Update

I haven't posted for a while so I thought I would just put up some random pictures.

On the 24th of July our ward had a fun party. We all brought blankets and had a picnic on the ground in the gym. After dinner we had a pie eating contest. Don was a good sport and gave it a try. Jaron & Don had fun in the tug-a-wars. They had a pie contest, so we all got to eat a lot of pie for dessert. It was lots of fun and good to have a something on this Utah holiday.


On Wed. or Thurs. they have story time at the library. The boys have really enjoyed going the library once a week and getting books. We also get cartoons from the video section, since we have no TV. The story time lady is really great and she always has a fun activity to follow the book reading. This last week they had a blind man come and read to them in braille. They had someone there turning the pages to the book as he was reading so they could see the pictures. Then the got to chose the letters of their name that had braille below it and put their name on a bookmark. We then took it to the blind man and he read their name. It was really cool.

Still no "real" job yet. Don is working more hours at the golf course now that school has started for most the guys that work there. He has gotten a fill-in position at the post office in Chandler. He would cover three routes and only work when one of the carriers were sick or on vacation. He has an interview this Fri. for a part-time FedEx courier. We are really thinking this might be the job that we have been waiting for, but don't know for sure. He would still work at the golf course part-time too and we would get benefits and tuition reimbursement if we decided going back to school was the next step. If we do get the FedEx job he won't be able to work for USPS too, conflict of interest.

I am doing good. Lots of last month aches and pains. Insurance has been difficult and we are really hoping that that all goes through this week. Our AC broke this week so we had a really rough couple of days. The apartment didn't really cool down at night so we sat in 90-100 weather for a few days. We got out as much as we could, but it still was a big challenge.

The boys are good. Jaron is excited to get his new bed that will be delivered this week. He asks almost every day if we can go to the zoo. Finally we had to tell him that we can't go until dad gets a job that makes enough money. Jaron is really into Don's job search right now so he can go to the zoo! He is having a hard time not having friends to play with. It used to be that we could go outside and play with friends on the playground, or family was close. I am trying to get things together so I can invite kids over to play more often. I have just been so tired and things it hasn't happened yet. Jaron loves church and playing with friends there.
Bryson is still a no go for nursery. It is nap time and he really doesn't like big crowds. There are about 15-20 kids in there every week. We are working on that. Other than that he is doing great. Talking more and more everyday. He is also starting into the help-out phase, which is awesome.

Summer Days

It really hasn't been that hot since we got here, but this next week should be in the high 90's. Luckily we have a pool in the complex. Don likes to wait until evening to go when it cools a little and the pool is shaded by the buildings, which is around 6pm.
Jaron took a little coaxing to get in pool since it is all "deep." But once in we convinced him his new arm floaties would help him not go under the water and he was just fine. We have since had the trouble of getting him out of the pool. Offering a treat when we get home always seems to do the trick.
Bryson not so much. He took more than one day to get into the pool and still we have to hold his feet the whole time, he must not like not touching the bottom. We did get him laughing and having fun the other day, progress is good.

Moving to Texas

So I was really scared to drive 22 hours with the boys, but luckily it turned out just fine. We did three days of 7hour stretches.




Day 1: We started around 9am, stopped in Moab for lunch then went on to Farmington, New Mexico to stay the night.

Day 2: We headed for Amarillo. This day was a little longer, but after we stopped in Albuquerque for a lunch/breakfast Jaron road with Don the rest of the day. He had tons of fun ridding with Dad. It was a battle to get him to ride in the car after his day in the truck.

Day 3: Was Bryson's turn to ride in the big truck. It was a short day to Carrolton (just outside of Dallas) where Kathleen lived. My cousin was nice enough to let us stay a night with her. It was really lots of fun and even though I was doing well with the move so far, it was nice to see someone I know so far from home. Sadly enought I didn't take any pictures while there.

Day4: We headed to our new home in Tyler, TX . This drive took us around 3 hours. We did have to stop for gas and Jaron needed a potty stop along side of the road; during which he had his first encounter with fire ants. Their mound was under the long grass and I didn't see it. He started screaming about his feet, so I looked down and there were ants all over his feet. I got them off quickly all the while thinking, what the crap they are just tiny little ants, they don't bit. He was very brave and still has the red bumps to show. Back to the drive, so we got to Tyler at 11am and the Elder's were there to move us in. So I took care of things in the office while we were moved in. The apartment is old but very nice. I will post picture of that when I can.

All in all we are doing good. Don LOVES it here. He loves the people, the rainstorms, and the landscape. He is working at the golf course until he can find a more "career" oriented job, but it will pay the rent. There are lots of options for jobs here. We had a few leads from the ward but those don't look like they will work out right now. We have a few others though. So things keep coming up on the job front, just waiting for the right one.
The boys have had a hard time understanding what is going on exactly and that Grandma's house is far away. On the second day of travel Jaron asked when we were going back to grandma's, I told him not until after Eldon was born. I think that is when it really hit him and he understood what was happening. Since we got here they have been more irritable, but we have had a couple of really good days so I think the worst is over. We are all making new friends quickly as our ward is very friendly.
I have never handled change very well and this time is no different, but I really think I am doing okay, all things considering. The pregancy is really being hard right now. I don't mind the heat, but I think it makes me more tired & swollen. I also have something going on with me tailbone/hip which makes moving very painful. I need lots of down time, so this week of Don being around more has really been a blessing. He has helped me out so much with the boys and getting the house in order. I have started the process of getting into a doctor, but that might take a while. Tyler is a very green and beutiful place, I don't mind the humidity all that much. Also yesturday during our drive back from the library I actually felt like I knew what direction I was facing most the time. With no mountains directions are hard especially with such curvy roads.

