My So Called Life

Growing up, there was a show called My So Called Life.  My so called life has been a bit trying as of late...well actually for over the past year.  Last January, I had a low grade fever for over a month.  I've had no energy, constantly sick with a cough, strep, fever, or just nauseous.  I would barely work my half day and then it was nap time.  I have to rest during Huddy's nap just so I can maybe cook dinner...if I have the energy to do that.  It's too the point where skiing is exhausting and I can't even bring myself to do it on a regular basis.  

When I can't ski, something is seriously wrong people!  I've made commitments with friends and then had to cancel them quite consistently.  Some understand, some don't.  I've always been an impulsive person.  If you ask me to do something, I will say yes without a thought.  Then as my calendar rolls around and my health declines, I cancel.  I'm a social butterfly who has turned into Rapunzel locked in her house with no guests.  So now I spend my afternoons and weekends like this:

That's right, Huddy and I play on our bed (which is new by the way!).  He plays with his cups, watches a Veggie Tales or has some room time.  I just don't have enough energy to play with my baby boy either, which is REALLY NOT LIKE me.  All this said, I guess I have a deviated septum and need to have a simple surgery.  I've had a continuous infection for over a year where I get sick, get an antibiotic, feel a bit better, and then repeat.  My ENT also recommended getting my tonsils out, which I heard is EXTREMELY painful as an adult.  I'm waiting on that one for summer:).  My sinusotomy is scheduled for February 15th.  Please pray for a smooth surgery and wisdom for my surgeon. 

Happy 30th Jared!!!

That's right ladies and gentleman, my hubby is 30!!!  Our daily lives revolve around work and Jared studying for the CPA.  He is studying to take a test in February so I was going to celebrate later, like this summer when he is finally done but his co-workers said 30 was a big deal and he needed to celebrate it. Him telling me this, I thought he wanted a little something.  So 2 days before his b-day, I called his parents to see if there were willing to come up and surprise him.  We have always talked about taking them out to Wolf Lodge in ID.  We are steak people, Jared isn't but we knew it was a perfect place to take his folks too.  So they agreed to drive in (3 1/2 hours away) and drive back that night (another 3 1/2 hours) just to see their oldest boy turn 30! 

 The whole family

Hudson loved the dessert the most.  Jared got a few bites:).

I bought some fun balloons that fit the "Wolf Lodge" theme, cowboy up!  I picked this cowboy one but they didn't have anymore and so I chose a horse balloon, thinking more of Hudson:).  I ordered them on the way home from church, while Jared and Hudson were in the car.  I came out empty handed and  I explained that they just didn't have a good 30 birthday day card:).  I had my mom and dad pick up the balloons at 4:30 but I guess the shop closed at 4 that day and a worker there waited 30 minutes for my parents to pick them up.  Isn't that the sweetest thing! 
I'm sure glad we got those balloons because Hudson has played with those balloons every day. 

 He's talking to the horse:)

TOP 10 Things you didn't know about Jared Haak

1. Jared is known for his hospital visits including football injuries, construction accidents, and just being Jared.
2. Jared loves sweets of all kinds: cakes, cookies, chocolate, candy, fruit, ice cream, you name it!
3. He leaves the house around 6:30 (or earlier) works at least a 9 hour day because he never eats lunch, and then comes home around 5:30 to study at least another 2-3 hours.  Fun life!  Plus he studies all Saturday/Sunday.
4. Jared HATES to spend money.  Nothing is a necessity to him including holey socks. 
5. He loves and values his family (immediate and extended) more than anything in life.  He would and will do anything for them.
6. Jared LOVES to watch sports: especially football and basketball and now so does Hudson!
7. He plays on a rec basketball league each year with our neighbors.  He gets better with age:).
8. Jared's idea of relaxing is a quiet night at home with a movie like Star Wars or The Matrix and a few desserts.
9. He thinks its okay to throw balls, run, and play sports in the house...I have a lot of work to do:).
10. Jared had the choice between a dog and baby, hence there was Huddy!  We are still petless today and plan to remain so.

Happy Birthday to my 30 year old hubby!

School

Over Christmas break, I decided to visit Hudson's school to see everything he does and learns each day. Each morning when I drop him off, he starts with breakfast and then heads to his circle time where they sing songs, count, review their colors, etc.  He is always learning something new and telling me about it at home:).

I am #1!

Hudson loves the picnic table!

But he really loves his John Deere tractor.  He thinks he is hot stuff, tooling around on it.

Then his teacher played the chicken song and all the kids ran around following her.  Soo cute!

A deep toddler discussion.

