A Letter From Someone Special

Dear Great Gramps,

Happy Birthday! I know I have only met you a few times in my life, but so far I think you are a pretty cool guy. Mommy says so too, so I think that makes it true. And you sent me some pretty cool OSU gear which made daddy happy so all in all, I like you. Happy Birthday! Hope you had a good day. Come visit me soon. Mommy says we can go outside and watch for airplanes next time, she says that's your favorite and I'm pretty good at staring at the sky.

Love you,

Hudson (your great grandson)

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

A New Recipe and Tummy Time

On the way home from church this morning we decided to make Chicken Taco Salad for dinner. I've gotten this at Goldie's a few times and it was delicious! So I wanted to figure out how to make some kind of southwest dressing to top our salad with. I googled a few recipes and based off those came up with my own very simple recipe.

Chicken Taco Salad
Chicken-we seasoned this with fajita seasoning
Lettuce-we used a salad mix
Red Beans
Corn
Egg (Ryan really wanted to try this and it ended up ok)

Dressing-Kind of a Southwest Ranch (I don't usually do measurements, unless following a specific recipe)
A packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix (made according to the directions)
Ground Cumin
Taco Seasoning (I didn't use the whole packet)
Chili Powder

It turned out delicious and we ate it with a side of cheese quesadillas and chips and salsa too! YUM! This is one we will be making again! I also found THIS recipe for my favorite restaurant salad, so hopefully we will be making it soon. And hopefully it will taste like the real thing!

Tummy time was better today! We lasted a few minutes this time!

But he really likes to lay on it like this, because he can kick and kick and kick! And he can turn his head to see everything going on around him.

And the dogs like it because they can do this!
Happy Palm Sunday! This is the beginning of the most important time in the life of Jesus! And it's the reason that we live today! If you don't know the story read John 19-20. It will change your life!

Funny Kids and LifeKIDS

Another interesting conversation with the boy that I posted about last time. He's quite the thinker and talker! He is an interesting fellow!
B: How does God make people?
Me: How do you think God makes people?
B: I don't know.
Me: Well first everyone starts as a baby and then they grow up. (This could have gone in the wrong direction but I said it anyway)
B: Well how does he make them? Does he make them out of play dough?
Me: Are you made out of play dough, B?
B: Well no.
Me: I didn't think so. We aren't made out of play dough.
B: Well then how does he make them? Does he like take it out of you?
He was pulling on his arm at this point. I think he was getting at asking if he takes bones out of people to make other people. But just like every kindergartener he doesn't have a long attention span so he got distracted and walked away.

When talking about jobs...
"My mom, she used to work at Pizza Hut. But now she just stays home and eats, sleeps, watches tv and stuff like that."

"My sister, she works at Subway"
"Well that is kind of like a cook. She makes sandwiches, but she probably doesn't cook them." (We had just been talking about cooks)
"Yeah, so she is a maker."

And I can't leave without a picture of my own boy who I know will grow up to say funny things too.

He has been a sleepy one today. I think he was saving up his energy for his big debut in LifeKIDS! But he was good and his little friend was there so I know they had fun He sure smiled a lot when I asked him about his evening :)

Hope you all had a happy Saturday!

Ours has been raining and relaxing, a nice end to this busy week!

Meetings and Thank You's

This week has been full of meetings.

And Monday, it worked out best for Hudson to go to the meeting with me....

But after he pooped out the bottom of his pants and onto mommy's pants during the first meeting, we had to rethink that idea! I'm just thankful that someone came running after us to help when we ran out of the room to get both of us cleaned up!

So he got to visit with Aunt Stacia during the next meeting!

Isn't that the sweetest smile?! It's the best part of my day-getting home, putting on pj pants, and just sitting and talking to my baby. Seeing his face light up like this makes a busy week of meetings so much better!

He even got to take a trip to Tulsa and visit family during daddy's "meeting" aka interview! And because of all of the busyness of meetings, etc. I am so behind on saying a thank you to a friend who I haven't seen in so long!

