June at a Glance

Our Summer has been so much fun so far. It has been quite an eventful month for our Lexi...

A Baptism

On June 8th Lexi got baptized. It was such a wonderful day and I am so proud of the decision she made to become a member of the church. She looked so beautiful and Cameron did such a good job. She was confirmed the same day and then we went to our house for a pizza party with all of the people who came to support her. It was such an awesome experience as a mom, I absolutely cannot believe that she is old enough to be eight. It was super cool that Cameron got to baptize her in the same font that he was baptized in seven years ago. What a cool experience for him. I am so proud of the lady that she is becoming. She is such an example to everyone around her. She has a big, kind heart and will always make sure everyone is included. She is such an amazing sister and always looks after Quinn and Hudson. We  are so lucky to have her in our lives.

A Birthday

June 1st Lexi turned eight. I am having a pretty hard time realizing that she is eight. I still fill like she should be toddling around like Hudson! We went bowling during the day and Lexi did awesome! She is quite the bowler. Then we had the whole family over for cake and ice cream to celebrate. What a fun day! She is quite obsessed with Monster High lately, so her Grandma Molly made her this awesome cake, and then she got a whole bunch of new Monster High dolls. I personally think they are a little creepy, but she loves them!

Dear Lexi,

You are eight now. I cannot believe it. It has been an amazing eight years and you have taught me so so much. You are such a good person. A kind hearted, sweetheart who wants everyone to feel welcome and included. You are an awesome student and an amazing dancer. You have brought so much joy to our family and are such a good example to us all. You take such good care of your brother and sister. You are funny, you like to repeat things you see on tv, and I think you would make a great actress. I want you to know how much you are loved by this family. We don't know what we would do without you. Thanks so much for just being you.

Love,

Mom

Camping at Mill Hollow

Last weekend we went to Mill Hollow camping. It was so much fun. We fished, played cowboy golf and just sat around and relaxed. I always said I would not go camping unless we had a trailer because I am terrified of bears. I am so glad we got a trailer, because I had so much fun! There was something so refreshing about getting out of cell service and out of the hustle and bustle of our every day lives. It was a great weekend to get recharged and ready for the week. I have such a cute family and I love doing things like this with them!

Let's Try This Again

It has been a long time since I have blogged. Our life gets pretty crazy sometimes and I haven't even blogged about all of the crazy details....so here goes.

We traveled to St. George in March to watch Lexi compete in a dance competition. She competed in a team dance and also did her first solo. We are so proud of her and she did amazingly well on both dances. Taking first on her team dance, and second on her solo. She is doing great in school and is looking forward to summer. She will turn eight in June and is counting down the days until her baptism.

Quinn is doing great. She has been doing lots of therapy at Shriner's and it is working. She has gotten a few Botox injections in her left side to help us be able to work those muscles and build them up. We have gotten amazing results with that. She is playing spring soccer and is loving it. She is doing well in school and loves all of her little friends.

Hudson is 15 months old now and is cruising all over the place. He literally never stops...I wonder where he gets all of that energy and wish he could share some! He says lots of words like mom, dadda, deer, thank you, love you and lots more. He is getting so big and is learning so much.

We got a new family toy. We took it out the other day and it was so much fun. The kids love it! It is a Polaris RZR and it is all set up. It seats our whole family, has a roll cage, lift kit, new tires, iPod hook ups and an amp with 2 ten inch subs. We are heading to the Sand Dunes next weekend and we are so excited!!

So that's kind of what is going on with our family. We have just been chuggin along and having fun as a family!

Randoms

Random #1: Some of my favorite bands include...Poison, Metallica, Quiet Riot, Guns and Roses, and Def Leopard.

Random #2: Sometimes after the girls go to school, if Hudson is still asleep, I go back to bed.

Random #3: I just took my Concealed Carry Class...it was so interesting. I can't wait to get my permit so I can pack my pink pistol.

Random #4: Swamp People season premiere is tonight, I am so excited!!

Random #5: So I noticed that we have a drive through coffee shop in town, I have never seen it open. Maybe because I am never out and about early enough.

Random #6: I want to read "Gone with the Wind" again. I freakin love that book!

