Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye is never an easy thing to do. Most like to see it as a "see you later". The kids and I flew back to New Mexico to do just that. Saying goodbye to my grandparents.

My Poppy was told that he had 3-6 months to live. He just found out he had cancer. I really contemplated just flying down by myself and having a nice trip but Poppy, Gigi, my mother and sister really wanted me to bring the boys also. So 5 months pregnant and with 3 kids we made the 32+ hour trip back home. On the fifth flight a lady even dropped her laptop on my head. It didn't just land flat on my head the corner got me. It was the kind of pain that makes your eyes water without even crying. I was exhausted and so mentally tired.

Once we landed I rented a car and drove an hour to Las Cruces. I wanted to do a bit of shopping before heading back to small Alamogordo NM. After a few days shopping my sister drove to Las Cruces and picked us up then took us back to Alamo.

We had a good visit. We were able to spend some good quality time with Gigi and Poppy. The boys and I ate at our favorite restaurants and we were able to hang out with all my siblings. My good friend Lindsey drove down from Socorro to see me and I got to spend some time with another friend Christina. Each of them giving me lots of baby clothes for our little princess.

I even got the chance to take some cute photos of my little niece Taylor. I will have to post some of those. They are adorable, she was all dolled up in 4th of July attire.

The trip was a good one but bitter sweet. Seeing someone for the last time knowing there will never be a next time is hard.

I took over 600 photos during this trip. Way to many to try and post. The two links below go to my Facebook page and you can see 400 of the 600 :)


http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3567668151470.2167347.1265911562&type=3


http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3567731313049.2167350.1265911562&type=1

We still have a girl so far

While we were home in New Mexico we had a 3d/4d ultrasound done. We knew this would be the only chance Poppy would get to see this baby. It was really bitter sweet. We had the ultrasound done and got quite a few pictures and a dvd. We brought it home and showed the family. We also decided to tell everyone her name.

We decided to name her Bailey Virginia Hudson. I wrote down a list of names that I liked. Joe was suppose to do the same but he hadn't gotten to it yet. I was naming the names down my list and he said he liked Bailey and that was it. She was named. Next was the middle name. We thought about Catherine and Virginia. Catherine is Joe's maternal grandmother, and Virginia is my maternal grandmother. I have a very close and strong relationship with my Gigi. I am so thankful that Joe was fine with naming her after Virginia Imogene Orsak (Akins).

Now all our kids are named after family members and it's even. *grin*

Bryson is Bryson Alexander, Bryson is Joe's fathers middle name. Norman Bryson
Carter is Carter Alan. Alan is Joe's middle name. Joseph Alan
Chase is Chase Turner. Turner was my maiden name and once I got married I dropped my middle name and took on Turner as a middle name.
And now you know the story of our precious daughter Bailey Virginia.

When telling Gigi and Poppy her name they both got emotional. You could see Poppy's eyes well up with tears, and Gigi having Alzheimer's said "That's my name!" The rest of the trip she referred to the baby as her little Virginia.

How we almost missed our flight.

I forgot to tell a funny story about Chase and I and our return flight back here to Okinawa.

It all started really early in the morning October 20th. Happy 18 months to Chasers. Anyway we got up really early to head to the airport there in Albuquerque. Shannon's husband Ryan was taking us and I had him stop by Starbucks to pick me up a coffee. Yummy. We had to wait about 10 minutes for it to open and I was wondering if we would have time. Ryan and I discussed him driving really fast afterwards so we waited.

Finally Starbucks opened up and I placed my order and we drove around. I love this Starbucks because when we drove up they said it was free. SCORE!! It's funny because a week prior I was at the very same Starbucks ordering my coffee and muffin when I drove up to the window the lady said I didn't owe anything. I was surprised and she explained that the gentleman in front of me had picked up my tab. AWESOME!!

Anyway back to the story again. We make it to the airport and head on through security. Now traveling with a child and no extra help can be a bit challenging at times. Because we all know the best way to hide a bomb is on the stroller. Alright not funny but the stroller has to be emptied of the child and the pockets that collect lots of trash and boogie wipes has to be emptied as well. I even have to take the babies shoes off. Seriously...I am not making this up.

I collect Chase we walk through and we get beeped. I empty the rest of my pockets and we walk back through. Once through we collect our things and off to the gate we go. They are already boarding so we show the lady our ticket and head right on to the plane.

Once on the plane I get Chase settled I put up my bags and we sit tight. About 10 minutes later they are walking through the cabin shutting the over head bins and telling everyone to turn off their electronics. All the sudden I remember my phone.....my phone....I stand up to feel my pockets, I look in my bag. I realize I don't have it. Not that big of a problem but then I remember the security point and my wallet. My WALLET, with my ID.

