Hudson's First School Performance

Siskin Children's Institute Graduation 2009

Hudson's classroom gave a performance with other classrooms. This was his first school performance. Enjoy: "The Wheels on the Bus". Just to point out Hudson is being held by his teacher on the right side of the video.

Summer Loven......having a blast!

Today was such a beautiful June day. We enjoyed a day with family and I'm loving the weather and fresh air. Our Riverbend Festival is taking place this week and we hope to go maybe on Tuesday night. Nothing tastier than fair food. I remember as a child having to share a funnel cake with four people and spliting a fresh squeezed lemonade four ways. I wasn't always getting as much of it as I wanted. A couple of years ago Phil and I were determined to eat whatever we wanted and get as much as we wanted. We budgeted just enough for each other and got to taste all the fair food we wanted. Needless to say the food was amazing but we did leave there feeling a little bloated and rubbing are bellies. The last few years we have been priveledged to have access to the VIP area. Free food and drinks and the very best seats of the whole festival were at our finger tips. We will see if that happens again this year.

Pregnant, Working, and Loving my family

We just went through a really rough patch with Hudson and myself being sick. Work is coming along and I've been on my own for a little over a month now. I work for Unum Insurance company and I set up short term disablility claims and Family medical leaves. It's not real glamourous but I come in contact with some amazing people. Hudson has been attending Siskin Children's Insititute full time and has been sick most of the time. He is really working on building up a resistance to germs. He got his new Mullholland chair, tumble form chair, and bath chair. It has made life a little easier especially with the bath chair.

So I am now 22 weeks pregnant and we now know that we are having a boy. We still haven't determined a name yet but I think its between Henry John or Nathan Henry. I am leaning towards the first one but I think Phil likes the second. I will post a picture of him a few weeks back. He has been kicking like crazy and we are gearing up for his arrival around the end of August /first of September. It has been a fun ride and I am just praying for a successful delivery and a normal little baby.

I must take a moment and just praise my husband. He is has helped me and given this family 120 % of his blood, sweat, and tears. He kicks his butt providing for this family and providing me a break and emotional stability. He has been my rock and I love him so much. He deserves something huge and I will forever be in his debt and the Lord's for providing me the perfect man. If you read this honey.....I love you!

I keep saying I will keep this updated but at this rate I'm just glad that actually continuing to place posts from time to time.

Going back to Work....

The dreaded words no mom wants to hear. I will be starting a new job on Monday. It is a good job where I will only be working part time and eventually work from home. So I will be putting my child in a full time child care. I am glad that it is a school for children with special needs and they have gotten to know Hudson since January. We are starting a new chapter next week of unknown territory. I hope it goes well. Phil said we are going to be stressed out for the next few weeks. I said Stress is a choice. I think all will go well. Here are some pictures we took in Florida a few weeks ago. Hope you enjoy them.

Getting into the New Normal

Hudson has been going to school for 6 weeks now. He attends Siskin Children's Institue in Chattanooga, TN. It is an incredible place and we have enjoyed getting to know all the teachers and children. Hudson seems more vocal now and we think it is because he is around kids more. They work with him two days a week and he also gets his therapies there too. So I am now feeling like our new normal is starting to take shape. I must blog more. I have written some notes on my facebook but I do need to get out my ideas and issues. This is also for those whom I love scattered to the four winds so that they can have a window into my life and world. I have never been the best at living life behind a camera but I will make a consious effort to be more available to blog more. I am hoping that at least every Tuesday will be my blog day and hopefully more.

Christmas without you....

My family and I used to listen to this old 80's tune of "Christmas without you" sung by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. It was a sad song but had a nice ring to it. My dad would always twirl my sister and I while the song played.

This year was a good Christmas but I was having a Christmas without my family. Phil and I spent a whole week in Ohio with his family who has over the years become mine. It was a great time of relaxation, visiting with friends and family, and joyus celebration not just my brother in law getting married but of the best day of the year....Christmas!

I am going to post some pictures and maybe a video to show you soon. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Cold wind and football games

I have really loved going to my brother's football games this year. I am going to show you some pictures. He is officially big enough to kick my butt. He is huge and I still kiss him on the face. I love my family and you can surely tell. My sister and I are very supportive of each other and my brother. They won their football game last weekend 64 to 0. Pretty good I thought. A new rival has been started. I wish I could have played football but I settled for the dance team and thank goodness I got to attend every football game for four years of high school free. Now that the air is getting colder it makes it even more fun. Fall is in the air and my alumni fight song rings in my ears. Is it silly I still stand and do the drill team routine to the fight song? My sister and I still belt out the lyrics to our alma mater. Thank the Lord for sports, football, and big (younger) brothers who play the game and give you a reason to attend your old high school football games.