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!)