What we did for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Everyday

Christmas and Thanksgiving were wonderful this year. We truly have been blessed by Heavenly Father. We stayed in town for both holidays. On Thanksgiving, my in-laws went to Missouri so we had the house to ourselves. We had Sam's sister, Annie, and his brother, Josh, over for Thanksgiving dinner. After dinner, we played the longest game of Mario Party ever. It took us almost 3 1/2 hours to finish. But we had fun doing so. There was so much to be thankful for this year! I am so blessed with such wonderful in-laws for putting up with us. I am also so blessed that both Sam and I are employed. I am grateful for my family, even though they are far away. I'm grateful for our wonderful daughter and our health not to mention both our cars work (for now).

We were able to enjoy Christmas early as Sam's sister, Kim and her family came over, as well as Josh and Annie. We opened presents. At first I wanted to wait until Christmas morning because I love that anticipation and waiting but I bent to the pressure and joined in. Plus we all were there as a family. I think I watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (Jim Carrey version) a hundred times and still didn't get sick of watching it.

I turned 26 in December and had a great birthday. I have gotten accepted to Boise State University for the fall of 2012. I am currently still in process in applying for financial aid and other college necessities but I'm getting closer to going back to school and finishing. I'm looking at getting a Bachelor's in English with an emphasis in writing.

Lilly turned 2 in October. She is such a good kid! Her words constantly expand everyday. I know she learns when she's with Anna and Joseph (The kids I babysit). She is a toddler and I can hard believe it. When I'm upset, frustrated, or angry, she'll say, "Hello?" and keep saying it until I say hello back. Then she'll smile at me and say, "I'm happy!" That gets me to smile every time. Sometimes it gets annoying only because it's like I can't stay mad at her. When she tries hard at something and succeeds, she'll come up to me and say, "I did it! I did it!" In the morning when she wakes up and Sam and I are still in bed, she'll yell out, "Mommy! Mommy!" or "Daddy! Daddy!"

She loves to come shopping with me, especially to Costco. Her favorite place to go is in the dairy section where it's a room and it's cold. You walk into the room and there's a blast of cold air. She loves that. She'll shiver and say, "It's cold!" When it's time to check out, she'll sit patiently in the cart as I pay for the goods. When I'm done with that and we reunite, she smiles, holds out her arms and says, "Mommy!" Then we hug! She's so cute and I love her.

Sam is still working at Stevens-Henegar as a teacher. They've given him 2-3 classes every term. He's also been working on some freelance projects. His expertise with computers are so impressive and he's a natural at it. He and Wade Towne had done a pilot for a series called "The Helpdesk" and it's been picked up by a TV channel on cable. They've also got an invitation to be a part of a film festival. That's pretty exciting! Here is the short:



This new year is already starting great! We might have found an apartment that fits our needs and financial budget. We are super excited! Especially me. It's been over 1 1/2 years since we have been on our own. I am so excited! I've been working on being more positive. It has a big affect on me. I feel the days go by faster and my attitude is better. Granted, I still have my bad days. My patience with the kids is longer and I'm not so uptight.

I've also been challenging myself with writing more. I've started doing some volunteer work at Horizon Hospice with a man named John Viehwieg. He records interviews with patients and then he gives them to me to transcribe them. I love doing it! I love hearing the stories and being able to be a part of that project. I'm also trying to get more immersed in the writing community in Boise.

Well that's the update of our little family here in Boise. We are suppose to hear more about our apartment this week so I will keep that updated.

Etabpu (Update spelled backwards)

.... I can almost taste it too! Only about moving out and not solving a crime about a peanut. (That clip is what I thought about when I first started writing this post. Can't help it, I love Spongebob). We are hoping to be moving out in the next month or so. Sam has an interview with a talent producer (I think that's what he's called) this week. He wanted to interview Sam for some projects that this man is doing. I know Sam will do great! He is also getting more hours at Stevens-Henegar College. Sam is almost done with the pilot for "The Helpdesk," a series him and Wade Towne are hoping to get to the big haunchos in Hollywood.

I have still been babysitting the kids. As hard as it is some days to be with kids all day, it's still nice to have a job. Plus, they all have runny noses so I feel like I'm wiping noses every minute. But it is better than 6 kids. It's also a great job because I can write. I have been having ideas come to me more frequently now. I am trying to write more on Examiner.com but haven't been successful at that so far, because I am burnt out at the end of the day. I also lost my food journal and have not found it...it's got to be somewhere.

