Our Boy: The Kindergartener

I've dreaded the day for five short years.  Or maybe even longer, seeing as I taught school and watched other parents go through this motion.  But alas our time had come and our oldest started school.

If you ask anyone who knows me well, they would likely tell you that I was full of emotion in the weeks leading up to kindergarten.  It is a big deal.  In a small sort of life altering way, at least.

And though I was excited for our boy who was giddy about the transition, I needed some time to fall into the role of mom and express my thoughts through tears.

But the day did come. And it went.

After I dropped Noah off I found myself feeling overwhelmed with peace and joy just knowing that "this is right."  The change of pace and challenge seemed so fitting- for all of us.  And Noah loved it!

Now, one week and a few days into school and this is our established routine.  We've had fun having lunch with him in the cafeteria, riding bikes to school, talking about the days adventures, and receiving phone calls stating how great he is.  All in all, kindergarten is not so bad.  And by not so bad, I mean it's really great!  Today was the first day he woke up saying that he really didn't want to go to school again.  Eight days in... that's good, right?  And I'll even admit that being somewhere at 8am is not so bad, either.  Jesus has definitely been gracious to this aching heart.  He knows, too, what it is like to let a son go.

It's a joy to watch my children grow and change and mature and follow the course of development.  And now that we've gone over the tiny hump we call school, I feel confident that we can face what is to come!

Five Stars for a Five Year Old

We celebrated Noah over the weekend.  He turned FIVE Saturday, which was much anticipated.  Something about becoming a five-year-old has been a big milestone for us all.  He was SO excited leading up to his birthday and is still relishing in his new year of life.  With each thing we do, he says, "that was my first time to ___ as a five year old.  And it was really cool!"  --go to church, go to pre-school, ride his bike, etc--  

I know you other mothers understand this... it is so fun to live out exciting milestones with your children.  Seeing his heart alive brings added life to mine. 

I know you think there aren't many more things I could say about my sweet son that I haven't already said at some point on this blog, but you are oh-so-wrong! :)  I could write a post about each of my children for the rest of my life and never run out of things to say.  They are that unique and that special to me.  They intrigue me to the core.  

When I sat down to write a post celebrating my Noah in words, one strong thing came to mind:

his love for work!

  

I have watched this love blossom in Noah's life over the past year. 

He is a hard worker and he loves to be busy with purpose.  

He gives his full attention to detail and precision.  He often spends entire days (literally) working.  He thrives in spending hours upon hours digging, planting and grooming our yard with his dad or Pop.  

And I've notices that this all is most true when he is working with his hands and he is outside.  

I've marveled time and again how the Lord really does create man to work and provide because I've seen this come to life in Noah.  

It isn't a strain for Noah, he thrives on it.  

 Of course, he enjoys his breaks and the cool snacks he works so hard for. Ha. 

But I've also been amazed by his initiative to work.  He shovels, rakes, takes out trash, sets the table, moves rocks, all on his own.  He sees a need and attempts to take care of it without so much as a word from anyone.  

I snuck this picture recently just to keep for myself for years to come, but decided to post it here so that I could be blessed each time I see this post.  Most mornings, Noah rises early with his Daddy to have coffee and study scripture.  I can't tell you what it does to my heart and my love for the Lord to walk into our dining room and see this.  The Lord is giving Noah a hunger for the Word.  This process is causing new parts in me to rise up in awe of the power of the Holy Spirit.  That, and it makes me love these TWO boys in even deeper ways.  What a sweet father my children have.

I thought I would throw this picture in for good measure.  This was my boy's recent first trip to the dentist.  He was so nervous and so brave.  Everything inside of him wanted to cry and fall in my arms, I saw it written all over his face.  But he didn't.  And I admire him for that.  I'm watching my little boy grow into a big boy on a daily basis.  

I find myself daily amazed at the maturity taking place before my very eyes.

This boy of ours, he is such a joy!

I'm blessed to be his mother.

Happy 5th Birthday, Noah Hudson!

My Only Son

Spring is approaching and that means one thing in our house... baseball.

You see friends, I am a woman of many trades.  Laundry connoisseur, master pb&j chef, speedy bed maker, baby doll barber, house keeper, sock matching enthusiast, AND pitcher.

Not to brag on myself, but I am a force to be reckoned with on the pitching mound.  And the neighbors know that I mean business when I take my position wearing my pajama pants and house shoes.

Move over, Cliff Lee.

This morning, Noah and I were playing baseball while Emery napped and Kayt tended to her babies in the fort.  All was good until a threw a wild pitch and accidentally hit Noah square in the shoulder.  If I could have captured his face in a picture I would have something worth money.   He was completely dumbfounded and crushed and confused all at the same time.

In the most sincere, sympathetic voice he said, "What in the world are you thinking, Mom? You just hit me with the ball.  Have you forgotten that I'm your only son?  It's fine and I forgive you, but think about that next time.  Okay?"

I didn't really know how to respond.

So I laughed.
Like any good mother would do.

And then apologized.

So, to my only son: forgive this wild woman.

And to Cliff Lee: don't go anywhere.  You stay on the pitching mound and I'll stay home in my pjs.

School Actin'

This morning was an early one in our home.  Noah and Kayt were up early, but Brad and I were not as eager (as they appeared to be) to roll out of bed.   Thankfully, Brad volunteered. By the time that we were getting ready for school, the morning had turned to drama.

Let's just say that a few tears were shed.

I was trying to help Noah get dressed in his second shirt choice and he was telling me how he did NOT want to go to school today.

While dressing the boy who normally dresses himself, we had the following conversation:

N: I'm not going to school today.  I'm really not.


M: Yes you are. So why don't we stop and pray and ask Jesus to help your attitude towards school change and help you have a great day at school?

--so we prayed---

N: I'm still not feeling happy about school.


M: I know. But I know Jesus will help you feel happier and happier about school as the day goes on.


N: I still don't want to go.


M: I realize that, but I don't understand what is making you feel this way. What's going on?


N: Mom, don't you know that I am just "school actin'?"


M: No, I didn't know that. What is school actin'?


N: You know.


M: I do? Help me remember.


N: It's just something kids do. 


M: When they don't want to go to school?


N: Yeah.  It's what kids do when they don't feel like going to school, but their moms and dads make them go anyway.  They 'school act.'  


M: I see.  So, when kids don't want to go to school, they act like this to see if their mom or dad will let them stay home?


N: Yeah. But you didn't do it right.  You were supposed to let me stay home.  I knew you were going to make me go anyway. 


M: You did? 


N: Yeah. 


M: Well, at least we both agree that you should go to school today.


N: No, I don't agree, but I will go. 


M: Thanks. I think you will have a great day! And look... Jesus is already helping make your heart happier.

----a few minutes later---

N: Mom, since I told you about school actin' can I stay home?  Maybe I could tell you about more things that kids do.  Would that be fun?


M: You are so funny! Maybe you can tell me AFTER school? 


N: I will probably forget by then. 


--- a few minutes late---

N:What is that thing I was doing called again?


M: You mean "school actin'?"


N: Oh, yeah. School Actin'!

So there you have it!
My boy let it out of the bag.  It's called 'school actin' and apparently they all do it.  Don't let it fool you, parents.  Stand firm.  We can't let 'school actin' over take us!

The Stuff Memories Are Made Of

There are things that are normal in our home that are abnormal for most. It is one of the sweet things about families.  Each is unique.

It is the stuff memories are made of.

Common events in our home: worship and preaching. It is not from the one spends his weekdays in a church office or the Momma who spends her days lovin' Jesus. It is from our offsprings. 

On a daily basis, my oldest two 'lead worship.'  Noah's room is equipped with a stage, two acoustic guitars, one electric guitar, one drum set, a bongo drum, and a microphone with a sound system.  I know I have said it before, but my boy is a music lover.  And I beleive with everything inside of me that he is Supernaturally gifted especially musically.  His younger sister has followed suit and I believe one day she will be the sweet harmony to his songs.  Trust me, Jesus has used their songs to minister to me on many, many occasions.  Frustration and anger are a bit harder to come by when I hear these voices in unison. 

Back to our family being abnormal. 

One evening over a month ago, our day concluded like this:

Noah introduced our worship leaders for the night...

Then Daddy and Kayter-bug lead us in a worship set...

While Noah, Emmy, and I worshiped with them in the audience...

Ending with Noah preaching...

(When he preaches he always refers to Jesus as The Lord, Jesus Christ. Very formal. ;)

I am not sure how well you can hear this, but it's pretty cute.  Brad didn't catch the beginning of it, which was super entertaining and very true.  Noah was telling "how The Lord, Jesus Christ came to Earth.  He came to Earth and he died and three days later he rose to heaven.  How did he get to heaven anyway? I'm not really sure.  I don't even know how that happened. But it did! It did happen. The Lord, Jesus Christ did go up to heaven. I'm very sure about that!" 

