Movie Star

Grandma sent these purple, glittery glasses of Tameka's home with Hudson. He loves to wear them around. Most of the time he has them on upside down, because the nose piece is lower so they stay off his chubby cheeks a little bit more. I can't look at him with them on without busting out into a smile. Sorry the picture isn't the best, but hope it brings a smile to your face too.

If You Stay Away Too Long

When I don't post for awhile, nothing seems blog worthy anymore. The story lately has been keeping warm. Today all the schools were closed in the valley because of the extremely cold temperatures (-33 wind chill.) It's quite extreme considering 3 days ago it was 40 F.
I woke up this morning at 5:00 am - don't ask me why. So I waited to hear our pellet stove kick on. Nothing, so I waited for a few more minutes. Still nothing. My face was the only thing exposed to the elements, as rest of my body was nice and cozy beneath our electric blanket. I felt my nose, it was cold. I figured something must be up with the stove, so I went to investigate. I started to panic when I couldn't get it to work. Our house was only 55 and dropping rapidly. I called for Brent and went to get the owners manual.
Two hours later, after tearing the entire thing apart, it decided to work. Well, I don't think it was so much it's decision, but God forcing it to in order to answer my prayers. After the adventure I've learned a thing or two. First, I had to face my fear. I always thought we were vulnerable if the thing decided not to work- even more so with sub zero temperatures. I was reminded that I have a very persistent husband who doesn't quit. Not a trait I always enjoy when it comes to him being home for dinner, but a good trait nonetheless. I learned that I am looking forward to our new house that has several heating sources, so we have options. Lastly, I was reminded of our Heavenly Father's tender mercies and that He answers prayers.

Night Rider

My dad had an old cow that he named NightRider. She was a brangus holstein cross and completely black. I was reminded of her as I was driving home from Nikkala's on Friday night.
Ahead of me, off the side of Highway 91, I saw a reflector flicker. As I approached I saw that it was a young kid, pedaling his bike into the wind, carrying a grocery bag, and wearing a black coat. Not the safest predicament for nighttime travel. "He's going to get killed, " I thought and drove to the first corner. I turned around and headed for the mysterious Night Rider. I rolled down my window and asked if he needed a ride or to use my cell phone. "That would be great," he said pushing his bike across the road towards my car. He had been riding into the wind and must have been frozen.
After a few questions I learned that he was on his way to his friends house on Rich Lane. We tried the best we could to stash his bike in the trunk and he hopped into the passenger side. "I figured it was going to take me 45-50 minutes, but I didn't account for the wind," he explained. We drove around for awhile trying to find his friends house. After making a couple of phone calls he was able to navigate me to where his friend was waiting outside. I dropped him off and told him to call his Mom right away and let her know he made it safely.
On the drive home I had a million questions and thoughts of how I should have handled the situation better. I did get his name, Brandon Collins- a 6th grader. And I did try phoning his mom, but she was apparently out of gas on the freeway with no cell phone. The only contact I made with his family was his 13 year old sister. Oh well, I tried doing the right thing. I was just glad to have gotten him off the side of the busy road and out of the cold. He would have been awhile since it was over 5 miles and he didn't even know where his friend lived.

Welcome 2007

For the new year, I decided to pull out all the stops to make this one of my most riveting posts yet. (This might be old news for some of you.) Some exciting changes await our family this year. First of all, we have had the opportunity to purchase a new home. It came as a bit of a surprise since we weren't actively looking. One day our next door neighbor called and offered us his home. We decided that they don't come any closer and it was a good opportunity for us. We hope to close on it February 1st and then the work will begin. It needs a good deal of love and attention, but I'm excited about the possibilities.
I guess a larger home is appropriate since we have a new baby on the way! We are excited for the new addition. As with Hudson, I have been deathly ill. Okay, that might be exaggerating, but this all day sickness has kept on the couch for a few days. We were hoping to keep it a secret a little longer, but I can't fake it for long around family so we had to spill the beans during Christmas. I figured the whole world might as well know by now. Hopefully I'll be feeling better in time to start the renovating on our new house. We're looking at another August baby- who plans these things anyway? We're just hoping for a healthy baby and will deal with it's arrival whenever. The ultrasound is little more than proof that I've been to the doctor and it's official since the baby is so tiny.
I don't know if it qualifies as best post ever, but it's news I was excited to share and docuent.

