Date Nights

Thanks to a sweet friend who has encouraged us to keep putting effort into our marriage- and keep it from becoming stagnant, we have been having regular date nights. They aren't usually anything spectacular to the onlooker, but they are special to us--- because we are together... and both putting effort into our marriage.

Last night, we bought a new movie for the children, let them get some McDonalds for dinner, and set them up in the girls' room upstairs to watch it on the laptop.  They also got a special treat of puffcorn and sweetened tea.  (May not sound like much of a treat to YOU... but they LOVE it!)

Then I made Fettuccine Alfredo and salad for my husband and I. We also had one of my favorite wines, Arbor Mist's Blackberry. 

My husband had planned ahead and with his technological know-how (something I'm clueless on), he somehow was able to play the music from our wedding 12 years ago through his phone.  That alone made the evening extra special for me.  Among his busy schedule he took the time to do something special for us... it isn't just *I* putting effort into the date nights... he enjoys doing so as well.  Which in turn, makes me feel loved.

Now anyone who knows my husband knows he is a hopeless romantic.  When we were first together, he would leave notes for me all the time, buy me little gifts and hide them throughout the house.  I'd always have fresh cut flowers to adorn my table, chocolates, etc.  He doesn't cringe at watching chick-flicks with me (even though he'd much prefer a man-flick...)  He thinks nothing of rubbing my shoulders, or back.... or even feet!

He's much more romantic than I am... and in some ways- I curtailed his romantic nature by being complacent.  I'm not much of a flower gal.  Don't care for little gifts, etc.  (But I *LOVE* his backrubs! LOL!)  So, as I showed little appreciation, he stopped doing things as often.  I didn't even notice because I was fine with the status-quo.  I hadn't realized how much we had lost... or at least misplaced, until we began to put effort again into our marriage.

It is fun to see those things beginning to blossom again.  And, I am now craving those things.

Anyway... I have been enjoying our "dates"...and look forward to many more adventures.  (I'll update now and then on how it's going.)

A fresh Birthday...

On September 21st, we were blessed with our fourth son!  Silas Jude Hudson joined the family, as the sixth child, fourth son, and holder of our hearts!  At first, I was disappointed that he was not a girl... after all... 3 boys and 3 girls... the "perfect" family, right?

Then a dear friend reminded me that GOD knows what perfect is!  For us... it is four sons and two daughters!  FOUR SONS!  What a blessing and a treasure!  One day, Lord willing- we will have four sons to carry on the legacy of a Godly Heritage.  Four sons to carry on their father's name!  We are so blessed to have been entrusted with another son.  It wasn't a disappointment... it was a JOY!

(And yes, we'd be just as thankful for another daughter... if the Lord ever sees fit... but to be disappointed over being given a son, rather than a daughter is foolish.)

Silas has grabbed the heart of everyone in the family.  He is a pretty content baby.  He slept well from the beginning, and weighed almost 15 pounds at 2 months.  We love having babies in our home.  And we love our newest little one no less!

His name:
Silas... after Silas/Silvanus, the Apostle Paul's companion and fellow missionary
Jude... after Jude in the Scriptures... and the name means "Giving Thanks"
Hudson... after Taylor Hudson, missionary to China

Welcome to the World, Buddy!

Belated Birthdays! Logan, Levi and Carrie

 Happy 9th Birthday, Logan! (July 4th)

You are a treasure to your parents. 

It has been so fun watching you grow into

a young man. Your zeal for godliness is an encouragement

and blessing to your Mama and Daddy.

We couldn't be more proud of our oldest son!

Happy 2nd Birthday Little Guy Levi! (July 16th)

You are such a ham.  We enjoy listening to you chatter

and laugh.  We wish we could bottle up just half of your energy most days and save it for ourselves! 

Our family is blessed having such a bundle of joy...

(and mischievousness)!

 

Happy 4th Birthday Carrie! (Aug.27)

You are an amazing little girl.  So sweet and precocious ... 

all at the same time.

We love seeing you grow and blossom!

Sometimes, you are too cute...

(for your own good)!

We love you so much!

Oh My! Have I been gone so long?

A dear friend informed me that I am way behind on this blog...

And how absolutely embarrassing!  I am not one of those who favors those who begin a journey and then quit. 

But I favor even less the ones who do not pick up and start again. 

So... here I begin the journey again.  My goal shall be to update about 3 times per week, on a good week.  Twice on a not so good week.  And once on an awful week!  LOL!  But, at least continue on.

