Stationery card

Merry Tree Collage Christmas Card

Create beautiful photo Christmas cards at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

One year ago...

A year ago… where to begin??
A year ago September 28th all I wanted was for my daughter to live.
I placed no conditions on that prayer. I feel that my prayers were answered. I know that my daughter is a miracle. Please know that I do not use the term “miracle” lightly.
Temperance Tessa Thompson lives. She is a thriving one year old. She is full of spunk and possesses a personality that unique to her old soul. She teaches me (and others) daily lessons in life, faith, love and spirit.

While Tempe was in the Neonatal Intinsive Care Unit I asked for friends to email her letters so that I could read them to her while she was on ECMO. I read all of the emails as they came in and when we arrived home I placed them in a drawer and have not had the strength to get them out until today. I really want all of you that prayed and thought about her to know how well she is doing. I also wante you all to know that I am weeping like a baby in Starbucks. But it’s a happy cry. It’s a beautiful, thankful for every second I have her cry.
A little about Miss Tempe..
She LOVES food!
She is crazy about baby dolls. (and real babies)
She has a look that makes you think she is reading your mind. (she may be)
She “knows” good people.
Her hugs and kisses have melted grown men.
She is super smelly!
She will eat/wear your ice cream.
She thinks pulling off Jaspers “ears” is a great game.
Her dancing skills are well, mad.
She is a totally mommas girl. With no qualms about it.
So for a more medical update… Tempe is on NO medications. She does have some tightness in her right hand that makes her hold her little hand tight and tuck her thumb under. We take her to occupational therapy twice a week with an amazing OT here in Bedford and she goes to the Jackson Center once a week. That’s pretty much it. Really, she is pretty perfect.

I really hope that all of you know that I have not updated this blog because things are going well. Amazing really. Ryan did 7 ½ months in Afghanistan and made it home in August. It took a little time but Tempe and Ryan are finally getting along. Like I said, she is a momma’s girl. Needless to say, I was a little busy while he was gone. So were my mom, dad and brothers! They are the best parents/grandparents/uncles in the world. They completely live and represent unconditional love.
Jasper finally hugged Tempe the other morning and she was not interested. She kisses him and he usually pushes her away. He refuses to share his cars with her, so it is a good thing that she loves baby dolls. They will eventually like each other. It only took me and the boys about 20 years. Ok, maybe 25.

So, I will shut up now. I could go on for days. I might, be prepared. Please know that your letters to her are treasured parts of our family history. They are going to be placed in Tempe’s scrap book and I will read some of them to her every year on her birthday. She will always know about all of you and the part you all play in her life.
I am forever thankful…
Tessa Lou

15 Days...

Hello, Hello. Hope this post finds you all preparing to enjoy some festive holiday fun. Or you are medicated enough to get through it anyway. Things at the Powell/Thompson household are as busy as always. Big Bill is home from Union Hospital sporting a brand new knee. He is adjusting to the pain and will recover well I am sure. Big Deb is well, Big Deb. For those of you that know her, I am sure you can figure out what I mean by that. Our dear Temperance continues to amaze us. She is just doing as well could ever hope for. The picture above is her and Daddy playing with the bubbles in grandmas sink. She loves baths!

Starting early!

At dinner in Indy, Tempe was stuffed in the wine bucket by her adoring father. She did not really mind it! Ryan always put Jasper in random places when he was little, because he was so small and he fit in some pretty funny places. Tempe is just getting the same treatment that Jasper did. I am sure that she will be put on the meat platter just as Jasper was when we get to RoAnn's house for Christmas. I will post the picture!

She is smiling and giggling all the time! I love it!

Bedford Friends... if the stars align, we will be moving back to Bedford in the late summer. We have made an offer on a house that we really want. It is in the same neighborhood and exactly where we want to be. I am so hopeful! I love the house and cant wait to get out of my moms. She is a wonderful mom and grandma, but she is a terror to live with. She missed her calling. She should have been a drill Sargent or a health code inspector.

I am sure that Ryan was misbehaving in this picture.
So, down to the nitty-gritty. Ryan leaves for Afghanistan in 15 days.... 15 DAYS. Ahh crud, that is the first time I let myself count days. I know that we decided this because it is what is best for us as a family, but still, I wish there was an easier way to make enough money for us to survive without sending him over there. One of the bright sides to this is that he really does want to go. He is 100% made for the job he is going to be doing over there. He mailed his stuff over there today so it seems a little more real now. I had lunch with his boss and feel a little better about it. He was just like Ryan and it made me feel better about it somehow. I know I can do it, I am just dreading being lonely. I hate that Ry is going to miss so much of Tempe's first year, Jasper's Birthday and I really think that Jasper will be crawling when Ryan gets back. He is so close. But I know that this will help us out so much as a family, that I am willing to live without him for a while so that we can have some financial freedom one day.

Christmas Cards

Christmas Letter Christmas Card

Shutterfly has classic, elegant Christmas invitations for your party.

