Our Weekend

I think Hudson looks like Aunt Jeanna, look at the hair and eyes!

We had a pretty laid back weekend. I didn't get finished riding horses until after 7 p.m. on Friday night so Jason and Hudson hung out at the barn with me until I was finished. Then Saturday was a little busier with having to go grocery shopping at Kroger's and run into Wal-Mart for some last minute gifts. Then put Hudson down for an early nap so we could make it to Jenny's (Jason's Aunt) house for Christmas with Grandmom's side of the family. Hudson had a good time playing and opening some gifts. I think he's going to get the hang of ripping the paper off real quickly :) We ended up leaving earlier than planned because Jason is very allergic to cats and was having trouble breathing and his eyes were watering badly. So then we drove around and looked at lights and finally made it back home. Sunday morning was the children's play which Hudson will be old enough to be in next year. He enjoyed watching it, though. It was too funny and cute!

Today Jordin, Hudson's best bud, is hanging out with us. Right now they are both sleeping! They get along so well, and I'm thinking they'll both be worn out by tonight!

I am eagerly awaiting our family from Texas. Our Uncle David, Aunt Tracie, Cody, and Courtney should be here in several hours. I love it when they are home for Christmas. We have some fun things planned while they are here. Opryland Hotel, movies, etc. And Hudson really enjoyed them this summer when they were home for Casey's wedding.

We are starting to see some of the two year old stuff come out! Hudson has gotten a little attitude over the past few weeks but he does it very discretely. I'm trying to nip it in the bud real quickly so that it doesn't escalade into fits. I know we have a good child and the reason he is that way is because we require him to listen and be respectful and I don't plan on that changing so their will be a few extra time out's and switchings (no one turn me into DCHS :) going on in the Carney house until this stage is over with. But I still say I love this age. He's still way too much fun, cracks me up, and insists he's my baby!

Last night in the nursery I had to hold a baby that was crying while they went and got his mother and Hudson did not like it at all. He insisted I hold him and when I tried to explain that the baby was upset and they were getting his mom, he didn't seem to care, all he cared about was "My Mommy"! Then this morning he was still talking about it. He said, "Mommy hold baby, no, no, baby, Mommy hold Hudson!" I'll remind him of this when he's a teenager!

Let Me Tell You 'Bout My Man!

These are pictures from the PV Christmas parade, it was very cold! Hudson's favorite part of the parade was passing a road grader (sp?), he shouted it at the top of his lungs!

I don't do it as often as I should but I just want to tell y'all about my man, a.k.a Hudson's Daddy! He is so wonderful. If I searched the world, I'd never find another like him. It's almost been a year since we became parents. And what a big change that was after being just us two for 5 1/2 years. I remember the first 3 months it seemed we didn't see each other much. We had been used to talking on the phone quite a bit throughout the day and then being together once work was over. Those first 3 months it felt like our heads hit the pillow at night and that's when we said Hi! He would get up and feed my horses so me and Hudson didn't have to get out in the cold and then work all day and come home and spend time with Hudson. Finally after those 3 months we seemed to find a routine and things just fell into place. Spring came and went and he worked very hard as usual, he's a very hard worker and provider. Then summer showed up and God began calling him to preach. After several months Jason decided this was God's call on his life and God began to move our family in a direction I never saw us heading. Exciting yet the unknown being scary all at the same time. So mid-August we decided he needed to go to school and a few weeks later he started school. And for this past semester he has went to school 2 days per week, continued to work and run his business, be involved with visitation, trustee, and anything else at church, and yes, he's finally started taking out the trash without me having to ask him, all while still playing the role of husband and Daddy. It hasn't been easy but he's done a wonderful job at it. He amazes me how he seems to put his heart into everything he does even when it seems he's being pulled in 1,000 different directions. We received his grades today and he has a 4.0. Now I know what you're thinking, with grades like that, I must have done the work for him (ha!) but no, this is just another example of how when he does something he wants to do it to the best of his ability. So I'm thankful for my man and all that he is for us. But mostly I'm thankful that he loves Jesus with all his heart and that Hudson is going to have a wonderful father to point him to the true Father!

Growing up so fast!

My child makes me belly laugh daily, he just cracks me up! The other night he found it so funny to put Andy's bone on his head and Andy, well, he just couldn't figure out what was going on!

He thinks his mom is quite goofy and he, too, belly laughs daily!

He's growing up so fast. Thankfully, though, he still lays his head on me everyday and says "Mommy's baby!" A year ago we would have been in Russia and at this exact time we would have been up and anxiously awaiting getting back to orphanage #20 to see our boy who we hadn't seen in almost 2 months. You have know idea how much joy it brings me to know that we are home, Someone should have told me last year at this time that a year ahead I would be sitting on my couch typing while our Christmas tree is aglow, my little man, big man, and 2 dogs are all fast asleep, and I'd be planning another great day of being wife, mom, trainer, and instructor!