I'll be back tomorrow to update!  We've had three birthdays since last post in the family... plus one very special BIRTH DAY!  I'll post pictures and think of something half way interesting to write about!

Until then...

Happy Birthday to a special 7 year old!

We celebrated a month ago (middle of May), but I hadn't uploaded his birthday photo to the computer yet!  

Micah, you are a very special little boy!  You've taught us

so much about the Lord's faithfulness!

We love you so much, and pray daily for you.

May the Lord grow you into a fine young man,

someone to serve His Purpose!

Yes, Maybe I *am* CRAZY...

But I love it just fine, thank you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I got a comment from someone at the OB yesterday, who was awaiting her appointment. She had a little girl (about 7 years old or so) and a little boy (who I'd guess to be about 4). She was expecting again and told me that it was an *oops*... ( To which I inwardly cringed at the notion of a child ever being an "oops".) Anyway, I had only my 5 year old daughter with me and the other mother asked if I was "hoping for a boy to complete my family". I said, actually, we *know* we are having a boy... then my 5 year old happily chimes in...

"Yeah... so that makes 4 boys and only 2 girls. We are going to see if we can get two more girls next time!"

The ladies jaw dropped and she said "Are YOU CRAZY!?!?!?!"  All I could do was smile a happy, crazy smile...

I think she was relieved to have her name called next. I couldn't help but laugh when my 5 year old looked at me astonished and said... "Mama... what was wrong with HER!?!?" (She of course doesn't understand the ideology of the world on children... but she knew SOMETHING was wrong with that woman who's mouth slacked like a cod-fish!)

If  having and loving children is crazy (no matter if it's 2 or 12)... if enjoying those blessings as they come is crazy... if wanting another sweet treasure to hold is crazy... if seeking to turn blunt arrows into fine weapons for the Lord's use is crazy...

Then I guess I am crazy!  For each and every one of them!

For My Husband, the Love of my Life...

 Honey, we've had times of sorrow, times of joy.  Times of miracles and times of despair. There have been times when I truly didn't know how we'd make it through... but the Lord was always faithful to us.  Times when we've failed one another and times when we've been there to lift the other up.

I know I'm not perfect (no one knows that more than you).  I am so thankful that YOU are MY man, though.  You've been such a great husband to me, father to our children, and defender of the weak.  No job is too menial for you- and you can do just about anything you set your mind to. You are an amazing life partner... you complete me.  This is for you...

Derailments setting you back?

I've been thinking a lot about derailments in life.  Perhaps it is about time many have experienced derailments on their tracks of new years resolutions.  Weight Loss?  Bible Reading?  Family Time?  Hobbies?  Character Overhaul?

Let's face it.  We've ALL had certain derailments.  Some have been MAJOR, some have been just the slipping of the wheels from the track.  What is important is how we handle those derailments.

While we were in Missouri on vacation last year, my family was "privileged" to witness the derailment of a train from it's tracks.  Our family happened to be studying about trains at that time during our homeschooling, and the engineer was kind enough to explain simple (common sense) things to our children about train derailments.  And, much of the principles he shared, I believe, can translate into the derailments of life, as well!

There are derailments due to our own human error,  and there are also derailments which go beyond our control. Some human examples could be caused from going above posted speeds, brakes being used incorrectly, uneven loads causing rolling stock, etc.  Then, there are errors which go beyond human control.  Some of these may include things such as an out of gauge/slipped track due to cracks or loose ties, a clogged track (snow, dirt slides, washouts, etc.), or even parts failures such as broken axles or warped parts.

It is important to get a train back on it's tracks as quickly as possible. A derailed car which is allowed to sit actually can accrue more problems sitting there.  Not only can parts bend and warp, but mud, rock, and the elements can make a bigger and messier problem. (Think of a coal car sitting on wet ground. They can CARRY over 200,000 pounds of coal.  This doesn't even factor in the weight of the car itself. Imagine if that went off tracks, and what would happen if it sat in that wet soil for any length of time.)  So, it's important to get the train back on it's tracks whenever possible.  (There ARE times when a train car will never be put back on it's tracks, and I'll get to that later.)

