Wonderfully, Crazy Christmas

Visiting Mammy on Christmas Eve (she's 102 yrs old!)

The favorite gift at Mawmaw's

Relaxing on Christmas Day at Mom's

Just up from nap & ready to play

My BIG Suprise...going to NYC for my 30th B-day

After Santa arrived!

Jumping on new trampoline in PJ's

They loved running in circles and falling down

We did it! We made FIVE stops in two days! We went to Brian's Grandmother's and my mom's house on Christmas Eve...went to my mom's again, My grandmothers' and Brian's mom's on Christmas Day. Whew!

We had a fabulous Christmas and even though it's a lot of hustle and bustle to make it to all the family events; I'm so thankful we live near and can celebrate this special season with all of them.

PS. My parents would never let us have a trampoline so I swore I'd let my kids! And yes Mom, they are much safer now!!

My Punkin turned 3

DREW HARRISON (Look at that brown hair?)

First Christmas (5 days old)

Six weeks old

Spring 2006


Summer 2006

Halloween 2006

Winter 2006

Spring 2007

Summer 2007

Halloween 2007

Christmas 2007

Just the other day, and half grown up :(

My baby turned three on Saturday. It was so funny because we talked to him Friday about his birthday and that he would get one more present to open the next day. You should have seen his face; he was so confused. I guess, since we made such a big deal about it a couple of weeks ago when they had their joint birthday party, he thinks it really isn't his b-day now. He could have cared less on Saturday when we made cupcakes for him and gave him a present. Actually, Hudson liked his gift better than he did and he hasn't played with it once. Btw, it was a Dr. kit. Hudson is asking to be called "Dr. Hudson" and has been checking anybody's temp. that will let him!!

On a sappier note, I cannot believe that Drew is 3. To think that when Hudson was 3, I already had a 1 year old. CRAZY!! What was I thinking?? It was tough for a while when Drew was born but now, I absolutely love that they are 24 mos. apart. God planned it well. Drew has had many nicknames during his 3 year tenure on this Earth. Let's start from the beginning: Before he was born, My Mom decided she wanted to call him "Monkey Tail." After he got here and we saw how "healthy" he was, I decided to call him "Chunky Monkey!" Brian wanted to call him "The Beast" since he calls Hud the monster. We called him "Baby Drew" to Hudson when he was little and that turned into Drew, Drew when he was a little older. But one name has stuck with his Mommy and that's "PUNKIN."

Drew, you have brought so much joy into my life. You help me not take life too seriously and to enjoy every moment on this Earth. You are truely a blessing to Daddy, me and Hudson. You are exactly what I prayed for and I thank God for your life everyday. Keep being the person God created you to be and I'll keep praying for your future. I love you and you will always be my Punkin.

He's Back...for now!

Pic taken this morning! He looks well kept, huh?
Forget pretty presents when wrapping a Tow Truck and Crane


This is a lot prettier when lit at night

On top of our piano

Our "supposed" dog, Bo has been at our house for appoximately 15 hrs. YEAH! That's progress. Remember my post a few weeks ago about our dog being MIA? (Sorry, I don't know how to link that old post yet). We'll, my next door neighbor dropped by a house in the neighborhood to visit the new owners of that home. To her surprise...there was Bo in the house. Are you kidding me? Someone let a random dog on the street come into her home, bathe him and feed him. No wonder Bo hasn't come home...we don't let him in our house!! So we called the people and drove and got him. He didn't even stay the night and was gone for days again. We called the people AGAIN and YES, Bo was in there house. Uggh. Hello...if you wouldn't let him in your house, he'd probably come home eventually. So Brian went and got him again last night. He was still on our back porch when I went to bed last, but no Bo this morning. In a few minutes, here came that lady walking down our road bringing Bo. Well, Halleluia! She's finally getting it. Bo was still there when I left for work today so we'll see, when I get home. I have a feeling we're going to have to go get him several times before he stays put.

Thought I'd post some pics of some of our Christmas decorations even though I didn't do Tour of Homes from BooMama's blog. I didn't think to do it last night and take a pic of the outside lights so these are just pics from this morning.

Oh, and an update on my last post...We and the boys went Wed. to buy some things to give to Empty Stocking Program that's local and of course on the front page of the paper Thurs. was an article about how well the program went this year and that it was over the day before. Ah, Man. So I thought we'd call around and try to donate to something else. I found out the police Dept. was doing something called Blue Christmas. I called them and they said they have too many toys this year and are saving some for next year. What? He said usually they have to beg people to give and this year he said people were so generous. Wait a minute? I thought the economy was in the tank and that people were having a hard time buying for their own families? Guess the "News Media" is wrong and that God WILL use hard times to minister to and bless others.

