2011

Happy New Year! New Years Eve was spent watching the bulldogs lose, and with family and friends.

Here is a picture of Mema and the kiddos.

We let them have a few sparklers and then they walked Jim set off other fireworks.

They even gave him a round of applause during the finale.

Wrapping Up Christmas 2010

This year was very different than the others since moving to Tennessee. In the previous years, we have always stayed in Tennessee until Dec 25 and travel to Georgia after celebrating Christmas morning with our family. Jim and I decided to drive to Elko and spend Christmas Eve at my mom's house. We knew that we needed to all be together this Christmas season.

On Christmas Eve, we celebrated Christmas with Papa Wayne at my Grandmother's house. The boys enjoy playing with Papa Wayne.

Before continuing our tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve, Jake helped Mema make our Happy Birthday Jesus cupcakes for Christmas morning. Each child got a new pair of pajamas. The boys received matching Mario Brothers pants. Anna Kate's pajamas were monkeys and Sadie's were cuddle bears.

Christmas morning is always fun! I just love stockings! We didn't have stocking growing up so I enjoy watching my kids open their stockings.

Sadie slept through Christmas morning!

One other difference about the Christmas 2010, is the several lasts we experienced. This was our last Christmas at the Governor's Mansion.

This year we were able to experience a White Christmas, although we didn't get to enjoy the snow until the next morning. Don't these two little girls look "snow" happy together.

This our whole family celebrating our last Christmas dinner at the Mansion.

Opening all the presents.....
Sunday night we took all of the grandkids to Big Buddy's office at the Capitol to take pictures. They enjoyed taking pictures and then playing in the Capitol for a couple of hours.

This desk picture has a story. We have always taken a picture after each new grandchild/ren. The original picture was taken with Sunni and Mary Kate, the next with Jack and the twins, then Jake, Jack and the twins, etc...However, in 2008 their were three babies born in one year and then in 2010 their were two, Eleanor and Sadie. We started with two grandchildren and ended with twelve. Another point of interest, in each new picture the previous framed picture is sitting on the desk.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night...

2 months

This has been a long two months. Little Sadie has done a lot of crying, spitting up, and not living on a very good schedule. It has been hard. BUT:

I have figured out that she has a dairy allergy and she has silent reflux. I am no longer eating anything that contains milk, cheese or butter. She is a different little girl. She doesn't cry very much at all, except for when she wants to be held. She has actually started smiling some of the sweetest smiles. She is nursing well and life is finally feeling somewhat normal, well normal for having a two month old in the house.

She is a wonderful addition to our family. We are all in love with her. She isn't really partial to anyone holding her except for me, which bothers Jake and Judd at times. They both want to hold her, but she just gets really fussy every time we let them. I am praying that she will eventually let them hold her again so that she can see just how much they love their new baby sister.

Praying for a great 3rd month! Maybe a little more sleep...yeah, that would be nice!

A Few Firsts

Little Miss Sadie has experienced a few firsts in her life the past few weeks. We have seen a few smiles and she was given her first bottle by her daddy two nights ago. She is growing so fast!

Daddy always gets the honor of giving the babies their first bottle.
Here is daddy's little helper:


Also, here is a picture of her first Ta-da!

Celebrating Judd

On Friday, December 10, we celebrated Judd with just a few friends. All year he has told us that he wants a bowling party. The bowling alley was completely booked on Saturday so we decided to create our own party. (Pictures to come)

He loved bowling and enjoyed his party, especially the cake and ice cream.

On December 14, which is Judd's actual birthday he woke up to streamers hanging from his door.

Fortunately, Daddy was able to come home from work for a brief time so that Judd could open his presents right after he woke up. He loved all of his presents. This year we gave him a Tag Reading System. He really likes it and so does his brother and sister.

After eating a breakfast consisting of birthday cake we went to the store to buy Judd's his long awaited "4th birthday present," GUM!. At the Perdue home, you are not allowed to chew gum until you are four. This started with Jake and has continued with Judd. This little boy has wanted gum for two years so today was THE DAY! He finally got to chew gum. Do you see the big wad in his check? It was precious to see him smack each piece.

