Cell Phone Pics

All had our pics taken while cuddling on the couch watching the Voice.

Riding with Hoss on the tractor spreading seed.

It's blurry but I had to get these two riding the front of the four wheeler and Hudson taking care of his little sister.

We had a great Easter and I actually took pics, just haven't gotten them off the camera yet, maybe I will before summer :)  Hudson only has a week left of school.  We started early and didn't take many breaks, I'm glad we did because work is getting busy.  I plan on still reading daily however and he loves to read so that should be fun.
I may have mentioned that Hollynn is allergic to red food coloring.  Yesterday she snuck a peppermint and threw up twice.  It doesn't take much and I have to keep a close eye on her, even though we don't have that stuff at home, it seems I am constantly saying, "No, she can't have that."  She is finally learning her colors (I realize, she is not even 2 1/2 yet and I say finally, but her brother set the bar high), she knows all of her abc's, and the other day I ran a 5k and when it was over she was looking at my # which was 110 and said, "Mommy, you are #10!"
Heath is repeating everything and putting two words together.  He is so funny and has his own signature dance move.  He does anything and everything the other two do.  I think he'll be an adrenaline junky like his mom and sister.  His fear of dogs seems to almost be gone and he is approaching the big dogs by himself now. 

Missionary

I never want to forget the conversation Hudson and I had in the kitchen yesterday while I was throwing dinner into the crock pot and the other two were sleeping.  I told him that God could use him to do such great things.  And we got to talking about purpose and how God has a purpose for each one of us.  I told him something like this, "God knew there was going to be a little boy born in Russia and his Dad and Mom would come and get him and bring him to America and raise him up knowing about Jesus."  He asked me if he left one day to be a missionary, would I cry.  "Yes, son, I would cry but I would also be so happy for you to do that and I would come and visit you, I hope God does call you to be a missionary one day!"  To which he responded with all of the confidence in the world, "He will!"  And I could have just melted right there on the kitchen floor but I didn't, I held on to the chicken I was preparing and that moment.  I want to hold on to his confidence and pure fact that God does have good plans for His children and I tuck His child into bed every night and I'm getting to watch his story play out right before my very eyes.  And It. Is. Breathtaking!

Short Update

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Heath had his 18 month check up and falls in the low 70 percentile on height and weight.  He's a solid boy, hopefully my little football player :)  Cause y'all know I seriously need a football player!!

Hudson's basketball season ended this past weekend, just in time for horse show season to get started.  I am hoping if fall is not too crazy he might can play soccer, I think he would really enjoy it.  Who am I kidding, he would enjoy whatever! 

I start back working tomorrow and I am looking forward to it.  There are several shows really close to home this year, which excites me, hopefully not too many night of driving all night and arriving home at 4 a.m.! 

Guess What...

 Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 
                                                                                        -2 Samuel 7:18


These two people are going to make me an Aunt (I'm already an aunt, but you know what I'm sayin')!  And I could not be more excited!!  My niece or nephew will be coming from Poland!  They have started the paper chase and I am hoping the homestudy and dossier will not take forever because there is at least a 12 month wait.  I have watched my little sisters heart break at the plight for the orphan and I have truly enjoyed watching her take leaps and bounds in her walk with the Lord.  What joy for our family to be formed from all parts of the globe, it just doesn't get any better than that, to look at our family and think, this is what heaven will look like! 
So now I hurry up and wait!  And I begin to pray for a lady somewhere in Poland who is either carrying or soon will be the little one who will call me "aunt" or shall I say "aint".  And for the caretakers who will hold this little one the first part of their life.  And for my sister who begins one of the most exciting, hard, emotional journeys she'll ever venture on.  Welcome to the club!

Playing Catch Up...

 What can I say, my 5 yr. old like to wink at me!

 Hudson made his own calendar one day, all by himself, I loved his creativity in hanging it.

 Next boxer model??

 Hudson lost his first tooth last night, he jumped up and yelled that his tooth had fallen out!  Then today he was eating an apple and the one next to it came out.  I might need to take out a loan ;)

I'll try not to make this too lengthy...I'll start with the youngest.
Heath's new obsession is trying to dress himself...and undress himself!  He copies every. single. thing. the other two do.  He's a climber and LOVES the trampoline.  The higher he gets bounced the harder he laughs and he especially thinks it's funny when he falls down.

Hollynn is potty trained!  Woohoo!  She has done so great at it, I think I agree with most everyone else who says girls are easier to potty train.  She is into counting and saying her abc's.  However when she gets to 7, she always skips to 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19.  At this point I just laugh.  She tells everyone she is 5 and she asks everyone she sees what their name is, even if she knows it. 

Hudson still impresses me constantly with his reading and he tries to read everything.  I think his favorite past time is annoying his sister, and the more he does it, the louder she squeals.  It might remind me of myself and Casey, just a little ;)  He is enjoying basketball still, and the season ends this month.  He might not ever touch the ball, but I bet he has the most fun out of anyone out there! And he's given us quite a few belly laughs out there!

