Playing Opossum

Thought I would share a funny story from this morning.

About 4am Alex and I woke up to the dog barking like crazy. Alex got up to go see what was going on and he found two little eyes peering from behind two old sections of fence that was propped up on the existing fence. So, of course we knew unless that thing left our fence the dog would continue barking causing us to not get anymore sleep nor anyone else in the surrounding houses. Alex got the bebe gun out and shot at it a couple of times, it moved and since it was dark he assumed it left the yard.

However, a few minutes later Tallie started barking again. This time I got up to see what was going on. Alex took a flashlight and broom out to knock over the fence and make sure it was either dead or gone. I laughed as he ran for his life, just in case whatever it was came after him. Well, it was a opossum (but not dead yet, Ryan), a big opossum! Alex told me to watch it as he changed out the bebes for pellets. Of course, I did watch......from a far off distance! He came back out and just in time to watch it start going down our fence line, around the back fence and then towards the house on the other side of the yard. Tallie of course barking and trying to catch it.

At the point it turned towards the house, I ran in because opossums are feisty creatures, I am not wanting to get too close to it. Alex shot at it and then it went under our porch (I know, ugh!). Tallie continued to chase it all the way into her doghouse!!!!! Alex had to shoot it a couple of more times and finally finish it off with a shovel. It was tough thing!!

Anyways, I am sure we were a sight for anyone watching us and because Alex had to go to work, all he did was throw it over our fence so the dog wouldn't play with it. He will take care of it when he gets home.

I am thinking that it may make a great present for my little brother who is quite fond of the rat-like creatures. Better yet, does anyone want to come over for dinner tonight? ;o)

Hearing from God

We have been having revival services at my church (www.crosst.org) for awhile now, and it sparked this conversation with Lillie:

Lillie: You need to have someone pray for you.

Mom: Why

Lillie: So you will hear God talk to you.

Mom: He does talk to me thru His word (Bible), when I pray, thru our pastors, in many different ways... When you pray, ask God to speak to you, it may not be in a voice you hear, but you will know that it is from God.

Lillie: I can pray, but I can't read.

Then she went back to playing with her sister so I let it go. Later today while I was praying:

Lillie: What are you praying for? For me to hear from God?

Mom: Yes. Lillie, you know you can go to the alter and the Pastor will pray for you too.

Lillie: I can?!? Okay, but I don't know if I will.

I don't think I can express how excited I am about my five year old wanting to hear from God.

School Time

I am still here! It has been awhile since my last post, and I thought I would give a brief update of what is going on at the Thompson house.

We have officially started homeschooling! Lillie is doing great, and I am amazed at the fact that I am teaching her. I have seen much improvement on her writing and recognition of vowel sounds over the past several weeks and it is exciting. The other day a commercial came on for "teach your baby to read" (or something like that) and Lillie goes, "Mommy, I want you to teach me to read." Don't get me wrong there are hard days, where it seems impossible to keep her attention, but the benefit of homeschooling..........I can take as many breaks as need to keep my sanity and her attention. I am proud of her and all she has accomplished so far.

Gracie and homeschooling is another story. :) She is actually doing pretty good at adjusting, but still wants to have input on sissy's work and have her own "school" too. I do have several worksheets and activities we do together while Lillie is in class. There are also subjects that both can do together, such as science and social studies. Gracie is picking up at recognizing more letters and numbers and tries very hard to write them. She is having class too, but at a more toned down level and she is more free to go play and stuff in her room.

We have been going outside a lot the past couple of weeks and enjoying this beautiful weather and planning on visiting the Indy zoo here really soon. Thanks to a coupon from facebook, we are getting to go fairly inexpensively. Yay for coupons!!! :)

All I want for Christmas is.....

We are all used to hearing, "I want that for Christmas/my birthday". This is usually during a toy or game commercial or while looking at a toy ad.

This evening was no different, while watching America's Funniest Home Videos (the girls favorite family show), Lillie said the above phrase. I looked up to see an advertisement for ..................bug barrier. Yes, it was bug killer. If you haven't figured it out, she does not like bugs.

I'm a big kid now

Lillie had a dentist appointment today and it went great, but with a sad twist. I have always gone back with her, and she told me today that she still wanted me to go with her. I am trying to encourage a little independence so I told her if she went back by herself, I would give her 3 happy bands. The hygienist calls her name and she gets up, looks back and with a little wave from mommy, went back..................by herself!

Now, I am very proud of her (she even talked to the dentist and hygienist), but sad too. Waiting in the waiting room was one of the hardest things for me. There was a piece of me that wanted so bad for the hygienist to come and get me, but she never did. This was just another way, that my baby is growing up.

Bedtime

Tonight started a new bedtime routine for Gracie. Most of you have read all my bedtime issues with Gracie. We went from rocking to sleep (which I loved and would tell any new mommy to do) to sitting by the bed holding her hand. For the past couple weeks, I have been moving slowly toward the door and tonight, I left her all together.

We said our prayers, gave our kisses and hugs, and then after tucking in bed I told her goodnight. She, of course, cried (not a lot or very hard), but only left her room twice. After about 10 minutes and she was out! Hopefully it will continue to be this easy.

What little girls are made of

On the way home from the grocery store.........

Lillie - can I roll my window down?

Mom - No, little girls are made of sugar and will melt when they get wet.

Lillie (with an attitude) - I am NOT made of sugar, I am made of JESUS!

I love my girls!