The Hughes' Aftermath

We had a pretty good year.

We went to the beach minus a Charlie, still had a great time. We plan to go next summer for TWO weeks, one of which the missing Charlie will be able to attend. So we're stoked.

Charlie started out at Enterprise, which he loves. I must admit that I love it too. I like seeing him happy and working with pretty great people. The company is awesome to its employees and that is GREAT and welcomed always. He also celebrated his 30th with a surprise Toga Party.

Charlie also started bowling on Wednesday nights with Brandon, Dave, Bobby, and Joe, one of Brandon's friends. He enjoys his guy time and me and the kids enjoy our time together at home too. That is the only evening during the week that I get to spend at home with them, so we treasure it and try to do some fun things...or nothing at all, which is pretty fun too.

Madison is in the fifth grade and just turned 10 in December. She loves school and just got straight A's. In fact, the school sent in her name and report card to a program the Cleveland Cavaliers run for straight A students and her name was drawn to receive two tickets to a game, a t-shirt, a bookcover, and certificate. She is to wear the shirt to the game so the team can recognize all the straight A students in attendance. She is the luckiest girl I have ever met. The game is the day after her first ever concert, Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers. I'm excited about that because I actually like a couple of each of their songs.

Jackson is 6 and started school with Madison at Redeemer this year in Kindergarten. He is doing great and is the only child to remain on green all year so far. He played soccer again this year and scored a lot of goals for his team this year. He also tried bacon, eggs, and toast for the first time at Ma's the other day. He liked the bacon and toast, but was quite disgusted by the texture of the scrambled eggs. He is OUR picky eater.

Baby just turned four in December and is adorable. Everywhere we go people tell us how cute he is and that we should put him in modeling. He is still whining as usual. He has a great friend at preschool named Brandon. He also got his kitty this year, Vanilla Cat Pachino, which he pronounces Nella or sometimes Yella, and we love it.

I am still doing the Independent Provider thing with hopes to quit the business every waking minute of every day. I did start coaching for Madison's basketball team and I love it. I love getting to know her friends on that level and spending quality time with her. Another father is helping too, so that is nice that some of the pressure is taken off. We scrimmaged the other day and I must admit, I miss playing basketball. I wish I knew a group of girls that liked to play because I'd definitely do it. It's funny how exercise doesn't feel like exercise when you are doing something you enjoy. That must be the way to go...because I despise that eliptical devil in the back room.

I've been trying to learn a little more about myself this year through introspection. I haven't liked everything I've learned but I think in the end it will really help me be the best me. At least that is my hope anyway.

I had a new nephew added to the fam in April, named Ian and that was great. I love to see the family grow. He lives in Mexico so we haven't even met him yet, but are set to this coming summer when they are scheduled to visit.

I have a new nephew on the way, which is also very exciting. Like everyone out there, I love me some babies. We are still trying to decide if we are complete a family or would like to add on, not anytime soon though. For now, I'm just excited to be around Jessica's little boy when he arrives. Charlie is hopeful that he will fulfill my need to have more. I think I'm a little hopeful myself too.

My cousin Scottie's death was unexpected and definitely one of the more difficult things I faced this year. I always felt close to him as we were the same age and spent a lot of our childhood and even adolescence together. I will definitely miss his contagious smile, laughter, and mischievous tone in his voice. His death of course reminds me of my brother, Larry's, which will always be difficult to truly grasp. I had great memories with both and that's not what we miss. The saddest times are when you realize the memories you are missing out on creating with the individuals that have passed. That will always be rough. Death seems to force one, or atleast me, to really think about life and what is and isn't important. So good does come from it even though it often seems unimaginable. I am comforted feeling that they are together with other loved ones that have passed before them, and in knowing that someday we will all be together again.

A Blog for Shannon

Merry Christmas!

This year was quite enjoyable and not a tear was shed...by me anyway. I can't say the same for Madison. She must have caught the crybaby blues from me.

We gave the kids 2 pair of jammies on Christmas Eve, which is a tradition we stole from Shannon years ago. The kids loved theres.

Charlie and I started a new tradition. We decided to exchange a gift with each other after all the kids were in bed and all the wrapping was done. It was very nice, and kind of romantic in a way. I hope to continue that in years to come. Sometimes with all the kids' excitement, we forget to take a minute to enjoy sharing with each other too, like before the kids were in the picture.

