Family pictures

While we were in The Woodlands and dressed up for the wedding, we stopped at a lake by my mom's house and took some pictures.  I love our family!!!!!

Thanksgiving

Parker had a little feast at school that the kids and I (Erin) went to.  I really enjoy watching her interact with her teachers and friends at school.  It's always so interesting!

We spent Thanksgiving at Christian's dad's.

 

 


Then we drove to The Woodlands for my cousin Kristin's wedding.  The kids were able to swim at my mom's gym.  We played at the park.  We took over the photo booth at the wedding.  We had a fantastic holiday week with so many things to be thankful for.  The Lord is good and we are thankful for all that He has done in our lives this year.

                                      

Happy 7th Birthday!

How can my oldest be 7 already!  We celebrated Hudson's birthday with friends at a park.  It was a beautiful evening and we were blessed to have friends celebrate with us.  Hudson felt very loved and really enjoyed all the time playing.

On his birthday we went around all shared a few things we love about him, here are some:  his passion, his love for reading the Bible, that he plays games with me, he shares and that he is a great big brother. 

Hudson, you are a fantastic son and a wonderful big brother.  You are passionate and loyal.  You love all things sports and games (slightly competitive).  You will read just about anything you can get your hands on.  Some of your favorites right now are: the Action Bible, Usborne's World History Encyclopedia, Magic Tree House and many others.  We are blessed to call you son.

4 Months!

Our littlest one turned 4 months on Nov. 10!  I can't believe how big she is getting.  Sweet Shi, you are full of joy, laughter and sweetness.  You are a fantastic eater and sleeper and you adore your 2 older brothers and your sister.

Gobble Hobble

Yesterday, Hudson and I ran the Gobble Hobble 5k. It was extremely cold and a bit drizzly, definitely not ideal conditions for Hudson to run his first 5k. He was so excited and I'm so glad this is something we were able to do together. 

It was a TOUGH race for him. I think this is the most challenging athletic activity he has ever had to push thru and I am so very proud of him. I was so blessed and encouraged by our time together. As we ran I was able to have conversations with him about perseverance, determination and the joy of finishing a difficult task. Other than playing soccer, he has only run with me a couple times and never more than a mile. 

He worked so hard to finish this race and he ended up getting 1st in the 8 and under age group. We are so excited about getting to do more of these in the future.  Way to go, Hud. We are so proud of you

Something to think about

This year has brought about many changes, some expected and some unexpected. I have really started rethinking education and what is best to do with my children. I am loving homeschooling. Some days are tough, I can get very overwhelmed, I feel out of my league and some days we just survive. I have found that sometimes when I struggle it is because I am comparing what we are doing with the "experiences" that other children are experiencing. I am learning to depend on The Lord in new ways, constantly being humbled but extemely thankful for where He has me (even on the toughest days).  

In processing my kids education and where I would like us to go, one conclusion I have come to is that I want my children to have the tools to educate themselves throughout their lives.  Looking back at my own education, I don't thinkn I was ever taught the tools to think and educate myself.....so here I am now and we are learning together. 

Currently, I am reading Echo In Celebration by Leigh Bortins. I am very much enjoying this book and how it is forcing me think more through the way my children will be educated. I thought this was a very interesting quite from her book:

"Americans have a very high self image of their intellectual abilities while actually knowing very little. Every other country in the world has a lower estimation of their academic abilities and yet, they are measurably more educated than we are."

I, currently, do not have all the answers about what we will do, nor will I ever but I have made progress and I am thankful for that.  

Fall Soccer 2013

It's that time of year again!  We are all enjoying this soccer season.  This year the field is larger and they have goalies.  Hudson has had a chance to play goalie a couple times and he has really liked it.  I think he enjoys having a little break from all the running.  This is kid is so very competitive and plays with all his heart!  His team only has 9 players (most have at least 11) and 7 are on the field at a time, so he is definitely getting tons of playing time.  By the way, as I was looking at these pictures I was reminded of how much he has grown up these last couple months.  Where O where has the time gone!?!?!?!?

Fall at the Dallas Arboretum

Today we went to see all the pumpkins at the Arboretum.  I try to make sure we do this at least once each fall.  My expectations for great kid pictures has drastically changed over the last 2 years.  The kids did a great job today, so I got at least a few good ones.  We love this time of year at the arboretum, it is just beautiful!

Six Flags

We spent ALL Saturday at Six Flags.  Christian's company provided everyone with tickets, food, drinks and tons of other things....this was one opportunity our family couldn't pass up.  We are so glad we braved the heat, dropped all expectations and just went for it.

As Parker said, "I liked it better than the whole wide world.  It was way better."

Elijah had a bit of a fever and ended up throwing up late evening....but it didn't stop the rest of the crew, he slept in the stroller. Don't worry, we made sure he was ok.  The kids were able to ride all sorts of rides and played several games. Hudson even won a scooby doo pillow pet for Elijah; he loves it. 

Here are a few pictures

Little Miss Shiloh

As I mentioned in an earlier post, my beyond talented friend photographed Shiloh's birth and did some newborn pictures for us. Here they are:
Introducing Shiloh Joy from Allison Duckworth on Vimeo.
If you live in the DFW area, or know someone that does, you should check out Eleventhirysix images She is phenomenal and has such a passion for what she does - we LOVE her!

Just because

I can't believe she is already 6 wks old

He loves her so very much. He loves to rub her hair and call her a sweet girl