Belle

Her big dark eyes melted my heart! She sat on the cement floor at the animal shelter wagging her little tail. I had been wanting to get a puppy for some time. When I saw this little malti-poo, I knew she had to be ours. Little did I know there were about 8 other families that felt the same way!! Our name was entered into a drawing. Before our name was even pulled out, I was confident we would be taking her home. As you can imagine, the girls were overcome with joy!! They have felt for quiet some time that they were the only children in the world without a dog. Belle was 12 weeks old when she was found wondering the streets. I wish I knew how she ended up alone at such a young age. She is about 4 months old now and 6 pounds. She has three cream spots on her back and cream ears. She is just a fluffy little teddy bear. I never in my wildest dreams could have imagined how much work it is to have a puppy. Aaaaaaaaaaaa!!! Emma is ready to be potty trained and Belle is taking precedence at the moment. At least I can keep a diaper on Emma. Wow, I hope it gets easier! At this point I have questioned why anyone would want a dog! :( Even worse then that, on April fools day John called me at a friends and said that Belle ran out the front door and he couldn't find her anywhere. I was ashamed of my thoughts. An evil cackle rang through my mind. Oh, what a shame!! I can't believe I'm even admitting this. John was just joking by the way! We have made progress. We were practically doing cartwheels the first time she went out her doggy door and did a little poppy all on her own!! Belle is incredibly attached to me. She goes everywhere I go. Waits outside the bathroom door while I shower. Wines and barks if I leave the room and she can't come with me. Annoying!! :) Before we got her as I was trying to talk John into letting us get a dog I said, "it would be so sweet to have a little dog following me around all day". Ha Ha!! Be careful what you wish for!! I have to admit that she is starting to work her way into my heart. When she curls up on my lap at the end of the day it is pretty sweet. So welcome to the Thompson family our little Belle! Any dog advice, send it our way!!

Awards *March 2011*

Ellie and Paige were both given a leadership award in their last assembly. We are of course very proud parents. Paige just started the Pre-K program at McGaugh in February. She goes to school now full time with her big sister Ellie. They get to see each other during first recess and Paige thinks it's so cool that Ellie lets her hang out with her and her friends. Go Ellie!!

When they called Paiges name, she marched right up, shook the principals hand and walked onto the stage without blinking an eye. This took both John and I back to the firs award Ellie got in Kindergarten. They called her name and you could see her little shoulders shaking up and down as she was trying not to cry. Tears just streamed down her face as she accepted her award and stood on stage. The emotion of it all was to much to bare for our then, deathly shy Ellie who did not want to be noticed. Boy has she come a long way. And honestly, how could two sisters be so different! What would I do without my girls!

Proud little family! Ellie had already gone to class!

Emma was unbelievable good sitting through two awards assemblies! I loved her expression when I told her to smile in this picture. It was even funnier when I told her to open her eyes big and wide! Oh, if only I had gotten a picture of that. It was hysterical!

I had to do a close-up of her new sparkly pink Toms!!

Paigey Waigey Pudden Pie!!

Happy Birthday Paige! Here she is with her birthday balloon! She came into this world, January 9, 2006. I can't believe she is 5 and turning into such a lovely little girl. She is known for her contagious smile, silly giggles and one of a kind jokes. I love to feel her precious little arms around my neck. She is truly a gift, and we feel very blessed that Heavenly Father let her sweet little spirit come to our family!

She had a charming little party to celebrate her special day. We made paper dolls, devoured the donut cake, opened presents and had a wonderful time. I have to recommend the paper doll kit from the Paper Source. You can find them here! www.paper-source.com The clothes are interchangeable and there are so many cute patterns to choose from!! The Krispy Kreme Doughnut cake could never disappoint. This may be a tradition from now on, and oh so easy!!! We love you Paige!!

Each Life That Touches Ours For Good....

" On the other side of the veil, there are perhaps seventy billion people. They need the same gospel, and releases occur here to aid the Lord's work there. Each release of a righteous individual from this life is also a call to new labors. Those who have true hope understand this. Therefore, though we miss the departed righteous so much here, hundreds feel their reach there. One day, those hundreds will thank the bereaved for gracefully forgoing the extended association with choice individuals here, in order that they could help hundreds there. In Gods ecology, talent and love are never wasted. The hopeful understand this, too."

-Neal A. Maxwell-

This quote was a tender mercy given to my Mother the morning of Alain's funeral. She found it lying on the top of Alain's drawer. This quote has truly entered my heart and given me hope and strength.

The cries of agony coming from my sweet little girls still ring in my ears. People leave this existence from every walk of life, in every circumstance imaginable, every minute of the day. We see it in movies, hear it on the news, even bury a grandparent. Yet nothing could have prepared me for the words my mom so reverently spoke to me over the phone that night. I had to keep telling my self that if it were not true that he would come home. He never did.

Alain was more then just a step-dad to me, he was something far more. He loved me as a daughter, spoke with me like a friend, and treated me as a daughter of God. He blessed my life in every way imaginable. Alain worked on his love and compassion for others. He worked to build his relationship with my Mom and his children. He worked to exemplify our Father in Heaven and his son Jesus Christ. He worked on the house, the cars, building and creating things for others, and so much more.

When our girls were saying goodbye to Alain for the last time, they both wanted to reach down and touch his hand. Paige later told us that when she touched Alain's hand that she heard his voice. I will long for that gentle voice telling me how proud he is of me and that he loves me. I will draw strength from his life and his example. I know that one day I will be with Alain again. I love you Alain!

Alain was honored not only in life but in death. The bagpipes played Amazing Grace as they carried his body out of the church. It was the most beautiful music I had ever heard. As his casket was gently carried, Alain's colleagues and several other law enforcement officials rendered a salute. He was further honored with a full police escort three hours away to the Paris, Idaho cemetery where he was buried.

Not Going Well

Get Away

After Christmas, I planned a little get away for John and I. It was a combination to celebrate Christmas, Johns B-day and of course his graduation from the University of Maryland!!!! I learned from this experience that it is much harder to keep secrets from John then I thought. It goes back to early childhood so I am told. He was the one snooping around the house at Christmas. Smelling, feeling and shaking all his gifts under the tree. His poor mother! :) I made reservations for the Melting Pot and we met some of our good friends Mike and Summer and Johns brother Jeff and wife Lauren. Not a short drive for them, but I hope they know their sacrifice was much appreciated. We dined for three hours, talking and enjoying our food. It was a really fun time. After we said goodbye to our friends, John knew we were off somewhere, but at least I was able to keep that a surprise! I need to just add that I had to go to extreme measures to secure two different babysitters, get the house in order, leave a million page note with detailed instructions. It was quiet exhausting. Thanks to my dear friends Rhonda and Lori who took such tender care of our girlie's.

My dad got John and I a room at the Marriott at Laguna Cliffs for a night. It was absolutely stunning and we were thrilled to have a night away. This is a picture off our Balcony. I realize it is not the most flattering picture, but had to show off the view. Well, it was wonderful and very short lived. In the morning we found a darling little French Cafe in Dana point where we ate crepes and talked at our leisure. A rare experience. Before we new it we were heading home, surprisingly anxious to get back to our girls. I am truly lucky to have my John. I love you!!