Food Month

I was so excited to write about food month. I was going to write a blog entry everyday.  But then life happened. So I guess the first and last day will have to suffice.

This month was a lot like parenting.  It was hard but I loved it. I think I prayed very intentionally this month. Everyday I thought about how I could make this day not just about not eating 7 foods. It always came back to being intentional.  Food is very easy. I can have any type of food pretty much whenever I want. Taking some foods away and saying I'm giving this up so that I can live simply and allow God to move in me, led me to become more focused. Even in the midst of parenting, I was able to take a minute to talk to God or encourage someone, or pray.

One of the best things I learned is that fasting is feasting. You can't have one without the other. When you fast from 7 foods, God will fill you with His feast. 

When I thought about the last day of this month 3 weeks I ago, I thought that I would be so eager for this to be over. But I feel refreshed. Don't get me wrong, I'm making a big pot of coffee Sunday morning, but I'm not done. I'm already planning to restart this after the next 6 fasts are over.  

On Sunday, we move on to "clothes" month. We will be wearing only 7 items for the whole month. I'm excited to see what God does here. 

One week

It's been a little over a week since I started 7. This is hard. I'm still trying to figure out how to make this about more than just not eating certain foods. I've had some good prayer mainly for peace. In the book Jen talks about how the purpose of empty is to fill yourself up. So maybe God will speak more after this month is over. I am hungry for Him.

7

"As you walk close to me, saturating your mind with Scripture, I will show you how to spend your time and energy. My word is a lamp to your feet; My presence is a Light for your path." From Jesus Calling

I can get really excited about things.  From small things like shaved ice to big things like having a baby, I may burst at any moment.  My newest excitement is called 7 an experimental mutiny against excess. A friend thought I would love it and she was right!  Thanks Jenna!

So for the next 7 months, I will be riding my life of excess, by fasting from 7 different areas. And even more exciting is that I'm not doing it alone. We have formed a community.  I love community!

We decided to start on the 7th of each month.  This month we are fasting from food.  In the book, Jen Hatmaker(author), only eats 7 foods for a month.  I really wanted to do this but I'm still nursing and my little kids need variety.  So we changed to getting rid of 7 foods for this month.  Here is my list:  Cereal, Gluten, Chocolate, Red Meat, Sweets, Cheese, and Coffee.

The point of this exercise is to fill your self with Jesus.  It's a time to listen and a time to have faith that God will provide.  I'm excited to see what God will show me this month.  I want to saturate myself with God and know that He is enough.



Here is a list of what else we will be fasting from:

Clothing- next month I will only be wearing 7 items of clothing
Possesions- everyday for a month I will be giving away 7 items a day.
Media- I will stop using 7 forms of media for the month
Waste- we will recycle and find ways to not waste the blessing we have
Spending- only 7 places will get our money
Stress- we will stop a busy life and instead partake in 7 spiritual pauses.

A while back I wrote a post about a young mother who was struggling.  She has 4 kids and no water in her house.   Her house was more than unsafe for children, much less her.  She had no income and was struggling in more ways than you can imagine.

Nathan and I tried to help her in anyway we could.  The first thought that came to mind was to give her money.  But if she had won the lottery it still would not be what she needed.  She needed hope.  She needed to feel cared for and loved.  She is a single mother who is struggling so much that her children didn't have water.  All I could think of doing was to suffer with her as much as I could and in the mean time find help.  I prayed with her and for her and just felt completely helpless.

But God is good and bigger than we think.

Nathan got in contact with her son's school social worker.  This lady was caring and able to help us understand a life that we cannot imagine.  She had so many connections that helped our friend.

Our mom is now in a home that takes battered women and children in.  So I have not been able to talk or see her for a while.  But while she has been there she has a chance to live a better life. We were told yesterday that she is a different lady. Most of that is due to Hope which she now has.  She is going to get a place to live and childcare.  She is interviewing for a job and we are praying hard that she gets it.  Her family is thriving and healthy just because they have water now.

God is good.

I can't stop praising God today.  This mom is coming out of an impossible situation. Her life will not be cake now, but she is getting a chance and she is gaining hope.

Thank you for praying for her.  There will be more updates soon!

Happy Birthday Hudson!

One Day Old

One Month Old

Two Months Old

Three Months Old

Four Months Old

Five Months Old

Six Months Old

Seven Months Old

Eight Months Old

Nine Months Old

Ten Months Old

Eleven Months Old

Twelve Months Old


Happy Birthday to our sweet boy!  We love you!

