Crazy 8's

Mayme tagged me for crazy 8's so here goes...

8 things I'm looking forward to...

1. Getting my kitchen fixed
2. Washing clothes (you must understand that I haven't washed clothes in almost 2 weeks and our dirty clothes looks like Mt. Everest!)
3. Florida, can't wait to see Hudson on the beach and Jason and I have only been on 1 vacation since we were married (not counting Moscow)
4. Our Anniversary, June 6 we'll be married 6 years.
5. Wed. night Bible Study, I am studying Esther with an amazing group of women!
6. Spending the afternoon with Mandy and Isaac
7. Casey's Wedding
8. Sleep, oh how I love it but never seem to get enough of it!


8 Things I Did Yesterday

1. Watched Hudson scream and laugh as he played in a huge mud puddle
2. Then gave him the fastest bath ever, which he was not happy about because he wanted to play in the tub.
3. Rode horses
4. Taught some wonderful little girls in lessons.
5. Finally got to see Hudson and Isaac meet and see our best friends.
6. Took 4 entries to Coopertown for a jumping/dressage show in June.
7. Filled out lots of paperwork for a show.
8. Had our equine dentist out to work on some of our horses teeth!



8 Things I Wish I could do

1. Sing
2. Lose 20 lbs.
3. Go to Australia...and Hawaii
4. Write a Book
5. Have a barn full of horses in for training, train all day long, and have instructors hired to teach most of my lessons.
6. Be a better Mom.
7. Get a massage every week.
8. Run again.



8 T.V. shows I watch

1. Andy Griffith
2. Cosby Show
3. Family Fued
4. The Unit
5. Without a Trace
6. Any Hallmark movie that comes on
7. Don't really watch that much T.V. but I love movies, favorite being Sweet Home Alabama
8. Next favorite movie is Lonesome Dove.


Wow, that was harder than I thought it would be, and I'm tagging...
Melissa, my UCONN friend :)
Cydil
Shannon R.
Amanda K.
Jennifer B.
Janice and Jon
Micah F.
Molly S.

Mid-Week Update

What is mom and dad's bed for??? Jumping, of course!!

Dad shaved his head this week. He does this every summer and he decided the other night it was getting warm enough for all the hair to go. That night and the next day, Hudson would rub his head just about everytime Jason picked him up!

Watching Dad shave his head. At one point he got up on his steps that he uses to brush his teeth and wash his hands so he could get a closer look. When Jason shaved off a big strip down the back of his head, Hudson's eyes got real big and he said "Uh oh!"

Meet Brody, Casey's graduation gift from us. He is CRAZY! Oh yes, he and Belle (their yellow lab, Andy's sister) will make the perfect pair!

Hudson is so funny and he is saying so much yet still jibbering in his own language! He is really answering yes and no questions and communicating what he wants with words. My favorite word he says right now is "Meemaw", he really seperates it out and says Me Ma, it's too cute! He loves his Meemaw!

He also does not call himself Hudson, he calls himself "Mama". It's pretty funny even though we correct him everytime. Only he and I are "mama", but hey, you know if you had a Mama as cool as me you'd want to call yourself Mama, too! HA! HA!

I have the kitchen half way painted and hopefully I will get to work on it some tomorrow. I'll take some pics when it's finished, if it's ever finished!!

Our best friends are coming here from Arkansas on Friday. I CANNOT wait to see them. Hudson and Isaac (Isaac is 26 months old) have never met and I haven't seen Mandy since we came home with Hudson on Jan. 1! I miss Mandy so much and I hate that we are so far away from each other but I'm ever so thankful for her friendship. And I will take lots of pics of Isaac and Hudson. We already have their lives mapped out for them since they are going to go to the Bible College together and be best friends and each marry a girl from Bethel, since our nursery is crawling with girls that leaves them with lots of options :)

This is random but I just want to say it, I love my Jesus, He really does grow sweeter everyday!

Weekend

Courtney Helton came out to our barn on Friday and took some pics of some of my students and while she was taking pics of them she snapped the above pics while we were watching the girls have their pics taken! Courtney is also photographing Casey's wedding and you can see a sneak peek of our farm pics and some of Casey and Will's engagement photos at www.heltonphotovideo.com/blog She is GREAT! She'll be back out at our barn hopefully soon to take lots more pictures.

