Catching up with The Collins

These last couple of weeks have been so busy for us. We went on a date and left Hudson with my mom (unfortunately we forgot the camera). Then last weekend my dad was camping in his motor home so we went to visit him in Newport Beach and then down on Coronado Island. And we had a surprise anniversary party with a few my dad and step mom's closest friends to celebrate their 20th anniversary!

In my dad's motor home celebrating Travis' birthday.

Kathy and Hudson hanging out in the motor home.

My dad and Hudson at the surprise anniversary party.

Between my dad and step mom there are 7 kids. This is all of us with spouses and kids.

Trever took some pictures of us kids and photoshopped himself in a few of the pictures;) The picture below is Summer presenting them with one of the pictures framed. To see pictures from the photo shoot with us kids click here.

My dad and Kathy with all their grandkids.

Today is a special day for us...

One year ago today we found out we were going to have this little guy.

I am sure every mom can recall the moment in which they realized they were going to be a mom. The feeling is indescribable and a moment I will cherish in my memories for the rest of my life. I remember walking home from the restaurant where I told Travis he was going to be a dad (read the story here) and I was literally squealing on the way home. I could hardly contain myself. At the time it just felt like an exciting dream, but the reality of it really didn't hit until I started feeling him move.

This last year has probably been the best year of my life. I absolutely loved being pregnant, giving birth and I have been loving every moment since. For those of you who know me well, you know I have always wanted to be a mom and wife. It really is the greatest joy of my life. I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to be a steward of this precious child. One thing we pray for Hudson more than anything else is for his salvation. Our deepest desire isn't that he would be musical, smart, funny, handsome or athletic, but that he would put his trust in Jesus Christ as Savior of his life. Our number one goal in our home is to reflect the love of Christ in our family pointing Hudson to the cross. I can't wait to celebrate when Hudson becomes a part of the family of God.

Here are a few pictures of Hudson on this special day.

Camp Ojai

The last 2 weeks we have been in Ojai (which is near Ventura) for a camp with the high school students from our church. Saddleback Church has a few different campuses and since we are at the San Clemente campus we don't get to spend much time with the other staff members from other campuses. So, we really enjoyed getting to know a bunch of the high school ministry team. They are an amazing group of people who clearly have a heart for the Lord and the youth of our church. It was refreshing to be around them and the students. One of the highlights for me was to watch the students go from not really paying attention during worship to really responding by the end of the week. It is amazing what God can do to our hearts when we take time to step away from the chaos and distractions of our normal lives and focus on our relationship with Him.

The first week we stayed at a local hotel and the following week we stayed in a trailer on the camp grounds. Travis' brother, Chad, came with us and helped lead worship. It was nice to get some time with him. I think Hudson really enjoyed it. Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Hudson did great going to all the night sessions with the students. Everyone was constantly saying what a happy and easy going baby he is. He is such a social baby and already loves to interact with people. Below is a picture of the outdoor amphitheater where we had worship and a time of teaching.

We celebrated Travis' birthday during the first week. Since I couldn't make him a cake we decided to go to Wendy's to get a birthday frosty... that is the same thing right?

Hudson: "Mom got me a new toy. It is an elephant with a music box inside. I think we might call him 'Effy' (the name my Uncle Brandon gave him). At this point in Effy's life he spends a lot of time in my mouth."

Hudson: "Mom tried the target brand diapers... and well... we don't like them very much"

Hudson and I about to head out for dinner with the students.

One day each week the students would go for a beach day. At the end of the day we would have dinner, smores, and a time of testimonies and worship. During the last song Travis had the students turn around and just look at God's creation while we worshipped our Creator... it was such a sweet moment.

Chad was giving Hudson "raspberries" and it was so funny to watch him scream after each one.

The second week during beach day it was really cold around dinner time. So, we bundled Hudson up with his adorable little beanie and hooded sweatshirt.

I am not kidding when I said it was cold... it was so cold Hudson and I didn't last long. We ended up heading back to camp before the night was over.

Hud update

Hudson here checkin' in. I am 3 1/2 months now and my dad is teaching me new skills all the time. Here is our latest...

As you can tell mom was having a hard time keeping us in the center of the photo because we were going so fast on the skate board.

Next skill to master... finding my feet;)

Hudson laughing

A couple of weeks ago Hudson started really laughing more than just a chuckle. We just can't get enough of him laughing. It is amazing how much joy children can bring into our lives.

