Thankful

Here are a few things I am thankful for this season:

• I am thankful that the LORD of the Universe decided to make me His child. I am overcome all the more with the magnitude of what He did for me. I am praying that it will become more and more real in my heart over this Holiday Season, and that it won't be all about gifts and decorations (though I love gifts and decorations), but that it will be about a long anticipated Savior. Oh how I pray that my children will see JESUS by the way we celebrate His birth.


• I am thankful that God's Word is living and pierces my soul.


• I am thankful for my family. Especially for those three sweet men in my life: Matt, Hudson, and Micah. Matt is an amazing, selfless husband and dad, and I do not say enough about how thankful I am for him. He has been one of the Lord's sweetest gifts to me. Hudson is hilarious and quirky and very loving. I can't wait to see the man that he becomes. Micah is snuggly and sweet. I am so in love with all of them!

It is so great to step back from the day-to-day of life and be thankful. I love to be around genuine, thankful people. It is contagious. I want to be one of those people.

With each year, I find it more and more difficult to point my children toward Christ during the holidays. I guess it's just that before I had children, I didn't have anyone to be responsible for other than myself. I want to get it right, you know? So, I'd welcome any comments about holiday traditions that you use in your home to point your children to the Saviour. I'm all ears : )

We've Been...

Very busy...and having lots of fun in the month of October : ) Here is a rundown of what we've been up to:

Growing our muscles.

This takes hard work. It's keeping us very busy.

Carving pumpkins.

And making pumpkin bread, and pumpkin soup...and eating all the pumpkin bread and soup.

Going to the pumpkin patch.

The boys wanted to "take daddy" to the pumpkin patch.

Attempting a "Fall Family Photo"...or should I say, Fall Family Foto.

This is as good as it gets.

Going on a school field trip.

This is a typical Hudson look...and I NEVER capture it. I love this face!

I will post the actual Halloween pics soon. Basketball season has started, so life has gotten a bit crazy for us lately. It is so good to look back through these pics and remind myself of what a blessing it is to be able to be home with these two little men. I love, love, love being with them. They are so different and fun and definitely keep me busy daily. It's easy to just "survive" during these long days, but it is great today to be reminded to not just "survive", but to enjoy. I really wouldn't have it any other way. We are blessed.

Thankful Thursday

I have seen several friends blog on Thursdays about a few things that they are thankful for. Don't think that I'll have the discipline to do this every week...we can all see that I lack in the blogging department. But, I do want to do it this Thursday. Yesterday we found out that our van needs a new transmission...yikes! Not a good day. Do you ever find it hard to be thankful when things aren't going as planned? I do. And I really do want to cultivate an attitude of trust that comes from deep within my heart. Something I'm convinced of. So, today I want to jot down a few things that I am thankful for. We have van issues, but there is MUCH to thank God for. Here are a few things I am thankful for today:

• My relationship with God. And my Church family...I have been so nourished in this church. Matt and I have been a part of this family for six and a half years. And it is truly a family away from our own family.
• My family. I have a husband who is very gracious and loving, and two boys that are the sweetest ever...and I get to be with them every day. For that, I am very thankful.
• A new job. The Lord gave me a new part-time job, which I love. I can work from my home, mostly when my boys are napping. I'm so thankful. It was an answer to prayer.
• My van. This is silly, I know. But I think that today is a great day to remind myself that the Lord gave us that van...it was a blessing from Him. And today I am remembering that the same God that gave us that van is providing for the new transmission.

I hope you are all having an awesome day...and I pray that we can all take time to thank God, the giver of all things good, for the many blessings in our lives!

He's Growing Up

He loves to build things. He loves to read. This is at the gym and there are a host of different toys. He chose to read.

Hudson is growing up so fast. It makes my heart swell and makes me a little teary all at the same time. I looked at him the other night and I just couldn't believe that my child will be FOUR in December. That blows my mind. I was telling another parent that I am quite confident that we are messing him up in some way but I just don't know how.

Here are a few more Hudosn convos.

H: "Mommy, are these new pants?"

M: "Yeah, bud."

H: "Oooh, these are cozy." This was about new windpants...he thought the lining was great!

H: "No, Micah! You're gonna wip it!"

M: "Wip it?"

H: "No! Wiiiip it."

M: "Wip it?"

H: "Wwwwiiiiiipppp it."

M: "Wip it?"

H: "No, mommy. He's gonna tear it."

Bahahaha! I love that he says it incorrectly but he tried to correct me. It was really funny...I'm probably a mean mom for having this conversation but it was hilarious.

H: "Mommy, is this a good one to write on my heart?"

