Funny things Pierce said in the last 5 minutes

To document the growing mind and vocabulary of my two-year-old:

Bent over in a squat with a pain expression and grunty voice, "I not pooping."

Changing his diaper I pulled some tinker toys out of his pockets.  "What is all this?" I asked.  "Tinkerbells."  

Standing up to pull the britches up (he says that word without the "r"... and he's obsessed with David & Goliath), 

pierce says, "I a giant."  

"You are?"

"Yeah.  I not a big giant.  I a wittle giant."

Countdown to 2009

Riley, Hudson, Claire, Pierce, Kate & Alayna

The stair-step toe-heads ring in the New Year at Mimi & Papa's house.  Alayna's the only one who knows how to take a decent picture.

Goals for this year:

1.  Get in shape ... again

2.  Get out of debt (pay off cars - this includes sticking with my budget and avoiding the drive-thrus when I feel like I need to reward myself for all my hard work.)

3.  Don't get pregnant

4.  Finish Kindergarten with Hudson and get ready for 1st grade next fall

5.  Stream-line my daily to-do's (time management/organization/get enough sleep to get it all done!)

And that's just off the top of my head.  Let me give this some real thought.

December 26, Boxing Day in Australia

Obviously I messed up on this pictures and I'm too lazy to fix it.  Oh well.  Boxing Day in Australia is almost bigger than Christmas Day.  It's the day you box everything up and at the end of the hard work you go to beach (because it's summer there) and have party.  Anyway, I have the best husband.  We worked really hard yesterday and got the attic cleaned out, the cars washed and vacuumed, the garage cleaned out, the Christmas decorations put away and most of the toys organized!  It's amazing what we can accomplish together.  Then at the end of our hard day, he took the trash to the dumpster, the good will items to good will and brought me back a peppermint mocha (decaf, skim with whip).  Mmmhmmm.

Funny side note story.  Hudson asked me the other day if he could have a "graham cracker with whip."  He obviously pays attention in the Starbucks drive through :)

Christmas Eve & Morning

Daddy & Alayna 

I AM smiling!!!

Can you ever get a shot with everyone looking and smiling?!

Nope.

Thought I'd just post a few pictures while the boys are playing and Alayna & daddy take naps.  Christmas Eve we let the boys open two gifts - jammies and a toy.  Daddy read the Christmas story, we had Christmas music playing, home made chocolate chip cookies, and hot chocolate.  The boys fought over their toys and Alayna snotted and coughed all evening - but we tried :) 

Christmas morning we opened gifts around 7:30.  Hudson didn't get to sleep until after 10 and was up at 5 - he couldn't wait to open gifts.  When it was all said and done Hudson said, "Man, Jesus' birthday is awesome!" Ha!  I asked the boys if they would rather open gifts or eat pancakes, and Pierce opted for food :)

David's sister is Santa Clause at our house.  We received a box of gifts from her yesterday that I wrapped and put under the tree.  The boys are loaded with goodies.  Alayna got a baby and a stroller to help her start walking - Can't believe that's right around the corner.

David and I opted to not get each other gifts this year = an extra van payment.  Debt free in 2009!  That's the goal.  

Now we're headed to mom & dad's for lunch and Grandma's for the afternoon.  More pictures to come!

Leftovers

Snot and slobber and a little baby cereal never looked so cute!

I found Hudson reading Pierce a book :)

We had a great night last night.  The kids went to bed fairly early and David and I never turned on the TV.  We talked and prayed.  Mmmm - so nice.  We're revamping our budget so we can pay off the van.  The only places we can really cut anything out are entertainment and food.  No, "latte factor" spending allowed.  So if you have any good recipes (criteria: Cheap - simple - healthy), please feel free to send them my way.  I'm too tired to type anything creative.  Think I'll make a pot of coffee and get dinner on (leftovers tonight: fajitas or spinach lasagna - take your pick).  

Snot

So, my kids are snotty again.  Every five seconds Pierce comes running & crying, "Mom, I snot.  Need a keenex."  As sure as I'm blessed with a non-spitting baby (so I actually have clean clothes on most of the time) I become the human kleenex.  I don't know how many times I've gotten ready for some outing or another just to have a kid come hug my leg and wipe his nose on the sly.  Too many times I haven't realized until I'm out that I have the longest slug streak down the back of my leg or across my rear end (depends on which kid did the job).  So, I think we'll go into hibernation until Shannon's wedding and maybe these kids will get and stay well.  My little tuxedo clad lads will not have a snot streak up their arms or on my "princess" dress.  I tried my gorgeous brides maid dress on the other day and Hudson exclaimed with monstrous enthusiasm, "Mom!  You look so incredible!  Are you going to wear a pretty bow in your hair?"  Heh - not so much. 