Lilly is acting like a toddler. She has so much energy and her words are growing. She is soo cute and her personality brightens my day. Sometimes, though, she does throw in a tantrum. She runs around a lot talking her own language. She loves being with Anna and Joe-Jo (the kids I babysit). She can even say their names. She is also doing pretty well with potty training. We started introducing her when she was 18 months. We do it after she wakes up in the morning, naptime, and before bedtime. She is doing pretty good actually. She usually goes pee in the morning. We are just taking it as it comes. She hasn't pooped or anything, and that's the stuff I'm nervous about. Just because I am not looking forward to those accidents. But it will be great when she is fully potty trained. She is such an amazing child!

We have taken care of the cars for the most part. We were able to get the Tercel fixed and no more smoking, Hooray! The Escort passed emissions, even though Sam kinda cheated, but it beats having to do a $300 car repair. I am grateful that they still work. That's it for now!

Movies and Cars

So, I just got off the phone with my mother asking if I had updated my blog and I replied, "No." I was planning on it later today, you know when it was dark and I was bored. I also thought that I had the courage to play Silent Hill 4 by myself and, needless to say, I tried and after seeing the opening part...I got too scared, so here I am.

It has been a while since I've done a family update so here it goes. Sam has been working part time as a Graphic Design teacher at Stevens-Henegar College and has been enjoying it very much. He is also working with a strong group of people to create a production studio out here in the land of potatoes, which is even more excited about, as am I. Him and his coworker/friend Wade, with help from others and myself, have created a series called "The Helpdesk." They have just got done editing the pilot and are planning on more projects to come. Before Sam started doing this, I was reading up on screenwriting and thinking how wonderful this would be to actually try my hand at it. I am currently writing one and will go into more detail when I have it done. This also gets me excited to write more screenplays and do the movie stuff that me and Melissa use to do all the time.

I am still babysitting, however, this past week they have been gone camping so I got to have a week off. Good for my nerves, not so much for my paycheck. We also are having to have car repair done to both of our old cars this next week. This will be the first time that I have taken the Tercel into an actual car mechanic, that's not to say that my dad isn't because he is great with cars. I'll just be glad when the Tercel is not smoking from the engine and I'm not worried about it bursting into flames on one of my jaunts to Target.

Lilly is doing great! She is babbling on in her own language. A few words are decipherable. She says "No way," "No" and "Ball." She's getting there....Her and I have a game where she'll say, "MAmamamamamama" and I'll say "Lilly, Lilly Lilly Lilly." She puts her hands over her face and giggles. She is getting to be a little bit of a drama queen. She'll accidentally fall on her knees and then she'll cry and then lay the rest of her body on the floor as if she just broke both her legs.

Well, that is it for now, until next time.

My "New Job"

For anybody who has seen "Groundhog Day," you know the song that was in it that woke Phil Connors on that repetitive holiday.

"Then put your little hand in mine,
There ain't no hill or mountain we can't climb.
Babe, I got you babe...." on so on.

Well, this song has a new meaning for me but in the same context as Phil Connors on listening to a part of this song over and over and over again.

"I've got you babe" rings in one ear. The sound of tacky Valentine Day bears with singing countdown singers over and over again with the same chorus. And here to my other ear, as if a tour guide, the unknown wailings of an 18 month old girl who has had diarrhea in the past 24 hours and still won't be satisfied unless she's being held. Mixed in with the whining pointless "I wanna be held all the time" cry from a 9 month old boy who has go the strongest little limbs. Together, from these sounds seeping in through my ears meeting in the center of my head which also happens to be my brain. There the screeching redundant sounds clash in a tyraid of irritating sounds that grate my nerves like a cheese grater against sandstone.

I started my new job on April 4, 2011. I got it through a friend at church. I am really enjoying it! I watch a 3 year old girl named Anna and a 9 month old boy named Joseph. I also take Lilly with me. I drive to their house which is only about 10-15 minutes away so the commute isn't too bad. I get there at about 7:30 am and leave about 5 pm. So it's a full time job. It's nice because the parents are awesome and the kids really are well behaved. It's a chance for me to get out too and Lilly have some playmates. Anna and Joseph really are great kids! We have lots of fun. Although, I will admit, it is stressful at times, usually when everybody wants something at the same time. Anna is a great help and Lilly is loving being with other kids. Joseph is a strong little kid and is usually pretty happy, unless he's hungry, but so is all other babies.

This job has been a blessing as it gives me a chance to learn and grow as well as earn a little bit of money. Even if it is something I do everyday at home. I just get to do it with 3 children instead of 1.