Saturday, which was Jason's birthday so... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST HUSBAND AND DADDY!! We are going to celebrate Jason's birthday one day this week and then next weekend with his family. Hudson and I spent the entire day Saturday, in Murfreesboro at a horse show and got home around 11:30. The show took forever and we left before the girls were able to show in trail, it was getting so late. They did a great job. Micah showed in her first show and got 2nd and 7th in horsemanship and in Ranch Riding placed 5th and 7th! Jordan placed 2nd and 5th in ranch riding and 6th and 7th in horsemanship. I rode Cotton in ranch riding and got 5th and 8th (it was double judged so that's why there are 2 placings for everything). Hudson was great at the show but I couldn't have done it without Melissa and her family helping me out with him-THANK YOU! While we were showing Sat. Jason worked on the kitchen all day and it is almost ready to put the lanoleum (not sure how to spell it) down. I'm so excited! I think as soon as I'm done with this post I'm going to start painting the kitchen walls so I can have that finished before he gets it put down.

Today we celebrated Alli's (my little cousin who thinks she and Hudson both speak French-some of you remember that story:) 7th birthday! She's like my own daughter and I think she's growing up way too fast!

Since tomorrow is Memorial Day I'm going to work in the morning and then a very little after lunch so that we can go over to some friend's house and grill out. Then we have a fairly busy week and even busier weekend planned. Then it gets really crazy after that because my summer camps start! Camps are fun but EXHAUSTING! Plus I have a 21 month old to take care of on top of that! May need a few prayers :)

Poopie Monster

This is how Hudson attempted to walk around the barn today. The helmet was way to big and everytime he would put it on it would fall down over his face and he would walk a few steps then fall!

Sorry this pic. is turned sideways but you can still see the front end loader that was filled with cow poop and the dump truck that must have hauled the loads of poop out of the fresh pile!!

These two pics do not do him justice for how he looked this morning which was covered in cow poop! I'm talkin', it was everywhere. And I never refuse to pick him up until this morning! We rode out in the field so I brought him out in the field with some trucks and tractors and he played so great, or so I thought, until he stood up! When we made it back to the barn he was put in a water trough! Oh, one day he'll thank God he's a country boy!!

A Trip Down Memory Lane

These pics were taken almost 7 months apart.

These two pics were taken literally within the first few minutes that we held Hudson for the first time.

We thought he hung the moon that first day. He was so wonderful, but if you had told me the little personality that we see everyday was inside of the little boy I first held on Oct. 14th, I might not have believed you. He is SOOO different, what a blessing it has been to see him grow and his personality come out. He is so funny and smart and is our entertainment. I could watch him for hours and hours and be perfectly content. I'm so in love with our little man, and my big man!! So blessed! God sure knows what He's doing!!

There was lots of progress made on the kitchen and back porch today but it still looks like it will be the weekend or later before we can move some things back in. We have all new plumbing thanks to Will's dad, Mr. Ron. I went today and picked out our new lanoleum (or however you spell it). I also bought paint and will be painting over the next few days. I will have to find cabinets over the next few days, definitely checking out some discount stores for those!

They past few days have been busy. Monday and Tuesday's always are since I teach 30 people between those two days. But I have hired a young lady to start teaching some of my lessons (all of our jumping lessons). So far I really like her. I have also been very busy in the mornings riding horses and Samantha who helped me last year, is helping me again over the summer! Yay! That means I can take on more lessons (I had started a waiting list). And I can take on more horses in for training. Things are fixin' to get really busy though because camp starts soon and this year I am having 6 weeks of camp-CRAZY, exhausting, but lots of fun! Whew, I'm tired just thinking about it! But thankful for these two girls who have just started helping me at the barn and also thankful for my girls who are already there!

Is Friday Over Yet???

