Happy St. Patrick's Day...sorta

These pictures are a little late. Busy little bees are we, with the move and all. I'm going to try my best to put these in order, but I make no promises.A week (or so) ago we went to Saltillo. It's a smallish city west of Monterrey with a very old cathedral among other things. They're famous for their serapes. We picked one up at the local government-run market. On our way there we noticed a military checkpoint across the hwy headed back toward Monterrey (across the state lines). We got nervous thinking they might be checking visas. Thankfully--since we'd forgotten ours--the checkpoint was closed (or open, depending on how you look at it, anyway they weren't 'checking' anymore) by the time we headed back.What would St. Patrick's Day be without an entire coordinating wardrobe for the entire day? Yeah, right. I wish I had things that together. As a complete coincidence, I finished all these projects earlier in the week and just happened to have Mack wear them for St. Patrick's. Everything except the shorts, which are way too big and just for Sundays. I made them out of a pair of Tyler's old slacks. Pretty thrifty if I do say so myself.

It's the little man himself! A willing model as usual. Oh gosh, he's cute!
I don't really know what to say about this picture, it seems fairly obvious. Baseball shoes. I made them to test out a new pattern before I made some leather ones with it. You can find the link to the pattern in the sidebar. What I like most about this pattern is that it comes in different sizes, from 0 all the way up to a children's 13.

This picture is from earlier this evening. Tyler put Mack in his old bouncy seat for kicks and Mack LOVED it. Silly guy. He would grab the bar and bounce himself around.For the past two days he's been sticking his tongue out more than usual. I think he probably means he's a genius. He thinks looking out the window is the greatest thing ever. Frankly, I get a little nervous that someone might see him and try to kidnap our gorgeous little blond baby.Last one I swear. Remember when Tyler was gone and I said I was going to make Mack some sandals? Well, I did it. They're the brown ones. I still get frustrated just looking at them. They're absolutely perfect in every way, but they're too big. I'm selling them for $20 if anyone is interested. I make things too big all the time and it doesn't bug me at all, but for some reason these shoes are driving me nuts. I made the khaki/green ones tonight after Mack went to sleep. I tried them on him and they fit! Hooray!

How totally awesome is this! Free Land! If today were two years from now Tyler and I would do this in a heart beat. That's the kind of spontaneous, crazy people we are (although I don't think anything involving real estate should have those adjectives attached to it. No matter how impulsive it is, land just doesn't seem crazy now does it. Maybe the fact that I think it's crazy shows how unspontaneous I'm becoming?? tangent done). I would fly out tomorrow, no joke! Stand in line all night and maybe even purchase a "baked good" or two from the "student government students". But sadly, the timing couldn't be worse. We're still in Mexico and in the midst of a yet another transition, ie: move and becoming legitimate tax paying citizens. Grr. There is an article about it on CNN.com (sorry no link: too lazy), and ever since we read it we've been thinking about the many ways we would/could take advantage of this situation. But don't you worry, I'm going to keep my eye on this little town just in case they decide to do anything like this in the future.

MTY to SFO

Well the system actually works...you go to school and you get a job. That is my past 5 years in a nutshell. I was offered a position in San Francisco with a company called Sageworks Inc. Of all the jobs I sought recently, this was definitely at the top of the list. The company is based in Raleigh, NC so I will be traveling back and forth as I go through the training period. Last week the company flew me out to SF to see the office and have an in-person interview. Apparently they liked what they saw and offered me the position the next day. As the countdown indicates below, I graduate in two weeks . I begin work on April 16th. Until then Fern and I will be looking for a place to live. We have set up various criteria for the location and apartment features we desire. We'll keep you posted. I think Fern deserves a lot a credit for putting up with my crazy ideas, like moving to Mexico with a newborn baby. Thanks Ferny, I luv ya. Well enough of that..............As the wise Notorious B.I.G. once declared, "we're goin back to Cali!"

Oh yeah.....CONGRATS to Kyle (Fern's brother)----he's going to Pittsburgh, PA on his mission! Atta kid.

deep breath

I don't know where to start, so forgive me if this is a bit choppy. Tyler's birthday was wonderful on Friday. Thanks for all the text messages (you know who you are). It's the thought that counts, right? Just so no one gets confused, we can't get texts in south of the border. The next day, I came down with Mack's stomach virus. Not fun. Yesterday, I was officially stamped "healthy"...just in time for poor Ty to get sick. He was in a bad way last night, poor guy, and is on the road right now headed for Laredo. He left about 2 hours ago and Mack and I are still here. We decided to stick in out in Monterrey this time. Ty will fly to San Francisco early tomorrow morning, have an interview in the afternoon, and fly back Thursday. So he should be back sometime around 7 slash 8ish.

