Bebe Numero Deux

Tim and I went to my first doctor's appointment this morning! All the old routines came back like they were yesterday. Urine sample, weigh-in, blood pressure....you know, all the fun stuff. The pregnancy was confirmed. Before my blood test I was in the office for just a "yearly w/ a missed period." (Sorry for any guys reading this!) I had an ultrasound to confirm how far along I am. We're at about 7 weeks. The heartbeat was strong; about 133 bpm. The ultrasound tech is already saying it's a boy. I'm not sure why. We're shooting for a due date of 8-8-08!

Thankfully, I'm not anemic yet. I'm feeling queasy just about all day but no major vomiting...yet. That in itself is an answered prayer. I dread taking my prenatal vitamins. They just smell terrible. My doctor gave me a capsule form so hopefully, they won't smell as bad.

Anywho, that's about it in a nutshell. Rachel is eagerly awaiting her new baby brother or sister. When I told her that mommy had a baby in belly, she put in finger in my belly button and said, "open". So, we're all very excited!

Once I find my camera, I'll post some pics of our little blueberry.

UPDATE: So the new vitamin made me feel really yucky last night. I think it was b/c I took it on a somewhat empty stomach. I should have known better. Tonight, I took it immediately after I ate my dinner. I think that helped considerably. My queasiness kind of fades in and out. Only a few more weeks of this. I know it's all worth it. Rachel is my constant reminder.

8 things I’m passionate about…

Learning more about God's Word
Teaching Rachel
Tim
sewing
photography
learning to cook better
Babies



8 things I say often

I love you
Are you okay?
Please stop whining
No,no, no
You want to eat...again?!
Where's your baby?
What are you doing?
Would you please...


8 books I’ve read recently (or want to read)…

Harry Potter 1
Harry Potter 2
Harry Potter 3
Harry Potter 4 (well almost)
Lord, Please Meet Me in the Laundry Room
Perhaps I need to be reading more....

8 things I want to do before I die…

Travel to New Zealand/Australia
Maybe Africa
See more of the US
Have more children
Adopt a child
See Rachel marry
Go on a cruise
Knit something bigger than a pin cushion


8 songs I can listen to over and over again, and probably have…

Shifting Sand--Caedmon's Call
Rachel singing "Holy Holy Holy"
Like a Skin--Sara Groves
Jesus Loves Me
Dance--Caedmon's Call (it reminds me of when Tim and I 1st started dating, this song was from the 1st CD Tim bought me.)
Hymns times 3 (he he)


8 things that attract me to my friends

Bring out my non-shy side
Considerate
(Goodness this is hard)
Funny
Sarcastic
Love Jesus
Crafty
Really Listen

8 things I learned in the last year

How to sew children's aprons
How to make a pillowcase dress
How to plan a meal for two weeks and to follow it
That Ron Paul is awesome
I re-learned (many times over) that Jesus pursues me before I pursue Him
That learning patience is also a lesson in being content (I'm not skilled in either)
That toddlers understand WAY more than you think
I've learned that I have a LOT more to learn

Ok, so I didn't put 8 answers on ALL of them but I know you'll forgive me.

What?

Now this is just getting ridiculous! I received this "alert" from the AFA (American Family Association) today.

Dear Leah,

At PetSmart, Christmas doesn't exist. It is not to be found anywhere on their Web Site. AFA checked out the local PetSmart store and there was no Christmas there, either.

A search on PetSmart's home page found 252 references to "holiday." It also found 43 references to "Christmas." But, alas, this is very misleading. When you click on "Christmas" you are directed to a page containing the same gifts you get when you search for holiday. Of all the items that pop up when you search for Christmas, not a single one mentions Christmas or is identified as being a Christmas gift.

At PetSmart, everything is "holiday."

I'm sure, if I had a dog, he would protest! Or wear a button.

Come on AFA, seriously?

Halloween isn't the end of Fall or the beginning of Christmas

It seems this year that we didn't do the traditional Fall/Halloween activities. First, we didn't go to the pumpkin patch this year. It was just too dang hot. It's not fun lugging around a 24 lb toddler or chasing her from one corner of God's earth to the other...especially, when it's hot

Second, we didn't really dress up for Halloween or go trick-or-treating. No, we don't think is sacreligious. It just didn't happen. Rachel wouldn't, for the life of me, wear her super-cute butterfly costume. Also, we had tickets to see "Disney on Ice: Finding Nemo". If you were wondering, it was pretty delightful. Considering what they charge for a concert or symphony,I thought it was worth the money. Especially, since I didn't have to buy Rach a ticket.

