Wait...What Was I Saying?

The Way To Mommy & Daddy's Hearts

2012-02-14T22:15:00.000-05:00

Apparently both our children know quite well the way to their parents' hearts.

Scott and I received homemade Valentines this evening from both our little cherubs. They both landed on similar themes.

Eliza Grace included a list of "gift certificates" for Scott which included what is shown above:

1 free one hour nap
1 free two hour nap
1 yell-free day (meaning the kids would not yell/scream/fight for a day)
I free car wash for his new truck

Will also gave me a card with little chits for what is nearest and dearest to my heart:

He cut to the chase and just made three "fre nap" certificates that never expire.

Are we complete old farts who just talk about how much we just want to take a nap every weekend? Well, yes...yes we are!

You can bet I plan to whip out one of my "fre naps" chits this coming Saturday afternoon. Here's hoping!

Bye Bye Baby Tooth # 2

2012-02-07T15:12:00.000-05:00

Baby tooth # 2 came out with very little fanfare but still plenty of excitement for the tooth fairy visit.

Will is especially lucky because his big sister has decided she needs to suppliment what the Tooth Fairy leaves behind, so he had a pretty decent payday!

Flashback Friday: Her Little Girl Voice

2012-02-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

When you are in the midst of parenting, it is very easy to forget some of the fabulous little things that are happening during the daily hustle and bustle.

I mean, let's face it, when you are busy wiping bottoms, cleaning up spit up/barf, tripping over toys, working full time, trying to make decently healthy meals and attempting to get just two precious minutes to go to the bathroom without an audience, you have to really make yourself stop and savor the good stuff. And I mean more than just the easy stuff to enjoy like snuggles and sighs and chubby little thighs.

It is for this reason that I try to take a lot of pictures and videos. Because we forget. At least I forget. And until I watched this video the other day, I had forgotten how absolutely adorable Eliza Grace sounded when she was little.

Well, littler than she is now.

Her little three year old girl voice was so sweet and so articulate and so filled with a tone of wonder. I completely forgot how much I loved her little girl voice.

Here's a sample of this sweet little voice when she first met her little brother, at her first dance recital and her 3rd Christmas morning.

Couldn't you just eat her up with a spoon?!

And The Children Will Lead Us

2012-01-29T14:05:00.000-05:00

Despite the bright, sunny sky this morning, the whole family was feeling very homebody-ish. Most Sunday mornings we look forward to heading out the door to the church we love. But today we decided we wanted to hang out at home, just the four of us.

A few minutes after we decided to stay home, Eliza Grace said that she wanted to lead us in a church service. A fabulous idea! (and a little convicting, no?)

Over the next hour, while we played some of our favorite contemporary Christian music, Eliza Grace worked on the message she wanted to share, creating what she referred to as "grown up" church as well as a kids program for Will.

When we were all seated on the couch, Eliza Grace welcomed us and began her message on how to deal with anger. (There's that conviction again.)

She gave us a scenario of activities we encounter throughout a typical day, asking us to provide input about different things that might happen to make us angry. Each time we told her something that might make us angry, she blew a balloon up a little bit.

Each angry reaction resulted in the balloon getting bigger and bigger until the last straw caused the balloon to fly out of control - just like what can happen when we are angry.

She then repeated the scenario, this time allowing the balloon to lose a little air after each time she blew it up. "As you can see," she said,"if you let some of your anger go each time, you won't get to the point where you burst after letting the anger build up all day."

She then read from the Bible. "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." James 1:19-20. She then led us in prayer, asking God to help us better control our anger.

Wow.

Next came the kids program. Eliza Grace had cut out hearts for her and Will to decorate.

It was a fabulous, wonderful, convicting, splendid church service at our house today.
We do love our child who has a heart and soul for God.

Flashback Friday: Cute Pics of My Little Chicks - 2008

2012-01-27T14:49:00.000-05:00

The Daddy sandwich!

"We are the music makers"

'Smores around the Dusek's fire pit

"Read me a book, Eliza Grace!"

Cheesy smiles

Boy Of Many Faces

2012-01-22T16:31:00.004-05:00

There's not really a time when Will is not ready to be a little silly or a little smiley for the camera.

Today She Is 10!

2012-01-08T18:30:00.000-05:00

Ten years ago today Scott and I became parents. The first time I held Eliza Grace in my arms, the only thing I kept thinking was, "I'm a mommy! Finally!"

Welcome to double digits and happy, happy birthday to our sweet, smart, beautiful daughter!
***
The birthday girl chose to have a party at The Scrap Exchange in Durham. The kids had a great time creatively finding ways to turn trash into treasures. They also enjoyed the mint chocolate chip/chocolate cake ice cream cake!

Eliza Grace picked out her cute party outfit. Accessory gifts from Grandmommy and Aunt Michelle added just the right touch!

Seriously? How cute is she??

Who Knows, Maybe He'll Be A Dentist

2011-12-30T16:34:00.000-05:00

So, Will. He is something else I tell you what.

A week or so ago, when he got tired of his first loose tooth just hanging around, he decided to take matters in his own hands. Thankfully I had the foresight to grab my Flip so we could record the shenanigans.

Warning: don't watch if wiggly teeth and/or a child attempting to pull his own tooth with pliers gives you the heebie jeebies. See also: I am a bad videographer.

For the rest of you non-whimps (hee hee), we thought this was hilarious. I especially loved his reaction after he finally got the tooth out. You'd have thought he'd just scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl. Man how we love this fearless, take charge kid.

We also love knowing that his sister will always be in his corner, cheering him on!

Oh, and don't ask me why he was wearing that Burger King crown at bed time. It's just how he rolls.

It Was a Very Merry Christmas Indeed

2011-12-25T16:58:00.000-05:00

And just in case you're wondering, I did get the other cowboy boot!

Going Home for the Candle Tea

2011-12-03T16:10:00.000-05:00

The kids and I headed over to Winston-Salem (my home town) yesterday to meet up with my Mom and attend Old Salem's Christmas tradition of the Candle Tea.

The women of Home Moravian Church have been doing the Candle Tea for decades. If you like history, singing traditional Christmas music, watching bees wax candles being made, eating Moravian Sugar cake and hearing the Christmas story, this is the place for you.

I love Old Salem and, if you have never been, I encourage you to plan a visit soon.

A little history.

The pedestrian bridge from the visitor's center

Home Moravian Church across the town square

Eliza Grace volunteered to sing the solo on "Morning Star,"
my all time favorite Moravian hymn

Bees wax candles being made for the Love Feast services

Taking a break to look at Salem Creek

On A Carousel

2011-11-26T15:51:00.000-05:00

Pullen Park in Raleigh reopened a couple of weeks ago after a really long renovation.

We caught up with our friend Dara and some of her family to check out the all the changes.

Pullen Park boasts a real Dentzel Carousel, one of 23 remaining historic Dentzel carousels still operating in North America.

It was crazy crowded, but hey, that's what you get when you go to Pullen Park on the second Saturday it was open, which also happened to be Thanksgiving weekend!

The renovations to the park are fabulous and, despite the crowds, we had a really nice time.

Waiting in line for the carousel. Eliza Grace and Ashley are
patiently waiting with smiles but Will, not so much.

Eliza Grace riding an ostrich.

Welcome To The Number Six!

2011-11-23T15:37:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the number six, sweet little man Will!

All Treats

2011-10-31T20:50:00.000-04:00

Hermione, Kitty, and Rex, a Clone Warrior

(Eliza Grace, friend Melissa and Will)

Clone Rex reporting for duty!

Rex's GQ pose

Super Doggie!

Carvin'

2011-10-29T20:00:00.000-04:00

Getting started.

Inspecting.

Sorting seeds.

Instructing Daddy on the layout.

Finished products!

Wrapping Up 10 Days of Disney

2011-10-03T12:06:00.000-04:00

Yes, finally, the last batch of images from our fabulous vacation.

Favorite ride: Test Track (EPCOT Center). We rode it 6 times...mostly because we felt we needed to break our record of 5 times from 2 years ago.

"Hey, my t-shirt says Test Track, too!"

This is Will's "Let me take you for a drive" face sitting in the convertible Camero after riding Test Track.

We had lunch Hollywood Studio's Pizza Planet.

Will practices his Pluto wink.

Eliza Grace got to introduce "Voyage of the Little Mermaid" to the crowd.

Eliza Grace loves Disney pin trading!

Favorite character: Eeyore!

T-I-Double G- Rrrr!

Love the live shows at Disney's Animal Kingdom - Nemo and Lion King are so darn good!

Little kids and big dogs.

Scott and I both survived Expedition Everest - the worst part is hearing the people scream as they slowly climb up the track before your turn to ride!

Big Ant!

Not sure how we survived waiting on things to start before iPhones. Will is killing time with Angry Birds waiting for the show to start.

Illuminations at EPCOT Center!

Eliza Grace manning the controls on Dumbo.

View from the top of Dumbo. Will is waving to me from two Dumbo's ahead.

It's Friendship, Friendship, Just a Perfect Blendship

2011-10-01T07:00:00.000-04:00

"When other friendships have been forgot, Ours will still be hot!"