The first thing done before re-railing a train is to figure out WHAT caused the derailment.  That stands without an explained reason, right?  But what about YOUR derailment?  What happened when you got off track?  Was it human error?  Did you set your goal so high it was easy to become discouraged?  Did you try to go too fast?  Were you not utilizing the things you should have been?  (ie. perhaps accountability)  Or was this derailment out of your control?  Were you even on the right track?  Was this a GOOD goal?  Did you pray about it and ask for the Lord's guidance?  Did you let HIM make the route map, or did you?  Are you doing it HIS way? 

After examining the cause of the derailment, and making the necessary steps to fix the problem, you've got to get the train back on the track.  (Remember the longer it sits, the harder it is to get back onto the track!!!)  This takes some hard work.  Sometimes extra crews are called in.  Do you need to call in reinforcements? You might have to.  And, that's okay.  (As long as you have rightly determined that you are on the right track!)  And may I add as an aside here?  Getting derailed can be painful can't it?  But, don't be surprised if you experience pain once you've figured out the problem and are getting the train back on... it may take perseverance.)

So, once you get back on the track, may I suggest you do as they do with trains?  They don't go full-steam ahead immediately.  First, it would ruin the track further (something I am not going to explain now, but has to do with the heat of a slipping wheel.)  It also can cause more damage to the train, and you may not be certain that WHAT you fixed WAS the real problem!

When starting up a train again, it moves slowly at first.  When you have been derailed and you get back on the tracks, it can be daunting to start out again.  Take it slowly.  Keep your eyes on the destination, but don't feel that you must race to that spot.  (Have you EVER known a train to be on time? LOL!)  Keep your wheels moving, and keep your eyes open.  Make sure the conductor (you) is speaking to the Engineer (God).  (It's always good to re-examine things... if you are a Believer, it is always the best policy to speak to the Lord- remember he's interested even in the "little things".)

And always keep in mind that derailments DO happen.  Sometimes you may have been able to do something to prevent them, but not always.  The key is to figure out what happened, and to fix it.  Then, get back on the tracks (or to the RIGHT track) as quickly as possible.  Begin slowly- going full steam immediately can cause more problems.  And keep your eyes on the destination.

And for the part about train cars that never make it back to the tracks... this does happen occasionally.  We were told that sometimes when the retrieval is more costly than the replacement would be worth, the train is left off the tracks.  There may be some "goals" you have set that don't belong on the track.  At least not for now.  Sometimes, I make such goals and think they are good.  I don't even consider what God may want for me or my family at that time.  I just go full steam ahead and when those plans get derailed, I am stupefied.  I can't find any human reason why I was derailed.  I'll get back on, and immediately, I am derailed again.  Not always, but there have been those times when I've come to the understanding that the track I was on, was the wrong track.

Sometimes the train gets transferred then to the RIGHT track, but there have been a few times when the train never gets back on.  You may have had those times as well.  Perhaps you are one who has longed for a child of your own.  Trying for years.  But you kept getting derailed.  After searching your heart, the Lord led you to a different track.  Adoption.  Or perhaps you are one who was sure you were on the right track.  You went to college.  You got a degree.  Then you moved to further advance your career.  You THOUGHT you were getting to your destination, and then something happens.  You lose that opportunity.  You stop to reevaluate things and realize that the move wasn't for the advancement you thought it was, but for something far greater!  So you end up switching tracks after being derailed from the one you thought you were to be on.  And once you were on that new track, you understood the prior derailments.  Sometimes, the Lord may bring you back to the original track again, and sometimes that track may end up never being on your route map. That train car of life just may end up sitting off the side of the track it was derailed from, and you will be brought to different tracks.  Just keep looking to the Engineer, and don't allow complacency. He'll guide you, if you are willing to follow Him.

Isaiah 49:9-11

That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.

 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.

Blizzard Fun!

We were shut in for a few days because of a monstrous blizzard which affected a good portion of the country.  We decided to make the best of it.  We enjoyed making homemade frosted sugar cookies, for a treat.  Then, we also made homemade whole wheat-spelt flour tortillas and filled them with a mexican concoction.  It was so much fun to do with the family!  I am going to post some photos, and hope you enjoy them, too!

(Oh... and tomorrow I'll be posting about derailments in life!  Hope to "see" you then!)

 Oh... and this next photo... each child got their own special cookie to decorate.  There was a family announcement to go with this activity... but I'll leave that up to YOU to figure out!  :)

 (And no, I can't seem to get a perfectly round tortilla... *sigh* but it tastes all the same!  YUM!)

This is my heart...

I'm laying it all down again... will you?

James 4:7-8

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."


Psalm 73:28 
"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, 

that I may declare all thy works."