Amy, thank you so much for these sweet shoes! We were so surprised when we got them in the mail! We haven't seen you in so long and it was so sweet for you to think of us! Come back to Oklahoma soon and visit!

And a special thank you to my father-in-law for this handmade gift! He got some new tools and has just started making things like this! My crafty sister will be painting it and I can't wait to see how it turns out! Thank you for the sign, Morton!

It's been kind of a yucky weekend around here. I started getting a sore throat and woke up Saturday morning just miserable. We also woke up to a snow covered ground on the first day of Spring! Crazy huh? So we stayed home and in bed most of the day.

We played with some toys and just relaxed and took a lot of naps while Ryan worked hard on the bathroom. Today wasn't much better either. I woke up feeling just as bad, if not worse, than yesterday. Yuck. Not how I wanted to end my Spring Break. And to top it off H had a tummy ache and was spitting up everything he ate. Yuck, too. But it looks like we are on the track to getting better.

So due to my sickness the bathroom is coming along slower than we thought. But it is coming together and starting to look so good!

It looked like this mess for a few days last week.

Then went to this.

And now looks like this!

Much improved, right?! There is still a lot of finish work to be done. Like the wire that's hanging out of the wall (that's for the vanity light), baseboards and molding, etc. But the way it is now is way better than before so I won't complain! I'm so thankful for everyone who came and helped. Ryan and I couldn't have done it ourselves. I'll put updated pictures once it's officially complete.

Anyway, pray that I start to feeling better please. It's my first full week at school away from Hudson. I'm going to miss him lots, but am thankful he is in such good hands. I just adore that sweet growing boy. Oh and my husband too. He took such good care of me while I've been sick and always does. I'm so thankful that he's been working so hard on my bathroom. And he has a job interview this week! Yay!

God is good all the time and all the time God is good!

Remodel

It's finally time!


We are remodeling the bath today! The project I've been wanting to do for so long! We have been shopping and have supplies! Stay tuned for the finished product!

2 Months Old

Hudson, you are two months old today!

Today you had your two month doctor's visit.

You weigh 10lb 13oz (between 25-50%)

You are 23in. in length (50%)

Your head measures 15 3/4

This month has brought a lot of changes for you. Mommy went back to work and you spend your days with daddy, grandma, and your daycare teachers.

You attend daycare 2 days a week and I think you are stil taking it all in. You always have a fuuny schedule while you are there. The teachers say you like to swing, but mommy thinks that is funny because you can only stand your swing for about 5 minutes at home.  Everyone there just seems to love you. You are the youngest baby they have so I think they like to show you off.

You are still wearing your newborn/0-3 clothes and a size 1 diaper.

You eat every 2 hours (almost to the minute most of the time), except when you are at daycare. I think you are so overwhelmed by all that is happening that you forget you are hungry.

You love to talk and smile. You wake up happy in the mornings and sit and talk and smile at us for at least 10-15 minutes. You also talk at random times throughout the day whenever you feel like it and you like to smile when people talk to you. Mommy is the best at making you smile though! You always smile when you get your diaper changed now, something you used to scream about before. Your smile makes everything better!

You did good sleeping in 4 hour blocks at night, but have recently decided that you wanted to eat every 2 hours again.

You are a super picky sleeper so we have been experimenting to find where you sleep best. The truth is that you really just want to cuddle with mom and dad all night, but they aren't allowing it. So we spend lots of time trying to figure out what will make you happy. Maybe you will let us know soon?

We are starting tumy time! The first time you would not have it. The look in your eyes says, "You have to be kidding right now. Are we really doing this mom?" But we will keep trying!

The past month we have had your first day at daycare, your dedication at church, and you met new friends from Texas. We also had your first set of shots today :(. You screamed and had tears, thankfully mommy didn't cry too. But a bottle made you calm down and now you have spent the WHOLE day sleeping and fussing when you get moved or put down. So we are spending the evening on the couch even though mommy needs to be painting her bathroom! Oh well, we can't complain about cuddle time!

We love you, Hudder Budder!