What made our Disney trip extra special this time was catching up with old friends.

A little back story: Scott and I met our buddy Craig Johnson back in 1988. He was a real live Disney Engineer at the time and we had the opportunity to make some overtime money working on his engineering studies.

If you think that sounds glamorous, let me dispel that notion right now. One day I walked around all of World Showcase in EPCOT Center THREE times and entered every single women's restroom along the way to count how many people were using the facilities at the time.

Did I mention it was July?

Did I mention I was wearing slacks, a blouse, pantyhose and fairly new 1/2 inch non-arch supporting black pumps?

Needless to say, to this day I can tell you where every bathroom in World Showcase is AND direct you to the first aid stations for blister covering band aids.

So back to our trip.

We had the pleasure of Craig's company on a couple of different days in a couple of different parks. Craig is a supremely likeable fellow with a fabulous sense of humor - and is a veritable Disney encyclopedia. To say he is a fan is a mammoth understatement.

Much to his chagrin, however, Eliza Grace was pretty well versed in Disney and he only managed to impart one or two new pieces triva that she did not already know. The kids fell in love with Craig on the spot (we have really good taste in friends!) and Will buddied up to him pretty quick. I am not sure what Craig was thinking when Will would casually grab his hand to hold as we moved from attraction to attraction, but I thought it was adorable.

Thanks for taking the time to play with us like the old days, Craig! The only thing that could have made it better is if we could have had one more chance to beat the Germans in one final Cast Member canoe race :)

This blurry picture is in fact the 1988 Canoe's Around the World Cast Member race 2nd place team posing in front of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Top row l-r: Craig, John, Dara. Middle row l-r: me, Holly, Jill. Bottom row l-r: Cant' recall who that is and Monte.
And let me state again for the record that if Helga -who we think may have really been a man - had not been at the helm for the German team, we would have won it all!!

Ah hem.

As if catching up with Craig was not enough, we also got to spend an evening with our friends Holly and Murray. Holly and I went to UNC-Chapel Hill together and she is the single reason that Scott and I met down at Disney all those years ago. The Murr-man is our most beloved transplant from the Great White Nort'.

Of course I was running my mouth so much that I did not take any pictures during our time together (dang it!), so instead I am including this one in of Holly and Scott back in the summer of 1988. They look like kids, don't they? That's because they were!

Lastly, I must mention that Holly is a professional photo organizer and an entrepreneur. If you need someone to help organize your printed or digital photos, create gorgeous photo memory books, or anything along those lines, you should check her and her company out at Simply See It!

I'd Like to Be, Under the Sea

2011-09-30T07:00:00.000-04:00

In an Octopus' garden in the shade.

We would shout and swim about
He'd let us in, knows where we've been
In his octopus' garden in the shade

I'd ask my friends to come and see
An octopus' garden with me
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade.

We would be warm below the storm
In our little hideaway beneath the waves
Resting our head on the sea bed
In an octopus' garden near a cave

We would sing and dance around

because we know we can't be found

I'd like to be under the sea

In an octopus' garden in the shade

We would shout and swim about
The coral that lies beneath the waves

Oh what joy for every girl and boy
Knowing they're happy and they're safe

We would be so happy you and me

No one there to tell us what to do

I'd like to be under the sea

In an octopus' garden with you.

(Fun with a waterproof camera at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon)
(Lyrics complements of The Beatles)

From Younglings to Padawans

2011-09-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

I think the kids would say the best thing they did on our Disney trip was the Jedi Training Academy. I completely agree!

As you can see, they were a little excited.

They were supplied with Padawan robes and "training" light sabers.

The Jedi Master had them take an oath to use their powers only in self-defense and then he walked them through a "fighting" routine.

Then there was a disturbance in the force and you know who showed up!

Each Youngling had a chance to test their skills against Lord Vader. Will did a great job avoiding Vader's saber!

Eliza Grace sort of forgot about the whole "no attack" oath and went after Vader with a vengeance. The Jedi Master and the crowd were highly entertained and Vader escaped without too much damage.

After she finished her routine she struck this pose. HILARIOUS! Girl was serious about it.

Here's some video of the fun.

My favorite part? When Vader tells Will that he will bring him to the Dark Side. The Jedi Master tells Will to tell Vader no, but instead Will screams "NEVER!!!" Dude got into it and it was adorable!

Traveling Through EPCOT

2011-09-28T09:46:00.000-04:00

On this day of world traveling we...
Danced with and hugged Chip and Dale

Had a steak lunch at Le Cellier in Canada

Stopped to get autographs from Brer Fox and others on our way to Morocco

And gave Baloo a good back scratch
Then snuggled up to Pluto

Posed with the Country Bears

And played around with Tigger and Pooh in the United Kingdom
(Tigger is apparently quite the artist! In addition to his autograph, he drew each of the kids a picture in their books!)

Took a "KidCot" break to do some coloring in air conditioned Germany

And said a couple of "Oles" with Donald in Mexico.
Hint: if you tell Donald that you like him better than Mickey, you get quite a reception!

On The First Day at Disney, My Family Got To See...

2011-09-27T11:21:00.000-04:00

A view of the pool at Pop Century

A bus ride to EPCOT

Spaceship Earth!

A sleepy bus ride back to Pop

Flashback Friday - The Mail Order House

2011-09-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

About a year before Scott and I got married, Scott started looking for a house to buy. We spent a couple of months wandering around Crawfordsville, Indiana looking for the right little fixer upper.

One afternoon Scott said he wanted to drive by a place that his realtor said had been put on the market that day. He told me that he heard it was in need of a lot of TLC and not to expect much when I saw it.

We pulled in the driveway and before we got out of the car I told him, "Make an offer!" I knew this was to be our first home!

3550 Old State Road 55 N, Crawfordsville, IN - before renovations

Although it need a lot of work - A LOT - it had a great combination of land and location. It sat on a full acre and was about 7 miles outside of town. It was surrounded on three sides by corn and/or bean fields. It had fruit trees - several apples, a cherry and a peach tree - strawberries in the back yard and blackberry thickets.


Side view in all its glory. Nasty old heating oil drum for decoration

Apple tree in the side yard.

This little gambrel roofed cutie appealed to me right away. We learned that it was a real live Sears and Roebuck mail order house and had been built in the 1930's. It had three bedrooms and one small full bath up stairs, all the original windows, wood trim and baseboards and beautiful 5 panel doors.

As an added bonus, my hair would blow in the wind while sitting on the couch when all the doors and windows were closed. Apparently we had a few gaps in the siding and insulation.

A little old milk shed sat to the side of the house and added just the right amount of country charm to the whole place.

The milk shed

In the three years we lived there, we (well, ok, Scott and some skilled professionals) completely upgraded the electrical, added air conditioning, completely renovated the bathroom and kitchen, added a powder room downstairs, resided the entire house, replaced all 26 windows, redid ceilings, walls, flooring, paint...and so very much more. We basically lived in dry wall dust for about 2 years.

Siding and windows done - almost finished!

We LOVED the side porch and once it was renovated we spent a whole lot of time sitting out there, enjoying the peace and quite of rural living.

Scott rebuilt the wood structure of this porch all by himself
and has the scars on his hands to prove it!

As we were in a small community, people seemed to keep tabs on the work we were doing on the house. When we made big changes people would slow down as they drove by so they could get a better look at the improvements. We even had people stop and tell us how pleased they were to see the little place all fixed up.

Inside foyer with the view of the original staircase


The living area showing the window casings and the original 15 glass pane front door. I have no clue why my eyes are closed. Add please, don't mock the decor. This was the period in our lives when our style was known as "early relative."

We really get a kick out of telling people that we bought our first house on an acre of land for $42,000. We also enjoy telling them that we sold it three years later for just shy of $100K!

The Age of School Projects Begins

2011-09-10T12:11:00.000-04:00

Eliza Grace is now at that point where "school projects" have entered our vocabulary.

Her first official 4th grade project was to make a 3-D map of the state of North Carolina. It had to include elevations, textures, a compass rose, title, key and other notations including places of interest, cities, lakes, rivers, historic sites, etc.

The hard part about these kinds of things from a parent's perspective is letting your child do the project on his/her own. It is hard to keep from jumping in and directing. But I can honestly say that, aside from some minor help from Scott and me, Eliza Grace did this on her own using items found around the house and yard to embellish.

We think she did a great job!

The State of North Carolina.

The Mountain Region - with needles from a Juniper tree.

The Piedmont Region- with moss from the back yard.

The Coastal Plain Region - with Italian Bread crumbs from the pantry.

Flashback Friday - Disney 2006

2011-09-09T11:04:00.004-04:00

As we prepare for our next trip to Walt Disney World, I thought I would post scenes of the first time we took Eliza Grace.

She was four and a half and Will, 10 months old, stayed home with Grandmommy.

This was the first time Scott and I had ever been to Disney with a child. We knew Disney as Cast Members and we knew Disney as adult guests, but it's a different experience to see Disney through your child's eyes.

We spent our first day at Sea World. I absolutely LOVE Sea World. EG strikes a Shamu pose.

Can you believe I got Scott to get up on that thing for a picture??

