Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Happy Birthday Dad



Today is my Dad's Birthday. Everyone who knows him loves him. I happen to have the best and coolest Dad in the whole world. Really, truly I do! I have no excuses for my poor behavior in life because I had a blessed childhood. My first memory of my Dad is him rocking me in our old blue rocker and singing, "Give said the Little Stream." Still my favorite song. I have wonderful memories of Daddy Daughter dates to the pool, ice skating rink, roller rink, etc. etc. I loved how my Dad was so funny and would always make my friends laugh. He still does. He used to pull up beside us in his car while we were walking to school and say, "Want a ride, hope you get one" and drive off laughing. We loved it! When I tried out for Junior High Cheerleader and didn't make it, my Dad came home with flowers and a note that said, "You are number one in my book"! On Easter, my dad would always give us a card with his testimony. He was always an example and practiced what he preached. Without my Dad's diligence, patience, and love I would not have survived anorexia. I love that he drove an old beat up mini-van long after he could afford a better car and how he anonymously gives to family, friends, and strangers. During our poor college years, we would often find a twenty dollar bill on the nightstand or in the car after he visited. They were heaven sent. I love how he loves my mom and treats her like a queen. I love how is willing to drive for four hours just to spend the evening with her. He has been there for every important event in my life and the best compliment I can give him is that there has never been a time when I needed my Dad and he wasn't there. I know this will embarrass him if he reads it, because that's how he is. But I just wanted to take this opportunity to write down some of the reasons why I feel so blessed to know him and I am so glad he is here to wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I love you Dad.

Brockstar


As I looked back over my blog entries, I realized I haven't ever written a blog about my darling 2nd child, Brock. Otherwise known as Bubbs or Brockstar. He is the 2nd like me and I think it gives us a special bond. Poor neglected and abused second child :) Just kidding, but I do think that sometimes Brock gets lost in the shuffle. Morning, noon, and night you can hear me telling Brock to be careful, slow down, be gentle, say sorry, step back, or be quiet. He is such a physically demanding child, but he is a gentle giant. He has a heart of gold and he is always looking out for others. He has a little recess club at school with the boys in his class and he always comes home and reports the drama of who is the President and who they kicked out and so on. Today he came home and said he was kicked out of the club because he invited the little handicapped boy in his class to be in the club and the others boys didn't want him, so he "kicked himself out of the club." I was so proud! That is the kind of boy he is and I realize I need to spend more time pulling him closer when I feel like pushing him away and telling him I love him and that he is my little "Brockstar".

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Jane's Blessing Dress


Goose bought this beautiful Blessing dress for my mom 56 years ago and it has been worn by every woman in our family including myself, my aunts, my sister and my cousins on their Blessing Day. It is in amazing condition and I just love that my daughter gets to wear the same dress my Mom did. It was the best day with all my family, including Steve's parents. Steve gave Jane the most beautiful blessing. One of my favorite days so far!

G&G Hughes with Jane on Blessing Day

Rubber Band Hands

I have always wanted a chubby baby! Is there anything cuter in the whole world than a rolly polly baby with lots of rolls and "rubber band hands"? I have been so happy to see Jane growing everyday and I swear every morning her cheeks get bigger and bigger. I just want to eat her up. Steve doesn't understand why I always say I want to eat babies, but I do! I just want to gobble her up and the chubbier she gets, the more kissable she becomes. I am discovering a new world of cleaning folds and crevices I never knew existed. I was horrified a couple of days ago when I was bathing Jane and found old milk hidden in the deep folds of her neck. After that I was super dilligent in checking every neck fold and really concentrating on cleaning all those thigh folds. I thought I was doing a pretty good job. But yesterday I took Jane to see the doctor for a bad cold and was horrified when he lifted up her arms and there in the deep crevice of her right arm pit was rotten milk, or barf, or some other unknown substance. I explained to the Dr. that I have never had a chubby baby and I had been concentrating on the neck folds. He laughed. I don't know if he was amused or disgusted. So now I have been introduced to a whole new roll, the armpit rolls. WOW, this could be a lot of work, but I'm loving it. It may just be my deep, hidden desire to have multiple fat rolls be acceptable in society.:) Nevertheless, I just love my chubby baby!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Brag Session!!!!







A few of my favorite pictures we had taken. I love the one of Steve and Jane. No question on paternity with my kids. Lucky me!