For his birthday meal, he chose to eat dinner at McDonalds. Can't you tell he is 4, of all the restaurants he chose McDonalds. It was a great time for all of the kids. Jim and I enjoyed it also because we were able to enjoy a quiet conversation while they played..hmmmm....come to think of it maybe I will choose McDonalds for my birthday. Little Sadie slept through the whole dinner and party. We are thankful!

My Baby Boy Turns 4

This is turning into a yearly ritual: me getting teary eyed and emotional on the day of my son's birthday.

You were our biggest newborn at 7.8 pounds and now you weight 39 lbs.

4 years old! Wow! 3 was a special age... no longer a baby.. but somehow still too young to be a 'young man'. But at 4, your babyhood is behind you. You are a school-aged child! When did that happen?

Sweet boy... I just adore you. I love the person you are turning into.

I love that you were, and still are, a great sleeper.

I love that every morning you come crawl in the bed and snuggle with us.

I love how you continually crack us up hourly with silly jokes, funny sayings and goofy faces.

I love that you ask me every day to do school!

I love how your smile can light up a whole room.

I love that you are writing your name, learning all of your letters and sounds, and learning 1+1=2.

I love that you love to watch football, basketball and baseball with your daddy.

I love that you have an amazing imagination.

Your imaginary friends are Tiger, Lion and Bobby.

I love all of your million drawings that you draw for me.

I love how thoughtful you are becoming.

I love how you pray for others, especially Bianca and her family.

I love that you are best friends with you brother and sisters, but you are really close to Jake. I just wish I could get you to stop screaming at them when they upset you.

I love how you will pretty much stop anything that you are doing to come and snuggle with me and read a book.

I love that you are very physical, love to rough and tumble, are coordinated and doing a great job playing ball.

At 4 your personality is just so sweet, sensitive, and caring. I look forward to discovering the gifts and talents that God has given you. As your mom, I'm beginning to see a glimmer of the special gifts you've been entrusted with.

God has great things in store for you Judd. I just know it. He has a great plan for you, my child, and I am so incredibly blessed to have a very small part in that... to help guide you and walk along side you until you're ready to do all on your own.

There is so much more I could say and I am sure that I am missing something really special but remember:

Your daddy and I love you, Juddman!! Happy Birthday!

Marvelous Grace

Ten years ago, on December 10, 2000, God saved me and radically changed my life. Prior to accepting Jesus as my Savior I did have some knowledge of who He was from going to church with my grandmother as a little girl. I could sing “Jesus Loves Me” and I did believe that song to be very true.

I was like most people living without Jesus. I didn't think I was a bad person; in fact I felt I was doing fairly well. I lived my life to please others; whether by making good grades to find acceptance with my parents or in the friendships and relationships I chose as a teenager and in college.

The Lord allowed the relationships I relied on the most to crumble all around me. He allowed my heart and my will to break into a million pieces, only for me to reach the end of myself and the lowest point in my life. It was at time I could only look up to Him. I am thankful for friends who were able to show me the road to true life through a relationship in Jesus Christ. It was during this time that they took me to church and I heard for the first time that there was a difference between knowing who Jesus is in your "head" versus knowing Him in your "heart." I knew at that moment that I needed and wanted to know this Jesus they were talking about. For several nights after that service, I would pray that I needed God and I wanted Him to take control of my life. I knew that He was the one who was Lord over my life. It was hard for me to accept that He had died on the cross for my sins, but it was so overwhelming to believe that He did it because He loved me so much. It wasn't until the next Sunday that I walked the aisle to discuss my decision with a minister and he explained to me that if I truly meant what I was praying every night that I was saved and that I was a child of the King. I was so relieved, overwhelmed and changed.

Over the next few months, God replaced all of my old ways with ones that honored Him. My life and every part of me was made new. It was an exciting time. He continues to change me and grow me to this day. The life that I experience through Christ is greater than I could have ever dreamed and it is all because of the marvelous grace of God.

I'll Go Easy...

This morning I had a conversation with Judd. Background information first, Judd and Jake are playing basketball for Crosspointe. this is Judd's first year and he is loves basketball. This isn't a surprise, he loves every sport especially the ones that include a ball. He is doing really well to be the youngest one on the team. He hustles and defends. He also made a goal in the first game.

