DSAM Christmas Party

12/1/07--This afternoon the boys and I (without Chad, because he is up in Kentucky closing on the sale of our house there and visiting family and friends) attended the annual Down's Syndrome Christmas Party. Although this is an annual event here in the mid-south, it is the first time that we have attended since we just moved here. Well, we arrived a little late (it started at 4pm) as we were at the mall shopping until 3pm. And, who would be crazy enough to be at the mall on a Saturday afternoon during Christmas season anyhow right huh????

Anyhow, we arrived only fashionably late....and then the fun began. We had a catered dinner from Corky's barbecue...YUM YUM...then they provided puppet entertainment for everyone, door prize giveaways and a DJ for dancing. Now I am a very unlucky person when it comes to winning things but Bryson on the other hand was the very FIRST winner of the door prizes and won a season pass to a water park for 2008, and Amy was the very last door prize and she won this HUGE Santa's sleigh and reindeer candle holder set. It was pretty. But I sure made up for being unlucky in the lottery by eating the barbecue and working it off on the dance floor. We ate and danced and I huffed and puffed until I thought I would have to be carried out on a gurney. But it was so much fun and the kids were so much fun to be with. Austin did the tango with Alex and Bryson even got out there and danced with me some. I danced with Kelsey, and Kameron (who is a student at Cyndi's school) and kids who I didn't even know but just loved to dance and just loved to be with people. The joy that they got out of dancing and being together was a true blessing and to be able to share in it with everyone was a blessing for me and at this time of year made it even more special. I think Christmas get very commercialized alot these days and to see the joy that we were able to experience from something so simple as the art of dancing (and let me tell you, sometimes you really had to look hard to see the art is some of the moves that we were doing) was truly an awe inspiring moment and again one that I feel blessed to have been part of. I think since being down here in Tennessee and being able to participate in the Down Syndrome events, and even being able to go to Cyndi's school and work with her students, it allows you the opportunity to give thanks and appreciate all that you have and hold dear to you. Like a St Jude commercial that I heard the other day said that has stuck with me and I really try to let it come to mind on days when I am really frustrated with things...."if you have healthy children, give thanks and give opportunities to those wouldn't otherwise have them. And if you have children who aren't as healthy give thanks too, because they are blessings as well and deserve the opportunities that are out there waiting for them. You just have to reach out and accept them."

Love to you all and til next time-

Are you thankful??? I sure am!

"To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.".

WOW....as I was trying to think of all the things that I could list that I was greatful for this Thanksgiving the usual my family, my children, my health, my home, all those possessive things came to mind when it really hit me that what I really need to be thankful for is that my Heavenly father died on the cross all those year ago for ME, little ole me, so that I could become a child in Christ, and live an eternal life in the kingdome of Heaven. What a glorious gift of sacrifice that was given to each of us that each and every day we take for granted in our daily lives knowing that no matter what happens, at then end of each day, we can pray to that Father and ask for his almighty forgiveness and he tells us that all is well and we are forgiven and will enjoy one day and everlasting life in the kingdom with him.

I read a book, and recently gave it to Daddy for his birthday called 90 minutes in Heaven. For those of you who have not read it.....PLEASE DO. It will totally inspired you to want to change you life and accept Christ so that you have the opportunity to experience the wonderment of the glories of entering Heaven. I am never one to "rush" my life here on earth or wish my life away BUT I can tell you....I am not afraid of dying because (1) I know exactly which direction I am going, (2) I can't wait to experience the wonders that Reverend Piper descibered vividly in his book and (3) I can only HOPE, WISH and PRAY that with all of my heart one of the first people waiting on the other side of those pearly gates waiting to show me around is one of my greatest heroes, my Grandpa, Vivian James.

So, on this Thanksgiving Day...I hope that each of you had time to reflect on those things and those people that you are thankful for. Those people that you know needed a little extra prayer and those people that are far less fortunate that we are-

I have included pictures in this blog from both our thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day that we spent as a special day with just Chad, me and the boys. Then on Saturday, November 24th (also the day of the UK vs UT game) with Daddy, sister Cyndi (a UT fan) Kelsey and my family(of course the UK fans) enjoying another HUGE thanksgiving feast and a wondeful time of fellowship! We love any time that we are able to spend together with family. Whether it is Chad and the boys and I....or the whole crew!