Truthfully, we did trick-or-treat...at Publix. It was great! We got a good bit o'candy and other loot; including a reflective slap bracelet.


So, anyway, we did visit the Botanical Gardens one day when it was cool. I snapped some pictures w/ my film SLR (which my bro-in-law found at the thrift store for $1.00!!) and I captured some on Halloween day (don't let the non-Halloween attire fool you).







Ok, so I put one in there of my front door. I just thought it was a pretty picture. :)

Shudder

You know when you were little and you watched Jaws? Then, after watching it you were afraid to use the bathroom. Well, maybe that was just me. But to my defense, Tim still doesn't like to go in the ocean for that very reason.

Anyway, back to the toilet thing...This is just creepy!

Potty Python

The best part is where she used her daughter's training toilet! That's hilarious!

Neat-O

This is a really great idea from the Design Mom blog.

Topless Undershirt

It's Fall...Finally!!

Today, we woke up to 50 degree weather!! Only 72 degrees for the high. YAY! We're going to the zoo to celebrate.

Foodtalk on girltalk

Head on over to FoodTalk over on the girltalk blog. Day three is particularly interesting!

A Day to Remember

At exactly 7:59 a.m. I turned 25 years old. As my aunt put it, a quarter of century. I don't feel older today. I actually feel a little tired. Rachel didn't get the memo that she's supposed to let me sleep in today. Oh well, sleep is waaay overrated. Right?

After shaking off the grogginess and changing Rachel's diaper, I strolled into the living and plopped down on the couch. Got up, fetched Rachel her daily banana, and then plopped down on the couch again. There, on top of the laptop, sat a rolled up piece of paper will an orange ribbon tied around it. It was a very lovely birthday poem from my dear husband. I thought his poem writing days were over the day we said "I do". To my delight he still has the ability to rhyme and make me heart do jumping jacks.

Ah, today has been good so far, now I as type this, I can only thank God for my life. He has placed so many beautiful people in my life these 25 years. My family who has made me laugh more times than I can count and who I can truly be proud to say I'm related to them. To my friends who I wouldn't be who am I today if it weren't for them. To my husband who has loved me in spite of my sinfulness and my lack of organization. Finally, to Rachel who has made me happier these past 19 months than all of my other years combined.

"To God be Glory, great things He has done;"

Run for Rabies

I feel the need to update. After all, it has been over a week.

First off, I'd like to congratulate the Ron Paul campaign for raising over 1 MILLION dollars. That is amazing! The message of liberty is thriving and it gives me hope for our country.

Second, I am excited to turn a new leaf regarding daily Scripture reading. I often got anxious about having to read Scripture everyday. I've realized that I should only focus on today (our daily bread). I shouldn't worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. God will provide the time and the grace I just have to GO DO IT. That said, I'm going to try getting up a little earlier than Rachel to read. I'll see how that goes. I'm so thankful that God has given us his word. Yet, even if we never read another word of the Bible, I'd would still be justified as much today as I will be next week.


Third, we're all doing swell. Rachel doesn't like bugs (she says "eww") and she says "bye-bye" to the spider I smooshed last week just about every morning. Tim's been playing Halo 3. I think it's almost out of his system. He's also been working on his blog.

Finally, I made these awesome Iced Pumpkin Cookies from All Recipes. I highly recommend them and they go together fairly easy. They also taste better the day after they're baked.


Oh and there's some rumor going around that my birthday's on Tuesday...but you didn't hear that from me.

Cool new something

I came across this awesome site from Photojojo.com. All you do is upload your pictures, pick a song and then they do the rest! Super cool and far better than the simple slideshow.


Animoto.com

My favorite daughter

I snapped this quick picture of Rach this afternoon. She got many comments on her super cute shirt at "church" tonight. I can't wait to see Candace's (my favorite future mompreneur) product line on eBay! Thanks again for the awesome shirt!

Update: Hymns for a Kid's Heart

Rachel will pick up her hymn book and sing "Oe, Oe, Oe". It's too funny!

Hyms for a Kid's Heart

While at the thrift store the other day, I found this great book:
Hymns for a Kid's Heart (Volume One)

Now, I'm pretty cautious when it comes to "Christian" children's books, but I have found this book to be well worth the 99 cents I paid for it. It is written by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada. Wolgemuth writes a short story about the song writer and Tada writes a short commentary titled "From My Heart to You". Then, the hymn with all the verses. After the hymn is "A Verse for My Heart" followed by, "A Prayer from My Heart". The illustrations are by Sergio Martinez and are pretty. It also comes with a CD but I didn't really care for it. Maybe, in a few years, Rachel may enjoy singing along with the children.

