Grandparents Stole the Show!!!!

All is as it should be. Hudson's grandparents made one little boy's Christmas more than he could have ever imagined! Grandpa's gift, a digital camera, was a show stopper and a present stopper. He did not want to open anything after that. We had to distract him and hide it for him to finish Christmas. He LOVES that camera. He's already burned through all 200 pictures that it holds once. Josh had to delete about 100 so he could keep going. Then Grandmama's present was shown to him. His very own Home Depot tool bench! He REFUSED to do anything except play with his tools after he got this present. He loves it! Then we drove to McRae to spend Christmas evening with Josh's parents. Well, they got him his VERY OWN PONY!!!!! SERIOUSLY PEOPLE!!!! My 2 year old has his own pony!!!!! Hudson's pony is Max, and we're in LOVE with Max. Here are some pictures of Hudson with his presents from the Grandparents. I'll post all of the Christmas pictures and video later. We hope everyone had a VERY merry Christmas!

One happy little boy!

Say Cheese!

Isn't his tool bench awesome?

Working hard.

Hudson & Max




Loving on Max...what a lucky pair to have each other!!!!

Ft. Walton Beach

These are from a recent trip to Florida. Hudson loved the beach, but did NOT want the water to "get him." We visited Haley & Ret and some family. We had a great time!!!! I wanted to get this posted before Christmas, since I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures to post after Christmas. You will have to pause the music on the side so it doesn't play over the video. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!!!!!

Can we fix it?

I took Hudson to Imagine It! Children's Museum again. Josh and I took him over the summer, see here. This time they had a Bob the Builder exhibit set up. Hudson LOOOOVED it! He's all boy and all about anything that he can drive. Target sponsers free admission the 2nd Tuesday of every month at the museum, so we went Dec. 9th and got in free! Free admission starts at 1:00 PM and during the summer we had to get there really early to get in line, but this time we were FIRST in line I guess because everyone was in school. :-) We love going, and plan to go back several more times next year! Here's the video from our day. You'll see Hudson's friends Siddalee and Kentucky in the video too. We met them (and their mom and dad) at the museum and had a BLAST!

Elf Video

I posted our elf yourself video. I love it! Hudson and I watch it over and over. It's so funny!!!! Elf yourself...there are several dances to choose from this year.

Merry Christmas! I can't believe it's only 12 days until Christmas!!!! I'm so excited this year because Hudson is so into it. This is going to be a great Christmas!!!! He's not so sure about Santa coming to his house while he's sleeping...but he's excited about Christmas! We're taking him to see Christmas lights at Callaway Gardens tonight. This is such a fun age with him! He gets so excited about everything! I'll post pictures later.

Thanksgiving Pictures

This year we did Thanksgiving at my mom's house...only we did it a day early. Josh had to work on Thanksgiving Day so we had our feast on Wednesday. Here are some pictures from Wednesday.

Hudson and Genevieve

Hudson and Genevieve again...or Genebieve as Hudson called her.

Thanksgiving 2008


Family picture

Uncle Mark, Genevieve, Emily, & Hudson

This is a video of Hudson singing. He has started singing songs I've sang to him his whole life. It amazed me that he just one day started singing. The first one is his version of "Rock A Bye Baby" He sang it really well BEFORE we started filming. The last two are his ABC's. He was helping me cook one night and just started singing them. He started with Q that night though. :) I love hearing him sing!!!! I can only imagine the joy we give to God when he hears us sing cause I'm going to tell you there's nothing sweeter than hearing my boy sing or say "I love you." I should record him saying I love you...he says it so sweetly. Maybe I'll go do that.

Cardboard Testimonies

Here is a link of a video taken one Sunday morning at our church. I was so moved by the cardboard testimonies of these people. These are members of my church, and as I was looking for this video on youtube I saw that MANY other churches (even ones in our area) had their members do the same thing. They were so open and honest about their lives and how God had worked in their lives. I was doing the "ugly" cry right there in church. I found the video on youtube and wanted to share it. I have told some of you about it, so now you can watch it for yourself. The mother of Eric Petty, a boy I went to high school with, is on here. Eric died tragically in a car accident when we were in high school. He was completely sold out for Christ during his short time on earth! I hope this video touches you as it did me. It's amazing to see how God is working in other people's lives! I think I sometimes minimize God by thinking of him only in relation to me, and I forget that He is moving and working in LOTS of lives around the world!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY7hPjY1k3A

Thankful Heart

I just want to share a little bit I am thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day. I am thankful for God and that he sent His son, Jesus, to save me from an eternity apart from Him. I am thankful that despite all my mess-ups He still desires to be with me. I am thankful for His love and provisions. I am thankful that He seeks me even when I am not seeking Him.

I am thankful for a husband that works hard to provide for us. I am thankful for a husband who is my best friend, and loves me in spite of me. I am thankful that he has seen me be at my ugliest (I don't mean physical appearance) and he still loves me. I am thankful that God picked him for me.