Whew, it's been a rough one. If you don't want to hear me complain then you should stop right here. I don't do much complaining on here but it's just one of those days! Hudson went to bed late and was up early (yes, early is 7:45 around here). He has a cough and a runny nose (thankfully it's clear). I'm thinking it's from where we don't have a kitchen as might as well be sleeping outside since it's whatever temp. in here as it is outside and when they tore the kitchen out there was dust, dust, and more dust and funk everywhere, that just can't be good to breath in. So I've been wiping snot all morning. He got in a much better mood when we got to the barn. Moving on to lunch...he had spaghetti and then of course started coughing and threw it and some milk up. It was all over me, him, and the bathroom floor and door. I got him and me cleaned up then my cell rang and when I went to get it I stepped all in throw up! So once it was all cleaned up I once again realize that my house is torn apart and I have no washing machine to throw all of the gross stuff in! Throw a migraine in on top of this and now you see why my post title is "Is Friday Over Yet?"

I just really would like a kitchen and back porch again. I've decided if you want to stress a woman out tear out her kitchen and tell her it'll only take a few days to have a new one and then work on it for only a few hours in a week! I love Jason and Dad but I really want them to finish this project! I don't think they realize how hard it is to fix Hudson breakfast, lunch, snack when your fridge is outside along with your cabinets and everything else. At least the microwave is sitting in the living room.

I know, I am just throwing myself a pity party and I have so much to be thankful for. I'm hoping after nap time things will get much better. We are going on a big trail ride and then I am giving Casey her graduation gift (I'll post pics this weekend)! Later Casey is babysitting and Jason and I are going on a date. This will be date #3 for us since Hudson has been home. The other two I planned around nap time so that we were only away while he was sleeping. But tonight is going to just be our night. No rushing! Jason is in a "Men's Fraternity" Bible study at church and they give them homework! One of the things is to take your wife out on a date :) Yay for Men's Fraternity!!

I'll quit whinning but thanks for listening!

Wednesday

Love this rain suit from Lisa Weakley, he got some use out of it last week when the rain wouldn't stop!

Do you think my looks are rubbing off on him?! Some of you are asking, "Are you sure he doesn't have Head in him?" HA!

It's been a crazy past few days since I do not have a kitchen. Take a woman's kitchen away and that'll stress her out! They told me it would take a few days to get it finished and they started on Saturday. All that's gotten done at this point is everything is tore out. AAAAHHHHH!

My child is growing like a weed! He looked like he belonged in the 80's this morning with his short shirt and pants! If only the pants that fit him length wise would fit him in the waist. Let's just say his Mama doesn't have this problem!

I'll try to post again on Friday and update a little more, hope you all are having a wonderful week.

Mother's Day

Jason, Hudson, and Aunt Casey made this, isn't it cute!

My first Mother's Day!

Bro. Jon did an awesome job and you see he bribed Hudson with a tractor! :)

Isn't this an awesome picture of the Carney's! We just need Loretta and Daniel!

Hudson with his buddies Jordin and Emma, he gets so excited when he sees his friends.

Uncle Marty.

Wow, what a day full of emotions! I'll try not to be long winded but you have to understand I've waited a long time to have my first Mother's Day!

First, it was a different kind of morning since yesterday afternoon Jason, Hoss, and Uncle Will tore out our kitchen floor. Fridge is on the backporch, microwave in the living room, and everything else strowed between. You can only imagine! We were only 10 min. late to Sunday School!

I felt some emotions today that I didn't expect to feel. I was selfishly thinking today was going to be my day. My first Mother's Day, I had waited on this for so long and last years Mother's Day had been especially hard on me. It's hard on women who want nothing more than to be a Mama to celebrate everyone else being one. For those of you reading this who are waiting, your day will come, God's got it marked on His calendar. Back to my selfishness...Bro. Terry preached on Hannah giving Samuel, the tears that must have rolled down her cheeks. My thoughts immediately went to the young woman that gave birth to Hudson. I have no doubt she loves him. Surely those steps she took out of that hospital room that day were some of the hardest she has ever taken. She gave up her son and I was able to celebrate being his mom today. I had wells of tears in my eyes, both happy ones and sad ones. I hope I never cease to be so thankful to her and I especially hope she knows my Jesus because she can come to my mansion anytime.

You saw above the cute frame J, H, and C did for me that I love. I also am going to be a little girly (gasp!). Jason bought me a diamond cross necklace and some really pretty earrings that are Hudson's birthstone. August, it's a really pretty green. I haven't had earrings in my ears since we were married almost 6 years ago, but these are so pretty I'm going to have to wear them often!

