Some recent pictures

I know that I have been away from blogging for awhile lately. Honestly, I have had so much trouble loading pictures lately, that it hasn't seemed worth it! But that isn't because there hasn't been tons going on! The girls have been busy with swimming, church day camp, church summer program, softball, playing with friends....you get the picture. I, of course, have also been busy with church, work, friends and the girls. Not to mention a LITTLE time spent doing house work! We are getting a room ready for my friend Betsy to stay with us for awhile...painting red over bright striped walls sure takes alot of coats! If you see my dog Ella, she still has a splotch of red paint on her back! Here are a few pictures, and I will add a link to an album of some recent pictures. We have had such a surprisingly fun summer...I feel pretty blessed.

click here for recent swim meet pictures

click here for pictures of the mother daughter limo night out

Check out the article

Here is a link to the Commercial News article that featured Paige, Peyton, Lauren and Brooke this past Sunday.

Its out of the garage!

For all who were concerned, the raccoon is gone! My friend Carlos came and got the silly thing out with a broom in about 2 minutes! The 4 girls were trying to watch from the window, and they were very worried that he would get bitten. Carlos was responsible for helping me choose the new computer, so here he is "checking it out"

all nighter....

As you can see, the girls were enjoying MY new computer, and then they all slept in MY bedroom! I haven't gone to bed yet, but I am thinking it is either Paige's bed or the couch!

Back online!!!

I am now the proud owner of a laptop computer! I am very excited with my new purchase. The old computer should be in well enough working order by the end of the week, that the girls will have a great place to play games. They are getting into "webkinz" right now, and will be glad not to fight me for computer time. The best part is the wireless internet access. I am writing this while sitting on the couch. Now, what I should be doing is trying to figure out a way to get the racoon out of my garage! I will try to get close enough for a picture of my new housemate. Maybe he heard we were painting the spare room red, and he wanted to move in!

Computer problems.....

I would LOVE to be able to post! But as of now, I am using my moms computer to do basic essential tasks...ie pay bills, check email, etc... Hopefully, I will be able to rescue the last few months of pictures, which are sadly not backed up, off my hard drive! I hope to be back on-line at home soon! Oh well, maybe I will get some housework done!

Thanks Dad.....

.....for "taking care of business" for me so much over the past year. Paige and Peyton and I couldn't have done it without you. We love you.

Firefighting???? probably not for me!

The girls and I went to a cookout tonight and had a great time. My friend Carlos (who I think might be getting credit for his paramedic class) spent lots of time entertaining the kids while Julie, Betsy and I relaxed! He did show the girls and I how heavy his firefighter gear is, and I was again reminded of how clausterphobic I really am! Click here for an album with all the pictures I took for the night.

Swim Meet Album

click here for swim meet pics

softball

girls are playing softball this year. They are having fun, but they sure look small! Check out this link for the web album showing some pictures that Aunt Jamie took at the game tonight.

Playing at the pool

Off the diving board

For all of you that know me, you know that when summer hits, I am really ready to be at the pool! I joined Turtle Run of Tuesday and the kids and I have already spent 3 days there. Last year, I had to bribe the girls for weeks to go off the diving board. Not so this year! Paige was doing cannonballs over and over yesterday. My mom came along and took video of me and Paige going off at the board at the same time, followed closely by Peyton. Ah, I do love summer!

Myspace

I became interested in myspace, because it had options that my blog doesn't, and it is a fun way to socialize with people from work. I choose to keep it private, because otherwise, I get wierd "friend" requests! Unfortunately, you have to also have a myspace to look at a private myspace. So for a day or so, I am taking it off of private, so that some of my blog readers can take a look at it if they are interested. If you have a myspace, please send me a friend request. If not, take an opportunity to check out the music, and the slide shows. There are two. Many of the pictures are the same as seen on the blog, but it kinda looks different. I enjoyed putting it together, so I hope you enjoy looking at it, and maybe surfing some of my "friends" who don't have private sites. Click here for the link.

Web album

for some reason, some pictures choose to only appear for a while, and then disappear! This frustrates me, and I am not sure how to fix the problem. So, each of the pictures from the past few posts has been placed in a web album that can be reached by clicking here.

11 years later

As hard as it might be to read....and to write...I feel the NEED to take this time to commemorate this day. Eleven years ago today, all the planning and waiting came to and end as Brad and I got married. I changed my name from Reese to Thornsbrough, and never looked back. Someone recently called the past 15 years a "learning experience." But to me, the years have been much more than that. While I believe God can intervene at any time, there is a possibility that this is our last anniversary. However circumstances that God allows could make that true for anybody's marriage, so I am certainly not unique. I am learning to appreciate what God allows in life each day, and to try to learn from it. I don't always make the right choices, or react correctly in each situation. However, I do not regret having loved. Here is an excerpt from a blog entry of mine last fall. I was reminded of it tonight while I was looking for the right pictures to post. I repost it here for you.