Went to mom's and ate and opened presents. Oh, and I also had to work. It wasn't so bad. It's actually nice when Charlie is home to watch the kids. I don't feel the normal need to rush and get out of there. Later we went to Mike and Brandi's and exchanged gifts with their kids. That was also nice. The kids love playing with Tyler because he has so many new and different toys. They adore Jayden too, but Jayden isn't much of a player yet. After that we went back to mom's for a little, gathered up the loot and scadaddled.

I can't wait to take down the tree and decorations and start making some resolutions for the new year. I've tried to put off doing so this year until after Christmas...and I like that. I am a master procrastinator anyway normally, so waiting wasn't so hard. I did make a few mental notes here and there.

We all got wonderful gifts and feel we gave wonderful gifts. Everyone, including myself, seemed truly happy this year and that was nice.

Dinner and a Bee Movie

The kids are in bed after a busy, but very funny evening.

We went to Bakers Square for dinner, all of our favorite restaurant. I had grilled cheese and tomato soup. They changed the soup, but it was great! It had huge chunks of roasted tomatoes and tons of basil. Mmmm! A perfect match for the chill in the air tonight.

After dinner, we went to check out Bee Movie. The boys won the vote. Madison and I wanted to see Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. She thinks it looks cute, I think Jason Bateman looks cute! I must admit, the boys picked a winner. The movie was very cute, funny, and unusually clever for an animated film. The boys fell asleep in the car on the way home, but managed to stay up for the whole movie. That's how we know it got two thumbs up from the Jackson & Baby critique.

Yesterday we spent the evening at the kids' Harvest Festival at the Natatorium's hall. It was fun just like last year. It is an annual event to raise money for a new gymnasium. They have met their million dollar goal and will begin tearing down the old gym soon. It's sad because I have a lot of memories in that gym as a child...pep rallies, cheerleading tryouts, basketball, talent show, spelling bees, gym, waiting endlessly for my mom to pick us up after school~lol! But they really do need a bigger gym so we can host other teams and stop having to travel so much to other locations for meets and games.

Anyways, there was good food, smores for dessert, a dj for dancing and games. The kids had a wild time. Jack hit the floor once he heard the chicken dance come on. They hid a scarecrow and had the kids find it. Baby won! You should have seen his face. He was in total disbelief. He naturally has a pessimistic view on life and competition (like father, like son), so it was hilarious. The dj loved him and his hair. The boys wore suits because Charlie had his on from work, so when the dj called his name he said, "The winner is a little man named Charlie Hughes, and wouldn't you know it, he won best dressed too."

I love it that everyone knows the kids and even Charlie. Ahhh, the benefits of a small, private school.

There were also about 50 baskets to bid on through silent auction. We won a couple of them. One was a sled that Jackson and two friends from his class painted and colored a winter scene on. The other was a basket of coloring books and crayons that Baby couldn't take his eyes off. We had to rebid a couple times on that one, but it proved to be a good purchase. Not only did the money go to a good cause, but the kids played with its contents all evening once we returned home.

I also am very excited at my latest undertaking. I have been very unhappy at work lately and feel like I'm missing out on so much of my kids' lives. Everyday passes so quickly. Too quickly. And here I am working like a dog to pay bills. When one sits back and looks how crazy this life is and thinks about why we do what we do, it is amazing, and appalling at the same time. Anyway, so I heard that Mr. Jones needed a coach to lead the fifth grade girls basketball team. I volunteered to do it and couldn't be happier about the decision. Where will I find the time??? Who cares, I will make the time. This is something that I really want to do. I love basketball. I love teaching children. Madison will be on the team, so this will be quality time spent just with her, no boys. Charlie has offered to help as much as he can, which is welcomed and appreciated. I just think it will be really fun and challenging and meaningful. I'm on the endless quest for meaning and every once in a while it slaps me in the face. Wish me luck...and patience...and most importantly, babysitters for the boys!

Off to bed, though, with a racing mind!

Bragging about the Brats!

Well, the first semester is over. I was suppose to have a 2 hours a day to myself...to read, to exercise, to bathe, to do my hair, to watch my soaps. I have read nothing but school newsletters. I have exercised walking back to the car after Jack forgot his lunch--twice! I barely bathe. I cut my hair with kitchen scissors last week. And I have no idea what Nick and Sharon are doing, or if they are even alive for that matter.

Madison got straight A's. No minuses. She was the only child to accomplish this in her class. We are so very proud of her. I knew she would do it, I just didn't realize how soon or that she would be the only one to achieve this in her class. This reassures me about making the decision to move her up a grade. She has always known she was ready for more, I just didn't want to let go. But it looks like I saved myself almost $4000 (one year of tuition). Because of this accomplishment, Madison also gets her name in a drawing to win two Cleveland Cavalier tickets to a game! Go Cavs!

