Happy 4th Birthday, Hudson

 Oh little boy, it was 4 years ago today that you stole my heart.  At 12:34 pm, you entered this world and changed our lives in an instant.  You have been such a blessing to our family and we love you more than we could ever express. 

 You are our smart, sweet, athletic, inquisitive, determined, stubborn, funny, independent, and energetic little guy.  We love your individuality

 You have matured and grown so much over the past year.  Although it's bittersweet, it's wonderful to have a front row seat to watch you become all that God has created you to be. 

 Over the past year, you completed your first year of preschool and enjoyed it so much.  You blossomed in 3K, and have now started pre-k and you continue to do really well.  We are so proud of you.  You played your first season of an organized sport and you have some mad soccer skills.  Your daddy is especially proud of your interest and ability in soccer.  You have just started your second soccer season, and it's so precious to watch you because you are so into it. You are an athletic little boy. 

 You really enjoy music and like to sing/dance to little songs that you learn at church and school.  Your favorite songs right now are "Wagon Wheel" and "Country Roads".  You have memorized both and will sing your little heart out when you hear them on the radio.

 Another interest of yours is swimming.  You are a fish in the water and have no fear.  You started swimming last year without any floatation device, and you have learned lots of new things this summer.  You swim underwater, dive down to get dive sticks (you can't get just one though, you have to get ALL FOUR before you will come up.), do handstands, and jump off the high dive and swim to the side.  There is nothing that you are afraid to try.  You watch bigger kids and have to do what they do.  I love your determination and hope that it continues to guide you into many successful endeavors.

 Your favorite food is still mac and cheese, and you frequently request "chicken on the bone".  You love all fruits. 

 You love Claire, Charlotte, and Brantley.  It makes me so happy to see how compassionate and nurturing you are with the babies.  You consider them your siblings and you guys have a special bond that I am so thankful for.

 Papa is still your favorite person, and you ask to go to his house every single day.  When you are there, you have so much fun playing baseball, driving your gator, golfing, and getting dirty.  You are in heaven.

 Saying that you love monster trucks would be an understatement.  You are so into them.  We had your monster truck birthday party today.  You chose that theme as soon as your 3rd birthday party was over, and have talked about it all year.  You love your monster trucks and know each one's name.  You have quite the collection and can tell about each one. 

 You also love Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  You were so smitten when you met Jake on your first Disney trip this summer.  It was such an exciting time to watch you enjoy the trip with your cousin Ella and our family. 

 When you grow up, you want to be a Veterinarian, or an "animal doctor" as you say.  I think you'll become one. 

 You're such a smart boy, and people tell us all the time that they cannot believe you are "only 3". 

 You say the sweetest prayers every night, and always ask God to "not let you have any bad dreams".

 You are excited about being in Holly's wedding this Fall.  You are going to be the ring bearer, but you say that you're the "ring master". 

 You have grown so much this year and are still tall for your age.  I will have to post your stats after your 4yr check up next month.

 Your spirit is contagious.

 You continue to amaze us daily. We are so blessed that God chose us to be your parents. 

 We hope that you always keep your strong will and happy personality. 

 You are such a gift and we love you so much. 

Happy Birthday Hudson. 

We did it!

I've dreaded this day for the past 2 months.  Today Hudson and I both went back to school.  This is never particularly easy for me, but Huddy Buddy started Pre-K today, and I still can't seem to wrap my brain around the fact that he's old enough for that.  We are so excited and thankful that he has another amazing teacher this year, and we love the school that he attends.  It's just that my baby is growing up, and that's not an easy pill to swallow.  
Thinking back to one year ago when he was starting preschool for the first time makes me so proud of how much he has matured, grown, and learned.  We were blessed with the best teacher ever last year, and she helped ease the transition into school.  It wasn't easy on that day as I dropped him off for the first time, and rounded the corner into the hallway.  I heard him start crying, and it was SO HARD not to go back.  I remember walking to the car doing the "ugly cry" as I passed other parents I knew.  I counted down the hours until I could go pick him up.  He had a great year.
What a difference a year makes!!!  This morning, my "baby" didn't want to be walked into his classroom.  He told me that he could "just be dropped off in the car line, and not to be sad because he would come home after school".  REALLY???  I wasn't prepared for that, but I am SO glad that he feels comfortable with his new teacher and new classroom.  I was in such a tizzy this morning even though we woke up extra early.  It wasn't easy for us to both be going back to school on the same day.  Summer was so fun and we made lots of great memories.  I just wasn't ready for it to end.
I've prayed all summer for Hudson's school year, his teacher, and that he will continue to learn and grow into the young man that God has intended him to be.  It was so special to meet his teacher at open house and feel an immediate sense of peace and know that God has placed him exactly where he wants him and where he belongs.  As we set off on this journey, I look forward to all of the things that are in store for my boy.  Here he is on his first day of school.

 You know I'm going to have a comparison picture in here! The first day of school 2012 for 3K on the left and today on the right.  See what I mean about growing up too fast???