Wasn’t Halloween Last Month?

I don’t know if Hudson was subliminally wanting to be back in the hospital for his “birth”day again this year, but he was a day late.  Hudson slammed his finger in the folding door on Sunday as I was cleaning up a glass he had shattered on the floor.  Of course it happens right before we were ready to leave for church.  This was one of the few times that I had no doubt he was going to need stitches.  He managed to sever his finger from the side of his top knuckle over the top of his finger and back down to that same knuckle on the other side.  Who knew fingers could really spurt?  It kind of looked like someone tried to cut his fingerprint off and then deflate it.  I will save you most of the gory details and just say it was really gross looking.  The kitchen looks like a murder scene…perfect for Halloween, right?  He tried so hard to be brave.  Counting seemed to be the only thing that calmed him down – so we counted.  

A huge thank-you goes out to Amber for coming and getting Annie from the ER.  I can’t imagine how X-rays and the sewing would have gone with her bouncing on the bed beside him.  You are a lifesaver!  A big thank-you to the other members of the ward who were so thoughtful with their well wishing and their treats.  We love you all!

We are thankful his finger was not broken.  Several stitches and a huge dose of Motrin later, Hudson seems to be doing a little bit better.

P.S. – For now we thought it best to NOT include photos:)

Where Were You, November 15, 2004?

     Whenever I think about a birthday; streamers, party hats, cake, family and friends are always first on my mind.  My children’s birthdays are a bit different.  I can’t help laughing or maybe wincing whenever I think about Hudson’s birthday.  The images and memories that surface are that of him getting here.  I remember the hospital (Wahoo: Labor was exactly from 12-6pm) and holding him in my arms for the first time, realizing that I now was a mom.  The baby I held in my arms was intrusted to me by my Father in Heaven to love and to nuture.  It’s been 4 fabulous, crazy, hectic, wonderful, adventurous years since Hudson joined our family.  Here’s to the memories.

This is Hudson bundled up for his ride home from the hospital.  Utah in November is always freezing.

Shell shocked maybe?

Happy as a clam!

Just happy to be

Loving life

Full of the giggles

Thinking he’s an elf

One of the many bumps, bruises and breaks

Not the yellow snow!

Can’t resist a puddle

Loving San Diego

Am I Lucky or Just Charmed?

I woke up a few days ago with the stomach flu.  Will got Annie some cereal, tucked me in and headed off to work.  Naturally, I fell back asleep.  A few hours later, around 8 o’clock I try to pull myself out of bed.  Swinging my feet over the side of the bed and stepping down, I feel a sticky crunch under my feet.  I leave my bedroom in search of my kids.  The sticky, crunching sound follows me all the way to the living room(Thank goodness my house isn’t too big.  It isn’t as far as it sounds).  I find them happily watching PBS on the couch and my carpet generously covered with cereal.  You can’t tell from the picture, but the cereal of choice was Lucky Charms.  My precious, little Annie had trailed the entire box from the kitchen, to my bedroom, through the dining room and then settled in the living room on the couch with an empty box(I even found cereal in my closet and under my bed and the couch).  She had picked through every last piece and eaten ALL the colored marshmallows.  This whole experience actually made me a little proud of myself.  At no point during the process was I the least aggitated or upset.  I just felt an overwhelming gratitude that I am lucky enough to have kids keeping my life so exciting…even if it does take a little extra cleaning!

Free Book

My good friend, Jen sent me a fabulous link from Oprah.  Maybe some of you saw Oprah yesterday and her offer.  Either way, www.snapfish.com is offering a free 8×11 book(freebook2008 is the coupon code).  This offer is good through November 14th.  You do have to pay the $7 for shipping and handling.  Check it out.  I have seen them before and they are great.  There are a few different templates you can choose from.  These make great Christmas presents, especially  to the grandparents.

http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081029_tows_messyhouse/7

A Penny Saved…

Our last several family home evenings on tithing got me thinking about finances.  I figured now would be a good time to let Hudson practice.  He now earns a whopping $0.10 a day by making his bed, brushing his teeth, practicing piano and doing his homework.  I know the amount he is getting paid seems trivial, but I am hoping he will learn how to count coins in the process.  Why not start from the bottom.  A penny saved is a penny earned, right?  He is all about changing those pennies in for nickels and dimes anyway.  We haven’t made it to a quarter yet:)  I am also being a mean mom and making him pay 10% to college and 10% to a mission.  

To try and encourage the savings I decorated three little, brown boxes and a jar.  He has no problem putting a penny for tithing, a penny for college and a penny for a mission.  He is excited he gets to keep 7 for himself.  Really 7 versus 10 pennies isn’t that big of a difference.  It is funny as adults when we get our money, it seems to be so much more.  We are hoping to push Hudson into being a habitual saver.  I don’t want him to ever have to question whether or not he should pay his tithing or save.  Here’s hoping!