BIG NEWS: Kerin is engaged! Corey popped the question a weekish ago. The date is set for August 3rd (changed from July 13 because the reception venue was booked! sad.). I'm very, very excited for her to begin this new chapter in her life! Husbands rock (I miss Tyler)!

BAD NEWS: Last Tuesday we were on our way to Saltillo and we got in a car accident. Living in Monterrey this long I'm frankly surprised we didn't get in one earlier. No one was hurt and now our bumper is tied onto the car with zipper ties. bummer. I don't want to say anything else about it.

My mom sent me some pictures today from when we went to Disneyland back in January. Pictures of all three of us together are so rare! And I had to include a pic of mack with his mouse ears on over his hat in front of It's a Small World.


ON A DIFFERENT NOTE:
I've got sewing on the brain. I even dream about it. I can't wait to start my next project, but at the same time I get so overwhelmed thinking about where to begin. I want to do it all! But I'm going to say it right here so it has to come true: Tomorrow I'm going to make Mack some sandals. Really. I am so excited about the things I've already made. It's so satisfying to make practical things. Things we're actually using, and save us tangible money. Maybe it sounds boring, but that's only because I'm not good at writing about what it is I do. It is not boring. My poor mother as to listen to me toot my horn every time I finish something. Thanks for putting up with all my calls! Here's are pictures of a few of the things I've called about. Now you can finally put a "face" with my projects.


*In case you can't tell, the middle pictures are of a bib with sleeves. I made it using a PJ pattern and an old hand towel. But my favorite part was using up all those bright scraps of ribbon and rick rack. You don't get to use much trim when you're sewing for a little boy. The last one is a pair of bear shoes. And since I'm explaining the others--The first ones are Mack's "Monster Outfit". Gotta love the turned up cuffs (Ty's idea) and perfect pocket placement. I have a bit of an obsession with cute monsters. I blame my parents for raising me (thankfully) on Sesame Street. *

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TYLER

Talk about one year older and wiser too! 27 years old and soon he will be graduating with his second mater's degree. Way to go Tyler! Last year was amazing, but this year will be great too. Happy Birthday!

Love, Mack and Fern

Our Baby is Sick

Yesterday afternoon Mack simply would not calm down. Getting out of the house usually cheers him right up, so around six we decided to take him to H-E-B to get some bread. While we were there, I noticed he wasn't waving at of the other kids or clapping his hands for the little old ladies. Strange. On the way home he threw-up. It was not pretty. For dinner he'd eaten chicken and broccoli, and now our car and laundry room smell like chicken and broccoli vomit. His car seat was absolutely disgusting. As I went to unbuckle him I kept repeating under my breath, "You're the Mom. You're the Mom." I am the Mom. I need to be able to unbuckle my son from his chicken and broccoli vomit soaked car seat! But I couldn't do it (deep breath). I can't tell you how glad I am that Tyler was there. Have I mentioned lately what an amazing husband I snatched? Well, we eventually got Mack undressed and inside (in that order) and into his tub. Then just as we were about to put him down for the night in his fresh PJ's, vomit struck again. Of course it did! The rest of our night followed about the same pattern. Poor little guy can't seem to keep anything down. He just lies in our arms or on the floor and moans. He hasn't been able to stay asleep in his crib, but that's OK. There are basically two times he gets whatever he wants: airplane trips and sick days.