So far, we have read through Holy, Holy, Holy and A Mighty Fortress is Our God. It was very interesting to read about Reginald Herber and Martin Luther; for me at least. I think it may be a little long for Rach yet. I also was pleased to find that all of the verses are in ESV.

All that said, it's a good historical book and introduces great hymns to our children early.

More Montana

Finally, after many tries, I found a great slideshow at Picasa.

Big Sky State--Montana

I'm home, at last, from the beautiful state of Montana. As you know, from my last post, my sisters, my dad and step-mom and I, traveled across the country for my Gramma DeRocher's funeral/memorial service. This funeral became more of a family reunion as all my aunts and my uncle were there. Along with them, were most of the children. Unfortunately, my brother was the only grandchild that wasn't able to make to it. :( There are 20 grandchildren in all so that means there were 19 in attendance. With those 19 grandchildren, were several great-grands. It was amazing to see ALL those people that my grandparents were, mostly, responsible for. At times, overwhelming. To my surprise, I have cousins in Seattle, Hawaii (a golf pro), Phoenix, California. It was also wonderful to see some of my closer cousins again. Those I had not seen in 10+ years. Thankfully, we all meshed, quickly the conversation felt familiar and we talked about our families, hobbies, like and dislikes. We (meaning my very organized sister, Mariah) made a list of our family "tree". I'll have to post it sometime soon. We got e-mail addresses and hopefully, we'll stay in contact. As my step-mom Julie said, "We have a LOT more Christmas cards/letters to send out this year." Indeed, we do.

Here's some pics from my camera. I'm hoping to get some of my sister's pictures. They were better. She's not shy to take random pictures of people she doesn't know well.

Agnes Veronica DeRocher

On August 15, 2007, eight years to the day after the death of her beloved husband Paul, Agnes V. DeRocher died at Billings Clinic Aspen Meadows. She was 91 and died of natural causes.
Agnes was born on August 6, 1916 in Milwaukee, WI. She was the only child of Edward and Agnes Hanner. She was raised and educated in the upper Peninsula of Michigan.
On June 15, 1936, Agnes married Paul N. DeRocher in Linwood, MI. They were married for 63 years. Agnes was active in the Alter Society at St. John Vianney Parish in Flint, MI. They lived in Port Huron, MI for 40 years of their married lives.
Those who knew and loved Agnes remember her as a feisty, independent woman who could be found from dawn to dusk in her countless flower beds, cross country skiing in her woods or cooking the "favorites" of her ever-expanding family well into her eighties.
Paul and Agnes moved to Billings, Montana to join their daughters in June of 1999. She participated in every "Montana Women's Run" with her daughters for the last seven years. She loved the mountains, the beach and family gatherings.
Her children and grandchildren remember her as the loving matriarch of their family.
When her adult children "came back home" to visit, she made us feel like pampered kids again. Her carefully planned and plotted practical jokes on April Fool's Day are legendary family lore.
Surviving Agnes are her daughters, Emy LaBeau of Billings, Paula and husband Fred Deigert of Bozeman, MT, and daughter Celeste and husband Gary Dimon of Billings; sons, Gregory and wife Francoise DeRocher, Nicholas and wife Julie DeRocher all of Alabama. Twenty grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren plus two "on the way", and two great-great-grandchildren also survive her.
Please join us for a Memorial Service to celebrate her life on Friday, August 24, 2007 at 2 p.m. at the Dahl Funeral Chapel, 10 Yellowstone Avenue, Billings. A reception will follow. Cremation has taken place. Memorials may be made to "The Women's Wellness Fund" c/o Billings Clinic Foundation, P.O. Box 3566, Billings, MT 59103.
Mom we love you and you will always be with us!

This Thursday, I will be flying (with my sisters, stepmom and dad) to Billings, MT to go to her memorial service. I'm excited to see all my family. The occasion will be sad yet, celebratory at the same time. I'm also eager to have a break to recharge my batteries. Please pray that the traveling goes well and that Tim won't go crazy with Rachel. I haven't been away from Rach for more than 1 night and I'm kind of anxious. I'm sure nothing will go right while I'm away. The world at the Hudgins' home will collapse in my absence. :)

Great Quote

"Facebook does complicate the pleasure of gently losing touch with people you're tired of."

