Call Me Marian

So after spending the last four years in Primary, I've been released. I knew this was coming because, well, because I've been in there for four years, but I still kind of have mixed feelings about it. I am happy, relieved, excited for a change, nervous, a little sad because I will miss the kids and the ladies I worked with and concerned about being able to sit still and listen during Gospel Doctrine and Relief Society. When the scriptures tell us to "become like a little child" I'm not sure that means revert to the point that you can't sit still during church meetings, but I'm afraid that is what has happened to me, no breaks in gospel doctrine to sing "Once There Was a Snowman" to get our wiggles out!

So I have been going over the possibilities in my mind of what my new calling would be and when we went to meet with the second counselor today, I was pretty convinced I was either going to be called back into the new Primary presidency or I would be a Sunday School teacher. Nope! I am the new ward and building librarian. I know this is pretty high on lots of people's dream calling list and I feel that way too but it is also pretty intimidating to me at the moment because I don't feel like organizing, cataloging, inventorying etc...is one of my strengths, in fact it is one of my weaknesses that has always driven me (and my husband) a little crazy. Also, it makes me nervous to not really be working with anyone, I'll have an assistant, but I have to be the one in charge. That means I have to make decisions! As Dave often points out, I just need something to stress about. Despite being a little nervous, I am excited about it and I am sure it will be just fine. And then I will need to find something new to stress about.

But Mom, I'm Sooo Hungry

Hudson has discovered some new culinary delights such as oatmeal, green beans, carrots and rice cereal. In this little video, he has lost all patience with me because apparently I am not getting the food from the bowl, to the spoon, to his mouth quite fast enough so he resorts to his own methods. It was actually cuter the first time he did it, but I of course didn't have the camera there ready to go just in case he did something cute.

In Case You've Ever Wondered...

This is what 600 cookies look like.

I made these for a quad-stake New Years Eve dance. This was the biggest order I have done so far. At least they wanted smaller cookies rather than the usual ginormous ones I make so that made things move along quite smoothly. I was proud of myself for managing it all. The stake Young Men's presidency told me they were a big hit and there were only about a dozen left over at the end of the night. It was nice of them to consider me for the job.

2008 Year in Review

I can tell already that this is going to be a long post so I am trying to include lots of pictures. It won't hurt my feelings if you get bored and don't read it...how would I even know after all! It is mostly meant to be a record of the last year for our posterity and such.

January-March

I don't have a whole lot to say about the first several months of 2008 mostly because all I really remember is morning sickness, thanks to the beginning of the boy!

April-May

We had several big events during April and May, the first one coming on April 11th when we found out Chocolate Mallow, as Cameron was calling the baby, was a boy. Everyone except Cam had been completely convinced this one was a girl so apparently Cam has some insight the rest of us don't!

Mom and Dad Madsen also came to visit in April which of course is always a lot of fun, this time however we spent a lot of time at the Dr's office. Cam got the worst case of Pink Eye I have ever seen, Audrey came down with Fifth's Disease, I had to get my blood tested due Audrey's disease and also had the worst cold I think I have ever had which resulted in a sinus infection and infections in both ears.

Baseball/Softball season also started in April so every week night, no really, every single one, was spent at someone's practice or game. Audrey was in her second year of Coach Pitch on the Bears, Braxton played his first year of Coach Pitch on the Phillies (he thought that was pretty cool) and Cam was in T-ball again playing for the Giants.

Grandpa Smith also got his new calling as Area Authority. We were able to get the kids to listen during conference at least long enough to hear his name.

In May we got to celebrate our 10th anniversary by going to PA for Matt and Nettina's wedding. We had a really fun visit. We spent a day in Washington seeing the sites. We went to the Air and Space Museum and the Natural History Museum, drove past the monuments and the White House and went to the National Archives just for me so I could see those important documents that weren't accessible during our other visits. That was the highlight for me and worth the scary taxi ride and parking ticket that resulted.

Audrey and Cam at the Natural History Museum

The wedding was of course lovely. It was a very sweet experience to be in the temple with the whole family including the great grandmas. I took a whole bunch of pictures but they are locked up on the darn computer, one of these days I'll figure out how to get to them.

