Happy 3rd Birthday Judson!

My cakes wouldn't come out of the pan:) HA. So I kept them in the pan. Jud didn't mind. I can't believe he is 3. I remember moving to Louisville and realizing as I was bouncing in the Penske truck that I was pregnant. March 29, the storm sent me into active labor while Mark, Lisa and Chris were enjoying a basketball game. The doctor on call was mean to me, and I told Mark to find me another doctor. He didn't. So I told my nurse, Tracy, not to let me in a room with that doctor at any time. She listened. At 3 am when I called her in she told me I could have the baby with her, not with that crazy Dr. I listened to her this time and was the first to see that our sweet baby was a boy. I enjoyed that hospital time with Judson John Collins. I kept thinking, this is the last time I will ever do this again. . .


This was the show of hands when Mark asked whose birthday it was. . . hmmmm

He was a bit cranky, and this is him before cake time.

He woke up for cake!


We went to the indoor play place to celebrate.


And we ended the day with Jud's favorite position, watching Winne the Pooh, with his new favorite Finn McMissile. Happy Birthday sweet little Juddy!!

Sunny Day

It was a sunny day Wed. so after school I let the kids play at the playground near the school. They were excited. Lawrence was having an especially sweet day. He just stayed near me and told me it was "good Lawrence" day. . . hmmmmm
He is so Asian here with his peace hands.







School exercizes







Still chasing cats!!!

Driving

Its true, we bought a car. Mark finally passed his driving test and we purchased a . . . well. . . I'm not sure what you call it. It seats 7 and it looks like a box, and it runs:) A good local friend found this car for us, so we went one Sat and took it out for a drive. Then, Mark picked it up on Wed. and I actually didn't even go look at it until Friday. Why? Well, I was a bit scared of the thing to be honest. Mark finally made me get in and drive, and I struggled to get out from our downstairs parking garage. I squealed the tires, made a nasty smell and stopped at the top to get out and make Mark drive the rest of the way.

I did drive again and have even gone out by myself. Its been nice to be able to put groceries in my car, and not have to find a cab. And, it seems safer to get the kids all buckled in a car and go out, rather than parade them all out to the street and dodge cars, bikes and motorcycles. So, I'm thankful, but still a little bit afraid:)

Li played playdough with Caroline for a looooong time yesterday. They made food and opened a shop!






Jud loves the dogs. I think Jud and the dog have similar hair. . . and sometimes you can't find their eyes:)

Rain rain

go away. I'm in need of some perseverance. I'm ready for Spring and warmer weather and no rain. I'm ready in a serious way. We need to get outside friends.

Just fighting the battle to be content here, and to believe that life is not found in losing 10 pounds or having well behaved kids, nor is life found in a tv show or in chocolate. . . not true, joy-filled lasting life. Only our Maker can give us that.

A few insights into life this past week.