-Newsweek (August 27, 2007 ed.)

The Underdog

This makes me feel all warm and tingly inside. Yay Ron Paul!!

Ron Paul Rallies Supporters

Ron Paul 2008

While reading the newest Parents magazine, I came across these really cool wooden blocks. A great idea for all those parents wanting to start their kids on Greek early. Particularly those who are of the Reformed persuasion. :)Heck, they even have Hebrew! Kind of on the pricey side but they are good solid wood and they'd last forever. Check them out at Il Cocco di Mamma.

Just another reason to vote for RON PAUL

What's the perfect ending to a long hot day? An ice cream cone, of course! Rachel REALLY enjoyed hers. Well, here is some proof...



Thanks to Hamburger Heaven for having yummy cheap ice cream cones!! Needless to say, she went straight into the tub and Tim gave me the look of death because I let his little girl get messy. Mercy!

Yippy-Skippy

Scoot on over to this blog...it has some super yummy recipes!! It has lots of pictures for those who like that sort of thing. Like me....

Go, skedaddle, check it out!

The Pioneer Woman Cooks!

We're at the BEACH!!

Head on over to Timmy's blog to check out our first pictures of the beach...

Yay!!

In effort to prolong my laundry duties even further, I have finished my first attempt at sewing Rachel a dress. Okay, I cheated a little. I made her a pillowcase dress with a pillowcase I found from the thrift store and ribbon purchased at Wal-Mart. I learned a few things in the process. Like how to create binding (I think that's what it's called) out of extra fabric and how to sew on purchased bias tape. The purchased bias tape proved to be much easier for me to handle. I'm still having trouble sewing in a straight line. Of course, nothing I sew is really pretty when you look closely. Oh well, that'll come with time. Here are some pictures of my creation...

I know I could hardly even call this an update, but life has been very ordinary and predictable lately. I wouldn't have it any other way.

I only have one child but the story in Amy Scott's blog today was very encouraging!

Ready for the weekend!

Sorry I have been scarce! I've been enjoying the wonderful duty of preparing for a ballet recital. It is, thankfully, on Thursday. I've been running all over town to find items for it. I have discovered that ballet/ballerina items are very hard to find. Oh well, I found some things that will work.

Today, I spent part of the day helping my sister make the cake for the reception following the recital. It's very cute and I'm so happy I have a creative sister who can decorate cakes. We, also, made goody bags for my ballet students. (Has anyone seen the prices on bagged candy these days?? Oy!) Hopefully, they'll be kind and give their teacher a piece of their chocolate. :)

Tomorrow, I have to make the CD for the recital music (I really need to do that tonight but it can wait til the morning). Maybe I should buy the ingredients for the punch and see about cheese cubes at Sam's.

Thursday, I need to decorate the chapel and have it presentable for the recital. I'm praying it will look somewhat similar to the ideas in my head. Hopefully, I won't be exhausted come recital time!

Pray it goes well and that I don't make a fool of myself! Of course, all the parents care about is their child performance. :)

Are you an Alpha Mom?

I was watching The Today Show this morning while getting Rachel dressed. I usually get disgusted and change the channel but today the story peaked my interest. Today, the title was, "Are you an Alpha Mom?" What are Alpha Moms? Well, they are moms who can do it all. Kids. Jobs. Own Businesses. Fashion. Technology. You name it, they can do it...all at the same time. It sounds pretty innocent. I thought, hey, this sounds like the modern day Proverbs 31 woman...sort of. Our biblical example seemed to be able to keep up with a long list of "to dos". Shouldn't we try to be Alpha Moms? [Of course, Christian Alpha Moms could be the new Lifeway product.] I'd say no.

I think this is just feminism with some type of mask. Why do many moms today feel like they have to own or rule everything (especially men)? I have no beef with strong women but this is just off base. It's obviously another attempt to make ones self numero uno (Alpha).

While reading an article, I found three reasons why I believe we should run from this.

First, I found only one mention of a husband or father in the article and that was only in passing.

"Then there's a debriefing with her husband"

A debriefing with her husband? Wow, it's like she's the CEO of a company and all she's got is 5 minutes to catch up with him before she's off to her next task. It appears to me that husbands come last in this lifestyle. 1. Mom, 2. Kids, 3. Dad

Second, there is an overwhelming emphasis on consumerism. These moms are spenders and they like to do it online, too. If you want to sell something, target this group. Swiffer, Proctor-Gamble, GM, Nintendo, Kimberly-Clark, and Huggies are just a few of the companies who are throwing themselves at this group. The woman featured on The Today Show pointed out that she has to have to newest technology and the most fashionable clothes.