Random #7: I'm having an affair, every morning for about two hours I see him...his name is Hudson. And I am in LOVE!

Random #8: I have a 16 year old daughter now. I love her, she is also my best friend. Gotta love little sisters.

Random #9: Sometimes I have a hard time being nice to people...especially at the restaurant.

Random #10: I went to buy a new shirt to wear on our date tonight and I ended up spending $100.00. I hope that's not a problem.

Special

I got a phone call this afternoon. It was from Jackie, who used to be Quinn's Occupational Therapist who came when she was in Early Intervention. She wanted to know if I could write a letter explaining Quinn's experience with Early Intervention. So I did. As I was writing it I had to think clear back to when Quinn was first diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. It was a whirlwind...

She was 18 months old and wasn't walking and that wasn't normal. We had an MRI and it showed that she had a brain bleed when she was in the womb. I didn't even know what Cerebral Palsy was. It scared me on so many levels. I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to help her or that she would get made fun of because she walks different. And most of all that she would have to miss out on things that kids do. As a mom you only want to do everything you can for your kids and I felt like I wouldn't be able to do that for her.

I kept going through in my head what I could have done differently when I was pregnant. Did this happen to her because I played softball while I was pregnant? Or because I rode a four wheeler and went on a bumpy trail? I couldn't get over the feeling of guilt that it was my fault.

We started doing lots of therapy with Quinn and she made huge strides. I look at where she is today and can't even believe it. It hasn't come easy, she has worked so hard. But she has come so far. I look at how much she has gone through and it makes me sad, but...she is strong. And she has made me strong. And I can look back now and see that there was nothing that I did to make Quinn this way. She was meant to be this way, this is her trial in life. And she was meant to come to our family. She has such a special spirit that is felt everywhere she is. I am so glad Heavenly Father sent her to our home, I am so glad for the amazing girl that she is and how strong she is.

Hudson 1 Year

Dear Hudson,

You are one year old today. I am kind of having a hard time wrapping my head around it. It seems like just yesterday that you came into our lives. You are the most amazing little man. You have been learning so many new things so fast! I can't believe how fast you are. Especially when you are doing something you aren't supposed too. I have never seen anyone crawl so fast! You haven't started walking yet, but you cruise all over the place if you have something to hold on to. Soon I bet you will be walking. You used to eat your baby food really well, but since we have started to introduce you to more human food, you want nothing to do with the baby food. 

You weigh 22lbs. and are really tall. You love to take baths, I will sit in the bathroom and do my makeup while you are in the tub. You hate to get out when it's time, even if the water is freezing! You like to play the dropsy game and you will say "uh oh" before you throw it. You then expect me to pick it up. You know I love you little man, but this trick is getting a little old! 

You have two cute little teeth on the bottom and two on the top. I love that little smile so much!

You really like to play with balls. You have already learned how to throw them and like to roll them back and forth with me or daddy or your sisters. You are a wild little man and like to get into mischief. We have found you unraveling all of the toilet paper, playing in the toilet bowl, taking all the cans out of the cupboards and constantly crawling up the stairs! 

You sure are a special little guy and bring so much joy to our home. We love you very much and can't wait to watch you learn and grow some more. 

Love,

Mom

A Week of Milestones

Last week was kind of an overwhelming one with lots of Milestones...On Monday, November 12th, Cameron and I celebrated our eight wedding anniversary! Eight Years! Wow, I wonder where the time goes. It is so strange because it seems like it has gone so fast, and yet it seems like I have been with Cameron forever. I guess that is because we work so well together. I can honestly say that the last eight years have been wonderful! I feel very blessed to have a husband who loves me so much and is so in tune with my needs. He is so good to me and the kids. I can't believe the amazing life we have together. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to see if I am dreaming. I feel so fortunate that I never have feelings of wanting other than what I have. I am perfectly content with our lives. So Cameron, I love you more than anything. Thanks for being my best friend and being so good to us. You are an amazing husband and father and we are very lucky to have you!

Happy Birthday Quinn Vera

This cute little girl turned four on Wednesday, November 14th. We had a great day that started out with bringing cupcakes to all of her school friends. We then hopped in the car and headed to Provo. We had lunch at Chili's and took the girls to Build a Bear. It was so much fun. Then we came home and celebrated with cake and ice cream with all of our family! It was a wonderful day! I absolutely cannot believe that she is four. 