Now I can focus on the "Reason"

The last of the Christmas parties are over. We had all of our Christmas parties during the last week and except for the boys' preschool parties on Friday, we are done! I'm kinda bummed, considering I'm a party person but, I think now I can focus on what Christmas is really about...Jesus. I think parties help us get in the spirit for the holiday season, and I love it, but it gets me out of focus. I have bought gifts for our entire family and not ONE thing have I purchased for someone less fortunate than us. Pitiful. Hudson is definitely old enough to understand that things cost money, that we have a job to get money, and that not everyone has what we have. Brian and I have talked endlessly about the lessons we want to teach our children and now it's time to put those lessons into practice. I'm not quite sure what we're going to do yet. We have a local toy drive, so I could take the boys to pick out some toys and have them go with us to drop them off. Does anyone else have anything they do with their kids this time of year to give to others?

The last of Birthday parties, for now!

Worn out after joint party...like our "Track Hoe" shirts from the party?

Now, that's a BOY cake

Santa, passing out Bells

Their favorite part of the ride, The Treasured "Bell"

THE Polar Express in Palestine in our train PJ's

We had Joint Birthday party for Hudson and Drew for their friends to come to. With all the parties they had last week, I wouldn't have done another one but Hudson has been talking about this "supposed" party with his friends for about a month. So...being the pushover mom, I through a party to together, last minute. Hud wanted to have it at our house. Are you kidding...no way. I can just see 15 wild and crazy kids running through my house, plus their moms, crowded in my living room. Un, uh!! I heard about this party place we now have in Mt. P. I know, can you believe it? It's an enclosed building that has awesome blow up playgrounds. With it being freezing outside, I decided this would be the perfect solution. I have learned one thing about kids birthday parties; all they want to do is run, play and be silly. No need to plan any activities.

We had a great turn out for the party and the boys had a blast. Everyone said it was such a great place and I said "Fabulous, just meet us here this time next year and we'll do it again." No thinking or stressing about birthday locations next year!

Oh, for their birthday, Brian and I got them a Polar Express Train set that will fit on their Thomas the Train track and table. They were so excited and both took their train to bed!! That's when I know it's a success; it can't even be parted with for the night!!

OH, and we took them to ride the Polar Express in Palestine on Friday. They had hot chocolate and cookies, sang Christmas songs and got a visit from Santa. Other than it being frigid, it was a great time for all!

Parties, So Far...

Birthday party at Preschool Ms. Rachel and Hudson's class singing Happy B-day

Homemade cupcakes from Mer

Personalized ornaments from Sunny

My cuddlebug and his Sunny

Cuz Hailey, Drew and Hudson

Cuz Bretley and Drew

We've had two parties since my last post and we have two more to go! As you can tell, December is a crazy month for us...but it's so much fun. I thought having both the boys in December would make things more stressful but actually it gets our whole family in the festive mood. We Christmas shop earlier and put the tree and lights up earlier so we get to anticipate Christmas Day even more. I LOVE the Holidays.

Tuesday night, we went to Mer's for the Boys' joint Birthday party (Drew was born on the 20th & will be 3 yrs old) and Wednesday night we went to Paula's for the Dec. cousins' birthday party. Our niece, Hailey turned 17 on the 3rd. The boy's got Legos, two huge tractors with trailers, and a Hot Wheels City set. They have played none stop since Wed. nite and refuse to take a bath, eat or go to preschool b/c they just want to play. I think maybe I'll just take all their Christmas presents back since they seem pretty happy! We're off to ride the Polar Express in Palestine tonight and the boys' "Friend Party" is tomorrow morning. I"ll have lots to share next blog! Have a great weekend!

My Sugar Bear turned 5 today

Hudson Randale 12-2-03
2 1/2 years old

almost 2 years old

TX v OU weekend, almost 2 yrs old

Easter, 15 mos old

10 mo old, first day to walk

2 months old

First present of the week! Today!

Oh my! I cannot believe that FIVE years ago today, at 7:14 AM, our first baby boy arrived! 9lbs 2oz, 21 inches (and that's a week early)! Well, he's kept his big boy stature and now weighs 53 lbs and who knows how tall he is? Let's just say, people think he's 6 or 7 yrs old.

We've had an amazing 5 years. I've grown up more in the last five years than I have my whole life! Having a baby has taught me patience, self-sacrafice, to let lose and not always have control, and how to love someone more than your own life. A piece of my heart walks around everyday in the body of a 5 yr old named Hudson Randale. Here's a little description of my "Sugar Bear": He's inquisitive, talkative, opinionated, a little hyper, and yet, caring & sensitive. I pray that the thing he uses the most, his mouth, will someday be used to lead others to Christ. God has given Hudson an incredible personality and I can't wait to see the path he will take and the wonderful experiences he has yet to live. I thank God everyday that He has given me the privilege of raising two of His children.

Stay tuned for more Birthday celebration! We have two parties this week and Drew's B-day in a couple of weeks.