The Hudson Team

This picture cracks me up because it reminds me of the bus stop billboards in Las Vegas advertising husband/wife realtors. We are far too old to have it look like a wedding announcement.

In My Pretty Garden...

I like to work outside. I especially love to work in the gardens. Flower or produce~ I don't care. Either one works for me. I much prefer yard work to house work. Anyone who visits my house can verify this information. When we bought this house 4 years ago there was red lava rock as ground cover throughout our planters. It looked pretty from the street, but that's where the beauty stops. My kids like to play outside, and the idea of running and hiding among the many bushes and trees in our planters is far too enticing. It doesn't bother me. It's their home, too. They are pretty good about avoiding my flowers, and flowers grow back. However, the red lava rock had to go! With all the running, slipping, sliding, hiding, etc., there seemed to be more rocks in my lawn than in the planters. So, I started throwing away all the rocks~ a few shovels at a time. After a couple of months the rocks were long gone. However, the disposal of said rocks added a new problem. During the disposal of the rocks many were spilled from the shovels, and landed in the lawn. This has created the job of rock digging. So, for the past 3 Summers I have spent endless hours digging endless rocks from what seems to be (only from this perspective)an endless lawn.


Our lawn is not the most beautiful in the neighborhood, however, it does look better than it did when we moved in to our home. While de-rocking my yard I found that wherever the lawn was yellow, weeds had grown, or the grass was thin there were little red lava rocks impeding the growth of my lawn! The grass tried to grow over it. The lawn did its very best to hide the rocks, but they were still there. It has taken forever to get rid of the rocks and weeds, and to get new grass to grow in the holes. There were times after I completed working for a day that I felt I had made the yard uglier than before, but I knew my yard would never have a chance until I removed every last rock. Without getting rid of the rocks the weeds would spread, and eventually take over the entire lawn. I had to make it look worse, put in more work, and in some places start completely over before it would ever get better. It's amazing to see the change in our yard as the grass has begun to fill in the holes where there used to be rocks.

There is a definite upside in this experience. I realized how these little rocks are similar to sins in my life. Due to weaknesses in my testimony little sins find their ways into my soul, burrow in, and try to take over the place. I know they're there, but I try to to ignore them. Just like my grass tried to grow over the top of the rocks, I try to grow beyond these little progress impeding sins. I try to pretend they don't exist, but then it starts to effect more than just my soul. I stop thinking about Christ~ because I'm afraid if I do think about Him I will be reminded of my hidden sins. It effects my outlook, my appearance, my personality, my relationships, and the person I am because my relationship with my Savior has dimmed. Finally, I realize the only way to really be the person I want to be is by ridding myself of the sins. And, just like my lawn, it requires a lot of time, patience, and hard work to de-sin myself. Sometimes it even feels I'm making it worse, but that's just an optical illusion. I really am getting better. In the long run, just like my yard, my soul and appearance are once again what they should be.

I'm so grateful for the knowledge that through the atonement I can earn forgiveness through the repentance process. What an amazing and beautiful gift!

T8 is GR8!

I love my girl, Taite! She is so much fun! I love listening to her while she plays house. I love watching her play with her friends. She is a party waiting to happen.
I love listening to her read. I love watching her ride her bike.
My favorite thing about her is her ability to make and keep friends. Friday was the last day of school. I was invited to attend an awards' ceremony in Taite's classroom. Each student was given an award specific to his/her abilities and/or personality. Taite received the "Friendship Award." Mrs. Varner, Taite's teacher, told us that whenever she asks anyone, "Who's your best friend?" the answer is always, "Taite!" She continued telling us, "Taite is always chosen first to be a partner, the popcorn reader, or errand companion." I love this about her~ just as every mom loves the attributes of their own children.
I love watching Taite dance. I love watching her enjoy it. I love watching her get excited as she learns and masters new steps and techniques. Yesterday was Taite's Spring Dance Recital. She received the "Dancer of the Year Award." Neither of us had any idea it was coming! Her brothers were obviously very surprised! They know she dances. Of course they know. She dances all through the house, in front of the TV screen, on the way to answer the phone and/or door, etc. However, the guys didn't get that she really puts her little heart into it.
I love watching Taite with her brothers. I love watching her brothers with her.
When Taite is sick, scared, or hurt at school she always asks, "Can I just go find Reece or Seth?" That usually does the trick for her.
I love watching Taite with Christy and Mae, her cousins. Christy is Naomi's only daughter. Mae is Quincy's only daughter. They like to play, "Sisters." They are the only sisters they have. They talk about someday having sisters-in-law, but for now they are each others' sisters.
I'm so blessed to have my Taite. She makes me happy!

Disneyland!

We had such a great time in California! Quincy's family and Naomi & Christy were with us!

Quincy and Mo have already emailed me their pictures, so I'll post them here. I'll try to get around to adding ours within the next few days.

When we travel we each buy a post card, and write on the back what we liked most about the trip.

We sat in the car on our way to the beach writing on our post cards while we were waiting for the gas tank to fill. (By the way... filling the gas tank was NOT Redge's favorite part of the trip.)

I handed Redge his post card, and he just sat looking at it, then he started laughing~ uncontrollably. I asked why he was laughing, and he answered, "There isn't enough room!" He proceeded to tell me EVERY single funny thing he and Quincy laughed about the entire trip. I love watching Quincy and Redge together. They are such good friends. That is a total blessing.

As for the kids, here's what they have to say...