As you can see, I have a busy boy on my hands.  He runs and plays all day at school!  But boy does it sure tucker him out.  Besides breakfast, a morning snack, and lunch he does circle time, fine motor skills, art, and then I pick him up!  I'm so thankful Hudson is at a school where he gets to interact with other kids, learns to follow rules, and plays with lots of sensory activities.  He is always smiling when I mention school and I love that he is so happy there!

Celebrating Dad

This past week I learned of some saddening news.  My best friend from college, Heather Bickel's dad died.  He is about the same age as my dad.  Heather was like a sister and her dad was like my dad.  I only met him a handful of times but he was so similar to my dad that I blent in to the family.  I just love her and I continuously pray for the Lord to give her strength and her widowed mother.  So in remembrance, I posted some pictures of my dad.  You never know how long you have so celebrate dad today!

This picture is of dad & I at the Gonzaga game in 2010.  Heather told me to give dad a hug and that he looks great.  She can't give her dad any more hugs, so hug your dad today!

Life is so unexpected, you never know what turmoils, tragedies are around the corner.  This is the 2nd death I've faced this year so far.  Both have hit me very hard in a deep, emotional way.  For those of you who know me, I'm not too emotional but I think life has made me more emotional.  Losing a young 25 year old and a father figure is tragic.

A friend shared this poem with me and I really thought it was powerful:

"His Journey Has Just Begun"

Don't think of him as gone away-

his journey has just begun

life holds many facets

the Earth is only one.

Just think of him as resting

from the sorrows and the tears

in a place of warmth and comfort

where there are no days and years.

Think how he must be wishing

that we could know today

how nothing but our sadness

can really pass away.

And think of him as living

In the hearts of those he touched

For nothing loved is ever lost-

And he was loved so much.

-Ellen Brenneman

Bick, your in my prayers daily!

Words, Reading, and Sounds

Hudson never ceases to amaze me!  He is so verbal and always wanting to learn new words.  He has a few favorite sayings now like "I missed you" "where are you" and "come here."  I always say "I missed you" when I pick him up from school and now as soon as he sees me, he beats me too it and says it.  So precious, talk about warming a mamma's heart!

Huddy still tends to struggle with some words like...well you can see...

Uncle Joe likes him to say fire truck and Guatemala.  Needless to say, Hudson has trouble with his t's but he can say tractor and train just fine, not truck.  We're working on it:).  It is fun to ask him to say random works like Guatemala and onamonapia.  I have to say, he says them quite well!

Hudson loves to read!  He can fill in blanks to songs and books that are read.  He loves Old McDonald because of all of the animals.  That boy and his animals, especially cows!

Hudson loves to read and learn new words.  EiEiO is one of his favorite new ones along with chin, knee, fingers, toes, cooking, music, on, off, up, help, and hungry which is used the most by far!  Hudson pulls his high chair out and says "hun-garee" like 10 times a day.  Yes, we have a growing boy on our hands!

As a Kindergarten teacher, it is so fun to see how Hudson develops.  I know he is my 1st and we always tend to have more time and push the first, but I want to work hard with all my children.  One of my parents said that when two first borns marry (Jared & I are both first borns) they can tend to be harder on their first child.  I am definitely conscious of this but at the same time I have a smart boy so why not push him?!  I will admit, my mom got Huddy the "My Baby Can Read" program and I am stoked about this.  He loves learning!!!  I do think his school has played a very significant role in his learning as well.  I'm so grateful he has had the opportunity to go and learn new things.

Wordless Wednesday

Silas Time!!!

This Christmas break one of my major highlights was spending time with my dear friend Laura and her little boy Silas.  Silas and Hudson are 3 weeks apart and it is so fun to watch and listen to their interactions.  Laura and Silas (and Byron) moved to Dallas this past summer so we Skype often but seeing them in person was the best!!!  Since they didn't have a car and we have two car seats, we picked them up.  It was so cute to see Hudson and Silas' face when they looked at each other in the back seat.

 Then it was playtime in Hudson's fort!

 Then it was present time!  Laura had sent a few "Dallas" items for Huddy and I previously so when I saw this I knew it was a Silas gift!  Can you tell this boy likes to open presents?!

 Huddy of course thought it was fun too.  "Hudon!  That's not your present" I kindly reminded him:).

 Then it was back to play time.  Silas couldn't decided which toy to ride, so he rode both!

 Then of all things, what do they play with?  The box!

 After that it was lunch time.  Silas definitely poses well for the camera!  Good job Laura!  He always looks at me.  Hudson runs from me when I have it hand:(.

It was a good couple of visits with some our of our favorite people!  Miss you guys and can't wait to Skype again soon:).