Protecting the innocent

I'm going to be real with you.  The world is a beautiful wonderful place, but there are also some things out there that are just plain scary.  Evil is everywhere and bad things happen... all the time.  I never paid much attention to anything outside my own sheltered little bubble, but after having kids I have become hyper aware of any potential threat to the well being of my family.  Between deadly viruses and terrorist groups threatening our safety, Im spent.  Worrying is EXHAUSTING.

I want to protect my children and family for all the bad that is out there.  I want to shield them from all the evil of this world.  I want to protect their innocence, like my parents did for me.  As a parent, I feel absolutely helpless right now.  There are things of this world that are absolutely out of my control and it drives me crazy.

At bible study tonight we discussed how everything that is happening is all part of God's plan and how He will use all circumstances for His good.  It is hard to imagine that bad situations could somehow be turned around to glorify him, but they are.  Nothing happens by accident.  We must pray.  We must have faith, and we must remember that with God, nothing is impossible.

"Let Go & Let God"

Lord,

I'm afraid.  I worry about things I can't control.  Please bring me peace.  Help me to rely on you and not on myself to "fix" problems.  You are all powerful.  You can do anything.  Not one leaf falls without your knowing.  Nothing on this earth happens without you being completely aware.  Lord I pray that you will bring comfort to those who are burdened by grief or fear.  Heal those who are sick.   I pray you will protect those who love you Lord.  Please protect my children.  Keep them safe from harm and keep them healthy.  Lord bless us.  protect us.  Give us wisdom and understanding.  Lord please guide the leaders in the country and be with those fighting to keep us safe.  Give them wisdom to know how to effectively handle the situations we are in.  Thank you for my family, church, friends, pets, home, neighborhood, and this country.   Thank you for carefully planning my life in accordance with your will.  Please help me to always look to you for guidance.  Thank you for giving us hope through the sacrifice of your son Jesus.

Amen

Alexis is 7 months old

This past month just flew by!  We took a week long trip to the beach where Alexis got to see the ocean and play in the sand for the very first time.  It was really fun to watch her react to all the new surroundings.  She loved it for the most part.

Alexis gets more and more beautiful each day.  She gets so many complements about her long dark hair, big beautiful blue eyes, happy smile, and tan skin.  I’m not kidding, this baby is a doll!  It doesn’t hurt that she is the most laid back and happy baby that ever existed.

I love going to get her in the morning and seeing her face light up.  Her laugh could light up a room.  We are beyond blessed to be this baby girls mommy and daddy!

At 7 months old Alexis:

• Wears size 6-9 month clothes
• Wears size 3 diapers
• Sleeps all night long (minus the past two weeks because she has two more teeth coming in)
• Eats most types of stage 1 and 2 baby food
• Nurses about 5 times a day
• Loves bath time
• LOVES being held and cuddled
• Sleeps in her own room in her crib
• LOVES her mini mouse toy
• Chews on everything
• Tries to copy sounds
• Loves being tickled
• Laughs all the time
• Has two teeth and is getting two more on top
• Naps twice a day (usually)
• HATES BEING IN HER CAR SEAT for and significant period of time
• Sits up on her own and is very stable
• Doesn’t mid being on her belly so much any more
• Likes to grab faces
• Likes being kissed
• Has very good eye hand coordination and has very controlled movements
• Likes to eat bananas, apples, carrots, peas, and green beans
• Puts everything in her mouth
• Likes standing and jumping in her bouncer

Alexis,
We love you more than life itself.  It is wonderful watching you grow and develop your own personality.  We cherish every second we have with you.  Hudson and you actually interact now and make each other laugh.  It is really sweet.  We love you LEXIS!

Hudson is THREE!

To my beautiful boy on his THIRD BIRTHDAY!

Hudson, 

There are not words to describe all the joy and happiness you have brought to our lives.  You are a funny and smart little guy who is ALWAYS busy.  You keep me on my toes.  Each day there are moments of frustration, because you are very strong willed, but that is nothing compared to the times you make me laugh uncontrollably because you are just so funny!  I love watching you grow and discover new things.  It is amazing to see the world through new eyes.  Hudson, we love you so much.  Happy 3rd Birthday!

At 3 years old Hudson:

• Can count to 20 (and backwards from 10-1)

• Knows his ABC’s

• Can distinguish many different shapes including parallelograms and trapezoids 

• Knows all the basic colors and a few that are just fun to say

• Knows how to spell HUDSON

• Knows when his birthday is

• Is working on potty training (size 6 diapers)

• Wears size 4T clothes

• Is just under 38lbs and 3’2” tall

• LOVES Trains, Planes, & automobiles 

• Has a new affinity for anything construction related (bulldozers, dump trucks…)

• Says many 5 and 6 word sentences

• Has come up with many ways of saying “No” without actually saying it…

o Maybe Later

o No Thanks

o Not right now

• LOVES Chicken (or any meet that looks like chicken) and ketchup

• LOVES anything chocolate

• Drinks chocolate milk daily

• Doesn’t care for vegetables, but does a good job trying a bite or two when asked

• Still uses a cup with a lid & straw

• Is in the “MINE” phase

• Likes to sing songs

• Enjoys watching movies (toy story, old cartoons, cars, kung foo panda, frozen)

• Has a growing imagination

• Sleeps with a truck or train every night

• Sleeps in his very own big boy bed (with rails)

• Loves cheese

• Has the sweetest smile and silliest crazy face

• Wants to be a car for Halloween

• Wants a train table for Christmas

• LOVES preschool and childcare at the Y

For Hudson’s birthday this year we were on vacation with family.  We decided to just throw him a family party at the beach.  A construction cake was ordered and party decorations were put up in the conference/breakfast room in the hotel where we stayed.  Both sets of grandparents were there along with a great aunt and uncle, aunt, uncle, cousins, and family friends.  Hudson got to blow out the candles, eat cake and ice cream, and unwrap lots of gifts for his special day.  

We tried to make the whole day special for Hud, not just his party at night.  We decorated our hotel room with balloons, a banner, and streamers.  He woke up to us singing happy birthday and received a birthday hat, shirt, and special birthday boy pin.  We went out for a very special birthday breakfast where one of the waitresses gave Hudson a dollar to put in his birthday pin.  He got another dollar from the hotel staff.  It was really sweet.  Hudson spent the majority of his birthday playing with his two older cousins in the sand and ocean.  I don’t think He could have asked for a better day.  

We are so thankful and blessed that God chose us to be this sweet little boy’s parents.  xoxo