Arthur, "We wit to diselind and mi faifthe was the sbas mawtin." This translates to, "We went to Disneyland, and my favorite was the Space Mountain." It's true. Our crazy Arthur rode Space Mountain at least 5 times!

Taite, "My favoite thing in Disneyland and California Adventure was the 2 water boat ones!"

Seth, "Some of my favorite rides are, Screamin' at California Adventure, Railroad, Indiana Jones, and Space Mountain at Disneyland."

Reece, "I went to Disneyland and California Adventure. I loved it! I had a boot so we rented a wheelchair. We got to go on the handicapped line. It was cool. the coolest was the Screamin' and Tower of Terror. I also like Splash Mountain and Matterhorn."

Century

Jeff was here recently here. He came to visit with Mike Dickinson, Linda Taylor's husband. Redge, Jeff, and Mike went to Tooele to compete in the Ghost Town Riders' 2008 Century Bike Race. (A century bike race is 100 miles.) Jeff is an avid bike rider, and rides almost daily. Redge also rides several times a week. Redge was a bit anxious about the race because it was his first century. He didn't need to be nervous. He and Jeff both finished! Their total distance was 103 miles! I'm so proud of them! They were both wiped when they got back to our house, but not too exhausted to be excited about realizing what they had accomplished! I'm so proud of them! Plus, it was so great for me to see my husband accomplish this, and have a great time doing it with my brother. Redge said, "I don't think I could have done it, or had as much fun if I had attempted it with anyone besides Jeff."

Update Regarding Reece's Foot

Reece’s cast was removed yesterday, however he was given a boot like Mom’s. He has to wear that for at least a week. He has to wear it at Disneyland and the beach. He can only have it off for sleeping and bathing. It looks like the bone calcified through the growth plate of one of his toes, so he may have one toe shorter than the others. The doctor told him he will have a promising career in the circus. Luckily, unlike the growth plates in his legs, which still show a large area for growth, his feet are almost completely full grown. He’s wearing a size 10, and the doctor doesn’t anticipate him growing beyond an 11. So, his toes won’t show much difference in size at all~ if any. The effected toe is the 4th toe, you know, the one that “has none.” In Reece’s case I guess it means it has “none height.” He’s a little bummed out, actually, the “little” is a complete understatement. He is so excited to go to the beach, but now he’s sad to have to wear the boot. I told him he can wear the boot in the water. I don’t care if it gets ruined. It’s worth it to me for him to have a good time with his cousins. Especially now that Caleb may join us! I told him if his foot starts bothering him while we’re at Disneyland/California Adventure we’ll just rent a wheelchair for the day. The good news is: the other 3 breaks have all healed nicely~ despite the fact that keeping him completely down for the past 5 weeks has been impossible. This is evident by the hole he created at the heal of his cast. When removing his cast the doctor found rolled up tinfoil, cotton balls, air soft bb’s, and sand. The doctor said he should be fine for football this Fall, but he is definitely out for soccer this Season.

Consealed Carrier's Permit

My class was postponed. I don't want to talk about it.

Jeffrey R. Gochoco

Jeff Gochoco came to visit! Jeff was my boss at the Q and at Red Rock Country Club. He's amazing! We all love him. He only stayed with us a couple of days, but it was so great to see him! We've known him for 13 years, and despite our relocation to Utah, and his back home to Pennsylvania, we've stayed in touch. Three years ago he began taking "The Discussions." Soon after that he was baptized. A Year later he received his endowments and spoke in Stake Conference~ all in the same weekend! His testimony is amazing! He's such a great person. He has been as long as I've known him. It was so great to have him in our home. Not to mention the fabulous thank you gift we received from him yesterday, a huge box from Honey Baked Ham full of what will be the very best Mother's Day Dinner EVER!!! I'm talking a ham and a turkey! Plus all the yummy extras! Thanks, Jeff! You're the best! We love you!

I Am Iron Man!

Over the past two weeks I have realized how much I rely on Reece. When in Vegas and swimming at Quincy's Reece broke his foot. While diving into the pool he kicked himself in the back of his left leg with his right foot, breaking his right foot in four places. He is in a cast from his toes to his knee! Poor guy~ using crutches for 6 weeks! He's so bored! I feel really badly for him! I'm also humbled by the increase in my amount of work since he has been down. He still does more than he should, but I have realized a little bit of all he does for me. I'm so grateful for him. He is such a good boy! He tries so hard. Every one of his teachers has told me, "Lyndee, you can't be so hard on him." My parents tell me the same thing. I love him so much, and I'm so proud of him! I'm so grateful to have him as a son. What a blessing!

"The Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms Shall Not Be Infringed"

The day has finally arrived, or nearly arrived! Saturday morning at 9 AM I will be sitting in Payson taking my Concealed Carrier's Permit Class! I can't tell you how exciting this is! Yes, I am a member of the NRA. I joined a couple of years ago. I called Redge at work, and said, "Congratulations! You are now a card carrying member of the NRA!" Although Redge supports our 2nd amendment he was a bit shocked at the news. Besides BB Guns and Air Soft Guns we don't own any firearms. In the words of Wayne, "I don't own a gun, let alone many which would necissitate an entire gun rack." However, we are looking into purchasing firearms. I want a pistol of some sort. I intend to buy a shoulder holster. But, there is something, oh I don't know, intriguing and attracting about purchasing a hip holster, and wearing my gun Marshall Dillon style. What do you think? Let me know of your votes regarding how I should wear my soon to be purchased, 2nd amendment supporting, Mariska Hargitay looking personal weapon!