I thought I would post a couple of videos we caught of him laughing up here at Camp Ojai. We have been at a camp for the high school students from our church for the past 2 weeks. It has been so much fun and I will post more about camp as soon as we get home. Anyway, the first video is side ways because I was holding the video camera while holding him. Hudson always seems to notice the camera, so we have to try to hide it to try to catch him in the moment.

The second video is at the beach in Ventura. One of the days at camp the students go to the beach to hang out, eat dinner, roast some smores and then finish the night with worship and a time of testimonies.

CBU Girls Weekend

There is something so sweet about college girlfriends. They are so different than any other girlfriends you acquire at any other point in life. Something about living together during such a pivotal point of life creates a bond that will never be broken. These girls are some of my favs and I cherish our time together even if for the most part it is just once a year. I always seem to walk away from our time feeling refreshed and more encouraged in my walk with God. This year was special because this year we had little ones join the festivities.

Below is 7 out of the 8 of us who get together annually (Emily was only there for the first night and unfortunately we didn't take any pics that night).

All 5 of the kids minus baby Logan who is still baking in mom's tummy. (my brother-in-law Chad said this caption is "super mom-ish"... which I am allowed to be since I am a mom... haha)

The smiles didn't last long and I almost think this picture is cuter than the first.

We maybe 27 but we still act like we are 5 once we are in the pool. We had a hand stand competition and I think pregnant Amy won the prize;)

Then off to dinner... I couldn't pass up this picture... oh Michelle how I love you!

We have this tradition of "surprising" the pregnant moms with a baby shower when we go out to dinner. We started this because we all live all over the place so often we don't get to attend the traditional shower. Well, last year we did this for Marcella and Shannon, but little did we know I was actually pregnant. Travis and I found out we were going to have a baby a few hours after the girls left last year. I was expecting this year to just celebrate with Amy, but to my surprise the girls were prepared to celebrate baby Hudson too. It was totally sweet and unexpected.

Below is a picture of Amy opening up a few of the fun gifts...not much longer until Logan will be here!

I love you girls and I can't wait for next year!

really?

This can really happen in 3 months? crazy!




I think there will be a lot of this in Hudson's life.

4 years and counting...

Travis and I just celebrated our 4th anniversary on July 24th. This past year has been a really special year for us because 2 weeks after our anniversary last year we found out we were going to have a baby. Now here we are with a 3 month old son and our love for each other is even greater. I remember on our wedding day praying for the children we would some day have... and this year we can look into Hudson's face and thank God for our first born. It seemed fitting to take the most precious gift God has ever given to us on our anniversary trip to La Jolla (and of course, we aren't ready to leave him yet).

We went to La Jolla for 2 days and stayed at The Lodge at Torrey Pines. We booked this amazing 5 star hotel through hotwire.com and paid less than half price for each night!

We love Mexican food so we started off the first night going to a hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant the concierge recommended. The food was amazing and while we were there Hudson heard a mariachi band for the first time.

Below Travis was trying to make a good impression of Hudson.

The next morning we went to breakfast in downtown La Jolla. The food was so good we decided to go there the next day too.

As you can see we ate like a king and queen.

Hudson showing off his old man hat.

Then we sat and watched the huge waves that were hitting the so cal coast. Back home in San Clemente they even had to close the pier because the waves were so big.

Travis took Hudson down closer to the water. It is moments like these that I will cherish forever. I love watch Travis striving to be the father God has called him to be. I can't wait to tell Hudson stories about how his dad loved him from the very beginning.

An attempt at a self portrait;)

We headed back to the hotel for some time in the pool. The pool was a saline pool and there were underwater speakers playing classical music! Hudson seemed to enjoy the water a little bit more this time... it must have been the music ;)

Then off to Cheesecake Factory for a dinner to celebrate these past 4 years.

Travis loving on Hudson before our dinner came.

At dinner Travis surprised me with this little box below (it is amazing how a turquoise box with a white bow can make a girl blush). He picked out a beautiful silver ring that will always remind me of this season of our lives together being a young married couple with our first precious baby.

The next day we had breakfast, spent some time enjoying the town and then headed home. Our trip was a wonderful time of reflecting how amazing God's grace has been in our lives. It is because of His grace we are able to forgive, lay down our pride, sacrifice, submit, lead and love each other.