Holiday!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

We don't really celebrate this holiday, except the wearing green part! We don't want to get pinched! But it is Erin and Trent's anniversary! So Happy Anniversary! They have been married 3 years!

Hudson's little outfit says "ShamRock and Roll." Isn't it very Elvis? He looks cute in it though, maybe we should have done the elvis hair and gotten him some gold glasses?!

Reminders

Today and this past weekend have been a huge reminder to never take anything for granted, especially moments with this precious boy. Our sweet friends lost their little boy this weekend and it breaks my heart, but I know that he probably snuggled up with Jesus in Heaven and there is no better place to be. They have been on my mind a lot and we are praying for peace and comfort during this hard time. It has been a reminder that God is in control and knows what is best for us. He has a perfect plan even if we can't see it. Reminder to self: cherish every moment and trust in God's perfect plan.

Baylor Buds and Basketball

Last Friday our sweet Baylor friends showed up with cupcakes so we decided to let them stay! Ha We only call them our Baylor friends because they are both graduate students there, but they mean a whole lot more to us than the fact that they go to Baylor and we enjoy the tradition of basketball and football games with them! We are so thankful for them and their friendship.We were so excited that they were able to come meet Hudson and spend some time hanging out! We miss them a lot and are trying to convince them to live closer!

Steven and Hudson had some good bonding time. Steven talked Hudson's ear off and Hudson had to promise to talk back more next time they saw each other.

Ryan has been wanting to go to a basketball game and it just worked out that we could go while Steven and Katie were in town! This is Hudson's first OSU sporting event! He even had to have his own ticket. Kind of crazy if you ask me since he can't sit in his own seat, but it wasn't pricey so we gave in.

Steven and Katie were even nice enough to wear orange and support the Cowboys since we weren't playing thier team!

Ryan taught Hudson the fight song and how to make OSU with his arms!

But he slept through most of the game and even showed us his pistols!

It was a good first game! We beat Nebraska and had fun taking Hudson!

Of course Steven cannot come to Oklahoma and not eat at Ted's, so we convinced Ryan to take us! It was super yummy and we hadn't been in so long! I think since October?!

Anyway, the weekend went by way too fast and our time with friends was too short. We always have lots of fun when they're here. 

Please come back soon, we miss you! Or maybe it's time for Hudson's first trip to Waco?!

Love you friends, hope you had a great Spring Break!

Conversation with a 6 year old

B: Remember that one time when your baby came to school?
Me: Yes, B
B: Well do you know he stared at me?
Me: Oh he did?
B: Ya like this.
He made his eyes real wide and put his hands in the air just like Hudson does.
B:Well it was kinda creepy.
Me: Why was it creepy?
B: Well, because I just don't know how he knows how to stare.
K (another 6 year old): Ya B all babies stare. You did too.
Me: He was just watching you and looking. That's how babies learn about things.
B: Well it's kinda creepy.

We have had lots of interesting conversations this week. I have missed their cute personalities.

Pause the music at the bottom, turn up your volume, and enjoy!

He just melts my heart!

"Next Year"

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

So, I posted this verse this morning because it's been on my heart the past 24 hours. Here is a little bit about why...

As a teacher, and Ryan as a college student, our "years" seem to revolve around a school calendar which means another "year" is coming to an end. But this time it's a little different. This school year won't just be another summer of working for Ryan and then classes again in the fall, it means graduation and looking for a "real job." We refer to it like that because his position does not offer many benefits and is not the position he wants to hold the rest of his life. My mom always says "Live to work or work to live." Anyway, so he is in a season of searching, wondering what it is he is supposed to do with the great life God has given him. He is the hardest working person I have ever met, he's just trying to figure out where that drive is going to take him. Ok anyway back to my story, so as the end of his college journey comes to a close we find ourselves searching for purpose. With the education budget as tight as it is, nothing is guaranteed for me either. A lot of teaching jobs are being cut and class sizes increased. Nothing is certain right now, but what is certain is that change seems to be coming. Monday I was reminded of that and is why I write this. What is it that God has next for our lives? What will "next year" be like for us? It obviously won't be the same as the years past of our marriage, but will be another new season of life. So, as I drove home from work yesterday and had thoughts racing through my head about all of the possibilities for "next year" I couldn't help but think about the promise from God posted above. He has promised that He has the perfect plan for us. It's all about faith and trusting that He will show it to you in perfect time. Have you ever read the story of Abraham and Sarah? It's the perfect example-God is rarely early but NEVER late.