Third, and the most critical fault, is this feministic (is that a word) fear that they will "lose" their identities if they have a family. This is one reason why Constance Van Flandern created Alpha Mom TV. She states it best herself:

"But I realized that the audience is me: a hip mom who wants to be involved with her children's lives but who doesn't want to give up her identity."

Since when did children become identity thieves? I'm no less Leah than I was 14 months ago. I've actually realized more of what my identity is. My identity is found in Christ alone. But hey, what's so wrong with your identity being a stay-at-home mom with clothes bought at the thrift store and being submissive to your husband?

So, no, I am not an Alpha Mom. I am not number one in this world or in my home. Thankfully, my Heavenly Father sees Christ in me because what I have to offer is but filthy rags. I fail repeatedly daily...hourly. I'm thankful I don't have to be an Alpha Mom because my strength is found in Christ and not in my own abilities.

I could go on and on about this but I think this is a good primer on this new "breed" of women. What do you think about?

My sweet Rachel

I'm completely beside myself! Being a mom is so wonderful (I'll be sure to read this when Rachel is being grumpy). Rachel is in the process of taking her first steps! Yesterday she took a few steps between two of her favorite push toys.

Today, when we arrived home from the fabric store, Rachel was sitting in the middle of the kitchen floor. All of the sudden, she tried standing all by herself! No table, chair or person to help her. It was the most hilarious thing I had ever seen. She was straining to stand, as if the whole world was upon her shoulders. She was so pleased with herself. Once, she took a few wobbly steps and collapsed in my arms.

Rachel's also bear walking now. She's tasted the freedom of this milestone and now she's building her muscles. I wonder if this why she took a 3 hour nap this morning??

Now is the important question! When do I mark this milestone? When she first took a few steps or when she is successfully walking like a normal human being?

Cukes are cooked

I planted a herb and vegetable container garden a couple of days ago. My basil, oregano, tomatoes, rosemary, and sweet bell peppers (red & green) are doing beautifully. However, my cucumbers look, well, dead. I don't know what happened to them. I watered and fertilized them but they're all shriveled up now. Does anyone have any idea why?

Not even one...

I try to listen to James White's (AOMin) podcasts as often as I can. He posts a link to it on his blog/website. For those of you who don't know him, White is an Reformed Baptist apologist in Phoenix. He is incredibly knowledgeable and Tim really likes him. So, therefore, I like him too. :)

On yesterday's show, James talked about the VA Tech massacre. I have to say, it's probably the best commentary of what happened. It's all in the first several minutes so you don't have to search for it. Here's the link:
The Dividing Line (4/17/07)

Will you go in the sandwich and get me a kitchen?

While reading the news headlines on my Google personalized page, I came across one that read... "Bush makes impassioned plea for war cash".

Although, it came out as "Bush makes impassioned plea for car wash". Geez, I guess the pollen is really bad in DC.

Oh, the mind is a wonderful and funny thing.

Uh oh , it's been a week....

I noticed that I haven't updated in about a week. I have a draft saved but I need to study the Scriptures a bit more on the topic before I post. Thankfully, Candace and Liz have updated so I have something to read and ponder. Thanks for being faithful bloggers!

Tim and I had a date night tonight! Rachel is at my sister's. I pray she sleeps well. What am I doing on here?? Well, I have time to post something. I don't have to do Rachel's bedtime routine tonight so I have a few extra minutes.

Me: Tim, you're my star.
Tim: Because I'm a ball of gas?

If you can't laugh at that, what can you laugh at?

The Terrible....Pre-Tantrums

Here's a great question for all my faithful readers to ponder...

How do you stop tantrums now (@ 13 months)? Before they blow up into the kicking-and-screaming kind.

Any "I've been there, and this is how I handled it" tips would be greatly appreciated.

Nip it in the Bud

Is it Friday already? I have been avoiding Rachel's laundry/clothes situation for a good solid week now. She has clothes in just about every room in our house. I need to get rid of these "Hot Spots" as the FlyLady would call them. Our guest room is spotted with mounds of her clothes. Clothes she's grown out of, winter clothes and folded laundry that needs to be put away. Also, it has laundry the needs to be done. I sort her laundry in there while she takes a nap.