God Bless you all and with love till next time-

GO TIGERS GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

November 17th the crew headed out to Liberty Stadium to watch the Memphis Tigers take on the UAB Blazers. Not only would we be joining fellow DSAM members to tailgate before the game, we would also be using this opportunity to celebrate Nini's birthday!!!! We all met at Cyndi's apartment....and what a beautiful apartment that she has might I add....and allowed Nini to open her presents so that we wouldn't have to take them to the game with us. We then loaded up the van and headed to the stadium for some food, fellowship, fun and of course FOOTBALL......

I of course don't know what the final score was but I do know that the Tigers did win the game. I was too involve in my picture taking, people watching, making sure that a vendor didn't pass with a snack that I couldn't live without and just absorbing in all that there is to take in for a fresh, crisp, fall football day. The weather could have been more perfect and the company matched to a tee!!!! Thanks for a great day!!

Love to you all and til next time-

CONSEQUENTLY...Sparkplug had visitors!!!

Tuesday November 13th through the 15th Aunt Parksie and Uncle Bob drove into Tennessee to visit the family for a few days. Because of the allergies and Aunt Parksie's asthma, they couldn't stay at our house (because of Sis) so we were able to find them a hotel room 3 miles from our house that worked and was convenient. Although everything around this area is pretty "convenient" which those of you who haven't come to visit us yet haven't been able to WITNESS for yourselves yet...so it wouldn't have been too hard to find them a location that was pretty centrally located.

Anyhow, they arrived and got settled in then came to the house and spent some time visiting and catching up on all of our families, all the kids, all the happenings of everyone and then we waiting for Daddy to call because we would be meeting for dinner at Osaka's Hibachi grill. Daddy, Aunt Parksie and Uncle Bob haven't had much contact for a couple years so for them it was a reunion of sorts which would be a nice evening in itself. We finally went for dinner, unfortunately without Chad because work kept him away from us. We had a WONDERFUl meal and a wonderful visit with one another. Daddy and Kelsey came over to the house after dinner and visited for about another hour before they had to head back home.

The next day Uncle Bob, Aunt Parksie and I headed to the Mall at the Avenue shops after a breakfast at Perkins and spent the morning and afternoon shopping away. We had a wonderful day together and after an afternoon rest, they came over to the house and spent some time with the boys before we headed out to dinner at Corky's for some barbeque. Chad was able to meet us for dinner....YEAH....and then after dinner we said our good byes so that they could head back to their hotel room to pack and prepare to leave early the next morning.

It was a wonderful visit with them and the only thing was that it wasn't long enough to be able to take them to some of the neat sites around the city that I know Aunt Parksie, especially, would have liked. I just told them that they would definately have to plan another visit but I have a funny feeling that they were already thinking that before I mentioned it.

Love to you all and til next time-

First Wrestling Match

IS IT A CAST MEMBER OF THE TELEVISION SHOW HEROS?????

NO...It is just Austin preparing for his first middle school wrestling match since moving to Tennessee. He has been practicing several times a week and although we have been involved in martial arts and boxing he has not even participated in an actual "wrestling match" so we really were not sure what to expect. And remember too, we are still recovering from a broken finger from the ever gentle sport of FLAG FOOTBALL. So November 8th, we headed over to Germantown High School to watch the tournament and although the set-up was very similar to that of the Judo tournys it was different to watch them them roll around wrestling...and the "attire" is a little different than that worn in Judo (much less forgiving in this sport!!!!) :0) Austin has three matches that first tournament and he was worn out after it was done. And when it was over......

...He came away with third place in his weight division. Pretty great for his first time in a wrestling tournament huh???? Way to go HUD!!!! We were really proud of him. And he was worn out!

Our Daddy Turns...well that doesn't matter.....

Sunday, November 4th was Daddy's birthday and now that we Hudnall's are Tennessee residents we were able to spend his birthday with him and join in on the festivities. Although I have been battling this head cold (or being near death as I like to be claiming) for the past week, I was finally able to sleep in a little this morning. We didn't go to church...shame shame shame...and after getting cleaned up and prepared we headed into town to meet the troops at Chili's for a late lunch for the birthday boy's celebration. Everyone was there except Grandma, as she was feeling a little down today, and according to Kelsey Troy Bolton from High School Musical and his parents would also be joining us so we were saving the booth behind us for when they arrived. She is totally in love with "Zach" and convinced that he follows her where ever she is. So once we all arrived, the partying began, which also meant the picture taking, the eating, the gifts, the talking, the laughing and everything else that becomes involved when you get all of the family together in one big place.

It was a wonderful afternoon and after a two hour lunch I was exhausted. I guess having been a little on the puny side all week and not having much energy, exerting that much to have that much fun really did me in for the day BUT it was well worth it to be able to spend Daddy's birthday with him.

Love to you all and til next time-