The year of 2010

Wow, where did 2010 go?? I thought I would recap because there has been a ton of change in our lives.

At the start of 2010, we knew Rick was going to have a change in career. We didn't know where God was leading us to go next but Snyder was not in the picture :( Snyder was the town we moved to as soon as we were married. It was the town we grew to love as Rick and I grew to love each other more. We were active in an amazing church and were making new friends from the Sunday School class we joined.We were raising Mathen and were loving the care he received at church and the friends he was making. We also found out that we were expecting in March. I was one of 8 or so ladies in our SS class who were expecting. I couldn't wait to share all the experiences with them :) Thankfully, we are still able to communicate and share pictures of the babies!
Back to the job situation: We both did odd jobs throughout his search and God met our needs. Then is May, Rick received the volleyball head coaching job at Burke High School in Omaha, NE. To be honest, we were already headed this direction because we knew financially it would be easier to live with his parents until we knew the direction God was taking us. Well, God put us in Omaha so we moved in with Doug and Shae on May 30th. It was/is a blessing living here because we are surrounded by family who loves the Lord and are willing to help us with whatever comes our way. Mathen adores his Grandma and Grandpa (just stared saying this about 4 days ago, it was "Big Grandma"). He goes to the store, helps with projects and goes for walks with them. He looks forward to them coming home everyday so he can tell them all about his adventures. Rick and I also enjoy the company of other adults and we are able to go do things together (even if it is running to the store for milk) and have some "us" time. I thank the Lord daily for Doug & Shae!
Over the summer Rick worked as many camps as possible and Mathen and I adjusted to Omaha life. We visited the zoo on many occassions, walked to parks and took advantage of the Omaha weather. In August, Rick reported to work and so the life of a volleyball coach began. He worked extremely hard everyday (and he enjoyed it) and would come home to play with Mathen. He watched how Mathen and I each grew and adjusted (not going to lie, tears did happen) and Mathen and I watched how happy Daddy was and that meant the world to us. Rick had a very successful volleyball season and the team made it to the state tournament. This is where we laugh because he literally came home from the tournament on Novemeber 11th and little baby Parker arrived on November 14th!! We knew it would be close and Daddy didn't get much down time between end of his season and the start of "our new season."
That brings me to Parker Richard Hughes, born 7:36am at 9lbs 10oz and 22in long. Parker has fit right in to our little family and we are truly blessed to have him. Mathen started asking for Parker to "come out" about 2 weeks before he was born and even now Mathen is still in love with his "baby Parter." I am so very thankful that God has allowed Rick and I to raise two amazing boys. I am looking forward to watching them grow into amazing men...but I am not in any hurry :) Time is flying so fast and I am blessed to be able to enjoy them at 2 yrs and 9 months and 8 wks (they will be in college before I know it).
That wraps up our year in review and I did a good job in completing this in the first week of January. Thank you Lord for your many blessing that are to come in 2011...Let's Go.

Time flies when you have 2 KIDDOS

I apologize for not updating sooner but I have been enjoying my new life with two wonderful boys.

I am honored to be called a mother of "2" and it is such a sweet blessing. I don't always know the day or time but I wouldn't change it for the world. There are days I start to get frustrated, stressed or bothered but then I am reminded that I have 2 KIDS and I am blessed. I have friends that have lost children and I cringe at the thought of losing my boys, therefore, I say a quick prayer and I get back in the "game".
At this time, Mathen is down for a nap (not asleep yet) and Parker is playing on the floor (satisfied for the first time today finally LOL). Looking back over the last 7.5 weeks, I wished that I wouldn't have put so much time in worrying over the "what ifs" when Parker would arrive. Side note: Parker is now nursing as I update :) I never would have done this when Mathen was this age. I also gave Parker a shower (not a bath) yesterday with no help. NEVER would have attempted that with Mathen. There are things that I do with Parker that are the same as with Mathen and then there are things that are totally different because I now have experience.

Thank you LORD for my beautiful creations!

First family photo taken 12.12.10