Here goes:

Judd: Mommy, will you play bball with me upstairs.

Mommy: Not right now I am folding clothes and doing school with Jake.

Judd: I'll go easy on ya.....

So, an almost four year old is talking trash to his momma! I love that kid!

Good Night

So that we don't forget....

We know that as the kids get older we may not remember all of the songs and prayers that we had for them. Every night that Jim is home he puts all of the kids to bed. When Jake was little he made up his own version to Hush Little Baby and it was one of the only things that would calm Jake down when he started crying. We don't sing it anymore but we don't want to forget. Also, now that the boys share a room prayer time is a little different but listed below are the prayers that Jim prayed over them every night for several years. We may not pray the exact same prayers each night now, but we don't want to forget. Judd, Anna Kate and Sadie don't have full length songs like Jake but we do have silly little rhymes that we sing for them. Of course, they are just rhymes that don't make sense but we don't want to forget....

Jake
Hush little baby don't say a word
Hush little baby don't say a word
Daddy'll buy you a poster of Larry Bird
If that poster gets ripped up
Daddy'll buy you a brand new labrador pup
If that puppy runs away
Daddy'll buy you a nice shiny Chevrolet
If that Chevrolet gets hit
Daddy'll buy you a brand new catchers mitt
If that catchers mitt goes bad
Daddy'll buy you a Georgia Bulldogs hat
If that Georgia hat don't work
Daddy and momma will both be broke

Mommy and daddy love you very much, and we pray that you will be a little boy that listens and obeys the first time with a happy heart, that loves his brothers and sisters, but loves Jesus most of all. And mommy and daddy pray that you will accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior at a very young age and that you'll live for Him all your life.

Judd
Judson Hunter, NFL punter, has a girlfriend, doesn't want her

Mommy and daddy love you very much, Jake loves you, Anna Kate love you, but Jesus loves you most of all. So much that He died on the cross for your sins and wants to have a relationship with you. And mommy and daddy pray that you'll accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior at a very young age and that you'll live for Him all your life.

Anna Kate
Anna Kate, Anna Kate, Anna Kate we think you're great. We couldn't wait for you to come, Anna Kate we think you're great.

Mommy and daddy think you're precious, Jake and Judd think you're great, but Jesus thinks you're special. So special, that He died on the cross for your sins and wants to have a relationship with you. And mommy and daddy pray that you'll accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior at a very young age and that you'll live for Him all your life.

Sadie
Sadie, Sadie, what a pretty lady. Maybe, maybe, you can be my baby.

33

Happy Birthday My Love!



Today is my husband's birthday. It's difficult to imagine life without him because he's been in my life for over 9 years. He's been a source of strength, comfort, protection and love. I hope we have the privilege of celebrating another 50 or 60 years, so that we can grow old together. I pray that God continues to bless this godly man with health, wisdom and the grace to continue to guide our family for many years to come.

I love you, babe. Thanks for being you. Thanks for being mine. And thanks for being such an awesome dad. I am thankful for you!

Sweet Sadie

Here are a few pictures that I took of her today.

I wish that there wasn't a shadow around her. I will try and get a better one before it rains again.




These are some taken with Jim's boots.

I want to...

I want to…
…remember the sleepless nights.
…embrace my frizzy hair.
…enjoy the scent of her newborn head.
…smile even when I’m tired.
…rejoice in the chaos.
…hold her as much as I can.
…be thankful for diaper duty.
…focus on what really matters.
…press her close.
…joyfully endure showerless days.
…breathe deeply.
…love fearlessly.
…revel in her innocence.
…be proud of the dark circles under my eyes.
…feel her heart beat against my chest.
…be bathed in peace.
…leave no cheek unkissed.

…have no regrets, for I know all too well that this time with her is fleeting. They will be grown and gone before I can blink my eyes. And I want to make every moment count, now while I still can.

Another first...

During Nana's visit, we decided to trim Anna Kate's hair. Nana has given all of the kids their first hair cuts so it just seemed fitting that we do it this week. Especially since Anna Kate has not had a hair cut yet. I figured it was finally time to trim her baby mullet. We didn't cut very much. It was just enough to look like she has "layers." Once it was cut, Nana put braids in her hair. She LOVED them!