Memories of 2010

Christmas 2010

As I went to the party store yesterday to pick up a few noise makers, hats, and decorations for the "Kids" version New Years Eve Party we are having.... It got me to thinking about how Blessed this past year was for our family....

As I write this blog and think over the past year I am thankful that I have a very growing family of 7.....Although this year has come with happiness and it's challenges and especially the stress of the everyday things again I can only say it's great to have a family... to share things with, to laugh or cry with and especially to lean on and count on.....

For Milton it's been a big year... A junior in high school... already talking about Graduation and all the fun and excitement that comes with... Making that big decisions of "What College"



Age 14

It's been a year to remember.... Nicholas got to hold a Falcon and have a Turkey vulture land on his arm....He got to meet his birth dad.... and the anticipation of becoming a freshman at the High school. 





Bethanne Age 15

 

Bethanne went to her first Homecoming dance.... Being a freshman at the high school is challenging ....





John Age 6



John amazement when he asked for a swimming pool for his birthday and he got one... First year of Kindergarten an adjustment but he is making it.... John is now official with his adoption in May.



Age 2



Christian has had an amazing year of challenges and new experiences that has brought amazement to us... His love of the new things he can learn and the excitement he loves to experience.  He's growing fast... Christian became a official part of the family .....

I love each one of them for their own corks... their unending love... their smiles and the amazement every time something happens new.... 

For Chuck and I we celebrated a big anniversary our 15th... In this day an age that's along time to be married.... Were thankful that Chuck still has a job, one that he loves... and I am thankful that the money stretched so that I still can continue to stay at home an raise our great bunch!!

We enjoy the smallest of things... Birthdays.... Steelers Football.... Playing..... going to places that bring hours of fun.... Our family vacations.... But most of all just the every night around the dinner table discussions....

It's great having a family to love and a family that loves you back... No questions.....

So, here's wishing you and yours a Blessed and Happy New Year!
Love, The Hughes





Weekends Memories

Weekends always seems to be laid back at our house.... I guess because of how busy a family of 7 can be during the week. 

Our weekend started on Thursday, enjoyed Thanksgiving with my wonderful family.... spent some good quality time with my brother and his kids.... Enjoyed a feast... and spent a nice day on Friday with my kids putting up the Christmas Tree... Saturday we watched Christmas movies and relaxed... Sunday we were off to Church for the Hanging of the Greens and then watched football and just spent more time relaxing...

So, I noticed how much more time there is on the weekends when there are no buses to catch, work schedules to be there on time, and how much more time you spend enjoying your family...

I also enjoy the memories that we create on the weekends... I must have taken at least 60-90 photos from Thursday to Sunday.... for me photos are my memories and I really treasure the photos I have of Loved ones that have made their journey to Heaven. 

Weekends give you more time to play games with your children, read a good book, watch that movie you've been meaning to see, and overall a great time to make memories that will last a life time for your kids....

So, take time this weekend to just enjoy the memories that you are creating for your family.

Thankfulness!

As I got up this morning for Church and spent some time praying I realized that I have so much to be thankful for.... 

A wonderful husband, who without him I would not be able to do as much as I do.... 5 very energetic, loving, and challenging children..... Friends and extended family.... the ability to volunteer with others.... and I can't imagine  where would I be now without them all.

It's amazing how if you just take a few minutes to evaluate the things you can be thankful for ... you find there is so much.... and to think that without God in my life would I even have so much....

Today is "All Saint's Day" and it's a time to remember the people or persons that have gone on to Heaven to be with God.... I am very thankful for the people that are currently in my life and the people who have gone on to Heaven.  I Miss them all dearly and can't wait till the day God calls me home and I see them face to face, especially GOD.  I'm not afraid of that journey and I think it is because I know that God will guide my way... just as he guides me daily... It's amazing that GOD can do all of this....

So, take a moment to think of all the things you are thankful for and please take time to thank GOD for those things.

CHANGE!

As I got up this morning and looked out the window .... it was foggy so I could not see too much.... but as I was driving home from picking my son up from school.... The change was in full bloom in front of me.... So, this got me to thinking?

When God created fall..What was the purpose for Fall?  A time for change... a time for reflection... a time to take a step back and re-examine things.... Think about this...

The trees change colors to alert us humans to the change coming in the weather.... The colors green, yellow, orange, and red.... It's time to change the flowers we go from beautiful spring/summer flowers to hearty mums that can with stand the colder days and nights.... You start changing your routines... school starting...football games...after school activities no more lazy days of summer.... You change the appearance of your home, your clothing... .. What else does GOD want us to change....

