Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat!

We've got Farmer Kolton....
Cameo Boy Tristin, Princess Lola & Cowgirl Natalie

Here they are in action!!
Here's Kolton's action! No treats for him. If you put something in his bucket he'd throw it out. The only item that was bucket worthy was a pack of M&M's. We had a beautiful day considering how cold it was earlier in the week. They had a great time!
__________________________________________
I will be taking a Yay Free Friday break through the Holiday's. Hopefully when I get caught up with things I will sneak a giveaway in here and there, but the days are getting away from me and I need to make sure all these babies are out by Christmas. Thanks so much for entering each week...it won't be gone forever! Have a great weekend!! ~Tina

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Help us Give a Blessing to Lisa Jane!


2 Corinthians 9:8
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed."

We really need your help! We are in our second month of Give a Blessing. I have no doubt that the Lords blessing is upon this act of giving and He has given me peace about being more forward in asking for others to reach out as well! Along with Baby be Blessed our Give a Blessing is constantly on my heart and in my prayers. I was discouraged this month however in the lack of giving. As of yesterday we have not received one donation to help little Miss Lisa Jane. I started questioning if we should even be reaching out with our Give a Blessing if we aren't able to help. But God's word quickly reminded me His truth....

"Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence." Isaiah 40:27-29

"God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:9

As believers in Christ we are called to help one another!

"He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses." Proverbs 28:27

"Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. Romans 15:1-2

"Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." Gal. 6:2

"But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?" 1 John 3:17

Baby be Blessed gives $100 to every recipient. That is not even a drop in the bucket to the amount these families need to cover medical and household expenses. Please help us reach out to this family! I have a shopping cart set up for $5 donation here, or donate through ChipIn below.



If you are able to give...we thank you so very much!!

~Tina

Monday, October 27, 2008

Blessings...

Blessings...

I have been messing with this silly slide show almost all day! I guess I can't post the slideshow and comment in the same post...who knows! Anyway, many blessings have been given to us over the weekend! First, my sister's wedding! It was a beautiful day in every way! Sorry I missed Yay Free Friday! Maybe I can make it up to you all with a double giveaway this week. I'll be back soon....promise!!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Flashback Thursday

As I was flowing through photo's for Flashback Thursday,
I came across these...~Enjoy!
Keith and I back in 1997 before we got married...

Six years later our little Natalie-3 and Tristin-4!

{Do you have a Flashback Thursday? Give us your links in the comment section!!}

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Free to Be Yourself


"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." Romans 12:6a

There's an often-told story of a young boy who walked the local beach looking for starfish. Whenever he found one of the little sea creatures, he would carefully pry its legs from any rocks before tossing it back into the sea. Under his careful watch, hundreds of starfish were returned to the water.

One day an older man noticed the young boy carefully throwing starfish back into the sea. Intrigued, he couldn't help but ask the boy about his ritual.

"Why do you throw the starfish back into the sea?" the old man asked.

"Because the starfish will die if left in the hot sun on the shore," the boy explained.

"But there are millions of starfish, and multitudes of shores with countless beaches upon which you will never walk," the man contended. "On each of those beaches there are throngs of starfish you will never save. Why do you bother?"

The boy looked down at the sand and picked up a starfish resting nearby.

"Because today, this day, this one will live," the boy replied. And he threw the starfish back into the sea.
The man watched as the boy continued his practice. Then, he reached down himself, picked up a starfish, and threw it into the sea.

The story is a rich reminder that in a world of needs, one person can make a big difference. It's also a lesson in the importance of doing what you are uniquely created, gifted, and called to do. Like so many others, the boy noticed the starfish dying on the seashore, but unlike the others, he made a decision to do something about it. He used the abilities God had given him to make a difference. Like the old man in the story, not everyone will always understand or get what you do, but regardless of the response, you are called to use the talents and gifts God has given you for His glory.

1. Make a list of five things you are naturally good at doing. Then, make a list of five things you are passionate about.

Now, take a moment and reflect on ways in which you can combine your gifts and talents with your passions and interests. In other words, how are you uniquely wired to make a difference in the world around you?

God designs every person differently. He gives us different personalities, different strengths and weaknesses, different gifts and talents. All of these differences can be used to help build His kingdom. In the Old Testament, God chose specific individuals with unique gifts to build the tabernacle.

1. Read Exodus 31:1-11. Make a list of the unique talents of Bezalel.What was Oholiab's role?How did their gifts and placement complement each other?

2. Read Exodus 36:1-2. What qualities did the craftsman called by Moses need? Do you think it's possible to have one of those qualities and not the other? Explain. Why are they both important?

Sometimes fear can hold you back from using your talents, gifts, and even yourself to help others. You may be afraid of failure or afraid that you won't fit in or afraid that what you do won't really matter. But God makes it clear that everyone has a role to play in His kingdom.

1. Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-26. What will happen if one part of the body chooses not to function properly or shuts down completely? What will happen if one part of the body spends all its energy trying to pretend it's another part of the body? Why is it so crucial that every part of the body perform as it's uniquely designed?

2. Do you have any talents or gifts you're not using? Are there any areas in which you spend your time and energy trying to be someone you're not?

3. Take a moment to feel your fingertips. Just as everyone's fingerprints are one-of-a-kind, so are our personalities, strengths, and contributions to the body of Christ. No one on the planet has the exact same blend of gifts, talents, and passion. Reflecting on the story of the boy and the starfish, who is God calling you to reach? Where is He calling you to make a difference right now?

Digging Deeper
Sometimes when we step out in faith and use our talents and gifts for good and for God's glory, things don't always go according to plan.Read Galatians 5:7-8. How do you respond to those who are trying to discourage from fulfilling the call on your life? What steps do you need to take to surround yourself with people who will encourage you, challenge you, and pray for you.

Ponder & Pray
Take a few moments to reflect on your life so far. Are there any talents or gifts that you used in an earlier age or stage of life that you've packed up and put away? Do you have a gift for music or art or math or science or any other that you haven't been using? What steps do you need to take to begin using that gift once again? How can it be used to bless and encourage others.

I LOVED this!! It is from the Bi-weekly Bible Studies from Woman of Faith and Friends!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

NEW! Baby be Blessed Rompers!

I absolutely LOVE these rompers and can't wait until Kolton gets his! I know I've had them on the website, but I wanted to flash them over to my blog readers. They are just so sweet!!
























They come in four colors and various infant sizes. They are $17.50 each and with each purchase $5.00 goes to our little Lisa Jane! You can purchase them here!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Marvelous Monday!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! It was a busy one around here! Saturday was a day spent here at home trying to catch up on things. Sunday morning stared with a trip to the ER. Poor Kolton has been fighting a cold and it turned into Croup, which I'm very familiar with but the thing that scared me was his breathing. Chest X-rays, a breathing treatment, a shot and hours later we were back home. Anyway, he is doing better but is still fighting it out. Between everything going on here at the Thompson household, I'm still plugging away at the sewing machine making up your little custom babies one by one.

So for the winner of our weekly Yay Free Friday Giveaway....


Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:10
Timestamp: 2008-10-20 12:21:48 UTC

sarahyang226 said...
I am still hoping to win for my birthday girl and this doll is extra cute, I love the hair!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Thanks again to everyone who entered, and please check back this Friday for another Giveaway!
Have a wonderful week!! ~Tina

Friday, October 17, 2008

Yay...It's Free Friday!

Miss Emma


For our Giveaway this week I have the redesigned Miss Emma. I introduced her a while back but still thought she needed some changes. So here she is once again ready to be adopted into her new home! She measures 15" tall, has muslin face/arms/legs, pink chenille body and Amy Buttler prints for her quilted hair and dress. The scripture patch on her belly reads, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you" Jeremiah 1:5. She has safety eyes and handstitched lashes and mouth. I finished her off with blush on her cheeks and pink bows trimming her piggies and dress. Little Miss Emma will arrive in her own Baby be Blessed gift box ready to be loved!

Okay...the rules: To enter please leave your contact information in the comment section under this post. You may enter only once Friday-Sunday and I will pick the winner on Monday.

Have Fun Everyone!
Tina


Thursday, October 16, 2008

Flashback Thursday...The Good, Bad & the UGLY!

I want to thank my sweet Laura for starting her Flashback Friday! Go check out her pics from last week...so cute! So since I always offer my giveaway on Fridays, I'm going to try to keep up with Flashback Thursday! So in honor of my very first post on the subject, I give you a few of myself. It was so fun digging through the old photos!
So here we go....

The GOOD...this photo was taken June 1979, which makes me 4 years old. I'm trying to see which one of my kids look most like me then. Hmmmm, I'm not sure.

The BAD...okay here we go to the 5th grade. I can't remember much about this picture except that Walt the Barber was cutting my hair at the time. I think I trimmed my bangs before pictures because they definitely are not straight.


And last but not least...the UGLY! Here is myself at 13 years old back in 1989! Whew girl...this is UGLY!! And what is up with the pin on my sweater? I'll have to try and find a good one with the big bangs...not too shabby here. I don't know how many times I went to school with a curling iron burn on my forehead, and more hairspray the better!!

So what is your GOOD, BAD, & UGLY! I challenge you to dig out the old photo's and leave your blog link in the comments. Are you brave enough?! =)

~Tina

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

A Bit of Advice...Wednesday!

So instead of Wordless Wednesday, I'm going to have A Bit of Advice...Wednesday!