I have enjoyed this much needed time of rest.  We haven't had many events going on and my goal this year is to not be so busy and to not feel bad about it.  So far, I feel a little more sane, which is always a plus!  I'll be getting geared up for lessons starting up in March and while I always enjoy my break, I always look forward to getting started back.  I am currently doing a Kelly Minter study on Nehemiah and I am really enjoying her style.

Jason has lost 17 lbs. here lately.  That makes me feel 2 ways, #1 proud and #2 like I want to punch him in the face.  It's taken me twice the amount of time to lose the 10 lbs. I gained after Heath came home as it has for him to lose this 17 lbs.  Why in the world guys can lose weight so quickly and with not much effort is beyond me!  He is working on his ordination paperwork so hopefully he will officially be ordained soon.  I love him.  A lot!

Last Thurs. my Grandfather suddenly passed away.  He had a massive heart attack and my dad found him already gone, close to his barn.  This is Meemaw's husband.  You all know she is my best friend and now she's my favorite widow (along with Granny).  It's hard seeing your dad and uncles feel the way they felt.  Jason preached the funeral, his first funeral, and he did a great job. 
I wish I could type all these wonderful things but I cannot.  I have mourned in such a weird way, I cannot even describe it.  I am trying to not drown in the past but to let this push me forward in ways where I am bolder with my faith, and telling others about Jesus becomes much more important than any fear I might have.   

Head Christmas

 The granddaughters and our sweet sweet Granny!

 It started like this, not sure what Uncle Kenneth is doing...

 And then more people just kept dog piling, Austin is still somewhere back there!  Ha!  Love these people :)

 When I say Heath LOVES Granny, it is an understatement.  And she adores him.  He always sits in her lap and is perfectly content to just hang with her for a while like that.  

This is Aunt Trish's very obese dog, Sally.  Hollynn decided Sally was her new horse and as you can see, Sally could care less!

The kids got a gift all together at Granny's.  They got a very nice set of dvd players for the car.  They will hook to the head rest and can play the same movie or a separate one. 

I didn't take any pics of Christmas morning, when we exchange gifts.  The kids only had one gift to open a piece because they had a trampoline waiting on them outside.  Hudson attempted a trip outside but was quickly back in from the cold!  I'm pretty excited about the trampoline too :)

Gotcha' Day

 Have I ever mentioned how goofy our oldest is??  V.E.R.Y.

This pic. is a little blurry, but I don't care, my Aunt Deb. snapped it on Christmas Day.  I'm so glad my boy still climbs in my arms and lets me kiss on him, I know it won't be like this forever.  I was telling him that he was the best Christmas present I've ever received!

It sure doesn't feel like 4 years ago since I first became a Mama!  Hudson Luke seriously makes me smile all the time.  He is so stinkin' cute and funny and sincere and he just makes me proud!  Proud to be his Mama! 

On the 27th, we were interviewed by News Channel 2 about all of the things going on in Russia with the closings of adoptions.  It breaks my heart that Russia has closed it's doors on American adoption, I pray this is very short lived.  After our interview and nap time we went to Panera and Chuck E Cheese.  It was their first time at Chuck E Cheese and they all loved it.  He was very excited about his gotcha' day!

Attebery Christmas

 Casey bought these pics for the boys while we were in Moscow and had them framed for them, I love it and love that they will have them forever!

 Casey also had this made for me, which I must admit was PERFECT since we don't wear shoes in the house at all :)

 I love this, you have no clue how much time I spent crawled up into that same lap and seeing my kids do the same thing and loving on one of my favorite women in the whole entire world just melts me!

 This started out as a hug and a kiss on the cheek then somehow ended up in a head lock and then turned to WWF! 

Gross!

We had a blast at our house on Christmas Eve.  Of course they racked up, Hudson's fav. from this go around was a remote control helicopter, and the 2 little ones both got leap from computers and black berries, and Hollynn got a doll that cries, babbles, etc. 

Christmas at Grandad's and Grandmom's

 Grandmom got some really cute hats that the kids have been wearing around the house!

We had our tradition of breakfast for lunch (which I love) and the kids racked up on goodies.  Heath got some cool lego trucks, Hollynn got a really cute high chair for her babies, and Hudson got a helicopter that he has really enjoyed, amongst many other toys. 

December Fun

 Hollynn and I had our first pedicures, it was girls day and we had a lot of fun!  I hope to make doing stuff like this a tradition of ours. 

 Pinterest idea, making Christmas trees out of sugar cones, icing, and candy!  The LOVED it!

 Notice Hollynn has green and Hudson the red.  Hollynn seems to be allergic to red food coloring, it has not been a pretty site when she has it!

 I was vacuuming one day and didn't hear anything, never a good sign, I found Hollynn with a green sharpie and Heath proudly wearing his new tats! 

We are free will baptists however we do enjoy dancing quite often :)