Pain doesn't kill
I started reading "Feathers from My Nest" by Beth Moore. I love Beth Moore. I can always hear her southern accent speaking when I read her books, and it is soothing. I bought this book a few years ago when I attended a conference where she spoke. I am just starting it again, and I thought it would be a bit lighter that my last book. I guess not. I read this last night, when I was having a "painful moment." Thankfully, today hasn't been like that.

"I have learned that pain doesn't kill...I threw my hands over my heart and fought like a Trojan not to give way to it. God gently pulled my hands away and said, 'My child, go ahead and feel it. The pain will not kill you. It will be a reminder that you are very much alive, engaged, and that you loved with abandon. That was your primary assignment. Your present pain proved you did it.' It was at this moment God spoke a transforming truth into my life: The goal of life is not the absence of pain. It's the presence of glory. God's glory. And sometimes that comes most vividly with pain. Not only have I learned that pain doesn't kill; I have learned that I will never lose or be betrayed by the one thing with absolute power to destroy me-God Himself." So, anyway, here are a few pictures of our wedding day..enjoy looking, I know that I have!

 

 

Our Wedding Song
George Strait I Cross My Heart
Our love is unconditional
We knew it from the start
I can see it in your eyes
You can feel it from my heart>From here on after
Let's stay the way we are right now
And share all the love and laughter
That a lifetime will allow

Chorus:
I cross my heart
And promise to
Give all I've got to give
To make all your dreams come true
In all the world
You'll never find
A love as true as mine



You will always be the miracle
That makes my life complete
And as long as there's a breath in me
I'll make yours just as sweet
As we look into the future
It's as far as we can see
So let's make each tomorrow
Be the best that it can be

Chorus

And if along the way we find a day
It starts to storm
You've got the promise of my love
To keep you warm

Yes it happened..and no I don't regret it!

here, on the eve of my 11th wedding anniversary, I choose to answer this question that some have asked me, "did you waste 15 years?" or "Do you regret it?" I have plenty of regrets in my life, but I these pictures, all taken prior to getting married, speak volumes about what is definitely not one of them. day..enjoy looking, I know that I have!













the early, early days!

little boarders

check out the web album in the post below to see all the pictures Amanda took

 

 

 

 

First time wakeboarding

Amanda was kind enough to send me these pictures of Peyton and Paige in their first wakeboarding attempts! Thanks Amanda, for getting them to me. I pulled them up, cried for about 10 minutes, and decided to share them here. They are kinda hard to see, but you can see my little 7 year olds boarding with daddy. Maybe an odd thing to sob like a baby over, but for those of you who know me well, you will probably understand. Jamie, you might not want to look at work! click here for the web album.

 

A new web album

Click Here for a web album of some of my recent pictures. I hadn't cleaned off my camera in a while, so there is no particular theme. A few are from a mother daughter brunch that we went to two weeks ago. There are some from work, which I plan to add more coworkers to if they will stand still long enough to take their pictures!

A new adventure

A couple of weeks ago, I was approached by a very nice, friendly lady when I was on an outing with my kids at the mall in Champaign. After talking to her for awhile, I agreed to do some pictures for her for her for her Mary Kay business. Mostly, I thinks she looked at my bare face and decided I needed help! Since then, I have fallen in love with some skin care products that she introduced me to. Some pictures from that day were previously posted, and can be seen in my Picasa web album. Anyway, I decided to try my hand at selling Mary Kay. For those of you who know me, you probably are pretty surprised, but I am having lots of fun with it! I am also beginning to become passionate about skin care (I am being reminded that I am not 20 anymore, not by others, but by my own face ;) So, I have a new MaryKay website. I will provide the link here and eventually get it on the permanent side bar of my blog. Thanks you all who have already been encouraging, supportive, and customers!

I stole this picture from Steph's blog. Steph and I met up at my parents house last Friday night, and we decided to bring the dogs.

I can remember one of the first times I heard this song, I was sitting in my car in the parking lot when I was in college. I sat in the car and listened to it. I thought of my mom, but I thought that the song didn't really apply to my life at all. I was still very struck by the powerful lyrics, and also Patty Loveless's powerful voice. Even though there are still many things about this song that don't necessarily apply to my life, like I am blessed enough to have my mom with me, I still haven't been able to get this song out of my head this week. So I post the words today, for my mom, who was great when I lost a friend in the 4th grade, was great this past year, and will probably still be taking care of me until the day she dies!

Patty Loveless How Can I Help You To Say Goodbye?
Through the back window of a '59 wagon
I watched my best friend Jamie slippin' further away
I kept on waving 'till I couldn't see her
And through my tears, I asked again why we couldn't stay
Mama whispered softly, Time will ease your pain
Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same

And she said, How can I help you to say goodbye?
It's OK to hurt, and it's OK to cry
Come, let me hold you and I will try
How can I help you to say goodbye?