A few posts back I announced the newest member of the Thompson family, Lucy. She had been a good little guinea pig and Natalie loves up on her daily. She totes her around the house and we've had issue with the little turd droppings I have found {we won't go there because it raises my blood pressure}. So my bit of advice for you new guinea pig owners, besides the turd issue is...don't let them go...not even on a you think it's safe area! There I was just simply checking email on the computer when Natalie sets little Lucy on our desk. She scared the dickens out of me because out of the corner of my eye I catch a big rat on the desk. So they think it's funny they scared Mom and when she goes to pick Lucy back up she runs in the printer. Still kind of funny...funny enough that I grab my camera for a few shots. First time I've ever had a guinea pig in the printer and I wanted to capture the moment.

So here she is...just hiding her little eyes in the paper tray. So what do we do? Try to lure her out with a carrot.
Which come to find out now, that really apples and popcorn are her favorite treat. So the carrot just wasn't cutting it so I just try to grab her. Who knew that a printer would have so many great hiding places!!

So the more I try to get her the more she crawls in! This was the last photo that was taken because by then it was not too funny anymore. Here I am trying to unplug the printer because the ink cartridge was flying back and forth and the darn pig was completely inside. You couldn't even see her. I pick up the printer and shake it around and finally two little back feet drop out. I grab them and Lucy was brought once again back into the world. I told Natalie...NEVER AGAIN!! She is NOT to put her down EVER! In all it worked out and we now can chuckle about it...kind of. Just the week before Keith found Clarence, our cat in the refrigerator in the garage. One of the kids put him in there! You know that kid...It wasn't me, I didn't do it! He/She runs around here a lot causing trouble! But don't worry about sweet Clarence...he made it through just fine. Praise God that Keith heard him because he would have not made it until morning. Hopefully it was a lesson learned!
So I guess maybe my overall bit of advice for you is...
If you come to visit, leave your pets at home!!
=) Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Update on Janessa...

A note from Janessa's Mommy....

Just a quick update that Janessa made it through the chemo and is doing better now. She's drinking well, but still not really eating. She seems like she's hungry all the time but I just can't get her to eat. Everything else looks good.

Ali is back in. The transplant did not work and she still has many, many cancer cells. It has also been hard on 4 year old sister Myla. She needed to have a blood transfusion for her body to recover as the donor. This family is very discouraged......and tired. They're trying something else today with Myla as the donor....again.

Keep those prayers coming!
Thanks,
Julie for the Josephs and the Aanensens
Please continue to pray for this sweet baby, her sister Myla and the rest of her family!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Marvelous Monday!!

Kolton Gregory on his tractor!
Or at least he thinks it's his...

Hope you all had a great weekend! The weather was so beautiful! We had a wonderful time in Indiana, as always! I can't believe I left my camera at home...I was disappointed in myself!


So I'm back in the grind of things this morning...refreshed and ready to get things done! Thanks to all of you who got in your Custom Christmas orders! I'll be plugging away on them and looking forward to a fresh start at the beginning of the year. My hope is to keep the custom lead time at around two weeks...Lord willing. So for the winner of Yay Free Friday this week~

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:31
Timestamp: 2008-10-13 12:14:29 UTC

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Beth said...
I would really love to win! Your dolls are beautiful!bethfouche@hotmail.com
October 11, 2008 8:11 AM


I thank all of you who keep coming back to enter each week!!

Have a fabulous Marvelous Monday!!

~Tina


*I'll try to get an update on Janessa this morning....Thanks for all your prayers!!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Please pray for Janessa!!

We received an email from Janessa's Mommy this morning...

Janessa has 32 more hours to go with chemo.....and has been really sick with this round. She is still vomiting and has not eaten since Wed. PM. She isn't drinking as well either. If this continues, they'll put her on IV fluids. She has gotten the rash from the Ari -C (the chemo) and fevers off and on, but they go down quickly. If the fever stays up they will start antibiotics. She only has one port to use, so if they start antibiotics, they need to stop the chemo. So you see we have many things to pray through these next hours. Once the chemo is finished, they can run IV and other fluids, they just don't mix well with the chemo meds. She is sleeping better with the two added nausea meds, so this is good. And we are already tired. Please join us in praying for our little girl to make it through these next crucial hours of meds and be able to hold out for the chemo to be finished......and be stro ng enough to hold off fevers. Thanks. We'll keep you posted as we see any changes.

Julie


Please lift this little one up in prayer!
May God have His hand on her and her family!
~Tina

Yay...It's Free Friday!

Okay...it is definitely time for a new post! I couldn't stand seeing my ugly mug anymore! So what better way to start your Friday than with another giveaway!! This week I will be offering a custom doll of your choice! The rules are the same as always: Please leave your contact information in the comments under this post Friday-Sunday. I will pick the winner on Monday. Only one entry per person.

