Grandkids and Bunnies!

What a wonderful weekend.  Hudson came home to Austin and had his first Easter.  Carter also had his first Easter in Oklahoma.  We skyped with Luci and Jeremy in Oklahoma last week and Finley and Carter opened their baskets from Kirk and myself.  Oh the magic of technology!  Brooke, Travis, and Hudson came home late Thursday night.  We spent all day Friday with them and it was so fun.  Hudson is a great baby and we certainly are enjoying him.  He didn't think much of his Easter Basket, but we had to take the traditional pose.  Here are some new pics of Hudson, Finley, and Carter.

Nothing could be better!  Hudson and Bella!

Hudson and his Pops!

Sweet Finley and Carter

Precious Hudson

Count Your Blessings!  Bella

He is Risen! He is Risen!

What a glorious Easter.  We sang a beautiful song in church this morning, which always makes me cry.  It is called Spirit Song:

O let the Son of God enfold you
With His Spirit and His love
Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul
O let Him have the things that hold you
And His Spirit like a dove
Will descend upon your life and make you whole

Jesus, O Jesus
Come and fill Your lambs
Jesus, O Jesus
Come and fill Your lambs

O come and sing this song with gladness
As your hearts are filled with joy
Lift your hands in sweet surrender to His name
O give Him all your tears and sadness
Give Him all your years of pain
And you'll enter into life in Jesus' name

I thank God for the gift of His Son!  I first sang this song many years ago when we had first moved to Austin and our family was struggling with the loss of Kirk's job.  I can't help thinking about all the teachers that have lost their jobs and the feelings they must have.  I just know without Jesus to "take away my tears and sadness,"  I would not have made it through that time or others that have come.   You see- tough times never last and there is always hope through the Resurrection!  He is risen!  He is Risen!

I hope you had a glorious day with your loved ones.  We had a pre- Easter breakfast yesterday with the family, then church this morning, and on to Waco to spend Easter with Kirk's mom and brothers.  Here are some pictures of my darling family!

The pre-Easter Breakfast!  Everyone got Easter Baskets and the theme this year was beach party! 

Peep Treats!

Easter Morning!  Kirk, Lynn, Abbey, and Connor

Kirk's Brothers
Stephen, Kirk, Ross



Kirk's brother Ross and wife Debbie have three kids- Hunter, Breanna, and Lauren

Count Your Blessings!  Bella

Abbey Angel- My Hero

So proud of my little girl today!  She is actually 22, but you know they are always little to their mom and dad.  So the UT Honors Convocation was today and Abbey was representing the school of Social Work.  She is a College Scholar ( 3.5 or higher GPA ) and found out this week she was accepted to UT Grad school one year MSW ( Masters of Social Work ) program which is extremely competitive! I am so proud of all her accomplishments.  It has been a great year on the College front with both Brooke and Abbey graduating ( Abbey graduates on May 21st)  from our Alma Mater with Honors!  Kirk and I couldn't be happier or prouder of Abbey!

The definition of a hero is:  a man admired for his achievements : one who shows great courage

Abbey fits this definition to a tee!  She is certainly to be admired for her academic accomplishments and she has shown great courage by overcoming  huge obstacles in her early college years.
 So all I am left to say is "hook em "  and the "Eyes of Texas" are definitely smiling on the Smith family!

Congratulations Abbey!

We ate at a great restaurant in downtown Austin called Moonshine!  So much fun!

The Honor student and her beau-Justin!

Proud Parents!

Count your Blessings!  Bella

Loving Your Parents- What a Blessing

There is a saying that goes something like-you don't understand how much your parents love you until you have children of your own. 

Here is one from HenryWard Beecher:

"We never know the love of a parent till we become parents ourselves."

This week I had the pleasure of watching my daughter become a strong, secure mother as she had her first born last week.  I also got to watch my parents meet their great-grand son for the first time.  This is their third great grandchild and my mom always says you love your grandchildren even more than your children and your great- grandchildren even more than that!  How can we possibly imagine how much love that is?

 It was such a joy to spend time with my parents this week.  It really made me appreciate all they did in raising me and my 3 siblings and all they did when I had young children.  They watched my kids any time I asked ( even when there were 4 of them).  Momma always came up and stayed with me for 2 weeks after each baby.  I made her cook and clean.  She reminded me, she even left home made dinners in the freezer for me after each baby.  So now Brooke's home is clean and she has chicken spaghetti and lazagna in the freezer. They also offered continual support and love as my children grew up- never missing a big event.  Don't worry I will do the same for my kids and as much as possible for my grand kids and their children.  After all I had a great model!  Thanks mom and dad from the bottom of my heart, I love you both.  Be sure to thank your mom and dad today and tell them how much you love them!

