Update

So, I haven't written in a while, and I do apologize. I could make the excuse that I am just too busy, but that doesn't really work for me. Haven't felt much like writing - or have had a very uneventful past couple of weeks - would probably be closer to the truth.

In all reality, we have been pretty busy - at least our weekends. Between massages, lake fun, fairs, bonfires, and other fun things, our weekends have just been busy. Our weeknights aren't much better, especially since we usually don't get home until close to 6:30 each night - and it takes a toll!

One night, we came home from work to find that the fence that Ben (and my brother Lance) put in our front yard had been run into by a car. There were headlight pieces all over our yard along with two of the fence posts pretty much broken. We tried to file a police report, but the officer didn't seem to think it was worth the time, since it would be about a $15 repair. Oh well - one more thing for the "Honey do" list!

This past weekend, we had a Thompson family reunion picnic. Ben's grandmother is 86 years old, and all of her kids, their kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and even one great-great-granddaughter was able to make it. Ben's cousins are a few years older than him, so there isn't much in common or any close relationship, but it is nice to see everyone together. It was also nice to be able to do this for grandma, since we aren't sure how many more times it will happen. Here is a pic of most of the family (it was taken before everyone was there):

In addition to that, we had a picnic with our Praise Team at our church. The leader decided to have a picnic at his house, where we got to all play some badminton and just enjoy some fellowship. The weather turned out great! It's been lots of fun, and I really hate to see the summer winding down. Hope you have all had a great summer!

Fair Week

Getting a caramel apple with nuts
Eating it all, though it adds to the gut
Needing a soda to wash it all down
Enjoying the sights and sounds all around
Seeing the people, some big and some small
Entering contests, but can't win them all
Exhibiting pictures, two in each year

Consuming a greasy elephant ear
Orbiting the fairgrounds, everyday
Using some money for fun games to play
Nibbling on corn dogs, a pizza or fries
Trying to keep from increasing my thighs
Yawning as the day turns slowly to night

Fearing the ride as it starts to take flight
Aahing and oohing at all the events
Indulging again in some of the tents
Riding the Freak-Out and Scrambler, too
Saying "Farewell" as the fair is now through

True Friends

I have some very true friends in my life, that I am eternally grateful for. As I saw this video last night, I was reminded that regardless of the fact that I have lost touch with some of my friends, true friendships last forever. I thank God for all my friends, everyday, whether we've just recently become friends, or have been friends forever and somehow lost touch. I love you all! Enjoy...

A day late...

Yesterday was my dad's birthday, and I didn't get a chance all day to send him some extra special wishes. Therefore, I thought I would post real quick and wish him a great day (I talked to him the day before his birthday) and a great weekend!

He is spending the weekend up north at a lake. The weather is beautiful for that kind of thing, and Ben and I had considered heading up there to spend some time. Unfortunately, we had a business seminar that we had to go to, so we didn't get a chance.

My dad has been a great big support for me for many years. He is a wonderful guy and I very happy to have him as my dad!

So anyway, Dad, I hope you had a great day yesterday and plans for a great week! We love you very much and hope to spend some time with you this week! Love you!

Here's a pic of me and my parents.

July 31st

Ok, so where has the time gone? I cannot believe that it is already the last day of July. And of 2008. I was thinking about it yesterday - weren't we just recently worried about the fact that computers were no longer going to work and banks were going to lose all their money with the change over to the year 2000? And now we are only 1-1/2 years away from 2010! Amazing how time flies!

Things have been very lazy at home lately - at least for me. My poor husband has been working very, very hard lately. He comes home from work, and pretty much starts work again. The past two days, he's been working until nearly 11pm every night. He is stressed, and I can completely understand. Hopefully things will slow down soon for him.

In the meantime, I have been doing absolutely nothing. Aside from fighting headaches that don't seem to go away, I get home from work, and if I'm feeling up to it, I will cook dinner. Then, I sit on my butt and watch TV - even though there is nothing on. I live a very boring life at times, but sometimes you need to just veg out.

August is a busy month for us, and I hope that I can try to keep up with the blog. I have gotten lazy with this too - plus I don't have anything exciting to share. With August being busy, I hope to actually have some exciting stuff to share. Hope everyone has had a great first half of the summer, and have big plans for the rest of it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARRIE!!!

I had to just do this quick post to wish my sister-in-law a very happy birthday! She and my twin brother have been married for 10 years. Last year, right around this time, Lance and Carrie moved out of Michigan to North Carolina. They love it there and have started their life down there, both having jobs and many new friends that are keeping them busy. I miss both Lance and Carrie regularly, but am really happy to see them enjoying it down there.

I won't say how old Carrie is, but I believe she is 29 this year! Hope your birthday is great Carrie and I hope to talk to you soon!

Life...

I know it has been a while since I posted, and I do apologize. I've been very lazy, and haven't felt like writing, so forgive me...

I've been thinking over the past few days about a lot of stuff. Isn't it amazing how you look back on your life (so far) and realize that the one you expected to have is sooooo much different than the one you actually have? Don't you wish you could go back in the past and take a different path at a crossroads to see how it would have turned out? Do you ever wish that you could go back and do something different, either to a person, in a decision, or with your attitude?

How about starting fresh with the life that you have actually been given? Even though it may not be exactly what you had hoped or wished for, do you ever think you might be able to make the one you have more like the one you wanted? What would you do to change your life today? Would you want to enter the Peace Corps? What about changing a career path? Would you sell your house, move to another town, and start all anew?

Sometimes I get into these modes where I just wonder...what if? Ben hates when I do this. As he has always said, "You can't play by what if's. You just have to accept what is happening as the way it is." Regardless, I often think about how different things might be if....

I have felt a calling over the past few weeks. There is something that I have been put on this great Earth for, and I can't quite figure out what it is. Even though I don't have much spare time, I do feel the incredible need to volunteer somehow. I have said it in another post - about the love that I have to share. I can hope and pray to someday have my own child to share this love with, but in the meantime, it is bursting inside and I need to share. I've considered becoming a foster parent, or maybe start actually pursuing adoption. I've even considered just posting an advertisement for tutoring services, just to help.

Do you volunteer your time? If so, what is it that you do? If not, do you wish you could, somewhere? Any suggestions?