As I thought more about this I got to thinking could he want us to use this time to have us personally change... Thinking ahead to the colder days and nights and the snow soon on it's way... We will have more time to reflect... read a good book... catch up on the movies.... but more time to enjoy each other... As the holidays approach families have more time to share with their loved ones time... Something so priceless in this busy world we live in.... families  make it a point to spend that time together to create more memories.... It's amazing how many people I know don't have time for much during the spring/summer but fall/winter time seems to stop..... it gives us more time to reflect on the changes we would like to make within ourselves.....the way we deal with others.... the way we talk with others.....

Change it's a good thing!!  God is showing us with the change of seasons...now might be a good time to reflect on how you can make changes within yourself....

Being Thankful for the small stuff

It's been 2 years since our son "Joseph" went to be with Jesus...Oh how much I miss his smiley face ... how I miss his curly black hair and those big brown eyes.... those small moments with him .. curled up on the couch reading a book.... snuggling on a crisp fall morning .....these small moments that now are more precious than ever. Did I take the time back then to realize how important those moments were ... No, I think I took them forgranted as I rush through life.... I've been struggling with people.. the hustle and bustle of life.... and how fast everyone goes ... and really do you take time to enjoy the small things??

Today, I was picking up Christian from school and as I was pulling out of the parking lot I looked in my rear view mirror and noticed Christian was just staring out the window.... Hm... I though, what in the world could he be thinking?

I arrived home to find Chuck and John having a great conversation about what went on at kindergarten.... for a brief second I saved that moment and realized they are making a memory.

After all the bigger kids came home from school, all five of my kiddo's were looking out the back window of our house discussing how the leaves were swirling in the yard and what tree did they come from and Nick saying how far do you think that one traveled.  Amazing small moment making a memory.

Today..  I have come to realize that God just don't give you these small moments of time to waste time... He gives us these moments to have us all remember why we are here... I believe in my heart this was God's plan and purpose for my life to be a mom.... I've had a career, I've done things for me in my life .. but now God has in trusted these five very special people into my life for me to love and guide through this life and someday they will figure out there purpose..

AMAZING!!!  God's love is so powerful that you can find it in the small stuff....

So take time to enjoy those small moments throughout life God makes possible and remember them always!!

Giving up Control!

It's hard to give up control.... on a lot of things....

Over the past several months we have been dealing with a lot of issues with our daughter.....

Our daughter has Asperger's syndrome which is on the Autistic spectrum... As if that is not difficult enough to deal with ... She also has Reactive Attachment disorder... which makes it very hard for her to trust or realize she can depend on others.... and finally she is a teenage girl....

As a mom I know that I should be able to a handle everything and anything that she throws my way but wow it's much harder to do this.... The other part is that I was a teenage girl but don't remember doing a lot of what she says and does.... Disabilities a side she is a normal teenager..... I guess taking more time to think about it there are probably a lot of things that I did maybe a different way...... God Bless my mom .... who I can imagine dealt with a lot but still plugged along and look I turned out ok....

So, in my mind I know all the struggles now and all the not seeing eye to eye eventually will die down and we at some point will be able to communicate where there is a "your not getting it" from me and a "you don't understand being a girl" from her... but when??  A lot of people (not medical people) try to tell us it's her disabilities, and we won't allow our kids that have disabilities use them as a crutch because as we all know in this great big world people eat up people with disabilities... So, as I preach to all my kids... God doesn't create bad people, he created all of us for a purpose and for you it might take a bit longer and take a different route to get there... but you will fulfil your purpose.

So, as I continue to struggle to parent my 15 year old teenage girl.... I know that with God's love and God giving me lots of patience and guidance... she will turn out to be a great person!! :)

Kid's - Are not very organized!

Sometimes as a mom I wish there was a organizational pill I Could give to my kids.....

Seems like Monday's and Friday's are the worst days..... For example... yesterday I Received a call from my high schooler stating they forgot their gym clothes... could I please bring them to the school... I'm not complaining I only live 6 minutes from the school... it's the point that the night before I reminded them to pack their gym clothes....!

So, today I get a call from my other high school child stating she forgotten a study guide that has to be turned in today or she will loose points and she doesn't want that to happen... So, again I drop what I am doing, search for the study guide because she told me where it was and Mom really does not know what I am looking for... found the study guide drove to the school and dropped it off....

I would say I am a pretty organized person.... I know where stuff is and I label everything... have a storage bin for almost everything... and I keep a planner to make sure I don't forget any appointments.....I remember things like  b-days, anniversaries, get well cards very easily.... I just wish.... I Could pass this on to my kids...

So, when they all came home today Mom had a talk about packing our backpacks at night.... make sure they have everything... but I know another day very soon I will get another "Mom I forgot ......" call...

You gotta love kids :)

What do you mean?

So, It's Monday... I'm up early getting the kiddo's ready for school and I remember I have to appear in court today.... UG!!

A few weeks ago.... we had some stuff stolen out of our mini van which sits on the street in the town we live in.... the most frustrating part was that some one violated our little mini van... not that our van is a Cadillac or anything but it ours and we paid for it.  This person did not do any damage to our van but it's the point they touched it......

