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!