So, so long...

One scary moment...

Three weeks ago tonight, I had one of the most terrifying experiences since I have been driving. I was on my way to church for GSM (that's our student ministry). I was running a little late, as I almost always am because I try to get everyone ready for bed before I go so that Tony doesn't have to worry with all that AND actually getting them all in the bed! I remember thinking as I was leaving our house how eery it looked outside. It was already pretty dark and very foggy! I was chewing gum, thinking, and singing every once in a while. I was on Ozora road, I had passed Bay Creek Park and Adele was on...I had just glanced at the clock to see that it was 6:34, so I was trying to predict what time I'd probably make it to church...then I went back to Adele. She and I were belting out "nevermind I will find someone like you" and I remember looking at the cars coming towards me...there were three and then seriously people....it was BAM. I was shocked! I instantly took my foot off the gas as I tried to wrap my head around what had just happened. I remembered seeing out the drivers window the stomach/body/legs of a deer. I think it tried to jump over the car. It didn't make it! Glass was everywhere; the windshield was shattered. I'm thinking I need to pull over...my thought process...not on the side of the road, it's foggy cars might hit you, the church just up the road...yes, that's where I'll go! I pulled into the turn of the church, slowed down trying to decide if it's dangerous to stop here and decide it probably is, so I pull into the drive of the church and stop. At this point, I'm still in shock. I can see that there's a little blood on my hand, there is glass everywhere...all over my coat, all in my hands, I can even feel some in my mouth, and all I could think was: THAT DEER IS ON TOP OF THE CAR AND HE IS GOING TO COME IN THE CAR AND GET ME! Irrational, yes! But I hadn't seen what happened to him and I was just sure he was up there and passed out or something and he was going to come to and be mad! HA! The windshield was totally ripped from the roof of the car and there was a possibility! :) I got my phone out of my pocket and tried Tony...no answer. I tried Lori...no answer. I tried Justin...no answer. I tried our Student Pastor...no answer. I tried a student helper...no answer. I was beginning to panic a little b/c no one had seen what happened (I'm guessing b/c no one stopped) and no one was answering. I contemplated calling 911 b/c there's that fire station right down the road and I knew they would get to me quickly and help me out! But, I tried Lori one more time and she answered. Our conversation as I remember it...Lori:I'm sorry I ...Me:Lori, a deer just hit my car, I'm on Ozora can you send Justin? Lori: yeeaah. are you okay? Me: I think so. I can see that my hand is bleeding, (begin to cry), I can feel some glass in my mouth, and I'm just really scared! I can't get Tony so he doesn't know. Lori: Justin is on his way, I'll keep calling Tony.