Updatetation...I think that's a word

Where to start...I actually don't like starting it that way. It's like writing in my journal saying, "Well I know its been a while since I've written." It's like I'm making an excuse for why I haven't written or knowing that I should have but didn't because I was too lazy and then the regret sets in because I didn't and then I realize that it doesn't really matter because I'm the only one who reads it and then I think "what if the grand kids read it when I'm dead" then they won't know what has happened in the past couple months, so I have to give an overview on said past couple months and then realize that I could have avoided that if I just wrote in my journal regularly.

....But this is not my journal....

I have realized that it has been almost a year since we moved up here to the land of potatoes. Boise has been great although my sinuses and lungs would say otherwise due to the blooming of everything that I am allergic to, plant wise. Naw, the weather here has been beautiful the last week. We are going to plant a garden...eventually. The nights and early mornings are still a little chilly.

So, for an update. As of April 23, 2011, Sam and I are still living with Sherie and Denny. We have really enjoyed it here! Sam has gotten a job teaching graphic design/web design at Stevens-Henegar College (A local private college) as well as he is working with his brother Ben doing I.T. work. Sam doesn't officially start his classes until June but he is doing training and what not to prepare for it. He is really looking forward to teaching. As for me, I got a job babysitting 2 children, a 3 year old girl and a 9 month old boy. It's not much pay but it's enough. Plus, I can take Lilly and it's not a really high stress job as compared to daycare. It's from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm so I have to get up pretty early but I find that that is better for me. I wouldn't have thought that I'd go back to babysitting. I feel like I'm back with the Marsh family only I'm there longer and only have 3 kids but they are all different ages. Lilly is at the bittersweet age of 18 months, or 1 1/2 years. It's hard to believe she'll be two this year which has a lot of meaning. Not only is it getting closer to that crucial potty training time but I always thought that we'd wait until Lilly is two to start thinking about having another child.

Family planning, there's more to it than I thought. I want to be done having kids when I'm 40 (hard to think about that too.) and we are planning on having a maximum of 5 kids. I just know it would be frustrating when I finally get into shape and then get pregnant. At least, I would know what to do and what not to do. I thought about when we are going to have our next child has been floating around in my brain. However, after babysitting for the past 3 or 4 weeks, that thought has kinda drifted away for the time being. I don't think I'm ready for another child yet.

Sam is also getting involved with doing some local editing and video work. I'm going to attempt to do scriptwriting and really get into writing in general. I feel like that's what I need to do, I just need to get off my rump and do it.

So, yeah this is a short update of what has been happening. Taking this babysitting job has also given me an opportunity to write while the kids are napping. So I've been writing stuff on paper and then typing it out on here. We'll see how that goes.

Just another day in potato land.

A New Year....in t-minus 30 minutes

As I type this new post, it is about 30 minutes until the new year is rung in. Sigh, I have so much to be thankful for this past year, even thought it hasn't been the best. I have been able to enjoy Lilly's first year, I moved for the first time, and Sam...well Sam has been the best husband and father through all this. I could go into the new year resolutions that I want to maybe possibly, think of actually making. No, I'm joking. I really want to stick with these goals this year. I have a feeling this next year is going to be different. I want it to be different. I need it to be different. I need to put my goals down and get them organized...hmmm... I seem to be saying "organized" a little too much....oh well. That will be my next post.

Well, this year is almost over, this will be the last post for this year of 2010. When I write the brand new post for the year 2011 I will not be the same person I was. I will be different...in a good way. I can't promise how I will be different, only that I will be.

Just another day in potato land

A Merry Christmas and a T.V.

Merry Late Christmas!!!

This has been one of the most wonderful Christmas' that I've had in a long time. I know that Christmas was a couple days ago but I've been enjoying my spoils... and so has Sam... and so has Lilly. Someone had come and dropped off a huge box of presents and a big basket of food at the door of the Kelly home. It made this Christmas that much more enjoyable! It was so thoughtful and generous. To make these past couple weeks better, I had my birthday on the 14th. Josh and Tess made some delicious roast and Sheri made a spumoni cake which was so moist and yummy! Then Sam wanted to take me to the movies, but I wasn't really in the mood for a movie. But we wanted to do something. So I thought I'd be spontaneous and go to Wal-Mart and do some random activity together. I was surprised because Sam wasn't wanting to be spontaneous. But I figured it was my day so we went to Wal-Mart and came up with a game. We had to do something in the store that started with each letter of the alphabet. Needless to say, Sam wasn't too thrilled. Again, I figured it was my day. So, I thought it was pretty fun, but it would have better as a double date. Yes, Sam I admitted it! In retrospect, I should have done something different. Because it was my special day. I was still grateful to Sam for spending that time with me.

