Judson Family Reunion 2012

We had an amazing time at our family reunion, which wouldn't have been possible without Paul's mom and dad.  Thank you for making it happen!  

We rented out a gigantic house to fit all of us under one roof.  Thirty one of us in all.

What would family pictures be without one of everyone picking their nose??

We spent a lot of time at the beach and at the pool swimming and playing.  We took a few days and saw a few sights.  We went to Kitty Hawk and learned about the Wright Brothers.

We ate really good pizza at some guy's pizza place.

We went to the light house, I wasn't about to waddle up a billion flights of stairs.  Paul and Lana made it up the first flight of stairs before Lana didn't want to climb any higher.  Tanner made it all the way up to the top with his buddy in crime and favorite cousin Brayden.  The two were inseparable the entire week and they got along famously.  Wish we lived closer so we could get together more often.

And then sadly, the last two days Lana got sick.  At first I thought it was just a lot of junk food, but the bug knocked her out for almost 4 days.  I hadn't seen her that sick in a long time.  So thankful for Pepto which helped calm her stomach before we had to fly home.  She slept most of the time while we were traveling.  She was even feeling well enough that we took the later flight home so we could get $1600 in delta vouchers.  Once we got home she pretty much slept all of Monday and was only drinking water and Ginger Ale.  Tuesday she finally started eating a little bit of semi solid food and by Wednesday she was wanting to eat regular foods.  What's a family vacation with out some lasting memories??  :)

Happy 4th of July!

Usually I am all about watching big fireworks and around here there were a lot of big firework shows we could've gone to.  However, I'm 27 weeks pregnant and it's hot.  Unless you could find me a motorized wheel chair and portable A/C unit, there was no way I was walking and sitting in the heat this year.  Paul was kind of bummed because apparently it's illegal to light off fireworks where we live and of course we have this awesome detonator kit that we bought a couple of years ago.  But we had some friends who invited us over to their house to light off fireworks and it just so happens that they live in a little neighborhood that is not incorporated and we could light off fireworks without fear of getting fined.   It wasn't quite the same kind of show (or the same quality of fireworks) we've had in the past but it was great getting to know new friends and having a great time!

Happy Birthday Lana!

 Since Lana's birthday fell on  Monday this year, and Paul's work schedule has him consistently coming home around 7pm or later, we celebrated with Lana all weekend long.  Saturday we took the kids to a local bounce house where they ran around and bounced until their hearts content.   And thankfully for me there were comfortable couches on which I could sit in one place and watch.

 The kids had a good time trying out the bucking bronco.  There was an employee there who would control it so the kids had some sort of chance of staying on for a little bit.

 Then Paul decided to have a go and the guy controlling it flipped it up to "high speed" and flipped him right off!

Saturday night we invited some friends over for cake and ice cream.  Her cake request?  It had to be from Sam's Club with Strawberry Shortcake decorations.  Thank you Lana for making it so simple this year!  Happy Birthday!  We love you!

Baby C Update - 26 weeks

When I got pregnant this go-round I have felt like I've been on pins and needles.  Anxious over little things, wondering if this pregnancy was going to stick.  Quite frankly I think I've been in denial about the fact that I will end this pregnancy with a live baby (morbid, I know but since I've miscarried these are the thoughts that run through my head).  Everything was going fine, early tests were normal.  We had our big ultrasound right before Paul left to come to Texas and found out "Baby C" was a boy.  I had one more doctors appointment before I came out to TX and that is when my doctor told me that they couldn't get a clear picture of the baby's heart.  So that same day they did another ultrasound.  One angle of the heart showed that his 4 chambers were perfectly formed, another angle showed possible abnormalities.  My doctor wanted to send me to a high risk fetal specialist for a heart echo, but I just felt like I couldn't fit anything else in before we left, so I promised her I would find a new OB as soon as we got to TX and to re-scan to make sure all was well.  

On a side note, I felt like my doctor was kind of jumping the gun a little bit due to my two previous losses.  Mainly because I was only 19 weeks at that point.  My feelings were justified when I read my medical records and found that the ultrasound tech had recommended a re-scan at 27 weeks.  

