Monday, September 29, 2008

Reed Tag

Name: Reed Oren Thompson

Age: 14 months

Nicknames: Reedo, Reeder, Reedo Bandito, Reeder BaDeeder, Reeder Roo, Lil Man, Pooper, Lil Poop, Bug, Boo-ger, etc, etc

Favorite activities: Playing in the hose, going to the park, getting into trouble (playing in the toilet, playing with the water cooler, etc)

Favorite Foods: Applesauce, bananas. Sometimes spaghetti. He is a super picky eater

Favorite music: We sing Old McDonald a lot. He also loves to dance when the Sponge Bob theme song comes on. (not something Im proud of)

Favorite toys: Balls, cars, and anything he shouldn't be playing with

Favorite book: Picture books with peek a boo flaps.

Favorite item of clothing: Are you kidding me? Im lucky to get clothes on him at all.

What makes him happy: Pulling the cats tail, poofing someone elses tummy, going for walks, spending time with Papa, Sponge Bob. (again, not proud)

What makes him sad: Getting told "no". Having to get into his carseat.

I tag whoever wants to show off their little kiddo...

ATTN: Montana Billings Mission Sisters UPDATE

For anyone who is interested..... I wont be there but hope ya'll have a good time.

Montana Sister's Reunion
Who: Everyone!
What: Potluck dinner
When: Sat. October 4, 2008 at 5pm
Where: 857 E. Brookshire Dr. Kaysville Utah {84037} -mapquest it or you can email me for directions
Why: Because we want to see each other! Bring something to throw on the grill and something to share. We will meet at 5 and then any men that might come along can go to the Stake Center and watch conference while we chat. Bring your old photo albums! Hope to see you there.. or here I guess :)
TELL EVERYONE!!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Have you ever.....

The rules:Just copy and paste the 200 statements then bold the ones you have done!!Hope you enjoy it!! (and make sure you use a lot of exclamation points, it makes everything more fun)The idea is to highlight the things you have done out of the 200 items on the list.The things I have done are in bold print!
1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it!
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (NO, but saw an amazing one at Black River)
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking!!
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a momen
t36. Loved your job 90% of the time (massage not my other jobs)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing (indoor)
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone - verbal not physical
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job (laid off)
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people .
108. Brought out the worst in people (I think there may be a few...)
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap (girl's camp!)
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe.
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent ) play --Gammage not Broadway
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band --Not a rock bank.. HS drumine...
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one GOOFY GOLF
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story (ya, weren't we all teenagers?)
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunch box
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera -- Not yet, but on my list of things to do
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a camp fire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Bush Bashing??

So the more I read the more infuriated I have become with the media in general. So here is my take on politics. Poor President Bush has become the "whipping boy" for every problem going on in our current society. So just a little ammo for the poor guy... Check this out. The big housing crisis was not created on his watch, it the mess from decisions from as far back as 1992. (Clinton's term) See below courtesy of my buddy Glenn Beck:

"It’s one of the hidden success stories of the Clinton era. In the great housing boom of the 1990s, black and Latino homeownership has surged to the highest level ever recorded. The number of African Americans owning their own home is now increasing nearly three times as fast as the number of whites; the number of Latino homeowners is growing nearly five times as fast as that of whites.In 1992, [a majority Democratic] Congress mandated that Fannie and Freddie increase their purchases of mortgages for low-income and medium-income borrowers. Operating under that requirement, Fannie Mae, in particular, has been aggressive and creative in stimulating minority gains. It has aimed extensive advertising campaigns at minorities that explain how to buy a home and opened three dozen local offices to encourage lenders to serve these markets. Most importantly, Fannie Mae has agreed to buy more loans with very low down payments–or with mortgage payments that represent an unusually high percentage of a buyer’s income.

That’s made banks willing to lend to lower-income families they once might have rejected.The top priority may be to ask more of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The two companies are now required to devote 42% of their portfolios to loans for low- and moderate-income borrowers; HUD, which has the authority to set the targets, is poised to propose an increase this summer.

Although Fannie Mae actually has exceeded its target since 1994, it is resisting any hike. It argues that a higher target would only produce more loan defaults by pressuring banks to accept unsafe borrowers. "

So Mr. Pesident. You have gained a few points in my eyes. And I am sorry that you have become the most hated President in history at least in part because we live in a society that does not believe in personal responsibility

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Til divorce do us part....

