Faith Walks

Freedom

What does it mean to be free? As Americans, we have rights. We have the right to say what we want to say. We can own weapons if we so desire. We have security in knowing we can live where we want to live. We are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Our voice is heard throughout our Government. To our American family, freedom has another meaning. God sent His one and only son to save us and give us eternal life. To me that is the ultimate freedom. As you are enjoying your apple pie and burgers on the grill, remember that many paid the highest price for our freedom. Thank you Father for saving us.

Already 5 months old!

The baby adventure continues. Hudson continues to amaze us while escorting us down the road of old memories. Each day that passes, we find new personality traits and reminisce of how we used to be with only one. The boys definitely have similarities like being very talkative, easily consolable and love to go to anyone, but they are also night and day in many ways. Hayden always went to sleep on his own, where Hudson is a little snuggle bug. Hayden always wanted to get everyone's attention (still does) where Hudson is showing signs of being a little more reserved.

 Hudson is such the little man lately. He is now eating a very large helping of rice cereal before bedtime and seems to long for a nibble each time we sit down to dinner. I think his new favorite toy is a spoon. ( he only wishes the food accompanied it each time he plays with one) This boy knows exactly what food is and wants it; all of the time. I can't wait to see how he takes to veggies.... coming soon.

He has accomplished rolling from back to stomach.... two months ago, but today he learned to roll from stomach to back. He is talking, laughing and belly laughing a lot! You know that laugh that comes from deep within that is such a good example of the joy a baby holds. Those sounds are my favorite, because they are so contagious.

This guy is going to be one tough cookie too. This week he had his first round of 4 month shots and didn't even cry. He had no idea that he was even getting poked until the last of the 3 and he only wimpered then.

Big Brother is such a helper and loves interacting with his brother. Hayden has such a way to make Hudson laugh that is uncanny. The bond we have always prayed for between our children is already evident. God is providing for us and his blessings are all around. We have so much to be thankful for.

Slug BugP

Hayden's First Day

Last Tuesday was Hayden's first day of school. It was a bitter sweet day filled with firsts.

This was our first time to be home without Daddy and without help from family. We have been praying that Daddy's job won't take him away for the "monumental moments", but we understand that this is life right now. I know Daddy wanted to be there so badly; almost as much as Hayden wanted him here.  

 We began the day like any other. Hayden is usually a challenge to get out of bed, but the excitement of the first day quickly pushed away any sleepiness and he "bounded" out. He was so excited to dawn his new shoes that "make me run faster" and his new personalized backpack in his "new" favorite color, orange.

 Sporting his new duds, uniform and all, he instantly went downstairs to see Daddy on the camera phone. This was a site to see. Daddy, just waking up in Boston, watching his little man head off to his first day of school. When the guys were talking on the video phone, you could tell he would have flown back from Boston by flapping his arms if he could.

This day was a bitter sweet day because it is a milestone in his life that signifies my first born is nolonger a baby. I love the way he is more responsible and can practically do everything by himself, but I am saddened at the thought that my baby is gone.

Of course Hayden was just fine on his first day, a bit excited, but very calm and collected. I thank God for my little soldier.He prepared not only me during our first time without daddy, but Hayden by allowing him to face his first day galliantly.

I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for Ice Cream!

Saturday we traveled back down to Austin to the 2nd Annual Austin Ice Cream Festival with some friends. The day can be summed up in one word, HOT.

We entered the festival with high expectations of getting as much of the cold stuff that we wanted, but expectations quickly came to reality as the sun began to bake us not long after hitting the entrance gate, As soon as we entered the festival, HEB handed out wonderfully cold cups of Creamy Creations. We quickly gobbled them up and made our way to the first tent to take in a performer. Umm... let's say the kids were entertained. We hovered as long as we could and managed to move on half an hour later to traverse through what looked like a collaberation of every back yard blow-up the city had to offer. *sigh* Not the festival we were thinking of, but still hopeful. We pressed on through the heat and costly entertainment only minutes later to witness everything fall apar t. Soon after purchasing the tickets that cost $1 each ... you need 2 per ride ... *double sigh*, Hayden melted from the heat. Manners went out of the window and the "Other" side was showing its face. As we were dealing with a discipline issue, a metal shard decided to pierce my foot, *triple sigh*. This was going to be a fun day. Right? Still determined to enjoy something I hobbled over to the medics, patched my foot and fed Hudson. A girl next to me was succuming to the heat and needed major attention. How blessed was I. We didn't need emergency care. That was when we decided the Ice Cream Festival was over, John gathered the group and we moved on to a cooler, quieter place. The "Other" slowly became Hayden again. It seemed as if the air had brought back the manners so quickly lost in the heat. We finally ENJOYED some time with our friends over a burger and fries and a couple of laughs. The day was certainly one to remember. It's funny, really. We think we are in control of our days. In reality God has the power and this day I can see how he was humbling me. I enjoyed my time with my friends and family regardless of the interruptions the day brought.

Mr. Smiley

Hudson is already three months old! I hate to be cliche , but they sure grow up fast! Hudson is a happy little man. He has brought so much joy in our lives and in so many outside of our home. Some of the things he is up to lately:

• He is holding his little head up nice and strong.
• Smiles at one glance of any member of the family.
• Laughs deep guttural laughs that are so contagious it takes 10 minutes for us to recover.
• Rolls over on his tummy.
• Loves to play with big brother.

God has truly blessed us and has given us endless amounts of reasons to be thankful. I hope that you too can find a way to see God's blessing in your life.

