Twenty Eleven

I can hardly believe that another year has gone by, but it is true! We are now finishing our first day of 2012. I wanted to write a short review of what our year has entailed. I won’t go into great detail since most of the highlights are posted in the archives, but here are the things I remember most.

• Hudson turned ONE! We were not sure what all one would bring us, but this year it has meant walking, talking, and lots more talking! Ha, we have really enjoyed this year with Hudson. I might not be saying next year that next year depending on how terrible twos hit. (I’m kidding, we love and cherish him no matter what).
• We sold our house in Stillwater! What a relief! We were so glad to be moving onto finding our next home. Now I kind of want it back, but that’s another post for another time!
• We began house shopping, found a house that we really liked, and loved the price even better! We thought this house was the perfect fit for our financial and home needs. We were very excited to move into our own place again. But home buying wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. We had a tough time getting things settled and to add to it we had air conditioning problems during the summer of 100 degree heat! But we are over all of that now and still very much enjoying our new home. We are blessed with a great roof over our heads!
• Speaking of weather we experienced some crazy weather this year-we had a snow storm that landed us 2 weeks of snowcation. We experienced summer heat over one hundred degrees which meant no outside time for the little guy who longed to soak up the sun. And we experienced our first earthquakes! All I can say is that I am thankful that Hudson slept through those!
• My grandmother passed away which was somewhat nonexpectant. However, we experienced the joy of new life as we welcome new nieces to the world!
• I continued in the same teaching position as I was last year and am so thankful for that. I really enjoy what I do and where I work. I wouldn’t say that this school year has been easy, but I am thankful for my job and the support of my colleagues. Ryan continues to work the night shift and although that has been a struggle he really enjoys what he does. The schedule is tough, but he knows it is temporary so he is working through it.

Most of all this year I am thankful that through every hardship, trial, victory, and triumph we have had the peace and comfort of our Lord and support of family and friends. I am so thankful for the big things that happen and all of the little things to that really aren’t mentioned above. Every vacation, day off, family event, time with friends, etc. are all cherished and we don’t want to take those for granted.

I don’t have any lofty goals for the next year. I just want to continually live for my Lord. And with that brings lots of desires in my heart-giving more, loving more, being better stewards with my time and resources, etc. But most of all I want to live out the verse below. Because if we dwell on it our actions will reflect it. And I want these boys below how much I love, adore and cherish them!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)

Happy 2012! What are you hoping is in store for you?

From Our Family

2nd Birthdays & Sign Language

Over the last several months we have celebrated many 2nd birthdays. Hudson's friends all were born within three months of him so we a LOT of birthdays in the fall/winter. Last week we went to a birthday for Addie. She had a tutus and ties party at Chick-fil-a. The boys wore duck tape ties and the girls had tutus. It was super cute and Hud enjoyed playing with friends in the play area.

He is such a flirt. I took him to the restroom to change his diaper and on the way she stopped at every table to tell them bye. My little ham....On another note I wanted to talk about sign language. I haven't mentioned it in any of his recent birthday posts but I think it's important to note that he still uses it. Sometimes when he's frustrated and trying to tell us what he wants he will do a few different signs in a row because he can't figure out the right one. It's like he's hoping that if he can make up a sign we will be able to help him. I taught him sign language for many reasons, but one of them was that it lessens frustration when they can't communicate through words.(He obviously loves chocolate)I still try to teach him new signs periodically, but to be honest I haven't done a great job lately. We are working on water but it's a hard one!The signs he currently uses are:milkmorehungryfinishedagain (he mostly associates this one with Mickey Mouse because I always say "again?" when he wants to watch it but we are working on using it in other situations too)shoesbooks (he does this for Library too)he also has a sign for yes sir that we kind of made up and he also associates it for Uncle Trent who he calls "hat"(I'm probably forgetting some)I think he is a great talker and probably doesn't need signs anymore. But I just think that while babies are young and growing we should use their willingness to learn for their benefit. (And no I don't think we should teach our babies to read) I'm praying that one day he will be able to use signs to help others ;)

23 Months

Hudson, you are 23 months old today!

