100 days of school

Mason brought home a paper that stated, "When I am 100 years old I will be..." He wrote, "An Uncle and an old man." Ha!!
Then he had to draw a picture of what he will look like at 100 years old. I wish my scanner worked so I can show you the picture. He drew a man hunched over with glasses and hair combed to the side (looks like a comb over). It is too funny!!

Spoiled

Lucky is ready for his parents to come home! But he has had fun hanging out with his best friend Stella!

Connections

Saturday was the St. Paul's Christian Day School's annual Gala. This is a very fancy event that Andy and I have not previously attended. We haven't attended because it's expensive and fancy. But this year we received an invitation that we couldn't turn down. My great friend Missy asked us to be her guests at her table. Missy did all the flowers for the gala. I wish I had taken pictures of the tables. They were beautiful. She did an amazing job, as usual. So we got all decked out and headed to the event.

We got to hang out with great friends, eat really good food, enjoy lots of adult beverages and place bids on items we would never be able to afford if we actually won! It was really a lot of fun! Thank you Missy for inviting us! You are the best!
After the gala we hung out with Erin and Roy and some new friends (new to me anyway) at Erin's house. It was the first time I had ever seen her house (they redid an older house and did an awesome job!) and it was beautiful. I was very impressed. We decided we need to get together soon and play games! Andy and I love to play games and we found out that Erin and Roy do too! A game night will be planned soon!

The underground clubhouse

If you read Kristi's family blog you have already seen this, but Mason has been digging in our garden for a good week. He started one night when it was REALLY cold outside. He was in his hunting coveralls and his hat with LED lights. He is determined to make an underground clubhouse! He has been hard at work. Can't you tell?! He showed Kayci around the other day and ended up putting her to work too! It's becoming quite a sight. I'll keep you updated on the progress of this clubhouse!

My village

My main focus these last two weeks has been on my dad's health. I have been able to visit him on 3 different occasions thanks to the help and support of so many family and friends. First, Andy has been amazing. He has been my rock. He has pumped me up so that I could in turn pump my dad up. He never let me think my dad was going to do anything but recover. He took care of the boys solo, for many days, so I could go be with my dad. Thank you honey! I love you!
Kristi has been a shining light these last two weeks. She has known when I want to talk about things and when I don't. She kept my kids twice last week so I could run errands on my own, and just have some "me" time. When she found out Wednesday I needed to go to Austin she came over and watched my kids so I could pack. She also made me a hospital bag. She put tons of items inside this very fun, happy rooster bag (Thanks Tracye!). We consumed most of the items, so the picture just shows the remainder! Her card said, "I couldn't find a silver lining, so I created my own." She wrapped each "happy" in foil (silver lining!) with a hand written note on each. For example, one said "Give me a ring if you need to talk." The item inside was a ring pop! Another one said, "Laughter is great medicine for all of you..go ahead and snicker." The item inside was a big pack of snickers. Another said, "Count your blessings, no really get started!" Inside was a journal. The bag was full of great things and heartfelt messages. It was exactly what I needed and it cheered us all up! I wish I was 1/3 as creative!! Thank you for being you!

 
Missy picked Mason up for me twice last week while I was in Austin. Even though she was trying to get ready for St. Paul's gala she didn't hesitate at all in helping me out. I am so lucky to have such amazing friends.
Buddy picked Alex up from school two days and watched both boys until Andy got home. He is becoming quite the babysitter! I know I can call him at any time and he will be there to help me out. I am very thankful for that!
My co-workers and boss have been amazing as well. They have given me notes, hugs, prayers, encouragement, and peace of mind. I am so lucky to be working with such amazing women!
I have so many people that have been praying for my dad and our family. So many people have called to check on him. It's been very touching. I am so blessed to be able to call these friends and family, MINE!

