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!