This melted my heart! We are working on memorizing scripture and Hudson took his little cards and picked one out and asked me if it was a good one to write on his heart. LOVE IT! Hudson, when you read this in years to come, I pray that you will have a deep love for God's Word and that He will have written many, many verses on your heart!

Here are a few words that Hudson says incorrectly that I love and want to remember:

• "hanitizer"- hand sanitizer
• "check mix"- chex mix
• "lellow"- yellow
• "exersketch"- etch-a-sketch

Micah's New Words

He gave me this:

So I gave him that! Don't judge me. Seriously, though, he saw the bottle on the counter and was devastated that I wouldn't give it to him. So, there you go.

Things were a little too quiet and this is where I found him.

Uh-oh, you caught me.

Micah has really started talking lately. We were thinking that he wasn't going to be nearly as verbal as Hudson (and were blaming ourselves for not reading to him as much as Hudson), but he has definitely started. He is such a sweet child. No matter where I am, people always comment on what a happy baby he is, and they are right. He is totally content to be sitting on my hip :) I can see the differences already in him and Hudson and it is so funny. I think Micah's love language is going to be touch...he always wants to give people a hug and he LOVES to be held. I have to remind myself when he is tugging at my leg and wanting me to hold him that I prayed for him to be snuggly....and I got what I prayed for.

Here are some of his favorite words as of late:

• mommmmeeeee: he says this atleast a hundred times a day....usually just to get my attention
• uh-oh
• naw-naw: also known as " no no". He started bossing the dogs first, but now he says this to his bubba too. It's funny to me that he points his finger when he does it because I don't do that.
• bootball: or "football". Teaching him early.
• buh-ball: any kind of ball has this name. And he starts off the day with this word.
• nigh-nigh: "night night"
• ball
• bye-bye: he waves his hand and goes to the door. He thinks it is the absolute best when we play along and tell him to be careful.
• ooooh: I usually say, "One...", to which he replies "oooh" (two). He's a genius : )
• moooe: "more". The boy loves to eat, so he says this often.
• ssshhhh: he puts his finger over his lips. I think it's the cutest ever.
• eeeeeeee: "cheese" He's never had his picture taken : )

Boys...

Like to play at the park and get so dirty that mommy has to give them a bath mid-day. Dirty mouth? Clean it up.

Like to make "piles" everywhere. This kind of makes me crazy...I am trying to remain calm :-)

Like to "tow" their sound machine around the house. I told Hudson to take it back and he said, "But, mommy! I'm towin' it behind my truck." (And you can imagine that it was in the country-est little voice ever.)

Ok, then. Tow away.

Like to climb on everything. I mean everything.

Like to take their diaper off to get a good nap. Isn't this hilarious? I have no idea why he did this. Matt added the index card so I could blog with a PG pic. I guess he was feeling a bit contained.

Lately...(Part 1)

Lately, we have been very busy- but in a fun kind of busy way. It has been way too long since I updated. Really, it's all your fault. If all of you would quit having such interesting things to say, I'd stop reading your blogs and update my own :-) Seriously, though, I love to stalk a blog or two...

Almost daily something happens that I think I need to blog about- I guess that's what happens when you have two very active little boys. They say and do the cutest things (to me).

We took the boys to the zoo and it was a super fun family trip. Gaga, Nonna, and Pop all made the trip with us. The boys were very excited. Here is the whole fam...don't we look excited?! Also, I totally get that none of the following zoo pics will actually include any animals. We do have those, but really the trip was about the boys.

Micah was enthralled with the birds.

Hudson love, love, loved the zoo. He walked everywhere with his map and said, "Next on my list....".
Hudson and daddy went to feed the giraffe...I really can't beleive Hudson did this. He's such a little scaredy...look at him trying to help the giraffe with his own tongue. Hilarious!

Hudson has been learning to ride his bike without training wheels. He thinks this is the absolute greatest. Daddy gets a great workout :-)

Who looks like they're doing all the work? Yep, daddy. Hudson took time to smile for the camera!

Cow Appreciation Day

Isn't this the greatest? Do it, Matt Spivey. Lookin' hot in your cow attire.

I could eat him. Those cheeks are so kissable.

Same on this one. So stinkin cute.

We HEART Chick-fil-A. You heard me. HEART it. Here are a few reasons why:

• First off, they have "Cow Appreciation Day"!! On Cow Appreciation Day, just wear your favorite cow costume and receive your very own free combo meal. Whaaaat? Free combo? We'll be there. Every time. Can I just say that I love Matt Spivey all the more for not only going along with this but for actively participating? That's a great man. And this was an all out fun filled day.