What I love about this particular video and the thing that makes it one to commit to memory is that he ends with the age old question... WHERE DO BABIES COME FROM?  

Something on every child's mind, right?

Did you hear Kayt in the background asking about praying? Funny girl.  Don't mind the text that came through on Brad's phone, the all encompassing iPhone. :)

There you have it. 

A normal night in our home. 

Nothing produced here, nothing made up, this is just how we live.  

I pulled the pictures and video off of our computer just to prove... we are abnormal & unique!

This is what our memories are made of!

F-Bombs, Four-Year-Old Style

Firefighter Noah turned four a few weeks ago.  We fanned the flames of fun at fire station number nine.  Family and friends joined the festivities as we learned out about super fast fire trucks and heroic fire men.  Jr. Firefighters even got a turn at the fascination as they flung the hose and flailed through the truck.  A big fire sized thank you to the fans who helped extinguish the fun! Thus far, firefighter Noah thinks that four is fantastically fabulous!!!

Enjoys the fotos...

  

   

It's Incredible

To the boy who thinks everything is INCREDIBLE

who thinks each life event can be compared to a sport

who measures his day by practices, games, time outs and half times

who dreams about plays, catches, goals and injuries

whose outfits and roles change with the hour

whose silly words, phrases, expressions and ideas bring giggles

--this is what your Momma thinks--

You make my heart sing new songs. Songs that I have never known before. 

You are cool, cute, talented and kind.  Your sweet nature brings joy and your active personality brings excitement.  My life is more purposeful because of what you have taught me.

You may be four or twenty-four, but you WILL always be my baby even if I don't hold you like a baby anymore... my tall, fifty-pound boy.  

I think YOU are incredible! 

The most incredible of all!!!

Happy 4th Birthday, Noah Hudson!

Look at this BooBoo

Ouch!

Blah-g Week

Lame. I know. 

I have been busy cleaning the house to be shown. I remember from our last house how much work it is having a house on the market, but having two children whose biggest talent is making messes makes this even harder.  I've started telling Noah that people are coming to look to see how clean our house is and that they are going to be looking at his room as well. I'm not sure how much it's helped, but... hey. 

Today we were at Target and Noah made a scene. When we walked by the bras he yelled, HEY MOM,  THOSE ARE DA FANGS THAT WE PUT OUR BOOBS IN! And then he whipped his shirt off and started demonstrating how to use a bra. I couldn't stop him fast enough, he had a crowd of people laughing. Boys (sigh).

Jennifer emailed me and let me in on a huge story that I somehow missed. All this time, I was thinking that I was no mother of the year, yet I was so wrong. Ha! Check this out. It's pretty funny. 

Tomorrow is our anniversary! From what I've been told, we have a fun afternoon planned. I'm excited!!! Brad and I have been married for four years. We dated for six years before we got married and so I feel like we have been together for so long. We have. I can hardly remember life without him. awwww.

Has anyone date longer than six years? It's not for everyone, but it worked well for us. How long did you and your husband date before marrying? Let's see who the earns the shortest and longest dating award...

A Secret Hiding Spot

Kayt gets into everything. Everything, I tell ya. It is just now beginning to bother her brother because (that's a tongue twister) she seems to go for exactly what he is playing with and he can no longer distract her by giving her another toy. She wants what he has and the girl is nothing if not determined. 

This problem hits an all time high when Noah has to take one of his many bathroom breaks during the day. The boy is nothing if not regular. He is out of commission for a good amount of time and his sister has free reign to ANYTHING. 

In the past few weeks, he has realized that the only place she cannot maneuver her way into is the refrigerator. Thus, his new hiding place. 

The problem is that he usually forgets to reclaim his hidden treasure so guess who finds it? Last week I opened the refrigerator and ten baseball sized balls came rolling out on my head. I've found his baseball bat in there. It's a common place for finding his glove and you can't forget his green Crocs that Kayt loves to wear.  There was a Matchbox ice cream truck in the drawer with the cheese and the new pillows that I bought for his bed were on the top shelf. The list continues with everything from football player figurines to his Harlem Globetrotter brochure.  

All is fair in love and siblinghood. 

But I think I will put a sign on our refrigerator door that says, Open at Your Own Risk! because I cannot be held liable for any injuries that may happen to our friends due to the creativity of my boy. 

The Boy's Birthday Party

Noah's Birthday Carnival

Lots of Fun!

Thanks to Mandy for the super cool, yummy cookies!