On another note, I have found this website that has free workouts on it and I've been trying to double up on cardio. I'm trying my best to get down to single digits and with the holidays coming on I know it could make me or break me so I've been kicking my tail the past week and a half. Anyways, my sister, little fitness queen, came to work out with me. I had been on the elliptical for 20 min. then was going to do a 30 min. cardio then weights. So I picked a dance/cardio video. I don't know if we got such a good workout because of the dancing or because we were laughing so hard and dancing at the same time. It was hilarious because it ended up being like a cheerleader dance routine. And us two are the farthest from cheerleaders. We were swinging our hips and doing our arms all while trying not to die from laughing at each other. If you could have been a fly on the wall, you would have died laughing too! So glad she's home!

Jason is so sure he's going to be the best guitar player ever!

We have spent all night cleaning this house getting ready for our one year post placement visit. I don't think the house was very dirty before but when a social worker is coming to your house you see every speck of dirt. And it was good for us to go through some of the clutter. Our house is so small it easy piles up.

Next week is my last week to teach before we take our annual break from lessons. I'm ready for the break. I will continue to ride training horses, which I LOVE! This is my favorite time of year to ride. Sounds crazy, I know, but I love riding in the cold!

Hudson knows all of his abc's except q, u, j, n, v, and g! The other day we were singing Jesus loves me and then he sang the last part of it on his own, "The Bible tells me so!" It was the sweetest thing ever! He's growing up so fast, it doesn't seem like it's almost been a year since we became a family of 3.

Jon & Janice you made our night...

We told Hudson to pretend he was eating the candy, it was so funny!

Holding up the Russian Christmas ornaments!

He loved looking through all of the candy!

We received a big suprise package from Jon and Janice today. To all of you newer blog readers, Jon and Janice were the sweet sweet folks that took us under their wings while we were in Russia last year and let us live in their home for a month. They took the best care of us, God orchestrated it all :)

Tonight we opened up a package from them that was full of Russian candy and 5 handpainted Russian ornaments! Casey kept asking me what flavor the different pieces of candy were and finally I said, "I don't know, I can't read Russian, just open them and we'll taste!" And we did!

I'll be thinking of you guys this Christmas more than you will ever know as I remember our Christmas last year. Thanks so much Jon and Janice we love you guys and hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Happy Belated Thanksgiving and Birthdays!

The grandkids, Robert, H, and Loretta (you should hear Hudson say her name, he really sounds it out, it's cute!)

The whole gang!

If you could see the pictures on the fridge behind them you would be able to see how Robert has grown SOOOO much in the past few years.

Mixing mashed potatoes at Meemaw's.

We had a nice Thanksgiving, just taking it easy. Jason and Hudson spent the morning with Uncle Will riding the 4 wheeler and moving a deer stand while me, Casey, and Hoss rode horses. Then we had lunch at Meemaw's and were still stuffed that night but ate it all over again, anyways!

On Friday Casey and I were up at 4:00 and headed to Cool Springs, it was awesome! Those rich folks didn't roll out of bed until around 9:30 so us pofolk got the black Friday deals and it wasn't busy! Definitely going back there next year!

We spent Friday afternoon at the Carney's where we once again, ate like crazy and played cards. Let me just say that Aunt Jeanna did go down as Robert and I ended up being on the highest phase of phase 10 before everyone tired out.

I am also very late wishing Uncle Daniel whose birthday was Nov. 19th, Uncle Marty whose was the 22nd, and Grandad whose birthday was the 21st very happy belated birthdays!

Hudson is my little wiz as he easily knows the letters W L C O R A B S H we are adding more daily and he seems to really enjoy learning all of it. I think he likes to see me act like a cheerleader! After he pottied yesterday I said, "wow" and his response was "W" then he made the noise for w and said WOW.

Better Late than Never

We put the tree up last week and Hudson loves it. It looks better now because it has the tree topper, skirt, and even a few wrapped presents under it.

Showing off his Christmas ornaments from Russia (THANKS JON AND JANICE :)

This is the fake smile I get when I pull out the camera and say, "Say cheese!"

Hanging his tractor ornament up. Of course it's his favorite. I want to do what mom did for us, get us a new ornament every year for whatever we are into. Casey and I still enjoy going back and looking at all the ornaments and the year on them. And of course when I saw the John Deere tractor ornament, I HAD to have it!

He is so funny, he runs from the living room into his room (where he has his own little tree) and says "Look at dat". Cracks me up!

Today in Wal-mart I had just gotten off the phone with Mandy and I was just talking to Hudson when he said, "Mommy, W" and then made the sound for w. He had picked it out on the handle of the shopping cart in Walmart. I was telling him how awesome that was and just grinning when he said, "Mommy, R" and sure enough he pointed to the r in walmart. The people in that store must have wondered what I was on because I was just floating! I told him how he was a little genious :) We then came home and he clearly has the letters C, R, W, H, and L down pat. He has a leap frog video (thanks Cydil!) and that's where I figure he has learned them from althoug he hasn't watched it in several weeks. He also has a leap frog toy he plays with at Meemaw's with the alphabet. He's a little sponge. So now we are working on letters. We had been working on counting, phonics, and more colors but looks like we are adding letters to the mix!