Did you know...

Dancing is for boys and girls to do together.  It's kind of like Ring Around the Rosies only you don't fall down. 

--Hudson Alexander Frederick

A healthy dose of cabin fever

 

Pierce decided to join Hudson for nap time.

Alayna hanging out in the lego box

Hudson's lego city creation

"Mom - look what we did all by ourselves!"  

Can you say cabin fever.  It's Wednesday(day 3) - I think we're there.  I'm not afraid to get out on the ice, but my hubby is driving the van (instead of his cute little convertible) to all his appointments today.  That's okay though.  I have coffee and a floor to mop and some laundry to fold and things to fill my day...and then I read this:

December 17

Come to Me with your gaping emptiness, knowing that in Me you are complete.  As you rest quietly in My Presence, My Light within you grows brighter and brighter.  Facing the emptiness inside you is simply the prelude to being filled with My fullness.  Therefore, rejoice on those days when you drag yourself out of bed, feeling sluggish and inadequate.  Tell yourself that this is a perfect day to depend on Me in childlike trust.  If you persevere in this dependence as you go through the day, you will discover at bedtime that Joy and Peace have become your companions.  You may not realize at what point they joined you on your journey, but you will feel the beneficial effects of their presence.  The perfect end to such a day is a doxology of gratitude.  I am He from whom ALL blessings flow!

--Sara Young, Jesus Calling

So, what is the Lord using to draw you to Himself?  For me, I guess it's the weather and a healthy dose of cabin fever :) 

"My Pleasure"

Hudson is four now, so he's big enough to get the ice and water out of the fridge himself.  And he can screw the lid on and off his cup without help.  He informed me of all this this morning.  So, this afternoon David handed him Pierce's cup and asked him to get Pierce a drink.  Hudson gladly followed directions (who knew this would be so exciting?!) and handed the cup to Pierce.  My good manner drilling is paying off.  Pierce said, "Fank you, Hudson," and Hudson responded, "My pleasure."  So proud of my future Chick-fil-A employee.  :)

You Can't Kiss Santa

This morning I was singing, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause."  Hudson looked at me with this disgusted expression, "Mom, you cannot kiss Santa, because he has a beard and it starts at his chin.  You would never want to kiss that!  Blah! ... but he does love you."

Pierce woke up and wanted to watch "Thooper Why" (Super Why).  "No, mom, you don't thay Thooper Why, you thay THOOPER Why."  :)

David has been dealing with some stressful issues in his business: difficult merchants, people questioning his integrity when he works so hard to establish relationship and trustworthiness with every client, and other corporate issues.  All of these things challenge our financial stability.  Not only do I pay the bills and watch the money leave every month, I, as the wife, am the sounding board for all of these issues. My husband is a communicator and needs to vent.  I don't mind.  I'm glad I know what's on his mind and heart at any given moment, but I tend to be the sponge instead of the sounding board.  I soak up all the stress and become a walking ball of stress and it plays out in everything I do.

All that to say, my Women's Ministry Leader gave me a devotional book that I LOVE called Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  

December 10

Make me the focal point of your search for security.  In your private thoughts, you are still trying to order your world so that it is predictable and feels safe.  Not only is this an impossible goal, but it is also counterproductive to spiritual growth.  When your private world feels unsteady and you grip My hand for support, you are living in conscious dependence on Me.

Instead of yearning for problem-free life, rejoice that trouble can highlight your awareness of My Presence.  In the darkness of adversity, you are able to see more clearly the radiance of My Face.  Accept the value of problems in this life, considering them pure joy.  Remember that you have an eternity of trouble-free living awaiting you in heaven. 

Is 41:10; Ps 139:10; James 1:2

Conversations

We celebrated Hudson's birthday with my family Friday night.  Hudson had a great day.  My dad asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up.  He gave his standard answer: an astronaut.  Dad posed the same question for Pierce, who said, "I not grow up."  That's fine with me, I love my squishy little boy.