Easter thoughts

Nathan, Hudson and I spent yesterday morning at the Community Cafe with our Church.  I have so much on my mind from yesterday.  It was one of the first Easter's that I've had where God is was there confusing me in a very good way.  

Since Hudson has come into our lives, I've really struggled with how to celebrate Holidays.  I want him to know that Christmas is about giving.  God gave us the best gift ever on Christmas, Jesus.  I want him to celebrate giving to other's, but mainly giving of needs. When thinking about Easter this past week I kept trying to think of ways to celebrate but again, not get suffocated in the consumerism that seems to have gotten a tight hold of most Holidays.  I'm not against egg hunts, and pretty dresses, and baskets, I just want him to know that their is more behind these Holidays.

We have been going to the Cafe for a while now and have really gotten to know most of the people there.  I love getting there and asking how people's weeks were and watching them light up when Hudson gives a smile.  I love cooking with them and cutting up.  I love seeing them play and hold Hudson.  I love how God is working in this Church.  Yesterday we had maybe a little more than 30 people and most of them where regulars who invited their friends.  We had communion with them and it was one of the most beautiful Easters I've had.

For the past couple of weeks a lady named Becky has been coming with her 4 children.  They are 9, 2, and twin 1 year olds.  Becky is only 25.  Last week she came with her husband and after they left he was arrested for something about not paying child support(I'm not sure exactly what he did).  Also last week her water was shut off.  She hasn't had electricity in a year.  And now she is alone.  

Becky's kids love Hudson and will ask many times to play with Hudson.  He gets body slammed a lot form the little girls trying to pick him up.  They will play with his toys and are all learning about sharing right now.  While we were talking about her week she asked me if we had anything to give her for her kids for Easter.  I found some fruit snacks and granola bars.  The kids were all so grateful and laid everything out to see what they got.  

I asked her about her income right now.  She can't afford day care so getting a job has been really tough. She was given a valcher to help turn the water back on but that is only half of what she needs.  Her mom came by the day before to give the kids a bunch of Easter gifts but she had to return them for diapers and food.  She told me that she has to hide her sippy cups from the kids so that they don't drink too much and go through too many diapers.  The twins had really bad diaper rashes most likely from drinking juice for the past week instead of water.  

My heart broke for her.  She is a good mom and trying hard to survive with her kids.  I felt helpless not knowing what to do for her.  I prayed with her and tried to encourage her.  I know that prayer is powerful but I keep thinking, she has children and no water.  

So how do I teach my son to celebrate these holidays?  How do I teach him that the most important part of yesterday was not the egg hunt with his cousins, it was not the gifts he received from loving family members, but playing with his friends and giving out smiles to the least of these was the best part?  How do I not let all of the consumerism of Holidays be a part of our family?  What do I do to make sure that he knows that Easter is not about plastic eggs but about our Savior laying down his life for him and for all of those people at the Cafe? 

Nathan and I talked about this a lot yesterday.  We don't have any answers yet.  We do know that there are thousands of Becky's out there without water and without hope.  Nathan said it hurts more now because we know her name.  After we left the Cafe we went to Nathan's sisters house to eat lots of good food and all I could think about was how Becky and her family ate more at the Cafe than they had all week.  Then Hudson did his egg hunt and all I think about was how Becky had nothing to give her kids.  We came home and Hudson was fed again, and then we gave him a bath.  I kept thinking, Becky has no water. 

I can't wrap my head around this.  I have great solutions but they are so far out there that I'm afraid she will have to suffer.  I keep thinking about day care and how there are plenty of churches that sit there during the week with amazing nursery's.  Why don't we us them and provide child care for struggling moms?  Then I looked at facebook and saw so many posts about gifts and Easter dresses and egg hunts.  Why can't we spend a little less and us it for a mom like Becky who doesn't have water?  Again, all of that stuff is not horrible, it just seems like we CAN help the least of these.  

Please pray for Becky this week.  Pray that she can feel God's unending love.  Pray that she can be encouraged even a little bit.  

Let me know if anyone can think of ways we can help the Becky's that live in our community.  

11 months

Hudson is now 11 months old!

This kid just keeps getting better....

-Hudson can sign "more," "all done," "no," and "yes"

-he can wave bye-bye, hello, and blow kisses

-he is very bright and loves to play.  I often watch him trying to figure out how something works or putting things together.  he still loves legos and really likes to shake things and stir things.

-this kid loves the outdoors.  we go on walks or swing or just play in the yard.  he will look out the window for long periods of time.

-hudson loves to see his dad come home.  he will stand up at the door and bang on it and laugh.  he then follows nathan into his room and stays with him while he changes into "play" clothes.  it is very sweet.

