Cole's Birthday is always close to Labor Day weekend.....and he loves to camp...and hunt
So we compromised on the glorious cake and made cupcakes....with a hunting theme
Notice the sweet deer droppings
These are some of the friends that either camped with us or drove to celebrate with Cole--can't beat a good party!
Happy 11th year of your life, me boy!! 
This first morning of school went rather well with all three boys completing chores and morning rituals at top-notch speed. I'm not so sure this has ever been done! :0) Cole is now in fifth grade with two of the best teachers you could ever imagine, (You should hear some of their stories about shark-bites and going to the moon--yes my kids believe them all). Zachary is in the third grade with one of the teachers he had last year (she is so sweet and patient and we LOVE her) , and he has a new teacher we will surely adore equally. You all know Luke's story, but one crucial tid-bit for his first day is that he chose to lay his mohawk down... to make a good impression, I suppose. :0)
This photo was right before he said, "Goodbye, Mommy!!", and I asked. "Don't you want me to come in for awhile?"(we have ALWAYS done this with the other boys). He answered with a big "Nah" that made my heart strings go weak. We walked in with him as the teacher explained some of the hallway rules. She then proceeded to encourage the kids to wave goodbye to their mommies and daddies. This is where the flood-gates opened. I don't think the tears have ever come soo easily without much thought. My sweet husband comforted his bawling wife as I entered my first day without one of my babies by my side.
At last!! I finally stopped driving endlessly and greeted my sweet boy--he missed me....I'm sure of it. :0) I may have picked up some chocolate to comfort us both. Dic and I, traditionally, take the boys out to lunch their first day of Kindergarten (Olive Garden was Luke's choice).
And a treat for the big boys too to celebrate the new school year. I'm excited for a routine, but will miss those fun summer days of wearing our jammies 'til whenever we like. Luke only goes one day this week for small groups, and then he returns again next Tuesday. You don't suppose I'll have to go through the same all over?!
I know he's big enough.......
I know he's wise enough......
I know he's sweet enough.......
Time has come and gone and now I am trying to catch up and post about some really great things that have happened in the last couple of weeks. We had the awesome opportunity to host the Matsiko Choir from Uganda for a few days and it was a truly beautiful experience. The day before they came we were notified that we didn't have enough host families and we were saddened that we were going to miss out. But God laid it all in our hands and I got on the phone and homes for all 25 kiddos were found. There was some reluctancy with busy schedules and conflicts, but I know I can say that all who participated wouldn't have given it up for anything.
The first night the girls insisted on cooking for us--they made flatbread "Chipate"and we cooked chicken on the grill as well as beans and rice. They weren't real excited about our American food, although one likes pizza and the other two french fries. :0)
This morning we had three more friends come to hang out before choir practice--Dic and I decided we could have hosted all of them--they are all soo precious.
They had never seen an apple tree before and even though the apples were not ripe they "dug in". They said they have lots of mangos and plantenes, but no apples. We went through 2 huge bags during their 3-day stay! :0)
They performed at Mount Rushmore and it was a sight to see/hear. With smiles on their faces they danced their little hearts out. What an emotional experience--one little girl shared her life story that spoke for all of them. My tears were flowing.
This is our youngest, Belinda. Is she cute or what???
Anita (12), Sherome(12), and Belinda(8).
America and Africa coming together!
Our car-ride home was a blast! I think exhaustion was beginning to set in for all of us, but the girls joined in with stories and giggles. On the way home we stopped at McDonalds for french fries, Little Caesar's for Belinda's pizza (she ate all but two pieces herself--and those we made her keep for lunch the next day), and some fried chicken. We went by my sister's to see some relatives and the girls were asked to sing for everyone......they danced and sang a whole song from their program----sooo awesome! I felt pride, even though they don't "belong" to me!
Anita and Cole having some quiet time our last morning together.