The long road

As many of you know, my dad has been in the hospital since Jan. 15th. He is on track to get out this week. Thank God!! He has been sick since November with pneumonia and various related illnesses. He has been hospitalized 3 times since November but never got well. January 15th he started running a fever. It quickly rose to 104 degrees. My mom decided to take him to the emergency room. That afternoon he was admitted to a room. He was being treated for pneumonia. A few days later tests determined that his immune system was extremely low. On Thursday, the doctor decided to do an immunoglobin infusion to help build his immune system back. They put a picc line in his arm so that he could continue to get infused once a month. 24 hours after the infusion he had an extreme reaction which caused a lung injury. The official diagnosis at this point is ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome). ARDS results in a severe oxygen defect. Friday, Jan 21st my dad had to be put on large amounts of oxygen (the maximum amount) in order to breathe. He had a cannula and a mask on for a couple of days. It was very scary. Two weeks later his chest x-rays are showing improvement. He is able to use only the cannula for oxygen. As of this afternoon he was able to turn his oxygen down to 6 ml (from 15 a few days ago). He is showing remarkable improvement considering how serious this injury was/is. I have always known my dad was a tough man and a fighter. But wow, this brought it to a whole new level for me. As he lay in the hospital bed, struggling to breathe, he was making sure I was ok. I was still able to gain comfort from him, even during one of his scariest times. He fought with everything he had to get to the point where he is going to go home soon. He has so many cords and tubes attached to him, it's ridiculous but he rarely complains about them. Although, he did liken himself to the back of a cable tv! He has had to endure so many painful procedures and tactics in the name of healing, but he has done them all and has kept his sense of humor. He has been so accommodating to everyone that has come in contact with him (nurses, CA's, RT's, PT's, doctors). There were many times nurses that weren't taking care of my dad that day would come and check on him. There was a respiratory therapist that really bonded with my dad. I remember one day he looked at my dad and said "You have to get well, you are pissing me off!" There was a nurse that was so worried about my dad he called the doctor after his shift that night. He has really made an impact on everyone around him. While my dad has been fighting to get his breath back, literally, my mom has been there every step of the way. My mom never left his side (unless there was someone else in the room with him.) She has taken care of his every need with encouragement and love. She has been so brave, which in turn helped my dad be brave. My parents have shown me endurance, love, faith and hope.
As I got ready to go see my dad Wednesday evening, I started wondering if there was anything I really wanted to tell my dad when I got to the hospital. Even though I knew in my heart that he was going to be ok, I still wondered if there was anything I really needed him to know. Thankfully, we have a very close relationship so I couldn't think of anything that I hadn't already told him. That made me feel really good. One thing I know I will start doing differently is talking to him on the phone. Right now, when I want to talk to my parents I call my mom's cell phone. I never call my dad. Therefore, we could go weeks without talking. I am going to change that.
This whole experience has made me appreciate life more. It's made me re-evaluate what I really need to get worked up about. It's also made me want to start taking better care of myself and my family.
I know my parents will be glad to get home and sleep in their own bed, see their dog Lucky and eat home cooked food! That day will be here SOON!!
Please continue to pray for my dad. It was through prayer and the grace of God that my dad was able to fight his way through this. It was very humbling to realize how GREAT God is. How powerful and mighty He is. He never left our sides. He gave us strength and the will to keep fighting. He gave us peace and reassurance that it was going to be ok. Thank you God!

Get Well Soon Papa!!

The boys made my dad cards tonight. He is still in the hospital. The power of prayer and his will to get well is going to get him home soon! But here are a couple of cards from a couple of cute boys that love their Papa very much!!

Mason's card says "Mason loves you Papa. Get well soon." Mason wanted to draw pictures of things that make you happy, like rainbows and happy faces! He wanted to draw a sad face because he is sad Papa is sick. But I told him he should draw happy things on the card. :)

Alex's card says, "Alex loves Papa. Try to feel better." Then he drew a picture of Papa. I'm pretty sure Papa is hopping on one foot in the picture. So that's a good sign!! :)

We know you will feel better soon. One step at a time! We love you!