Hudson came into our room later Friday night when he should have been asleep.  "Mom, I'm a little bit nervous about the dark in my room."  We talked about how he didn't need to be nervous.  God was always with him, etc.  He responded, "Yeah, but, you can't really see Jesus or God."  So we talked about the evidence of God and used the wind illustration, you can't see the wind, but you can feel it and you know it's there.  Then he said, "Well, my imagination just keeps telling my brain that robots and aliens and monsters are real."  I told him he knew what was real and what wasn't and he could tell that to his imagination.  Then I asked him if anything else was making him nervous.  He said, "Well, skunks always make me a little nervous because I think they might stink me."  Okay - go to bed!

Love the conversations I can have with my little/big boys now.

Happy 4th Birthday Hudson!!!

A photo tribute to my 4 year old in no certain order :)

 My good friend, Cherissa Roebuck (roebuckremote) took some great shots of the boys for Christmas a couple of years ago. 

Destin Florida, summer '07
 

Hud jumping off papa's picnic table

What a beautiful baby!

my brother Zach took all of these.  

Pierce was born the day after this family shot was taken (notice my belly).

Time really does fly!  I can't believe he's FOUR!!!.  We're partying at McDonalad's for lunch today and with family tonight Wall-e style.  Happy Birthday Hudson!  I love you!

There's a Bucket of Cars on top of my Fridge

This is only blog worthy because someday I'll print this out and Hudson will read it and smile because he'll be teaching his kids the very same things.

So, this morning while I was nursing Alayna (because everything punishable happens while you're nursing or on the phone) Hudson punched Pierce in the stomach because he wasn't helping pick up the play room.  (Thought process: "So maybe if I punch him he'll want to help me?!")  After I sent Hudson to his bed, comforted Pierce, and administered the necessary punishment, I loaded up the big ice cream bucket full of cars and said, "These are gone."  (They're on top of the fridge, but don't tell Hudson!)  You would have thought I pulled out the cat of nine tails for the bellowing that followed.  Honestly, can't we all just get along?

Yesterday was a rough day for me.  Poor Alayna has been on antibiotics that cause diarrhea.  Yesterday she pooped in the middle of every nap, only wanted to be held all day and that was after an up-four-times night, so mommy was exhausted.  David has had a particularly stressful week and I always absorb his stress.  Feeling down, I pulled out a little prayer booklet my friend Steph Whitley made for me.  I prayed through several prayers for my family that she had written for herself and her family.  Thank you Steph!!!

Sweet hour of prayer...that calls me from a world of care and bids me at my Father's throne make all my wants and wishes known!  Sweet hour of prayer...thy wings shall my petition bear to Him whose truth and faithfulness engage the waiting soul to bless: And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word and trust His grace, I'll cast on Him my every care, and wait for thee, Sweet hour of prayer. --William Walford 1772-1850

Truly, we are a blessed people who can always turn to a gracious and loving heavenly Father who will take our burdens away.  Sigh.  Smile.  Peace.

Where I am, there they will be also

This is how the Freddys do dishes... and laundry ... and everything else.  Who said kids are always under foot?!

Thanks Giving Weekend

Alayna's first ear infection happened this weekend, thus the hat.  "How 'bout we call her sweet little cutie with a hattie hat?"  Hudson's suggestion - brilliant.

 David and I were married February 28, 2004.  We had Hudson December 5, 2004.  Our first Christmas we had nothing as far as decorations go, and I was barely mobile because Hudson was a ROUGH delivery.  David picked up a few decorations and a Christmas tree from Good Will.  Well, this year the boys and I decided to get a few new things.  Same tree with blue lights and blue ornaments (obviously the boys are big fans of blue.  Alayna will be too, right?)

Joe and Vicki Ramey, mom & dad, aka, Mimi & Papa.  We had a huge family Thanks Giving on Thursday, but I forgot my camera.  Aunts, uncles, cousins... about 24 in all.  Friday, we had dinner at mom and dad's.  Awesome turkey, bacon melt subs with guacamole, homemade tomato soup, chocolate fudge cakes with ice cream.  It was a feast.

The siblings - Zach 24, Ange almost 27, Shannon almost 21, me 28, Amanda almost 27.  For those of you raising young children (like me) we used to fight, and now we really are best friends.  It was a happy weekend.

Kung Fu

Sweet Pierce

the "Mean Guy" Face

We ventured to Walmart today.  I usually try to get everything done  on Monday morning - especially this week.  What a mad house!  Even mothers with three small children get very little grace during the holiday craziness.  My sweet little Pierce mad the "mean guy" face at everyone who told him how cute he was.  Love it.

