Hudson's Thoughts on Codi - WOW

Nov 6, 2013

Hudson, My Love,

You are a very very special child.  You were born under a very special star.  Always remember that. 

Codi died a few weeks ago and it has been difficult on us all.  You cried and you have been trying to process it all.  Your thoughts before you went to bed tonight were so sweet, so honest and so true that I cried!

You have really talked about Codi and tried to process that she isn't coming back.  The other day, you grabbed her picture, started chewing on the wood frame it was in and started to cry.  It was so sad, yet so important!!   It's important to cry when you are sad and it is ok to be sad and let it out. Don't forget that.  Daddy and I watched you with heavy hearts and hugged you tightly. 

Tonight before bed, you were very introspective for a boy of 5.  You talked about Codi.  You asked if Dog heaven was in space or in the sky.  Then, you asked where God lived - space or sky - and if God was dead-- "Where is God?  How is He everywhere and why can't we see Him?"  Then, you explained that one of your classmates did not believe in God and she had said that God was dead.  You couldn't believe that your classmate had said that.  I told you God was everywhere.  

You continued, "If Codi comes back... Wait,  she is never coming back, right?  She had a stomach bug, and I understand mamma, the bad stuff took over the good stuff in her body."  Then, you talked about how she was happy in dog heaven - eating and playing - and we both agreed that we would meet her tonight in our dreams and play.  

BUT THE VERY BEST PART the part that moved me, and I quote:

"I will always be connected to Codi.  There is an invisible line from my heart to her in dog heaven.  A line with the heart at the end of it and the line cannot break because love never dies."

WOW.  You are so profound.  You made me introspective.  I thought of my father.  I sure love you sweet boy.  You have a beautiful heart Hudson.  It's deep and soulful.  

xo Rhondi 

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

June 16, 2013

We had a great Father's Day!  Hudson made Daddy's coffee in the morning and we gave him presents.  We all went to church and then brunch.  We put JH in the nursery at church,  and my poor baby cried after 10 minutes.  He was very upset!  JH,  you were shaking and crying,  you were so upset.  You are getting attached to your mommy and daddy JH.  You sweet baby.  I felt so bad!  And Hudson won't even go to the Bible study.  He refuses...  We spent the rest of the day at home and it was a great day!  Hudson asked Daddy many times, "Daddy, is this your best Father's Day ever?"

Happy Father's Day Daddy!  Thanks for being an amazing Daddy!  Xox 

Dreams of My Father...

March 11, 2013

Boys,
This morning I woke up and I remembered that I had a very spiritual dream about my Father, your Gidi. It was wild, because I rarely dream of him. Dreams fade quickly so I'll try to remember what I dreamt. I know I had it in the late morning because Daddy left for work early and I had already woken up. This dream happened after I went back to sleep. I was sad when I woke up because it had to end, but I was happy that I had a visit from my father. I remember laying on a bed face down and all of a sudden I was being hugged hard, and maybe my hand was being squeezed hard. I was so happy my Dad finally came to see me and talk to me after all this time. I think I asked him why he had not come sooner. I asked him if he was in heaven and how was it? He said he was and I remember that he was positive and happy when speaking of heaven. I cannot remember much more, sadly, and I know we had a longer visit. I just remember hugging tight and him being happy and me being so happy to see him and talk to him....

Boys, I wish you could have met your Gidi. He was a helluva guy. A big, boisterous, colorful and big hearted man. You knew when he walked into a room. He would have loved you all so much. I think of him everyday. I wish I could have known him as an adult.

I love you Daddy/Gidi

Adventure Walk with Daddy

1-5-13

Hudson,
You and Daddy went on an adventure walk today with the dogs in Greenwich around the Mianus River park. You all had a lot of fun and there was still snow on the ground. Daddy says you have a great sense of direction and found the cave on your own. You always wear your ranger vest for the walks. You also put your dinosaur books in your pocket and Daddy let you have one of his pocket knives. You loved it all. You really love the outdoors. I mean LOVE! It's great! It's a beautiful thing to love the outdoors. You all always have fun on adventure walks.