Ground hornets

Living in the "country" you never know what you may run across in your own yard. We have had a problem with ground hornets all year. They have only been in one place in our yard. Andy has tried many times to kill their nest with poisons, sprays, running them over with the lawn mower, etc. Nothing has gotten rid of them. Since it has been cold Andy decided he would try to dig their nest up. I couldn't believe the amount of honeycomb he dug up. No wonder he couldn't ever kill them. They had an entire country built in there! Hopefully this fixes our problem!

Tice Warren Lange

I hope Natalie doesn't mind that I am putting her child's birth announcement on my blog, but I am soooo excited he is here! I "borrowed" his precious picture from her blog. To see more adorable pictures of Tice visit her blog. Natalie and Harper welcomed Tice on January 3rd at 1:13pm. He was 9 lbs and 12.5 ounces. He was 21 inches long. He is perfect! So far he looks just like Harper. The boys were able to meet him this past weekend. They have been asking to see him since the day he was born! I'm not sure they realize it will be awhile before they can all play legos and trucks together! But I know that day will be here before we know it!

Team Hudson Fundraiser

Last Friday we attended the Team Hudson fundraiser. It was incredible!! They raised $22,000!! Nicole has some pictures taken before the fundraiser started on her blog. We had a great time. Mason and I worked the toy walk for awhile. Mason loved spinning the wheel and calling out the winning number. Alex won a paper jams guitar which he was REALLY excited about. Mason got an electric guitar for Christmas and Alex has been a little jealous of that. So now, Alex has his own guitar! Alex got his face painted. The boys got several balloon animals/guitars/swords, etc! They even got to eat cotton candy at 9pm! We had great food, beer, a band, friends....what more can you ask for. It was a really fun night. Andy participated in the live auction and bought a party for 10 at Horseshoe Junction. I was very excited about this because Mason's birthday is coming up and I really didn't want to have the party at our house. So now, Mason's birthday will be at Horseshoe Junction. That was a win win for everyone! I think Nicole and the planning team did an amazing job putting this event together. I know it was a lot of hard work, but to be able to give the UMDF a check for an incredible amount had to feel good! I tried to get a picture of Hudson at the event but he was busy partying! Once Nicole gets pictures back from the photographer I will share on my blog. He was so cute!! Here are a few pictures of the boys.

School update

I decided to postpone my online class (PPR) at Blinn until this summer. Last semester left me so conflicted as to whether I wanted to enter into a career as a teacher. When I taught preschool in Pflugerville I really enjoyed it. However, I was at a different place in my life then. I had quit Dell, became a stay at home mom to a 3 year old and almost 1 year old. I was lonely, searching for my identity again, confused, sad, etc. I prayed and prayed and finally decided to apply for a teaching position at Mason's preschool. I was offered a co-teacher position with the 3 year olds. I loved it. I loved the women I worked with most of all. It was an answer to my prayers. I was around people, I felt like a made a difference during the day, the kids were happier, I was happier. The next year I became the lead teacher. Another great year. Then we moved to Brenham and a year later I decided to start the process of getting my teaching certificate. I was lucky enough to get offered a long term sub position with a Kindergarten class at Alex's school. I also did 20 hours of observations at Mason's school. My first class at Blinn was an ESL class that was video conferenced in. All three components together were challenging, much harder then I thought it would be, and not as much fun. Don't get me wrong there are plenty rewards with teaching, but I wonder if the rewards (for me) outweigh the blood, sweat, and tears that a teacher puts into each and every day in the classroom.

Last Sunday I decided to postpone my PPR class until this summer. I needed time to decide if I really wanted to go through with this. It's a lot of money, time and effort to be unsure. Then Monday I got a call from Alex's school asking me to take another long term sub position in a pre-k class. I thought about it for most of the day and decided it was the right thing for me. This would give me another real life experience in the classroom. If I love it, then I am going to finish school this summer. If I am still not sure, I think I may cut my loses now. I am trying to get out of the way and let God lead the way. It's really hard for this control freak! Another reason I was torn about accepting the sub position is because I had already committed to watching Noble this semester. However, God answered that prayer too. Noble was able to get into St. Paul's one day a week so Kristi can go to Houston. Then I can still watch him on afternoons she needs to go in. I think it was a win for everyone. So far, I really enjoy the pre-k. Noble enjoyed his first day of school.