• The children's play area is safe, inside, and usually clean.
• Chick-fil-A gives complimentary placemats and cheerios. This makes the mom in me smile. Don't have to worry about the germy table or the hungry child waiting on the food. Two problems solved : )


• We love it for the new Chick-fil-a sauce. We could sip that stuff through a straw. Seriously, what do they put in that heaven on earth?


• At Chick-fil-a you can trade your kids meal toy for an ice cream. BONUS.


• Worship music is playing over the loud speaker. Love it.

Need I go on? We love this place. Just last night we went in to eat dinner and let the boys play and noticed that our Cow Appreciation Day pictures are on their bulletin board. Hilarious. Priceless. Wonder if they are on the bulletin board of the other store in town. Busted.

Date with my little man

I mean, is he carved out of my behind or what?

Hudson and I had a "date" this summer. We went to the movies to see Toy Story 3. It really was soooo cute!!! Hudson L O V E D it. It's crazy to me that he's old enough to enjoy this sort of thing. He was still and quiet for the entire movie- and he sat in my lap...which I loved. It was so good to get away with Hudson to just spend some one-on-one time. We enjoyed popcorn, his favorite, and a real coke, also his favorite. He is growing up too fast.

My New Sister!! Mark is Engaged!!

Sweet. The newly engaged couple.

Brothers.

Matt is gaining a sister : )

And so am I!!

Family. Love it. Love them.

Yaaaaaay!! I am so excited to announce that I am going to have a SISTER! Mark proposed to Kristina tonight and it was absolutely perfect. Perfect. We are so happy for them. I have been weepy all day just thinking about it. Mark has been like a brother to me long before the Lord made him my brother-in-law...and now I feel the exact same way about Kristina. The Lord has grown our friendship so much and I truly see her as a sister. It is so sweet.

Matt and I have prayed for years for Mark's future spouse...and Kristina is an answer to prayer. She loves him so well. She fits with our family...we love her. Our children love her. And she loves Jesus. We could not have written a sweeter story if we had been able to do it ourselves...how great of the Lord to do it!! We pray that they have many, many wonderful years of marriage. Congratulations Mark and Kristina!! We pray that God will richly bless your marriage!!

Six Years Together

Happy Anniversary to us! In May (I'm aware that is a very long time ago) we celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary. Can you believe that? The time has definitely gone by so fast...makes me feel a little old. Matt and I went to the beach together for THREE NIGHTS! Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? It was ah mazing. When I was talking about the upcoming trip with a friend, she said, "Morgan! If ya'll want to go get ice cream at midnight, you CAN!". That's right! Can you tell that she has kids as well? It's the little things in life :) Really, though...when I was packing for the trip I had butterflies in my tummy. It felt like a date...and I am so thankful for that feeling. I think that is rare after 6 years to get that "butterfly in your tummy" feeling. It doesn't happen every day :), but it happened that day and I am thankful to God for growing our marriage.

It was a great weekend. While we were there we layed on the beach, by the pool, took naps, went out on dates, went to the movies (which we rarely do), browsed shops, read books, went for a run, etc. It was so relaxing and restoring. New family tradition, anyone?

I am thankful for Matt Spivey. He is an unselfish dad. I did not know that when I married him...it was a bonus. I hope that my sons will be dads like him. He is a gracious husband. He never gets mad if...um, when the house isn't clean : ) He also always went to pick up cookie dough for me when I was pregnant. Even though I had already gained a good 40 lbs. I appreciate that. He also always forgives when I ask...I learn so much from him in this respect. I wish I could be more like that...and I pray that many, many years of marriage to him will make me more like that. So, horray for anniversaries!! These have been wonderful six years.

Micah Update

Micah has been working very hard to not be outdone by his brother. He is growing up so fast! He and Hudson play so hard together...I am really gonna have my hands full :)

Here he is all worn out!!! Isn't that just the cutest? He couldn't finish his sandwich before falling asleep in the chair. He's milking it here! How do you convince your big brother to push you in his dumptruck? Not sure, but this little man's got skill. Doesn't Hudson look happy to be doing it? I had to keep telling Hudson, "Not too fast!!". Boys.

Happy Boy! We finally figured out that Micah has some sort of milk allergy. Not quite sure what he is allergic to, but now all milk products make him break out into a rash and hurt his little tummy. Since we got that under control, he has been a happy boy. He is doing MUCH better at night and at naptime. So sad that his tummy probably hurt for a while...oh, well. You live and you learn.

He is WALKING and TALKING now!! Crazy!! Micah started walking just before 13 months and hasn't turned back since. He is into everything! He just started saying a few words (he's been babbling for a long time, but he just got context).

Here are a few:

"Uh-oh"

"Da-da" (he gets context for this one but still uses it at other times, too)

"Bubba" Sweet, huh? He just said this the other day. Love it.