I should be getting ready to go to Texas. I am eating generic chocolate pop-tarts and dinking around on the internet.
Why Texas?
A couple weeks ago Tyler realized he had amassed enough frequent flyer miles for a free domestic ticket. Amazing. The system works! He managed to get all these miles simply from taking other flights. Other flights that were paid for. We didn't get any miles for all the trips we took during Tyler's internship for Skywest. Maybe all this is obvious, but I'm still so glad/thankful that he has free flight saved up. Tyler has to drive up to McAllen, TX to fly out and it really just isn't wise for Mack and I to stay here without him. I've struggled with this decision all week. Does going to to TX make me a wimp? Wouldn't we be just fine (and save a ton of money) if Mack and I stayed here? What it basically comes down to
**Mack just woke up from his nap is now eying my generic chocolate pop-tart. Don't even THINK about it kid. What a good boy he is. Mack is now sitting on the floor behind me, trapped in the front room by his playpen and a series of strategically placed baskets, playing with an empty cup.**
What it basically comes down to is the car. I won't have it unless I follow it to TX. I can't drive it back from TX because
**Mack just crawled over and tried to start chewing on my big toe. I told him it probably wouldn't do any real harm, but it's just not a good idea all the same.**
Right. So. In Mexico, if you want to drive your car some arbitrary number of miles south of the border or outside of Baja, you must register your vehicle and only the vehicle owner is then allowed to drive said vehicle. Stupid rule if you ask me. If Mack and I tried to drive back home after dropping Tyler off at the airport, we would be stopped about 45min into our trip at the Nuevo Leon state border. There, the customs agents (backed by military armored vehicles and automatic weapons pointed at us the entire time) would confiscate our visas, any cash we might have on us (about 400 pesos for tolls), and anything else they thought looked interesting- I mean suspicious -from our car, before turning us around and sending us back to TX. If Mack and I simply stayed put for 5 or 6 days while Tyler was gone we would be here without a car or any reliable way to contact anyone for help in case of an emergency.
**Had to stop typing to change Mack's diaper, nurse him, play with him (darn!) and feed him lunch. Have now packed all of Mack's things and mine. I've also double checked Tyler's bag. He is notorious for forgetting whatever it is that happens to be important to bring, but I do love him all the same.**
All I have left to do now is shower. I hate our shower, and this is no overstatement, but that is a story for another time. Wish us luck!

Right now there is a truck outside our place selling brooms and mops for 25 pesos a pair. Good deal. This guy comes around every week or so and yells from a loud speaker about all the wonderful deals he has to offer us. A mop and a broom. A mop and a mop. A broom and a broom. A broom and a mop. Or maybe you'd just like a mop. And get this, they also sell BROOMS individually! Amazing! Anyway it's funny to Tyler and me. I took a picture with our non-digital (bad word) camera, as our fancy dancy one is still in Washington. Sad. At least the lady across the street came out to buy a broom. After the sale the guy with the truck was pleased as punch and did a little victory chant. Good for him.

A man just came to our door and offered to sell us little tables, like the ones you use to eat dinner in front of the TV. Sorry buddy, no thanks. We actually have one we bought a while ago for Tyler to use as a desk when we lived with my parents. But it looks like our upstairs neighbor (Claudia) is going to pick one up. Good for her. This sort of thing just doesn't happen in other places. Que viva Mexico!

THIS led me to THIS which finally led me to THIS.
Oh Boy! Honestly, are these not the neatest dolls ever? They're the aniti-doll, and I love them! Granted, Mack is a boy, but I don't think there could be in harm in him having a Tickle Me Freud. Ooo, there's just too many! How's a mom to choose? But I still want more! Couldn't someone make similar dolls by the name of Nephi, Abinadi, etc? Or maybe Shaun Alexander or Micheal Savage?

Post Script: If a word is red, it's a link. Click on it to be taken away somewhere exotic and amazing (like a little internet vacation--go ahead, you deserve it!)

It's nap time. One of my favorite times. Usually, Mack goes down for his afternoon nap at about 1pm, but on Sundays he waits until 2pm when we're home from church and he's eaten lunch. Tyler went home teaching this afternoon so it was just Mack and me. He wasn't really in the mood to nap. I could hear him singing to himself and pulling his puppy dog's tail to make music, then after a while everything was quiet. I went to check on him and this is what I found. At least he wasn't face down, which he likes to do sometimes just to keep Ty and me on our toes.This is what Mack looks like on days he REALLY doesn't want to nap. Fun... but mostly sad.

Ha. Ha.