Oh my goodness I'd been fine (sorta) until I got to speak with someone I love and then it was like when you're hurt and you get to your mom and it's okay to cry then! Seriously...I just cried that little bit. I can't remember exactly what I was doing from the time I talked to Lori until Justin pulled up(I remembered after writing all this that I called one of my youth at church to tell her what had happened b/c I had spoken with her earlier and knew she was expecting me)...I did call Justin right before he got to me b/c I was hearing a weird creaking sound and I was afraid that the windshield might be falling in, so I asked him if he thought I should get out. He said to do whatever to be safe. So I decided to stay in the car...since I didn't know if the deer was still up there and all! So Justin pulls up behind me and I was a little confused b/c there was this really bright light too and I thought maybe a police man had pulled up...but it was just Justin wearing a head lamp! Rock my socks off! Best part of that entire stinking thing...Justin with his head lamp...he's looking all over the car...awesome. He tells me to get out of the car in one motion...I say I don't think I can do that but I'll try. I get out. Justin tells me to go sit in his car. I don't (not sure why...at this point my adrenaline had totally kicked into overdrive and I'm pretty sure I talked nonstop) I take off my coat, Justin wipes all the glass off my jeans with a towel he had...he checks my face for cuts...sees none, he gets me a capri sun like packet of gatorade and I rinse my mouth out with it...the glass comes out...I decide that I have to get pictures of this. I pull out my phone and am shocked at what it looks like! Justin cleans the glass out of the seat with a brush/broom he had in the back of his car. He drives the car up into the parking lot of the church and I drive his car up behind him. I get Tony on the phone and tell him that I'm going to have Justin just take me to the church and I'll get a ride home. He tells me that I need to go to the hospital. I tell him that I am not hurt and I am fine. He insists that I talk to my mama and get her opinion (she's a pharmacist and we ask her all medical questions). I really hated to call her b/c I knew this would totally freak her and my daddy out and they're an hour away! I call her anyway...tell the quick version of the story...tell her that I am not hurt, just a few cuts on my hands. She agrees I do not need to go to the hospital, so Justin takes me to church. When I get there I see in the light that there is glass all on the palms of my hands and between my fingers. I go wash my hands and find some glass in my hair in the bathroom. I go into GSM late and our Student Pastor points out that I've just arrived after hitting a deer. My phone rings...I go back out and it's my sweet daddy calling to see if he needs to come and check on me (he would've totally done it ya'll!) I assured him that I am fine! I stayed through GSM and while telling the story to some of the girls afterwards I find some more glass in my eyebrow. I talk to Tony and he says that he's going with his dad to put a tarp on the car b/c it's kinda rainy. When I got back to our house, Tony's mom was here and so I tell her the story show her the pictures...we both sit there kinda shocked at how bad the car looks. Tony and his dad return with EVERYTHING from the car b/c they are pretty sure that'll be the last time they see the car (thinking it will be totalled). We called the insurance company that night, they had the car towed the next morning to a body shop. It sat there for just 2 days before the insurance company decided it was indeed totalled. 2 days later, friends at school told me where the deer I hit was...I made Tony go take pictures of it so I could see where it was and know in fact it would not be hunting me down (just kidding...kinda) and I also had him go take pictures of the car in the daylight so I could see what it looked like in light...scary!
So now I've written a novel to say that I was so scared! Seriously an angel was riding with me and somehow helped me get into that church lot. I am so glad I didn't see the deer coming as it could have been so much worse. I am also glad I was going the exact speed that I was and left my house at the exact time that I did...seconds difference and that deer could have come through my window and been in the seat with me. The next day I was a little late for school b/c I sat with Sawyer and played a few more games of Peek-a-boo and pattycake as I was reminded of just how precious life is and how it can so easily change...I was just riding to church, chewing my gum, singing with Adele.

Sorry I can't move the pictures around...don't know why!

Sawyer is 1

I have been way behind with updating the blog, but my baby boy just turned 1! I canNOT believe that an entire year has passed since this little guy came into our family.

Sawyer, you are absolutely the sweetest baby I know. You are our baby who changed the most from birth. You were born with dark hair that fell out a few months later and then grew back in way lighter (different from Hudson's hair that stayed dark and Finley's who's stayed dark and Walker's that was just light from the beginning). You look the most like Walker's baby pictures...actually you look just like Walker's baby pictures! You wear size 12-18 month clothes and size 4 diapers. You do not like having socks on your feet, and will pull with all your might until those things are off! You love your brothers and sister and you want to do everything that they do. You crawl all over the house and your newest feat is that you like to climb up all the steps (of course we only let you do this when we are going behind you). You have started walking behind Finley's little stroller and the little people bus that was your brother's. You absolutely will not walk with me holding your hands (I'm not sure why) but you'll just lift up your feet and wait for me to pick you up! You are sometimes sleeping through the night, and sometimes still waking up once. You are a cuddle bug! You will crawl into our laps and just sit with us (you do this more than the other babies, I believe). You really hardly ever cry...you've just started this thing where you fuss at meals (we're thinking that we aren't giving you what you want). You also will NOT stay seated in your high chair...you try to climb out at each meal...drives me a little crazy! You have the sweetest laugh and give some really big, sweet, open mouthed kisses. You are the sweetest addition to our family, and I can't even remember what it was like without you! You just go with the flow and so very happily! We love you up, Sawyer Ezekiel!

Sawyer at a few days old, November 2010.

Sawyer in October 2011.