I am thankful for a son who is healthy and happy. I am thankful that God has entrusted him to me for our time here on Earth. I am thankful that he is full of life and wonder. I am thankful that I get to see the world through his eyes, and that is an amazing view. I am thankful that if you ask him (as I just did) what he is thankful for he will say, "my daddy." That melts my heart.

I am thankful for my family. They are so loving and kind. I am thankful that my mom had Thanksgiving a day early for us because Josh had to work today. I am thankful that my brother and extended family celebrated with us a day early.

I am thankful for my in-laws. I am so blessed to have them. They are second parents to me, and I value their opinions as much as I do my own parents.

I am thankful for my friends. I love that some days when I need to talk to someone or want to share a laugh, and I look through my contacts I don't know who to call first.

I am thankful for a church family that we are becoming a part of at Burnt Hickory. I am thankful for a church where Hudson can grow and be challenged. I am thankful for a pastor and church family that care about our family and our son.

Today, my heart is thankful. Happy Thanksgiving.

Open for Business

I opened a shop on Etsy. I'm selling hats right now, but soon will be adding scarves, toys, and other items I've made. Check it out at www.clh03uga.etsy.com. XOXO

Down on the Farm

We went to McRae this past weekend to spend an early Thanksgiving with Josh's family. Hudson had a blast spending time with 'Ma & 'Pa. He got to ride the tractor with 'Pa on Thursday, and he LOVED it! Here are the pictures from our weekend.

Riding the tractor with 'Pa

Nandie with Cora, Abbey, Hudson, & Peter

Hudson and Abbey playing together.

Abbey in the hat I made for her. I'm thinking of making these to sell; we'll see. I thought she looked SO cute in it!

Hudson and 'Ma.

Hudson and 'Pa.

Santa's in Town

I know it's early, but Santa booked up fast this year! :) Phipps Plaza lets you make appointments to see Santa, which saves a lot of time because you don't have to wait in an extremely long line. This year they ONLY did appointments online, and they booked up in October. The last two years I was able to call and make an appointment, so I didn't worry about it. Well, we had to get them to squeeze us in this year. Next year, I'll be ready at midnight the night the appointment system goes online. :)

But we did get to see Santa. Hudson was really excited until we got up to him. :) He started to cry, so Santa talked to him for a minute. Then I just put him on Santa's lap. He started to cry, but Josh and I were behind the photographer saying, "Don't you smile!" He couldn't help but smile through his tears. :) So funny. The reverse psychology works like a charm with Hudson. We do it with his dinner too. "Don't you eat that." ha ha. Anyway, by the end of the visit with Santa, he had stopped crying, and was discussing his list with St. Nick. The photographer took another picture so that the glisten of tears wouldn't be in his eyes. So nice! We love seeing Santa, and we will ALWAYS go to Phipps to see him. They are so great every year!!! They let you take your own pictures and video, which is RARE! Santa spends a lot of time with each kid talking to them, taking pictures, and making it a great experience. He probably spent 5 minutes just talking to Hudson about his list. Here are the pictures from our visit. Merry Christmas!

Operation Christmas Child

I have packed a box or boxes for Operation Christmas Child every year since I was in high school. I love what they do for children all over the world, and I get excited each year when I pack my box. This year I wanted to share this with Hudson. I wanted him to feel the joy that comes from knowing you are giving to someone else without any expectations of a gift in return. I wanted him to experience picking out fun items to go in a box for a child that might not get any other gifts this Christmas, and I want him to have an understanding and awareness that we live a truly blessed life with more things (a playroom full of them in fact) than we ever need!!!

He really did get excited to help me back the box for "a little boy." There were some plastic bugs that I had divided up to give to both Hudson and put in the box. Hudson, however, put his bugs in the box and said, "I want to give these to the little boy." It melted my heart to see his spirit of giving.

I hope to make this a Christmas tradition every year. It will be a special memory for me to remember packing Christmas boxes for those less fortunate with my son. Here are some pictures of him packing his box.

If you want to pack a box, volunteer to help, donate, or just pray for this ministry. Click on Operation Christmas Child here.

Lena's Wedding

Here are some pictures from Lena's wedding this weekend. She was a beautiful bride!

This is the only shot I got of the couple before my battery died.

Hudson was being shy, but he did give Lena some sugar. :)

The three of us. Not a great family picture, but the only one we were all three in. :)

Mother-of-the-Bride, Jennifer and me.

My little handsome man!

Hudson and Grandmama.

All Grown Up

Sam, Me, and Nathan

I babysat these guys when they were shorter than me...once upon a time! They are so grown up now!

Pictures from the weekend

I couldn't resist this picture...it's so funny to me. Hudson is POINTING the pumpkin he wants to pick because he can't bend over!!!! HA HA I'm such a mean mommy! He had trouble with the basketball game too...the box got in the way. He probably felt like that kid in A Christmas Story that says "I can't put my aaaaaarms down!" Poor guy! But his costume got LOTS of compliments. I figure as a guy he won't have to make the fashion sacrifices girls make so what's one hard to maneuver Halloween costume? :-)

This picture is at my mom's house where he rode his tricyle all afternoon! He LOVES being outside. He's so big! When she first got him this tricycle he couldn't even reach the pedals.

