Happy Memorial Day

For most people Memorial Day is all about BBQ's, camping, and 4 day weekends. But for me growing up back home it meant every year my mom's family would come to McBain to put flowers on my Grandpas grave site. I enjoyed this time but never really took the time to think about the Memorial that we were celebrating. It wasn't until recently that I started to talk to my grandma about my grandpas time in the service. He was drafted during World War ll, and little did he know that war would end shortly after. Although I don't know the details of this time I know that he was a hero.  My Grandpa was one of the very few men in my life that I truly admired. A true hero in my eyes. That I always looked up to. An I honor him today.

 My grandpa, Hein Meyering

Now I know that Memorial Day is all about honoring the people we lost but I thought it wouldn't be right for me to share without the reason I see this day to be so important. An for that I have to introduce you to two men in my life that are still  alive and well but have truly shown me the heart of the military. The reason I see the meaning of Memorial Day in a whole new light. 

When first meeting my now father in law, Dave. I was so intimidated by the military. I grew up a sheltered life and all I knew about war and the military was what I read in books or saw on tv. I was naive and young and the idea of anything military scared me. But after getting to know him the wisdom, structure, and stability that the Navy gave him. It gave me a whole new respect for him and the military. 

My father in law, Davey Thompson

So when my husband decided to join the Air Force in March of 2010 I was filled with emotions. I was excited of the possibilities of what are future looked like and I was nervous for the thought of leaving everything I knew and loved. But I knew that there was no better decision than for Tanner to start on the same journey that his father did. I know that the military has made him a better man.

My husband, Tanner Thompson

Because of these two men when I think about Memorial Day it burdens my heart. Although I have not experienced a deployment of my own yet. I know that the risk is real. An the people we honor on Memorial Day are someone's family. 

I think for most of us Memorial day typically marks the start of the summer but for me Memorial Day is a day to honor the long line of military men and women that chose to put down there selfishness and fight not just for our family but for all the families. Who have lost fathers, sons, daughters, and  husbands. 

Join me in honoring them and praying for there families. 

Cousins are childhood playmates that turn into friends

My whole life my cousins and I have never lived very close. Miles have always separated us. Whether it was the 2 hour drive from McBain to Grand Rapids or the states that separate us now. But that has never stopped us from being close. No matter how long between visits we always seem to pick up exactly where we left off.

In the early years, we played in grandpas old workshop with all the old family tools smelling of moth balls, played dress up with grandmas old clothes and accessories. An now that were grown we look back at those memories and cherish the time that we had together. An the friendship that was created in the smallest of moments. The moments that make us look back and smile. 

Now that I Live so far from home I don't get to see my family as much as I'd like. But Today two of my cousins flew into Colorado and I got to spend a little bit of time with them. We caught up on our families, reminisced about past memories, shared things that we didn't know about each other, talked about the exciting new things happening in our lives, and really reconnected. 

Me, Bethany,and Brianna all squished into the picture! 

Beth and Bri on our way to lunch! 

Rocky Mountain National Park

Today's adventure took us to Estes, Co. Where we went to Rocky Mountain National Park! An we had so much!

Here are some of the pictures!! (Sorry they are bit pixelated)

The adventure began on our way to Estes!

 An continued into Rocky Mountain National Park joined by lots of Elk!

 And more Elk!

And Tanner and I with more Elk!!

And more Elk!!

Then we climbed some rocks!

     And more rocks!!

    And saw some amazing views

     An some more amazing views!

Then we lost Chris but we found him on top of a cliff!!

Then we had a snowball fight at 12000ft!

An then we wrote our initials in the side of the mountain!

An that's THE END of our exciting day!

Hidden Falls

This week has been a fun filled adventure to say the least. With Tanners best friend Chris flying in from Michigan. It's been an exciting couple days. 

Yesterday we hiked to hidden falls and it was a beautiful hike. Here are some pictures of our trip.

           Tanner, Chris, and Brooklyn 

       The view from the start of the trail

              Brooklyn loved the water

     Tanner and I in front of Hidden Falls

           Chris adventuring to the falls

                        Hidden Falls

           Hidden Falls back in the cave

Happy Mothers Day!

We all know that Mother’s Day is about celebrating all the little things that make moms so special. So I think it's fitting to set aside this day to appreciate the women who cared for me in my fragile, young years of life, and significantly shaped who I am as an adults. For me, and I suspect many others as well, I did not appreciate all my mother did for me when I was a child and an angsty teenager. Somewhere between then and now though, I have come to appreciate all she has done for me. From the boo boos she kissed as a kid, to tending my many broken hearts as a teen, and now by giving me the advice I so readily need as an adult. Though there may be miles that separate us there are still a million big and small ways my Mom lets me know how much she loves me everyday.

Mom and I, Fort Meyers Florida

Although I will not fully comprehend the significance of raising a child until (Lord willing) I have children of my own, I do recognize the role my mother played in shaping my Christian faith and who I am today. As a young child, I always looked up to my mom for being so strong, working hard, taking care of our family, taking care of me, always giving her time and energy even when she didn't have it, and countless other demands(Most of which im sure go unnoticed).

                                                           

                                                         Mom and I, Gulf Shores Alabama

From an outsider’s perspective it may not look like an extraordinary life, but the everydayness of our quality time together and simply just being available to talk at any time are the things our ordinary lives and relationships are made of.

                                                         Mom and I, Lackland AFB

I have a hard time putting into words exactly how my mom has influenced my life – it has been in so many ways and is too close to see clearly. I am thankful for the faith she passed on and the countless prayers she has prayed that have shaped my life in unknown ways. No one has shaped me more than my mom has, and I am so grateful she shared her love with me.

                                             Mom and I, Rocky Mountain National Park Co.

If I am blessed to become a mother myself someday, I will certainly look to my mom and her example for guidance. Bringing a human being into the world and preparing them for life is no small task. So on this Mother’s Day – to all moms, but my own in particular, thank you! Your commitment, sacrifices, and love have not gone unnoticed.

I love you Mom!

Proverbs 22:6

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Staff Sgt. Please

Tuesday was a big day in the Thompson household. After months of Tanner studying day in and day out. He finally tested for Staff Sgt. An as nervous as he was I think I was in even more of a panic. I new that he had put in so much time and energy into preparing for this test. All I could do was to keep reminding myself that he is an incredibly smart guy and every tests he takes he always does really well on. But for some reason this time I was feeling different. It was different because I knew how much he wanted it, needed it even. I knew that as small as this test seems to everyone else it has the power to change everything for us. It determines the first steps in Tanners military career? Determines his career field? An ultimately It determines wheather we stay here at Warren or go? All these possibilies are what made me anxious. An the worst part is this anxiety will last till August until we find out if he will be adding a forth stripe to his uniform?

He looks like a Sgt. right?

Psalm 20:4

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.