I'll try to post some pictures of his birthday party and his stats after his 1 year well visit!

6 years old

6 years ago, on a Labor Day, Tony and I sat around taking it easy, knowing that soon, our lives would change forever. 6 years ago, we were to get to the hospital at 7 p.m. to be induced with our first little! Things I remember about that day...I was feeling HUGE, as I was overdue, we watched The Last Samurai and I laid on my side on the sofa, I ate ramen noodles and drank lots of lemon lime gatorade, we had no idea what we were getting into! 6 years later, our biggest is now in Kindergarten and acts like he's going on 50 with some of the things he says. Sometimes it's hard to remember that he is only 6. He got glasses a few months ago, and so I want to remember that about this year before he turned 6. And, in the last year, he can now eat wheat and eggs baked in things which has been totally life changing.

6 things I love about my Hudson...

6. He is my biggest helper!

5. He is the BEST big brother!

4. He is super thoughtful-always thinking of his brothers and sister!

3. He has an impeccable memory...I LOVE all that he can remember!

2. He has really started to branch out in the things that he's eating.

1. He is the first baby I ever fell in love with and he continues to captivate me( and drive me a little crazy at times :)!

6 things Tony loves about Hudson...

6. He is so helpful around the house.

5. He is always thinking about his siblings.

4. He remembers everything.

3. He listens and tries to figure out what we're saying...almost at. all. times.

2. He loves school.

1. He still likes to get Daddy's ears (cold, please).

Happy Birthday Big Boy (and my sweet baby)! We love you up!

Twas the Night before Kindergarten

Twas the night before Kindergarten and all through the house,
Not a wee one was stirring, no one watching Mickey Mouse.
The new school clothes were laid out, they were picked out with care,
There was anticipation and excitement filling the air.

The littles were sleeping, all tucked in their beds
Hudson's clothes ready, filled with all colors of reds.
Daddy and Mommy were already wiped out,
Having already gotten up with their youngest little sprout.

We were all so excited that our biggest little guy
Was already starting school, in the blink of an eye.
The years have gone quickly, oh how fast they flew,
And now it was time to begin something new.

Mommy was sad that her boy was so big,
And he would be off starting a new gig.
Lunches were packed and so was snack,
Everything ready, even the backpack.

Prayers were lifted up and said with great fervor,
Our big boy would be off and out, a world observer.
The beginning of the time when he's not under our care,
That he can be a light and protected is our prayer.

So the night before Kindergarten, how did you come so fast?
I know in a short blink, you too will have passed.
For now, it's our hope that this first is a wonderful day,
And each one after that filled with laughter, learning and play!

My boy and I were driving in the car the other day and talking about school. He started asking me about the cafeteria and what he would do when he went in there. I was telling him that he would probably be sitting at the table waiting for the other kids to come with their trays. He so innocently said, "So I'll sit and wait for everyone to sit down and then we'll say the blessing, and then eat." Oh my goodness, I was struck with a sense of total sadness. Tears filled my eyes as I explained to my sweet boy that at school, we don't pray before lunch. I told him that we go to public school and everyone doesn't believe the same thing we do, but that he can say a blessing himself before he eats. How sweet and innocent is that boy!? Love him!

Girls Only...

Our wonderful children's ministry at Graystone Church, led by sweet Katie Landress, planned some fun activities for kids this summer. One of the ones we got the chance to participate in was a Pajama party for sweet little girls ONLY! And oh boy (or I should say girl) was it cute!
I didn't remember until I just looked through these pictures that Finley wore her sunglasses for the entire first part. She had them on when we got there and she wore them through the reading of the book...in the dark! I know she couldn't see a thing! She was totally cute! When we first arrived, the gals got to play a little, then they all gathered around Miss Ashley, and turned the lights off and she read the book If you Give a Pig a Pancake with a flashlight. After the book, the girls got to actually eat pancakes for breakfast. Next, they played a little relay game using the dolls or stuffed animals they brought. Aunt Lori helped me out with pictures of this part, as I was off feeding Sawyer.After that, they decorated a little purse with stamps and shiny things. Then, we all went outside and the girls blew bubbles. Finally, we came in and got tattoos, girly ones of course. Finley had so much fun! Her cousin Kylin was there and Finley always loves to see her! Uncle Justin made it possible for me to take Finley and Sawyer by keeping the big boys, who LOVED getting to stay with him! Thanks so much to "Miss Katie" for having such fun activities for our little ones!