. . . so super long post, more fun to come.

Hughes Reunion 2009

Yes at 30 weeks pregnant I went camping. I wasn't all that bad. Our new tent was great!!! The boys really had fun playing in the dirt as you can tell by the pictures. It was really fun to spend time with Don's family. A few sleepless nights and a lot of dirt later, we were on our way home. (Sorry the pictures are not clear, not sure what that is all about. But at least they are up.)

Quarters w/ Grandpa Gray's

This year we did quarters the weekend after the 4th in Cedar City. It was also a little farewell to Grandma and Grandpa Gray before we headed off to Texas. It was lots of fun and who doesn't love getting money?

Celebrating July 4th

I always have loved the 4th of July. It is such a fun time to be with family. This year we celebrated all weekend. We started on Friday with a day of fun and Papa's and Gram's then went to Centerville (where Don calls home) for an evening of music and fireworks. The 4th we attended the Granstville parade then on to Aunt Melody's for the traditional lunch and day with my dad's family. The evening of the 4th was a little windy so we did fireworks Sunday night. Jaron and Bryson handle them so differently. Bryson screams and cheers while Jaron bravely sits through them. Jaron does need to be held because the noise scares him and Bryson needs to be held back so he doesn't touch the fire. Each boy is so unique and I love it!

Our Broken Armed Boy

I am very sad to say that Sunday May 14th Bryson fell while trying to get into his highchair and broke his arm. I was cooking breakfast and Don was asleep still so neither of us saw it happen.
At first we couldn't figure out where he was hurt. I thought it was his leg since he wouldn't stand or walk. He was just laying around, very unlike him for the morning. He even fell asleep for a little bit. Whenever he falls I ask him if he is okay. He has always replied, "Fine,"which is the cutest thing ever. But Sunday he answered the question with "Un-uh." So to me this meant something was really wrong.
As I was getting him ready to go to Mason's blessing I tried to take off his shirt and he flipped out! Then I noticed the swelling on his right arm. So we went to the ER at Primary Children's.
After the x-rays and doctor review it turns out he broke his arm just above the elbow and possibly just below. When the doctors first came in it sounded a lot worse than it was. But the ortho specialist brought better news. So we were lucky really; no displacement to upset the nerves, no surgery needed. Just a cast for 3-4 weeks that will be put on this Wednesday. We are sure glad it turned out to be not too serious.
Bryson has been really brave through the whole thing not complaining about it since it has been set. He is adjusting well to only being able to use one arm. Drinking from a cup was funny the first time, since using both hands he cant get the cup to his mouth, but he has figured it out.

What's Up With Us?

A lot of confusion, or so it seems has crept its way into our lives. After Don graduated we thought our well thought out plan (and prayer, fasting, all that that good stuff) was going to work great. He would work for USPS as a carrier. Texas seemed to have all the jobs, so we were going to move there. We knew they were a little down with the economy and we were fine to wait out the storm with transitional jobs in the post office. But now I am not feeling so confident in that plan. Still willing to try it, so we haven't stopped with that plan. I just think a plan B would be a really good thing to have. So right now we are kind of up in the air. We will be moving out of the village on the 16th of this month and going to live with my parents to put away a little money and see what comes of things. In the meantime . . .
. . . we still feel like we belong in Texas and are looking into option there.
. . .we went to the zoo one last time before our passes expired. We bought they boys a souvenir to remember the good times we have had at the zoo the past few years. Jaron chose a sticker book encyclopedia and Bryson a stuffed animal lion.
. . .we went to visit Grandma Grape.
. . .we are packing. Which I started way too early so now we just have boxes in the living room. Oh well, better to be early than stressing at the last minute right?
. . .we are trying to keep it together. My stress level is really high and I don't do high stress levels all that well. For the first time in history Don is also stressed and that is not good either. BAD combination both of us stressed.

But regardless we are still staying strong and trying to work through things. I find myself thanking heaven every day for little boys that know how to laugh no matter what. I take them outside almost everyday and just take time to appreciate life. I think that helps.

Spring Cleaning

I have been going through everything in our house and getting rid of what we don't need, odd thing this is one of my most favorite things to do. I also looked through the things that are still at my parents and determined that I need to get ride of all of my dresses. So here they are for the taking, let me know if you want them. Just leave a comment saying which ones you want. If you want them shipped I would ask you pay for that.

Dress #1: Size 4, Deep Purple. Original price over $100?

Dress #2: Made just for me, so I would say size 6 or 8ish

Dress #3: Mary's, Size 8, White. The hoop makes it really puffy. Original price $500




Dress #4: Size 6
Dress #5: Size? I would guess 8, it is the largest of all of them.

Dress #6: Size 6, original price $300 I think.