Before we left as I was getting stuff together I had Hudson "hold" Alayna.  He said, "I know you want to get a picture of this mom.  We're so cute!"  Ha!

We always get stopped by older people at Walmart and my kids never fail to impress.  Today Hudson decided to show off his newest kung fu moves while singing in a high-pitched Asian accent, "Everybody love Kung Fu Fighting."  It's our favorite song right now.  Pierce, of course, follows suite.  I'm exhausted.

Raising Kids

Hudson, Alayna & Pierce watching Kung Fu Panda (which, by the way, if you have boys may not be a great idea because everybody loves kung fu fighting, especially brothers).  Who do you think Alayna looks like?

My sister and I were talking this morning about disciplining our children and using Scripture to do so.  For example, when Hudson was complaining about being bored in Target the other day I said, "Hudson, God's Word says we should do everything without grumbling and complaining.  Are you obeying God's Word?"  No.  "You are dishonoring God and dishonoring me.  Instead we should give thanks in all things.  What are some things we can be grateful for that God has blessed us with?"  However, if he hears me grumbling and complaining about the weather, the huge pile of laundry, the mess daddy made ;), etc, my instructions become null and void in his mind because good character is ALWAYS more caught than taught (actions speak louder than words). 

I will never be the perfect example for my kids, but I'm finding a little humility and asking their forgiveness goes a long way.  So, instead of being the almighty giver of wise instructions from Scripture and creating little legalistic Bible thumpers, I hope I can show my kids that mom has a hard time with that too.   We're all totally depraved.  There is no one righteous.  I can ask their forgiveness and show them Christ's forgiveness.  Sometimes I feel like, I've got to get this right!  These are future men and women I'm shaping here!  I'm yelling and complaining and lazy and I'm failing!  Lord, please fill in the gaps.  It's not just me instruction and training my little ones all the time.  More often than not, God is using them to sharpen and shape me.

Mean Mom

Well, we got Kung Fu Panda the other day and I was going to let the boys watch it tonight.  We went to Target to get my friend, Kim James, a baby gift (girl due in Dec).  I picked up several other things and Hudson kept complaining about being bored and this was "no fun at all."  So I said, "We're almost done and when we get home we can watch a very special movie I got for us."  (David's taking a class tonight and tomorrow night so we're filling evenings without daddy with Target and movies.  It's like a mini vacation.  I know, pathetic).  Hudson asked, "Is it Wall-E?"  I answered, "No, but I think you'll really like it."  He proceeded to tell me that he only wanted to watch Wall-E and his whole day had been boring and he hadn't done anything fun at all.  So, I told him he couldn't watch the movie (we were outside of Target by now - because a smart mom never says something like that to an almost 4-year-old INSIDE the store).  He proceeded to wail like I'd just cut off his arm.  We got in the van and Pierce hit Hudson, (he needed a spanking because he was throwing a fit!)  We drove home in crazy loud crying.  We all got in the house and the boys went to their rooms.  We had a talk about giving thanks in all things and I told a story about two little boys who didn't have any toys or movies or special snacks, etc.  We talked about things we could be grateful for besides material possessions.  I don't think they quite got it, but they did get that if they throw a fit and grumble and complain, they will NOT get their way.  It's no fun being a mean mom ;)  The boys went to bed early and Alayna and I had a great night. 

Monday :(

Poor Hud woke up with a fever Sunday afternoon.  We took him to see Laurel Molini at Redi Clinic (she's the best by the way), and she diagnosed him with strep.  She saw 5 cases of strep on Sunday so it's going around.  You can have it in you and be contagious for 14 days without actually being sick.  We started antibiotics last night.  The fever broke and he looks normal today- poor guy.  Pierce & Alayna are still looking good but I'm pre-treating them so we don't pass it around in the next 2 weeks!  My Monday could have been terrible, but my husband brought me a peppermint mocha, my mom brought me Baha Jacks awesome quesadillas, I got a sub for water aerobics and mom watched P & A while I took Hud to see Laurel, and David stayed home instead of going to his Monday night meeting.  Turned out to be a pretty okay day.  Just a little funny thing:  the nurse asked Hudson what he wanted to be when he grew up and he said, "Well, I think I just want to play with my kids."!

Funny Hud

Hudson was sitting on the toilet this morning as I waited patiently to do the mommy part of this morning ritual.  He looked at me and said, "Wow, my head is getting warm.  It feels kind of like rain.  That's because of my brain, it's warming up my head and the rest of me.  That's probably because I do a lot of exercise."  Okay?!  