-hudson is also getting an attitude.  he will pout and cry when he doesn't get what he wants.  it's really kinda cute.

-hudson is still a good eater. he loves fruits and veggies.  i'm doing some more finger foods but I still make his food and spoon feed him.

-hudson is sleeping so well. he goes to bed around 7 and wakes up between 5:30 and 6:00.  his naps are still sporadic but that's ok.

-hudson can stand on his own and is so close to walking. he took one step the other day.  I'm sure any minute now he will take off in a sprint.

we love this kid more and more everyday.  i can't believe he is almost 1!  I am looking forward to seeing him grow even more in the next month!

10 Months!

Hudson is 10 months old!

This is going by really fast.  I love watching this little guy grow.  Here are some of things that he is doing now.

-Hudson loves eating.  He really loves bananas, peas, grapes, blueberries, blackberries and any kind of bean. It's been fun to give him some real food every now and then.

-He can say Uh-Oh and likes to drop things just so he can say it.  He also says Mommmma and Dadaada, although I'm not sure he says it to us yet.

-He can way bye-bye, wave hello, clap, sign all-done, sign more, and he's just recently started to dance.

-Hudson loves it when I sing to him.  His favorites are The Itsy Bitsy Spider, The Wheels on the Bus, and the ABC's.  He will do the wheels part for Wheels on the Bus.

-He is very good at directions.  When we say "sit down" in the bath tub he will sit down.  I think he likes to stand just so that he can be told to sit.  He also understands "No"  He hears it a lot.  He doesn't always stop when we say no but he will look at us.  If I say "come here" he almost always does.

-He is a mover.  He crawls everywhere and pulls up on everything. Walking is in our near future for sure.

-Hudson loves to snort.  This is very random but very funny.

-He can repeat almost anything that we do.  He is getting really good at Legos.  He can put them together now and is really good at building towers.  He also loves to play catch.

-One of my favorite things Hudson does is he will "rub" my shoulders.  We are working on this one everyday and hope that it comes in handy:).

Hudson is so great and we say that at least 500 times a day.  Everyday is a blessing and we are looking forward to more and more time with him.

9 months

Hudson is now 9 months old.

Here are his stats:
22lbs
29 1/2 inches

Here are some of his new things:

1. He can now say Uh-Oh, Momma, Dadda, and sing AhAhAhAh with me when we sing If all the rain drops.

2. He is everywhere.  Hudson can pull up on everything and has even tried to stand up by himself.

3. Hudson can crawl up the stairs (Uh-Oh)

4. He is very sweet and will flirt with different people.  He tilts his head to the side and smiles. It's so stinkin' cute

5. Hudson is very good at copying anything that we do.  We only show him once and he usually gets it right away.

6. He is starting to eat more solid foods.  I'm going slow with this one but he does like to eat sweet potatoes, carrots, pears, and plums.

Hudson has been a huge blessing in my life recently.  He makes me smile and reminds me that life is ok with him around.  I love this little guy more everyday.

What a difference 8 months is!

Hudson, aka Stinker(for now), is 8 months old.  I can't believe how fast this first year is going.  Especially considering the fact that I've been awake for about 6 months.  This month is by far the most different.  Hudson is growing so much and doing new things all the time.  Here are some of his new things....

-Hudson started crawling 2 weeks ago.  He is on the move and into everything.

-Hudson can also pull up on things.  He's not real good at this one but he'll get there.

-he can sign "milk".

-he is still not a good sleeper but we are working on it.  we've decided to take a more natural route so he is taking all sort of "flowers and dirt".

- he has added the sound mamamamamma.  I love this one.

- he will say mmmmm after taking a yummy bite.

- he is starting to really want me all the time or at least be able to see me.

- Hud is starting to get a sense of humor and will laugh at silly things.

- I love watching and playing with this kid.  It is really cool to see him figure stuff out.  He is super smart...like his dad.

- he LOVES his dad.  He will perk up when Nathan comes home and get really excited.  They read together and wrestle.  I'm thinking he will end up a daddy's boy.

I can't begin to explain my love for this kid.  He is so happy and so full of joy.  I'm so thankful for him and his sweet spirit.

Hudson is 7 months!

Our little man is growing so fast!

Hudson is getting so big and doing so many new things.  He's had a cold and I've taken him to the Dr. twice so that they can tell me that.  It's hard when you they can't tell you what's wrong.  Anyways, because of that I know that he is 19lbs 2oz.  