"Dah" This is his affirmative for anything. Want more? Dah. He also gives the single head nod with this word.

Hudson Update

Hudson has been a busy little man the past couple of months! Here are some of the things he's been up to lately.

He had his last day of "school" for this year. I am so glad that we started taking him! He has loved every minute of it and I learned that he really thrives with structure (which I don't always give him). His teachers were absolutely amazing! Miss Stephanie and Miss Tracie were so wonderful with him...they were a blessing from God. They truly loved the kids in the class and it was an AWESOME first "school" experience for both Hudson and mommy. He is looking so forward to next year. He has the option to go 3 days from 9-1, but I can't give him up that many days with him just yet :) So, we are going to stick with our Tues./Thurs. schedule.

Prom pose with Tay-Tay on the last day of school! Definitely gonna make the wedding video!!

Hudson is loving dressing himself. It is hysterical! This is what we got this day: shirt, shorts, and camo rain boots! See any rain? Didn't think so. Not to mention it is about 100 degrees outside. Funny kid.

He also loves "making piles". Or that's what he tells me he's doing. This is a load of his outside toys in a neat "pile". He was so proud. I don't mind this outside, but when this happens with EVERY toy in his playroom I get a little upset.

We had a SLUMBER PARTY!! Whaaaaat? Don't freak out, they slept in separate rooms! Tay-Tay's parents went on a trip and we got to keep her for a night. It was SO MUCH FUN!! I will have to say, though, that keeping 3 kids separated at bath time when I was by myself was a STRETCH! I loved it, though. I have boys, so keeping a girl was a new fun thing to me. I washed and dried her hair...sweet.

Let the Blogging Begin

Dang, how can I be so bad at this?? Here goes my marathon post. I always think I don't have enough time or I think I'll do it when the boys go down for a nap. Aaaannnd as we can all see, that NEVER happens. Too many things calling my name at nap time :) So, today I have coffee in hand and am determined to update some of this so that I will remember.

Before I forget...

We have had some HI LA RI OUS conversations with Hudson today. I have lots lots lots to update...maybe I can when the boys are in bed tonight :)

H: "Daddy..." (A billion times...seriously.)
Matt: "Whaaat, Hudson?"
H: "Daddy, you need learn be patient when I'm tryin' ask you a question."

Bwahahah!!!! I couldn't help but die laughing at that. Lesson learned.

Setting the scene: Hudson just came from the bathroom.

Matt: "Hudson, tell mommy what happened."
H: "I had gas from my toot."
M: "How did that happen?"
H: "Wull (well), I tooted and I had gas. And then I pooped."

Hilarious. More to come. Promise. Soon.

Twelve Years Ago

Sad post...brace yourself. Twelve years ago today, my dad passed away. It is a day that changed me. I have described my grief before as a series of snapshots. I remember everything about that day. Everything. I don't think about it every day anymore but something can take me back to that place in my mind and heart in an instant. Days like today take me back.
I have thought for years that I would write a book about grief and my story. Last year I took out all my journals through the years in an attempt to start an outline...it was too tough. So, I put them back on the shelf and hope to one day be able to do it. I really feel God leading me to put my story on paper because I do beleive that He has given me a story to share. I hope that one day I'll be able to share it in its entirety. In the meantime, I hope that you enjoy this tribute to my dad. He was a great man and he taught me many things that make me who I am. Here are a few.

• He taught me to be a hard worker. I'm sure that he didn't always like his job...and it wasn't the most glamorous. He always went to work, and I remember him going in at 5 a.m. most every morning. I know now that he did that for us to have the life that we did.
• He taught me to never quit. My brother and I played sports growing up...we didn't have to, but we did. He taught us that no matter how we felt, we couldn't quit mid-season. It wasn't okay to quit. I appreciate that.
• He (and my mom) taught me to value family meals. We always ate dinner together as a family. It is a tradition that I have continued with my family.
• He taught me to love my family. He loved his family. He would've done anything for his family. He was always at ALL of our games, practices, etc. It was a given. It is not a given for everyone. He taught me to respect my mother. He lead by example...he respected his mother.
• He taught me the value in a simple life. He was content to be with us...to spend time with his family, to tend to his garden, read the paper, drink a cup of coffee, sit on the front porch.

So, here's a tribute to Mac Hodge, my daddy. You left a legacy. I love you.

A few of Micah's Favorites

Eating. This is probably his absolute favorite : ) The kid eats like a man!!

His daddy...Yep, daddy is the favorite now. I can't blame him, though. Matt is not selfish- and I think that is rare. He is a wonderful dad!
Playing outside. In this pic he is in the sandbox...a gift from GaGa and Poppa Rock. It is quickly becoming one of his favorites as well!