To Hudson On Your First Birthday

Dear Hudson,

November 2nd, 2010: I had a very vivid dream that I was pregnant. I woke around 2am with crazy insomnia which has only ever happened when I was pregnant with your brothers. I randomly decided to take a test. When the second pink line appeared I instantly burst out laughing! It was in that moment, I understood first hand why people say, "God has a wonderful sense of humor." I also knew right then, that you were meant for something great. We had been told I would need assistance to have children, as I did with your brothers. We wanted you so badly, but honestly, I was dreading the fact that I'd need to go through all those blood tests and hormone treatments that had been so emotionally painful for me in the past. No need now. You are our miracle.

From the beginning, you definitely knew how to make an entrance. Fashionably late. The moment your big brothers met you, you had them wrapped around your finger. Especially Boone. Maybe because you share a birthday month.

Today is your first birthday and I still look at you in amazement, and immeasurable gratitude to the Lord for blessing us so abundantly. That adorable chin dimple, your giant brown eyes that water when you smile...you got that last part from me. I treasure the special bond that we share. Although at times it is exasperating that you solely want me to comfort you, I know how quickly this too shall pass. I repeatedly regret the frustrations that I allow to overcome me when you MUST be held STAT. However, just a suggestion to make our frequent grocery store outings a tad easier? Maybe work on sitting in a shopping cart sans screaming? ;)

I love your voice. Wherever we are, you surprise strangers with that sweet, sing-song "Hi there!" Other times you look up at me with that big drooly grin and whisper babble. That's my favorite.

I love your quirks. Most littles have a healthy fear of the vacuum and avoid it like the plague. Not you. You sit in the middle of the rug, shoot it a look as if to say, "Oh yeah? I dare ya!"

I love your dancing. You, my boy, have moves! Whenever the music starts, so do you. The knee dip, booty bumpin', the arm flapping with elbows at your sides? Priceless.

I love your current way of communicating. I could definitely do without the commencement screech, but it's always succeeded with eyebrows raised, chin to chest, arms stretching forward, and both index fingers pointing at exactly what you want, eyes locked on on the target until you are acknowledged.

I love how you love your brothers. And vice versa. You attempt to join them in their wrestling/tackle piles, certainly expecting to get clobbered, then bursting into giggles after they make sure you're okay.

I love that this list could go on for hours, but it's time to wrap it up, as I can hear you waking from your nap (and I'm pretty much dying to scoop you up and "nuggle you" as Boone still calls it.)

My prayer for you, Hudson, is taken from The Message Translation.

"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life -- your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life -- and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to it's level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." - Romans 12:2

Or in other words...

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is. His good, pleasing a perfect will."
- Romans 12:2 (NIV)

I could not be prouder to be your mom, more honored that we have been entrusted to be your parents. We eagerly anticipate your growth in spiritual maturity. I cannot wait to see who you become. Remember that your dad and I will always love you unconditionally and have no greater desire for you to fully seek out and follow God's good, pleasing and perfect plan for your life.

Love,
Mom