So today was my child support hearing. It went well, by the way. (Minus getting duped out of about 8 months of back child support because of my stupid document prep guy.) But other than that Im just happy to have everything settled. Because my case would take the longest, I got to wait through all of the other cases ahead of me. It was the saddest thing I have ever witnessed.
See, most of the cases were divorce hearings. For the most part it consisited of the wives coming in alone, saying,
-- No, the free state provided counseling wont fix it,
-- No, I dont want spousal support,
-- No, there are no children involved,
-- Yes, I want to change back to my maiden name,
-- Yes, I have what I want in my posession and he has what he wants
And in a matter of minutes, POOF, the marriage was over. Some of the women seemed relieved, others seemed to be hit with the reality of the judge concluding the case and declaring them legally single status again.

It took minutes, guys, a couple questions, and literally MINUTES.

It was so strange to watch. You could almost picture them in their designer, overpriced wedding dresses, glowing as the best man toasted the happy couple. You could probably assume they were still paying off credit card debt racked up by wedding expenses. I wanted to yell... Hey, what was it that made you want to get married in the first place? Did you ever think it would end in this? A default case where your husband doesn't even show up to end the marriage? Lucky he was even present to start it off.... Maybe that was the problem, he was never really present for the marriage in the first place.....

I'm trying not to let this experience have a negative effect on me. (I've become quite the cynic when it come to love.... I know, not me, but believe me... its there... its subtle... LOL)

I guess I haven't quite digested it all. And I dont quite know what effect it had on me, but it really struck me as being one of the saddest things I have witnessed. EVER.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Superman Lyrics.

So I posted a while back about the Superman song by Five for Fighting. Thought I would post the lyrics for anyone that wondered what in the world i was talking about.

I can't stand to fly I'm not that naive
I'm just out to find The better part of me
I'm more than a bird... I'm more than a plane
I'm more than some pretty face beside a train
And it's not easy to be me
I wish that I could cry Fall upon my knees
Find a way to lie About a home I'll never see
It may sound absurd... but don't be naive
Even heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed... but won't you concede
Even heroes have the right to dream
And it's not easy to be me
Up, up and away... away from me Well it's all right... you can all sleep sound tonight
I'm not crazy... or anything...
I can't stand to flyI'm not that naive
Men weren't meant to ride
With clouds between their knees
I'm only a man in a silly red sheet Digging for kryptonite on this one way street
Only a man in a funny red sheet Looking for special things inside of me
Inside of me Inside of me Yeah, inside of me Inside of me I'm only a man In a funny red sheet I'm only a manLooking for a dream I'm only a manIn a funny red sheet
And it's not easy, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm... It's not easy to be me

Sunday, September 21, 2008

ATTN MBM Sisters!!!!

Hey girlies, Just in case you haven't found Mangum's blog yet, or should I say Tiffany, I figured I would pass this info on. Some of the Sisters are trying to put together a sisters reunion Conference weekend. If you are interested in details, click on the Team Thomson link on my blog list. Let her know you are interested. I know its probably close to impossible for me to figure out a way up there and with my current circumstances I dont know how appropriate it would be, but I wanted to pass on the info for anyone that was interested. Once I get more details I will pass it on and maybe Ill see you up there.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Just as requested... For you James

I must preface this blog entry. For all those faint of heart, those who don't want dirty laundry and those who feel I need to be more discriminating about my subjects this is not an entry you want to read.

James, called me wondering why I hadn't updated everyone with the current circumstances. When I told him I had, I just gave an overarching "life is stressful" statement, he didn't see that it was the same thing and again questioned why I hadn't written about him. So here is the James update, Just for you buddy!!

James has relapsed. I, by what could only be divine inspiration asked for another drug test, which he refused, again. (2 in the last how many months... 4) So that's twice now he has been caught using. (Yes the last time I lied, after all the hullaballo about me airing dirty laundry and such, I actually lied for him....)

I told him his chances to change are over and now I will do all I can to protect Reed from him and his addictions. I begged him to sign his rights away. His response was of course no.... although he hardly uses his parenting time, has never paid a dime of child support and is only a risk to both Reed and I.

Since then he has called the courts to find out when the child support case is. See, he didn't want to pay the filing fee so its a default case, and he just signed that he agreed with the terms of the parenting plan and child support amount. I was the only one supposed to go before the judge. But now that the agreement isn't good for him (Under the agreement if he has a positive drug screen or refuses to take one then it is up to my discretion when and if he can see Reed) he wants to go plead with the judge to change it.

Funny how it always has to be about him, not whats best for Reed. So everyone... applaud with me for the Father of the Year. Congrats on your accomplishments. Its your day!!

PS. Is this what you had in mind, James?

Monday, September 15, 2008

HEY NOAH......

