For Sale: Homemade Scarves and Kool-Aid

Hayden and her friends decided to sell Homemade Scarves and Kool-aid at their "Lemonade Stand" in May. Whoever said scarves and kool-aid don't go together in May in Chicago NEVER lived in Chicago in May! LOL!!! I thought the sign was cute that said it was to benefit the Animal Shelter. What great girls we have in our neighborhood!

Summer is HERE!

First of all, I do think that I need to apologize for my lack of posting here lately! WOW...the end of the school year caught up with me and I did not think I was going to get everything done. I did though and the kids are finally out of school. We enjoyed the day Sunday at the pool for our neighborhood pool party. It was a lof of fun and the kids had a blast. We stayed out a bit long and all had a little bit of a sunburn except for Mr. Hudson with his perfect skin! He just tanned and got cuter and browner than he already was. He is like the Coppertone baby...he already has a tan line!

We have been enjoying the beautiful weather here, in the high 70's low 80's so I definately will not trade with all you south Texas folks now! Here is where I can brag about how fantastic the weather is here and get you all back for doing it to me during the winter. LOL....no really, it is beautiful here, flowers blooming and everything coming back to life...so pretty.

My girlfriend across the street and I canned our strawberry jam for the year a couple of days ago. My freezer is stocked and the kids are happy. If you have never had homemade strawberry jam, you are missing out! We did not get to pick the berries this year like we usually do, but, we bought them picked and they are ready to go. I told my neighbor across the street when she realized how easy it was to make, she would not be nearly as impressed with me as she was before :)

Here's to a great summer, lots of rest and a little family vacation!
Mandy

Happy 3rd Birthday Hudson

Happy 3rd birthday to our sweet, sweet Hudson. We are so blessed to have him in our lives. I can't even begin to tell you the depths of love we have for this child. He is such a gift from God...a true gift from another country. He is so very perfect for us and for our family. We are thankful that God is allowing us to be his earthly parents. He continually makes us laugh, there are days when he makes me want to cry (LOL). He is so full of life and love for TRAINS! All he wanted this year for his birthday was a train cake and he wanted ME to make it. I am no baker, that's for sure, but I did give it a shot and I think it turned out okay. We love you Hudson and we are so thankful to have had you in our lives...here's to many more years together as a FOREVER FAMILY!

Our SPECTACULAR SPARKY

Hayden was involved in Awanas this year at our church. It is an organization that teaches Bible verses in a fun way. She started a little late in the year and completed her first book. The Awanas leaders gave an award to one child out of the class called "Spectacular Sparky". The director said the award was given to children who proved themselves to be friendly, helpful and show Christ-like qualities during Awana nights. Hayden won for her class! We were so proud of her and by the look on her face, she was pretty proud too! She did not know that she was going to get this award. We love you Haydie girl!!

DOG the Bounty Hunter....

Lastnight my girlfriend Beth and I took Hunter to The Rush Tour a Christian tour that features different Christian bands and the guest speaker lastnight at Mooseheart Children's Home was "Dog The Bounty Hunter". Not sure how many of you know who he is or have watched his show, but, we used to watch it all of the time. A&E was there shooting last night, they are going to have another season on their network. I was so impressed by this man and his family! He has been through so much in his life, gave his testimony about how he started out a criminal, went to prison, found the Lord, got out of prison and decided to change his life. He is a bounty hunter in Hawaii and he always talks to the people he captures about the Lord. Hunter said he thought that his speech was AMAZING! We really did have fun! He was such a nice guy, his wife Beth was awesome too. This just goes to show, you can't judge a book by its cover. Enjoy the pictures...we had a great night! I will tell you I was deeply touched by what he spoke to the children that live in the home, the parentless children. These children are in this home b/c their parents chose drugs, alcohol, abused them or are incarcerated, I just don't get it!! Anyway, I think it was an uplifting night and one that I will remember.

Big Shoes To Fill

Hudson LOVES to wear Troy's or my shoes around the house. We were going thru old family pics and found a picture of Hunter in Troy's boots when he was about this age. Too cute! I just love the look on his face, he is so proud!!

HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY HUNTER

Today is Hunter's 12th birthday. WOW...12 years have passed since God blessed us with our first born, our first son, our Hunter. I remember this day so vividly, I was so young to be a wife, a mother. I remember Hunter being born and when the doctor handed him to me, I remember being so happy, yet so scared all at once. I am so thankful that God has trusted Troy and I with this precious gift to raise on this earth. Hunter has been all that you could ask for in a son. First and foremost, he LOVES the Lord and he knows his place in this world. He is handsome, he is smart, he is tenderhearted and he is a great big brother. I never worry about Hunter and his choices. He sees things in life very black and white. Choices are either, right or wrong there is no gray area with him. He has his future planned out...he says he is going to Texas Tech to be an architect, going to live with Noni and work at the bank as a teller! Too funny, Troy and I laugh and say with Hunter's determination, he will probably do 90% of that! I thank God for Hunter and I pray for his future, for his success, for his future wife and most importantly, I pray that he continue to follow the Lord and his walk with Christ. We LOVE YOU HUNTER and we hope that you have a wonderful 12th birthday with many more to come. You are such a great son and blessing to your dad and I.