Hudson Family Foundation Super Bowl Bash Benefit Concert

Hello Family and Friends!!!!!

Dale and I are selling tickets for the Hudson Family Foundation Super Bowl Bash concert this year!!! The tickets that we have available are $60.00 each and are the BEST seats in the house: the scholarship section!! The Hudson Family Foundation is a wonderful organization that helps children dealing with life altering circumstances. The proceeds go towards the financial assistance of families in need due to childhood illness.

I thought about what we spend $60.00 on and came up with some pretty interesting info. As a family if 6, when we choose to eat fast food on 1 Saturday night (rather than cooking a much healthier home cooked meal) we come VERY close to $60.00! What seems to us to be an expense of convenience can be priceless to one of these families. That same $60.00 can mean that a little boy or girl's parent gets to stay at the motel next door rather than have to drive an hour both ways to get to their hospitalized child. To that child, the $60.00 is PRICELESS!! Taking the same meal and partaking in it every Saturday for 1 month: $240.00. Wow, that $240.00 may make the difference of a child being able to travel to receive needed treatments. There are a million different scenarios that I can think, but the bottom line is this: These families are in need and if sacrificing something as silly as McDonalds or a new pair of shoes that match the new sweater means that a sick child and their family benefit, then I am in!!! Besides, who wouldn't like to see THE BAND PERRY and COLE SWINDELL in concert with a great group of fans and right here in our own backyard!!!

I have a child that has a chronic illness. I can't express how grateful I am for the circumstances and care that we have available to us. We, fortunately, don't have to worry about some of the things financially that other families do. We have a wonderful family support system that enables Britt to be able to travel to some of the BEST doctors in the WORLD. I, as a mother, can't imagine what it would feel like to not know if I could afford the proper treatments for my child or if I could get my child to the appointments or if my child would have to be alone because temporary housing expenses are not an option. These are common obstacles that families with sick children face everyday and these are only a FEW of the MANY obstacles that the Hudson Family Foundation helps with.

We have about 20 tickets available and have access to more if we need them!! It would be an honor to have to get more tickets because so many are willing to donate to this awesome cause!!! If you would like more info on this organization, please check out their website: www.hudsonfamilyfoundation.com or check out their FB page at Hudson's Benefit Concerts. If you would like to purchase tickets, please either email us thecooks01@hotmail.com with subject "concert tix", private message one of us on Facebook or give us a call 334-203-1462.

Thank you all for your time, I know we can get all these ticket sold plus some!!!

Thanks again and God Bless You ALL!!!!

Sincerely,
Robin & Dale

Home School Here We Come!!!!!!

After many days and nights of pure frustration, we have decided to make the change to Home School! The current school system that we are in, of course, uses the "common core" curriculum. I am not dismissing the "common core" as ineffective because it is not, it's just not for us. Clete has been going to a structured "school" since he was 18 months old, before he went to kindergarten Clete already had been exposed to addition, subtraction so on and so forth. The way that this curriculum is taught absolutely confuses Clete to the highest degree! In math for example, he learned to simply add to numbers together, well they want him to break it down into about 5 different problems, then solve it. We also have seen some of the "history or civics" if you will, and it TOTALLY goes against what is true. I want my child to learn about our government the way that our Constitution draws it out, that is NOT what is being taught! We have found a great "Cover School" in Auburn who's first priority is making sure that the parents and students have all the support that they need to be successful at this. They also want to make sure that the children continue to thrive in there socialization skills. They plan at least 3 events a month where ALL(70 families) the children get together. These events are everything from trips to the park(that also allow the parents/teachers time to get together and bounce ideas/problems off each other) to going to the Atlanta Aquarium. I have found an extensive curriculum that not only has lesson plans for Clete, but also has lesson plans suitable for Tripp. There are NO preschools in Dadeville for Tripp so this gives me a better opportunity to prepare him as well! We plan to let Clete finish this year where he is and start the Home School in the fall. Being as OCD as I am about plans and schedules, it will take me that long to get it all together! Anyway, just another update on where we are and what's going on! Love to all! Robin

Moving Right Along........