In the Magic Kingdom and chillin' out on what used to be called the WED-WAY people mover.

Sitting in Minnie Mouse's living room. This was recently demoed as part of Magic Kingdom renovations.

Arthur, Schmarthur, I can pull this thing out.

Hugs with Brer Fox

Yo ho, yo ho...

Thank goodness for Daddy's arms after a long day at the parks.

Scott is saying, "I crush you castle. Crush, crush, crush." (Kids in the Hall anyone? Anyone? Scott and I used to watch that ALL the time.)

We stayed in the Wilderness Lodge. So very nice!

Character lunch with Little Einsteins.

Eliza Grace got all dolled up for breakfast with the Princesses in Cinderella's Castle. But she became terribly shy when it was her turn to see Cinderella, thus the skeptical look on her face.

Belle!

Jasmine!

Chip, Dale and Minnie

Eliza Grace showing that she can trust Bruce and "just keep swimming..."

Everyone loves Eeyore. Thanks for noticin'.

It's a Bug Life in the Tree of Life

Getting ready to head home after a fabulous week. She is just too adorable!

Bowling and Ballet.

2011-09-04T17:31:00.000-04:00

I took the kids bowling today.

Sometimes bowling reminds me of a ballet.

Striving for fluid movement.

With beauty and grace.

And a little bit of frustration mixed in for fun.

"Hey Will, scooch close to Eliza Grace so I can take a picture."

""I'll give him a little smooch."

Brothers, geesh.

I will never get tired of this face.

Or this smile.

Or these eyes.

Or this silly boy.

Always, Never and Flying Monkeys

2011-08-24T10:54:00.026-04:00

Despite my recent post to the contrary, Eliza Grace still leans towards the negative, especially in the morning as we head out the door for school.

"I don't want to go to school."

"It is always boring."

"I never have any fun."

This morning was no exception.

As Eliza Grace began to espouse all the things about school she did not like, I predictably responded with the realities of life.

"Life is not only about having fun."

"You do enjoy lots of things about school, beyond just recess and lunch."

"There are people all over this planet who would do just about anything to have the educational experiences that you have."

"You don't have a choice, sweetie, you have to go to school so why only focus on the negative. Let's focus on the positive!"

Her negativity tends to seep into my and Will's psyche and so I was trying to keep us all upbeat.

Unfortunately, the conversation is a circular trap and she continued to complain about how she never has fun and is always bored, while I kept pushing for her to see the upside.

As we entered the car pool lane, I inevitably pulled out the standard "you shouldn't use the words 'always' and 'never' because it is just not true.

To which she immediately responded, "Well what about talking pigs? It's true when I can say pigs will "never" talk. And I am telling the truth when I say that monkeys will "never" fly out of my butt."

Well, she's got me there, Ed.

I couldn't control my bark of appalled laughter, which thankfully broke all the negative energy.

Of course when she gets home we will have a nice talk about certain phrases that I never want to hear her repeat.

Flashback Friday - Our Little Man

2011-08-19T07:00:00.005-04:00

Back in early 2005 I uttered the following words to Scott in a fit of parental frustration: "Why would anyone who has ever had a three year old willingly have another child?!"

I think God took that as a dare. A few weeks later I realized that we were expecting baby number two.

Scott was a bit obtuse when I tried to tell him.

I was cooking dinner - Eliza Grace underfoot - and he asked me why I did not sell the toddler push car yet. I kept saying, "I'll tell you later." He kept asking, "Why can't you tell me now?" I told him, " We might need it." "For what?!" he asked. I told him, "I'm barefoot...I'm in the kitchen...."

He just stared at me.

"Oohhhhh." Yea, that finally got through to him.

32 odd weeks later Will arrived with the support of a lovely epidural, thank you Lord Jesus.

I was nervous about being a mother to a son. Why I have no idea. He is our silly, adorable, sensitive, crazy, smart, funny, sweet little man and we all just love him so.

Wouldn't be long now. I was large and low.

Eliza Grace wanted to hug the baby.

Did I mention I was large?

November 23, 2005: William Foster Hughes
8 lbs, 8oz, 22 inches...and a slightly broken collar bone :(

First visit with Grandmommy

Getting ready to head home

"I pity the fool!"
(Because he has that Mr. T look...
except he doesn't have a mohawk...
and he is a baby...
and he is white.
But other than that....)

Male bonding

Proud big sister

Will's Daily Farewell Address

2011-08-16T13:58:00.019-04:00

Man, I love my little boy. I especially love that he is not yet at the age where he gets shy or embarrassed about giving me kisses, hugs and/or telling me he loves me when in public.

His daily goodbyes at the bus stop are a great example of this. The other parents get a kick out of his long and repetitive farewell as he boards the bus each day. Sometimes he tells me to "have fun at work" but I especially love that he tells me to "make good choices, Mommy" - the same advice I give him each day. It is a good reminder for both of us!

Not to be outdone, Eliza Grace has on occasion chimed in with, "Don't get fired, Mom." Gee, thanks sweetie.

I love this little ritual so much that I captured today's on video, which was actually a little shorter than usual:

Play Date + Rain Storm = Dance Party!

2011-08-13T13:27:00.011-04:00

Will finally got to have his long awaited play date with his best buddy Gabe. We had planned to head to the neighborhood pool, but a storm came along as we were heading out the door.

No worries, though, they burned off energy just the same:

Flashback Friday - Little House in the Mountains

2011-08-12T07:00:00.011-04:00

Back in 1999, Scott and I and another couple bought a house on Little Grandfather Mountain in Laurel Springs, NC.

Laurel Springs is in Alleghany County, the upper most Western corner of North Carolina, where NC, Virginia and Tennessee meet. The house was two miles from the famed Blue Ridge Parkway and 10 minutes from the New River.

It was one of a handful dwellings near the top of Little Grandfather Mountain. A brisk 10 minute walk up the rest of the road brought you to the top and to Church's Christmas tree farm and their family hunting camp. Our little house - and half of the mountain - had been owned by the Church family. The elder Mr. Church would come calling every now and then - sometimes with a pie to share- to sit and chat with whomever was at the cabin at the time.

Built in the 1940's, the interior was all wood. The whole interior: floors, walls, ceilings. It was little, wooden and adorable!

Our property bordered the Thurmond Chatham Game Land and Black Bear sanctuary. This meant there would never be any development near our little house. It also meant that not only were there bears in the area, they were encouraged to be there! Needless-to-say, we were very careful and never left any trash outside.

Except for January and February, we we up there nearly every other weekend for 3 years.

We loved it. Lucy, our dog, loved it. Our friends and family loved it (I'm looking at you, Kris!)

But, alas, we learned a hard lesson of buying something with another family. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It especially doesn't when the other couple gets a divorce a year later.

Unfortunately, we felt like our only option was to sell our half to our partner's ex-wife and so we had to say goodbye to our little place in the woods. It was really hard to do. But trust me when I say it really was the only option.

Man, do we miss it. I miss how relaxed Scott was when we were up there. We miss the peace and comfort of our own little getaway. And so do our friends - still looking at you, Kris :)

We keep thinking one day we will find another perfect little place in the perfect location...hopefully one day we will!

The living area looking toward the back deck.

The living area looking toward the front door.

The galley kitchen with its open shelves

The master bedroom

The hall and the bathroom

Sunset from the back deck
From the top of the mountain looking into Tennessee
Looking into Virginia

Half Full Logic

2011-08-11T11:07:00.025-04:00

The other day Eliza Grace noticed someone wearing this Life is Good© t-shirt:

I asked her if she understood the underlying message in the words. She didn't, so I talked about optimists and pessimists (or as Scott prefers, realists) and how people see circumstances from different perspectives.

I told her I was more of a 'glass half full' person because I prefer to see the upside of a situation and expect the best outcome. Her Dad is more 'glass half empty,' as he tends to anticipate the downside of a situation and feels more prepared in the event of a negative outcome. I then asked her if she thought she was a 'half full' or 'half empty' kind of person.

Her first response was that felt she was more 'half empty' because she tends to anticipate the worst of a situation first. She was then quiet and thoughtful for a moment and then said this:

"Wait a minute. You know, I take that back. The word empty means there is nothing. And so 'glass half empty' doesn't make sense because there is something in the glass to begin with. So I think I should be a 'glass half full' person from now on. Because, no matter how little is in there, at least it's something."

Can't argue with that logic.

Will's Next Big Milestone!

2011-08-08T10:06:00.005-04:00

So I finally bought Will a pair of lace up tennis shoes for the sole purpose of learning how to tie them.

30 minutes after I brought the shoes in the door:

Jacque Goes to Nashville

2011-08-02T15:22:00.006-04:00

Last weekend my husband gave me a wonderful gift: a weekend away to do something that was just for me.

My fellow Moms, Dads and family caretakers of every kind understand what a gift that is.

You see, I am sort of in the midst of what could be a mid-life crisis. I say "sort of" because there is no way I can be old enough to be in mid-life, right?

Anyway, I have felt very unmotivated and unrewarded in my job over the past several years. Not a good thing when it comprises 50+ hours of my life each week.