I sat on our bed, he packed his suitcase
I held a picture of our wedding day
His hands were trembling, we both were crying
He kissed me gently and then he quickly walked away
I called up Mama, she said, Time will ease your pain
Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same

[ Lyrics found on http://www.metrolyrics.com ]

And she said, How can I help you to say goodbye?
It's OK to hurt, and it's OK to cry
Come, let me hold you and I will try
How can I help you to say goodbye?

Sitting with Mama alone in her bedroom
She opened her eyes, and then squeezed my hand
She said, I have to go now, my time here is over
And with her final word, she tried to help me understand
Mama whispered softly, Time will ease your pain
Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same

And she said, How can I help you to say goodbye?
It's OK to hurt, and it's OK to cry
Come, let me hold you and I will try
How can I help you to say goodbye?

How can I help you to say goodbye?

For my mom....

My mom has been right there with me during some of the roughest moments of my life. She was there for me when my best friend moved away in the 4th grade. I remember that she bought me books and got me started reading "Trixie Beldon" which I hope my girls like in a few years. I remember the year that I was pregnant with the twins, and she took me to get a massage when I was having migraines. While I was there, I got sick and nearly passed out. I think she felt responsible for me being there, even though she just wanted to help me feel better! My mom did all she could to help me with my short but eventful pregnancy, and she was wonderful after the girls were born. I remember my life's worst ever car ride, which was my parents and me on the way to Peoria when Paige was transferred there a few days after her birth. I still felt really sick, and we were all so worried about tiny little Paige. Mom was always willing to come and help with the girls. She started keeping them all night, as soon as we were ready to have them away. She hasn't stopped that yet! This past year, mom's health hasn't always been so good, but she has always been available me when I needed her. This past year has been the most emotionally challenging of my life, and I feel that I have been able to get even closer to her through it. Thanks mom, for all you have done and said, even when you had NO IDEA what needed to be done or said! I love you!

 

 

 

 

Mothers day 2006 revisited

I know, I am constantly blogging song lyrics. I love SO many songs, and want to share the neat words of songs. I wanted to share my mothers day post from last year, it includes a tribute to my mom, and a song that I treasure. Click here for the link.

For my girls....

Martina McBride In My Daughter's Eyes Lyrics
In my daughter's eyes
I am a hero I am strong and wise
And I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I want to be
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes
Everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light
And the world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me
Gives me strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh, It puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
[ Lyrics found on http://www.metrolyrics.com ]

I realize what life is all about
It's hanging on when your heart
Has had enough
It's giving more when you feel
Like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes
I can see the future
A reflection of who I am
And what will be
And though she'll grow
And someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see
How happy she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes

Mothers' day blogging, Day 4

Oh, the blogging continues! That person who told me that she wished that I would blog more is probably regretting it! The first person I would like to mention in today's mother day blogging is someone that I unfortunately do not have a picture of! But I did find a picture of her littles baby, Gavin, taken not long after he was born. This picture, with Paige also, was taken during one of the most difficult weeks of my life. My friend Trish was wonderful to me! Trish has become a mother for the 5th time since the past mother's day. Gavin is a miracle baby, his older brother died a week after his birth a few years ago. The way Trish handled this devestating time in her life was life changing for all who watched her. In Prasso, we discussed how others are watching and following in our "spiritual footsteps." Trish is a wonderful example of moving forward for God in the face of extreme adversity. Trish has been wonderful to watch over the past 7 months as she actually "glows" over caring for her new son. This can't always be too easy, as she has three school aged children also! I love you Trish, happy Mother's Day!



This is my friend Julie. She might kill me for this picture, but maybe no one will tell her! Julie recently had her third baby, Landon. Julie is a devoted mother, a good friend, and a sweet and sensitive prayer warrior. Happy Mother's Day, to a "new mom" again, Julie!

This is my friend Mandy. Mandy has been a great example for my kids, as she has been working with them during Wednesday Night church for over a year. Mandy gives much of her time to working with the kids at the church. Mandy was also great for me this past winter. She was used greatly by God when I needed a distraction, and she got me going on a new exercise plan! Mandy is a great mom to Maddie, who will go to Kindergarten this fall. Mandy also is expecting twins this fall, and I am SO excited for her! Happy Mother's Day Mandy, just watch out for next year!

This is Jen. I have known Jen since I first came to Calvary as a kid. She was a cute little girl with long eyelashes and long hair. She has since grown, and moved to the Indianapolis area. This past winter, she gave birth to quads. They are all boys, and two of them are identical. I know that Jen is probably busier that she has ever been in her life! I wish her a wonderful first Mother's Day. She is pictured here in the hospital the week before she had the boys.

This is my friend Megan. Megan has two sons that are all boy! She is a calm, patient and very organized mom. Megan recently announced that she would be adding a third child to her family in December. I am excited for Megan, as I know that his has been her wish for quite a while. megan has also been a huge encouragement to me over the years, and particularly over the past 9 months. Thanks Megan, and Happy Mothers Day.