Merry Tractor. . .I mean Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. We went to Burley Christmas Eve. There was a lot of snow which made it fun. After our nice Christmas dinner, we made the rounds visiting Grandma Wilkins at the Warren House and Grandpa Parish and Park View Care Center. Once home we waited for the Stephens to arrive. Hudson and I cut out early and went to bed. It's a good thing, because I still have a hard time sleeping Christmas Eve- the anticipation nearly kills me. After waking up every hour, 7:00 finally rolled around (the "legal" time for getting up at the Parish house.) We had to call up the troops, but present opening soon got under way.
Santa had left Hudson's John Deere Big Scoop unwrapped, so he really didn't even need to open anything. He spent the entire day playing on or with that tractor. He got another tractor and between the two, we shouldn't have bothered with any other gifts. Hopefully he'll learn that it is manly to share your tractors.

Snow Baby

I decided to bundle Hudson up and take him outside to play in the snow. First the snowpants, then his hat, we pushed and shoved his little feet into his boots, put his coat and mittens on and we were ready for action. He enjoyed the sled ride, but once I stopped he decided playing in the snow was more fun. It's so fun to watch him try to move around when he's so bundled. He must have stayed warm because he was in no hurry to come inside.

Latest Project

I decided to make some aprons for my nieces. They worked up pretty fast and since my sewing machine is working better, I even embroidered their names on them. I hope they enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.

My Buddy

If anyone would have told me a year ago that Hudson would keep getting funner, I would have said, "yeah right" because he was already really fun. But looking back, I'd have to say that he has gotten funner . . . and bigger. He has decided that the whole talking thing can be okay, so now he's our little parrot. His facial expressions are absolutely hilarious. He can give us five, play catch and tag, run around excitedly when you chase him . . . help clear the table after dinner, dust, get his own diaper, help rinse the dishes . . . he's just a little helper.
I'm excited for Christmas with him. Hudson has been a constant reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. Several times a day he points to our nativities or pictures of Christ and says "Jesus!" He loves to ooh and aah when I plug in the lights on the tree. He says "WOW!" when he sees pretty lights while we're driving. I think he will be so excited for a few of his gifts and spend the rest of the day playing with them. And maybe, he'll give me some more spontaneous kisses . . . out of the blue, for no reason other than I can tell he feels loves.

Count Down Continues

We're getting close to being ready for Christmas. Hudson still needs to get his dad a present and then our shopping should be complete. **Disclaimer: Brent's shopping has not been figured into the equation. ** The last of our Christmas cards should be reaching their destinations. Now only if Bentley's present would hurry up and appear on my front porch. Since making candy with the sisters on Friday, Brent shouldn't need any more sweets. We need to deliver gifts to our neighbors and return our library books and then we'll be ready. Ready to go to Burley, spend time with the family, watch Hudson enjoy the magic of Santa, and have a good ol' time. Perhaps I should have left a little more shopping or something to do. It might become a chore to pass the time without much to keep us busy. The anticipation nearly kills me every year.

I don't want to wait until I grow. . .

I'll teach and preach and work as missionaries do. I have this "future missionary" pin for Hudson. Since the missionaries were speaking in our ward, I decided to have him wear it. I tried getting him to stand so I could get a picture of it, no luck. So here is our future missionary-- studying the scriptures with farming in the back of his mind. Crazy thing is, the Ensign has been getting more attention lately than the FastLine.

Presents on the Brain

Up until today, we have never had a problem with Hudson getting into the wrapped gifts underneath the Christmas tree. For some reason it's a new day, something has triggered him, and he will not leave them alone. He likes to take them down, lift up a corner of wrapping paper to begin tearing, and look at me with a "you're not going to let me get away with this, right?" look. Should any of you recieve a gift that has some missing wrapping paper, you'll know it passed Hudson's quality control check and that I was out of the room for a minute.

Withdrawals

I don't know who is having a harder time- Hudson or me. Hudson doesn't have his in-home playmate anymore now that Bentley has returned to his home. Neither of them really understand the concept of sharing, so they both screamed as much as they played but now Hudson has nobody to play with--well, unless you count Mom. Lucky for me.

Simple Reminders

I decided to share my favorite part of our Christmas decorations--our nativity sets. The black one is made of clay. Brent and I bought it when we were in Chile. It's nothing short of a miracle that we were able to purchase it, since the sculptor only makes two a year and you must order them. For one reason or another it was available for us to purchase. The minute Brent and I saw it, we fell in love with it and knew it would be a wonderful souvenir. We got our Willow Tree nativity as a wedding gift. We are still working on getting all of the pieces. The nativity in the back is one that Brent's mom gave us. And the poinsettia is an early anniversary gift from Brent. A nice reminder that we've endured 4 years together.

