This past weekend started out with a "flip out" scenario that I didn't enjoy.  I picked Hudson up from school at noon on Friday.  As I sat there waiting in line for the pick-up, I rolled down the window and listened to the sounds of the playground.  I felt so proud of Hudson because as all of the kids stood in two lines, I heard one thing, "Bye Hudson" repeated several times by several kids. There were nearly a dozen kids in the other classroom telling my child bye.  I think every mother wants their child to be liked which, in my eyes, means that he has a great personality, he's likable, he's friendly, and outgoing.  It brought a big smile to my face because he has a huge personality, is full of life and laughter, and that makes me proud.

After witnessing the kids chanting my child's name, I decided to surprise Hud by taking him to McDonalds...this is when things went south.  I was in the drive-thru line (we didn't have much time, so we couldn't stay and play), Hud started flipping out because he wanted to go inside and order.  I tried to order over his screaming, and then decided I was not going to reward his actions so I drove off.  I won't get into the details of the next 45 minutes, but let's just say it wasn't pretty and we both ended up in tears.  All that really matters is I stood my ground, and obviously I don't do that enough.  I think we both learned a lesson!

2nd "flip out" - while swimming at Fred & Melissa's, Hudson figured out how to flip in the water.  Not only was he doing back flips off the stairs, but he shortly figured out how to do front flips too.  This absolutely blew me away because at the beginning of the summer Hudson wouldn't leave the stairs.  Again, proud mama!  Hudson and Hadley had a great time swimming, and we all had a great time hanging out poolside.  I didn't really get to hang out / lounge because Hadley is a maniac and has no fear.  She kept jumping in, with or without me ready for the catch.  I'm excited that she loves the water, but her fearless actions are exhausting.

Today is our 10 year wedding anniversary.  It's hard to believe that 10 years have gone by so quickly.  I remember during our first year of marriage the "growing" that happened between Andy and I.  Not only as young adults, but as a couple as well.  Andy and I got married when we were 21 years old, and a couple months after the big day we moved 500 miles away from our family and friends. Looking back, it was probably one of the best decisions we made.  At the time I remember thinking, we're going to be married for the rest of our lives? Are you kidding me?  I was ready to grow up, buy a house, have kids, build that white picket fence, yada yada yada.  Of course, that wasn't what happened.  We both worked full time, didn't love our jobs, worked too hard for too little, paid too much for an apartment, and bought a dog!  Sure, we bought a house less than a year later and well, another dog. The kids didn't come until later... 

It was almost 5 1/2 years of married life before our son Hudson was born.  This was a major milestone in our marriage.  The first time Andy changed Hudson's diaper, fed him, kissed him, swaddled him, made me fall in love with him all over again.  To see such a hard-headed "manly-man" be so proud of a pathetic little 5 pound peanut made my heart melt.  Almost 3 years later when our baby girl was born, I felt that the strings that tied our hearts together became stronger again. The birth of Hadley completed our family.

So, now here we are 10 years into our life together, I truly feel like we are moving forward in love, with faith, and our family complete.  I look forward to the years to come, and will hold on to the memories of our past.