Hudson is so close to crawling.  He was going backwards for a while but now he is turning in circles or rolling everywhere to get where he wants.  Yesterday was the first day he was into everything.  Nathan and I are going to have to baby proof our space real soon.  

We went to see my sister at Thanksgiving and Hudson loved her kids.  You could tell he wanted to be running around with them so bad.  He didn't really sleep very much because he was so into watching his cousins.  

We love our little man.  He is so sweet and kind and funny and smart and most important he really is filled with God's spirit.  

Hudson is half way there!(to one that is)

Hudson Wayne:
17.7lbs
27.5in


Our little man Hudson is 6 months old.  He is more awesome than ever!

It seems like everyday he does new tricks.  Here are as many as I can remember....

-he eats 3 meals a day now and loves it.  So far he has eaten butternut squash and sweet potatoes and apples.  He is doing really well.

- he has his two bottom teeth and i think more on the way

-he can now get up on his hands and knees

-he is a log rollin' machine. he can roll across the floor now

-when he wants something or is excited to see something he will wave his hands like crazy

-we started letting him sit up in the bath tub and he loves it.  he will cry when we take him out now.

-he has learned to "get mad" and it's pretty funny.  He will growl at usually only me and it usually means he is tired.

-he loves to be sung to.  His favorites are The Itsy Bitsy Spider and Oh what a rain it would be and You are my Sunshine(rock version)

-he is still really full of joy pretty much always

a word on his sleeping....

This week I tried to sleep train him again.  It was horrible and then he ended up getting a cold so now he can't breathe.  I've felt so much anxiety over this for about 4 months now.  So I decided to not be anxious about it and just let it be.  We are putting him in his crib at first but if he wakes up and won't go back in he just sleeps with us.  This has been great!  Since then he usually sleeps for about 3-5 hours on his own.  And I'm much less anxious and starting to believe that one day he will sleep all night on his own.  Praise God!

We love Hudson so much.  In fact we often ask each other if other parents love their kids as much as we do.  He is so great and such a huge blessing from God!

Hudson Wayne is 5 Months(and 2 weeks) Old!

Once again, I am late.  But at least our Hudson is still 5 months old.

He is so cute and getting cuter all the time.

Here are some of things about Hudson:

Hudson is talking a lot lately.  He has even talked to my sister and my mom on the phone.  I think he knows what to do with a phone.

He is getting into everything and he can't even move yet.

Hudson can almost sit up by himself.

He is eating cereal and really loves it.  In fact, if you don't feed him fast he will growl at you.

Hudson is getting better at naps but still doesn't sleep well at night.  He loves to sleep with us and we don't really care right now.  It's not comfortable but at least I feel like I'm getting some rest.

Hudson seems like he is playing with more meaning lately.  I'm not sure if that makes sense but he has a purpose when playing with a toy now.

We love Hudson so much and are blessed every day by this little boy.

Hudson Wayne is 4 months old!

Our little Huddy Buddy is 4 months old now!  In the last few weeks he has learned so many new things.  It's amazing how he grows so quickly.

Here are some of the new things he is doing...

He can now roll-over from back to front and is really close to getting front to back.

When he rolls over he is really good an reaching for toys or getting them out of the way.

Hudson can now pull up to sitting position while holding my fingers.

He can also put his toes in his mouth and suck on them.  It's super cute and also very messy.

He smiles a lot and will listen to conversations really well.

Recently we went to Oklahoma so that my side of the family could meet Hudson.  While we were there he got an ear infection.  It was really sad but I'm glad that it is on the mends now.

Hudson is not a great sleeper.  Since he rolls over now he is not sure how to sleep.  It's been a long couple of weeks.  But we are in sleep camp right now so hopefully this phase will pass.

His doctors appointment is next week so I'm not sure how much he weighs yet or how long he is.

Hudson is such a blessing and full of joy.  We love him more and more everyday!

A little bragging...

Hudson has been really watching us eat lately.  He will follow every bite from the plate to your mouth.  Tonight he was watching me eat and as I put the food in my mouth he would put his hand in his mouth.  He is so smart.

Later tonight while Nathan was putting him to bed he started "singing".  I was in the room and wondering what if something was wrong when I remembered that I forgot to sing him his going to bed song that I sing every night.  So Nathan sang it to him and he stopped singing and went to sleep.  

Hudson is so smart and fun.  I love this kid more everyday.

3 months old

i am late on this post and hudson is actually 3 1/2 months old now. Hudson is awesome.  We love everyday with him and feel even more blessed.

Hudson recently had to go to Mercy Children's Hospital to get a hernia checked out.  He does not have to have surgery just yet but will if we see it again.