Anyway, we ended up doing a kind of make up date a week later. We went to Red Robin and ate. I had the crispy chicken sandwich and, surprisingly, was able to eat the whole thing! Oh and the fries too! Sam had some appetizers combo because he wasn't very hungry. Before we left for the date, he said he had a surprise for me. He then gave me a shopping spree of $20 in cash! Seriously, it was a great gift! He had been saving it up the past couple months from change he'd get. I loved it! He then said that I could spend it tonight. Which meant shopping! Something that he doesn't like to do. So that right there was an even greater gift. Plus, we went out to eat which we hadn't done in a looonnnggg time. It was so amazing! Although, I think both Sam and I are glad that I don't take him shopping with me. Lol :~) I love you Sam! We were planning on going to see a movie but by the end of the night, Sam was bushed. I thought it was funny because it was switched around, I wanted to see the movie and he didn't. But that's all fine and dandy. (Oh I ended up getting some Crunch N' Munch popcorn, Nail polish, and an iTunes gift card. I had a hard time deciding on what to get...which is why I take so long shopping. HA!)

As for Christmas, both Sam and I had been working on each others presents. I made him a couple sets of coupon books. And I must say that I am pretty proud of them! But that's another post. Sam would not give me any hints as to what he was getting me. I will be honest... it made me nervous! He wanted the anticipation to grow as it got closer to Christmas. And he succeeded!
On Christmas Eve, Sam actually had to work. He had gotten home and told me to go downstairs so he could wrap my present. Well, Lilly needed a bath and be put down for bed. So while I got her ready, he would wrap it. Well, Lilly's bath was a little shorter then planned and I didn't realize that Sam and Josh were bringing in my present. Yes it had to take two people!!! I quickly looked away and went back into the bathroom.

"Hey Courtney!" Sam's voice came through the door. "You're suppose to stay in there!"
"I'm sorry!" I replied. "Don't worry I didn't see anything!"
"Good." Sam said.

I really didn't see anything, but the fact that it had to take two people to bring it in, made me more anxious and worried! As much as he wanted me to stay in the bathroom until he got the present wrapped, I couldn't...Lilly wouldn't let me. So I told Sam that and he came and escorted me down to the basement, you know, to make sure I didn't see anything. I could hear them wrapping up the present. I got Lilly to bed and just hung out downstairs until Sam gave me permission to come up.

While we made our way up, he kept telling me that I CAN NOT, under any circumstances, touch it until Christmas. I go to the Christmas tree and see this huge box by the entertainment center. It was wrapped in a blue bed sheet. I thought, Oh my gosh! At that point, so many thoughts were going through my head. We had a budget! I specifically asked him not to get anything huge. Where are we gonna store that? We already have a T.V. Is it a piece of furniture? Why'd he wrap it in a bed sheet? So help me...if he got me something that he says is for me but really something that he would use more, I'm gonna kill him!

He apologized for the wrapping job, but apparently it was difficult to wrap. He also assured me that he didn't do any kind of credit card stuff or payment plan. So that...kinda...helped. But it wasn't adding up for me. I did not know what was hidden under that sheet... and I was scared! Lol I kept teasing him, pretending I was gonna go touch it but I didn't. That night, I had a hard time falling asleep. Not because of the thrill and excitement of Christmas but because I was wondering what was in that huge box. I finally got to sleep.

We awoke, correction, I woke up and surprised Sam with one of my coupon books. Then we waited until Lilly got up and went upstairs. All the presents under the tree made me grateful that we had so much, especially after not having a lot lately. Then the time came when I got to open the big box. Actually, Sam unveiled it, he wanted Josh to take a picture of my reaction. I sat on the couch and he pulled the bed sheet off of it. Lo, and behold, it was a box with a T.V. picture! I thought, Really?! Then I saw the top of it was taped with some red and white tape. So I got excited when I realized that it wasn't a T.V. He tricked me! He was so excited for me to look into the box.

I ripped that tape off and pulled back the cardboard flaps. Inside was a bunch of wadded up pieces of wrapping paper and newspaper. He told me that there were 7 presents in there. A couple were small. So I got the first two and they were Gardetto's snacks. The third was Advent Children DVD. The fourth was a video game called Peggle. The fifth was a stack of yellow stickies (He said he was suppose to write notes on there for me). The sixth was an iTunes gift card. And the seventh was a small ring box. Sam told me to open it...it was empty. He got down on his knee and said, "Courtney Hudgins, will you marry me again?" He pulled out a sterling silver ring band. I, of course, said yes. He slipped it on my finger and we embraced and kissed. I love the ring! The reason he got it for me is because since I have gained weight, *cough* I know, my original wedding ring cannot fit my finger. I have been on the look for one for almost a year and I've felt bad not wearing one. So, that was an amazing gift for me! And it fit perfectly!

