Separated at birth???

Cameron reminded me of this today. Back in March, Matt decided to cut his own hair. He did such a wonderful job that we had no choice but to shave it all off. We teased him and told him that it was like having our very own house elf. While he was bald, we traveled down to Jupiter. We went to see the Cardinals play a Spring Training game. This is an annual trek for the Thompson family. At Spring Training games you can get up close to the players and talk to them and get autographs. Matt got a game ball because one of the security guys thought he was sick!!! It was quite embarrassing. We explained to those around us that he wasn't sick but, instead had cut his own hair. We had a good laugh and Matt got a treasured game ball. It did make me think, we are blessed to have two healthy kids.

All Done

I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I loved it. I can't wait for the movie. No spoilers here. I laughed, I cried, I'm going to miss them. Cameron started reading it today. She's already 150 pages into it. At eight, I never would have even attempted a 759 page book. Anyway, now I have to get my house straighten up. I kinda let it go while I was trying to finish the book. Later...

Harry Potter

Okay, I admit it. I am a Harry Potter fan. When the final book is released at midnight tomorrow night, I will be in line at our local bookstore. I am actually nervous about how the series will end. I am anxious, sad and excited. I can't imagine how J.K. Rowlings must feel. I love Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and the rest of the characters. When I cried at the end of Order of the Phoenix, my husband laughed at me at pointed out that I was reading a "children's book." I quickly pointed out to him that Luke Skywalker isn't real, that ended that conversation. Now I know all the arguments against HP. (Especially within the church) However, I find it humorous that the same people who are against HP will allow their children to watch Star Wars. George Lucas himself admits that he sat out to provide a social commentary on the oppressiveness of organized religion. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Star Wars. But, why accept the magic in one series as o.k. but, in the other it is evil? It is all make believe. Just for fun. In SW we are suppose to believe that Annikan's conception was virginal. (Hum, where have I heard that story before) He was the one pre-destined to save the empire. (Again, sound familiar?) J.K. Rowlings does similar things with HP. He was saved from a gruesome death by his mothers unconditional and sacrificial love. It is Harry's ability to love and the sacrifices that are made in behalf of others that make the HP series so endearing. It is because Harry was once loved that he is able to show love. It is love that will defeat "he who must not be named." It is my guess that the defeat will also come at a great sacrifice. Hogwarts and Diagon Alley are fictional, as are Narnia, Tarabitha and far far away. Look for the teachable moments. I would never sit my kids down with a book, movie or TV show without first knowing what they were reading or watching. When we come across something that just doesn't seem right, we get down the Bible and have a family study time. Jeff and I pray that by tackling some of these issues in the safety of our home, we will empower our children with the ability to defend their beliefs when confronted with the same scenarios outside the safety of our home.

Worship

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.--James 4:8

This mornings service was one of the few true worship services I've had the pleasure of attending. Sure, we generally fit what we call "worship" in somewhere during the service, but today was different. The Holy Spirit was at work in the hearts and lives of our members. Most of our sermon are what I call "teaching" sermons. We learn about the word of God and may even find ways assimilate it into our own lives. Today was on a whole different level. It wasn't about us, it wasn't about how we feel or what we want. It was about God and His glory, it was about drawing nigh to God. I pray, and ask you to pray with me, for a revival in our church and community. I want to see God glorified and magnified. I pray that the revival will start in me.

Where does the time go?

It seems like it was just yesterday that we carried her home from the hospital. My baby girl turns eight on Friday. I don't know how it happened so quickly. We have stuff planned all week long to celebrate the occasion. Tuesday night, she and her daddy have a "date." I love that my husband takes time with her, just the two of them, to show her how special she is. Every little girl needs that from their daddy. Thursday we are taking her and a couple of friends to the movies. Friday she is going to a lock-in with the swim team. On Saturday, my sister-in-law is driving up from Miami and we are all going to spend the day on the beach. It has been fun watching her grow from that crying bundle of red baby, to a young girl who loves Hannah Montana and thinks that Jesse MacCartney and Zac Efron are cute. I'm enjoying the adventure.

Welcome to Summer

Hot. Hot. Hot. Hot. It is very hot. Our poor air conditioner has not shut off today. When the temperature hits 85 before 9:00am, you know you are in for a hot one. The pool water is luke warm and not very refreshing. Ah, the perils of living in Florida. Matt's asthma is acting up, so he is content to sit and watch tv. He says, "It's to hard to play outside." The doctor changed his medicine last week and it doesn't seem to be doing the job. I wasn't to sure about giving him the new medicine anyway because the packaging says it may slow growth. He is already, by far, the smallest kid in his class. He doesn't need any help.
I have pulled out the board games and art supplies. We are going to have a day of inside fun. I am so thankful for air conditioning. While it is easy to whine and complain about being uncomfortable, we really have nothing to complain about. God has been so good to us.

Swim Meet

What a beautiful day. With highs in the 90's and not a cloud in the sky it was the perfect day for a swim meet. That is, as long as you were a swimmer. For the spectator, it was unbearably hot. Today was the second meet of the season. Cameron did well. She won a second, a third and two honorable mentions in her division (7&8 year old). The team did very well also. Our team only started swimming in March and we competed against teams that are able to swim year round. We had someone place in every race and even took first, second, third, and HM in several of the heats. I'm very proud of all their hard work. They were awesome. GO SHARKS!!!

4th of July

I love the 4th of July. I cherish the freedom that comes with living in the greatest country in the world. I am thankful for the religious freedoms our founding fathers fought so hard to preserve. I spent a few days in DC last summer and was amazed how our Lord and Savior is mentioned in almost every document and monument that represents what has become the United States. Our founding fathers had an incredible amount of reverence for God and His Son. They understood that without Him, the new born democracy was doomed. It is not only the historical aspects of the holiday I like. I love that my family will take a day off tomorrow, right in the middle of the week. We will swim, picnic, play baseball, and top the night off with fireworks. I look forward to sharing the day and its meaning with my children. I have very few good memories of my own father (another blog, another time) but, one that I do have is of the bicentennial (1976). I remember our family camping at Norris Dam in Tennessee. It was a happy time for me. My cousins and I played with sparklers and firecrackers. I pray that tomorrow is a wonderful time for all of you. Have fun creating memories your children will cherish forever. -- until later, Jena

Who thought this was a good idea?

Several years ago we made the decision to home school our daughter. Most of the time I love it. Other times, like today, not so much. We don't get the summer off in the traditional sense. She had three weeks off at the beginning of the summer and will get one week off at the end. In the mean time she does "school" for two hours a day for four days a week. Today, she going on the fourth hour of her two hour day. We both cried over multiplication this morning. Truly a bonding experience. --until later, Jena

Lazy Sundays

Today has turned into a very long and lazy kinda day. My husband has the flu, we have had to just step around him. He did manage to move from the bedroom to the couch. That is as far as he has gotten today. I would almost rather the kids be sick. At least I can give them medicine and send them to bed. He just whines, he is sicker than anybody has ever or will ever be. I just figured something out... blogging is much cheaper than therapy, and probably works just as well.
I have the most wonderful mother-in-law in the world. I am closer to her, in many ways, than I am my own mom. When I told her about the blogs, she just shook her head. She just doesn't get it. She is being forced into the 21st century kicking and screaming. I am only mentioning this because I know that she will be reading this when she gets to work on Monday. See it didn't even hurt. I love you, Mom..... until next time-Jena