My handsome little man! Oh how I love that sweet face! I think often of the Stephen Curtis Chapman song "Fingerprints of God" when I look at Hudson. Here are a few of the lyrics:

Never has there been and never again
Will there be another you.
Fashioned by God's hand, and perfectly planned
To be just who you are.
And what He's been creating
Since the first beat of your heart,
Is a living breathing priceless work of art.
And,
I can see the fingerprints of God,
When I look at you.
Yes, I can see the fingerprints of God,
And I know it's true.
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds.
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God.
Just look at you,
You're a wonder in the making.
Oh and God's not through,
No, in fact, He's just getting started!

Tagged

I've been tagged...
So, Allison "tagged" me in her blog and now I think am supposed to post 7 things about myself you might not know or realize...here goes:

1. I really want to be a cow farmer...really. I want a huge pasture dotted with cows. I think it's so pretty!

2. I love jeeps...all jeeps...and I think if you're a big dork but you're driving a jeep, you're immediately COOL.

3. Mexican food is by far my favorite, but the thought of going to Mexico really scares me!!! However, (thank you Jana) "If God is for you, who can be against you?"

4. Speaking of foreign travel, I really want to go to Greece.

5. I am a peace keeper, and I cannot stand when anyone is upset with me.

6. I love planning parties and everything that goes with that...even if it's for a 2 year old who won't remember. :)

7. I joined the gym in August, and I LOVE working out as long as I'm taking a group class...I have ZERO motivation to do anything on my own in a gym!

Now I have to "tag" 7 more people to do the same thing on their blog, right?
So I tag:

1. Amy
2. Brooke
3. Summer
4. Sarah
5. Kacey
6. Kasey
7. Jennifer

Trick-or-Treat

Here are some pictures from carving our pumpkin and trick-or-treating. We call our pumpkin Happy Hal. We took Hudson to The Avenue for Trick-or-Treating today. He was a BIG hit! Everyone that walked by us commented on how great his costume was. He did really well for a 2 year old in a costume that was difficult to wear. By the time we got his picture made at the photo op (after visiting most of the stores), he was ready to take his costume off! It was a fun day though, and he LOVES getting candy.

Better view

Here are some of the pictures from our trip individually so they are more clear. We got some good pictures this year. These are my favorites.

Mixed Emotions

As many of you know, Hudson has experienced MAJOR separation anxiety over the last year. It got so bad at one point last winter we were not even able to stay at church for one entire service. We would put him in the nursery, and he would cry for so long without stopping causing them to page us...which we WANTED them to do both for Hudson's sake AND theirs...they are, after all, volunteers. :) However, we were unable to enjoy church because our pager would go off EVERY Sunday, sometimes even before the sermon began.

I joined the gym in August, and Hudson goes with me and stays in the nursery there. The anxiety has been getting much better over the last 5-6 months. There have been a few times they've had to page me at the gym to come and get him, but it hasn't been often. Taking him there 3-4 times a week along with church nursery on Sunday mornings has been really good for him. I watch him through the mirror/window at the gym and although he cries when I leave he usually stops within 2-3 minutes or even less! I don't want him to be sad and upset the whole time I'm gone, but it does make me feel good to know that he would rather be with me than anyone else.

Tonight...he....didn't....cry.

Not even one tear. His little lip quivered a little bit, but he fought the tears and went over to the slide and started playing. I am really happy that he finally understands that I will ALWAYS come back to get him, but I did feel like a bit of air was let out of my balloon.

Politics

Wow. Take a listen. Pretty scary.

http://www.bpmdeejays.com/upload/hs_sal_in_Harlem_100108.mp3

Apples and Pumpkins

Burt's Farm 2008

We started our Saturday in Ellijay for the Apple Festival. This was a special treat for me because I've often told Josh of fond childhood memories I have of going to Apple Day in Paintsville, KY, where my mom and dad are from. I LOVED Apple Day, and so when Josh heard about the Apple Festival in Ellijay he changed our plan of just going to Dawsonville to now include a stop in Ellijay. He reminds me often why I fell in love with him!

We got there around 10 AM and watched the parade go through downtown. Hudson got lots of candy and loved it! Then we walked around the arts and crafts booths. We ate gyros for lunch followed by some yummy apple dumplings. After browsing the arts and crafts, we headed to Burt's Farm. We decided last year that we loved that place so much it would be an annual trip for us. Here is the slideshow from our day. I've also included some pictures from last year's trip to Burt's Farm. What a difference a year makes!!!! I love that we have these memories, and hope we are able to go every year while Hudson is growing up.

Burt's Farm 2007

(My how he's grown!)