Last night for Family Home Evening, we told the nativity story and let Hudson hold one of the baby Jesus. You could tell he could feel the importance, even if he's only 20 months. He could tell that it was special and he treated it carefully. Afterward he pointed out a picture of Christ we have in our home and thumbed through the Ensign pointing out all the pictures of Christ. He loves Jesus and can recognize him. Teaching Hudson about Christmas has helped me remember why it is such a special time of year. We hang lights to remind us of the Star that guided the Shephards to the Babe, we give gifts as the Wisemen of old did, we sing Christmas songs in the same spirit the Angels heralded Christ's birth. These symbols are simple reminders. They are not like the chaotic commercialism of Christmas, but instill peace as we remember that Christ was born and He lives again.

Once again my mind has been turned toward those in need. Not just in need of warm clothes and food, but in need of the gospel. Maybe my gift to some of those I associate with will be an invitation to come back.

Project

I had this brilliantly crazy idea awhile back to recreate our neighborhood as a playmat for Hudson. I took half of a canvas drop cloth, started a rough sketch and painted a road. That's how it sat for a few weeks until I took it to Burley this past weekend. Mom encouraged me and helped a bunch. It's not quite what I had dreamed up in my head, but Hudson enjoys it. I figure it can be a work in progress because I'm sure it's bound to get additional marker and crayon marks down the road.

Seeing Double

Sorry about the foggy bath picture. The boys weren't being modest in the clearer ones. They are having fun living with each other. Hudson does have a problem sharing his mom. If I hold Bentley you can bet that Hudson will be there in no time with his blanket in tow, climging onto my lap. I'm managing two alright- I mean, I've got an arm for each one. How do you mange three?

Deckin' our Halls

After rearranging the office, Hudson and I put up the Christmas decorations. He loved when I'd plug in any lights, "Wow." After watching me hang ornaments, he picked one up and tried to help me out. I think Brent and I are in for a fun Christmas- now that Hudson is old enough to play along. Christmas is such a magical time for kids.
I must have worn Hudson out because he fell asleep in hisbooster seat eating his lunch. I fed him lunch while I continued decorating. Pretty soon he got really quite. I talked to him, but no response. I had to look twice because I didn't think he could really fall asleep in that position.
I'm glad to have gotten the decorations up since Bentley came to stay with us for a week while Nik and Chod are in Hawaii. I don't imagine I'll get much accomplished with 2 boys. Hudson was excited for Bentley to get here. He tried spoon feeding him dinner tonight- always on the look out for a way to be helpful. For 20 months I think he's a pretty intuitive kid.

Dough Boy

I was responsible for making the rolls for the Hillman Thanksgiving dinner. As usual, Hudson pushed his chair over and kept the bosch company on the countertop. Whenever the lid was opened to add more flour or check on the dough, he would beg for some dough. He loves it. After about an entire roll of dough, I decided I'd better quit feeding him before he became the Pillsbury Dough Boy.

Bah Hambug

Am I the only one that snaps into grinch mode as soon as I hear/see ads soliciting donations for the needy? It's not that I don't want to help others this holiday season, I consider myself a generous and compassionate person. I just feel overwhelmed by all of my "options" for generous and philanthropic giving. Our society seems chock full of needy people. This year I plan on helping those who are truly in need, as for the unmotivated- try standing in the cold and ringing your own dang bell.

New Chest

The chest I'm talking about today are freezers. I am the proud new owner of 2 non-working chest freezers. I couldn't be happier. (I know, it doesn't take much to make me happy.) The reason I am so excited is because I now have some food storage space without it taking over our office. It is a great solution for big, bulky dry goods because it's 100% mouse proof and the extra insulation buffers against the extreme outside conditions, since ours freezers have to be in a shed. No worries, my canned foods still live in our office closet. I don't expect it to deal with the freezing temperatures.

Who says you have to have an exciting life to blog about?

The Writing on the Wall

Hudson has really enoyed drawing in his notebook lately. I decided he could be premoted from the ballpoint pen to a crayon. I knew I shouldn't have done it. I knew what was going to happen. After getting his notebook and crayon I hopped in the shower. I got out to magenta scribbles all over my wall and window sill in the entry way. But how can you get mad at a kid whose Mom gave him the crayon in the first place and then left him unsupervised? Totally my fault. After my google search, I took some baking soda and toothpaste to it. With a little elbow grease, it quickly disappeared. And then I remembered I should have tried my magic eraser. Oh well, I imagine I might have another opportunity to try its magic.

Like I say, this crayon scribble shouldn't have come as much of a surprise since the surprise came last week. Hudson snuck a green crayon out of the restaurant. I put him in his carseat while Brent and I visited with his sister and brother-in-law. When I peeked in to check on Hudson, the thighs of his khaki pants were green. I didn't know crayon colored so well on fabric. I'm not as successful with crayon removal from fabric as I am from walls. I'm up for any suggestions.