I think that the universe is trying to play some sort of sick joke on me. All the "words" in blogger have been translated into Spanish. Is this supposed to be funny? I don't speak Spanish. Sue me. It's not enough to be constantly reminded of it every time I leave the house or whenever I happen to actually speak to someone besides me husband, Blogger has to gang up on me too. Thanks a lot Blogger. Since Blogger Spanish isn't too complicated, it's just mildly inconvenient (which somehow makes it all mildly more annoying).
Sunday at the Thompson Casita is going well. The front half is clean, including the kitchen, we ate a good mid-day meal, Mack took a half descent afternoon nap and the playoffs are on TV. Mack officially took is first...not steps because he wasn't walking, what do you call crawling? Whatever it is he did it. He officially CRAWLED. He picked up and moved each hand and each knee. We're very proud and a very nervous. Our place here is one gigantic death trap. Sharp corners everywhere you look and fire in the middle of the room to boot. I've tried rearranging things a couple of times to make a safe zone for Mack but nothing works.
I skipped out on Church today because I am an evil and lazy person. Not. Yesterday I got this crazy idea in my head that Sunday should be a day of rest and in order to relax everything needed to be clean. Obviously this was a stupid idea because I went to move the table with our TV on it--our little, tiny, practically doll sized, purple TV--and hurt my back. Badly. I've never hurt my back before for two reasons: 1) I'm very careful every time I move (which is often) and 2) Only wimpy 60 year old women hurt their back. Grr. It's gotten better I guess because I can sit at the computer, but getting up from this chair won't be fun. Hmm, did you know "Ver blog" means view blog? I didn't. But I do now. Thank you not at all universe. I don't like being taught things without knowing about it first.
Furthermore, Mack is hilarious! Like all babies, his favorite toys are either not actual "toys" or dangerous. To illustrate this point, I present the following:

Mack's Top Toy List
1. Remote control (doesn't work thanks to drool=official toy)
2. Disposable plastic wipes container
3. Desitin tube
4. Hot Wheels car still in the packaging (a gift from a woman in our ward)
5. Paper, magazines, cardboard, etc.
6. Foam padding under our rug
7. Daddy's shoes
8. Tags (the ones attached to other toys)
9. My hair
10. Pretzel bucket (Daddy had to eat 5lbs of pretzels so Mack could play with it)

Last week was busy. We went to Texas on Friday so Tyler could take a "test" for a prospective employer. Mack and I hung out in the McAllen Memorial Library for 2 hrs while Tyler was busy in "Study Room A". Mack had a blast scooting all over their little kids rug, even looking under the edges for stuff to chew on (see #6 above). And that's all I'm going to say about that.

Left to Right: Tyler reads Harry Potter to Mack in Spanish while Mack stays busy with a little Dr. Suess. This Pic is currently our desktop background. Mack loves peeking around the corner of his fort looking for Mommy and Daddy.

Our heater, basically it's a fire in there in the middle that turns on and off at will. My mom thinks its from the 40's--she's probably right.

These pics are from earlier today. Those things on Mack's feet are the monster slippers I made for him a day or so back. We all think they're silly. The last picture is Mack crawling for the first time. AHH! Love Him!

(click any of these pictures to make them bigger)

For Your Viewing Pleasure

All of these pictures are from Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, courtesy of my sister Kassey. She does weddings...really! We got a little wild with her flash Christmas Eve while I was making the shrimp salad. My favorites has to be either my Dad in the fanny pack (he makes that thing look good), the close up of Karly, the picture of Mack right after the crying one, or the last one of him with all his presents (too many to choose just one!--pictures I mean, those presents are his Grandparents' fault).

Feliz Año Nuevo

Well we're back....in Mexico. It's weird, it feels as if we never left but also that we were gone for a long time. I'm not quite sure if we're excited to be back. I guess more than anything we are excited to be almost done with school and on to the real world. Mexico is Mexico. On our drive into Monterrey we stopped at a state border crossing where they check for customs and import fees (who knows why this does not occur at the national border crossing). We'll in all the shuffle we forgot Fern and Mack's visas which did not sit well with the local authorities. After talking my way out of that situation we encountered the next problem. Cars either receive a red or green light indicating whether they need to stop for a customs check. The guard flashed us a green meaning it was okay for us to go. About a kilometer down the highway a large federal police truck flashed its lights and honked at us to pull over. I thought. "how much money do we have to bribe this guy"......we had no pesos at the time. Once stopped he explained that we needed to stop at the customs check point and stated that he flashed us a red light (which wasn't true). He escorted us back to the check point, lights flashing, and asked us to take all of our stuff out of the car....I figured he wanted to choose which item he wanted to pocket for himself. I emptied our little Honda that was jammed packed which Mack's Christmas toys proving to the guard that in fact we were not drug traffickers. I think Mack's hungry cry help things move along. In the end we made it out okay...just another run-in with the Mexican authorities.

The final countdown begins. I officially graduate in 82 days.....finally. I think I am beyond senioritis. I think the recent interviews help pass the time faster. Also, don't forget that the Seahawks travel to Soldier Field for a rematch aganist those pesky Bears in a NFC divisional playoff game. Go Hawks!!! Well, Feliz Año Nuevo.

Tony Romo handing the Seahawks a Wild Card victory.