"Field Posts"

This is Tessa's kitchen that will be under the tree when we do our Christmas tomorrow morning. I just can't believe there are so many parts!!! Maybe I will take it back and buy a doll...

I am back in the good ole' US of A. Now I have to drive 2 hrs across alligator alley to get home. Rob

Braden had his 4 month check-up today (yeah, I know he will be 5 months on Sunday.)  I've been curious to see just how big he is. Last visit he was in the 95th percentile for length and weight.  Well today he weighed in at 19 pounds, 1 ounce and was 27 3/4 inches long!  Compared to the average 5-month-old, he is off the charts for both length and weight.  According to his doctor, he is the size of an average 9-month-old.  No wonder my arms are always tired!  Here's a picture of my big boy just to make you smile! ~Becky

Drew, just like I promised, here is some video of Daddy riding a motorcycle in Haiti.  This is how I get around when I am down here… Rob Motorcycle Ride from RobandBecky Thompson on Vimeo .

Recently, a friend of mine donated the funds for a laptop to be used by RMI’s child sponsorship program in Haiti.  Here is the guy that is using the laptop saying thank you. Rob Thank You from RobandBecky Thompson on Vimeo .

I read this book yesterday on the plane and before bed last night.  Wow.  I can't wait to tell you about it, but for now, I just have to process.  There is so much to consider.  To evaluate.  One thing I am convinced of...  I need to respond. Rob

Yesterday, I visited with our missionaries Billy and Debbie Moses and Gary and Marilyn McLaughlin.  I had lunch with Billy and Debbie, then went up and sat in on a Hope for Kidz meeting with Gary, Marilyn and Benson.  Benson is a Haitian guy that is working with HFK.  I then came back and rested a little after the long day of travel.  Then, I had dinner with Billy and Debbie, and then went up and visited with Gary and Marilyn again (we watched a little football). Here is a video of my flight from Port au Prince to Les Cayes Haiti. Watch in HD Haiti Flight from RobandBecky Thompson on Vimeo .

I will be back home on Friday.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Drew has my creative gene I believe.  He constantly wants to draw or create.  He loves making creations.  Here is one of his creations.  He is now writing his name, and drawing people and flowers.  It is amazing to watch his creative abilities grow.  This is a drawing of a family member, but I won't tell you who...

A friend of mine did a book give away on his Blog, and I won!  Woohoo!  Can't wait to receive my copy of "Crazy Love", by Francis Chan. Thanks G . Rob

I was looking at last year's tree decorating pics and just can't get over how much Tessa has changed in just one year's time (15 months old vs. 27 months old.) I think the big difference is she went from 4 teeth to a mouthful and her hair has grown so much!  She is a little girl, no longer a baby!  She is so sweet and sassy at the same time.  She is our "actress"-- can change into character in a moments notice!  She has changed so much, I just had to share... ~Becky      

Ok, a few notes... This video get's a little boring (so says Becky), so don't feel the need to watch the whole thing. If you want to watch the HD version, you will have to click on the HD button, which will take you to the site of the hosted HD video. I hope you enjoy... A Few Moments with the Kids from RobandBecky Thompson on Vimeo .

Back on October 26 we did Parental Dedication for Braden.  We dedicated ourselves and Braden to the Lord.  Today, we were given a DVD of the dedication.  So, the following video is courtesy of the McGregor Baptist Church A/V team... Parental Dedication - Braden from Rob Thompson on Vimeo .

Becky just doesn't have a clue of what I have to go through... 4 am this morning Braden starting crying.  Of course, I woke up.  He's been sleeping through the nights, but recently he has had a head cold, so his sleep isn't quite as deep.  So, once he was crying for a bit, and we realized that he was not going to go to sleep, I woke up again when Becky got out of bed.  You know, she could have gotten out a little more gentler to make sure I didn't wake up even more.  Then, Becky changed his diaper.  Have you ever heard the Velcro of those diaper tabs at 4 in the morning?  Then, the sounds of the microwave warming up the bottle was enough to keep me from getting back to my sweet dreams. As I lay there, struggling to sleep, as I was just about ready to doze off, I happen to notice Becky putting Braden back to bed.  Yes, patting his back to lull him to sleep was like a drum.  I mean really, a light patting would have been more conside...

Rob

...and therefore I am missing my Father and Brothers as well.  I hate being so far away.  Far away from hunting, and far away from family.  Some of my favorite memories of growing up are in the woods with my Dad and Brothers.  But I have not hunted since leaving NJ (9 Years).  Well, I guess I did go Turkey hunting one day and Snipe hunting another day.  But, I am really in withdrawal.  Why haven't I gone? I guess I just don't know the right people with land to hunt.  Most people I know that hunt here in FL lease land, and I can't really afford that.  Having 3 kids too young to hunt doesn't help either.  Maybe it is also because I haven't done the "homework" that is necessary to find land? I am especially missing hunting right now because of a trip that my Dad took out to Nebraska to hunt with my brother who lives out there.  Apparently, they had an awesome time and proved that buck fever is alive and well.  Afte...

Apparently, Becky doesn't ponder things like I do.  I look at things and ponder them until there is no pondering left to do.  If I am frustrated or trying to figure something out, or simply notice something that makes me curious (just about anything), I turn it over in my head a thousand times, only to start all over again.  Rehashing rehashing rehashing for sometimes days at a time.   My feelings/emotion keep the thought spinning around and around... Sometimes, the thought is totally brainless and useless.  At other times, it is life altering.  I have several of these going on right now.  Only some of them will I tell you about.  Am I unique? Maybe this is why Becky can multitask, and I can't?  Becky can't believe I think/feel about things so much.  But, even today, a day later, I had to Google something to figure it out.  My curiosity was killing me.  Yesterday, on the way to the airport, I made a comment about t...

