A Good Monday

How many times do people say that? Well, Jamie is off on Mondays, so it makes it kind of a "weekend" for us since the kids are out of school. We are finally at the point in the summer for some non-scheduled days, which are nice to have.

Annie is over! It was bittersweet. It was such a great experience for him and he had a ball (actually we all did!). He made some new friends and this is something he will remember forever. I also think that drama and theater will have great benefits for him throughout his life. So, in August, he will start up with Drama club again, and he wants to add to it school choir. We are going to allow this since they go hand in hand. Last year they did an encore presentation of the youth play in the fall, but I don't know which cast they are using or anything. I'm not even sure they know yet, so we shall see if the cutest little Sandy ever will make another appearance on the stage! On the other hand, it is kind of nice to not be so scheduled. He has practiced many many hours since April and has really been hitting it hard since school has been out.

All of our family has visited the past 2 weekends to watch Micah and support him in the production and that has been great fun too. They had a cast party yesterday since it was the finale and since Micah gets so hot in his costume, then ate pizza and junk food on top of it, he ended up getting pretty sick at his stomach. A mom from church, whose child is also in the production, called and told me that I needed to come get him. Once he got cooled down and chilled out for a minute, he was fine. He has always had a very sensative stomach anyways. Poor guy! He was heartbroken that he had to leave early. But, when I thanked the mom at church last night, she informed me that it was pretty much over and he didn't really miss anything, so that made him feel some better.

The kids had some money burning in their pockets from Christmas/Birthdays. Abbi went and got a new bike, which she did kind of need. We are taking it for a test drive later. Micah, Hannah, and Chloe wanted new Bibles, so we went to Lifeway and they picked some out. Of course, going to Lifeway always proves dangerous, because Jamie and I always find fun Bibles, books and things for us too! We resisted though!

And, for the grand finale....drumroll please......Chloe used the potty for #2! So, we went and got a Pink Little Pony (what she wanted) and some more little things for bribery purposes that will only be used for this. She wanted to wear panties today and we went all around Owensboro with no pull-up on, and she did great! So, crossing my fingers and toes that it sticks and its not another 6 months before she does it again!

Oh so busy, but soon to wind down for a bit!

The kids have been out of school for 3 weeks. It has been very busy! I think that after Sunday, we should be able to wind down for a few weeks (I think!). At that point, VBS 2009 and "Annie" will be behind us. Both have been great, and I'm not complaining in the least, but it has been more difficult to peel my eyes open in the morning the past few days!

Tonight is the finale of the VBS. I'm sure Abbi will be mortified! She gets so embarrassed when Jamie has to participate in some of the silly kid stuff on stage (and he always seems to be the guinea pig!). I guess being a PK does have its drawbacks sometimes. One of which, your daddy is sure to embarrass you really good throughout your childhood!

Micah had another performance last night. He did great, but I also noticed that a couple of the actors were much more confident up there. They already did great, but last night was the best I had seen. We also got our picture disk yesterday. It was from dress rehearsal, and I was so glad to get them since we couldn't take our own pictures. Here are a couple from Micah's big scene.



On another note. Jamie and I are getting ready to tighten our belts even tighter. I mentioned a while back that we are doing the whole Dave Ramsey plan. Since we have sold our house in March, it seems we have been doing a 2 steps forward, 1 step back dance. That gets frustrating, but we are trudging on ahead!

We have stopped buying bottled water thanks to a water filter. We had talked about this off and on since we moved here, but I was afraid to buy one and it not work. Well, it works, so no more bottled water! That saves $25 or so a month!

Another major change ahead is that we are dropping cable. We began to realize that we are paying a bill for TV that has nothing on it. Yea, we had some "go to" channels, but nothing that we just have to watch. Really, most of what is on anymore is kind of a waste of time anyways. So, we ordered our $40 digital converter coupons, which should be on their way, ordered a transmitter that will send images/sound from our computer to our TV, a new graphics card, and we will need an antenna. We are planning on doing a lot of Hulu, Fancast, and Netflix streamlining! All of this will save an additional $35 a month (even with an internet bump-up).