They weighed Hudson and he is 14lbs 2oz.  He is still so long.

He can do lots of fun tricks now.

He sits up really well and can sit in his Bumbo Seat and his Exersaucer really well.
He will stick out his tounge if you stick yours out at him.
He can almost roll over.
He is very smiley and will laugh at us now too.
He is starting to like his car seat a little bit more which is so a relief

Hudson is truly full of joy. You can't help but be happy when your around him.  We love him more and more every day and will most likely burst soon.

2 Months

Hudson is 2 months old!  I love how much he is growing.  I always hear people say how sad they are that their child is getting old but I'm loving it.  It's so much fun to see how much they learn and how each day is new.

Here are some of Hudson's stats...

11 lbs 8 oz
24 inches long

Hudson  is smiling a lot lately. He smiles at us and will laugh at us too.

He loves his play mat and will lay down and hit and grab at the toys.

He loves looking in the mirror at the baby who makes funny faces back at him.

He can roll over to his side and I think he will most likely sleep on his tummy some day.

Hudson sleeps great.  He wakes up usually around once a night and goes to bed anywhere from 7-8pm.

He is our Happy Hudson and we are blessed!

Hudson Wayne is One Month!

Actually Hudson is 6 weeks but I've been behind.

Hudson came into our life really about 10 months ago. But he made his appearance on April 22nd.  He was 8lbs and 1oz and 20ins long.  Nathan and I have been in love with him from the first day.  Hudson is amazing and totally a gift from God.  He is a great baby and we are filled with joy now that he is in our life.

At Hudson's one month appointment he was 9lbs 6oz and 22in. He is our growing boy!

He has started to smile more and is focusing more on our faces.  I'm pretty sure he can identify both of our voices.  He likes tummy time and I think he will sleep on his tummy when he is a little older.  He sleeps really well for a newborn. He is waking up about 2 times in the middle of the night. Naps during the day are still a mystery...somedays he takes them and somedays he waits till 4 to nap.

We love Hudson and can't thank God enough for him!

We cannot begin to imagine...

Yesterday Nathan's mom got us our baby book.  One of the pages in it has things you list things that are going on in the world when your baby is born.  I was looking at it last night and I mentioned to Nathan that there are so many news stories going on and maybe even more when this little guys arrives.  There are so many life changing events happening in our world right now.  I'm kinda glad that the only top story won't be the Royal Wedding.

I was looking through the newspaper today and was amazed at how much is going on right now.  Japan, Libya, Yemen, The Royal Wedding, Haiti, Egypt, March Madness, and if your local here in KC the train show are all headlines.

The first few paragraphs of the article about Egypt caught my attention.  Today, many Egyptians are voting for the first time ever.  Many of the young people are taking pictures of their ink stained fingers and sending them to each other via mobile phone.  The paper had one story of a 48 year old father whose son went to his house and lifted him over his shoulder because he couldn't walk and that man got to cast his vote for the first time today.  Amazing.

Every time I see or read one of these stories I always say, "We cannot imagine anything like this."  I don't think I've ever been that excited about voting.  I admit that if it weren't for those "I Voted" stickers I would have a hard time getting myself to go.  That's so sad to say.

Somehow through all the sadness and things that I cannot begin to understand, I'm reminded that God is there.  Praise God that people in Egypt are getting to vote today. I think these are the stories I will write in our son's baby book.  I want him to know that God is working in the midst of all the conflict in our world today.  I hope I can raise him to be thankful for things that I take for granted.

Ways I know I'm almost done...

I feel like I've been pregnant forever.  But the end is in sight.  I know this for a few reasons. 

First, I will not drive long distances anymore.  This is huge because I really don't like where I live and would love to go to the city or Columbia anytime instead of being here.  But I'm done until this baby gets here.

Second, I've been joking lately and telling the baby at night that he can't come today because I am too tired.  But today after not sleeping well and being in the car all day and feeling like I have mono right now....yes that is how tired I am...I have told him that if he wants to come it's ok.  Really he should wait one more week but it will work out.

Third, in the last week I have cried just about every day over really dumb things.

Fourth, we have a towel rack for a dish towel that is to be used for drying your hands.  My blood starts to boil every time I go in and find it on the counter instead of it's home.  I haven't told my husband how mad this makes me because I know it's just hormones and very silly.  So I'm trying to ignore it for now.

I have had an amazing pregnancy.  I haven't had too many complaints and for the most part I have enjoyed it.   However, I am more than anything ready to meet this little man.  I can't wait to see him and fall more in love with him than I already have.