For a while I have been asking questions like:

What would I rather be doing?
What is my passion?
What is my purpose in life?
What do I want to be when I grow up?
Why do I have this much stress over preparing an email for someone else to send that no one will read when there are people in Africa with no clean drinking water?

The result of the dissatisfaction with my job has been that I have changed jobs (within the same company) 4 times in 4 years. Yeah, it didn't make a darn bit of difference.

So what, you ask, does all this have to do with Nashville? Hold your horses, I'm getting there.

I went to Nashville to attend Jon Acuff's Quitter Conference. I have been reading Jon's blog Stuff Christians Like since the day it was launched around 4 years ago. Jon's writing is mostly hilarious and sometimes soul-wrenching as he focuses on what it means to be a Christian. He is also someone who was a self-professed serial "quitter," who had 8 different jobs in 8 years trying to find that one dream job. Once he did get his dream job, he wrote a book called Quitter to help others rediscover their passions and get out of the "I'm a _____ but I want to be a ______" rut. People like me.

You see, I'm a communications manager but I want to be a millionaire philanthropist stay-at-home Mom.

Ok, well perhaps that one is a bit unrealistic, especially with the current economic environment and my lack of wealthy relatives.

More realistically, I'm a communications manager but I want to be writer. Or a coach. Or a dozen other things different from what I am doing now.

The question is how do I get from here to there?

And that is why I went to Nashville. To hang out with 183 other "Quitters" who want to make to their dream job a reality.

Do I know what my dream job is? Nope. Still not sure. But this past weekend gave me lots of time to think and consider and wonder and ponder. And that, my friends, is a gift.

And even better than all that, I got to stay in the best accommodations that the Nashville area offers: Chez Saxon.

Thank you Karen Marie, Dale and Claire for welcoming me into your beautiful home and making me feel like family. And when Claire releases her first CD I can tell everyone I knew her when!

(Me, Claire, Karen Marie)

Flashback Friday - Nashville 1989

2011-07-29T17:16:00.023-04:00

Since I am in Nashville this weekend, I thought I would flash way back to the last time I was here. In 1989. 22 years ago!

Picture this: three fabulous UNC-Chapel Hill seniors, fresh from their summer working at Walt Disney World, head out of Chapel Hill in the middle of a snow storm.

Dara behind the wheel.

Me talking non-stop.

Holly trying to get a word in edgewise.

Windshield wipers on full (until one of them flew off!)

REM's "Stand" blaring from the cassette player.

Not a cell phone, laptop, GPS, CD or DVD player in sight - how did we survive??

Destination? Nashville, TN.

Why? To meet up with the rest of the gang heading down from Indiana for our first post-Disney reunion.

It was a weekend to remember.

Let me 'splain. No, there is too much, let me sum up (Name that movie):

Wandering around the beautiful Opryland Hotel
Settling in for quite a spell at the Opryland's Jack Daniel's Restaurant and Bar
Terrorizing students trying to study at the Vanderbilt University library
Staging our own hotel room parties - sans the rock star destruction

(Left to right: Monte, Me, Dara, Karen Marie, Scott, Holly, Laura, Suzy)

Wandering the streets of Nashville from establishment to establishment

(Left to right:Elizabeth, Monte, Dara, Suzy, Scott, Laura)

Taking over the Vanderbilt Holiday Inn "Commodore" lounge
Taking over the Lounge band's instruments while they were on a break and singing Jimmy Buffett - and sounding pretty darn good, if we did say so ourselves
Getting scolded by the hotel band for touching their instruments
Stumbling, er, I am mean wandering back to our rooms to chat and laugh the rest of the night away
Diving into the all you can eat breakfast bar at Shoneys

(Monte, Suzy, Karen Marie,Dara, Me, Scott, Holly, Laura)

It was the first of what was to be many "InX/BC" reunions.

Over the years we have gathered in Kernersville, North Carolina, Crawfordsville, Indiana at the DAR house, a couple of times on houseboats in Lake Cumberland, Kentucky, a cabin in Maggie Valley, NC and at weddings here and there all over the place.

Of course, once we all started having munchkins, finding the time (or the energy or the money or people willing to keep our kids) has been tough and we have not gathered in many, many years.

Y'all, it is long over due.

I am thinking Nashville.

A Big Day

2011-07-12T10:16:00.014-04:00

Well, we knew this day would come.

It is wonderful to see my children grow and reach ever closer to the man and woman that they will someday become.

But today, thankfully, he is still my little boy. Even if he is now a kindergartner!

Ready to start a new adventure.
Big Sis is there for support and encouragement.
Heading out the door.
He is really going!

Chewie wants to go to school, too.
"Bye, Mom!"
Did you really think I would let him walk to the bus stop without me?

I followed the poor children, camera clicking away.
Name tag on and ready to go.
Backpacks ready to be slung over shoulders.
"I see the bus!"
And...as soon as the door swung open he burst into tears.

Oh my, that was hard.

But with Mom, Dad and Eliza Grace's encouragement that all would be well, he walked onto the bus...still sniffling but very brave.
And then he was off...
on a grand new adventure!

My Fourth Grader

2011-07-11T09:50:00.020-04:00

After a 4 week break, Eliza Grace started a new school year today. (For those wondering, we attend year round schools.)

My last post had pictures of Eliza Grace as a newborn. And now?
She is a fourth grader...and still just as cute!

Eliza Grace on the first day of

Kindergarten:

First Grade:
Second Grade:

Third Grade:

Time is flying!

Flashback Friday - I Gave Birth to a Redhead - 2002

2011-07-08T07:00:00.013-04:00

A few pics from Eliza Grace's first 6 months, 9 years ago!

Just arrived: Elizabeth Grace Hughes January 8, 2002
Her favorite napping spot.
Red hair!
Future librarian.
Chillin' with cousin Eric.
I cannot tell you how much I loved dressing her up in this outfit. And could you not just eat those cheeks up?!
Scott, Eliza Grace and Great Grandpa Herb (may he rest in peace.)
Ready for her first Easter.
Spring sunshine!
Kisses from Lucy.
Check out those chunky thighs!

Independence Day!

2011-07-05T15:54:00.004-04:00

Food!
Fashion!Fireworks!

Flashback Friday - Ireland 2001

2011-07-01T11:01:00.081-04:00

Although I started blogging back in 2007, I wish I had started years before. There are so many pictures, stories and videos I wish I had posted on this, my digital family scrapbook.

So I have decided to use each Friday to post something from the past. I cannot wait to dig into old files to find fun things to post about. Thanks for coming along for Friday Flashback! (PS - this is a long one but most will not be!)

Ireland 2001:
Scott and I had been trying to start a family for a couple years but, God's timing being God's timing, we found ourselves in a holding pattern. Not ones to let opportunities for fun to pass us by, we purposefully did some traveling.

We visited places around the mid west - St. Louis and Chicago - and took several trips to Florida. In 2000, we went on a two week trek out west but I cannot not find the pictures. So I thought I would start my first Flashback Fridays with our 2001 trip to Ireland.

This trip came at a time when Scott's company was sending him on some international travel. In early 2001, Scott spent 3 weeks in Shenzhen, China and then shortly thereafter he was scheduled to go to Ireland and Amsterdam. We decided I would fly to Ireland to meet him for a week's vacation in the land of leprechauns and fairies.

At this point I must make mention that between Scott's return from China and when he left for Ireland, God's timing became our timing :) The day before Scott left for Ireland, I found out I was pregnant with Eliza Grace!

Scott flew to Dublin from the Netherlands where I met him after my solo flight across the pond. Our flights arrived about 4 hours apart so I had got to snooze on the benches in the Dublin airport. Such the classy world traveler was I.

We did a driving trip that took us from Dublin, along the southern route across to the West coast & Dingle Bay and then back to Dublin for our return flight.

Our rental was a 1.6 liter toy that I could have jogged past when going up hill. This was no race car. And it was tiny. Really tiny. Little did we know that the cars had to be that tiny because, outside of Dublin, every single road in Ireland is one and a half lanes wide and bordered by stone walls on each side. Our goal for the trip was to return the car with both side mirrors intact and by some miracle, we did it!

The only place we made reservations the entire trip was for our last few days in Dublin. Everywhere else we just aimed for a town and when we got there we asked around or followed signs to a local B&B. Of course, this was 2001, the middle of the whole Hoof & Mouth farm animal problem so tourism was a little low.

B&B's in the Irish countryside are a little different from those here in the US. For the most part they were farmhouses in which the owners rented out their kids' rooms while they were at the university. When we would leave one house they would ask where we were headed and then they would stuff our pockets with soda bread (a wee snack for the road) and then give us the name of their relative to stay with on our next stop. Wonderfully friendly people and such pleasure to meet!

Ok, now for the pictures.

Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin.
We went to Trinity College and saw the Book of Kells and took a nighttime Dublin Ghost tour that was a lot of fun.

Completed the requisite Guinness Brewery tour.
We created our Hughes whiskey bottle label at the Jameson Distillery in Middleton, County Cork, home to the worlds largest copper still.We visited plenty of pubs across the country and, as you can imagine, beverage options centered around beer and whiskey. In one place I cited my pregnancy as to why I was not having a pint of Guinness and the bartender looked at me like I was crazy. He said, "So? It'll be healthy for the baby." I still declined.