The dedication was wonderful. I was so excited. It was Jon's first baby dedication and he did a wonderful job. Having Jon do it was very special to us. His friendship means so much to Jason and he's going to be spending lots of time with Hudson in his youth. Jon read what I had posted on the blog on August 7, 2007 (Hudson's birthdate) and he shared some things Jason had said about how it is privilage to be able to adopt. We weren't sure how Hudson would do going to Jon since he usually clings to me or Jason when it comes to going to other people. But Jon bought him a bulldozier and Hudson went straight to him! Guess we know the way to Hudson's heart, a "tacter"! While Jon was praying Hudson kept saying it over and over! He also looked out in the crowd at one point and said "Meme, Will". We had lots of family there. We have such a wonderful family and support system.

After the dedication my family had a Mother's Day get together at Meme and Hoss'. Last night we went out with Grandmom and Grandad to eat. And Friday night we went to J. Alexander's with A. Casey and U. Will. Can you say stuffed, but I'm not complaining since we celebrated 3 nights in a row!? We ate very good this weekend and I'm sure the wranglers will testify to that when I go to put them on in the morning!

Mom and Sheryl, thanks for being wonderful Mom's to us, we love you! Granny and Meemaw, you are the best and have taught me so so much just by your example. You walk the walk and I'm so thankful for you both.

I'm sure you are wondering if I'm ever going to stop writing so I will! I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day too!

Wednesday

Sorry I don't have any pics to post, it's been so wet and dreary I don't guess I've been motivated to get out the camera. I don't want to complain about the rain because I know how much the drought effected mine and Jason's business but I think if it rains anymore I'm going to be up to my knees in mud.


I don't think my fellow bloggers, Mayme and Maria, would be very proud of me today :( I went to Kroger's on senior citizens day and triple coupon week. Kroger's was crazy. I was dodging little old women and then had no coupons. Not cool!


I'm looking forward to the weekend, on Sunday we are having Hudson dedicated. When we scheduled this I didn't realize it was on Mother's Day, but once I realized it I thought it made it even better. I've said this before and I'm so sure it's true. If I ever have open heart surgery, when they open my heart up they are going to find inscribed, "I have prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. -1 Samuel 1:27" Many times I have looked at him and thanked the Lord for giving me the privalege of being his mother, for giving us above and beyond. Now we get to stand up in front of our family and church family and profess it :) He's all Your's Lord!!

Busy, Busy Weekend

On Saturday Casey graduated from Trevecca with her Bachelor's in exercise science. She'll be going to Chattanooga in August to start Physical Therapy school.

I LOVE this pictures of Hudson and Hoss at the graduation.

Hudson and his two great grandmother's. Granny and Meemaw. It's hard enough getting Hudson to look at the camera much less all three of them together!

Later on Saturday Ben and Amanda were married. Ben and Jason have been best friends for years. We love Benny! And Amanda and I played basketball together in middle school and used to be good buddies. So when these two hooked up it was great, of course for them, but for me and Jason, too :) HA! They make the perfect couple and we are so happy for both of them. Although I do feel sorry for the people at the beach they are going to, who might be blinded by Ben's legs that rarely see the light of day! HA!

It's bad enough that I have one fever blister, but I have two :(

Aren't they sooo cute together!? We sat towards the back of the church and when Jason came out to stand, Grandmom and Grandad told Hudson, "There's Daddy." Throughout the wedding Hudson was saying "Daddy!" It was funny and I couldn't get him to stop. Sorry Ben and Amanda, but he loves his Daddy!

Friday we went to Monkey Joe's with Tiffany and Jordin. They had a blast (Tiff and I did, too)! I could hardly keep up with Hudson, he was full of himself. Then we went to Panera and ate. Both of the kids took a long nap after all the fun. He really loves playing with other kids.

You can see above how busy our Saturday was, it also included me getting horses ridden during nap time, getting off of the last horse at 4:05 and making it to the wedding by 4:45. Thankfully Bonnie came along to see her horse and she helped me feed, otherwise I'm not sure how we would have made it to the wedding. It was a busy day but a fun one!!

On Satuday night Casey and Will came to our house when we got home. Casey was helping me with getting Hudson out of the bath. She was putting lotion on him and we had been making him laugh when he started peeing! Let's just say Aunt Casey QUICKLY jumped back and left me to the rest of it. Happy Graduation Aunt Casey!