Merry Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas from the Hudson Family!

We have had a wonderful year and can't quite believe we packed so many things into just one year! It seems that the size of the child is directly related to how busy the parent will be running the taxi for the said child from place to place. It's busy but there's nothing else we would rather be doing.

Sadly, we have had no Disney trips this year. I just thought we'd get that out the way since it is so uncommon and we wouldn't want you to wonder about the whole letter. We have taken other wonderful vacations but not to Disney. Now that that's out of the way... we took the spring to travel around Colorado and had a 6 week unit study and research project about the beautiful state of Colorado. We spent a week in Southwest Colorado with Mr. Vic and Miss Mo going to Mesa Verde, Ouray and Durango. We loved the Durango-Silverton Train and had a great time all around. Mr Vic and Miss Mo are the kids adopted grandparents and we couldn't have had a better time.

We also spent a long weekend in Southeast Colorado with Grammy and Papa and went to The Great Sand Dunes, Trinidad (where Scott's family has much history, they are even mentioned several times in the museum - how cool is that) and Bent's Fort.

From Dawn - We're still home schooling and loving every (okay, almost every) minute of it. Connor's in 7th grade and the twins in 4th. Each year has it's own challenges but I love watching the kids learn and grow in academic's as well as in faith. In January, we switched churches after 11 years but we needed a church with a stronger home school and youth community. We love the people at Rock Creek Church and miss them horribly but God has blessed the move. The kid's are in Bible Bowl and Kids Choir and have found a strong community of like-minded friends. It's novel to be at a place where we aren't the only home schoolers - who knew? It's been great for the kids and for Scott and I.

Collin had eye surgery in June, which I think was harder on Scott and I than it was on him. He was a trooper and charmed the entire surgery unit with his quick smile, polite manners, and infectious laugh. He is fine and we pray the fix is permanent. The good news is that he doesn't have to wear glasses at this point, although he looked adorable in them.

I also had the opportunity to spend a couple of weeks in Rolla, MO working for our curriculum, My Father's World. I had a ton of fun and worked hard but really appreciated the hard work and lovely attitudes of the people who work there full time under sometimes very stressful conditions. They were fantastic and David and Marie Hazell are even more wonderful in close proximity ( and they put up with me at their home for two weeks which requires special patience). I am personally starting the Marie Hazell fan club - although she may never speak to me again if I do.

From Connor - This year has been full of events. In January, we left Rock Creek Church and started going to Rocky Mountain Christian Church. I've made so many new friends from RMCC and a lot of them are home schoolers. In May, we traveled Colorado and I had my endless birthday (my last present was in June!). In July, I went to Camp Como, a camp Mom once went to, with my friend Austin Parrott and the twins turned 8. In August, I discovered a whole new world of work as I went into 7th grade and spent at least 40 extra hours on our First Lego League team's robot after the season started. Interestingly, the extra hours were spent with some of my home schooled friends. In the fall, I got a raise for my puppy sitting job. In November, we had a lot of fun at our FLL tournament especially because there were actual robots there. This year has been tons of fun for me. Merry Christmas from our whole family. -- Connor.

From Caileigh - My Year , 2009. This year, I joined my first soccer team. I loved to play goalie and had a lo of fun and met new friends. I hope I can do it next year. I moved to a new church and made new friends. I made a lot of new friends this year. I was in a wedding as flower girl with nine other girls! Connor joined something called Lego League where you build robots. Merry Christmas from the Hudson family.

(Collin found the Christmas pickle at Grammy's house and won a candy cane)

From Collin - Hi, my name is Collin. I am 8 years old. We joined a thing called Bible Bowl. I also joined soccer for the spring and fall which I love to do. I got to spend a week at our grandparents with my favorite cousin, Jadin. I also had eye surgery in June and I couldn't see for half a day but I got an overflowing of toys and a bear named Dr. Comfort. I also got a huge caramel oreo blizzard and got to watch my favorite movie, Star Wars. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

From Scott: This has, indeed, been the busiest year on record. When we switched churches, Dawn asked if we could "chill out" and rest as we had been quite involved at Rock Creek over the years. I waited a whole 2 weeks! I found out about the orchestra, and it was all over. I've really enjoyed getting back into playing French Horn again, although 3 services can sometimes be tough! We perform about once a month. Highlights from our Colorado tour for me were: Glenwood and Ouray hot springs, the views in Ridgeway, Mesa Verde, Bent's Fort. I have also been quite the world traveler! In August, my client sent me to India to train their vendors. I spent half a week in Chennai and half a week in Delhi. The food and people were wonderful. I also took in a lot of sight seeing (see http://picasaweb.google.com/shudson310/India2009#). The highlight was spending my birthday at the Taj Mahal! We are also looking forward to taking Dawn to Yellowstone for her birthday in a few weeks. Merry Christmas!

We wish a very Merry Christmas to all of you. As Ebenezer Scrooge says, may we " ...honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach."

Love from the Hudson Family,
Scott, Dawn Connor, Caileigh and Collin

Categories: parenting

The Princess ( and Me)

This fall, Caileigh and I took a purity class using the "Princess and the Kiss" book and workbook (www.reviveourhearts.com/princess) through our church. We had a wonderful time and so enjoyed having someone else reinforce the ideas of modesty, mental, spiritual, social and physical purity that Scott and I have talked about with Caileigh since she was young. These are by the same company that did "The Squire and the Scroll" that Connor and Scott did last year - which was also great.

They had some great resources talking through modesty issues using guidelines from Secret Keeper. You can check some of them out at www.secretkeepergirl.com/Truth_or_Bare.aspx. This was great as it made us (Scott and I ) make formal some of our more informal rules about dress. We spent time talking with Caileigh about why it's important to be modest in dress and now have a girl who is firmly on board. What's funny is that she now goes through MY closet to make sure everything is appropriate. I have had to save some of my "Daddy date" shirts from her cleansing spree or promise to wear tank tops underneath them.
I think it's been invaluable to have these talks BEFORE she needs them to set the stage for her teen years. I'd much rather introduce these topics before anyone else can. I'm a big advocate of teaching and setting expectations before they are needed and I don't want to wake up to the realization that we have a problem. I like to head these things off at the pass, so to speak.
At the end of the class, we had a "Princess Ceremony"where Scott gave Caileigh a beautiful crown with a heartfelt blessing. We gave Caileigh a "Princess Kiss" necklace and Mr. Vic prayed a beautiful prayer over her. It was followed by a wonderful reception and was a really touching and special night for our not so little girl.

Younger kids love both"The Princess and the Kiss" and "The Squire and the Scroll" as fun picture books and would make great Christmas presents. Older kids (4th or up) would love some special time with Mom or Dad to go through the workbooks.









Categories: parenting