It was from that fella that we learned the "f" word in Ireland is something that is said as a descriptor in nearly every single sentence spoken. By nearly everyone. It sounded a little less profane with the Irish "au" sound instead of the American "uh" but it still took a while to get used to. We even heard it repeatedly from the family sitting next to us celebrating their daughter's first communion :)

Also, they do not put ice in soft drinks - sacrilege to a American Southerner - so I got funny looks every time I asked.

Our first stop outside of Dublin was to my paternal ancestral home, County Wicklow, which boasts the Wicklow County Gaol known as one of the "most haunted places in Ireland." We noticed the name Kavanagh many times throughout the gaol. Hmmm.

We stopped anywhere we found interesting as we meandered through the lush countryside.

An ancient stone circle.
Crag Cave in County Kerry.
An ancient holy well.
A tribal chieftain chair.
The Gallarus Oratory.
An ancient Viking dwelling.
Michael Connor's grave site.
Even in Ireland I walked through cemeteries.
Our B&B in Blarney, County Cork.
Blarney Castle.
Me kissing the Blarney Stone. Scott wimped out saying he was not about to put his lips where millions of others had. Guess this is why Eliza Grace has the gift of the gab...and then some.
The Town of Dingle, County Cork
The Connor Pass, leaving the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry. Glacier pools and the clouds below and sheep along the road side. I cannot recall how many times we had to stop for sheep in the middle of the road on this trip, but it was a lot.
It was a fabulous trip and we would love to go back again to see everything that we missed the first time around. Although we both decided we would rather do so via one of those old people bus tours. The stress of driving on the wrong side of very narrow roads about did us in.

Erin Go Bragh!

Neurotic? Sure. But At Least It's Entertaining!

2011-06-28T10:23:00.027-04:00

Let me start with a little back story: When we first brought Chewie home we set out Lucy's old stainless steel food and water bowls for him to use.

He had no trouble with the water bowl and dove right in. But when we put food in the other dish, he freaked out. We weren't sure if it was the reflection of the food in the bowl or if it was the noise that the food made when he moved it around inside the bowl that bothered him.

Whatever it was, he seemed too scared to put his face in the bowl and eat. We coaxed and prodded but he would not eat out of that bowl. So we grabbed one of the kids plastic cereal bowls and that worked just fine.

Then, yesterday morning, Eliza Grace found the metal food bowl in the pantry and asked if I thought Chewie had gotten over his problem with the bowl. I said yes, he probably had, so she switched out the bowls and then we left to take her to camp.

Fast forward to last evening: Scott and I passed each other in the neighborhood, he coming home from work and me heading out to get the kids. Through the car window I asked him to go ahead and feed Chewie and start dinner when he got inside.

When I got home with the kids, Scott greeted me by saying, "This has been great entertainment. Did you do it on purpose?" Since it was obvious I had no clue what he was talking about, he handed me the video camera to show what he had been watching for the past 15 minutes or so.

Suffice it to say, Chewie is obviously still freaked out by the metal food bowl. And instead of just feeding the poor, hungry, pleading dog, Scott, being male, simply video taped Chewie neurotically barking and dragging the food mat holding the evil bowl.

So we went back to the pink plastic bowl and Chewie is happy and well fed. And, yes, Scott was right, neurotic dogs are pretty entertaining.

Random Pictures Monday

2011-06-27T16:27:00.012-04:00

Posting a few random iPhone pics left over from our recent trip to Kiawah Island.

Will's car traveling style, aided by Dramamine
Eliza Grace's traveling style, aided by reams of paper and lots of markers.
Will drew "heart" Mom in the sand
Eliza Grace's natural art project.
Participating in Kazoo band night.
Will holds a corn snake at the Reptile Round-Up
Petting a 6 year old gator.
Eliza Grace and a king snake

What Have They Done To Me?!

2011-06-25T07:00:00.003-04:00

Woof. Bark. Growl. Howwwwllll

Oh, sorry, I forgot I needed to speak human.

Alpha let me borrow her blog because I just had to vent.

You see, it all started about 2 weeks ago. I was just sitting around minding my own business, licking what I pleased and chewing on my toys. Life was great!

I mean, Alpha was always trying to brush the giant knots out of my fur but aside from that, life was one big air-conditioned dog house!

Then one evening, Alpha started running around like a crazy lady, dragging down these big things with wheels and throwing clothes in them. The older pups started grabbing pillows and stuffed animals - which, by the way they do NOT share with me - and Alpha's mate started stuffing all kinds of wires and gadgets into bag after bag.

I had no clue what was going on but when Alpha told me we were going for a car ride, I was psyched! She was so nice, gave me a treat and didn't even make me sit in that crate in the car.

When we pulled up to the "place that shall not be named," Alpha was all "come on sweet Chewie. That's a good boy, Chew Chew" so I was not too freaked out. I overheard Alpha say something like "please do what you can with his fur" but I figured they would try to brush me or give me a bath. Not my cup of kibble but I figured I would survive.

What happened next makes my nub of a tail tuck way under. In fact, I think I have blocked most of it out but suffice it to say it was the worst 9 days of my entire 6 month old life!

After Alpha left, the days all blurred together. One day they stuck me with needles. Another day I took a nap and when I woke up, I was missing my FAMILY JEWELS! The family jewels people. There goes any hope I ever had for leading my own pack!

And if that was not bad enough, just look what they did to me.

This is what I looked like the day before Alpha took me to the vet:
And this is what I look like now:
When she came to pick me up she told them they had the wrong dog!

It was humiliating.

Ok, sure, less fur means I am cooler but, seriously? I. Look. Ridiculous!

My name is Chewbacca people.
Have you ever seen a HAIRLESS WOOKIE?

Please tell me it will grow back!

And while you are at it, please tell Alpha to stop calling me the "The Rat."

Happiness is...

2011-06-24T07:07:00.001-04:00

...a brand new bike without training wheels!

Fishin' Kiawah Island Style

2011-06-23T06:30:00.006-04:00

Scott and I took the kids to a couple of fishing spots on Kiawah last week.
While Will is getting a little better about paying attention when casting, it continues to be a risky business.
This night his back swing threw his baited hook right onto my upper chest. Splat!
Thankfully it smacked me bait first instead of hook first. Whew!

It was at that point I decided to step back and do what I do best when fishing: take pictures.

The fish wisper-er does it again.
She caught the only fish of the night, a nice sized bass.
One of these days I am going to count all those freckles. That little face just melts me. Even when it is smirking ever so slightly. "You eyeballin' me girl?!"

I call this picture "Kiawahhhhh" said like a sigh. An apt name, wouldn't you agree?

Angel Oak

2011-06-22T06:35:00.005-04:00

Just off Bohicket Road on John's Island, South Carolina stands the (reportedly) oldest living organism east of the Rocky Mountains: the Angel Oak.This mammoth tree - which looks like it may be several trees that have grown together - is somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,500 years old.

Let me repeat that.

1,500 years old.
It is supported a few places by jack stands and blocks of wood.It reminds me of something out of a movie. Harry Potter maybe? Can't you just see that huge spider coming out from behind there. **Shudder** I hate spiders.Anyhoo, it was really neat to stand under those branches and think about all that "The Tree" has seen and heard over the past 1,500 years.

If only it could talk. Imagine the stories it could tell.

Kids and Cannons

2011-06-21T07:30:00.002-04:00

The Charleston, South Carolina Battery is a beautiful contradiction.

It has sweeping harbor views.250+ year old live Oaks that make great monkey bars...
...and a nice spot for my beautiful Mother-in-law (who has not aged a day in 20 years!) to lean on.

There are several statues and monuments to honor fallen heroes.

And then...there are the cannons.
Lots and lots of Civil War-era cannons.Which are also great substitutes for monkey bars!

It Started in High School

2011-06-20T07:30:00.004-04:00

My love of cemeteries.

Salem Academy, my high school, is situated right beside God's Acre, Home Moravian church's cemetery in Old Salem.
It is, in a word, peaceful.

One of the most peaceful places I have ever been. Row upon row of square, white marble stones so neatly laid.

On warm Fall and Spring days I used to take my books and do my homework sitting in an older section among more traditional monuments and vaults. Some were simple and others, very ornate. Of course, I always did this during the day light hours so it never seemed creepy or weird. Just peaceful.

Charleston, South Carolina has more than its fair share of historic churches and thus, more than its fair share of really old cemeteries. When I walk past one, I just have to go in and walk around. I always try to find the oldest marker that is still legible.

This time I stopped to take pictures behind Second Presbyterian Church and the oldest I found was a birth date of 1829.

"I'm Going Back to Charleston Where I Belong!"

2011-06-18T16:59:00.003-04:00

"I'm going back to dignity and grace.
I'm going back to Charleston where I belong!"
Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind"

Charleston, South Carolina is by far my favorite Southern city. It may well be my favorite city in the entire United States but I hesitate to go that far since, unfortunately, there are many, many places I have not yet been.