I just wanted to get on here and do a quick little update for everyone. I believe that the last post I made was about Christmas, well here it is March 2, 2014! Cook's Market at Pug's Place is growing in leaps and bounds! We, of course have all of our fresh fruits and veggies, frozen veggies and soup mixes, jams, jellies, Alabama Honey and Wickles Pickles. We have really gotten moving with expanding our merchandise. We now have a Custom Embroidery Service that is awesome, my sister-in-law Wanda does all of my embroidering and she is great! Right now we have a line of bandeau style bikini tops and tankini tops that are monogrammable, they are SUPER cute! We have a Custom Wreath service, you can by one in the store or order one to fit your fancy! My niece Tori, does the wreaths! Our business truly is a FAMILY business, we all have our talents in there somewhere. It is awesome that we get to work with the family, we are always talking about new "ideas" to put out there, so FUN! We have the Custom Vinyl Design for pretty much everything! I do window decals, wall art, signage and drink ware. I have a specific line of double wall tumblers that I either decorate or monogram. I also do personalized stationary, such as personal stationary, invitations, Thank You notes and other occasion cards. I have also decided to carry on with "Cook's Confections", which is my dessert catering business. I do homemade,old fashion cakes, pies and other treats. I DO NOT do the elaborate custom cakes, we have our own cake caterer and let me tell you this lady can do ANYTHING! The best thing, is that cakes are her passion, she loves doing them so her prices are absolutely amazing! She is the best! Since we have moved into our own building that is MUCH larger than the other, we have more room to display everything that we carry. Our newest product line is "Lake Life". "Lake Life" is a locally owned company that produces tee shirts, tanks, jackets, hats, visors, bags, drink ware and towels that are themed for the "lake life"! The shirts come in different themes, depending on what your favorite hobby is here at the lake: Hooked(fishing), Boardin(Wake Boarding), Sippin(relaxing on the water with the drink of your choice)Freedom(patriotic with fireworks) and Lake Life(logo). There motto is "be as wild as you want to be"! The towels are HUGE and thick, they are great. We are so excited to be partnering with them! Our soups and stews have taken off like a rocket! We offer Homemade Brunswick Stew(my secret recipe), Potato Soup(my secret recipe) and Broccoli Cheddar Soup(my secret recipe). We also offer "Nana's Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup", we do this one about once a month. All of our soups and stews are offered "hot and ready" and in the frozen section, I have to say though that we rarely have any to freeze! Anyway, that's just an update on "Cook's Market"! We are all doing well! I had a rough time with my blood pressure, arthritis and fibrocystic disease about a month ago, but I am good now! Mainly just dealing with nerve pain in my feet. Clete and Tripp are growing like weeds and thankfully, have not had any illnesses this winter other than a runny nose here and there. Clete is making all "As" in school, but is having problems being challenged by the curriculum that they use. He tends to get bored very easy and then in an attempt to entertain his self gets in trouble. I am heavily looking into homeschooling. Dale is still having a few problems with his shoulder since the surgery, but overall is good. Britt is focusing on helping us with the business right now, he is my right hand man creatively. Jackson will be 16 next month! WOW! I still can't believe that my chunky, little, curly, blond headed baby is going to be driving! He just started baseball season and is a starter for the Varsity team. We are still totally devoted to our church here,Lake Martin Baptist Church. Dale and I both serve in the church. Dale drives one of the transportation vehicles and runs the audio/video for services. I work in the nursery. Last week I was honored when our pastor came to our store and asked me to be the Sunday Children's Ministry Director! Today was my first Sunday and I have to say, it was one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done! Standing up there telling these precious children stories about our Lord and Savior was great! I am so blessed to be the one that holds there little hands and helps them with the beginning of their lifelong walks with the Lord! My little Clete is in this ministry. This ministry is one of the most important things to guide him spiritually and I am the one up there doing it! This position is a BLESSING, that is about the only way the characterize it! Well, that about sums it up! Here are our newest pics! Hope you enjoy! Love to ALL! Robin

Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas from The Cooks!!!