We can't forget Audrey turning nine in May too!

June-July

The highlight of June was our camping trip to Hocking Hills. We spent two days fishing and hiking around. This area of Ohio is really beautiful and we lucked out with a couple of nice, cool days with no humidity. The first day we hiked all over and spent the second day fishing. I thought I was going to be able to sit by the lake and read my book but ended up baiting hooks and helping the kids with their casting. I think Grandpa Madsen and Uncle Vaughn would have been proud. All the kids managed to catch at least one fish but we let them all go.

Catch of the Day

Hiking around Old Man's Cave

More Hiking-Devil's Bathtub

We stayed close to home in July since we were getting close to getting our boy. The big event of the month was a middle of the night trip to the hospital because I was having contractions. We showed up at Todd and Aubrey's at about 1:00 in the morning, they'd left their phones downstairs and didn't know we were coming. Surprise! Todd met Dave at the door with a baseball bat, but luckily didn't use it. I spent a few days on bedrest but didn't have any more problems.

Baseball and softball both wrapped up in July also. The Bears were the regular season champs and Audrey had a great season. She didn't strike out a single time and even had a double play and a triple play in the same game. Braxton improved a ton over the season and his team almost made it to the championship game of the tournament. Cam also did well and had fun but I think we are all ready for a nice long break from Tee-ball.

August-October

August was the highlight of the year. My doctor thought Hudson would come a bit early on his own, I knew better but it didn't stop me from trying to encourage an early arrival. We spent Saturday August 9th walking (or waddling) around the Ohio State Fair. It was fun to see the kids enjoy the rides and the animals and the walking around got the contractions going but not enough to get us to the hospital.

Taking a break and watching the High School Rodeo. Yes that big pink thing in the corner is my belly.

August 11th 2008

After much anticipation the big day finally came. I have a nice doctor who induced me several days early because of my history of big babies. Our appointment was for 2:00 and after all the waiting we ended up about 15 minutes late to the hospital. All went well and quickly and Hudson Eugene arrived at 5:30 weighing in at 8 lbs 7 oz and 22 inches. Grandma and Grandpa managed to get to the hospital despite locking the directions in the house and themselves out. The kids were thrilled with their new baby brother. We enjoyed their visit and also enjoyed seeing Aubrey and the girls too.

Grandma and Grandpa Smith were able to come out for Hudson's blessing on September 28th. We had a nice visit with them as they got to know the boy. Including our trip ot Pigeon Roost Farm and lots of visiting and baby cuddling.

Hudson's Blessing Day

October was pretty uneventful here in Ohio, which was really okay! The big excitement came when the Phils won the series giving the kids bragging rights at school. We were also excited to welcome new baby cousin Nathan to the family, yay Jana and Preston!

November-December

November and December brought on the excitement of the holidays and the busy-ness of the school year being in full swing. Audrey started basketball, Cam turned six and I was able to check the Primary program off my list. We just had our crew for Thanksgiving this year and were able to relax and enjoy the day.

December brought more holiday excitement and more baby excitement when baby Waverly was born bring the niece/nephew grand total to 22. Braxton turned eight and was excited to get ready for his baptism in January. He also started Taekwondo.

As requested, Braxton's super duper double chocolate birthday cake.

Blowing out the candles

Christmas Eve donuts. This was our first year with this old Madsen family tradition.

Christmas morning excitement

Hudson was thrilled!

Another successful year in the books.

Happy 2009!

I know, I know, I know

So, my intention was to do a 2008 year in review post so that I could include events and pictures from earlier in the year since I didn't start the blog until the end of the year. I also intended to do this year in review post on January 1st. Clearly that did not happen. Still hasn't. But how can I possibly start adding 2009 posts without properly wrapping up 2008 like I intended? My new intention is to get that darn 2008 post done tomorrow along with several 2009 posts that have been floating around in my brain for the last 38 days. I am going to change my background right now though, just so I can beat Di to it, ha!