Happy Birthday Brett!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRETT!!







With all of the wedding talk, Bretts birthday has been a little overshadowed. Brett will celebrate his 26th birthday tomorrow on his wedding day! Obviously, I wont have time to blog so that is why this is a little early. Starting next year, May 31st will also be his anniversary. I cant believe that my baby brother is going to be married tomorrow!





Brett,


I know this will be your best birthday yet! It's been a blast growing up with you. I can only hope that Connor can have a sibling that gets along with him half as much as we did! Happy Birthday and I love you!


Love,

Tara

The countdown begins...

Tomorrow is the big day!!!! At 6:30, Brett and Hillary will be united as man and wife. We are so excited to be welcoming Hillary into our family!

Day at the Pool

We couldnt get any smiles out of him, but at least he wasnt crying like last years episode.

Connors friends (next door neighbors) came into the pool to try to comfort him.

Yesterday we went to our neighborhood pool for the first time! It was a little crowded, but pretty much what we expected for Memorial Day weekend. Connor hasnt been in the water (except for his bath and he loves those!) since last year at the lake and that didnt go over very well. We are hoping to get Connor adjusted to the water before we go to Florida in September. He got more comfortable as the day went by, but I guess you could say that he tolerated it pretty well considering all of the other big kids in the kiddie pool, splashing and jumping, etc. He loves to splash in his bathwater, but not in the pool! He had a death grip on me the whole time and would rather me hold him then be in his float. I think a few more times and he will get a little more comfortable with it. I am hoping!



As you can see from the pictures, Connor had a much better time people watching and snacking on some pretzels. I think he gets that from his Mommy! We had a fun time first time at the pool!
Mom, this is much better!


After we left the pool we stopped by the playground and let Connor slide, his favorite! We couldnt get him off of that thing without some serious tears! We let him walk to the car like a big boy and he decided that he wanted to go and visit the neighbors because he headed in the opposite direction and waved "bye-bye" to us as you can see in the last picture. What a fun summer it will be!

You better catch me, Mommy!

Again, again Mommy!

Boo! Connor loves hiding up there!

Bye, bye... You guys can go home if you want, but I think I will stay and explore!

Some things we've been up to...

We have been working hard on home improvement projects and still have many more things that we want to accomplish. We are working hard to get as much done before it gets too hot outside. It is so great to see the finished product and know what you accomplished. We LOVE to work in the yard!Before

After

We got rid all of the pine trees that were in front of our house and we have had so many neighbors say how much better it looks. We intend on planting some other types of trees, a few maples, etc. We just havent gotten to it yet. We also have A LOT of work to do in the backyard! There are no trees or flowers back there, so I am dying to get to some time to work but we have been spending most of our time in the front.

We repainted the shutters because they were fading. It was quite the job, because we painted them a lighter green and I hated it, so they have actually had 3 coats of paint! I am pleased with this color, although it is almost identical to the color they were before. Brad told me to just stick with what works next time... Ha!I love my new "red door"! This is the landscape bed that we have been working on and it is finally finished. Nothing has bloomed yet, except for the yellow flowers in the front (not sure what they are called). We planted some yellow and red daylilies in the back, some red dianthus in the middle, and some blue phlox in the front. The tree is a saucer magnolia, or tulip tree and will have light pink flowers in the early spring. I repainted my rusty bird bath and put it in the bed and am pretty pleased with how it came out.

We installed a new mailbox because someone hit ours and we didnt really like it anyway. I planted some petunias at the base, but I just deadheaded them so there arent many blooms in this picture.
Our new fence (we had built for Cooper last October) We just finished staining it.
Pawpaw didnt get his tomato plants in the ground before he went into the hospital. Dad planted most of them in Pawpaws garden, but there were a few left over, so each of us took some home. I planted these yesterday in the backyard. I am hoping and praying that they live and I get some good tomatoes out of them! Pawpaw would be so proud. They were his and my FAVORITE! I am sure going to miss his tomatoes. These will be the last ones that he started himself. I didnt put his trademark PVC pipe in the ground, but I think they will do OK without it.

Connor has been working hard to save his money for the piggy bank. I know how much Pawpaw would be proud of him also! He always taught us to save our pennies!

Playing with Daddy's glasses... Dont I look so smart?!

Our flowers that Amanda sent us this weekend. She knows that daisies are my favorite! Thanks Amanda, I LOVE them!

In Loving Memory

JOE TAYLOR NEAL

(Pawpaw)

1933-2008

Me and Pawpaw (1982) I loved sitting in his lap in his favorite chair.
This is one of my favorite pictures of him. It shows him at his best, with his beaming smile.
This picture was before our wedding. I like to think he was giving Brad some words of wisdom.
Pawpaw loved to dance!