I jump up and tell the flight attendant the story really quick. She says "Oh well, we can't let you go get it but would you like to wait for another plane to LA?" Um no lady!! I tell her "That wouldn't be a problem if I was only flying to LA, but that if I didn't make this flight I would miss my connection to Tokyo. "Oh" she says, "That does sound like a problem."

She then tells me that it's the pilot's decision. Chase is sitting in his seat belted in so I walk up to the front with the flight attendant. She tells him the story and thankfully he gave me the go ahead.

Now in the split second I thought do I take Chase with me and run to the security and risk them changing their minds, or do I leave him on the plane knowing they wouldn't leave me behind?????

Of course I left my baby are you kidding me....I knew they wouldn't leave me with Chase on board. He was my golden ticket.

I ran all the way to the security check point. Out of breath I tell them what i have lost and anxiously wait to see if it was turned in/found. Yay it was!! I have to sign my life away before they give it to me, then I run all the way back to the plane.

So....that's my story of almost missing my plane. I am just thankful that I remembered when I did. I don't know what I would have done in LA without my ID and Credit Cards. I would have been stuck there with no money and only my passport which wouldn't even get me into Okinawa. I have to show my military ID.

Thankfully God was watching over my forgetful brain.

New Mexico Equals Spanish

Carter: Hey Mom did you know that Bryson is Spanish?

Mom: (me half listening to him) "What did you say Carter?"

Carter: "Yeah, he is spanish because he was born in New Mexico."



The things kids say.....hilarious!! Though it does make since, when we visit New Mexico you hear spanish everywhere you go.

My Very Special Friend Sarah

Sarah is another one of my very special friends. There aren't enough words to describe her, but a few of them would be creative, loyal, talented and willing. She is one of those friends that will bend over backwards to help you. Sarah and I became really close as all our other friends were moving from Pope AFB in 08. Remember me talking about my other friend Joanna in a few posts below, if you aren't leaving your friends then you are being left behind and that is exactly what was happening.

All our friends were moving away, Pope AFB was preparing to be turned over to the Army. Sarah and I clung together. Both of our husbands were deployed so we hung out a lot. We would take turns cooking diner at each others houses and going out to eat. We would load up her carseats in my Tahoe and off we would go. Click HERE to read about one of our adventures.

My family and friends think I am talented and creative but I don't even make up a quarter of the creativity that Sarah has. Joe will always remember Sarah as the girl who got us started on recycling and how easy it really was. She went as far as to clean and disinfect her old recycling trash can and set it up in our house. Honestly it was that easy. All we do is put the recycling in that trash can instead of the other. Now we are doing our part, living here in Japan it is mandatory so we were already set up thanks to her.

She taught me how to quilt and I was able to make my sister a beautiful quilt for her wedding.




She is able to free hand henna. She also does henna on leather which is beautiful. You should check out her ETSY SITE as there are many more handmade items there. Actually I just checked and she doesn't have any items up for sale right now but check back. Here family is getting ready to move to England so I know they are super busy.

She made these out of corn husks, this is the kind of creativity I am talking about.
Joe was gone the whole time I was pregnant with Chase and the first three months of his life and Sarah was there by my side. She helped me more than she will ever know and I am horored to call her my friend. She is an amazing woman.

Like I said earlier her family is getting ready to move to England and will be living in Albuquerque for 6 months prior. Her husband has to do a bit of training before hand. Since she knew I was going to be in Albuquerque she decided to fly from North Carolina and visit Chasers and I. What an awesome friend right??!!





We went out to eat and shopped at the mall. She talked me into buying something from Fredricks of Hollywood ;) We had a good time visiting again. I can't wait until next time.
Click HERE to read a very funny post about Sarah's daughter when she was a baby and I watched her.

Taylor Grace Newborn Session ~ Okinawa Newborn Photographer

So today was Taylor's newborn session. I was so glad that my mom and sister were there to see just how much work goes into a newborn session. They are HARD and very time consuming!

Conversation with a (typical) Newborn

Me: Well hello bright eyes! I am so pleased to meet you. I am excited that you are going to share four hours of your day with me. I have been looking forward to holding you and playing with you. I have the house all nice and cozy for you at about 85 degrees, everything is quiet here, your mama is going to make sure you have a full tummy, and then I want you to just sleep sleep sleep. Sound good?

Five minutes pass.

Baby: HEY! WHERE IS MY MOM? A picture shoot is not how I had my day planned out. Your crampin my style lady.

Thirty minutes pass and we have little or nothing to show for it.

Baby: We need to have a one on one. I think you missed the memo. About a week ago, all was perfect in my world. I was warm, snuggled, it was quiet, I never got hungry, I never needed to be changed and my mom was always holding me. That all came to a rather abrupt halt on my birthday and I am still trying to adjust to the changes. While there are some advantages to being out of the womb, I am having to cope with quite a bit these days, the very least you could do to make this transition easier would be to hold me. What makes you think I can balance my own head on my hands and who says I want to? Please pass me back to my mother now. She’ll know what to do.