Xoxo We love you, mamma

Daddy and Henry

11-22-12

Henry,

Here is a great pic of you and Daddy on Thanksgiving day. Many people think you look like Daddy and I have to agree! Daddy loves you.

Xoxo Mamma

Daddy's Birthday - Sept 27, 2012

Sept 27, 2012

Today was Daddy's birthday. We had a blast! We got Daddy's birthday cake and Hudson could barely wait to eat it. That's all he thought about all day! We tried to hide, it but you told Daddy about it. You are not really great at hiding secrets. Hudson, you love birthdays and presents. It's so cute! You opened all of Daddy's presents in literally 30 seconds! Daddy is most proud of his boys- that's his best present!

Happy Birthday Daddy! We love you!!!!

Daddy and John Henry

Sept 2012

Here are a few sweet pictures of Daddy and John Henry. Many people are telling us that JH looks like his Daddy. JH, you did get fair skin and blue eyes like Daddy and Hudson has dark eyes and olive skin like my family, however, if you put your pictures side to side when Hudson was a baby, you all look alike!

Xoxo Mamma

Daddy Adoring John Henry

September 2012

JH,

Daddy was adoring you. You have blue eyes and sandy blond hair like him. I hope your eyes stay blue! I thought you would have brown eyes and hair like me because I have dominant genes, but right now, you don't. Your skin is even more fair, like Daddy. Your absolutely beautiful, that's all I know!!

I love you baby love, Mamma

Daddy and His Boys

August 31, 2012

Father's Day

June 19, 2011

Today we celebrated Father's Day. You helped me make Daddy a card yesterday and get his presents together. This morning, we brought Daddy a cup of coffee in bed. Then, you went and got all his presents. You walked in our room and said, "Happy Father's Day Daddy!!" You say it in the cutest, sweetest voice and I wish you could hear yourself talk at the age of three. Daddy and I always comment on your voice. It's the most precious little baby voice. So, then, you basically opened his presents. You get so excited about surprises and presents! You think they are all for you. We got Daddy a mini Foosball table (for both of you), some beautiful POLO shirts, and Hermes cologne. Daddy was happy. Then, I made you all turkey bacon, wheat pancakes and a fruit bowl. Then, we all went to church. You were so excited that I was going to church with you all. Usually, Daddy takes you and Mamma takes an hour and a half to relax.

We spent the rest of the day mostly relaxing at the home. It was 102 degrees here in Dallas and it's hard to do anything when it's that hot except go to the pool. However, you weren't feeling great so we opted out. We ended up going to a movie, 'Mr. Popper's Penguins', and you were happy as a clam while you ate Skittles and popcorn. The minute you were done, you said, "I'm finished, let's go." It was a cute movie, but just a little too grown up for you. It's funny, you either take to a movie immediately or you don't.

My sweet baby went downhill from there and you fell asleep in the car at 5pm. We put you in our bed and you slept until 6:30. You rarely sleep at 5 like that. I can't remember the last time that happened. You woke up burning up. I gave you some medicine and you took a shower with Daddy. Afterwards, you said, "I don't want to watch TV. Can we just go to bed?" Off to bed you went. I pray my baby wakes up feeling better. I felt so bad for you my baby. I wish I could take your sickness and put it in me!

Daddy and I hung out, drank wine, ate shrimp and played Yahtzee while you napped. We had so much fun! We all had a nice day for Father's Day!

I wish my Daddy, your Gidi, was here to meet you. He would eat you up. He was colorful just like you. I think about him today and I wish I could hug him.

Happy Father's Day to your Daddy, to your Gidi and to your Big John.

xoxo I love you amore mio, Mamma


My precious baby sleeping in our bed. You are an angel here on Earth.




This is one of the POLO shirts we gave Daddy for Father's Day. Daddy looked very handsome in this blue one.

A Look Back - Daddy in His 20s

When I was at Big John and Susu's recently, I took pictures of these pictures that are hanging in their house.  Your Daddy was in his 20s and he was so handsome! 

Gidi's Birthday - the 26th

June 26, 2012

Today is a special day for Mamma - always.  Today is my Daddy's birthday and 26 is one of my special numbers because of it.  My Daddy, your Gidi, would be 83 years old today.  Wow!  I wish he were here to see my life and my Hudson and my new baby boy on the way, but I know that he is watching us from above.