The rest of the morning/early afternoon, we opened presents together as a family, Sherie, Denny, Josh, Tess, Ryley, Sam, Lilly and I. Lilly and Ryley had a blast with the wrapping and the boxes. And played with their new toys...every now and again. :~) Family really is the most important thing in the world. I am sad, however, that I was not able to see my side of the family this season. Living with my in-laws have been an amazing opportunity to get to know them and come closer as a family. I also know that the reason our little family is together and that we are making it is because of Heavenly Father.


As for pictures, I have a couple up but hopefully I'll be posting more soon.

~Namaste~ (Trying to find my true valediction)

Oh wow!...Yeeeaaahhh it's been a while!

Well, here we are and it's almost Christmas and the last time I wrote anything it was hot and dry outside. Now it's wet and the sun peaked out for a total of...oh...4 minutes for the first time in daaayyss.

Anywho, the past few months have been quite an interesting ride. Although not quite as different since July as we are still living with my wonderful (And I genuinely mean that) in-laws and financially struggling. BUT it can always be worse. I seem to be telling myself that lately. Sam got a job at Best Buy in November. He doesn't get a whole lot of hours but it's something. Lilly is 14 months now and walking. I don't think she crawls a whole lot anymore, so we are super excited about that. Sam's brother Josh and his girlfriend, Tess, and their son have moved into the house as well. So, needless to say, it's been interesting. I have actually enjoyed as stressful as it can be. Yes, I am being honest, it is stressful. Josh and Tess's son, Ryley, and Lilly get a long great. I think it's a great opportunity for Lilly to have a playmate and who better to have than a cousin. :~)

I keep kicking myself because I keep meaning to post pictures and write more on my blog. I guess I just get lazy and discouraged sometimes. And that seems to happen too often lately....I had an interview yesterday and I'm suppose to hear back the beginning of this week, so we'll see how that goes. It was an interview for a childcare position. Well, that's it for now. I'll check back later.

Ai Ya!

Wow! Half way through the week and I've been able to go to bed early once! And even then that was because I was sooo pooped out! I know that's kinda sad, but it's a start...I guess.

Lilly and I enjoyed a lovely day with my mom and sisters at the Zoo. After spending a day looking for a spot (Lol) we got into the park. It took us forever to get a parking spot and it was a scorcher...for Colorado spring weather. It was probably only 70 degrees but it felt hotter than that. It was Lilly's first visit to the zoo. She seemed to enjoy it! She would only look at the animals that were big and moved. Plus, most of the animals were sleeping. We had fun though! I also tried Dippin' Dots for the first time. They were okay, but not as great as everyone makes them out to be. :~)

We got back to my mom's house and watched "Lost"....Of course when it started a few hours later. Lilly was tired but she was fighting with all her might! We left and got home and she was sleeping. I was pooped out, too! I was hot and achy and towards the middle of the night I got a migraine. I'm so glad Lilly slept through the night!

Here are the pictures:


For some reason I couldn't get it to rotate. So this is me and my Lillybug at the front of the zoo.


Lilly and Grandma Lovell looking at the Polar Bears.



"I want order!" Lilly screamed from her throne. "And to see the animals!" Lol



...Looks like she had a one too many. Lol. Or the heat was starting to get to her.:~)



This is Lilly and I at the hippo statue.



1st she's happy....



...Now, not so much...! :~)

*Blush* This is my first time....

Ha Ha! This is my first post on my blog. I thought I would try it out and kinda test the waters. I know it's gonna take me a while to get use to this, but once I get it I hope I can keep it up.

Seeing as this is my first post, this will be a short introduction post.

My name is Courtney. I was married to Sam in July of 2007. About 4 months ago, I had our beautiful daughter Lilly. I have been blessed with being able to be her mom and Sam's wife. I love both of them!!! I enjoy writing, whether it's in a journal of my own experiences or a creative story. Lately, I haven't been good at keeping up with it. I've also taken a joy in doing needlework like cross-stitching and embroidery. I'm still quite a beginner at it but it's relaxing for me. I really enjoy watching T.V., not the regular T.V. with commercials but with the glorious invention of Netflix, I have been able to watch T.V. series as well as movies. I love it more when I'm watching them with my husband! We try not to watch too much, though, or, at least, do something while we do it.

Well, that's about it for now. Thanks for reading!