Micah-Doo

I could just eat him. I really could. I kiss those cheeks often. The comment I usually get is, "He sure doesn't miss many meals, does he?". But neither do we. No one in my family misses many meals :) We had his check-up today and he is following his big brother. He is 29 3/4 inches long and weighs 23 pounds. He is in the 90th percentile for both height and weight. He got such a great report and I was so excited...his breathing was great- no wheezing, and his tubes looked great. He is so much fun right now. He is into EVERYTHING...he loves digging in drawers, opening cabinets, plundering the dish washer. Those are his favorites :) I will post pictures soon of that. He is cutting his top FOUR teeth right now...poor little man. Considering that, he really has done well through it. He is very content to be sitting on my hip most of the time, and I have to say that I am pretty content to have him there :) I know that I am reaching my limit of being the favorite. It only lasted a year for Hudson and I'm sure it will be the same for him...sad. When I was walking into the doctor's office today I was sad thinking about the fact that he won't be as excited for me to hold him very much longer...I had that feeling of wanting to savor it. The feeling exiting the doctor's office was not the same!! In the office I was thinking of how in the world I will have more children. Both kids were in my lap boohooing over their "pokes". It was all I could handle. Guess it's all I have to handle for now :)

Big Boy

We went today for Hudson's 3 year check-up (a bit late). The doctor confirmed that he is still big for his age. He is 39 inches tall and weighs 36 lbs. and 6 ounces. He is in the 90th percentile for height and the 75th for weight. I really thought he would have been a little lower in weight because to me he looks so long and skinny, but I guess he's still keeping up in the weight department as well. Today was also "school picture" day. Hudson is such a quirky little kid. He was scared of the man taking pictures and I had to work really hard to keep him calm...then at the doctor he had to get a "poke". Man, that was a treat. I used to think that if he would just reach the age that I could explain it to him before he had to get a shot that everything would go much more smoothly. Boy was I wrong! He's a smart kid and knew that something was up, so he kept asking me, "Am I through, mommy? Is that all?". I had changed the subject SEVERAL times to avoid the question. Finally I told him that he was going to have to get a little "poke" and that it would be all finished. BIG MISTAKE. Ten minute conversation ensues...complete with praying with him for God to help him not be scared. Man, I was exhausted. After we finished praying and talking about the fact that God is always with us, I said, "See. Isn't that great?". To which he replied, "No! It's not great!". Ok, then. On with the poke. (I'll blog next about Micah's poke...what a fun day).

We are all done now and Hudson is napping. He really is a joy...and I am so sad that he's growing up so fast. I want it to all slow down. I love his big blue eyes...I could just squeeze him.

I Love this Kid

He is so grown up! Here are some of the latest Hudson funnies.

Setting: I had just taken a shower and was putting my robe on.
H: "Why you tie that?"
M: "Cause that's how it stays on."
H: "Ooh. That's pretty, mommy. You look like a princess..."
Could he melt my heart any more? Soooo sweet! I immediately went to the cabinet and gave him a piece of chocolate. Just kidding :)

H: "Happy Balentines!" (handing me a balloon, chocolate, and present)
M: "Thanks, buddy!! I loooove it!"
H: "We can share..." (with the biggest grin ever on his face)
Matt said it was hilarious when he took him to the store. The first thing he wanted to buy me was a ball. I guess he had sharing on his mind then!

Background: We call Hudson's underwear "big boys". I think it started when we called them "big boy underwear" as we were potty training him. Somehow "big boys" is what stuck.
H: (early morning) "Taylor don't have big boys."
M: "Oh, really?"
H: "Naw, he wear gwirl pannies."
First of all, EVERYONE is a He...even though his friend Taylor is a SHE. Hilarious! We have had to tell Hudson and Taylor that pottying is private and we don't go together, but apparantly before that convo happened he noticed that Tay does not wear "big boys"...whaaaat? Too funny. Pretty sure I'll share that one at his wedding rehearsal.

Another Taylor story...we were all at the table eating lunch.
T: (trying to get in her chair)
H: "I help you."
T: "I do it by myself."
H: " You're a big boy!" (he totally meant this as a compliment for getting in her chair!)
T: "No, I a big girl."
H: "You're a big boy."
M: "No, Hudson, Taylor's a big girl. She's not a boy."
H: "Daddy's a big, big, BIG boy."
M: "Yep. Got it now."

