Monday, November 22, 2021

Attitude of Gratitude 11.22.2021

Thankful for Harrison being willing to help with his sibs so we could dash out for a nice evening with friends for local sushi











Thankful for my early bird side kick We love getting things done bright n early on Saturdays!



Church at night!
Sunday's sunrise!

Another quick sushi date, this time just hubs and I.

This precious pumpkin has been down for the count for too long! Her cough is still so awful yet her runny nose is gone. Thankfully we had options so she could avoid daycare for 2 weeks and just relax at home


Always up to something 
She is loving all things Christmas this year. It is SO SO SO much fun to see the joy through her eyes. 
Thankful for an early Christmas gift!! These are delish! 
Matt coaches the high school JV soccer team, so Harrison and his buddies got a special treat. No practice but a pizza outing! I love that Matt is able to coach and spend so much time with Harrison. I love the bond they have. 
So if you have followed Hudson's journey you know that he has grown so much in so many areas and getting a hair cut is one of those areas. This time we tried a new place called Sports Clips. He got the MVP treatment, with a soda and a massage. He was very calm and actually happy the entire time. He is excited to go back. YAY!

We love our local farm stand! Blue Rooster is our Saturday morning hang out! And we took a minute to stop and smell the .... basil
Thankful for daily verses that really hit home!
Thankful for all the Christmas spirit
And family walks
And Special Needs Soccer Camp! Hudson did so well!!
Saturday night service was a tear jerker.... the topic was a number... 256... I was wondering what it would be about... 
And then he started talking about fathers...
Let's just pause this and say I was beyond blessed to have a dad that was always there for me. The first one to help with my last minute science projects. The first one to call whenever I needed anything. Literally. I would call at 2am from the dorm and ask him to shut off the alarm at home because I needed to come home. He wouldn't ever be tired or harsh or annoyed. Just happy I was coming home.  The last call of my day just to share how it went and to say I love you. He always would kiss me goodbye even in my college days. He was so interested in my life as a mom. He was such a loving example to Matt and then of course to Harrison Allen.... my heart burst during this sermon as the pastor was reflecting on how we view God may come from how we viewed our earthly father.. and how so many dads are abusive or abrasive or passive or ... the list went on... but mine, I can say was imperfect as we all are, yet did his absolute best to show love all the time... and I am so so thankful for my earthly father and only now, 14 years since he has been in Heaven, I can say I am  thankful for him passing, because I believe I can only now appreciate how amazing and loving and incredibly generous my Heavenly Father is. May the words of Chris Tomlin just echo... You're a good good father ..It's who you are... 
And if you are raising boys... may you raise good fathers... and if you have an amazing dad, tell them! I wish I could tell my dad how incredible he was! I just assumed that's how all dad's were....
Oh what love... 


Friday, November 12, 2021

November is here! 2021


The 1st week of November had us soaking up as much Mimi & Grandpa Ray time as possible. They stayed at a local time share, one we had never visited, so we tried to get there as often as we could despite the normal weekly real life "stuff"! 

Taco Tuesday and Night Swimming was a must with some M & M bribery for someone 😏







Lulu loves "school", I love her little self commuting with me. Such a little love. 



We were excited that my mom and Ray came to us one night, and we cleaned and redid a few things to make room for Christmas!! 
Hannah loves surprising... she was guiding Grandpa Ray who is SUCH a good sport
His reaction tho! All.the.hearts.



So Lulu loves Hannah's bunnies... and they love her too... 

I wish I knew what she was saying to Puff Puff!


Bunnies make the best friends. 
Hannah is ADORABLE. She is the best shopper and loves going into the Dollar Tree solo. 
She has some fun craft ideas and finds the best supplies within her budget there!


Saturday finally came & we could be at the resort all morning! It was hot and oh so perfect.




Ok, staff at resorts really make or break a place. 
This guy - Adan, saw Hudson and just started talking with him. They did "pushups" and then corn hole and then ended with the sweetest "secret" handshake and body bump! 
Pool side Tie Dye!
More Adan time
So thankful Harrison had the morning off!

Grill time before our Saturday service!
Love the series : Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
Hannah wanted to stay with us during service instead of going to the kid area. 

Our last meal with Mimi and Grandpa Ray! 
Love this picture so much. I was the clown behind Matt acting all sorts of crazy. Harrison was very embarrassed, BUT look at the smiles. #momwin
Then we drove around, dreaming of a 5 million dollar home in Cave Creek. 



And had a lake bike ride

The Walmart sweat suits for the win. I need this for me. 
Also- we got smart and put soft non breakables, in her range and she is in awe of the breakables so far nothing has been grabbed or smashed! Wahoo!!
That face.

When big sis is at dance, dates with dad at DQ are the best.
Recently I have been relishing all of us home together. Finding movies for all 4 is harder than it seems. But they did it. And all was peaceful. 
And we snuck out for a parenting class at church. 
Highly rec this guy Dr Kenneth Wilgus. 
He is the author of Feeding the Mouth that bites you.... and has a podcast by the same... 



GCU Basketball night for the kids school but I was super excited to be on campus of my school!! Being online is SO amazing but the vibe for a night, was really inspiring! 
Saving this picture for Harrison's wedding  Such an awesome helper. His future wife will thank him for all these pre-parenting skill building times 😅
Hebert Party of 6!
HAPPY VETERAN's DAY! 
So, Harrison wanted to go to a movie with his friend. Family time was a non negotiable for the morning, so he invited his friend to join us at a parade!? And his friend did. And rode with us .  That made this mom heart burst. So thankful he is finding good friends that listen to our family as we drive, sing loud and goofy with us and  chat with Hudson about things only Hudson would talk about 😇


I took this this morning as we were driving to work. I love our front nook. I love this weather. I only wish I could teleport so many of our friends and family to join me with coffee and a good book out here! 
Love you friends, 
Thankful for you all. 
XO