January 2016! This is the first post of 12 to reaching one of my New Year’s Resolutions: blog monthly. I hope to remember the things that we, as a family, have been through and the things that Hudson and Lottie are doing.
Recap: We started out our year pretty low key. For the first time in 7 years, we stayed home on New Years Eve. The kids went to bed on time and Matt and I rang in the New Year just talking, sitting in the library and drinking sparkling cider from his new Moscow mule mugs. It was refreshingly nice. We had made New Year’s resolutions, schedules, and book lists for the coming year. I took off work during the weekdays for the first week of January and we were very productive. We started school back again for the year, and Hudson did really well. 1/8- The kids and I went to the zoo and met up with Jenny and Julie and their little ones. We spent almost 4 hours there and had a great time. The next week, I spent most of my extra time pulling the carpet and nails up in Matt’s office. It took the whole week, but it looks really, really good. That Tuesday, Hudson and I went to the Hard Rock Café for dinner and then went to see the play Matilda at the Orpheum (1/12). Stewie tagged along too. It was a really great mommy/son date, although we were not too impressed with the Hard Rock. Lottie was able to get her Pinkalicious bike, because she we can officially say that she is potty trained! Since Christmas, every time she went to the potty, she received a Starburst. It didn’t take long, and she really took to it this time. We had tried potty training multiple times before, so multiple promises had to be kept, so along with her bike, Lottie got a baby blanket that I made for her dolls and a book that she picked out. It only took two tries, and Lottie mastered riding her bike (1/13). On the 18th, we all headed out together and ate at Abner’s and picked out some fun stuff at Bargain Hunt. The weathermen had predicted “blizzard-like” snow on the 21st, but we only got about half an inch. We still managed to have a snowball fight and build a tiny snowman named Raisin. My favorite parts was snuggling up afterwards by the fire and watching Hudson and Lottie read together. That Saturday, the 23rd, I headed to Brad and Tammy’s house after work and we threw a book-themed baby shower for Sarah and Annelise. It went really well and was a lot of fun. We completed our 100th day of school on the 27th!! We celebrated with a special “100” themed snack of a banana and cookies. On the 28th, after school, we all headed out South to Oxford, MS where we explored the Ole Miss campus, went to two bookstores, and ate pizza and bread pudding. Hudson loved seeing the campus and was able to get a small Ole Miss football and a pennant for his wall. Lottie got a stuffed bear that we named Rebel. She said that Sweetly needed a brother, so that is why she picked Rebel. While we were perusing Square Books Jr., Matt got a call from Chris Wilbanks, who told him that Ms. Pernie had passed away. Ms. Pernie was a wonderful lady who was so kind and generous. She had given Matt and I lots of encouragement through the years. She had been a school teacher in her earlier years and had many interesting stories and encouragement from her experiences. It was not unexpected, but was definitely a shock to me. I looked forward to worshiping with our church family the following Sunday to remember her together. Saturday, January 30, Granny came over for the first time in awhile, because she had been sick. The kids had so much to show her and couldn’t contain themselves when she pulled onto our street.
What’s going on with us?
Matt received his new CPAP this month, which was an big ordeal, but he got a really nice one and is working on wearing it consistently all through the night. It seems to be helping some, but it is difficult to keep it on the whole night, so he is still pretty tired in the mornings. He has been working out with Drew a whole lot more than usual. His goal was to go the GAC once a week and he has been as many as 5 days one week! He is losing weight and fitting into some clothes that he hasn’t been in in awhile.
I have been doing most of the things that one would expect. I am working, doing homeschool with the kids, and trying to finish house projects. Matt and I got curtains up in the living room! That completes one of my New Years Goals. I also was able to get the carpet up in Matt’s office. I haven’t been as consistent on my others goals of reading my Bible, reading other books or keeping the house clean. Some weeks have been better than others.
Hudson is rolling through school. He is excelling in all his subjects and is loving CC. His presentations this month were about what he got for Christmas (oil pastels), his favorite animal (penguins), and what is in my pocket? (a magnet). We have had some great projects too. We have made fossil molds, a pictograph of the tallest mountain peaks in each continent, painted pictures like Giatto, Ghiberti, and Angelico, and made a core sample from play dough. It has been really fun. Hudson has really been into football lately, too, especially since we have been watching the NFL playoffs. He still loves to read comics, play video games, and listen to Audiobooks. He is so excited about his upcoming birthday and keeps asking about it and how far away it is. We have been working on having a good attitude even when he isn’t happy and working on lying. It has been hard for him, but we can really tell that the Lord is working on his heart through this. He has very developed speech, but still fumbles some words some times. One of my favorites is when he is meaning to ask “Aren’t I?”, but he actually says “Amn’t I?”. I have yet to correct him. He is also always telling me to post his pictures to Instagram and wants to check to see how many likes he has. Its hilarious. He likes to sleep with Knox and Stewie every night.
Lottie is just a sweet little diva. She has mastered potty training and is becoming such a big girl. Her favorite toys are her dresses and would change 10 times a day if we would let her. She loves dresses that sparkle and/or twirl and finds so much pleasure in posing in front of Matt as she watches his reaction. One of the cute things she says is “Uncles” when she is really talking about “Knuckles” on Sonic the Hedgehog. Hudson and Lottie both do it, actually. With Lottie, we have been working on obedience. She struggles to obey many times and tries to hide it, but we are working on it! She loves, loves, loves her daddy and her brother and knows that they love her too. Hudson actually said the other day, “I hope Lottie lives close to me when she gets married”. I actually think both of them are kind of sad that they can’t marry each other when they are older. Lottie loves to snuggle and suck her thumb when she is tired. Geronimo Stilton audio books are her favorite. She is so excited about turning 4, riding in a booster seat, and getting to start CC.