Regardless, I love Charleston. No matter how many times I visit, I still feel like I could spend days and days wandering the cobblestone streets, visiting old cemeteries, sitting in sidewalk cafes, taking pictures, eating crab cakes, peering through windows, marveling at the architecture, shopping in the market place, imagining what it would be like to live in the gorgeous water front homes and so much more!

I have taken so many pictures this week that I am going to do a couple of posts just to fit them all in!

I'll start with the sights around The Battery and Meeting and Market Streets.

Unique cast iron medallions in the sidewalks.
Not sure what it is about wrought iron gates and railings that I find so fascinating, but I do.
Unique water features.
All the gas lanterns.

Old brick walls. (Looking down the side of the market place.)
Rose windows in a beautiful, old church.

A majestic steeple from another.

Up next: Old cemeteries!

So Long Third Grade!

2011-06-10T22:34:00.008-04:00

Eliza Grace poses with Chewie to show how much they both have grown over the past couple of months.
Only 2 more years of Elementary school left for my little girl!

"I'm A School-Ager Now!"

2011-05-13T15:59:00.026-04:00

This past Tuesday Will graduated from pre-school and the ceremony was fun for both the kids and their families.

It was a nice way to say goodbye to the pre-school years and hello to the next phase of Will's life - one that will last for the next 13 years! Here's a glimpse at the evening's events.

A shy smile up on the stage.

These little cuties signed their A,B,Cs. It was adorable!
Receiving his "diploma" from Ms. Chrissy
A quick look at the ceremony.

Admiring his tassel.

Patiently waiting for the balloon release
There they go!
Love that Ms. Chrissy!
The three ~~mischief makers~~ Amigos! (Taylor, Will & Gabe)
Still working on attention spans.
Will presented each of his teachers with a bouquet of roses.
Love that Ms. Tabatha!
She tried to sneak in a smooch!
Proud big sister!
After the ceremony we went to dinner with his buddy Gabe's family and enjoyed a fabulous homemade cake - thanks Darla!

From now until kindergarten, which begins in July, Will gets to be in the "school-agers" room, which means a whole new world of toys, no mandatory nap time and fun-filled field trips 3-4 days a week.

As you can imagine, he is very excited.

Sneak Peek

2011-05-12T08:14:00.001-04:00

Guess what Will did earlier this week?Will fill in the details soon!

Play Ball!

2011-05-05T18:00:00.000-04:00

Will's first tee ball game was this past Tuesday evening and it went very much as we expected.

He and his buddy Gabe had a blast hanging out in the dugout...
...and being silly, as usual!
Then the (Town of Cary) Colorado Rockies took to the field.

"Will!"
"Yes?"
"You're in right field."
"Ok. I don't know where that is!"

Thankfully there were many wonderful volunteer coaches to help guide these guys and gals to their correct positions.

"Ok, I am in right field. Now what?"
It is truly adorable to see him "take a knee" like a little pro.
And then 3.2 seconds later, the attention span began to wane.
And the doodling in the dirt began.
And the inattention allowed the ball go right between his legs where someone else got the ball.

"Huh? Where did it go?"
Which lead directly into a super terrific glove-throwing hissy-fit and big 'ol pout session right there on the field. Arms crossed. Back turned to the batter.

We were so proud.
Scott and I held each other back since we both wanted to march out there and drag him off the field. Thankfully, Coach was there to talk him through it and get him back on his feet.

Of course as soon as they came off the field, Scott took Will aside for a private "chat" that focused on whether or not Will would continue participating on the team. I think he got the point. I hope.

Then it was on to batting.

"Will!"
"I'm here!"
"You're on deck!"
"What deck?"

Alrighty then.

A swing and a miss (but what a great shot by the photographer. Why, thank you!)

Look at those teeth, gritted with determination!
Let's take a look at the replay. I think the secret is in the tush wiggle right before he swings.

Poised to steal second!
Post-game / pre-snack smiles!
And a big cheer for everyone - Goooooooo Rockies!

Thunder Storms & Musical Beds

2011-05-04T07:06:00.032-04:00

I think those tornado-filled storms that just missed us the other week spooked Eliza Grace and Will, because last night's storm resulted in very little sleep.

Let me illustrate (albeit crudely) what it was like in our room around 3:30 AM:

Scott and I are peacefully asleep. I am dreaming about a thunderstorm. Then there is a kid standing beside me telling me that he is scared of the thunderstorm...at which point I realize that the storm is not only in my dream.

(Isn't it weird how your subconscious integrates things going on around you into your dreams?! A little "Inception"-ish, no?)

So Will climbs in.
I am just about to drift off once again, when I hear a little voice beside me say, "Mommy. Mom! The storm is getting freaky!" Enter Eliza Grace.
Despite the California king size bed, I cannot tolerate the crowding or the heat, so I grab a pillow and a blanket and hit the floor.

Scott apparently (finally!) notices that we have guests, gets up and says, " I'm going upstairs." The crowding and heat has apparently gotten to him, too, thank goodness!

I climb back into the bed on Scott's side, since mine has been invaded, and try desperately to go back to sleep.

Except Scott's clock is as bright as the sun. Right. In. My. Face.

I could turn the other way but that would mean giving Will greater accessibility to smack me in the face in his sleep...again. So I stare at the clock, with a size one foot in my back until around 5:35 AM.

The dog begins whining to go out at 6:32 AM.

Needless-to-say, we are all a little tired today.

And possibly a little grumpy.

You have been warned.

A Little Backyard Croquet

2011-05-01T07:13:00.012-04:00

Easter 2011

2011-04-24T16:49:00.006-04:00

Colorful Morning

2011-04-22T17:00:00.008-04:00

Stormy Weather

2011-04-16T16:54:00.037-04:00

This is what we kept an eye on this afternoon. At 3:38 PM EDT to be exact.
See that arrow just west of the letter "C" in Cary? That is where we live.
All that bright red and purple had us running for our designated severe weather safety location: our master bedroom closet. At one point there were six separate tornado warnings over a four county area.

When we told the kids to grab a couple of lovies and head to our closet, Will became very concerned. Thankfully hugs, reassurances and prayers helped Will relax as we all crammed into our closet with our most prized possessions in hand. Mine were my laptop, iPhone and Nikon camera, naturally.

Chewbacca took advantage of all the blankets and warm bodies and took a nap. I don't think we will be able to depend on him as any kind of early warning system.
Eliza Grace, who is blessed with an amazing spirit that finds an element of fun in nearly every situation, created her own fort and settled in to play her DS.
Thankfully the very worst of the storm missed us by a couple of miles. Unfortunately, the storms did a great deal of damage in the surrounding areas and our thoughts are prayers are with those who were affected.

He Caught Up To Me Again

2011-04-13T08:00:00.002-04:00

Last Wednesday Will woke up and asked, "Do you know what the day after tomorrow is?" to which Scott answered, "It's my birthday!" After giving him a bit of an exasperated look, Will said, "Um, well maybe, but what it REALLY is is my first tee-ball practice!"

It was at that point I decided we should probably wait until Saturday to celebrate Scott's birthday so we could all take time to focus on the other important stuff going on in our lives.

Uncle Gus (aka George Dusek) stopped by with a birthday beer for Scott just in time to help us sing.

After four months of being the younger man, Scott caught up to me once again.

Welcome to 44, Scottie.

PS - Quit tracking the package every 5 minutes already. I am sure your new toy will arrive soon :)

A Small Harvest

2011-04-12T14:45:00.006-04:00

Scott's garden is doing well and I grabbed some lettuce for dinner last night.

Green strawberries are appearing, tomato plants will bloom soon and the cilantro is almost ready, too!

Fresh and organic from the back yard. Delish!

Learning to Back Off

2011-04-11T15:00:00.004-04:00

I admit it. I can be one of "those moms."

I tend to be fairly cautious. I watch my kids pretty closely.

Although I want to expose them to all kinds of experiences, I find it hard to just "let them be" while they experience it.

I feel the need to provide some sort of running commentary: "be careful," "find something to hold onto," "could be poison ivy in there," "look for snakes," "that's high enough."

This is common sense, right? It is my job to make sure my children are safe, right?

But the entire time I am doing this, there is an inner dialogue running though my head:

"You used to ride your bike 4 blocks from home and spend hours at Miller Park, climbing trees, talking to strangers, wading through storm drains and capturing crawdads - with no parent in sight."

"You would swim way past the breakers and play until you were exhausted and you never got swept out to sea."

"How are they going to learn on their own if you do not let them make some mistakes and see what happens."

"Who cares if they get muddy! Get grip, Jacque. Mud washes off."

"You got poison ivy as a kid - a lot! - and survived."

It is the age old battle between knowing how I should react versus the reality of what I actually do.

I have always been partially jealous and yet slightly appalled at parents - first time or not - who can just let their babies and toddlers crawl and wander all over, watching them from a distance while doing their own thing.

I cannot tell you how many times I have caught someone else's child as they fell off play equipment or grabbed them just as something was about to hit them in the head.