So this past week has been crazy stressful and the thought of the next two coming weeks makes me want to cry. I have my bankruptcy hearing on Thursday (along with a meeting with my other lawyer later that day) and next Tuesday is the child support hearing. That, plus other garbage weighing me down, is making me crazy. My list is always far longer than the time I have to accomplish it. As I was sitting here at work, lamenting my current situation. I had a memory that made me laugh.

I remember going on a roadtrip, Im sure it was on our way camping or something and instead of our usual "oldies" tapes, my mom brought along an old Bill Cosby comedy tape. I remember laughing, a lot. Probably cause I knew it was the right time to laugh, not cause I really understood why it was so funny. Anyway, the track that sticks out most is his "Noah" skit. It basically took you through a realistic conversation a regular joe would have if they were in the position of Noah. (questioning why, and basically the reaction of "youve got to be kidding, Lord") So Im sitting here, as I mentioned before, lamenting my current circumstances and the big memorable tag line from the skit comes to mind. "Hey Noah, how long can you tread water...." Funny cause thats about what I feel like Im doing lately and funny cause the skit is just dang funny. Maybe, the memory came because I spend too much time trying to do it on my own and less time on my knees. But anyway...

I think I knew it was funny back when I was a kid, because I could visualize Noah treading water as the rain continued to fall. Knowing that it was impossible to tread water forever, but kinda understanding that building the arc was a kinda crazy thing to have to do.

Now as an adult, being able to relate to having those same reactions to some of the tests and trials Ive been through, the skit takes on a whole new level of comedy. The pain of being in the middle of a "project" I dont want (usually the project being my own refining) and the realization that the alternatives are even worse. Sometimes, I know the Lord finds humor in our reactions to life. I know it. Im sure of it. And sometimes, I'm sure he shakes His head at our stubborness as He has to find a way to get to us. And sometimes, I swear I have audibly heard the words, "Emily, How long can you tread water....." A little reminder that if I would just do things His way, I could save myself a whole lotta trouble in the long run.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Walk to the Park











So, the weather has cooled a little. (Meaning the mornings are no longer above 100 degrees) So to kill time before the morning nap, Reed, Millie, Ella and I walked to the park. This is the first time it has been cool enough and Reed has been big enough to really enjoy the park.

He squealed over the ducks and tried to chase after them. (He walks about like Tommy on Rugrats, he teeters and its pretty funny to watch.) So watching him try to get the ducks was a riot.

He loved the swings, until he realized how high he was swinging. And he loved the slide, til we tried to get him to go down it all alone. Good thing he had his auties to help.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

9-11

I know it is a bit trite, but I just thought I would take a second for the memory of 9-11. I was channel surfing, looking for reruns of Sarah's big first interview and stopped at MSNBC as they were playing the feed from 9-11. It was strange to watch again. Strange because it brought back all of those feelings.
I didn't get to watch much of the continuous coverage as I was in Montana and part of me is thankful that I didn't have the overexposure. But the little I did see shocked me and left me with an uncertainty for the tomorrows. Being so far from home, I remember feeling especially vulnerable. I made a couple "illegal" phone calls just to grasp on to whatever constants I could find. Yes, of course I knew my family wasn't directly affected but just hearing my moms voice helps stabalize me. Of course I also worried for those I knew that were in the service. And made another call to what was then a second family to see what would it would mean for their very devoted army serving family. What would happen to them? But even more than that, the world stood still and I had too much time to wonder.... What were all of the not obvious ramifications of 9-11?
Now 7 years later, we are much more used to the changes it brought. Some have even forgotten what even brought about those changes. Some don't even remember what life was like before. Now I dont want to get over dramatic, but so much has changed in our world post 9-11.
I think part of the innocence in me died, and I realized just how fragile our lives were. But it also brought about an understanding of what it meant to be free and safe. It helped me to have an adult understanding of patriotism and respect for those that came before and those that currently served our country.
I dont really know where I am going with this. But its funny how some of the most horrible things that happen in life bring about change, prod us to grow up, remind us that there is a bigger picture. And in the face of such devistation and nightmares, we often find opportunities for us to witness the "beauty for ashes". And the heroes that rise to the challenge and meet the nightmares unflinching. And so while I hope never to see such distruction and horrors again in my lifetime, I hope that if I am ever faced with it, that I will be one of those that can rise above and only let those experiences change me for the better.

Monday, September 8, 2008

INFO UPDATE

Hey I just sent out an email to everyone asking for updated address info so I have it ready for Christmas time. I realized I should send out the same request through this. That way anyone I missed might get it here.

So if you want the "year in review" Christmas letter and Holiday greetings, let me know.
Dont comment here. (I dont want peoples addresses hanging out there for the world) Just email me @ BLUEYEDMLE@MSN.COM and I will add you to the list.