God, here we are.

Listening. Waiting. Praying. Searching.

Wanting your good and perfect will.

Dedication

Last Sunday was an important day in the life of Hudson. We took him to his grandpa's church (our home church) to be dedicated. I only call it his grandpa's because he is the associate pastor; if we lived in Owasso that is where we would be attending.

 

Anyway, we presented him to the church and our family and promised to raise him for Christ's will.

We are committed to teaching him that God has the perfect plan for his life and that Jesus loved him so much he went to the cross. I can't wait until he can really understand that, I'm not sure if he ever will because I still can't fully comprehend it myself. But it's our priority that he is raised in a Godly and loving home; that is what we are called to.

We love him too much to give him anything less than that.

Dad prayed over him and I saw the tears in his eyes. It brought tears to my eyes to see how much he loves his grandson and to think about how much life God has placed in front of Hudson. He has the perfect plan for him and our family and I trust that Hudson will be able to experience all of God's greatness.

We were so blessed to be able to have both our families there for this important day in his life.

He will probably never know how much all of these great people love and adore him. He is lucky to have so many fans and we are lucky to have such a great son!

And great friends too! We are so glad to have friends who have little ones too! It nice to go through parenting together!

Afterward we celebrated and said thanks to our family by having a spaghetti lunch and just getting to spend time together. We really do appreciate everyone's love and support for our sweet little boy!

For you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,  I know that full well. Psalm 139: 13-14

Full Time Teacher and Mom

I promise I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, I'm just learning what it's like to be a full time teacher and mom. I think there are some family members and high school girls who are getting anxious to see new pictures of my H man so I definitely better put some up before I get myself into any more trouble...

Anyway this week started off busy preparing to go back to work and Thursday it was back to being a teacher. Things are going well. I didn't do too bad saying good-bye to my baby. I just had to say good-bye and leave before I made myself too upset. But luckily I work with a lot of sweet and thoughtful people who came to say "Welcome Back"and check on me. I'm so thankful for everyone who came and gave me a hug and asked how I was doing and brought sweet treats to cheer me up. Hudson even got to come visit his mommy at work and bring lunch, it made me smile and the kids were so intrigued by him. It really was a good day Thursday! Friday wasn't too bad either, Hudson had his first day at daycare and luckily Ryan took him. I think I would have been even more of a mess! Ryan called me when he left and he was sad too, but we both made it. Friday we had a good day at school also. Sweet Jami printed a picture of H and left it in my mailbox; and when I had a break it was a sweet surprise to find it. I only called to check on H once and when I went to pick him up, Laurie was so sweet to ask how I was doing. I'm seriously so thankful for everyone who is so thoughtful and cared so much to se how my first days at work went. Thanks for all of you who were thinking of me.
It if fun to be back with the kids again and see how much they have grown over the past 6 weeks. I'm working on getting things back in order, but my kids are responding well to me being back so that makes things easier. Also, I have this fun technology to work with now!

This one was hung in my classroom, but isn't working. It will be replaced next week then we can start doing lots of cool things with it! We had training earlier in the week and learned lots of cool ways to use the board so I'm excited to make fun games, lessons, and activities for my kids. I definitely think it will be such a valuable tool to have in my classroom. Did I mention that every teacher at my elementary got one? I'm excited to be able to create and share lessons with the other teachers. Anyway, Hudson had a big weekend last week so I will definitely be sharing those pictures soon! And this weekend we have some of our favorite friends in town! I've got so much to blog about, eventually I'll get caught up!
Have a great Saturday! We are headed to one of our favorite Mexican restuarants!