In my last blog post I mentioned that I am just going forward with some flashbacks, instead of trying to catch everything up in one post. This is going to contain some flashbacks!

In September and October of this year, our family strengthened our walk with our Lord.  We found a church that is just up the road from us, Lake Martin Baptist Church, and began attending regularly. During that same two month period, Dale was saved and Baptized, Britt was Baptized, Jackson was Baptized and I was Baptized. I have been saved for a long time, but to be honest with you had never attended a church that I felt a connection with and thus had not been Baptized.  That all changed when we began attending Lake Martin Baptist Church. The 1st Sunday that we walked through those doors, the genuine love that we felt from the other parishioners and the pastor was overwhelming.  I knew that our family had found it's HOME!  This church is FILLED with the Holy Spirit and you feel it as soon as you walk in.  That being said, this Christmas was a very special one for our family!  Our church held a Christmas Eve service with Communion(The Lord's Supper).  It was very important to me that we attend this service as a family in Christ. Dale, myself, Britt and Jackson participated in Communion while the two little ones watched and learned. It was the best!  Little Clete wanted to participate, but we told him that this year he would have to watch and that maybe by next year he would be Baptized and could do it too.  Not long after Britt and I were Baptized(we were Baptized together, which was also extremely special to me) Clete prayed the sinners prayer and asked God to come into his heart! He can't wait to be Baptized, he talks about it all the time! 

After attending church service we came back to Dale's parent's house for a delicious turkey dinner and then opened presents with them.  They were overjoyed at all the gifts that they received and so were we! We have been so blessed this year! After getting baths with MiMi and Pop, we headed home to get ready for Santa to come, of course we had to pull up the "Santa Radar" for Clete to see.  The little ones sat in Dale's lap as he read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to them. They then fell asleep to Bubba(Britt) reading Luke 2 from the Bible.  What a blessed time it was for us!  We have been soooooo blessed this year! From our close walk with the Lord to our new business that we opened, we are just so overwhelmed by God's grace!

Christmas morning was great! All the little ones went crazy over their haul, as did the big ones! There is still bits and pieces of wrapping paper and bows scattered throughout the living room.  After presents Dale cooked us a breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon.  After that, at one time or another we all took naps. During the afternoon Britt, Jackson, Dale and Pop got outside and put together their new playhouse, telescope and trampoline while Tripp road his 4 wheeler around!  Blessed, Blessed, Blessed!!!!! We hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that God will continue to bless you in the upcoming year! We love you all!!!!!!!!!!!