Grand total of savings each month....$60! Not too shabby! Dave would be proud. LOL!

Micah as Sandy

Tonight was Micah's first performance as Sandy the dog. It was a packed house (nearly sold out), and they all did great! It really is a cute play, and Micah stole his scenes completely away. He said his heart was beating really heart, but I bet mine was beating right along with his. I was in a jitter all evening with excitement, nervousness, and anticipation.
Of course, he was just adorable and Mommy had to wipe some tears away through his scenes. Why do I always turn into a ball of mushy tears when my kids do something amazing? I always made fun of my mother for doing that, but I guess the laugh is on me, because look who is the blubbering mess now!
I didn't know quite what to do. I knew that girls would be getting flowers, but a 9 year old boy doesn't want a flower, and I'm sure that wouldn't be "manly" enough anyways. So, I headed to the Hobby Lobby and found the perfect lollipop molds. Puppy feet! How cute, and he was surprised, so the kids ate one when we got home to celebrate!
Here is the back of his shirt with the signatures of all the cast. I told him that when he was rich and famous and I get interviewed on the Today show, I'd be sure to pull out the ol' Sandy pictures and tell them that is where he got started!

Practice, Practice, and More Practice!

Annie Jr. is upon us! I can hardly believe it! They have been practicing a ton with dress rehearsals and trying to get everything to perfection. I can't wait to see it all pull together. I know the kids have been working really hard.

He is very excited and always comes back grinning from ear to ear! I think he is making some new friends and I love that he has found something that is up his alley. As parents, I feel that it is our job to encourage and nurture what our kids love and not necessarily the other way around, which often happens.

Yesterday was a big practice day. He was there for several hours, so we were talking to him about it. He was telling us different things about the day, then he said, "I don't know why, but the ladies are all over me!" I said, "The ladies are all over you?". He said, "Yea, all the girls tell me how cute I am and pat me on the head even when I don't have my costume on". I about died laughing! The things they come out with sometime. He is such a nut! Of course, who can resist those big dimples, long lashes, and freckles anyways?

And, in a Great Irony of Life

Guess what happened on our 15th Anniversary at about 5:30 pm? The storm clouds started brewing and golfball sized hail started falling.

It was about an hour later, and I told Jamie, "Oh my gosh! That storm was about the same as the one 15 years ago and at about the same exact time!"

Creepy!

15 Years!!

Jamie and I have been married 15 years today. It was very hot and humid that day and very sunny that morning. We were scheduled to be married at 6pm. Well, about 5:30, the clouds came over and it started pouring down rain. Not just a little bit, but a lot and then it started hailing. We had several people that didn't make it to the wedding, because of the weather and we ended up having to get married a few minutes late, because people couldn't even get out of their cars. It was kind of ridiculous, but at the same time, I remember staring out the window of the church and while my mother and some others were freaking out about the weather. I was still excited and had a smile on my face that I was getting married. That is all I wanted that day. I had come to get married to the love of my life and start my new life. It didn't matter to me if we had everybody we'd ever met there. It only mattered to me that I was going to walk down the aisle towards my future husband.

Here we are 15 years and 4 kids later. I know that getting married at 19, we had the odds against us. I know that there were probably people that had their doubts about us, but never have I doubted. Jamie and I have been a part of each others lives since we were 13. We already knew more about each other than some people getting married when they are 30. I'm sure we have changed through the years, but we just grew together and changed together. Isn't that what marriage is about anyways?

Here we are on our wedding day. This is the only picture I have on my computer. That is my lovely grandmother with us in the picture.
This was us last year at the Melting Pot on our 14th Anniversary.

This is a picture that Jordyn snapped of us after Jamie officiated John and Rachel's wedding. It is actually one of my favorite pictures of us.
I have great comfort in the fact that I always have my best friend by my side. I have been so blessed to have a husband that is a 'hands on' daddy, and doesn't mind helping me around the house if needed. I also love that he not only supports the conviction I have to stay home with my family, but also shares in the same conviction. He is somebody that I can cry with, laugh with, and even if I'm sitting around in my pj's he thinks I'm beautiful.