For all of you thinking, wow, she is starting early... Yeah I guess sorta, but I have much more limited time and after last year I realized the beauty in planning ahead. And anyway, December will be here before you know it.

Loose ends

So September seems to be Loose Ends month. Or they tie-ing of loose ends month. My court hearing for both the bankruptcy and child support are both this month, in fact...within a week of each other. Its nice to be on the downhill with it all but its exhausting to wrap my mind around. I just hope that finalizing everything will help to pull me out of the past and help me to look forward to the future (on so many levels far beyond the obvious). I am scared to death to think of what the future will hold, but thank goodness it will be a far cry from the past few years. And there is so much of me actually ready to move forward. Our stake just formed a singles ward and I am thinking about going one week, just to assess. See if there is anyone my age. (Doubt it as I could only be a member of that ward for less than a year as I turn 31 next July, but hey, you never know.) I have also been looking at apartments in the area. That way Reed can have his own room and I can have a little more living space. Im afraid to commit to that, as I would be relying on the actual child support to be able to make rent, but I cant see being in mom and dad's apartment for much longer. The small space of the studio is killing me and Reed has no place to play in it. Anyway, no point in this, just burning a little anxiety and a little time at work.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

The Convention

For the first time ever, I spent time watching the Republican convention. All the trash on Sarah had me glued to the TV to see how she would respond. If you watched, you know as well as I do, that she kicked butt. It was beautiful and now I know why they called her Sarah Baracuda. She was smashing!!! I was so excited afterward. And between the media and the Democrats response I am completely convinced that she has scared the holy hell out of them. She is a major threat. ITS SO REFRESHING. Now that the convention is over, I am ready to go to the local Republican headquarters and sign up to help. Thats how excited I am. Which is totally out of character. I guess I heard McCain's call to fight with him. And a big part of me still doesn't really like him. But I have ordered my I (heart) SP and my SP for VP windowclings, along with my all important " NOBAMA" windowcling. YEAH...

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Exhibit B - More proof that he is all male

I know its a bad pic but I laugh at the proof of just how much of a little man he is. He hates putting on his diaper after his bath. Its a fight every time. So this is his favorite game. Running around the bed refusing to get dressed. And If I had to guess, I can almost bet that Sponge Bob is on the TV.

Bug eyed


Chocolate kisses


Monday, September 1, 2008

Can Sarah Save Us?

I may not have mentioned it the blog but I have always been very outspoken about how I feel about politics. Specifically about politicians. The problem with politics is that it is run by politicians. The last thing our government or any other for that matter needs is to be run by is politicians. So our vote inevitably goes to the lesser of the two evils. The catch 22 of the whole problem is: Politicians want the job. Anyone who is qualified and would actually do a good job without keeping only their own best interest in mind, doesn't want the job. Those who have no business running the country are the ones actually stepping up and all over each other to get it.
I have been very disenchanted with this current election especially. I saw a man who might do a pretty good job drop out of the race because of the way we Republicans divvy up the electoral votes. He was a strong consisitant second through all of the states primaries, while our final choice John McCain came in dead last multiple times. I dont get it. I think we do ourselves a disservice by not following a popular vote process. In the end, I think all Americans are frustrated knowing that our individual vote is not as meaningful as it should be and as meaningful as we have a right for it to be.
In the end, my vote would only have meaning by me trying to keep someone out of the office because of his complete lack of understanding about the majority of the American people and what we need and because of his, dare I say it, very socialist views.
Both my mom and I talked about wanting another option. Wishing that we could write in a "Ron Paul" or another non party and actually drum up enough people that wanted to vote NONE OF THE ABOVE. Unfortunately we know that it would only serve to divide the conservative vote and provide help for the socialist mentioned above.
So imagine my surprise when I googled the Republican Vice President Elect. She a no bullshit kinda girl. Its beautiful. The more I read about the Alaskan governor the more I liked her. And while she cant just jump in and make McCain take a back seat, she is not a lady that will be a VP in name only. Her hands on approach to getting the job done and continually looking for ways to improve it is exciting.
Just to be sure I wasn't just reading a very one sided view of her, I called up my girl Jen in Alaska to see what a local (in the same town as Sarah Palin) had to say about the choice for VP. She had much the same to say. Nothing bad. In fact the only thing the Democrats can say is that it is foolish to put such an unexperienced VP in the position when McCain is so clearly two steps into the grave already. Seriously, is that all you got? Cause McCains team made quite a point that she accomplished far more in her year in as a Governor than Obama has in his whole political career.
So can Sarah save us? I sure hope she gets the opportunity to try cause she is exactly what we need. She can tell the good ol boy club up there in Washington to go **** themselves and to get to work for what really matters. And if what all I have read is true, she will.