Tonight Superman Came to Dinner

As my oldest little man and I were making dinner, he excitedly asked as he ran up the stairs, " Can I wear my Superman costume for Dad?" I said, "Of course!" Why not? I have been missing his dress-up stage that seemed to dissapear somewhere between potty training and learning to ride a two wheeler. (Yes, that is another milestone that just kills me.) Little did he know he was wearing it more for me than himself or Daaaddy."

As he was bounding up the stairs to dawn the suit of rippled blue muscles and red flowing cape, I teared up. I actually teared over the taco meat simmering on the stove. My little man was back! For that ever brief moment, he allowed me to revel in those days last fall when I thought he would never stop wearing his fireman suit. I loved seeing how excited he was to dress up and pretend to live in the land of what ever outfit he happened to dig out of the dress-up chest that day. We have been so deep into " I can do it myself!" and "I don't need any help, Mom." that it seemed my little guy turned into a pretty big guy overnight.

Oh how I needed that blessing today. Today of all days was the best for such a memory. It began as soon as my feet hit the floor. Hudson was crying because of his reflux again, I realized I was due somewhere important at 9:00 AM after checking my email at 9:30AM AND Lover Boy and I misscommunicated about the service due on the car and there it sat in the driveway instead of at the shop. *Sigh* The day was off to a GREAT start. I was discouraged for a moment's time, but I was soon reminded of the beauty of God's grace.

Hayden was so patient with me running this way and that. He really wanted to go to the pool, so we dressed in our pool gear, two diaper changes and three wardrobe changes for me ( leaking baby) later, we were ready. *Bigger Sigh* Then the bottom started to really fall out. I was spent. Every ounce of reserve was tapped out and I was ready to just sit in a puddle and forget about the day. Then it happened. Lover Boy came to my rescue with lunch and picked up the car for the service! *Awe*

The day was turning around. "Hayden, grab your towel we are going to the pool!" So we went and had a great time. Baby got a litte hot so we returned home and were promptly invited to our dear friend Mindy's house for a lot more water fun. (Thanks for the rescue, Girl!) We spent the afternoon enjoying catching up on the last coulpe of weeks since our last chat while the boys had a blast in the backyard sprinkler.

The dinner bell rang which brings us back to the beginning. You see, from the kind of day that I had, the best blessing in the world was to remenice in the past. I was thanking the Lord for giving me that blast to the past and allowing me to remember that I AM focusing on the right stuff. The little ones and what steps they are taking, where they are leaving their footprints, fingerprints and artificial muscle prints. The laudry can wait. They are only little for a while and when Superman comes to dinner, I need to be ready. Today, he was my hero.

Growing at Lightning Speed

Hudson is 2 whole months old today! As the days pass at a rate faster than the speed of lightning, it feels like our wee one's small time is slipping through our fingers. After jetting through the last five years (yes it has been five years since our first was born) with Hayden, we are savoring all of the "little things".....

little blissful smiles of peace that come with glimpses of mama, daddy, or big brother

little "coos" and  "a-goos" of conversation that  always begin a good meal

little laughs that make your heart swell with joy (first one at 3 wks old)

little naps that allow you to cradle The "little" for well deserved cuddle times

little pure breaths of a newborn's scent

little socks, pants, shirts, hats, shoes, and buppies

little cries and whines that preempt a feeding

little hands that eagerly grasp an awaiting finger

little toes that curl and grip anything in proximity during mealtime

little ears that listen to big brother play "Yankee-Doodle-Dandy" on the piano to soothe a fuss

little eyes that stare in amazement at the lights changing on the ceiling and wall

little lips that purse in concentration while the thought of talking is just a whisper away

little glimpses of the big man our son is sure to be.

As these littles get bigger, our life gets increasingly fuller and even more wonderful daily. When we take time to love and honor the little things, we give them a place to be and a place to remembered. We love our little Jack-Jack and look forward to witnessing the amazing life that God has so generously bestowed on our family.

Eleven years ago today.....

.... I dawned a glittering white gown, carried a bouquet of my favorite flowers in hues of purple and pink, gathered all my friends together, strolled down the isle with my amazing father and I married the man of my dreams. On a Saturday afternoon in 1997, Lover Boy and I took our first few steps down the road of family-hood. So young, in love, and nieve. Little did we know where we would be today.

We are still as in love as we were back then, possibly even more! He still kisses me goodnight (even between the nightly feedings and diaper changes). Little notes of love dawn the windshield of the unsuspecting mate from time to time. As the years have passed, a deeper understanding for each other has developed on a level only present through Him. He is my forever love, my best friend and my "right hand man". I honestly believe his favorite thing in the world is to make me happy. The Good Lord has blessed our love in infinite ways.

Now don't get me wrong, we have had our challenges throughout our journey, but we have sailed through only by God's grace and with lots and lots of prayer. Our marriage has taken work, just like anyone else out there, but it has been the good kind of work. You know the lazy Saturday morning kind of good where you lie in bed until noon watching cartoons and swapping the classifieds for the funnies. The kind of good you trip on as you are digging in the trash for that wedding ring you mistakenly threw away with the paper towel. The kind of good you find when your startled at the feel of hands reaching around for a hug while dinner is simmering on the stove. Sweet baby smell kind of good only present at the moment of the birth of your children. Sharing these moments as one has made us into a family who loves, cries, laughs and prays together.

This is why I love the 21st of June and look forward to turning another year with my forever love.