Jackson also got all plusses and one check. The check was in Spanish and his teacher told me that all the children got checks in Spanish because it is brand new to all of them and how couldn't they have room for improvement. He was adorable at his conference. He pretended to be working diligently on the computer, but Mrs. Grulke and I would catch him peeking at us and listening. Mrs. Grulke also said that Jackson is a little Romeo. On the first day, he was "petting" Erin's hair and cheeks. Mrs. Grulke said she couldn't tell him to leave his hands to himself because he was being so sweet. So, instead she called over the assistant and the preschool teacher from next door to watch. She said they picture him laying down his jacket for Erin to walk over puddles. I told her this was of no surprise to us because all we hear about is Erin, Erin, Erin. She is a cutie, though. Jackson has also just learned to tie our shoes too. I asked if he was going to show Mrs. Grulke and he said yes. Then he said, "Mommy, can you buy me shoes with strings so I can learn to tie my own." I told him of course.

Baby is still in school and hasn't been kicked out yet. All the teachers think he's adorable with his crazy hair. He hides his face with his hands whenever they bring out the camera. What a faker. He is the biggest ham in the world. He too has a girlfriend, Bayleigh, who he lovingly refers to as Billy. Although, I think he just likes Billy because her dad is a fireman.

Big Charlie just passed his grill at work and applied for Assistant Manager at the Tallmadge Avenue store. He got the position and is very excited. I'm excited because he's close to Longhorn now for lunches with the wifey! HOO HOO BOBBY!

Holiday Hoopla!

You spend 12 months thinking of the perfect gift for important people in your lives. No, not every waking minute, but when you see something, you take note..."That would be perfect for..." It's all over in a day, or two. Gone, until next year.

I thought that was what bothered me. All this anticipation and planning, and it is over so suddenly. The older I get though, I'm learning more about myself and why the holidays make me so sad.

I love Thanksgiving. It is good food, good people, and good times. Everything is low key. Everyone is involved. No gifts involved that cost money, maybe your time though.

Christmas is chaotic. People don't teach their children why we are celebrating. It is just all about what did or didn't I get.

We got a whole 'nother year to be with our mother, father, brother, sister.
We got time to sit and laugh with each other.
We got to enjoy one another.
We got to reflect on the previous year and important events.

Christmas is the end of a year and the beginning of another. Naturally, that reflection is going to bring up things I wished I had done, things I was going to do differently, but never did, friends and loved ones that I have lost, lost moments, lost laughter, lost love.

I procrastinate every day of the year, but in December. I mail out cards a month early. I wrap gifts weeks early. And, apparently, I make my New Year's Resolutions. December seems like the only month that I can focus. Focus on the important things. I rush through every other month watching one calendar page after another turn until December. In December, I mentally get things done. I take time to think about all the things that take up to much energy to think about in May. I think that extra time to focus on myself and my mind happens because I focus more on my spirituality at that time more than any other. I think how blessed I am. I think about Jesus' birth and what that means to me and to my children. It's this huge, unmeasurable amount of love and I don't think Christmas will every be happy until I know that they know. By 'they,' I mean Madison, Jackson, and Charlie.

I conscientiously make an effort to teach them, and more importantly show them. But so much is out of my hands. They have these little personalities and even more frightening, their own little minds. I wonder if I do a good job. I hope that I do a better job. And, I pray that I do a great job. Raising kids can really be scary if you take a minute to look at the job we have undertook, and are we really all that qualified to have a life in our hands, and not just this life but their afterlife. I guess my resolution for this year is to go easy on myself and trust that I have good intentions. I want to enjoy the holiday and that time I GET with my family.

Dr. Seuss has a saying that I will try to follow until then..."Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

Trick or Treat?

Here are some pictures of the kids in there Halloween costumes. Hope you enjoy!

Madison was Toph from the Nickelodeon cartoon Avatar: The Last Airbender

Jackson was Aang from the same show.

Baby was Batman because he refused to be the Astronaut that I purchased for him. He was just being defiant because he also wanted to be a figure from Avatar, but it just isn't that popular...yet, so I couldn't find one. I had to have Madison's made.

Another Hayride, Only at the Barn this Time!

So, yesterday evening we went down to Smithville to have dinner at the Barn. Jessica came with us.

There was a little bit of a wait to eat, so we wandered over to the pond and watched the ducks swim and the kids swing on the swingset

We eventually go to eat and it was well worth the wait. We decided to do the buffet. It had meatloaf, fried chicken, roast beef, pizza, the most delicious mashed potatoes, a huge salad bar with all the fixins...and soup, and last but not least, the delectable dessert bar with peanut butter brownies, blueberry muffins with honey butter, ice cream, and peach cobbler. MMMMMMM!