Forget not All HIS Benefits

 Well, I went to bed way too late last night.  Alayna was up from 1-2am (I still don't know what her deal was, unless she didn't like my pizza).  Then everyone woke up at 6:45.  But it's Thursday which means PLAY GROUP!!!  So instead of slugging through my day hanging on by my fingernails until nap time, we went to Miss Lisette's house and drank strong coffee with homemade cinnamon rolls.  My kids got to play and wear themselves out before nap time and I got some SWEET fellowship with my girlfriends.  I am so blessed to have other moms who are my close friends.  We're all in the same stage of life and we can be real about it.  We each identify with the other's frustrations and challenges and every one of them is able to encourage me and lift me up.  I love Thursdays!  Thank you girls!!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

Today is David's birthday.  The kids and I made pumpkin spice biscuits this morning in heart shapes and woke David up (at 9:30) singing "Happy Birthday."  Then they opened his presents for him :)

Happy Birthday Babe - We love you!

Family Resemblance

Hudson and My dad (aka The Great White Fantasy Hunter).

A lot of Hudson looks like my husband, but this smacks of Ramey :)

Our Ruler

"This is my Father's world, O let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet." --M.D. Babcock

Saturday with Cousins

Not a great shot of Mama Freddy, but Alayna posed for you :)

Mimi (my mom) & cousin Kate

Pierce playing with his four wheeler

Claire looking at us through the playground

Cousin Riley telling Hudson some animated story

Hudson singing about how Batman loves God :)

Pierce Playing on the playground in our backyard

We had such a relaxing and fun family weekend.  We didn't go anywhere or do anything becuase it was gorgeous out and McDonald's playground is in my backyard.  It's way fun at my house these days !

Halloween

Please remind me next year to buy two of the same costumes for the boys - ugh!

Big Picture

A great day for me include accomplishing certain things:

1.  A clean house

2. Bible Study

3. A workout with or without a successive shower

4. Preparing a good dinner

5. Quality learning time with my kids

6. Quality time with my husband

So the question is:  Am I being too ambitious here or not?  David and I had a discussion the other day and came to this conclusion: If my day is all wrapped up as a success or a failure according to these ambitions, my ambition is sin.  God is sovereign and has ordered my day according to His will.  While I must plan my day and be organized, Almighty God is the One who directs my steps.  I have to trust that God's plan is better than my own every time.  So, if I don't make it to the gym because my kids are sick - that is God's good and perfect plan.  Maybe He's protecting me from something - I don't know.  "He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure, gives unto each day what He deems best."

So, today, I'm a happy mom (and not just because I'm running on THREE cups of strong coffee).  This morning I acknowledged that my day is the Lord's and not my own.  His will is perfect and "He gives a special mercy for each hour... He whose name is Counselor and Power!"  --Day by Day, by Thomas Moore.  No matter what happens or doesn't happen today, I can be content in God's predestined plan for me.

  

funny Huddy Buddy

This morning Hudson was drawing happily away.  He drew what looked like a space ship and planets, one that looked like the sun.  So I David says, "Hey, buddy, what a great picture!  Is this the sun?"  Hudson answered, "No, dad.  That's a picture of me when I became a super hero."  Of course.

The other day he ran into the kitchen crying, "Mom!  I bumped my ear globe on the door knog!"  So I kissed the "ear globe."  

Flashback Friday

David & I before we got married almost five years ago.

Potty Training

I want to give up.  Potty training is not flowing here.  He's not catching on fast enough and I don't have time.  So, maybe I should postpone this crazy goal.  We were doing great for a little while, but the explosive nastiness in undies while I'm trying to feed the baby is just not good.  I'm stressing and I need to relax.  My house is a WRECK because all I do is watch Pierce like a hawk and RUN him to the potty every 15 minutes only to have him go in his undies as soon as he gets up.  I don't think we're ready...or maybe I should just give it a few more days.  I can't remember how Hudson was, I just know how he is: trained.  We tried pull-ups.  They don't work, for training that is.  They do keep the accidents off the carpet - that's a good thing.  So, should I stop or should I persevere?  Hudson was almost 2 when he was fully trained.  A friend of mine who has raised 4 children had all of hers trained when they were about 2.  Shouldn't I be able to do that?

Pierce, August 2007