Dear Quinn,

You are four now. I can't believe it. You have learned and grown so much since you were three. You go to school every day and love your friends. You are a beautiful little girl and lots of people are drawn to you. We can be anywhere, whether it is at Target or McDonald's and someone will always come and say how cute you are. I know they are drawn to you because of your special spirit. You bring that special spirit to our home and I am so glad that Heavenly Father chose me to be your mommy. You have made HUGE strides in all of your therapy and you do so well. You are a little spit fire. I am glad you are so it can help you deal with all that you have to overcome. You like to antagonize your older sister, but you always say you are sorry and give her big hugs. I know you two love each other a lot. You have had a growth spurt and have gotten very tall! You are such a good girl and we adore having you in our lives. Thanks for the example you set for all of us!

Love,

Mom

Hudson 10 Month

This handsome little man turned 10 months on Tuesday, November 13. He is getting so big! At his nine month appointment he weighed 19 lbs. 8 oz. and was 29 inches long. 

Dear Hudson,

You are 10 months old now, and I can't believe how fast the time has flown. You are getting to be such a big boy. You pull yourself up to the couch and anything you can get your hands on. You even pulled yourself up in your crib and went right over the edge! We had to move your mattress down so you won't do that again! You are a very good eater and love your veggies! You like to make noise. Lots of it. And you will sit and kick your bedroom door against your wall just to hear the sound it makes. You make silly faces and noises and you like to smile. You have got two teeth on top and two on bottom. They are so cute! You have this CRAZY curly hair and everywhere we go people just swoon over it. Especially the ladies! You have started waving, and have almost got the clapping down. You are the sweetest little boy a mom could ask for. You are adorable and we love having you in our family!

Love,

Mom

November

I love November. It is one of my very favorite times of year. I love the weather, I love the time change, I love that my little Quinn celebrates her birthday, I love Thanksgiving and I love that 8 years ago on November 12, I married my best friend! So again, I LOVE NOVEMBER. But I have been a little frustrated the last six days of this November 2012. The day after Halloween, we saw on TV a Christmas commercial. On Saturday November 3rd we ventured to Kneaders for breakfast. They have the best breakfast by the way. Anyway...they were playing Christmas music. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! Something that has been brought to my attention the last few years is that Thanksgiving, one of my very favorite holidays, is getting run over. How unfair to the great Holiday of giving thanks! It is now instead of a time to get together with your family and having a great meal and being thankful, a time to go shopping and get a great bargain on things. Bitch please....is it worth standing in hour long lines and fighting with people to save a few bucks? I am not going to lie, I have been one of those crazy people who have ventured out on Black Friday, or even Thanksgiving night. But here and now, on this the 6th day of November 2012, I vow to celebrate Thanksgiving, and not let it get run over by Christmas.

And This is My Joy

Family Picture Day was so much fun. Which is kind of crazy considering we had to make three kids cooperate! But I think they turned out so very cute! Thanks Cassie Wade for doing such an amazing job!

Greetings from the Budds

Well, I know it has been a long time since I last posted. I would like to say it's because I have been super busy making something creative, doing charity work, or learning something. But I am not gonna lie, I have a serious addiction....it's getting really bad, I sometimes don't get anything done because of it. I am addicted to Pinterest! At least we have had some really dinners because of it!

Anyway, it is time for a much needed update. We have had lots going on in our little family. We are doing very well and chugging along. So here goes.

Lexi

Lexi started second grade in August and is doing amazing! She loves to read and do her spelling. It amazes me the difficult things they are teaching in second grade now! She is on another competition dance team this year and is getting really good. She is learning lots of technique and really doing well with her tumbling. She is also doing a solo this year and has been practicing a lot. So between all of the dance stuff, she has practice three days a week including her solo. She is a busy  little thing. Her favorite things to watch on TV are Good Luck Charlie, and iCarly. She is such a good girl. Although, she is starting to get a little bit of an attitude and is now starting to talk back to Cameron and I. I don't know what we are going to do about that! 