So, in the past couple of weeks we have gotten calls from our local police department explaining they are retrieving stolen stuff and could we please come and identify if it's ours..... so, not that this is a bad thing... it's the time issue.... my schedule is already overflowing with things to do, appointments, and school volunteer times...... but I also understand we want our stuff back....

Finally, on Friday I receive an official letter from the courts system stating I have been summoned to appear in court on Monday to verify the stuff that the police have in their position is mine... OK!  Enough!  I could handle the phone calls, the police report, the coming to the station to verify stuff but now I only get 3 days notice to appear in court and for those of you who know where I live this is a trip on a Monday morning in rush hour traffic down a 2 lane highway where most mornings your crawling.....

So, I am very thankful that they caught the person who violated our possessions but honestly I don't think the courts realize all the work the victims have to do to get their stuff back!  Happy Monday! :)

God's Amazing Love in Action!

We were in limbo, searching for a church that was best for the whole family.  My Aunt told me about Crossroads Presbyterian Church, she had been attending this church for a few years and said you would really like the Pastor.  So, Chuck and I decided that we would give it a try. 

It only took two Sunday's... listening to the most awesome sermons and the people were truly amazing!  You felt God's presence when you walked through the doors of the church.  So, I decided to sign up to help with VBS. Again meeting more of the people within the church and what an experience.  The kids were amazing, the program was great and we just felt at home at this church.

The Sunday after VBS we spoke with the pastor and explained we would like to join the church.  So, we joined... we did not jump into volunteering for too much because the kids kept us busy.... but soon I had feelings that God was calling me to help in some areas of the church, it took me a while to determine where I could us my talents but I found my places.

This past weekend WOW :) what an amazing testament of God's love for us... I am in the wedding group, and this weekend we had a wedding at the church, helping out the bride and the groom, talking with the people and the amazing love story this couple had... you could really tell God was working in both of them... Then today, we celebrated our Sunday School helpers and teachers and what a blessing to see all of the dedication and time each of these people bring.  As a Sunday school teacher it's amazing the children and you can really see the "sponge" like learning going on... again a testament of God's work. 

Then tonight we ordained our Youth Pastor and what an amazing guy he is.... Pastor Ben has a zest for life, a love for his church, and his talents used almost everywhere at Crossroads..... Again God's hands working.....

I am so glad and honored to serve our Lord and I am especially thankful to him for directing us to Crossroads... What an amazing family to belong to...

So, for those of you reading if you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus, please take a moment to pray and ask him to come into your heart forever! 

It's starting to look like fall.

As I awoke at 6 am this morning and looked out side it was very quite, no birds chirping, no hustle and bustle of folks going to work or school.  It was very amazing to gaze out the window looking at leaves blowing, tree's moving and the awesome works of God in the beautiful red, yellow, and green upon every tree.

I LOVE FALL!!  The excitement of the kids going back to school (as most parents enjoy).  Football season starting (High School and NFL).  It's black and gold time at our house.  The neighborhood is starting to change.  People are putting there fall attire on their homes. People are spending more time inside.  Arranging and changing clothing in their closets. Living in PA you need to grab your coat most days. 

My kids are starting to mention..... What am I Going to be for Halloween?  Who's house are we eating turkey at?  Are we going to the pumpkin patch?  I love all of these questions....

As a mom I look forward to this time of the year.... the possibilities of learning... the fun we have watching the football games.. the great food we can put in the crock pot and smell all day long.... the excitement I see on my kids faces when they pick out their pumpkins... no matter how big or small.... the amazement as we sit down to say thanks and one of the kids says "Thanks for mom and dad".... Amazement I say because I know this all would not be possible without GOD in our lives... and the amazing things and the blessings he gives.

So, as we begin this season of so much excitement, changes, and the possibilities... remember to put GOD 1st in your life!  Thank God for this amazing season.

Just Gettin Started

So, my sister-n-law blogs and I enjoy reading them so I thought I might give this a try.  I am not a writer but I like telling about my kids....

I am a mom of 5 wonderful children... Milton, age 17; Bethanne, age 15; Nicholas, age 14; Jonathan, age 6; and Christian, age 2.  We were blessed to adopt all of our children from the foster care system.  Even though our kids are not blood related they act and seem like they are. 

Today, when I arrived home from picking Christian up from pre-school I found a finger painted picture and though I have to save this, as I was putting this beautiful art work away I pulled out the container where we kept all the kids first art works from school and It was fun remembering each of them telling me about these pictures and what fun they had creating them.  It's great when you can go through the memories of life some you can smile at, some you'll cry and some you'll just say hm!!

Life is good being a mom... I can not complain I have an awesome husband who helps out more than most and a very great support system.  Some days I wonder can I really do this and then there are other days when I hear the "I love you Mom" and my heart melts and I know that this is what God had planned for me to do....