The only ify thing is that Alex has to eat lunch at St. Paul's every day now. I have to work until 1pm which means Alex has to stay for lunch. St. Paul's doesn't allow you to bring your own lunch. So Alex has to eat whatever they are serving that day. If you know Alex this is a very scary thing. He is a VERY picky eater. He basically eats chicken nuggets and waffles with peanut butter for every meal! Yeah, I am a great mom! Alex ate at school 3 days last week and managed to find things on the plate he liked. I was SO proud of him! So far it isn't terribly traumatic! I hope he can make it the rest of the semester! I told him on some days he could have Kristi, Grandpa, or Missy pick him up so he doesn't have to eat what they are serving. He liked that. Overall, I am really proud of him for trying what they serve and for staying an extra 1.5 hours at school without complaining.

I am sad I don't get to go back to MOPS or bible study this semester. I miss the girls I see there. I just need to do a better job of planning girl's nights! But, I am thankful for this opportunity. I know it's going to help me grow, as well as Alex (and Noble too)! So, that's my long winded update!!

Mason's art work

Mason had some art work that was judged by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He got a 1st place ribbon! We are so proud of him. He loves to draw and is very artistic like his Daddy. We got to go see the art on display at Brenham Elementary today. He was a little sad when he found out the winning art work is already in Houston. But, I think he is pretty excited to have gotten a ribbon. I know I am a proud mama!

Each piece of the picture is individually cut out, water colored, then colored with crayon. It's pretty neat! Way to go Mason!

Boys

Last night the Robinson family came over to watch the Cotton Bowl. It was a house full of Aggies and 1 longhorn who was rooting for the Aggies! Besides the outcome of the game, we had a great time. The boys played awesome together! There wasn't a single fight and nothing was broken. That's pretty amazing when you put 5 boys together for about 4 hours!! Missy and I got to visit and Andy and Dusty got to watch the game. I think it was a win for everyone, well except for the Aggies. But I am just proud that they made it to the Cotton Bowl! Here are a few pics from last night.

Reid watching the game. He got into it! 

I made the mistake of letting Alex get the ipad out!

The boys are already asking when they can play with Reid, Blake and Owen again!

Team Hudson Fundraiser

My good friend Nicole has a son named Hudson who was diagnosed with Mitochondrial disease. It's hard to describe in words how much their family has gone through in the past 3 years. Nicole just started a blog so I really recommend you checking it out. She is such an inspiration to me as a mother and a woman. I think I would have had many nervous breakdowns already if I were in her shoes. Nicole takes things in stride. It takes a lot to get her stressed out. She is positive, faithful, and hopeful. She is also strong & determined. Thank goodness, because she is Hudson's voice. She is fighting his fight. Although, if you know Hudson, he does a pretty good job of fighting his own fight! He definitely has a personality. He will let you know if he isn't getting his way! He is the sweetest boy. I haven't had the chance to be around him lately, but last time we all got together he LOVED being pulled around in a wagon. The faster the better. He loves riding on the Ranger. Basically he loves anything fast where he can feel the wind on his face! He loves playing chase. He loves trains, slides, balls, remotes, keys, and anything with texture! He loves balloons and the trampoline. He is a regular little boy, except his body doesn't make energy like the rest of the little boys. Mito affects Hudson in many ways, mostly his GI system. He is a true inspiration to me. When I am having a bad day, I think about Hudson and how much he is fighting to do things I take for granted. To read Hudson's story, read this post from Nicole's blog. Nicole has started fundraising for the UMDF. Two of the fundraisers I wanted to mention are a benefit at the Washington County Event Center next Friday, January 14th from 6-12. There will be a dance with music by John Slaughter band, cake & toy walk, silent & live action, Charity the Clown, face painting,& much more. You can get tickets from Woodmen of the World, DDM, K & M Grocery, St. Paul's Christian Day School, Dan's Meat Market, Bartay Chiropractic, A Wild Hair and any Lady Noon Lions Club Member. Adults $10, 6-12 $5, 5& under free.