Quinn

Quinn started preschool in September and really loves it. She goes four days a week and loves the social aspect of it. She also goes to Shriner's for therapy every other week and she loves it there. She had some Botox injections last week and it should help her muscles to have less tone. We haven't been able to notice a difference yet, but they said it would take at least week for it to take effect. She was so funny for the nurses and they were laughing at her the whole time. When she was coming out of the anesthetic she told the nurse..." Pretty sure, I need to get out of this bed!" What a character! She is a funny little thing and keeps us on our toes. She is finally to the point where she will actually sit down and watch a movie. This is huge because she usually likes to spend her time under my feet! She is a very emotional little three year old. Sometimes if you even look at her she bursts into tears and informs you that you hurt her feelings! 

Hudson

Hudson is now nine months. I can't believe it! He is so funny and has the cutest personality! He does the army crawl and gets into lots of mischief. He is 19 lbs. 8 oz and 29 inches long. He is HUGE! He likes to giggle and laugh and spend time cuddling with me. He loves to eat his rice cereal, but isn't a huge fan of the jarred baby food. He will eat his veggies but won't touch the fruits. He has CRAZY curly hair...it is out of control! I keep saying I want to cut it, but I have been threatened on my life. He looks exactly like Cameron did when he was a baby. Identical baby pictures. 

We bought a camp trailer a few weeks ago and took it to the Sand Dunes for our first trip. It was so much fun! I am so excited to camp next summer! Cameron and I have just been working away. I am down to working only two nights now, which is really nice because we spend our nights at home having a good dinner (thanks to Pinterest). And then we do homework, give the kids baths, do bedtime and then sit down and watch our shows. It's awesome! Recently I have been asked why I like to stay home so much, and why I never want to get together for Girls Night. Here is my answer, I absolutely love being home. There are some days when I will stay home all day and all night without leaving. I like to get together with the girls once in a while, but truthfully, I just like to spend time with my family. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing life. I have a most wonderful husband who is so good to me, and three beautiful, amazing children. Why would I need to go looking for a good time anywhere else? 

Words of a Waitress

I am a waitress. Not many people think of being a waitress as a good job. But I love my job. It allows me to be home with my kids during the day, and get to help in their classrooms and run them to their many activities. It also allow me a short break a few nights a week. And let's face it, I make good money, like DAMN good money. It's crazy that more people don't do it.

I also love my job because I get to meet a lot of different people. I am a friendly, outgoing person by nature, so getting to meet new and different people and hearing their stories is really quite interesting to me. Along with getting to meet a lot of GOOD people, also come with meeting a lot of.....D*Bags, for lack of a better word. Sorry. I have made many friends who come to the restaurant and request me now, and I see them outside of the restaurant and we visit which is super cool. But....I could write a book on weird, rude, crazy, obnoxious and D*Bag type people. I will share a few, just because it is kind of a joke to me now...I can laugh at most of them.

*Two gentlemen were sitting at a booth. I greeted them with a great big smile and told them our special. I went and got their drinks and asked if they were ready to order. Man #1 ordered with no problem at all...super easy, very nice. Then I asked Man #2 what he would like...here is how the conversation went

Me: And what can I get for you?

Man #2: What is a baseball steak?

Me: A baseball steak is a center cut sirloin as big as your fist. It is 13 ounces and shaped like a baseball.

Man #2: I hate to tell you, but there is no such thing as a baseball steak.

Me: (trying to maintain the great big smile) Actually there is such thing as a baseball steak. It is a center cut sirloin as big as your fist. It is 13 ounces and shaped like a baseball.

Man #2: I guess I will have an end cut of prime rib.

Me: Okay, how would you like that prepared?

Man #2: A true end cut should always be cooked  well.

Me: Actually our prime rib is slow roasted to a rare temperature and then dunked in boiling a'jus to get it to the temp you would like. So it can actually be ordered med or above.

Man #2: A true end cut should always be cooked well.

Me: (looking at Man #1) Apparently your friend here knows more about my job than I do. Maybe I should sit and have dinner with you and he can wait on us.

Oh snap!!! Surprised I didn't lose my job! But I have found that people tend to be much more nice when you put them in their place when they are rude. This is not the case for every person who is rude. Some are just to far gone! 

