Hudson Happenings

Friday, February 20, 2009

The talk at the lunch table

So over vacation I volunteered at Jahmia's school . On one occasion I stuck around for lunch. Well one of the teachers had asked the kids about President Obama and what they think of him as a president. Most of them (okay only my daughter and 2 of her playmates) said they knew who he was and love to say his name... in between bites of freshly steamed asparagus and organic cheese pizza. Well one rather smart and outspoken 5 year old announces, and I quote, "Yeah, I like Obama. But my Dad says his all-time favorite president is Lou Dobbs." Out of the mouths of babes...I could hardly contain my laughter/ astonishment! Kids that eat asparagus?! That's unbelievably cool! And a 5 year old knows who Lou Dobbs is?! That's incredible.

4th and final!

We are now 2 weeks into my LAST semester the Nursing Program! I've been enjoying some numbers lately that mean something to me, like: 3 exams left, 1 paper to write, 8 more times we have to wear our white uniforms, 16 lectures left, and 10 trips left over the hill to VMC.

I'm so stoked that I'm almost an RN! Thank you friends and family that have seen Cole, Jahmia and I through this amazing journey with all of your prayers, support and love! I love you and am grateful for you!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Consciously absent minded

Where did the month of January go?

I spent the majority of my vacation with family. (Family is a very broad and colorful term; a word that evokes such deep feelings of love and acceptance, in which we share beautiful memories. Yet, at the same time, that same word strikes unfamiliar cords causing a little bit of anxiety, nervousness and uncertainty.) For both the Taylor and Hudson sides, our ideas and thoughts of family grew. We were reunited with one side of the family after a ten plus years of separation and met for the first time four 2nd cousins on the other side! Both meetings went very well, filled with smiles, laughter, hugs and great conversations. We are so blessed to have them included in our lives.

Pictures to come soon...

Thursday, December 25, 2008

WE LOVE CHRISTMAS!

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon Virgin

Mother and Child

Holy Infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace


Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ, the Saviour is born

Christ, the Saviour is born


Silent night, holy night

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth " MERRY CHRISTMAS LOVED ONES! May today be filled with everything and everyone you love.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Good-bye and I love you Grandma

Some of you had the honor of meeting my wonderful Grandma Carla. She had such a zest and zeal for life as evidenced by her constant smile and twinkle in her eyes. Grandma channeled that love of life into her swimming and dancing, her two biggest hobbies. Adorned with a swim cap and goggles, Grandma was all game to join us in the water for our surf wedding. This woman had so much patience with all the grand and great-grand kids. One of her claims-to-fame with us was that she taught all of us how to swim! Jahmia learned how to roll down a grassy hill, thanks to Great-Grandma Carla. As a little girl, she would take me to the convalescent homes where she worked as a movement therapist. What could be better than playing with balloons, parachutes and dancing! As a young adult, she allowed me to live with her while I transitioned from a move from OR to CA. She was fun. Because of her influence, love and encouragement, I choose to become a Nurse. Now 3/4 of the way done, I cannot believe she will not be there to see me graduate next June.

Life is not controlled by us. I'm shocked by her death. Yet happy that I was able to talk with her last Sunday (12/7). We talked about life and bringing each other up-to-date with what the current events. She was more than thrilled that the pool was open all winter this year. At 85 she swam almost daily! Every Sunday she attended the Friends Meeting House in Berkley, which she loved. I was able to thank her for all the times she took me to her work, to her dance classes, and for influencing me to become a Nurse. I got to hear her tell me how proud she was of me and how much she loved me. As we were saying our good-byes I told her that I loved her too, not knowing that it would be the last time. Saying good-bye and I love you, never felt so final before.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Conversations with Mia...

::December 4, 2008::

Wanted to relay this tender conversation between Mia & I earlier this week. We were on the way to her school, listening to her praise music (a standard for our car!) and the following unfolds...

Jahmia says out of the blue, "I love Jesus!"
I pulled into the preschool driveway, turn off the car. SMILE & respond, "Oh that's wonderful! Jesus loves you too!"
J says, "Mommy, how do I get to heaven?"
I opened her side door and gave her a hug.
The only thing that comes to mind to say is, Romans 10:9 "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." So I tell her (knowing that God's word does not return void and also "faith [comes] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Rom 10:17).
J, "Thanks Mommy. Can I go now?" She runs to the door, opens it and yells back to me "Love you Mommy. Here's a big hug and big kiss!"

Wow! Hi-5 Jesus! That was all Him! I think I had a Mary moment. (see Luke 2:19)

It's begining to look like Christmas

The Spirit of Christmas has filled our hearts and home this year. For the first time in 6 years, we got a Christmas tree! Every ornament has meaning. Carefully hung, every little ornament glimmered as the scent of noble fir filled our tiny apartment.

My Grandpa Cecil had always given us ornaments, as did Cole's Grandma James. Grandma Olga always gave crisp dollar bills. With all three of them gone, those ornaments have an extra special value to us. We are reminded of their best qualities and special quirks, of how they always brought a smile to our faces and gave us more love than humanly possible! We always looked forward to Grandma James' homemade fudge and talking about current events. Grandpa Cecil was our movie buff and DJ. He had a song for every occasion. I can still picture him closing his eyes, feeling the music and tapping out the drum rhythm with his hands and feet. Grandma Olga had an impeccable memory, so conversations with her were packed with details, love and care.


My Auntie K's favorite holiday is Christmas! She also has contributed GREATLY to my Christmas cache. (Thank you! It's getting good use this year!)

She gave me (years ago) a table cloth with Christmas bears in formal parade attire playing the drum and trumpet. Anyway, we used it as our tree skirt. It's just beautiful and again adds to the meaning of Christmas for us. Sharing and spending time with loved ones, whether that "loved one" is in our family or in someone else's.

John 3:16 says "For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." God loves us, all of us. He gave us Jesus. Jesus gave us life. So our aim, for everyday really, is to first LOVE. Love our family, friends, neighbors, and yes- our enemies. Secondly, to GIVE. God gave us the gift that kept on giving... ...Merry Christmas!