 

Yum!!!

I just can't help myself.  I look out the window, and just want to take pictures.  So, today, I did just that.  I had a little down time, so I decided to play a little.  Here is the fruit of my labor... Rob  

I am sitting here reflecting upon the day.  What an eventful day! Traveling with 3 kids 3 is a chore.  Getting on the plane and off the plane is sort of comical and stressful all at the same time.  Apparently, we needed help.  The pilot carried Braden to his seat!  I actually think we did well, but there is just so much to keep track of.  Once the kids were tied down, I mean buckled in to their seats, it wasn't too bad.  The kids did great on the plane. I am cheap.  I am normally proud of my desire to pinch pennies and save a buck.  But, today I paid for my frugality.  I went with a no name car rental agency.  Let's just say they didn't really have their act together.  I guess the old adage is true, you get what you pay for. We had a great fellowship night with some supporters at the home of Peter and Rachel Lehner.  There were equal the number of kids as their were adults (maybe 12 Adults and 12 kids).  We all ...

So, I was looking at the forecast for Chicago, and I saw this... Any ideas what this might be? It looks like 40's and rain showers every day until then (fun), but on Saturday...SNOW SHOWERS! I am like a little kid hoping for some snow, even a few flakes to fall so my kids (uh, me too) can see snow... We'll see! Rob

If you haven't seen this, check it out.  I have been looking for this sort of election coverage online for a long time.  Looks like the Internet has finally caught up with TV....  Very cool... More maps are available if you click on the link. 2008 Election Results from Google Gadgets powered by Google

Ugh. Maybe I should say 6 very useful door stops!

Every year our church has a great Halloween outreach called Family Fest.  Tons of candy, games, bounce houses and food-- they really do it well.  This year Both Drew and Tessa had a blast.  Drew was a firefighter (he'll tell you that's what he wants to be when he grows up) and Tessa was a fairy princess.  They were both thrilled with their costumes.  Braden had fun taking it all in! Here they are ready to go to church:   Couldn't get Tessa out of the ballpit!   Braden's all smiles!              Rob's camo makeup made for some very realistic soot         Tessa hammin' it up!

  Wow!  The Philles won the World Series last night.  And yes, I am a Cubs fan.  But  since I grew up in the Philly area, the Phillies have always had a special place in my heart.  I can't help but be a little sad today.  You see, my Dad was a huge Phillies fan.  He would have been so thrilled to see them finally win!  And I am thrilled because it reminds me so much of him. October 19th was the 2-year anniversary of his death and I'm especially missing him right now.  In Junior High, I decided I was going to be a Mets fan (I confess, it was because I had a crush on a boy, and when the crush was over, I was already hooked.  The Mets actually won in the mid to late 80's after all!)  He never once gave me a hard time about it.  In fact, he always made sure we got tickets to see the Phillies/Mets once a summer at the Vet.  I was pretty obnoxious about it too.  If you know anything about Phillies fans, you know th...

We are so excited... we are going to Chicago Nov 11 - 19.  We got our tickets for all 5 of us (4 tickets) round trip for just over $500.  Still expensive, but an unbelievably good price.  We wanted to stay another day or so, but the low prices made that decision for us. Our time will be spent with our personal donors, friends, and potential donors as much as possible.  We will of course be attending The Orchard EFC on Sunday morning. We have so many friends and supporters that we haven't seen in so long.  We can't wait.  I have no idea at this point how we will fit everything in to those 8 days (with 3 kids no less), but we are going to try. Over the next days, we are going to be trying to put some small group gatherings together.  We may also have opportunity to set up some meals with individuals and families as well.  I will also be joining RMI President Dan at an IMPACT Partners night at The Orchard EFC on Tuesday evening the 18th des...

... Wawa and cold weather!  In our area, it is "thank heaven for 7 Eleven".  But, for us Wawa regulars, we know what a professional (aka SJ Red Neck) mini convenience grocery/gas destination is supposed to be like.  Sorry, but 7 Eleven doesn't compare. Last week a friend of ours was in PA.  She brought us back a little piece of home, Wawa Coffee.  She was even late for her plane because of her stop.  Thanks Brandy! So, now I get to drink Wawa coffee in our downright frigid weather.  It has dipped down into frozen tundra temps, it is 59 degrees!  I know, I know, but this is a small reminder of "home". I miss you Wawa .  I miss you fleece. Rob

Becky is working, so I am being full time dad once again.  These days are a joy and a struggle for sure.  Braden has had trouble sleeping today, he is waking up every 5 minutes crying.  So, I thought I would try my iPhone...what a geek, I know. But, it is working!  My iPhone has a free app called "Easy Relax".  Basically, it plays nature sounds.  So, I am playing "Rainy Day", and he is sleeping like a champ.  Woohoo! Rob

We had a great time doing deputation yesterday!  We went to St. Petersburg, FL (2 hours North of us) to visit Stacy, Susan and their son Luke Tappeiner and George and Marge Baulig (Susan's parents).  Stacy and Susan are friends from our days at Linwood Community Church in Linwood, NJ.  Susan is currently on the LCC mission's team.  George was a LCC Trustee when I was there.  Now, George and Marge are living in St. Pete, and Stacy, Susan, and Luke were down visiting.  One of the highlights was taking a look at George's toy...a 44' sail boat.  Drew was in heaven.  So was I! We had such a good time.  Here are some pictures. Rob

I don't really want to ask, but I need to... RMI is immediately in need of 3 laptops.  One for our Hope for Kidz child sponsorship "department" to translate letters and administrate the program. One for a missionary child for schooling. One for our RMI Haitian staff to work on in our Haiti Office to help. I can't begin to describe your return on investment! If you would like to make a donation to cover one or all of these, please contact me immediately. Thank you. Rob