*One more for good measure....I was serving two OLDER gentlemen their salad. When I say older, I mean probably late seventies, early eighties. Well, the older of the two kept staring at my chest. He finally pulls his eyes away from my boobies long enough to say...." You have a very ample bosom, It's very nice" I was rendered speechless and walked away in a rush. Needless to say, this perverted old man didn't even tip me!

Month 6

Hudson,

It has been six months since you joined our family. And you have been such a joy since the day you were born. Your older sisters adore you so much and will spend a good part of their day in your room playing with you. You have me completely mesmerized, I was terrified to have a boy, but you have me wrapped around every single one of your chubby little fingers.

You weigh 16 lbs. 03 oz. which puts you in the 23 percentile. Might I add that you weigh now what your sisters weighed when they turned one! You are 27 inches long with puts you in the 78 percentile. You now roll from back to belly and belly to back. You have started to eat cereal and some fruits and veggies. When you first started eating the solids, you didn't quite no what to think. You would literally shutter and spit it out, but you like it now. Let's face it, you like to eat! 

You are the funniest sleeper, and every time we come to check on you, you are in a totally different position then when we laid you down. Sometimes even turned the opposite way on the opposite side of your crib.

You are such a sweet little guy and love to laugh and giggle. You like to tell stories, and are very entertaining. You do have a little temper and let us know exactly when you are mad. We love you so much and are so excited for the things that you are starting to do!

Love,

Mom

Summer Thus Far

We have had quite an eventful Summer so far. We love Summer at our house, hanging out outside, going on bike rides, and having lots of smores! It started out with some trauma for Quinn, and she has finally gotten back to normal, for the most part. She goes to Summer School and absolutely loves riding the bus. Lexi took off for a week to Montana to spend a week with my mom and we missed her terribly! It is amazing what a help she is around the house, I really needed my little helper! Hudson is getting big and is so much fun!

Here are some more details of some of the things we have done....

Summer Dance Recital

Lexi and Quinn had their Summer Recital on June 6. It was Quinn's first recital and it was a complete riot! There are four girls in her class including her, and they started out so well, and then Quinn got behind, she can do the dance, but she is just a little slower than the other girls. Well...I think she got sick of being behind, so she just did her own dance. The whole auditorium was roaring with laughter, because it was so stinkin' cute! I asked her when we got home if she kind of forgot her dance. She told me "No, I was just doing a solo." It was awesome! We also got to see Lexi's new hip hop dance for the first time. It was super cool and they even got to show off some of their new tumbling skills!

A Visitor

My Mom came to visit from Montana at the first of June. It was so awesome to have her here! She got to go with us to Shriner's and watch Quinn's therapy, we had BBQ's, went to the dance recital, went out to eat, and just hung out. We went to the Duck pond in Midway one day and it was fun. The kids had a good time playing on the playground and feeding the ducks!

Summer Softball

To say the least, Lexi has been born into a family of softball players. I played all through High School, my sisters played, Cameron played baseball in High School and plays softball two nights a week now. She loves it!! She was on the Dodgers this year and was so lucky to have her dad as her coach! I volunteered Cameron last year to coach soccer and boy was he mad! He hates soccer. But he actually had a lot of fun coaching this year. Every night if you drive by our house, you can see them out in the yard practicing. My dad got Lexi a pitch back and new glove and ball for her birthday and she hasn't stopped playing with it! It is so cute, and she is actually really good. She has pounded the ball over 5th North to the church several times, so beware while driving up 5th!

Luke Party at Whiskey Springs

The Luke side of the family decided to get together for a little picnic on Sunday. It was so much fun and almost everyone was able to come. We ate lots of yummy food, played frisbee, went on hikes, ran through the water, and the boys played football. We decided they are all a little to old to play especially since a few of them got hurt!

Lexi and Caden playing frisbee

Macey and Hudson

Quinn and Aunt Kathy

My Cousin Susan and I and our cute boys, Hudson and Damon

All in all, we have had a pretty good summer thus far. We are getting excited for Fair Days and the Derby. And then, it will be time to prepare for school again! I can't believe how fast it goes! Happy Summer Everyone!