The Thompson Trials and Travels

This was the first Thanksgiving that I didn't have 20+ people in my home...it felt kind of weird. All of my family now have in-laws and are saving their time with us for Christmas. That's ok....that's good...I'll take that holiday. On Thanksgiving day, our family has the tradition of saying what we're thankful for...we always went around the table and stated our thoughts. I was feeling a little sad today... not having any of the traditions...then Kyle sent me an email. She had traveled to her in-law's in Oklahoma but took the time to tell me what she was thankful for. It was a long list...it made my heart swell. I guess it doesn't matter if your children are in different parts of the US...or if the rest of your family are spread out across the country...what matters is that they're there...your in their heart...and they're in yours. Happy Thanksgiving!

Regardless of your political stance...you have to see this (DARRELL). Zeke said he could say the Pledge of Allegiance and wanted me to video tape him. I SWEAR.......he was not coached...at least not by me!

I love this time of year. I detest cold weather but lately it's been unusually warm and perfect...for me. The leaves are beautiful and none more so that the ones in our back yard. I love that there's a slight chill in the air with all of the windows open...and that the dogs snuggle beside me to keep warm. Sam just lazes around. Mr. Big follows him everywhere. Sam is the gigantic yorkie....Mr. Big, God bless him, is the one with the rabbit ears. SAM BIG I know...one huge yorkie and one who could fly with his ears alone....but we love them. Ahh yes...life is good. Kyle is in New York with her best friend, Amber. They went on the Sex and the City tour and Kyle sent me photos from all of the places where the show was shot...I was jealous! Really jealous!!! I do not understand my addiction to that show but it's there.......and I doubt it will ever go away. Hence...Mr. Big. As for Zeke...this is the latest photo. I got out my camera and he said, "don't you have enough ...

Zeke is 5 years old and is attending Shiloh Point Elementary School in Atlanta. His teacher's names are Miss Palaguachi and Miss McCord. His best friends are Allen, Elden, Henry and Meleik. His favorite thing to eat for lunch is cold pizza. His favorite classes are music and PE. He doesn't have a girlfriend but he "really likes this girl Emily. She has curly hair...the same color as mine." As told by Mr. Zeke Vining Phillips....... They grow up so quickly.

Big likes to chew paper......newspaper, tissues...on and on. I picked up a hundred pieces shredded around the den and put them in the garbage. This is what happened after I finished.

This weekend was like Christmas. Darrell surprised me and Kyle by flying her home for the long holiday. I hadn't seen her since the wedding and it was wonderful to spend time with her and Zeke...and Jason for what little time he was with us. I have never laughed more in my life watching Kyle play tennis and box with the Wii (until midnight), Kyle and Zeke riding in the Hummer.....make a play house....and just seeing them interact. What a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zeke visited this weekend and met Mr. Big for the first time. They got along well...until Zeke saw a few of his old toys Big was using to cut his teeth on! We took Big to the vet Wednesday - he weights 3 lbs. 7 oz. He's so tiny...and adorable!

Big had his first visit with the vet this morning to get his shots and had a great check up. He weighs 2 lbs. 6 oz. He did not, however, enjoy riding in the car; he shook in my lap all the way there. Fortunately the vet's office is about 5 minutes from the house! I must say I don't think I've ever been around an animal quite like him. He's paper trained... we've only had one accident and it was my fault. The first night we got him he awakened from a nap on the sofa and started crying to get down. I wanted to play with him and didn't realize that puppies need to go potty the MINUTE they wake up. He goes to sleep around 9 p.m. and doesn't wake up until the alarm goes off...this morning he slept through the alarm and I had to wake him to get ready for the vet! He's eating well and the only time he barks is when he doesn't get all the attention.... He runs up and down the stairs (amazing for his size) and climbs up and down the doggie stairs to get on an...

I picked up our new puppy this evening. He's another yorkie and he's so cute! He's sleeping out in the sunroom near his Dad...who's sleeping, too. We're still debating over the name. Right now it's Mr. Big after...well...Mr. Big from Sex and the City. He's the boss so he needs a big name!

Sam was diagnosed with diabetes in late December. He is on insulin shots two times a day. It seemed like it was overnight he developed cataracts...and within three weeks had went completely blind. We took (or I should say Don) took him to the eye specialist in Atlanta for surgery last week. He's been back for checkups three times since the operation and is doing so well. He can see again! He's on six different kinds of medicines/drops six times a day but he's doing so well. Don't let the video scare you...his face had to be shaved for the surgery. My Sam...my little Sam.

Natalie got Zeke's hair cut when they were on vacation in South Carolina. Jason forwarded a photo that Nat had sent him. I almost died!!! All those curls gone! However, when he came up this weekend his hair was so freakin' adorable. He looked like a little man. We had a fiesta day with T-ball... and trampolines... and catching butterflies for his bug habitat... and bowling... and flying kites... and making sno-cones and slushies! I had a great day and I think he did, too. He didn't even ask to watch Sponge Bob or Spiderman or Star Wars all day!

I have been remiss in writing posts and can only give the excuse that I've been busy........or lazy! (In all honesty it's a little bit of both.....) Kyle got married Saturday, May 17th, and if I say so myself, she was a beautiful bride. Milton rode with us and we picked Zeke up in Atlanta. We had to drive as we had a truck load of things to take with us. We arrived at Hammock Beach late Thursday and the guys (Don/Milt/Zeke) went to the beach for an evening stroll. I was unloading things for the wedding and thought I would have a stroke watching the men near the ocean. See...the thing is... a storm was arriving and the waves were over their heads (or at least that's what it looked like from my viewpoint). The waves must've been pretty high because when the guy's came in the room they were all wet...the waves got them! Don had to pick Jason up at the airport on Friday so Milt and I took Zeke and the boys (Hayden and Zach) to the beach. Again...I spoiled all of the fun...

My daughter is getting married in less than one month. My heart is exploding with happiness for her, but at the same time it is breaking knowing that I will not be the most important person in her life anymore. I love her...I want her to be happy...I just hate letting go.

Kyle called night before last. She was on her way home from work and we talked for almost an hour...about everything...about nothing...just talking. Conversations about the upcoming wedding...her job and job offers...Darrell...her future children...on and on. Jason called last night. He was on his way home from testifying on Natalie's behalf at her custody hearing of Jude. We talked for almost an hour...about everything...about nothing...just talking. Conversations about the trial...his job...Zeke...Heath Ledger's death and the 27 club, movies...on and on. When I hung up the phone I realized...this is my success in life. I have two children who are in their 30's (well, Kyle is 2 months away) and they still call and share their lives with me...ask me advice...share their secrets and their frustrations...almost daily...this is my success. To know that I have broken the legacy that was handed down from my parents, and their parents...of never talking...of never expressing fe...

Zeke is visiting this weekend....we all have bronchitis but we're having fun! Shout out to the cousins!

Although a lot happened in 2007, the year went by so quickly. It's amazing that the older I get the faster time goes by. Remember...this blog is really for me...but you're welcome to read. I changed positions within the company and started my new job on January 2nd. It's not as challenging as my last position, which one could consider a good thing, and I have to travel more...but I enjoy it and adore the people I work with. My immune disorder was rampant this year...amazing that I made it to work at all. Joints ached, hair thinned, nails fell off...but luckily it never lasts longer than a year or so...so I should be ok this year. I'm branching out into other areas of marketing in 2008 and am very excited about that. Don turned 60 and we celebrated our 20th anniversary. I think this was the year he finally realized that family was more important than golf...because he stays home every weekend we have Zeke. Don talked about changing companies and taking his business elsew...