~~~OUR FAMILY~~~
Cole and Anita became very close in a short time. She wrote him a letter that said he is the best brother she could ever ask for. He has a little hole in his heart and says he is saving his money so he can go to Africa. We are hoping to keep in touch with the girls.
All of our children--they so fit our family. They will be missed, but we will continue to think about them, pray for them, and support them. We offered to take this all on again next year and want them to stay longer so we can raise some money for their cause. Most of these kids will not be returning, but there will be a whole other group to love on. We can't wait!! God brought them for a reason. 
Life is so fragile and these are the times to embrace....peace and tranquility. More to come in the week ahead--we have the incredible chance to host a few children from Uganda who are coming here to sing on tour. We are blessed and it makes me wonder.....oh, it makes me wonder....is God trying to tell me something? I think of it daily with theses opportunities He is giving. I will keep my eyes and ears open. 
We met up with some friends from high school--they were having their 20th year reunion and invited us to the festivities. 
gett'n a little crazy!!
A little singing & playing
Me & Amy--it's been sooo long since we got to hang out!
Jamie & Niki, Brian & Dar, Me & Dic
Luke & buddy Wilam
Everyone!!
It had been a sweet, but long day (see hair).
Holly & Jon
Big Jon & Mimi
Cole & Zach found the perfect spot to jam out!
This day is always fun, but also my big brother's Birthday.....just a good reason to make a cake!
Dic was inducted into the Post 22 Hall of Fame this weekend. He pitched from 1982-1985 and this is the 1984 team that went to the World Series in New Orleans together. Such a special honor.
The infamous Thompson/4th of July picture. This is the only time of year we can get everyone together, especially since oldest nephew Jacob lives in Arkansas. :0)
My 3-day jello we (I) couldn't bare to cut into! :0) It was just decoration for a couple of days, but eventually it was a delicious treat! Oh, and my cute nephew, Brody, think'n he's gonna get in on the action! :0) Not today, Brode!
The Chiolis, Washburn, and DeWitt boys (& girl) watching the fireworks from our deck. We think we have the best seat in the city for firework watching. We can see them from Arrowhead Golf course, Memorial Park, Elks Golf course, the racetrack and everywhere else they can be shot. The sky lights up and we love it all!!
It has been the hardest and best
Dic and I were married June 8, 1996....
We met when I had just graduated from high school at age 17 at the city softball fields. He was a stalker...I was sure of that! I had been visiting with my dad and after I left Dic came up to him and asked who the girl with the nice a** was. You can imagine what my dad's response was....not so sure of the words, I just know that Dic got a really hard elbow to the gut. My parents knew him because of Post 22 Legion baseball, which it seems we went to watch every summer for most of my childhood. I never thought I would ever hook up with one of those studs who were oh-so-cute, but soo much older than me. I tell people Dic was pitching for Post 22 and I was swinging on the monkey bars! Five years was a BIG difference back then. Anyway, back to my story.......Dic followed me home at some point and asked me out. I was still seeing a guy from high school and so I declined, as flattered as I was. But he kept at it throughout the summer....asking my brother and sister when I was gonna drop the loser I was dating. But that was the end of that for awhile. That next winter I was attending BHSU and he came to Spearfish for a basketball game, as he was going to SDSM&T. I was lifting weights to prepare for a body-building competition and he saw me so we talked for awhile. That next summer I was determined to hunt him down at the softball fields and that I did. He asked me out, just as planned, :0) we were engaged a year after, and married 5 years to the day.
Marriage is never what it's expected to be, and you never really "get it" when people tell you it will be difficult. It's one of those things that has to be experienced to truly understand, and some just never get it right.
We have had soo very many ups and downs that sometimes I thought we would never make it......but every day has made us stronger. He has turned into a more loving, caring, spiritual husband than I ever thought he was capable of, and I know I have changed enormously since we came together. We're even different than 5 years ago......2 years ago. We talk more, we listen more, we definitely challenge each other more and respond to each other's needs. Things are good and peaceful and I think we both cherish every day more than the last. 