You still weigh between 27-28 pounds and I think you're still 35-36 inches tall. You wear 18-24 month clothes for the most part. We have bought you a few 2T shirts and I can't believe it. It makes you sound like such a big boy!You wear size 6 shoe, but I think you're about to move up to a 7. Your feet to seem to be growing a lot lately.You wear size 4 diaper.And speaking of diapers we bought you a potty this month. You have started staying dry through some of your naps and we wanted to get you used to the idea. You love to sit on it (clothed) and talk about it. But you aren't really interested in it other than a few minutes a day. That's ok, we will get there!You talk nonstop and I'm so impressed by the things you say. Today you got a present from under the tree and said "Hudsee's box" I have no idea how you know that it is a box. You took the bow off and put it on Rylee and said "Ry Ry's bow" I didn't know you had the word bow in your vocabulary either! You are putting words together to make simple sentences and they are so cute. One thing that you do that cracks me up is repeat yourself until someone acknowledges what you said. You will say the same thing over and over until someone responds to you as if you need their approval. You are such a social bug and talk to anyone! You especially love to tell everyone bye and blow them kisses. You still LOVE to eat and I don't think that will change. You are really in to "nandy" right now thanks to Grandma's candy dish. You go right to it and can even get to the lid!
You love all of the Christmas decorations and call trees "lights." You have a tree in your room and call it lights even though it has none on it. I knew that you would never sleep if you had lights in your room! You love to drive to look at lights around town and when we go to Papa's house you say "papa's lights." I'm curious to see all you will react to all of the fun of Christmas. You are obsessed with cars and driving and buckles. You love to sit in the front seat and pretend to drive. If you see someone in the car without their seatbelt on you say "Mommy buckle." You are keeping us all safe!You have and still love Mickey Mouse, chocolate milk, sausage rolls and gravy (without the sausage), music, socks and shoes and anything to do with technology. My favorite part of the day with you is bedtime. Not because I'm exhausted, because you are so sweet about the whole process. It goes a little something like this:bathteethjammiesbible storytucking you in bedpraying over you (and you do a little whisper prayer that isn't understandable but it's to die for) saying love you Jesus (while looking at the ceiling)kisses goodnightYou are SO sweet. Your love for your bible above any other book is so inspiring. Sometimes when I just want to get you to bed because we are both worn out you hold me accountable and it's always SO worth it.I seriously cannot believe we are going to be celebrating your 2nd birthday next month. This has been an amazing two years with you! I'm a little sad that I won't be doing anymore monthly updates, but so excited to watch you continue to grow! Daddy and I love you very much. You light up our lives and we are better because of you! We love and adore you sweet boy! Happy 23 months!

Catching Up

A few happenings since Thanksgiving....

Our dogs have been at mom and dad's house since we moved back last year. They have so graciously taken care of them for over a year. But now they are in our house and Hudson LOVES it. Most of the time he wakes up asking for "Mar Mar." I'm so glad I captured this moment a few weeks ago, he loves having his dogs around. 

I received a grant for a rug for my classroom! I had to take a picture while it was so bright and pretty. I'm guessing it won't look this beautiful in May!

Ayden and family came for a visit. We had dinner and went to see the Christmas lights. We had the BEST time with our families together. We were laughing so hard we were crying, especially at the sweet boy above who thought he was in a parade and that everyone was there to see him. I am so thankful for Hudson's buddies and that we can call their parents our friends.
And just for the record I wanted to post that H now has potty in our house (as of Sunday). It doesn't mean anything except that we are just getting him used to the idea. I know that it won't happen overnight and he may not be ready yet. But so far he loves to sit on it (clothed) and talk about it. He has even carried it to other places in the house and tried to use it for his "chair" ha!

Thanksgiving

Happy very late Thanksgiving! We had a nice three days of celebration!

I had to show off these cute turkeys we made at school!My big boy loves to eat so of course this is a great holiday for him!I have so much to be thankful for! I wish I could write it all on here, but these pictures show just a minor part of the blessings I am thankful for.Hudson had a great time with family and got some cousin time. This is the best picture I could get where all three were smiling!

We also got to visit our family in Missouri.

Hudson got a little tast of Bobby's sense of humor and wasn't too thrilled. One day he will learn to appreciate it!

Can you believe it's the holiday season? Time is just flying by around here!

22 Months

We seriously cannot believe that you are almost two Hudson!



You weigh a whole 27 pounds are about 35 in tall (Papa couldn't get an exact measurement because you wouldn't stand still).

We can't say that you have changed a whole lot since your last "birthday." You seem to be getting taller and thinning out. It's making you look like such a boy and not a baby.

You wear mostly 18-24 month clothes, but you still wear some  12-18 month pants.

You wear size 5 or 6 shoes.

You are saying new words all of the time and talk nonstop. You still use signs like milk, more, shoes, and finished. You are putting two or three words together in phrases. Your favorite thing to do right now is naming. You point to everyone and say their name. You also have to tell us about every one's possessions-they all have to be identified by who they belong to. You are always saying "Mae Mae's car" or "Mae mae's shoes" and on and on it goes. You will not stop until it is confirmed that you are right too. You are hilarious!

I do believe you are going to be my social bug. Everywhere we go you say hi and bye to everyone and blow them kisses.

You are still in love with Mickey Mouse and music. You love to play, but don't currently have any favorite toys. You play with anything, but mostly love to be outside and run around!

You are and have always been a great eater. You LOVE salad (with ranch of course) and aren't afraid to let us know when you're "hunee." We can't drive by a restaurant anymore without you rubbing your belly and saying "hunee, hunee."

You are a smart little stinker and we think you may hit terrible two's before two! You are not afraid to show when you aren't happy with something. You're meltdowns are kind of hilarious considering you are really careful to drop on the floor as to not hurt yourself.

We love you so very much! You bring so much joy and love into our lives. We don't know how we were blessed with such a special little guy, but we couldn't have asked for more! We love you Hud!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy