My vow of being a better blogger has failed yet again, but I have an excuse. Or at least I feel it's a valid reason for my inability to keep up. Since the beginning of July, our family of four has experienced a season of change and craziness. So...get ready for lots of updates and 6 months worth of pictures!
It started with the quick sell of our house (2 weeks from contract date to move out) and the vigilance of watching over the construction of our new home to ensure everything was done according to our plans. We moved into a two bedroom apartment and lived among boxes for over 4 months. In the beginning of August, I went back to teaching 8th graders and Kaelyn and Rylan started a new school. Actually, Rylan started school for the first time which is always an adjustment. With my return to work, Robbie and I have had role changes and more added to our plates. Then in November it all changed again. Our new house was completed and we moved in on November 17th. Along with the move of our family, Robbie received a job offer that we couldn't refuse and started his new position on December 3rd just after our big move. It is has been such an adventure, and we feel so blessed by the Lord for all the new beginnings!
Kaelyn amongst all the boxes in our living area in the apartment
Mommy with the kids at the apartment
Our Sweet Kids at Aunt Karlene's loving on each other
During the summer, Kaelyn enjoyed her first dance class through the Frisco Athletic Center with two of her Stonebriar Preschool Pals classmates. She loved it and we got to see her small recital at the end of the summer classes.
Kaelyn and Avery (We somehow missed a picture with Lucy)
Thumbs up, Mommy and Daddy. She's too cute when she's excited.
I am happy to say that we are settling in our new home and loving every minute we spend there. With the move, our kids struggled at times to adjust to the new environment or understand exactly our method of living temporarily among the boxes. Our kids have never had to share a bedroom, and I can say that they still have never shared a room because Kaelyn shared a room with Robbie and I instead. What fun times! Now that we are in the house, they are both back in their own rooms, and Kaelyn has moved into her big girl bed! My favorite room in the house is the kitchen, and I'm actually enjoying cooking again. It is definitely nice to have everything we own under one roof again.
Kaelyn enjoying her books in her "big girl bed"
Teaching 8th graders has also been a blessing this year. I've wanted to get back to teaching for over a year now, but I was apprehensive about how it would affect our family time together and my ability to manage home and work. Some weeks are definitely better than others, but I definitely feel that being a mommy makes me a better teacher! I have some amazing students this year who are dealing with far bigger issues than my ability to manage my life. I have one sweet girl who has leukemia and will come to school after undergoing her morning chemo therapy treatments. She amazes me each day! I have another student battling Crohn's disease, and you would never know anything troubles him. I have also been touched by many students who see in my teaching my christian faith and ask me about my walk with the Lord. I even had one young girl ask me if there was anything she could be praying about for me. I am so thankful for "See You at the Pole" leaders and the ability for implementing christianity in the small ways in the public school environment. Now, don't get me wrong...there are days that I want to walk out and not return, but thankfully those days are few and far between.
Kaelyn and Rylan are flourishing at their new school. Kaelyn quickly made new friends, and her teachers realized what a leader she is among her classmates. At a recent parent/teacher conference, Ms. Alicia said "Kaelyn is such a great leader and always has her listening ears ready." We are so proud of her learning and behavior at school. Rylan has also changed so much in the past few months. At 23 months, Rylan is talking with new vocabulary each and every day. He loves to learn new words and enjoys playing outside. Recently, Rylan had tubes put in his ears to help with ear infections stemming from catching so many colds. His little immune system has taken a beating since August, but we know it will help prepare him for grade school. He has also taken a strong interest in kicking and throwing balls around the room which makes Daddy happy. We adore these two precious children and their love for one another.
Kaelyn with her new best friend, Peyton
Halloween was a lot of fun this year with Kaelyn and Rylan. We took the kids to the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch and they loved seeing all the pumpkins and characters from television. We also enjoyed our small group's annual Trunk or Treat party and seeing all the costumes of our friends' kids. They are such a sweet group of kids who all love each other.
Look who found Piglet!