A couple of year's ago I actually grabbed a struggling toddler from under the water after she had wandered away from her mother who was on the other side of the pool, chatting away. When I returned her to her mother, her mother just gave me a little smile and said, "Oh thanks, I wasn't sure where she was." I wanted to say, "Really, you did not know where your 3 year old was?! Isn't knowing where your 3 year old is the one thing you should always know?!"

Anyway, the point of this rambling is that I understand that balance is the key to most things in life and I am striving for greater balance when it comes to backing off and letting my kids just be.

And I think I am doing better, because the entire time I was video taping my kids yesterday, in my head I was screaming, "ticks! snakes! mud! disease! nasty! gross! do not fall! do not get hurt! I do not want to go to the ER today!"

Ok ,well, as I watch that again, I admit I still have a long way to go.

But, hey, at least I let him walk across that stream on that old, rotten log while grabbing poison ivy invested vegetation to haul himself up!

Aren't you proud of me?

Batter Up!

2011-04-10T07:00:00.001-04:00

This past week was a banner one for Will as he began his first ever team sport: tee- ball.

Although he was a bit reluctant when I first signed him up, once he learned that his best buddy Gabe was assigned to the same team he got pretty excited.

Buying his first glove (and baseball pants, socks and rubber cleats) was a hoot because the kid was so excited he was literally bouncing through the store. Accessories apparently make the man.

The first practice was Friday night and, though he was shy at first, he got over that quickly. Frankly it took all my strength not to march onto the field and tell him to quit chatting and messing around and pay attention to the coaches. I didn't do it because, well, I did not want to be one of those mothers....even though I totally am.

When we first arrived it was warm but within 5 minutes, the temperature dropped about 15 degrees and the wind began to blow. Despite the weather, practice went well. I thank God that there are men who have the patience and willingness to introduce these 5 year olds to the sport and the three coaches for our Rockies seem really great.

Scott and I are excited to see how much Will learns and how much fun he has over the next 16 weeks.

Here's a quick video of the first day of practice. Apologies for the wind noise!

Aaaacting!

2011-04-09T08:20:00.022-04:00

The kids and a neighbor friend dragged Eliza Grace's "theater" out of storage the other day and sorely tested my engineering skills.

After a few missteps, I finally got it together and and then the fun began.

Getting ready for the show. Will has already secured his popcorn and candy.
"I'm gonna to sing a little song. Like to hear it, hear it goes."
Jadon delighted the crowd with jokes and riddles.
Even Chewie was rolling on the floor laughing.
A little waltz during the intermission.
And Will finished the performance with an aria...or a really loud belch. One never knows what will come out of his mouth.

She Canters Verticals

2011-03-26T19:30:00.003-04:00

Posing for a moment before her introduction.
Trotting into the ring on Anything But Ordinary, also known as Dixie.
And here she goes...

Time to let Dixie rest.

Never A Dull Moment

2011-03-24T19:15:00.003-04:00

Nearly every male Hoosier I have had the pleasure to meet has an underlying trait of avoiding complicating a basic task while finding a way to have fun doing it.

Scott is certainly no exception.

Sometimes actions taken with this approach can defy conventional wisdom. However, simplicity, efficiency and the every popular "that was cool!" factor often over shadow alternative, "smarter" methods.

Scott is working diligently to instill this quality in our son.

Thus, when it was decided that we should remove the overgrown sticker bushes by our mailbox, Scott took the opportunity to show Will how to keep it simple....and still use a big 'ol V8.

(And please forgive my senior moment when I could not come up with the right words for "rear back up sensor").

Camp MusArt Redux

2011-03-21T10:26:00.028-04:00

Last week Eliza Grace attended Camp MusArt's track out camp again and loved it more than ever. If you have kids in K-5th grade in the Cary/Apex area that enjoy arts & crafts and music, this is the place for them!

This time, along with daily lessons on cello, violin, piano/keyboard, guitar and recorder, they learned some Irish ditties in honor of St. Patrick's day.

We really love all of the teachers that are part of this program. They are engaging, encouraging and caring. Plus two of the teachers came up to me at the end of the week to tell me how sweet Eliza Grace is and how much they enjoyed having her there. Words every Mother loves to hear!

Now comes the part where I share video from the end-of-the-week performance.

And it is also the part where I tell you that it was hot, crowded and Will was restless and whiny (as were lots of other siblings in the audience).

And I should say that, despite my new Flip HD with image stabilization, it does not keep me from wandering while I film.

And lastly, I must say that we are pretty impressed with Eliza Grace's short violin solo from "Allegro." We have definitely heard screechier versions, so hang in there because she ends well :)

Ok, well, with that really impressive/scary introduction, here's the video!

Scott's Green Thumb

2011-03-16T19:53:00.000-04:00

This past weekend Scott decided he wanted to put in a raised garden.

You can take the Hoosier out of Indiana, but you cannot keep him from wanting to grow things!

Will, who spent the morning as a pirate in pajamas, decided he needed to lend a hand once he realized that tools were involved.
However, his help was short lived because, come on, it was sunny and the swing set was right there!
So Scottie finished the build himself...
hauled way too much top soil (because all we have naturally is red clay and sand)...
planted his lettuce and strawberries...
and protected it all from the many families of rabbits that live in the thickets and woods in our backyard.
What you cannot see are the approximately 12 other planters scattered on and around our decks which are sprouting his other veggies and herbs: tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, oregano, etc.

Thank you, Scott, for all your hard work! We cannot wait to taste the fruits (and veggies and herbs) of your labor!

Miss Kim was in the Houseee ...er...Cheesecake Factoryyy!

2011-03-14T07:10:00.000-04:00

Miss Kim (aka Mimi or Kimmie), our nanny from the time Will was 3 months to 18 months old, was in town for a conference last week. The kids and I met her and some of her peers for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

I cannot tell you how much we miss this sweet young lady. She was such a joy to have in our lives on a daily basis. At the same time, it is so fun to hear all that she has accomplished over the past nearly 4 years. I found myself bragging to Scott about how well she is doing like some proud mama :)

Even though Will only really remembers Miss Kim through these visits - and scrapbooks, pictures and videos - he completely understands that this woman loves him and cared for him when he was really little.

He knows that she changed too many diapers to count, went through too many burp cloths to comprehend (Will was THE spit up king!) and helped shepherd him through those first 18 month basics: rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking, talking, eating on his own, etc. etc.

Will and Eliza Grace doing their Ninja poses

Eliza Grace, however, does remember many fun times with Miss Kim. Pedicures while Will napped, walks to the park, tea parties and all kinds of crafts and activities that kept her busy, learning and having fun. They even have their own special way they say goodbye: Kim says, "Love ya, mean it" and Eliza Grace responds, "Love ya mean it more!" They were good buddies and I am so glad they still are.
It was so great to see you again, Miss Kim. We cannot wait to catch up with you again soon!

Sweet Georgia Brown

2011-03-12T06:56:00.039-05:00

Last Saturday, the kids and I joined the Dusek's to see the Harlem Globetrotters. I can now officially check another one off my childhood wish list!

For my fellow Amazing Race fans, Big Easy led the game as team captain and lead funny man, but Flight Time was not there.

I venture to say that, aside from different players and some of the music, the 'Trotters routine has changed very little since the 1970's...and it was great!

Our tickets were at the very top of the lower level but, since the matinee performance was only about a third full, we moved much closer to the floor.Each of the kids got their own official red, white and blue Globetrotters basketball, although Eliza Grace chose the smaller version and then got as many autographs as she could in the short signing time after the show. The line was so long for Big Easy that we were not able to get his :(
The 4 Musketeers have another great memory together!

Will (5), Eliza Grace (9), Jacob (9), Isaac (6)

Space, The Final Frontier...

2011-03-05T18:42:00.001-05:00

Will's preschool class has been studying outer space, celestial bodies and the space shuttle over the last 2 weeks.

I do believe this has been his favorite topic at school all year. His teachers agree, as they shared that he has been far more attentive during the lessons than he has been most of the year :)

They made a variety of space related crafts:
a picture of Saturna paper towel tube star gazer a rendering of our solar system (note, objects are not as close as they appear, nor are they in any particular order!)
and created their own moon rocks.
They also learned a song to help them remember the names of the planets in order of distance from the sun.

I asked Will if he would sing it for me on camera and he conceded once I convinced him that he would want to show it to his kids someday. Gotta do whatever works!

Perhaps we have a burgeoning astronomer or astronaut on our hands!

Heeeere's Chewie!

2011-03-03T06:00:00.005-05:00

Yes, I am sure he is really missing all those loud, yappy puppies at the breeder.

And he never has any fun. See?

Let's take another look at little Chewbacca in that last pose:
Now take a look at a Star Wars AT-AT walker (and imagine it laying on its side in the same position as Chewie above):
Is it just us or is there a real similarity? Scott thinks giving him a Star Wars related name was providential :)

Fitting In

2011-02-28T09:41:00.014-05:00

We're pretty sure Chewie has adapted to his new family. What do you think?
I had flashbacks this morning to when I had toddlers, as Chewie sat whining in his carrier while I took a shower. I wonder if he would prefer an Exersaucer? :)

Say Hello to My Leettle Friend!