By the time we got up from the table, it hurt to walk. But walking we did. We headed over to the cornfield nearby for a corn maze, a straw bale maze, a pumpkin patch, bonfire and hayride through the fields and around the lake...we were inches from being in it. The driver of the tractor assured us that the bales of hay we were sitting on would serve nicely as floatation devices, though.

We got all turned around in the corn maze, but luckily took a picture of the map to refer to. Don't ask me how, but after about 25 minutes of twisting, turning, dead ends, and frights we found our way out into the pumpkin patch. The pumpkins were huge, but we didn't get any because the kids had already gotten some on school field trips to pumpkin farms...and I don't think we could've carried them back to the entrance. Later we saw some wagons though. It would've been cool to get such a big pumpkin.

The kids ran through the hay bale maze over and over while we waited around the fire for the hayride to arrive. It was a bumpy ride, but very enjoyable. I think everyone had a really great time. It was nice to just take in the moment. Relax. Enjoy the evening and time with our family, with no expectations or plans or itineraries to keep to.

Fall Family Festival at Goodyear Metro

This past Saturday, we went to Goodyear Metro Park for the annual hayride. We invited Papaw Larry to tag-along. The lines were long, but moved pretty quickly. While Charlie and Papaw Larry saved our spot in the hayride line, me and the kids got in line for neon bracelets, free popcorn, cookies, apples, apple cider, frisbees, and animal petting. We got to look at tarantulas, chincillas, the fur and skull of a tiger, and a turtle that was found in the park. There were telescope (stellarscopes according to Jack) set up to look at the stars in the sky. There was also a huge bonfire in the middle of the park where the rangers read spooky ghost stories.

Jack is missing from the picture of the Leaf Guy because Jack is still scared to death of anyone or thing in a costume unless it is himself, even though he could clearly see the Leaf had legs just like him or I.

We eventually got back in line and enjoyed the hayride through the park at dark. It careened through the woods where it was really dark and bumpy. The kids loved it and were all booing like scary ghosts.

After the hayride, we headed over to the DJ area where we danced the night away. The DJ even came up and sang and danced with Madison. The boys pretended to be shy, but by the last song of the night, everyone was dancing, even Papaw Larry and Charlie.

Happy 15th!

October 4th, 2007 was mine and Charlie's 15th anniversary since we first started dating. He was 15 and I was 14. Granted we broke up a few times in between, but we always got back together. It just seems amazing that I have known him for 15 years. It's even weirder to think that Madison is almost ten. So in four years she could be meeting the boy she will spend the rest of her life with...or at least 15 years, let's take it one day at a time. Weird!

Soccer is Underway

We started soccer in late August and it ends the third week of October. The kids play one hour games non-competively (if that exists), really they just don't keep score. All the kids love it. Jackson is definitely our goalie, jumping and diving for the ball every chance he gets. He has also scored three goals, two in his first game and one last week. Baby made a great assist last week for Jack's scoring goal. Little Charlie also just missed his own goal, hitting the post and bouncing out. I think before the season is over, he will definitely SCORE!

Both the boys do great offensively and defensively. They are so lucky to be on the same team, and for once...they share! Madison also does great at soccer. She's constantly got her eye on the ball, heading it off at every turn. She is getting a little more aggressive, which I love. She made her first attempt at scoring last week as well. It was deflected by another players shin guard. She is great at dribbling the ball and is the only child on her team to win the Silver Shoe Award. She had to dribble the ball starting from the ground to her foot and knee at least five times.

Speaking of awards, this past week I was awarded "Mother of the Year!" It was our day to do snack for the boys' team...and I forgot! Next week it's Jackson's turn, let's hope I remember. Maybe I'll pull a Shannon and pull gourmet finger sandwiches and sun tea right out of my ask

me no more questions.

Oak Island, North Carolina August 2007

We were invited to tag along with Teri, Kathy and Madi to their family's beach house in Oak Island, North Carolina, so we jumped on it...or in it!

The kids absolutely loved the ocean. No one was frightened by it at all, well, except me. It's sad when the kids are begging the mom to take them out further. I was too busy looking for fins...do doot, do doot, dodootdodootdodoot!

We had beautiful weather and a wonderful time. We went putt-putt golfing at a Jungle themed miniature golf place, walked the pier, fed the sea gulls, walked to a locally owned ice cream shop, souvenir shopped, and swam, swam, swam. We plan on going back next August for TWO weeks!