Count your Blessings, Bella

Here are some pictures of my grandchildren and my mom and dad with their great grandchild.




My new favorite picture of Hudson



Finley and Carter in Oklahoma- they are such cuties
Finley, 2 years
Carter, 8 months

4 generations - Momses,  Bella,  Brooke, and Hudson

Papa with Hudson- he can always calm a crying baby!

Momses and Hudson

A Time of Firsts

I am still here in Louisiana with my sweet daughter and her FIRST child, Hudson.  She and Travis are doing great as new parents.  We have had the occasional stressful time between feedings, but all in all we are well rested and not sleep deprived.  Hudson is a happy baby and a great nurser! 

Abbey and Justin came in to see the baby on Friday night.  This was the FIRST intense family experience that Justin has had with our family.   We are very "clannish"- we all come whenever there is an event, we hang out together,  and we all know about each others lives all the time.  Justin not only had the Smith side of the family, he also had the Hausmann side as well.  He navigated through it great and is now officially part of

the " clan."   Abbey and I left the house for about an hour and went to our FIRST "Cajun " festival.  There was music, food, beer, and beer.  It is exactly what I imagined it would be- there were families there and a great kids area, but I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about the dude in overalls, white wading boots, and a cigarette in his mouth.  One thing I'll tell you, these Cajuns like to have a good time.  Abbey, Justin, and I went to the Tabasco plant and Jungle Island and saw our FIRST wild Alligator in Louisiana.

Hudson also had his "FIRST " outing to the Blue Dog Restaurant.  I treated the family for Travis' birthday and he was an angel of course. Travis had a FIRST and made all of us a great shrimp boil!  Kirk is at home with Connor and is dealing with his own FIRSTS.  Connor has had to see a couple of doctors this week to get ready for his Philmont trip this summer and I usually deal with the Dr. issues.  We have also had other Hudson FIRSTS- first bath, first trip to the grocery store, first trip to the mall in the stroller and first church service.  So we are having an awesome week!  I look forward to more firsts with my new grand baby this week!   Life is full of all kinds of FIRSTS- be sure to count your Blessings!  Bella

First Bath

At the Cajun Festival

Hudson's first outing to Blue Dog Cafe



God's Greatest Miracles

He is here! He is here!

Hudson Alan Hausmann
March 30, 2011
6lbs 10 oz. 20 inches

Our 3rd grandchild, Hudson Alan Hausmann arrived Wednesday evening at 5:26.  Kirk, Connor and I made it with 2 hours to spare. Chris and Pete were on I- 10 with us most of the way. We were so fortunate that Chris' parents ( Grammy and Papa) were there with them in the morning from Houston. We were able to wait with Brooke as she already had an epidural.  We left the room when she started pushing at 5:00 and he was here before 5:30- what a blessing! Travis and Brooke brought him home today at 11:00.  I am so proud of them.  Travis has helped Brooke so much and Brooke is an awesome mom!  Nursing is going well- she was able to nurse him right after delivery and asked me to be there to help her.  It was a special moment and one I will never forget.   We have settled into the usual routine with a newborn- nurse, sleep, nurse, sleep etc.  He likes his swing so far, but not his vibrating infant seat.  He loves to be held by his grandparents.  Chris ( GeeGee ) and Pete ( Granddad ) are here and of course Kirk ( Pops ) and myself ( Bella).  Kirk had to go back yesterday for the opening of Orange Leaf Austin and to get Connor to school.  I will stay the week and Kirk will come get me next weekend.  This little guy is very loved- we are waiting for the Aunts ( Aunt Abbey and Aunt Traci ) to get here tonight.  Justin will be joining us as well.  Everyone is home by this Sunday and on Tuesday Aunt Luci and Uncle Jeremy are coming with cousins Carter and Finley.  My parents ( Momses and Papa ) will be visiting as well. What a lucky little guy to be loved by so many people!  Many thanks go out to my colleagues, Sonya, James, Vanessa, Jeanne, and Donna who have been holding the fort down in Austin while I am away from school.  This is a long time for an AP to miss- but I would not miss this time with my daughter!  My Principal always supports decisions where family has to come first and I love her for it!  Thanks Sonya- you are an awesome Boss!  Thanks also to my awesome TAKS team, who will be running TAKS without me next week.  I have the utmost confidence in all of them and owe them big time!  So all in all- what a precious miracle to join our family!  God is good all the time!

Count your Blessings- Bella