Come out and join us. It's going to be a lot of fun and it's for a great cause. All of the money raised will go to the UMDF for research.
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The second fundraiser I wanted to mention is a walk that will be held in Houston on Feb. 5th. The website for the walk is www.energyforlifewalk.org/houston. Click on Team Hudson. Come out and join us if you can!!

Alex's thoughts on the firework show

Scotty's Birthday

Scotty turned 14 years old on New Year's Day. I have had him since he was 6 weeks old. I got him from the SPCA in College Station when I was at A&M. I remember calling my Aunt Nancy who had a house and land off of OSR in Hearne. I told her to tell the people at the SPCA that I was living at the house so they would let me have Scotty. I was living in an apartment and one of the rules on adoption was that the dog couldn't go to an apartment. She went along with it, thank goodness! I remember the first day I brought him home. I told myself he wasn't going to sleep in the bed. I had to work a minor sting that night (I worked with TABC during college assisting with undercover stings) so I didn't get home until probably 1am. I was SO tired. Scotty whined and whined and whined. After a couple of hours I put him in bed with me and he went right to sleep. 14 years later, he is still in bed with us. Although, it's getting harder and harder for him to jump up on the bed. Lately he will scratch on the door like he needs to go outside, then go stand by the bed. That's his sign that he wants up on the bed. Now that he is 98 years old in dog years, things aren't like they used to be. He usually wakes me up 2-3 times a night to go outside, or he needs more water, or he wants on the bed. He also has lumps all over his stomach that must hurt, because as I am lifting him onto the bed (after he has scratched to let me know he wants up) he will bite me! He definitely has his own personality. He is starting to tolerate Shelby. Although, I don't think he would miss her if she was gone! He started out as my dog, but he is definitely more attached to Andy now. That happened once we had kids! When the boys fight (and yell) Scotty comes and lays between my legs and shakes uncontrollably! He still likes to chase squirrels, although with a previous ACL injury he doesn't go as fast! He has never been boarded. He goes everywhere he can with us or he stays with my parents or Andy's parents. He is definitely one spoiled dog! I hope he hangs around for several more years! He is definitely a big part of our family! Happy Birthday Scotty Boy!  

Here is Scotty eating his birthday breakfast.

This is what he was eating...he is on a kidney diet so I put weenie dogs on top of his prescription food! Awesome, huh?! Weenie dogs are his favorite! Ironic huh?!

New Year's Eve

I was a little bummed about our New Year's Eve plans, or lack thereof, the day before NYE. We usually always do something with Harper and Natalie but this year they were preparing for the arrival of baby Tice. We checked around with other friends but no one was really doing anything this year. So we decided to have our own NYE. This was the first time the boys have done anything for NYE. They are usually with Andy's parents or my parents while Andy and I celebrate. (Except for the 2 or 3 times we spent NYE in the hospital with Alex!) We started the night off going out to eat (go figure- since I never cook!). Then we bought fireworks, champagne for Andy and I, and sparking grape juice for the boys. Andy put on a fireworks show for us in our backyard. Then we went inside and drank our bubbly while we played games. It turned out to be a lot of fun!! Here are a few pictures of the boys doing fireworks on the patio. Below they are throwing these snap fireworks at the wall. Once they hit the wall they make a loud popping noise.

Preparing for the show

Sparklers! They are smoky!

This one was hard for Alex to shoot! Look at his face! Then look at Mason with his ears plugged!

Opening the bubbly!