Introducing..... Cook's Market at Pug's Place

WOW!!! It has been so long since I posted on my blog!  So much has transpired since then that it would be way to long a post to catch up, so I think that I am just going to go forward with a few flashbacks every now and then! Christmas is only 1 week away and as per usual, I am not done with my shopping! We have been so busy with our new store that I have barely had time to think, much less actually get into the car and go somewhere!  For those of you who do not know, Dale and I have opened a store here in Dadeville. The store was originally just a farmers market and we had kept that as the main focus, but you know me, I have to add my own little kick to it!  In our store, Cook's Market at Pug's Place, we offer: fresh fruit and vegetables(including some organic varieties), frozen fruits, veggies, soups, stews and soup mixes, Das Jam Haus jams and jellies, Alabama Honey, Wickles Pickles, Amish Canned Chicken(this stuff is crazy good and contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives),Sorghum Syrup, Hot Boiled Peanuts(regular and cajun flavor) and a variety of other grocery items such as milk, bread, cornbread mix etc. Cook's Market also has it's very own cake caterer, Kelly's Cakes that provides cakes for us in the store as well as custom cakes to fit any customers needs!  We always have some of our soups and stews hot and ready to eat as well, so far our Brunswick Stew, Potato Soup(very much like Panera Breads) and Asparagus Soup have really taken off with our customers.  These are available for special order to our customers as well! If you eat at any of the restaurants up here, then you are eating some of our produce!  To cater to my creative side, we have a gift department that includes: jewelry, purses, fleece shoulder shrugs and seasonal decor. Right now of course, we have Christmas decor out, we have Christmas themed rag wreaths, cute Santa and Snowman tins that are great for candy or chips or just to have sitting on a table somewhere, Gingerbread Man ceramic coaster sets, doorknob hangers, stockings for your dog and Christmas jewelry.  Another service that we offer is vinyl customization, we can customize just about everything but you! Right now we have some tooooo cute drinkware and dinnerware that we have customized for Christmas.  After Christmas we will have customized stationary, invitations, drinkware, dinnerware etc.  You can buy something that we already have customized, order something customized or bring in your own items for customization!  We also do wall decor and auto decor!  Cook's Market also has garden items such as pinestraw, fire pits and firewood.  We have seasonal garden items as well, our Christmas trees went very quickly this year and we had to do a re-order on live wreaths.  This Spring, we will have a great selection of tropical plants and garden/patio furniture.  Basically we have a little bit of everything!  After the beginning of the year, we are adding a full service fresh meat market! It has been  alot of blood, sweat and tears(literally), but we have been blessed by our Heavenly Father with a wonderful business and an awesome group of customers so far.  Alright, with all that being said, it is now time for me to get ready and go up to the store, I do alot of work from home, but I do have to get up there as much as I can!  Hope everyone has a blessed day! Love to all!

WOW!!! Have we been busy!!!

I am so far behind on posting!!!  Since we returned from Disney World, things have been a whirlwind!  About 2 weeks after we got home, MiMi went in for what was supposed to be a simple surgery.  Well, the surgery was a little more complicated than what the docs originally thought thus, taking her down time from a few days to a couple of weeks.  I helped out around the house while she was down.  This all encircled the 4th of July holiday, which as everyone knows is a biggy at the lake!  For a solid week and a half, not only was I helping with the house and MiMi, but also helping host 2 sets of out of town family guests.  In the middle of all that, Jackson had all-star tournaments!  Things are finally starting to settle down, well for the most part anyway!  I am now trying to get everything ready for Tripp's 1st birthday party this weekend.  In the midst of that, sickness has fallen on the house!  Jackson, Dale and myself were sick all weekend and now Granny is sick!!  Needless to say, as per usual the invitations went out late and I am behind on the decorations!!   I did manage to get the cutest cake ordered for the party, the caterer only had 1 spot left for the week and thankfully I got it!  I would have never guessed that it would be so hard to find "sailboat" decorations!  Britt and I are feverishly using our mad creative skills and are making the decorations.  I had a few minutes so I decided to drop a post and a few cute pics I have taken over the last few weeks.  Trust me they have been few and far between here lately!

Clete's "self portrait"

Morning giggles!

The soon to be Birthday Boy!

More soon to be Birthday Boy!

Sweet boy eating spaghetti for the 1st time!

Disney World 2012 Part 2

We stayed at Ft. Wilderness at Disney World.  This was the best campground!  They had horseback riding, a huge pool with dancing lifeguards, a beach with all kinds of boats, Chip and Dale campfire sing-a-longs with smores and a movie, biking and tons of other activities.  Clete LOVED it and so did we!  In our downtime we enjoyed the pool and shops.  Here are a few pics!

Clete LOVED the bike MiMi and Pop got for him!  He rode that thing all around our campsites!

Tripp enjoyed just hanging out!

On the way to the pool

Relaxing after a long day at the Magic Kingdom!

Fathers Day Fun!