Rachel has hardly any clothes in her closet (they're all winter clothes anyway) and I find myself foraging around her room and the guest room to make an outfit. I, obviously, need a better system and to stop procrastinating. I'm so much happier when I'm organized. I hope this quote will give me some motivation...

“No unwelcome tasks become any the less unwelcome by putting them off till tomorrow. It is only when they are behind us and done, that we begin to find that there is a sweetness to be tasted afterwards, and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant. Accomplished, they are full of blessing, and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us. Undone, they stand threatening and disturbing our tranquility, and hindering our communion with God. If there be lying before you any bit of work from which you shrink, go straight up to it, and do it at once. The only way to get rid of it is to do it.”
-Alexander MacLaren

Today, I did something that I have never done before.

I ran over a squirrel today.

So sad!

Update on Rachel

I meant to update earlier this week on Rachel's condition. As you may remember, Rachel had a somewhat high fever on Monday. We went to the doctor on Tuesday. She had/has a virus. The doctor didn't really know what virus it was. She said if a rash showed up it would most likely be roseola. Well, today, a rash broke out on Rachey's tummy and back. Interesting thing is that now that's she's had roseola she'll most likely have a life-long immunity to the virus. Crazy how that body works that way.

I better get my little kiddo ready for bed.

What's going on with the Hudgins' crew?
Tim--playing a game
Leah--feeling satisfied after working in the yard
Rachel--standing in her little white chair (grr)

I found a new way to hem pants. Well I suppose it's not "new" but it's new to me. I believe it's called European hemming. I'd never hemmed pants before and I was able to do it fairly quickly. Here's the website if you'd like to try it:

Dacia Ray's blog

Now, I can finally hem the black pants I've had in my closet for almost 2 years now.

Love your Enemies...

I have an enemy. No, it's not the bikers that feel they own the road (huh, that would be a fun post to write). Maybe a visual aid would be sufficient.

Let me introduce you to my #1 enemy...
Yes, my friends, it is a squirrel. He's been stealing my suet for the past few weeks and scaring away the birds. I find this to be an endless battle. I don't want to stop putting out suet but I can't really stop this guy. I think I read that squirrels can jump up to 10 feet.

Maybe Rachel and I will mosey on down to Wal-Mart to see if we can find either dried corn or some squirrel ridding product. Whichever is cheaper. I have a feeling this squirrel will be having corn for dinner. :)

You too??

Ah, yes, I have decided to create a blog. I can't promise that it will be a continuous task. I'll probably write when I have something on my mind or to keep wondering minds up to date on the Hudgins' household. So, without further ado...

Last night, Rachel spiked a temperature of 101.9. It really shocked me because she's really never had a fever that high. I called my sister (who is a nurse at Children's) and she told me to give her Tylenol and then check her in the morning. This morning her temp. was still fairly high (100.4) so I gave her a dose of Motrin. As the morning progressed her temp. went down to around normal. I thought I was in the clear so we ventured out to Target to buy some groceries and other pantry items. Rachel fell asleep on the way home so I put her down for her afternoon nap. She woke up a few hours later with red rosy cheeks. I checked her temp and it was back up to 101.4. So with all that said, I called the doctor's office and we have an appointment at 9:30 in the morning. I'll keep you posted on her condition

In other news, Rachel is getting close to walking. She stood up for almost a minute last night, unassisted. She was so proud of herself!

On Friday, Tim got a call from his boss to let him know that he got his raise! We were sooo excited. It's a bit more than 20% so that'll help with the bills.

Over dinner, I was thinking about something...I ran into an old friend at Target. We were exchanging the normal niceties when it came to children. She made the predictable remark, "We'll have kids when we finish so-and-so and are more financial stable." I suppose it's easier for me to frown at that because I'm on the other side of "taking the plunge" into parenthood. I've been through the gut wrenching home pregnancy test, the fear of financial woes, the kicking-me-in-the-rib pain, the glucose test, PIH, early delivery, the epidural, and all the fun after that. (I'll spare the details). We were by no means "financially stable". I was giving up my income to have this child. I'm trying to get somewhere here...I suppose it's this. After all the fear and anxiety, God proved himself faithful. And now, we have the most precious gift. I'll never tell a married woman to wait to have children. Stop everything you're doing that is futile, have many babies, stay at home, teach them, love them and tell them about the God that gives us more than we would ever deserve.


What's the Hudgins' crew doing right now??
Rachel--Seeking out the diaper bag to pull everything out and strewing items to the four corners of the living room.
Tim--Reading The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Leah--Typing this thing and wondering why Rachel is saying "Uh-oh"