Big Brother

The other day, Hudson asked Lizzy, "So, I'm going to have a new baby brother or sister?"

"Yes," Lizzy replied, "Momma is having a baby that will be here in July."

Hudson stopped and thought, then said, "But I want Grace Ann."

What a guy. He doesn't want to trade his little sister in for a new sibling.

K-town, Milan & Martin

Last year, you may recall, I did a Father's Day post about my dad. Well, I'm a little late this year, but I wanted to put up some more pictures of him nonetheless.

This first picture is an "Official US Army Photograph" (printed on the back) of my dad's 1959 Little League baseball team, the Senators. As you can see from the sign at the top, these little leaguers were playing in and around the huge US Army base at Kaiserslautern in post-WWII Germany. My dad is the third standing ballplayer from the left, with the big ears and hands on his hips. I still have the glove he's holding behind him.

Two years later, dad moved to Milan, TN, which is about 20 miles north of Jackson, TN. My grandfather was a Major in the Army, and he was stationed at the Army ammunition plant in Milan, if you were wondering how they ended up there. (Sorry for the underlining, I can't seem to get it to stop.) Anyway, here's dad (#21) on the 1966-67 Milan HS basketball team (Go Bulldogs!). They played Bells HS for the state championship that year. He earned the nickname "Spider" because he was "all arms and legs." How do you like those glasses? I know, they kind of look like the ones I have now. The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, eh? Mr. Johnny Robinson (#14) gave me this photo at the visitation when dad died. There's no way he knows how much I appreciate having this picture.

After HS graduation, dad went to UT Martin. The picture below is one of my all time favorite pictures ever, of anyone. My mom and dad are on the right, posing ever so stylishly at the 1972 ATO formal. Dad pulls off the trifecta of mustache, mutton chops, and sandals (with a tux!) masterfully. The goof on the left was a friend of dad's (nice hat) who apparently liked to use the word "phantasmagoric" as a synonym for "cool." Hilariously high comedy, my friends. How can you not love this picture?

So (aahhh, the underlining is back!!), we've been to Kaiserslautern, Milan, and Martin. Let's end with a picture from Memphis. This is from 2001, just before we teed it up for a 4 man scramble golf tournament. I have many good memories from being on the links with Pops.

He would have turned 60 this month. Miss you, Pops. Thanks for everything.

More Quotes

Hello, blog lovers. It's daddy, after a long hiatus, making a once-in-a-blue-moon post. Try to contain your excitement.

Hudson is quite a talker. He tends to speak in complete sentences, even in response to questions where one word will do. Besides that, some of the things that come out of his mouth are just funny. Here's a sampling of recent Hud-speak:

Telling momma to stop emailing daddy at work and come outside and play: "Hurry, momma, it's 6 o'forty!"

A trip to a local deli prompted these gems. After Hud and I sat down to wait for our food, I sipped my drink and ate a breadstick and looked around. Hudson did the same. We had been sitting silently for no more than two minutes when Hud looked at me and said, "Daddy -- Can you talk to me?" It was at that moment that I knew that Hudson was his mother's son. I could hardly stop laughing.

Later, while still eating our lunch, Aunt Rachel and Papa sat down with us. They both were eating chicken and dumplings. Rachel asked Hud if he wanted some. Hud responded (in a complete sentence, of course), "No, I don't want any chicken and ducks." Again, laughter all around.

Rosie gave Hud a toy bug collecting set for his birthday a few weeks ago. The set included a couple plastic bugs, one of which was a grasshopper. Hud called it a "hop-grasser." I know funny, and that's funny.

Quotable

At dinner tonight...

Hudson: Looking at GA says, "Grace Ann...my best friend."

GA: (smiles)

My heart is full to see these children love each other so fully.

Friday Nights on the Square

The Collierville town square is one of my favorite places here in the suburbs of Memphis...restaurants, an ice cream shop, coffee shop, trains that you can look in and climb on(a favorite of Hudson's), a grassy area to play in the center and fab shopping. Mom and I frequent the square often and it is always so refreshing to be there. I always think when I'm there...if I was traveling, I would think this town square was so cute and would love it. So, it's very fun that it's in my own city and I can enjoy it as much as I like. On Friday nights in the summer, they have some bands that play at sunset and they also have some Fridays where different bluegrass "bands" meet up and play in little groups all over the square. It's very impromptu and quaint. We met some of my family for dinner there Friday night, and what a fun time was had. We ate at the Silver Caboose, Hud's fav place to eat and then strolled around licking ice cream cones and drinking coffee listening to the music. I must say some great memories were made...I think it will be our new Friday night tradition.

Hudson is 3!

Here are some picts from the week long celebration...

I can hardly believe it...it really does seem like just yesterday I was telling Chris that I was pregnant. And here he is...my sweet baby boy Hudson is 3 as of last Wednesday. I have loved him from the moment that I knew that he was growing inside of me and I grow to love him more everyday. He is a joy to have in my home...he is witty, happy, curious, affectionate, and observant. He is also persistent, talkative, and incredibly social...as in "what's your name?" to all strangers, followed by, "my name is Hudson" and begging to go in the car somewhere every day...a day is not a day without some social interaction...(Here Here! says Hudson's Momma)..ok, so he comes by this one very honest. He also is quite "intellectual"...loves numbers, letters, reading, counting... learning to spell things and reading all kinds of signs when we are out. This love comes from, and continues to be fostered by his "Da-ee," who is quite "intellectual" himself. He is also very inclusive of people, always trying to get everyone to participate in whatever game or task is at hand. He still sleeps great... 12 hours at night and 3 hour naps most days. He is in the throws of potty training this week and doing very well, excited about the cars underwear...less excited about the actual potty, but doing it none the less. He loves his sister, thinks it is so fun to make her laugh. He loves to sing, he can sing all kinds of songs...The BIBLE, Twinkle Twinkle, Lord You Are, Shout to the Lord, I Will Sing Praise to God...and many others. He memorizes things very easy...especially when they are put to music. He loves his family. Loves to play with big bouncy balls...kicking them outside and throwing them on the roof is an all time favorite. He likes for me to be happy, if I am doing something with him and not smiling, he says, "Momma, make a happy face to me,"...hard not to "make a happy face" with that request. I love him, I love who he is and who he is becoming. I love who he is making me. I love the place that he fills in our home and the vibrancy that comes along with him. His laughter is contagious and his spirit is fierce...I wouldn't want him any other way. Happy Third Birthday Hud, I am more thankful for you than you will ever know.

I'm back...after an incredibly long blog hiatus, I have returned. I know that you are all glad. Tonight I mainly have picts for you to catch up on what we been up to since the end of January...Chris turned 30, Grace Ann turned 1, we had a couple of pretty big snows that were fun for Hud, Hud has been hanging with his great grandaddy Willie a lot lately (there is a pic of them on the curb together), and we just wrapped up our spring family photo shoot... also, Chris and I went to Nashville for his birthday as a "weekend getaway" and most importantly I made these cookies today for Easter that are the best (and prettiest) cookies I have ever seen (or eaten)...a shout out to Emily for the recipe (Laura - you must make them)...there are many picts for you to see.

Overall, we are doing well, feeling more and more settled here in our new home...but at times still feeling like we haven't quite found our "place" yet, it just takes a while I guess. The children are doing great...Hudson is full of life, so observant, and a huge fan of his sister. Grace Ann is on the move...yep...walking everwhere...she never stops, she is independent, smart, and loves to play...she is also a huge fan of her brother. It's really sweet to see them play together so well and see Hudson be so kind to her. I hope it's always that way.

Hope all of you have a blessed Easter...He is Risen...He is Risen Indeed!