Last one...you're probably bored. But I will read these for years to come :)
Last night Hudson needed a bandaid and Matt thought we were out. I told him we had some and went to get it.
M: "Here you go, buddy."
H: "Tank you, mommy. You're a good finder."
Sweet....nothing like the way a 3 year old compliments :)

Meatballs and a Marathon

Whaaat?? Well, let me explain. Several friends have urged me to blog about this particular story, so here you go. I decided in August that I would start training for a half-marathon. My friend Julia was planning to run the half in Mobile in January and wanted me to run it with her so I decided I would give it a shot. Some of you are already laughing at this point :) I was NOT a runner. Never have been. I would say that I had not been in shape for a good ten years. So there I was...I mapped out a training schedule and decided that I would do it. Well, those of you that know me well know that I love to cook. So that particular evening I was trying out a new recipe straight from Food Network for none other than...yummy MEATBALLS! Ok, now I'm laughing as I remember :) We ate dinner and it was great. I cleaned up and then decided to go for my FIRST RUN! Why, you ask? Because I thought that if I didn't start THAT DAY, I would never do it. So I did and it was not pretty. My neighbor was out cutting his grass and tried to talk to me...I was so embarassed because I had to tell him that I needed to go because I thought I was gonna lose my dinner!!! SAD!! So, there you go...that's how it all started :)

I did run that half-marathon with my friends Katie and Annie. Annie has been my long-term training buddy and it has been so wonderful! I think that I have loved it because it has given me some "me time" and great time with good girl friends. This weekend I am running my very first marathon! I'm very nervous and very excited! So, anyways...this post is for those of you that say you could never do it. I assure you that you could! Anyone can do it if I can go from almost losing my dinner to running a marathon. So, hope that encourages you (or just makes you laugh)!

Happy Birthday, Matt!!

Matt turned 33 on Saturday!! In honor of his birthday, I would like to list 33 reasons I love him. Enjoy!

1. He is merciful. He is committed to mercy ministry and has a heart for the poor.


2. He is a great coach. He cares more about the boys he coaches than wins/losses. I admire that.


3. He is patient. Very patient :) He married me when I was 21 (almost 22!), so lets just say he has had ample opportunity to be patient with me.


4. He doesn't love money. Oh how I love this about him. It challenges me.


5. He is kind. He always lets Hudson bring a basketball home after the games. He doesn't have to...but he is a kind daddy. So, he brings it home and takes it back multiple times a week.


6. He keeps short accounts. He forgives quickly and often. I wish I could be more like that. There is never a time that I ask for forgivenss that he doesn't give it.


7. He is supportive. He has supported me in many, many things (I tend to bounce around). He is always so encouraging.


8. He reads to our children. I love to hear him read books to Hudson...complete with funny voices :) I think he is one of the reasons Hudson has a love for books.


9. He loves "hole in the wall" restaurants. I love it!!! Nothing like a little random restaurant...they always have the best food.


10. He challenges me. He brought home a sermon about not wasting your life...I was so challenged. Thank you for that.


11. He serves. It is truly a gift of his. I see it in his dad as well. He loves to serve others- he always helps. I am so thankful for it.


12. He is not short-tempered. One of the things I love the most about him. It feels very secure to be around someone that is not short-tempered.


13. He is full of useless knowledge :) It's hilarious! He knows more random trivia than anyone I know...he's a killer trivial pursuit player.


14. He is loyal. He's loyal to me, loyal to his job, his friends, his church...I think it is rare in our culture.


15. He's a forever optimist. I have a love-hate relationship with this quality :) He will always think there is plenty of time, money, space, etc. I need more of this quality.


16. He's never too busy. He always has time for his children. This sometimes mean right before a basketball game- he always gives Hudson a little daddy time.


17. He is steady. I so appreciate this about him. He doesn't have many highs and lows...he is a very steady man. He balances my emotions.


18. He tells silly jokes. He would not be Matt Spivey without "yo momma" jokes. They still make me laugh....sometimes :)


19. He is artistic. He painted me the most beautiful painting. He paints for his family. If you don't know him, you would never guess it.


20. He sacrifices. He sacrifices many material things for me to stay home with our children. He works very hard to afford me that opportunity. I don't tell him enough how thankful I am.


21. He teaches our children. He teaches them about Jesus. It is beautiful.


22. He is a hard worker. He always goes to work...always. It restores him to work in the yard. He is not lazy.


23. He is a "drawer-cleaner". It makes me laugh...and annoyed sometimes :) The house can be a wreck and when he gets in a "cleaning mood" he immediately goes to clean out a drawer! I can't relate...but if he were gone, I would miss this quality!!


24. He volunteers for VBS. He's so good at it!! The kids still talk about "agent sparks". I admire him.


25. He loves my family. He loves them the way I do. Loves them like his own family.


26. He is a man of character. He would highlight his faults. He would say he sins lots...I think that makes him a man of character all the more.


27. He loves waffle house. All-star special, anyone? It makes me smile.


28. He is quirky. He can only use a towel ONCE...ok maybe twice, but it doesn't bother him if the little trash cans don't have a trash bag. It makes me laugh.


29. He accepts me. Even when I'm enormous preggo about to give birth he tells me that I only gained weight in my tummy...which we both know isn't true :)


30. He is leaving a heritage. I am proud of the heritage/legacy he is giving our children. I want them to be men like him.


31. He rarely says no. Can I get a woop woop? He does kinda spoil me...and this is the only time I'll admit it. He rarely says no to a request...let me be reminded not to take advantage.


32. He is mysterious. I like this about him. I always have.


33. He loves me. And he loves me well.

After two kids and almost 6 years of marriage, I can say that I love this man more than I did when I married him. What a tribute to him and God's faithfulness to grow our marriage! I love you, Matt! I pray that we celebrate many, many, many more birthdays!