Saturday, March 31, 2007

A Fascinating Read. . .


"Indeed the best thing about happiness itself is that it liberates you from thinking about happiness--as the greatest pleasure that money can give us is to make it unnecessary to think about money." C.S. Lewis


Lewis quotes "We were made not primarily that we may love God (though that we were made for that too) but that God may love us, that we may become objects in which the Divine love may rest 'well pleased.' To become an object God can love may require alteration. Some of our unhappy or painful experiences work to change us into beings God can love and find pleasure in." Lewis writes, "when we are such as He can love without impediment, we shall in fact be happy."


"The Question of God" C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life by Dr. Armand M. Nicholi, Jr.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Sweet & Sassy

Posted by Picasa

A moment in my house. . .

Since I’m a clandestine “stay-at-home-mom” (after a full year of devoting every day to my adorable little girl, when asked, I still claim I’m a writer first-before a mom. As if that’s my sole-responsibility, which, in all honesty, would have to be my adorable little girl.) So, I admit I have a hard time with the identity thing—yes I’m still writing (and speaking) but most day’s I’m just mommy.

Anyway, (slight identity crisis in-process) since I do spend all day with my little girl, you’d think that I’d seen everything that little squirt did in a day! Although she’s an adorable squirt, it still doesn’t change my bafflement over today and the new insight I've gained into Sophia World.

The first incident happened just as Nate, Sophia and I were finishing dinner. I casually asked Nate to clean Sophia up, so that she could get down from her high-chair and the colorful remains of her dinner. Which as usual, had become modern art on table and child. Without even thinking twice, Nate nodded, leaned over the innocent Sophia and opened his mouth wide. “Ahhhhhhh!” He said as my lively, though compliant child, proceeded to stick her hands INTO his mouth one after another so that he could “lick the platter clean” so to speak! I was shocked not only by the utter barbaric act, but that it had obviously become a comfortable ritual somehow when I wasn’t looking! I'm afraid my dismay was lost on the two of them especially since I couldn't stop laughing at the sincerity of their little routine. (Careful to anyone who opens their mouth wide around Sophia! She may think your a hand-cleaning machine!)

As if that wasn’t enough to make a mother scratch her head (remind you I’m with the child almost 36 hours a day—well sometimes it feels like it) This evening, as I stopped by Nana & Papa’s to retrieve, said child, after a brief interlude into adult world that we parents like to refer to as “a date.” My father asked me if I’d had Sophia call him today? “What do you mean?” I asked innocently, I was still under the vague impression that I knew what my child did during the day (after all we never even left the house!) My father began to describe a conversation he’d had with Sophia after SHE called their house and babbled very creatively for several minutes until he assumed she lost interest with the phone and wandered off. Incredulous as I was to my daughter’s conversational abilities, there was no mistaking the call listed in the outgoing file of my cell phone. It was at that moment that I had to admit my family including my one-year old were making it very clear that—even for a stay-at-home-mom. . .there's obviously enough room in my life—for a life.
Oh and if any of you receive a call from Sophia--have her take a message--I must be busy. . .writing!

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

A Mother's Love. .


I love this picture. . .over borders, and thousand's of miles there's no translation or explanation necessary.
Anther thing I love. . . is my daughter being one. She's always been a delight and fairly easy baby--although she does demand alot of attention. One year's old is adorable, she's independent, she's up and down stairs and chairs all by herself. She giggles, she babels, she toddles with complete abandon and curiosity sometimes dragging her favorite blanket behind her. She helps mommy & daddy load the clothes into the washing machine and unload the dishwasher. She loves to be made into the bed, and the laughter doesn't stop. I never knew how much I would enjoy being a parent, but when you see her start to "get" things, like baby signs, or little songs. It's magic.
Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

It's Fabulous! A Must See!


I've been impressed with Andrea since we were in high school & now she's doing it again!
The great thing about Iowa is the headquarters for Better Homes & Garden's and Andrea has just launched a new website for Remodel. Check it out and support our girl!
Or for another great blog! http://dmlavi.blogspot.com/ Twentysomethingponderings.
Another great thing about Iowa is the frugality (I believe that's a word) that feeds the treasure hunting around here. Finding a great piece of clothing or furniture at a thrift store for $.25 to a $20.00 is a shared value around here. Spring means garage sale's and redecorating! In high school we would swap dresses for formals, now we swap pieces of furniture. We call each other when there's a sale. We hunt for each other, we band together to repaint, redecorate, & redo gardens. Then when the weather gets warm we band together to sell whatever we don't need and use the $$ on another project. Don't believe me, ask my husband, he believes the best dowry he ever got was the training from my mom to hunt, scrap, save and find a bargin, save $$ or get something done on a shoe-string. This knowledge has to be handed down from one woman to another. My favorite thing is that these are fabulous women are always impeccably dressed with gorgeous homes who LOVE to shop! Ask our husband's we seem to hunt in packs!

Friday, March 09, 2007

The New & Improved Thompson Family


Great Expectations


Hugs & Kisses All Around
Younger 6, & Patricia 2 Meet Mommy for the first time coming all the way from Liberia!


Little Patricia traveled the whole way with Malaria!


I'm Never Letting Go!
We love you guys & so glad you're finally a family
Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Happy Birthay My Little Diva!


Happy first birthday baby girl. I can't believe it's already been a full year. You've become such an adorable little lady. Full of life and laughter, your smile and spirit have been such a light in our lives. I can't wait to see what you do with next year. We love you!

50 Years Young!



The best gift we ever gave my dad was this little bundle! Happy 50th Birthday Dad! We love you, you're a great grandpa and a wonderful role model. We're so thankful to have you in our lives.

First Steps


First Stairs




First Book


First Smile


First Kiss


First Car Ride




Love at First Sight




One Year Ago. . .

Yeah, little did I know that there was a 9lb 14oz baby in there. I just knew it was time to meet her (actually 3 days late)

Monday, March 05, 2007

We Love You!

You gotta see this. . .

Well snowy weather is great for movie watching and Nateand I HAVE to recommend these two. This little French favorite reminds me of a cross between Mr. Holland's Opus and Life is Beautiful. Yes its all subtitled, but it's not your typical French movie. An incredible soundtrack and a touching story that will move your heart. In fact, this movie was supposedly more popular in France than Harry Potter. Check it out: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372824/



This is a great movie about the really important things in life (well not God, but the other important things) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401445/

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails