Grandbaby number six has arrived safe and sound. Hudson Clark McKinney is absolutely adorable, with his daddy’s chin and his mommy’s pretty eyes. And again, DW and I missed it.

Baby number three for James and Kathleen was due on Thanksgiving Day. But on the night of Nov. 6, my birthday, it looked like Hudson was going to arrive on the scene.  Craziness, Kathleen called it.

After being sent home from the hospital three times, things finally settled down and the doctor said the baby would probably come in a couple of days. He didn’t, so Kathleen went back to work, teaching second graders, and big sisters were disappointed.

They were ready for him to come out and play.

After a follow-up doctor’s visit, it was decided to give Hudson until the 22^nd to come on his own. I was  hopeful that DW and I would be there for this one.

We were in Florida when their first one arrived, two weeks early; and we missed the second baby girl’s delivery by a couple of hours, it was a long drive to south Louisiana that December morning, but she was also about two weeks early

Baby brother wasn’t coming early it was beginning to look like.

At her next doctor’s visit on the 18^th it was decided that it was time for Hudson to come.  James called to tell us that Kathleen was being admitted that night and that proceedings would begin the next morning, the 19^th.

Preparations were made and the girls were sent to their other grandmother’s house for the night.  I sent Kathleen a text wishing her a good night’s sleep so she could be well rested for the delivery.  But, craziness ensued.

At 6 a.m. just as I was getting up and planning on being there for Hudson’s arrival, James texted a short message, Hudson has arrived. Again, we had missed it.  But all was well, he weighed seven pounds and Kathleen was just fine.

DW and I hurriedly got ready and out the door and on the road to Memphis to meet #6, so glad they weren’t in south Louisiana!

His proud daddy was beaming, as he should with the birth of this precious third baby. James is our third son.  He came to stay with us the summer of 2007 while working as a youth minister intern. It became evident to us that he needed a family and that was us.

We had love to spare, just like welcoming a third child, there’s always more love.  JMc, as DW dubbed him, quickly became family. With us he had two brothers, parents, and a place to call home, something he had not known before.

At his first Thanksgiving with us he met his “new” extended family and endeared himself to all, blessing us in return. We’re extremely proud of JMc and his family, now a party of five!

At our first glimpse of Hudson he was in the midst of a huddle of nurses and students comfortably enjoying the warmth of the heat lamp, oblivious to all the attention he was getting.

Soon we held him and then his sisters arrived. Oh joy! And I don’t think they’ve missed a minute holding him since. And bless his little heart, he’s already been subjected to Alabama and Georgia football, in this divided house, wrapped in the appropriate blanket for each game.

Our dear little Hudson is in for lots of loving, fun, and craziness with his adoring family!

Recipe of the Week

Ham and Broccoli Medley

Use up leftover ham to make and take this dish to someone lucky!

1 6-ounce box wild rice, prepared per directions

1 10-ounce box frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained

1 ½ cups diced cooked ham

¾ cup cheddar cheese, grated

1 can cream of celery soup

¾ cup mayonnaise

½ tablespoon prepared mustard

Layer ingredients in lightly greased 9 x 12-inch foil pan (for taking) in this order: prepared rice, broccoli, ham, then cheese.  Mix soup, mayonnaise and mustard; pour over casserole.  Cover, bake in 350-degree oven for 45 minutes.  Goes deliciously with leftover sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce!