Happy (late) 6th Birthday Owen!

While I was getting the pictures ready for Hudson's post I realized I had never posted pictures of Owen's birthday! He turned 6 on March 30th. It's so hard to believe that he is 6 already. He is becoming such a young man. It's so fun for me to feel like I can trust him to be responsible for certain things. He continues to amaze us with his creativity, always coming up with projects to make and pictures to draw! Here's a few pictures of the big boy at his party!

A new shirt and tie from Grandma and Grandpa Michigan!

He wanted a decorated cake like he saw in one of his picture books. Unfortunately Mommy isn't quite that good at decorating!

Our good friend Josh made each of the boys a wooden sword. These little warriors love their swords!

Praise the Lord!

We are praising the Lord this week for his provision in our lives. Ever since we moved to Louisville, we have debated whether or not for Chris to try to teach in a different school district. We (he) have loved the school that he has worked at for the past 4 years and they have loved and supported our family so well, but the school is quite far away and doesn't pay very well. Every year, we have prayed through making a switch and decided in the end not to because it was such a great workplace for Chris. This year when we got pregnant and then decided to move, we felt the Lord clearly directing us (Chris) to apply to a different district that would be closer to home and pay more for our growing family. He applied back in February and just this week got a call for an interview for a school 4 miles from our home and later that day got offered the position at this school! Praise the Lord! We know that even with the advantages of being closer to home and more money that it won't necessarily be an easy transition. He will be teaching a different grade in a more urban school, but we are trusting the Lord to continue to provide for us even in the difficulties. I am so thankful for my husband who works so hard to provide for our family so that I can stay home.

Introducing Hudson Robert

Hudson Robert was born on May 31, 2011 at 5:02 p.m. He was 8lbs. 10oz. and 20 in. long. On that day, I went into my doctor for my normal appointment only to discover that I was already 6-7 cm. dialated. My doctor recommended going into the hospital at that point because the risk of infection was so much greater and I still had almost a week to go before my due date. So, I went home called Chris home from work and confirmed a babysitter for the other boys (thanks, Annie!) and Chris and I went back to the hospital. I was having regular contractions every 3 minutes or so but they weren't really progressing me so I wasn't in active labor. At 3:00 in the afternoon the doctor broke my water and 2, very intense and unmedicated, hours later Hudson was born. We were undecided about his name until after we had him and then Chris settled on Hudson for the first name. We had already decided that his middle name would be Robert after my dad! I must say that this was my first natural labor and it was quite difficult and I was so exhausted afterwards despite the fact that it was only 2 hours long. I can't imagine you girls you endure this for hours and hours on end! Hudson was perfect and quite big and we were so thankful for no complications with his health.

The proud big brothers and Daddy. I don't think that there has ever been a baby as well-loved by his brothers than Hudson is.

We thought he was going to be quite a swarthy baby with these cheeks but he has slimmed down a bit in that area.

This was Hudson at a few days old and now...

This is Hudson at two months old. He smiles a lot and brings us so much joy. He seems like he is going to take after his brother Caeden and be on the thinner side but he is really sweet and we think he is quite cute!