Pawpaw as a proud great-grandfather.

Pawpaw, Grandma, and Connor in the hospital after he was born.Pawpaw holding Connor (Christmas 2006)
He loved this little boy! Connor and Pawpaw (Thanksgiving 2007)

It has been a hard two weeks, but I am now trying to return to some type of normalcy. However, it seems at the moment that nothing will ever be "normal" again. Everywhere I go, everything I do, I find my self thinking of Pawpaw. It might be a place, or a smell, or simply a song that will remind me of this special man. I thought the world of my Pawpaw and have always sought his wisdom and advice all of my life. He was truly the hardest worker I will ever know. Everyone seemed to say the same thing, as I heard this over and over from family and friends during the services. Pawpaw was a farmer, gardner, hunter, dancer (every Friday night), card player (every Monday night), great friend, and most importantly a family man. His family always came first in his life and he was an incredible provider for them. It is going to be extremely difficult for my grandmother in the days to come, because her and Pawpaw literally did everything together. At times it seems that she doesnt have the will to live anymore. I am praying that this will pass and soon she will begin to heal. As we drove away from their house the day of the funeral, Brett and I both said that nothing would ever be the same at that place. I know that is so, but we have to go on and I know that Pawpaw would want us to keep on living. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. It has meant a lot to me. I am looking forward to this week and a time for rejoicing for Brett's wedding. I know that Pawpaw's presence will be felt, as he was really looking forward to being there.

I love you Pawpaw, rest in peace and I will be seeing you again.

Love,

your Punkin

My Pawpaw

Pawpaw passed at 5:00 tonight and was surrounded by the family that loved him. He was at such peace. It was made evident that his body was just too tired from all of the hard work he has done his entire life. His organs were starting to fail and we knew that he would want us to let him go. Even as hard as it was, I am so glad that I got to be there with him while he took his last breath. There are simply no words, but only to say that he was one of the greatest men I will ever know. He was simply an incredible man and touched all of those who knew him. Thank you for all of your prayers and kind words. They have been a comfort during this difficult time.

My heart hurts today

Last night I settled in a chair and watched one of my favorite show's "ER". It was the season finale and there are 3 main characters that are leaving the show this year and some of my favorites. I didnt think that the show would affect me like it did. I wasnt prepared to see some of the scenes. Brad always says that he doesnt understand why I like to watch a show that is so sad and depressing. Truth be told, I have never thought of it like that at all. I like dramas, and the medical stuff has always intrigued me (yes, I know it is all made for TV). There are also actually "good things" that happen on the show too. I broke down and couldnt stop thinking about my grandfather and all of the change that I about to be faced with. ER really had nothing to do with this at all, but being sad about Luka, Abby, and Greg leaving on the show made it more of a reality I think. I think I cried myself to sleep, at least that is what I remember. I couldnt help think of all of the memories that I have with this special man, my Pawpaw ; many tractor rides, trips to the farm, sitting in the back of his truck with a moon pie and orange crush, him teaching me to ride my bicycle, him calling me "Punkin" till I was a teenager and probably didnt appreciate it as much then, and just sitting in his lap when I was a baby (although I dont actually remember this he would remind me all the time that I was the first and only grandchild that would sit with him on his recliner and take my bottle). I am sure that was very special to him, just like those other moments were so special to me. The truth is that I want Connor to know him. Yes, he has seen him many times but at his age he hasnt really been impacted by most relationships at this point. I want him to have memories with him, like I had with my great grandparents. I was fortunate enough to know both sets of g-grandparents on my Mom's side.

Going to my Grandma and Pawpaws house was always one of my favorite places to go. I spent pretty much every holiday and many birthdays there. I know that God has a plan, and I am fully prepared to accept whatever that might be. But that doesnt make it any easier, unfortunately. Nothing has changed with Pawpaw, he is resting in his room being heavily sedated. Yesterday they decided that his lungs were not improving like they should be so they decided that the only option left was to put him on a ventilator. I have been praying this whole time for that not to be the case, but unfortunately it needed to happen if his condition is going to improve. I was going to go the ICU last night, but decided not to because he was going to be asleep anyway so that his lungs could rest and I knew there would probably be a better time to go. Mom warns me that it is not a pretty sight to see him like this, but I have the need to go nonetheless. I also would like to pray for His perfect timing in all of this. As most of you know Brett is getting married in over two weeks, and it is going to be a very happy time for our family. You can see where I am going with this. Even though it is most likely not going to be possible for Pawpaw to be there, I hope that he is on his way to getting well by then.