Lots to catch up

So, I don't know why I haven't gotten to this blog...I guess I've just been doing other things!? Hudson finished preschool and registered for Kindergarten! He'll be going to Grayson ES with me and I'm excited/quite emotional about it!

Hudson and his sweet teachers, Miss Donna and Miss Carolyn.

The Monday after Hudson's graduation, and before my last day of school, we went to the zoo for FREE! We checked out the zoo video that you get from the library and then you get a pass for two adults and two kids for free! The little ones were free b/c 2 and under are at the zoo. We had so much fun! Walker wanted to take a picture with just about every statue...it was totally cute! When we went to see the pandas, the mama panda was sitting up against the front glass munching on some bamboo and we got to see her really close! We also rode the train and sweet Walker LOVED the petting zoo. He went as quickly as he could around to all the animals, petting them and brushing them. It was so fun to be in there with him and watch the excitement!



Hudson got to go to Sports Camp at our church, Graystone Church, this year, and he was SO excited! He chose to do baseball and football and he had a blast! We learned Bible verses, sang lots of songs, and JUMPED a LOT! The final night there was a motorcycle guy jumping over stuff and I let Walker come with us that night. The boys were totally cute and so excited! I taught Music that week and also had a blast!

The week after Sports Camp, we went on vacation to Orange Beach/Gulf Shores, AL. It was probably our best vacation by far! We did some great and free activities that the kids loved! The second night we were there, Uncle Justin took some family pictures...they're wonderful as always! Monday, we went to the beach, where Finley didn't want to have anything to do with the water or the sand and thus sat in her chair the ENTIRE time with her shades and hat firmly ON! The boys let Justin bury them, which totally shocked me! Tuesday, we went to a train museum in Dothan. There was a little wooden train you could ride, which was a BIG hit. Then, inside, there were all these model trains and tracks with a huge city set up. It even had a working drive in movie theater, a circus tent, and lots of other interesting things to look at. The guys working there let the kids push the buttons to make the trains whistle and Hudson even got to be the "conductor" of one of the trains by starting it! Thomas even made a showing! After the train museum we ate lunch at Lambert's...the restaurant where they throw rolls! Great fun! Wednesday, we drove down to Pensacola, FL to watch the Blue Angels practice. I'd say it was on of the highlights for me! The kids enjoyed this too...it was really, really LOUD! Finley held her ears the entire time. After the practice, we went into the Naval Aviation Museum and walked around and looked at all the jets, and naval memorabilia. The pilots came in and everyone cheered...it was spectacular. This same day was also our 9th wedding anniversary! To celebrate, I tried to convince Tony that we should para sail...no such luck. Instead, we went and had a fun dinner at this place called Cosmos. I got what Tony has said was the very BEST meal he's ever had. It was the chef special...pan seared scallops with bacon risotto and a blue king corn cream sauce! Sounds yummy and it seriously tasted even better! While we were out, the kids went on a walk/parade of sorts with grandma and grandpa. They got varsity hats and leis. We also went to the indoor and outdoor pools lots during the week and had fun eating out at various restaurants around! We had found a car top carrier on Craigslist before vacation for $35.00 which totally made our trip possible (NO WAY we could have fit all the things we took if we hadn't had it!).
Father's day was the Sunday after we came back and we celebrated our sweet daddy with breakfast in bed and some of those funky soda shirts from Target!

And just because there are no pictures of sweet Sawyer by himself...he's eating lots of baby food and almost sitting up. He gets all around the floor by rolling and moving himself, not crawling yet...I'm in no rush! He is 7 1/2 months...time is flying!I have a few more things to post about in order to catch up, so maybe I can get to it later this week! The big kids are staying with grandmama and granddaddy!