2011-02-25T18:06:00.017-05:00

(Everyone knows that the title of this post should be read with an accent, right?)

We have a new member of the family. Allow me to introduce...

Chewbacca Hughes. But we call him Chewie.

(Don't you just love that little Superman pose puppies do?!)

Chewie is a Schnoodle (1/2 mini Schnauzer, 1/2 mini Poodle), which means he does not shed and is hypoallergenic. This is key when three out of four members of your family suffer from seasonal and/or all year round allergies. (I'm looking at you, Scottie.)

How did we pick his name, you ask? Well, Scott and I picked him out at the breeder last week and brought a picture home to show the kids. We put his picture up on the big TV and told the kids to focus on his face and tell us what name they thought would work.

Will took about five seconds and then pronounced, "Chewbacca." And that was it. Of course he added that, "We could call him Chewie or Fuzzball or Walking Carpet because that is what people in Star Wars called him, too!" Ah, the child loves the classics, what can I say?

Eliza Grace did offer up Hagrid, which was given serious consideration. But eventually all four of us agreed upon Chewie.

Unfortunately, I have already called him Lucy twice and Saber, the neighbor's dog, once. Scott said he has called him Will once, too. And I find it too easy to call him Choo-choo. Little fella may be a tad confused.

Needless-to-say, we are all smitten with our new pup and we are fairly certain he is down-right pleased to be hanging with us. I just know Lucy is looking down from heaven at her little brother with a happy little bark!

Hanging with my Pops

Hey, you smell good!
I get two of these little people to play with?!
Hang on a sec dude, got an itch
Mom, enough with the pictures already!

Ok, someone point me to the kibble!

I'm a little tired. Mind if I just take a little rest right...zzzzzz

Going to the Dog(s)

2011-02-24T20:16:00.014-05:00

Tiny new crate?Check!

Food and water bowls?Check!

New collar? (In Carolina blue, of course!)Check!

Leash?
Check!

Chew toys?

Check!

Ready to bring the little fuzzball home?

Double, triple check!

See you in the morning, Puppy Hughes!

The Circus!

2011-02-21T07:00:00.012-05:00

Last weekend we spent a couple hours with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. This was Will's first time at the circus and to say we all enjoyed it is a huge understatement. All four of us were mesmerized for two solid hours.

The first order of business was, of course, to get some treats. Will went for the snow cone-in-a-tiger.

Eliza Grace went for cotton candy and the accompanying souvenir hat.

Elephants and tigers and llamas, oh my!

"He'd fly through the air with the greatest of ease, that daring young man on the flying trapeze."
Crazy acrobats were bouncing, flipping, flying in the air and landing on boards and each other's shoulders.
Ok, seriously, this next guy was on a single stilt, got bounced and flipped up in the air, did a back flip and landed on the one stilt. These people are amazing and fairly fearless!
We all loved the synchronized trampoline acrobatics.
One of the coolest things they do is the 7 motorcyclists in the "Globe (globe...globe) of Steel (steel...steel)!"
The high wire acts were exciting as expected!
The muscles and sheer strength of these athletes was amazing to watch.

Anytime someone would do a split, Will would exclaim, "Ow! That's gotta' hurt!"

A Ball at the Park

2011-02-19T11:13:00.011-05:00

Warm February weather equals picnics at the park......and using tennis courts to play with bouncing balls.

Chinese New Year...A Bit Late

2011-02-18T11:40:00.034-05:00

I've been fighting the blues over the past couple of weeks and then, just when I felt myself pulling out of it (warmer temperatures are helping!), work kicked into an insanely high gear. Needless-to-say, I have missed capturing our lives on my blog, so as I get back into the swing of things, I will be catching up with the goings-on over the last couple of weeks!

Both our town and neighborhood have very diverse populations, thus our kids go to school and interact with a fabulous variety of races and cultures. Will's preschool even has weekly Spanish and Mandarin language sessions. It is fun to hear him say more in Mandarin than just "Ni Hao Kai-Lan!"

Back at the beginning of February, Will's class spent several days talking about the Chinese New Year, the associated festivities and generally learning more about Chinese culture. At dinner each night he shared what he learned.

On February 3rd, the first day of the 15-day Chinese New Year celebration, both Will and Eliza Grace decided to make and decorate paper lanterns and put little battery powered votive candles inside. Will also had his mask that he made at school and Eliza Grace made a dragon mask at home, complete with a movable tongue that stuck out of its mouth!
Scott found some traditional Chinese music on the web and the kids turned off the lights and had a blast parading through the house.

It was a great evening of family fun.

Evening's Entertainment

2011-01-31T19:41:00.011-05:00

On these cold winter nights I say we roll up the runners and start smacking a ball around.

And yes, MG and fellow Salem Academy field hockey jocks, that is my 27 year old Dita she is using!

"You Are Working Here? Now?"

2011-01-25T10:27:00.011-05:00

Will is at home with a fever today. I am letting him play Wii while I work. Here is a conversation we had a few minutes ago.

Will: "Mommy, want to play Wii with me?"

Me: "No, Will, I can't right now. I'm at work."

Will: "You are working?"

Me: "Yes."

Will: "Here?"

Me: "Yes."

Will: "Now?"

Me: "Yes."

Will: "How can you be at work here?"

Me: "I can work where ever I have my computer and a telephone, hon."

Will: "That's shrange." (he pronounces strange as shrange.)

Me: "Well it sure is convenient, isn't it?"

Will: "Not if you can't play Wii."

Hmm. He has a point.

I See You

2011-01-18T15:33:00.018-05:00

For the past 3+ years I have been able to monitor Will while at day care via in-room cameras. It has given me some sense of peace to be able to visually check on him throughout the day.

When he started going to daycare at 18 months old it helped me with the guilt. I would keep the video feed in the background on my screen nearly all day. I would watch him nap on his little mat and toddle around playing with his teachers and friends.

These days it is more about making sure he is behaving.

Much to his dismay, I occasionally call him on certain things I have seen during the day. Every time he looks a little confused and then he glances at his teachers, at which point I say, "They did not tell me, I saw you. "Arg," he moans, "I forget about the cameras!"

One time he actually met me at the door of his classroom with tears in his eyes. "I know you saw me and I said I was sorry." Little did he know I had missed the offense to which he was confessing.

I have to admit that I will miss the video feed when he starts Kindergarten in July.

But something tells me that he won't.

The Whiner.

2011-01-11T17:29:00.009-05:00

I don't like Winter.

I don't like it when my hands and feet and nose are constantly cold.

I don't like it when a 1/4 inch of ice can keep my kids from going to school for days.

I don't like feeling that all I want to do is hibernate and rarely leave my house.

I don't like that at least one person in my household has a dripping nose and/or cough from Thanksgiving until St. Patrick's day.

I don't like that Winter makes me feel sad and unproductive and unmotivated for no good reason.

And I really don't like that Winter turns me into a big, fat whiner.

Number 9 Number 9

2011-01-09T16:58:00.051-05:00

Eliza Grace is 9! One more year 'til double digits - wow!

The rule in our family is odd birthdays are small affairs and even ones can be a somewhat bigger deal. So in theory this would have been a small, low key celebration. In theory.

This year Eliza Grace had three friends over for a slumber party. The festivities began Friday evening and, after much greeting and giggling and chatting, we started work on the make-your-own pizzas.
From the beginning,Will became fully vested in his role of pesky little brother.

With dinner done, we moved on to presents!
Then it was time for cake and ice cream.

Eliza Grace wanted a Harry Potter theme. We looked around the web for ideas and decided on an open book cake. I called some local bakeries and when I learned that the price for such a cake started at $200, I told her that I thought we could make it ourselves.

The good news is that Eliza Grace wanted to fashion all of the fondant items on the cake and I was happy to let her do it!

Click on the picture below for explanations of this beast which used 3 boxed cake mixes.

It takes a lot of cheek puffing to get nine candles out!

Next, Scott set up Eliza Grace's gift from us which was a theater that we bought on Woot! months ago.

It goes up like a tent and each side of the theater has a different purpose: the front side has curtains that open and close for performances
the left side is a ticket selling booth the right side is the refreshment stand and the back side is the dressing room/stage entrance. Admittedly it is a little big (5 ft tall) so I am sure we will tear it down soon and then put it up again when the urge to perform returns.

As you can imagine, the next order of business was to get into costumes and put on a show!
"I'm a spider-man cowboy pirate."
After much silliness it was time to get into jammies, eat popcorn and watch a movie.
The girls were all abed in Eliza Grace's room by 10:30pm. Unfortunately a copious amount of sugar mixed with lots of excitement necessitated my very final command for silence at 1:30am!

We began the next morning with the birthday girl's request for chocolate chip pancakes after which everyone decorated their own picture frame as a keepsake.
One guest had to leave shortly thereafter but I took the remaining kids to McDonald's for lunch and then ice skating at the Polar Ice House in Cary.

Here is a quick look at the birthday girl at the rink:

Thankfully we got there right when they opened for public skating because within 45 minutes the place was packed and the rink was awfully crowded.

It was a really fun and really exhausting birthday celebration and Eliza Grace said that it was "really, really the best ever!" Can't ask for more than that.