Rylan in amazement at all the "balls"
Bounce House and more...
Mommy just wants a picture of them together...
Cheesy Kaelyn and one little boy who refuses to look.
So...I'll get a cute one of Daddy and Ry from behind
Kaelyn got excited about the "stinky" pigs
Sweet boy
Precious little girl
Enjoying a family hay ride
And we found Tigger...but still not looking at the camera.
As if this was made just for us...Piglet in a Tigger costume...pure delight on that face.
And more of our favorite characters...
Our own Strawberry Shortcake cutie
Kaelyn with her girl friends, Sarah Kate and Edie
One sweet Elmo
All the small group kids in their costumes
On November 3rd, Kaelyn made her debut as a flower girl in my cousin, Bre's wedding. Kaelyn walked down the aisle like a little princess. Robbie and I were a little concerned that she might be too shy, but we were pleasantly surprised and she even smiled for most of the pictures. At the reception, Kaelyn and Rylan both enjoyed all the dancing and hanging out with the family. We are so happy to welcome Ben to the Perry family. Congratulations Ben and Bre!
Kaelyn getting her first manicure and pedicure at the bridal brunch.
Daddy is in trouble because she loved it just like her mommy.
Mommy with kids before the wedding
Kaelyn with Aunt Karlene
The beautiful bride with her bridesmaids and the cutest little flower girl
One of my favorite photos of Kaelyn from the wedding.
Photo Booth pictures from the wedding.
Mommy and Ry missed out because he was sleeping.
Daddy, Kaelyn and Kade: Goofy Style
Robbie spent time preparing to run the Dallas Half-Marathon with my brother, Keeton on Sunday, December 9th. It was fun to have my family in town to cheer them both on to the finish line. In addition, Robbie is really enjoying his new job as in-house counsel for an oil and gas company in Plano, which is much closer to home. The recruiter originally contacted Robbie in early March about this opportunity and it finally came to fruition early in November. Robbie has been nothing short of amazing in his love and support for me as I transitioned from stay-at-home mom to mommy and teacher. I am such a lucky girl and love him more and more each day! I think Kaelyn and Rylan have enjoyed having more Daddy time also since he takes them to school each day and gets to spend an extra 45 minutes with them alone in the mornings. He says they have great conversations as they make their drive.
Another haircut for Kaelyn...She looks all grown up.
It is definitely an exciting time in the Hudson household. We enjoyed the holiday season and getting to spend time with family and celebrating the birth of Christ. Christmas is always a fun time to be able to give to others and enjoy more time together. It was such a blessing to have two full weeks with Kaelyn and Rylan at home and meeting Daddy for lunch dates.
Kaelyn ice skating before Christmas at the Galleria
Frisco's Merry Main Street
"Tree Lighting" Ceremony
Dasher the reindeer made an appearance at Merry Main Street
Rylan loved helping Daddy with the firewood for the bonfire at the Robertson's farm
Kaelyn and Rylan on Christmas Eve
Rylan with Kathryn
Kylen and Karlene
Rylan's cute new face of excitement and wonder...
Kaelyn with Madalyn
Keeton and Karlene
(It's impossible to get pictures of my siblings together)
Daddy and Keeton got nerf guns and night vision goggles.
Kaelyn got a new scooter from Grandad Killian,
and a princess outfit from the Maines's.
It snowed on Christmas Day in Frisco and the kids got to enjoy
the "White Christmas" as we made it safely back to town.
Rylan's first glimpse at snow. He liked it after a little while.
Rylan and Kaelyn with Landry at Hudson Christmas
Rylan with his Memaw
With the beginning of the 2013, there are other exciting activities. My brother, Keeton, is living with us for the next few months while he completes his internship and prepares for chiropractic school. Kaelyn and Rylan love having Keeton around even as busy as he is. Kaelyn also started gymnastics in February. She loves every minute of it. Our kids are at such a fun age and we enjoy the time we get to spend together each and every day.
Our First Gymnastics Class
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