View the entire collection of cards.

Every Hour..

This is my Miracle.

Over the last few weeks I have felt at peace about Tempe. More than thankful every day. There is not a day, or even an hour that goes by when I am not aware that this little girl is living proof that God is out there. Proof that the universe listens to us. Everyone that we see reassures us that she is fine, but having a doctor back you up always feels good.

So the big news is that we had a Neurology appointment yesterday and it was great. Really it was more than great...The doctor could not see anything bad going on. Now I have been through this enough to know that things in the brain are a mystery, but I also know that Jasper was showing signs of problems from day one. Tempe is not!!! She is perfect. Again, I will not be naive, I know that we still have a long road and we have to keep an eye on her... BUT STILL!!! Seriously.... she is perfect.




We know that we have been blessed with a miracle. This child was very sick. Not just "oh she is sick", more like, "she may not make the transport", or "she may not make it of ECMO", or "her brain damage might not let her make it on her own" sick. Its crazy and amazing to think that she is mine. That I have been trusted to raise and love this angel.

So here is my "Thank you" to all of you who prayed for her. I know that people all over the world saw my posts and also sent her emails and I hope that get to see that there is power in prayer. Power that I may never understand, but I don't think I need to. I know and trust that we are all pieces of a much larger puzzle.


Thank you for asking God to let me keep this baby, for trusting me with this amazing baby.  Thank you for adding Tempe to your prayer lists, sharing our story with your churches and your friends and keeping us in your hearts.  I am forever thankful. 

Jasper was not crazy about her at first!






My beautiful Girl, all dressed up in my wedding dress.

Much love,

Tessa

Home Sweet Home....

Ok, Is she the baby from Ally McBeal? So funny, the way I took this makes her head look HUGE!!! She is doing so well at home. Eating and pooping like a champ. Really there is not a whole lot to report, she is doing "typical" baby stuff. She is my little miracle. Ryan is home now and it is great. He still has to be at work for training, but I am so glad he is home. We spent the weekend at home and surrounded by friends. Ryan got the biggest hug from Jasper and also got to hug his baby girl. He also got to change dirty pants! We are going to do our best to make the most out of the next few months before he leaves for Afghanistan. We carved pumpkins with Brandy and the kids, went to a get together at Erin's where Ryan at 5 bowls of Chili (not really).

A little note of thanks....My friends and family are amazing. I would not have made it through the three weeks at Riley with out them. It also amazes me how many people we have become closer to. and how you see the true fabric of people when crisis comes around. We had some nurses and docs that we would not have made it without (Becky, Dom, Jenny, Sara H, Dr. T & Dr. M, Dr. J. A., Lara, Heather, Nicole and her lifesaver gummies, Scooter, Tracy, and the baby stealer). They made a very scary and emotional time tolerable and even at times fun. I think we forget sometimes that Nurses and Doctors have to provide emotional support on the front lines before family and friends get there. Our nurses were our front line. Very caring and supportive. Dominique and Jenny, I love you both. You will forever have a place in my heart. So my point... Thank your nurses and Doctors. They do care and take on your hurt. So, Thanks.

Ok, token picture of Jasper.... (and Albert)

He is such

 a turkey.  He crawled(note CRAWLED) in the shower, with his clothes on while I was taking a shower.  It was so funny.  I posted a picture of him on Facebook cleaning the shower after I stepped out.  He first put his little red car under the shower curtain.  I was ok with that.  Then I looked down and saw a little Jasper head under the curtain.  I laughed so hard!  I was thankful he did not have his ears on, that would have not been funny.  But it was since I did not have his ears on yet! 

Well, I have more pics to upload, so it may be a post heavy day. I think I owe ya! I've been a little busy.

Tessa Lou

Colors...

It just so happened that I looked outside today only to realize that its fall.  The colors everywhere made me want to grab my camera and some people of the street and go shoot(photos people not animals).  Oh, I forgot how the hospital keeps you from realizing what goes on outside of your little world.  I had a friend let me know about the miners in Chile by facebook message, or that one would have passed me by too. 

So now for the good stuff.  My baby is SO strong and amazing.  She is practice nursing and loving it.  She latched with no hesitation.  That was an amazing step for us, as we worry about the Neuro stuff that showed me that she has the want to eat by mouth.  Hopefully she will get the stamina to eat by mouth soon. 

Ry is up here with me for the weekend.  He picked my up last night in Plainfeild.  My girls broke me out of the hospital to do some needed shoe shopping.  My feet are screaming up here with bad shoes and a long walk.  So, they took me to Metropolis and we ate and shopped and enjoyed life on the outside for a few minutes.  I have to take him to the airport sometime on Sunday, but I'm not sure when.  All I know is that I will have a vehicle and that makes me very happy!  

Well, hopefully I will get some more pictures us soon.  (and not ones of random people and fall settings)
Happy Weekend to you all....