I'm a very blessed lady and I know that. Husbands like these are few and far between. It may have been 15 years, but I hope that it is 50 more!

Relaxing in the Sun and Our Craft Project

Yesterday the kids played in the hose to keep cool. They ended up muddy and fighting over who held the hose. So, last night, I plopped some money down on a wading pool for the patio. They came in much cleaner and it entertained them for over 2 hours. Chartruse (the dolphin) and Carla (the turtle) even enjoyed the day swimming around:-)

They've been on vacation for 3 days, and I'm already dreading how quickly I know the summer will fly by. Seems like almost every week has something planned and it'll be over before we even realize it. Can't it just be a little longer? I love the non-hectic mornings, letting them play outside until they are totally worn out, and enjoying the longer evenings sitting outside, and ditching the 8:00 bedtime to enjoy our time together. Awwwwww....the joys of not having a schedule!
Yesterday we worked on a project that I had been thinking about since Hannah came home from the hospital. She got several balloons and I was trying to figure out a way to enjoy them longer than the helium. When the balloons finally deflated, I kept them in my craft stuff for a later date. Now that school is out, we finally had time to do it.

So, her balloons went from this:

To this:

With some Mod Podge, scissors, and foam board, we now have cute girly wall art. Micah was not thrilled about having this hang on the bedroom wall, but we are moving him over to his own space very soon anyways. I think he can suffer until then!

Awana Awards

My kids have completed their first year in the Awana program. Sunday night was the awards night and all the kids did so well. Memorizing scripture at a young age is so important. Those words will be hidden in their hearts and it will help carry them through their entire life. They really enjoyed themselves and I've even learned some new scriptures as I help them memorize each week. What a great program!

Chloe was a Puggle this year. It is the youngest group in Awana. They all looked so cute up on stage. I don't really think any of them sang their little song. They were too mesmorized about being in front of a crowd. I figured that Chloe would love being up there, but I was wrong. She looked terrified the entire time.
But, she was excited to get her certificate and goody bag.
The big girls were in Sparks together and they both did really well this year. Abbi completed 2 entire books and Hannah was almost done with that 2nd book when the Awana year ended. They memorized several verses a week.

Micah was in T&T Boys (Truth and Training). He also did very well. Their books are a lot more detailed with more questions and things to write. He was just a few pages shy of completing that first book.

I'm glad that we are in a church that really cares about the kids and has programs that are on their level. It was an answer to prayer and I think one of the many reasons that Micah now knows Jesus as his personal savior.

Yesterday was Jamie's day off, so we headed to the Splash park. Well, it was overcast about the time that we got there, so it made the temps much cooler. It felt nice, but not so nice if you were playing in the cold water. The girls couldn't take it for very long and finally ended up on the bench beside us covered in beach towels. After about an hour, we headed home to let the kids dry off and warm up.

Chloe had on a little beach cover up. She was cold, so put the hood up and apparently dozed off soon after we arrived home. I was in the other room reading a bit and when I came around the corner, this is what I found.

No More Homework, No More Books...

No More Teachers' Dirty Looks! My kids thought I was a loon when I sang this to them yesterday afternoon. I don't know. I remember singing that on the last day of school when I was a kid, but the 80's was a long time ago. Also, the "no more homework" part isn't really true anymore either with Summer Reading forms, but the idea is good.

The kids have officially completed their first year at the new school. There are pros and cons of the new school, I won't lie. There are things that I really truly miss about our old elementary school. I was prepared to love it and was let down quite a bit, actually. It was suppose to be the "best" around here, which I'm sure it is academically. But, isn't there more to school than academics?

But, nevertheless, the kids liked it alright, and are glad to be out. The weather was beautiful yesterday, so we went outside. A few minutes after going out, a lady and her little girl walked up. It just happened to be Abbi's very best friend that she made this year. We knew she lived a block over, but I didn't know where and was planning on calling to see if the little girl could come play sometime anyways.

Well, the mother was as sweet as could be and we ended up chatting for over 2 hours while standing around watching the kids play. The kids were happy as clams and I got to talk to a grown-up while Jamie spent his evening at church, which is always a bonus. I figure we'll meet up again soon so that the kids can play again.