I just finished an awesome book called "The Shack" by William Young that I borrowed from my sweet friend Carrie. Thanks girl! I am starting the other one now. I cant help but think that it couldnt have been a better time for me to have read this. I wont ruin it for those of you who have not read it or are interested in doing so but it deals with a family that wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" It is a great read and would recommend it to anyone.

Thank you for your prayers and by listening to me. I usually dont do posts like this, but I thought it might be easier for me to get these things off of my chest. More pictures to come on home improvements and of course, Connor in the very near future. It is supposed to be a beautiful weekend and we have a lot planned! Happy Friday!

Prayers Needed

I havent had much time for blogging this week, but I did want to let you all know what is going on with our family this week. On Sunday as we were heading back home from Rockwood, we got a call from my parents saying that they were on their way to the hospital because PawPaw (my grandfather) was taken by ambulance that morning. He had a very high fever, was very weak, couldnt walk, and had labored breathing. On Monday his fever broke and he was feeling much better, but continued to be on oxygen and had breathing treatments to help rid his lungs of the fluid from the pneumonia he had developed. Brad, Connor and I went for a visit on Tuesday night and he seemed to be doing well considering. I was so glad that he got to see Connor walking and talking. It has been a while since he has seen him because of all of the colds, etc we have had this year. We didnt want to expose Pawpaw to this because he was going through chemo and radiation for his lung cancer. Connor said "paw-paw" over and over and even gave him a high five before he left! Yesterday Pawpaw's condition worsened when his lungs werent getting enough oxygen and his heartbeat became irregular. He was immediately moved to ICU and that is where he is currently. He has now developed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome which is affecting the ability of his body to receive oxygen. We are not sure what lies ahead, but please pray for him and our family as we go from day to day. There will probably be many ups and downs, as there have been so far.

As you can see our Mothers Day plans were changed, we had planned on spending the day with my Mom in Lebanon. We did get to enjoy a short visit at our house before they headed home from the hospital. We dont have any pictures of the day because it was crazy to say the least. Connor has developed quite a little or shall I say "big personality"! We have experienced several temper tantrums by this point, but on Sunday Connor had a tantrum that lasted 4 1/2 hours! I kid you not, he literally screamed for that long. It even got so bad at one point that we thought he was going to hurt himself, so we put him in his play area, and closed the little door. (No, we didnt shut him in a room. This is a little area that has plastic walls, without a roof) He didnt like this at all! The next thing we know we see toys start flying through the air! I thought, "Who is this child"? Brad got so concerned that he went to the computer to see if their could possibly be something mentally wrong with him! Ha! I knew this wasnt the case, but I was still a little concerned. I have basically decided that it must have been because of the busy day before and not enough sleep. He had a tantrum for an hour the next night, but has been better since. Any of you experienced mothers out there, HELP! I know you are supposed to ignore, and believe me I have but have you ever heard of this? I dont know where his "strong willed" personality comes from, certainly not from me. Maybe, it is a Thompson tantrum! LOL! If you have any advice, please send it my way and thanks for the prayers during this difficult time.

Kaitlyn's 2nd Birthday

Doesnt she look like such a BIG girl!
Blowing out her candles!

Forget the presents, Connor loved playing with all of the ribbons.
Connor loved looking at Kaitlyn's fish! Oooohh, he said!

They loved on each other at the party! Connor also gave Kaitlyn some kisses, so sweet! Unfortunately, I didnt have my camera with me at the time. It was pretty hot, so we had to strip down to just the overalls.

On Saturday we traveled to Rockwood to celebrate Kaitlyn's special day! Connor had a blast getting to see his big cousin, Kaitlyn. It was great to see everyone in the Thompson family that we don't get to see very often. The day was beautiful and we got to play outside after presents and cake. Happy Birthday Kaitlyn! We cant wait to see you again very soon at the lake this year!

Here is a picture of Connor with his "wad" of money that Pops gave him. He is holding some, and there is more in his pocket. It sure seemed like he understood the importance of this precious paper because he carried it around for a long time being very protective. Too bad it has to go in his Sammy Savers bank account!

The rest of the visit on Saturday was spent just hanging out at the lake, and going to look at the land that Pete had purchased in Rockwood. It is beautiful and he has plans to build on it someday. Connor loved running around, splashing in mud puddles, and enjoying to open land. He doesnt get to see much of that around here. Pete, when you get your new tractor, Connor wants to come and ride along! We had a great time visiting and celebrating Mothers Day with Grannie!