Anyway...fast forward 5 weeks.  And to make a long story short, on Tuesday we had another ultrasound done.  I think this was the 4th ultrasound we've had this pregnancy.  The tech said his heart chambers looked perfect...but that she was seeing some fluid around the baby's heart.  My heart sank and emotionally I was a wreck.  The worst case scenarios running through my head (down syndrome, congenital heart defect, etc)  Luckily we were able to get in to see the high risk doctor the following day so I didn't have to wallow in my misery for too long.  (Note to self:  stop googling medical stuff, it will only make you feel worse and worry more)

The high-risk OB was amazing.  I wish she could be my normal doctor.  She was confident, knowledgeable and was able to explain things very clearly.  We had another ultrasound and heart echo done at her office and she said there was nothing out of the ordinary.  Everything they looked at was in normal range, we have a perfectly healthy baby.

The last few days have been long and emotionally draining.  I have spent at least 3+ hours in a Dr.'s office Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  I am tired but feeling good.  And for my keepsake and memory of the last few days, we got our first 3D ultrasound picture.  We love this sweet bundle already.  The kids have enjoyed seeing all of the ultrasound pictures I've brought home.  Tanner especially got a kick out of the "pee-pee" picture confirming he was a boy.  So many things to be thankful for this week, especially because I know from experience that others are not always so lucky.

Kemah Boardwalk

So tonight we were trying to figure out something to do for dinner (neither one of us really wanted to make anything) and Paul suggested we head out to the Aquarium restaurant in Kemah.  Kemah (Key-mah for the non-Houstonians) is the boardwalk town by Galveston Bay.  It has restaurants, rides and carnival booths, fireworks on Friday nights and live entertainment on the weekends.

We got there early enough that we beat the dinner crowds and got a good table by the piranha tank.

There was blue tint on the windows so everyone looked like they a bit sickly with a blue tinge.

 The kids insisted on silly face pictures.

Attractive, I know...

 Lana is mad because Tanner jumped in the picture.

 Finally no Tanner, just Lana and the humongous fish that I'm pretty sure could swallow her whole if it was a carnivore.

 We let the kids each choose two rides.  Lana and I got on the Merry Go Round.

 Tanner and Paul got on the Ferris Wheel.

 Then we all went on the Train around the boardwalk.

A great ending to a fun night out!

Tanner and the iphone

One of Tanner's absolute favorite things to do right now is take his picture with the iphone or ipad.  I love to see what kind of facial expressions I will see when I go check the photo albums.  Some of them turn out to be absolutely hilarious.  The above photo is the latest find, and I also have a video of him filming his facial expressions on the ipad that I hope to post soon.  I love that this kid keeps me laughing at such unexpected moments!

Centennial Park Splash Pad

This was our first experience at a splash pad and the kids LOVED it!  I enjoyed being able to sit back in the shade and not have to worry about much.  Then about 30 minutes after we got there, 3 bus loads of day care kids showed up and it got a little too crowded.  We stuck it out for a little while longer, ate lunch and then decided to call it a day.  I think we will try again but maybe on a Tuesday, not field-trip Friday!

Aloha at the library!

Imagine my surprise (and excitement!) when I found out that one of our local libraries summer programs was a Polynesian dance program!  (I am seriously loving all the variety of stuff here in Houston!)  So of course I dragged the kids along and they seemed to enjoy it, as long as they weren't asked to volunteer.  I was able to convince them to at least take a picture with the dancers at the end.  The program was great and I thought it was a pretty good turn out (of course this was our first program so I didn't have anything to compare it to other than our old library - which I'm sorry to say - severely lacked pretty much everything).

A post by Paul

So about two months ago I got a phone call asking about any interest I may have in a new career in disaster relief work in Texas. I told him I would be interested in hearing more about it. A few days past and Michelle asks me about an email we received thanking me for the conversation and and consideration in moving to Texas. Michelle calls me and says something like "so is there something we need to talk about?" Well a few days later we were in Galveston interviewing. We both felt good about the transition and after some prayer and some difficult conversations with my previous employer, co-workers, and friends, I gave America's Home Place 3 weeks. I couldn't believe it! After ten years with AHP I was saying my goodbyes. I have now been here a month. Michelle joined me last week after she sold the house and moved the family to Texas (you rock michelle). We now live in the Houston metro area and so far, aside from the bugs (not like Mississippi has a shortage), we like it. We are renting a house for now, it's kinda weird because the house was built by a former competitor, but it will be ok. Work is very busy and satisfying. So that is where we are, freshly moved to Texas, making new friends and ready for the next chapter in our lives.