I have always helped the kids make Fathers Day gifts and cards.  This year Fathers Day just so happened to to be a week after we returned from Disney World, so the day after we returned Clete and I began on this years project.  Clete found 4 bricks and we set out to make them the most "sparkly" bricks possible.  We decided to do hand prints for Daddy and Pop from Clete and Tripp.  They turned out pretty cute and Tripp,of course, cooperated like a little angel!  We spent Fathers Day weekend with MiMi, Pop and Granny at the lake.  Me, MiMi and Granny went to the grocery store Saturday and bought everything that we needed for an awesome Fathers Day supper.  After eating, Clete couldn't wait to give Daddy and Pop their presents, so Fathers Day came for them a day early!  We are so fortunate to have them in our lives!  Happy Fathers Day to the worlds 2 BEST Dads, we love you both more than you will ever know!!

Disney World 2012 Part 1

There are no words that can express the awesome time that we had at Disney World!!!  The kids had the BEST time and so did Daddy and myself!  It was a trip that we will ALL hold dear to our hearts!  We stayed at Ft. Wilderness, which is part of the Disney World complex, in a 40 ft. motor home.  The campground was great and Clete had a wonderful time just riding his bike with Jackson, Carson, Hamilton and kids that he met.  This was a family vacation to celebrate Mimi and Pop's 40th Wedding Anniversary, Mimi and Pop pulled their camper and Tabatha, Trey, Aunt Cyndi and the boys were in their motor home.  We really had a great time together!!  I have to boast about our little Tripp a little bit, I think that we have the MOST AWESOME baby around!  That sweet little thing was the best trooper!  It took us 10 hours to get there and he did great, only cried when he was hungry or needed changing.  Wherever we went he was the best little thing, it didn't matter where it was or what time it was!  When he got sleepy, he just went to sleep in the stroller.  He just sat in his little stroller watching all the people go by.  He LOVED the Country Bear Jamboree!  A lot of people asked me before we left how I thought he was going to do, I always told them that I thought he was going to do fine and I was right!  He loved everything except for 1 thing: the characters!  When we went to our 1st character dinner at Chef Mickey's, he had a major melt down when Pluto came and sat beside him!!  Bless his little heart, he had the same reaction to all the characters there and at our character breakfast at the Animal Kingdom!  As soon as they walked away though, he was back to being his precious little self!  The only thing missing for us was Britt, he had just started summer semester at Southern Union and couldn't go.  We really missed you Britt!!  I took about 300 pictures so I'm gonna break up my post by theme park.  Here are a few highlights from our 2 days at Magic Kingdom!

Waiting for our ferry to the Magic Kingdom on the 1st day!

Sweet Tripp!

On the ferry to the Magic Kingdom!

We are here!

Clete pulled his 1st tooth at the Sleepy Hollow Concession stand, behind Cinderella's Castle!
How awesome is that!  What a memory!

Clete and his MiMi!

Sweet boys!

Clete, Jackson, Daddy and Pop riding Splash Mountain!

Just being a sweet boy!

Cinderella's Castle in teal!

Bashful!

Cinderella's Castle in purple!

I'm Sexy and I know It!!

Having fun after lunch!

Mickey, Minnie and the Disney Princesses!

Cinderella's Castle in orange!

Hamilton, Clete and Carson

Clete meets Buzz Lightyear!

Everything is so pretty at night!

Mickey Mouse!

More Mickey!

More Electric Light Parade!

Pretty Fireworks

Sweet Clete, he was mesmerized by it all!

Clete and Tripp in the double stroller we rented for 1 day.  Tripp is yelling at all the people walking by!

Watching the Electric Light Parade

Gotta love Mickey and Minnie!

Cap't Jack Sparrow!

Minnie, MiMi and Clete at Chef Mickey's

Mickey and Jackson at Chef Mickey's

The happy couple with Donald at Chef Mickey's

Mickey, MiMi and Clete at Chef Mickey's