In other news,

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR CUSTOM CHRISTMAS ORDERS!
Today is the deadline and I absolutely can not make any exceptions. I wish I could, but there is just one lil' ole me y'all (I'm starting my country accent)! Along with that said, there will be finished dolls available before Christmas. So don't worry...just please keep checking back! Also don't forget to sign up for our newsletter so get exclusive coupons and first opportunities for finished items. As Baby be Blessed is growing I am looking for at least one more person maybe more to help me out with sewing. If you are local and can sew....EMAIL ME!!
I also want to wish my sweet Natalie a Happy 8th Birthday! She turned eight yesterday, time flies by so quickly!

Natalie with the newest Thompson Family member...Lucy

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! We are headed to Grandma and Grandpa Roops house. Indiana...here we come!! ~Tina

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Six Random Things About Me



Okay...so Laura passed the buck to me to let you all know a few random facts about myself...

one: During the week I very seldom wear make-up or do my hair. The above picture lays it all out...hair wadded up in a pony/bun and no make-up. Actually on this day I did put in my contacts and get dressed.

two: I get crazy when....my house is in a big clutter, there are clean clothes in the dirty clothes pile, children act disrespectful with a sassy mouth.

three: I'm funny about having my silverware drawer being in good order. Forks, spoons and knifes must lay nicely in their own straight pile. And where do those crumbs come from?

four: Loose wiggly teeth give me the creeps, though I'm proud to say that I could stand to pull out two for Natalie and one for Lola. Snot also gives me the creeps...it is just gross! Just go blow your nose already!! Why let it run down to your lip! Yucky!

five: I'm a country girl at heart. I love old barns and old things. I have a love for animals big and small. I wear Justin boots and wish I had an accent y'all!

six: "No worries" and "There are bigger things" are two things I probably say everyday. Maybe I say it more to remind myself more than others...but feel it is true.

Now instead of tagging someone else, I would like you to leave a random fact about yourself in the comment section....Inquiring minds want to know!!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Marvelous Monday!!

Here is the winner of the Yay Free Friday Giveaway, Give Away!!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:16
Timestamp: 2008-10-06 14:09:20 UTC

Steve+Marie Douglas said...
HI Tina I am Elijah's mommy and I would like to nominate this weeks give away for a special grandma who lost her grandbaby 2and a half years ago her name is Becky(hope I am not too late)
October 4, 2008 9:22 PM

Your not too late Marie! Congratulations!!

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Eleven years ago today...

October 4, 1997
Eleven years ago today, I became Mrs. Keith Thompson. It was the best day of my life! We both were just young pups yet...still wet behind the ears. Keith was 22 and I was 21. I look at these pictures and see us still as babies, but at the time of course we knew all and was ready to take on the world together...and that is what we have done!
Keith always likes to joke "Yep...Married 11 years, together for nine", since he was gone for almost two years with the Military. We've learned a lot over the last 11 years, especially through the two that he was gone. I know it sounds silly, but I praise God for those two years. I hope and pray that I fully realize now what the Lord has given me when He joined us as one.

It was a beautiful fall afternoon! All the weeks of planning came together into one wonderful day! It was so awesome this morning pulling out the old white album and fumbling through the dusty pages. Makes for a good morning cup of coffee. I see these pictures of us and then think of our four babies sleeping peacefully up in their beds. We didn't know the blessings that were coming our way!


The Church was full of family and friends!
We had a wonderful reception at the American Legion.
Good times and good memories!

I even had time later in the evening to get in some deer hunting.
I GOT ONE!



Isn't he the cutest buck you've ever seen?


Throughout my young life all I wanted was to be loved fully, deeply and unconditionally. Throughout my adult life I am loved fully, deeply and unconditionally. For who I was, for who I am and for who I will become to be.
Thank you Jesus for answering my prayers!

Friday, October 3, 2008

Free Friday Giveaway....GIVE AWAY!

Happy October everyone!
Well, another week has just flown by and it's time for another Free Friday Giveaway. I was so encouraged and blessed by last months Giveaway Give Away, that we are going to start off each month in doing just that....giving away to someone else.


Here are the rules:
In honor of our second month of Give a Blessing, I encourage you all to give! This week our giveaway is meant to be given away! You will be entering to win a custom lamb to give it away to someone else. Someone who the Lord lays on your heart that lives outside of your household. Simply leave a comment under this post stating who you would like to give this blessing to and why you have chosen to give it to them. You may enter Friday-Sunday and I will draw the winner on Monday. (You must follow the rules to be qualified)

I also want to encourage you to stop by the Baby be Blessed website and give a donation to our Give a Blessing recipient, Lisa Jane. We switched things up this month! There are more donation options which include FREE gifts for you, so CHECK IT OUT!!
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!
~Tina