Happy Mother's Day

Paul is awesome.  He really is.  He came drove home late at night on Friday to be with us this weekend.  He worked hard all day Saturday to lower our kitchen bar top (which we had gotten some feedback on that it was too high from a few potential buyers) and then he arranges a babysitter for Saturday night and takes me to see The Avengers (which we had both been wanting to see since opening night).  When we came home, I was last to get out of the car and he stopped in the middle of the driveway.  Me being to slow person that I am, asked him why he wasn't unlocking the front door, he was the one who had his key in his hand.  I finally turned around and saw this beautiful flower arrangement sitting on the porch (Thank you Jennifer Trussell, I'm pretty sure this was your work because who else could Paul convince to deliver flowers this late on a Saturday night?? You rock!)

Mother's Day has been awesome other than the fact that Paul had to go back to Texas after sacrament meeting.  They released him from his calling as YM's President and made him bear his testimony.  Talk about an emotional day.  Darn these extra hormones!  I love my two sweet kids.  They are the best, most amazing things ever and are always full of surprises.

Insert a side story here--After we got out of the movies, we ran into a bunch of Paul's priests who were going to see a late movie, apparently there is a curfew at the theater and if you are under 18 you cannot get into a movie that gets out after midnight.  So we contributed to adolescent truancy and purchased tickets for them.  Well, the lady at the counter actually carded me.  I giggled uncontrollably while I got out my ID and thanked her for making my night.  12 years out of high school, 10 years married, 2 kids and 5 pregnancy's later and I still look like a pregnant high schooler.  Thanks girl at the movie theater!  Best compliment EVER!

Tanner's end of the year program

 I cannot believe my sweet boy has finished pre-k 3 already.  So hard to believe how quickly this school year has gone.  We didn't have great seats this time around (I don't know why I can't remember to be EARLY to these things) but he was still cute and sang and did all his actions.

 Tanner, Lana and Lana's best friend from her preschool days, Gracelynn.  We see her twice a year and the girls act like they've never been separated when we get them together.  I hope Lana will be able to find another friend like her in Texas.

 Tanner and his teacher Ms. Melanie.  She was a great teacher and he really looked forward to going to school this year.

The kids and Ms. Kristi.  I have been coming and going out of this school for 4 years and have gotten to know quite a few of the teachers.  We've really grown to love Ms. Kristi, she is an amazing, loving and caring woman.  We are really going to miss everyone here!

Happy Anniversary and It's a...

It's hard to imagine how quickly time passes by.  It seems not long ago when we were two twenty somethings newly married, leaving our camera at the temple desk, dropping an exhaust pipe on the freeway and honeymooning on a cross country trip to the other side of the United States.    Paul and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary this year.  We had so much going on that our celebrations included going on a date to the Dr.'s office for our ultra sound.  So on that note...we found out that we're having, a BOY! 

My guess was completely wrong, I had thought it was a girl with how I was feeling but I was totally wrong.  Everyone we talked to thought it was a girl too (except for Paul...he claims he didn't say either one).  But I am happy to find out he's a healthy boy.  I loved watching the ultrasound and see the little guy wiggling around, at one point it looked like he was waving at us.  I brought home a DVD and showed it to Lana who enjoyed watching it with me, but was a little sad the baby was a boy.  We had the ultrasound a little early (18 weeks) because Paul is leaving for Texas this weekend and we both wanted him there.  The Nurse Practitioner who I saw before the ultrasound was really put out with my being insistent that I have the ultrasound so early and even tried to dissuade me.  I told her I was paying cash for it, so why did she care? Regardless of the know-it-all-NP, I got my ultrasound and my peace of mind.