Stay Tuned

Just wanted to let everyone know I have several blog post coming up. I went away on a girls weekend to the beach last weekend. We had alot of fun and relaxed a bit. I was able to read several magazines cover to cover (Gasp!) and eat a meal without having to share a single bite (Ooo Ahh!) . I laid on the beach without the worry of who needed sunscreen or the threat of someone drowning. It was nice to be able to reflect on all that happened in the last year. To be away from my day to day life for a few days made me miss it so much. The crazy chaos that happens here everyday really is laced with love,laughter and memories.


Brian has several work related trips coming up and I am going along. I find it funny how all these things are happening within 2 months but they are good opportunities for us. Our familes are willing to help with the kids so hopefull it will work out okay. The up coming trips are to Gatlinburg, TN, New York and New Orleans. There will be plenty to blog about!

Just Tickled

Hudson is feeling better! And he is just all smiles. There are happy moments again not just crying and pain. But I am having a hard time remembering to give him the meds twice a day and I paid for it on Saturday when he missed his doses. He was back to feeling bad so I know it really is helping him.
He weighs 10 lbs 12 oz and is really getting long (or is it tall?). His eyes are a crystal blue and I don't for see them changing. He has started cooing and likes to talk when we talk to him.

3 years OLD!

Dear Collin,
You are now 3 years old. Wow, I can hardly believe it because the years have gone by so fast. You had a blast at your birthday party. You loved your Thomas the train set and scooter so much. You also loved sliding and jumping with all the kids at the party.

You have become such a neat little boy and so smart too. Your big blue eyes are full of wonder and your imagination is huge. I love the way you say certain things but when you say "I love you Mommy" out of the blue that has to be my favorite. You like to sing and have been known to dance when no ones watching. You like cartoons alot and your favorite meal is breakfast, often asking for cereal before your even out of the bed.

You were the toughest child to potty train and can be pretty mischievous at times. Your manners are one of your best qualities, you say please and thank you without being asked. You are tall for your age and no one believes you just turned 3. You love your siblings and love to blame them for something you have done. Even when your the only one home to make the mess.

Collin,you are such a blessing. Your smile is like a ray of sunshine. You keep me on my toes because your always up to new tricks. You are a Momma's boy and I hope that never changes. We all love you and are so proud of the little boy you've become.

Love Always,
Mommy

Comic Relief

I am sure you are wondering what exactly these pictures are about. Well you see a couple of the kids have these small footballs that they received at High School football games. So they always blame each other for having their ball. But Parker had an idea. He took his ball and wrote in permanent marker PARKER MOON and underneath he wrote REALLY IT'S MINE. I thought it was just hilarious that just writing his name wasn't enough. He must have known I need a laugh.

BTW, Huddy-Buddy has acid reflux and is now on meds. I couldn't have planned it any better when the Doctor walked in the exam room Hudson spewed on my shoulder BINGO. He did look him over well to rule out everything but all his symptoms point to reflux. Hopefully within a week he will be back to his old self. Yippee!

Blue Eyed Boy @ 2 months

Here is a picture from today. Poor Huddy-Buddy has not been himself. There are no obvious signs of something wrong other than lack of sleeping and crying. So we will see how tonight goes and if he doesn't seem better I will let Dr.Barron figure out what is going on.

I feel dazed I am so tired. Thankfully Daddy is home tonight. Yea Daddy!

For Papa 1927 -2002

While the nation was having a day of remembrance for people who had lost lives just one year before in the Trade Center bombing we were laying my Papa to rest 6 years ago today. His struggle was relatively short and we knew the end was coming so we were preparing ourselves best we could. Our family happened to be all together celebrating a birthday and just as the party was winding down Mom got the call he had passed away.

Man, I still miss him so . He was a happy jokester type person. He loved a Jack's hamburger, a coca-cola, going fishin' and some Alabama football. He love everything about holidays, the food, the family being around and the gifts. He and I had an on going joke about what we were making each other for Christmas. I had given him some of the tackiest Thrift store finds as gifts. And I treasure those memories.

No matter what he had hurting him if you asked how he was doing he'd say he was doing fine. He never wanted to burden anyone with his problems. He unselfishly took care of his wife until he went into the hospital. He hid from us how progressed her Alzheimer's had gotten and took care of her the best he that he could. He loved her and his family and it showed.

If you wanted to pull a prank on him he hated snakes and a rubber snake would get him in an uproar. He would always tell us kids to "go home with him" anytime he came to visit us. He believed that A&D ointment would cure most anything and a perfect day would end with a bowl of ice cream.

What a example he was for me. To be proud of where I came from, to work hard ,stay positive, love God and your family, laugh, and always enjoy the sweetest things in life.

Gone but never forgotten he has left this world but will forever remain alive in my heart.

Together we have it all

This is our normal. Pretty much sums up things right now.

Normal is always having laundry to fold.
Normal is rushing to get out the door to get somewhere.
Normal is not everyone being happy at once.
Normal is someone is always hungry or thirsty.
Normal is fast food for the family costing 30-40 bucks.
Normal is noise and chaos.
Normal is someone complaining.
Normal is someone sitting in my lap when I sit down.
Normal is 7 dinner plates,7 forks,7 cups each meal.
Normal is something always needs cleaning.
Normal is my car always seems dirty.
Normal is 6 times the work.
Normal is 6 goodnight kisses.
Normal is 6 times the love.

I would not change a thing. The good the bad and the crazy times. I have a sign hanging at the house that says "We may not have it all together but together we have it all." Can I get an Amen on that? Thank you Sister on the back row.;)wink

Hudson turned 2 months old yesterday. He isn't quite himself and the only pictures I have of him to mark him turning 2 months old he is crying . So maybe I will have a better picture in a few days.

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL??

Saturday we spent ALL day at the park cheering and playing football. I guess it is a pretty insane idea to let all 4 do a sport at once. But it's important to them therefore it's important to me. Hudson did well spending all day in the heat and didn't seemed bothered by the noise. Collin did fine as well. I think next game day I will be better prepared and take the canopy and a fan.

New Man

So there's this new guy I have been seeing for almost two months now . He is so cute but he demands alot of my attention. He is the last thing I see at night and the first thing I see in the mornings. He has a way about him to always get what he wants. But those eyes and that smile are worth it. I am pretty head over heels in love and one day he will call me Mommy.

Happy Birthday Maw!

Here is my Mother in law with 4 of her 7 grandchildren. We referred to her as Grandmaw until Logan was around 1 year old and he starting calling her Maw and that was her name forever more. She is the type of grandmother who keeps a stash of goodies (candy and sweet treats) just for the grandkids. She is the one who always made Logan "pink milk" in his sippy cup which is milk and strawberry Quick. She buys kid cereal just because the grandkids like it. And gets kiddie magazines sent to her house just for them.She has read all of them the same baby board books and they all love them dearly. That is just a few special grandmother-y type things she does. She loves them all just as they are and supports their interest. And all the grandkids love her so much too.

As for being a Mother in law I really lucked out. I can't relate to the horrible mother in law stories. We get along great. We have very similar taste. She has never bought me any strange thoughtless gifts but rather its always stuff I really love. She has always made me feel apart of the family. She has respected my parenting and never under minded me. I am so fortunate and I know I have the type of mother in law all my friends wish they had.

So I want to wish her a very happy birthday and thank her for being who she is. We love you so much and we can't wait for you both to live closer to us. You have opened your heart,home and love up to me and I feel so greatful for it! I hope you had a happy birthday and have many many more.