Thanksgiving, we are looking forward to staying around the house, having a rather relaxing day as a family, and of course seeing Uncle Will and Aunt Casey! Then Casey and I are off like crazy ladies before the sun comes up for black Friday. Headed to Cool Springs this year. Gonna leave the men here to fend for themselves as we head out in search of good deals but more than that just a good time. Love my sister and miss her more than you know! Then after shopping coming back home to hang out with the Carney family, I think Aunt Jeanna needs me to teach her how to play some cards (yeah right!).

I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for but my top three without a doubt are my sweet Jesus, my man, and my that adorable dark curly headed little boy that makes me smile so much you'd think my cheeks hurt!

Weekend

Above: He wanted to hang one up high!
Below: This was his little spot on the tree where he hung all the ornaments right beside each other. He was so determined yet careful to hang them just right!

Ah, yes, I saved the best 2 pictures for last! We went to a park to walk Will and Casey's dogs and towards the end Hudson was in need of a ride on Uncle Will's shoulders. As they goofed off and ran and laughed, me and Casey were cracking up! At the same time we said, "He looks just like Dad!" So funny!

So thankfully Hudson had a short lived stomach virus, it lasted about 2 days and by Saturday afternoon he had held down 3 meals and was in a much better mood. My sister is so homesick and I couldn't stand it so Hudson and I jumped in the truck and drove a few hours to Chattanooga. Will knew we were coming so he left the door unlocked so we could sneak in. Casey heard footsteps in the living room and said, "Who's in here?" in a worried voice. When Hudson walked around the corner she squealed and cried at the same time! So we had a good time with them Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday. I miss her so much and can't wait until next week for them to be home for Thanksgiving. Especially black Friday! It's an Attebery sister tradition, wake up before the crack of dawn and shop til we drop. Totally out of character for the both of us, but we've always done it and love it!

I totally should not be telling this on the blog, but oh well, one day Hudson will look back and read this and hopefully he'll laugh as hard as I did when it happened...

He was pitiful those few days of stomach virus, I felt so bad for him and when we would make it to the potty in time he would have such horrible gas and diarhea and I would rub his arm and back and say, "Are you okay bud?" "It's okay." So last night he was in the bathroom with me when I passed a little gas myself and he rushed over to me and started rubbing my arm and said in the sweetest, softest voice, "You okay mommy?" I just busted out laughing and said, "Yes, bud, I'm okay!" He was so cute and concerned!

Okay, no one remind me I told this story on the blog, but I hope you got a chuckle out of it!

More Pics

These are more from the session last week with Courtney. I cannot wait to get all of them! The first two are my favorite!

This one is Jason's favorite.

This horse is over 6 feet tall at his back! He is HUGE! I am training him and have been riding him now for a little over a week. Pretty intimidating getting on something like this for the first time when they have never been ridden! But so far he's just a big puppy dog who has made me appreciate the size of my quarter horses even more :)

Hudson is sick today and I'm just waiting for his Dr.'s appointment to get here at 3:20. This will be the first time he's been to the Dr. for not feeling well. Yesterday he had diarrhea really bad but never missed a beat. So I blamed it on something he had eaten. This morning I went in his room at 9:15 and he was still sleeping. Since the time change he's been up around 8:30 every morning. When I woke him up he was burning up and just out of it. He normally is the most chipper thing in the a.m. So we sat on the couch and he rolled off of me and laid on the pillow and fell back to sleep. WITHOUT HIS FINGERS IN HIS MOUTH! Then I got him up and he went potty and did not want me to put him down. So I was on our bed looking up the Dr.'s # and I sat him on the bed beside me. Before I knew it he was laying down sleeping again. Then again he was sleeping on me about 15 min. after that! He had me worried. Because normally he's Mr. Energy/Wild Man! Around 11:30 he started moving around more but then threw up at lunch after eating only 3 bites of chicken soup. So he's napping now and I'm hoping this is just a little bug he has and it will be gone very quickly.

With all that being said, our weekend may just be hanging out in the house. Hudson and I had been planning on going to suprise Aunt Casey this weekend in Chattanooga but that won't be happening. So all I have to do is ride 6 horses and then we have no plans. Although I may be putting up the Christmas tree and decor.! I'm more than pumped about Christmas!!!

Just a Taste

Courtney Helton (www.heltonphotovideo.com) was here last week to take some pics of Hudson, a few students, and some of me riding horses I'm training. Here are just a few. I will try and post a few more on Friday. She says we should have the others in several weeks. I can't wait to see them all. She does a great job as you have seen in her previous work posted on the blog from another shoot on the farm and Will and Casey's wedding!

Hudson is having a very testy week. It seems suddenly he's caught a case of the terrible two's. I'm hoping it doesn't last long, hoping! For some reason this week he has really seemed to want to test the boundries and this ol' mom of his doesn't really put up with it. His dad does not either. So I'm hoping he gets the point and this doesn't last long, again, I'm hoping! I'm tired of saying "no" and getting on to him constantly about things he knows better. And I want to be able to give him positive reinforcement. Because normally we just have a blast together and he is very obedient. I'm hoping for a better day tomorrow. I'm so very thankful for the supportive husband I have. He is becoming a phenominal leader of our home, praise God!