.000-07:00

This is our family website. I hope you enjoy it. It is neat to be able to keep up with friends and family like this. So enjoy. Pics will be coming soon from our summer vacation out west. Be patient with me as I figure out how to get them on here. Thanks!