So, it was a good Friday in the Hughes house. They get about 2 months off of school, which will be nice, but my calendar is already quite full so I know it'll go by much too fast, and we'll be back at it.

And Now....The Videos that Go with the Post Below!

Micah singing "Tomorrow"



Hannah acting out "The Very Hungry Caterpillar"

School Talent Show!

I was a very proud Mama sitting center stage on the second row at the elementary school this morning. Micah sang "Tomorrow" from the Annie soundtrack. What else could he possibly choose right now? I think we could all sing that song in our sleep at this point. He did wonderful though! It is all I can do not to sit there and bawl every time my kids do something special like that. I had to gulp back the knot in my throat several times!

Hannah's Kindergarten class also acted out "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" She was a pear and a pickle.
Jamie is going to upload the videos from the office soon....so stay tuned!

Showtimes!

We are about 2 1/2 weeks away! Here are the showtimes of Annie Jr. that will feature Micah as Sandy

Friday, June 19 @ 7:00
Saturday, June 20 @ 7:00
Thursday, June 25 @ 7:00
Saturday, June 27 @ 2:00
Sunday, June 28 @ 2:00

He is also singing in his school's talent show tomorrow! We are all very excited about that as well.

PS: Chloe may be secretly reading my blog. Since I have posted my potty "training" woes, she has since turned a corner. Last Friday, she did better than she ever has. Today she was virtually dry the entire day! We still haven't conquered the "other" issue, but one step at a time and she is very proud of herself! I don't even have to nag her or ask her all day long, she is just going all by herself. WOOHOO! Ok...so I'm saving my celebration, because I know these things can be 2 steps forward and 1 step back. But, WOOHOO for today at least!

1 Year and 1 Day

Yesterday was our 1 year anniversary of living here. I'm blogging a day late, because our neighbor decided to till a garden just inches from the supposed 'property line' and cut our cable for the weekend. Fun times! Nisha and Trevor paid us a nice visit on Saturday, so we didn't miss it too much, I don't suppose. It was just kind of annoying! Here's to one day buying a house with a fenced in backyard!!!

But, yesterday was, indeed, out 1 year anniversary of living here. And, of course, today is the anniversary of us stepping foot into Walnut Memorial as Jamie the Student Minister. On one hand, it seems like the year has flown by. On the other, it seems like we've been here for a long time. It is a familiar feeling, but one that is hard to describe at the same time. And, within the irony of life, the house that we sold back in March was finally moved to its new location on Friday. A year ago on Friday was the last night we slept in that house.

This year has been a true test and learning experience all at the same time. May 2008 is a true blur in my mind's eye. I can remember feeling overwhelmed and scattered with the kids finishing up school, Jamie finishing up his current ministry, and me packing and trying to get our affairs in order. God seemed to be answering some prayers before we even had a chance to think about them though, and if we didn't know already, we were beginning to see even more, the unveiling of our divine appointment.

I can still distinctly remember Jamie and I standing in the kitchen at our house in Murray. It was during the interviewing process, but before the official vote and acceptance of the job. He was having his own worries and concerns about moving 150 miles. I told him, "if you get that job, you've got to take it". I was pep talking him at that time, but there have been times that he was pep talking me. It seemed like we were on a see-saw and we are still there sometimes, actually.

We finally got to the moving day that we had all anticipated and I remember pulling into our cul-de-sac behind the U-haul. People from the church started pouring out of our new home. There were probably 10 or more people here waiting to help us unpack all our things. Most of which were unfamiliar faces. We also discovered that our pantries were full and we were stocked up on cleaning supplies for the next decade (I'm still using some of them actually).

So, after a year, we are much more settled into a new surroundings. Moving brings on many challenges, but so far, we have conquered most of them. I can finally navigate pretty comfortably around. Jamie is still loving his position at the church. We really are enjoying living in town and the neighborhood we ended up in (another answered prayer). God has been very good to us. We feel truly blessed. We do mourn a few things of Murray, but in time, that will get less and less. It has been amazing year (and a day)!