I love you, Daddy!

A Look back... Mamma at 4 years of age

Here is Mamma at 4 years of age- 1979/1980.  Who did you think Hudson looks like?  He looks an awful lot like me!!!   He definitely has my red lips.  We got those from my Daddy, your Gidi, who had gorgeous, plump, red lips.  It's hard to look at your child and see who's face he resembles, but I do see his face in mine in this picture.   I cannot wait to see what Baby Boy Squires 2 looks like!!

xoxo Mamma

Brushing your Teeth with Daddy

May 2, 2012

Trampoline Fun with Daddy

May 2012

You and Daddy were having fun this morning on the trampoline!   We have all had lots of fun times on this trampoline in our backyard in Dallas, Texas.  I have been pregnant and unable to jump with you for months, but I have spent a good amount of time jumping on it with you too!  So has Annette, Erik and Jackie (her kids), and lots of your friends as well.

xo Mamma

Hudson, Mr. Energy, takes a Rest at the Park

February 26, 2012

Daddy's Got a Big New Job!

October 31, 2011

Hudson,
A press release came out today and your Daddy was all over it. Daddy has a new big gig with the Gannett Company working for The USA Today Sports Media Group. He will be senior vice president of sports marketing and will direct league relationships. I am very proud of Daddy!! Your Daddy has a super cool job, which almost any guy would love to have.

Here is the press release from The Sports Business Journal:

Terry Lefton's story from this morning's Sports Business Journal:

USA Today beefs up sports
Investment in Sports Media Group includes big-name biz hires http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2011/10/31/Media/USA-Today.aspx

Gannett and USA Today are getting serious about sports, with a major refocus and investment that includes the hiring of top names in editorial, marketing and sales to fill an expanding USA Today Sports Media Group.

The new hires, which include such sports business veterans as Dave Morgan, Peter Lazarus, Merrill Squires and John Von Stade, are backing print and online content plays designed to make the digital version of the nation’s biggest circulation newspaper more competitive against top sports sites in an effort to drive traffic.

The overall effort is being led by former Sports Illustrated and Broadband Sports marketer Tom Beusse, brought on in January as president of USA Today Sports Media, with a mission to marshal sports content over Gannett’s 82 daily newspapers, 23 television stations, USA Today and digital assets, including USAToday.com.

Related Gannett sports assets are also intriguing, not only the daily newspapers, but sites like HighSchoolSports.net and action sports site BNQT.com, and the USA Today Weekly sports publication and associated website. In 2008, Gannett also took a minority stake in Fantasy Sports Ventures, which now operates as Big Lead Sports.

Gannett has hired longtime editorial executive Morgan to lead the news effort. Morgan was executive editor at top-five sports site Yahoo! Sports before he left in June; prior to that he was deputy sports editor at the Los Angeles Times. Morgan will serve as editor-in-chief of the USA Today Sports Media Group, and he will start this week while being based in Los Angeles.

The goal is to expand the relevancy and impact of the USA Today brand in sports, while balancing and enhancing sports content within Gannett’s local print products and their accompanying sites.

In an interesting parallel, while Gannett is looking to burnish the USA Today brand and reinvigorate sports within strong local print titles, ESPN is extending its scope with local Web and radio plays in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New York. NBC and new parent Comcast are facing the same challenge in merging their local and national sports assets.

“Everyone’s trying to be local, but we are local already, so then it is just about execution, integration and picking our spots with all of our local content under a national umbrella,” Beusse said, pointing to Yahoo’s extensive network of sports blogs as an area USA Today would look to emulate.

With Morgan just starting, new editorial products are still being planned, but they will be gradual and won’t be readily apparent until 2012. “By midyear, we should look wholly different,” Beusse added.

An industry launch during Super Bowl week in Indianapolis is being planned.

Specific editorial plans are perhaps not as important as the support the plans have from senior management at Gannett, one of many old-line print empires trying to find their way in an increasingly digital world.

Beusse would not say exactly how much Gannett, a company with $7 billion in annual revenue, has committed to the effort beyond saying “millions.” The top-level executives he has been able to recruit offer some indication of Gannett’s enthusiasm. Morgan, the new top editorial voice within Gannett sports, will report to Beusse. Beusse said he will also hire 30 or so Web developers and 25 to 30 marketing and sales types.

Aside from money for staffing, Beusse also has the nod for acquisitions.
The first of those came last month when Gannett acquired US Presswire’s network of photographers and images, and with it a library of 10 million digital images.


USA Today’s Sports Media Group’s sales will be directed by Lazarus, who joins as senior vice president/head of multimedia sales after working for the last three years leading sales and marketing at Univision. Lazarus was NBC’s top sports and Olympics sales and marketing executive from 1997 to 2006. Also on board is Squires, former sports marketing and Olympic director at SI, now senior vice president of sports marketing, who will direct league relationships.

“USA Today is a strong brand that’s never been extended into sports from a marketing perspective,” Squires said. “We see a void out there and there’s a commitment from the top to build and buy. That’s a pretty exciting place to start.”

Von Stade, longtime Velocity/Team Epic senior vice president, is also on board as vice president/properties, under which he will develop and sell properties around print franchises like the paper’s college football coaches poll or with the niche it has established in covering high school sports on a national basis, with elements like the Super 25 high school rankings across various sports.

“If Big Lead Sports can crack the top 10, you have to believe a brand like USA Today, with deep pockets and 30 years’ heritage, has a great opportunity,” said Jimmy Lynn, former AOL Sports vice president of partnerships and strategic development, now an independent consultant. “If they can win the battles for audience in developing areas like high school sports, lacrosse or MMA, those are the younger demos so many advertisers want.”

September’s comScore monthly rankings have USA Today Sports 10th among sports sites in terms of unique visitors (12.7 million for the month), just below NBCSports.com (14.6 million). Beusse vows to get the site into the top five, but he will have to compete with leagues and TV networks, both of which have unfettered access to compelling sports video. So how will USA Today and its local newspaper sites acquire the requisite video to surpass the likes of NBA.com, FoxSports.com and NFL.com? Beusse said it will be acquired through distribution deals and content generated within Gannett, using John Elway’s weekly show on Gannett-owned KUSA-TV in Denver as an example. “Video is critical absolutely; consumers and advertisers are insisting on it,” Beusse said.

Tom Richardson, a former NFL and AOL digital executive who now heads Convergence Sports & Media, added, “Certainly, video acquisition will be a big question for them, but most mainstream print media is treading water at best, so you have to applaud anyone breaking ground there.”

Beusse said he is leaving most of the editorial development to Morgan, but said it will be vital to add gravitas and personality to USA Today’s sports.

“We need to reinfuse the voice back into the brand,” he said. “That may or may not be through more columns; these days it could be a tweet, but it definitely has to be personality driven.”

Church with Daddy

October 24, 2011

Adventure Walk with Daddy

Sept 4, 2011

You, Daddy, Codi and Gracie go on long adventure walks in the park on St John's in Highland Park on Turtle Creek.  It's an amazing creek.  It goes for a long time and.  You all put on your rain boots and walk all the way through the creek all the way to this huge tunnel, which you walk through.  Sometimes you talke your head lamp.  You all have so much fun!

Daddy loves these walks with you!!

The Greatest Head of Hair - Why do We Have to Cut it?

August 10, 2011

Hudson,

Your hair is super long and I LOVE IT! We all do. You really have one fine head of hair little boy. You have always had a lot - just like your Daddy, who also has beautiful hair (and so does his Daddy, your Big John). Your hair grew in quickly around 5 to 6 months and that was all she wrote. You had a head full of head for your 18 month photos and you looked 3 already. You have always looked like a little man and your hair is part of the reason.

I didn't want to cut it, but I figured you needed a little trim before school and your bangs were getting in your eyes. We always go to the Stride Rite Hair salon and Ms Mechelle always cuts it. The first year, you did not like going. You had to sit in my lap and you would not wear a smock whatsoever Now, just look at you, you are such a big boy. You sit there with your smock and let her do her job. The Scooby Doo show that you were watching helped. You know exactly where the sucker drawer is too, and you walk right over to it when you are done.

Here's to your beautiful head of hair that you will really love one day...

I love you, Mamma