Me: Ahhhhh…yes….I do see the difficulties I am creating for you today. I am doing my best to make this easy for you but it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better darlin.

Baby: You say that as though I have no options here. I’ll have you know that I am firm believer in boundaries and I will enforce my lines as needed. If you continue to push me on this, I am going to have to give you a presentation of my power.

Me: I have no doubt that is true and I expect no less. I have learned to be a woman of patience though and am pretty determined myself. Unlike you, I have had years to hone my skills and you, babe, are brand new player in this grand adventure of life. That puts the odds in my favor.

Baby: Now I am getting very angry. Maybe you are unaware of the cards I hold. I can cry – very loud and very long. I can flail. I can refuse to be swaddled. I can insist on being fed every five minutes. If that doesn’t work, I can spit up on your best blanket and I can potty on everything you’ve got. But we don’t have to go there. We can stop all this right now. Pass me back to my mama.

Me: You do indeed hold all those cards. I expect you to play each and every one of them. When you fuss and flail, I will smile at you and think you a perfect little creation. When you insist on being fed, I will be your champion and ask your mommy to abandon her feeding schedule and give you all the nourishment you want. When you potty all over my stuff, I will gladly clean it right up. I am a persistent woman sweetheart. My own mama taught me that with children, you have to be willing to go farther than they are. I have learned that lesson well and I confess my strategy to you upfront. All is well baby. Just go to sleepytown now.

Hour one passes and the duel continues.

At the ninety minute mark, we still have very little to show for our efforts and mom and dad are breaking into a sweat.

Somewhere between hour two and three, after baby has insisted on being fed again for the umpteenth time, the conversation winds down.

Baby: I am feeling an odd sort of sensation now. It’s toasty warm, my tummy is more than full, and I am getting quite exhausted. Yawn…..still though….I have some fight left…..sssshhhhhhhhhh.

And then…there is a twitch…and a few sleepy smiles….and…out for the count.

And then…I lean down close and whisper this…

Me: Good night sweet thing. You put up a gallant fight today and I applaud your efforts. No one will fault you for abandoning your grand plan to unravel our photo shoot. You are sufficiently milk drunk now and can no longer resist my charms. Now I can move you into many different positions, switch hats and blankets and baskets and beds, and you will sleep in blissful oblivion and we will accomplish a lot in the final stretch of our shoot. I realize that you have given up several hours of your fine day that you can never get back but by the time you wake up this will be a distant memory. You will forget.

But know this little one…your Daddy and Mommy will never get these precious few hours of your life back either. Because of what you and I did together today…they will never forget. Sleep baby sleep.

Spending time with the grandparents.

Chase had so much fun spending time with his great grandparents Gigi and Poppy (my grandparents).

Then he spent time with his Gramie and Pop Pop (Joe's parents).

He hung out with my mom Mimi.

And also with his "adopted" grandparents Gammy and Gampy.

My brother's family photo session ~ Okinawa Photographer

While I was in New Mexico my brother and his wife asked if I would take their family photos. We drove up to Cloud Croft and had a blast. They were very easy and I feel so blessed to be able to do this for them. Here are a couple of the shots that I got today.




If you would like to see more of my work check out my website at Dawn Hudson Photography.

Meeting up with old Friends.

We were stationed with them back in North Carolina and after we left they got pregnant and had baby Cora. I was so shocked and excited when I learned of Cora and was so happy I was able to meet her. She is just precious as can be and looks just like daddy.
We met up at a cute little restaurant called El Pinto. It was so yummy and I couldn't believe how big it was. They had tables outside on all the patios surrounding the whole restaurant. We sat outside and it was beautiful. I am so thankful for wonderful friends that would drive up to come see us.
When you are in the military and moving every 3 years you leave a lot of friends behind, or you are left behind. When you are so far away from home a lot of your friends become like family. It was an honor to be able to see Joanna and Ian again and to meet sweet baby Cora. I do hope our paths cross again because it would be so wonderful to live down the street from you once more.

Albuquerque Balloon Festival

Chase and I got up very early this morning and headed to the Balloon Festival with the Hein Family. Joseph and I went to high school with Ed and they were best buds. They graciously allowed us to stay the night with them and take us to the balloon festival.

Like I said before we got up way before the sun rose and headed to the field. Shannon called me around 330 when we were getting up and said she was at the hospital and in labor. I saw this balloon and thought it was quite fitting.

Apparently it was windy up higher and it was pilot discretion. A few did go up but most stayed on the ground. Which honestly was probably better for Chase so he could actually see the balloons.

Ed just found out that he and his wife Michelle are going to be having twins. When I saw this picture I thought it was perfect.

Carter loves Darth Vader.

The crowd one direction

and then the other.

This is the inside of the Jack balloon above.

This is Ed, Michelle and Daken. Their daughter was with grandma.

Daken loved the balloons

Ed and Daken.