Pictures worth posting

Thankful Day 8

Today, I am thankful for doctors and medicine.

We have had a rough couple of weeks health-wise.... Two cases of croup, 3-4 colds, and 2 ear infections. Last week, Lexy complained about her ear hurting, which is pretty much a guarantee that she has an ear infection. Thankfully, a miraculously QUICK trip to Urgent Care (only 10 minutes!!) took care of it. This morning, Liam was diagnosed with his first ear infection during his Well Baby check-up. (Oh, the irony.) :)

So, we are on the road to recovery. And I am thankful that I have access to trustworthy doctors and inexpensive medicine that restores health to my precious little ones.

Thankful Day 7

Today, I am thankful for naps.

You'd think we wouldn't need a nap on Day Light Savings Day-- after that 'extra hour of sleep', wink, wink-- but everyone seemed exhausted this afternoon. Maybe it was the early morning wake-up for the race (which went well, by the way)... Maybe it is the gloomy, chilly weather that is making us all want to curl up in our warm beds... Maybe it's the toll of the busy week we just finished.... Or maybe All Of The Above. Not sure. But we can all say it was wonderful to rest.

Here are a few shots from this morning. Bill and I ran the 5K (not pictured) and Lexy ran the Kid K Fun Run.

***getting ready for the race***

***all business***

***pure joy!***
(waving at her sister :) )

And one from our trip to Aunt Barb's on Friday...
Looks like we've got another water baby!! Liam loved the water. :)

Thankful Day 6

Today, I am thankful for my health.

I have been on a running kick as of late. Running and I have a love-hate relationship. :) I love running and the exhiliration and accomplishment I feel AFTER the run is over. In talking about running with various people over the past few months, I have been struck by how many of my young friends have knee, ankle, hip or other various joint problems that prevent them from being about to run for exercise. Even though I don't LOVE going for a run, I am so grateful that I can.

On the eve of my second 5K race in the past month, I am thankful. Though my body may not be a portrait of athletic prowess, I am a healthy, able-bodied woman and I am so grateful.

Now I must go get to bed. I've got a race tomorrow morning. :)

Thankful Day 5

Today I am thankful that I get to stay home with my kids. More to the point, I am thankful that my husband values my ability to stay home and raise our children and works really hard to provide for our family. There are so many moments in my day that I wish I could just bottle and cherish forever. For instance, Tori was playing with my wrist watch this morning and it is now missing in action. I've been asking her for about the last 30 minutes to please look for it. Just now, she was standing in the hallway and said, "Mom, I'm gonna go get my baby to help. She has eagle eyes, I know she'll find it."

Where do they come up with this stuff?!

Oh, to see the world through 3 yr old eyes....

Thankful Day 1-Day 4

Hello from the HughesZoo!

We are all alive and well, despite our rather long blog absence. :)

Rather than dwell on the fact that it's been nearly a YEAR since I last wrote anything on here, I thought I just jump right back in and try to use the month of November to make up for lost time by posting 30 things I'm thankful for-- one for each day of the month.

I hope is that this exercise will spur me on to be a bit more prolific in the coming year... :)

It goes without saying that I am thankful for my family-- my husband, my beautiful, energetic children-- my faith, my friends, my home, etc. (Although I might still use any one of the aforementioned things at some point this month) So, I'd like to really focus on the mundane things in life that are so easily taken for granted.

And since today is actually November 4th, today's installment will be a catch-up round of FOUR things I'm thankful for. :)

So, without further adieu:

Today, I am thankful for the beautiful sunshine that lights up my home. It is supposed to be 90 degrees today. And yes, it IS November. Both girls wore sundresses to school. Felt a little bit wrong, but whatever. They were dressed weather-appropriate. :)

I am thankful for my dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, all of which are currently running. Rather than complain about the work surrounding each of those appliances, I will focus on the true blessing they are to me as the keeper of my home.

I am thankful for a quiet afternoon at home. Tori, Liam AND Daddy-- who surprised us by coming home early!-- are all taking naps. Lexy is still at school, and I am about to go fold some laundry while KLOVE plays in the background. BLISS.

I am thankful for the full refrigerator and pantry that will (more than) meet our nourishment needs over the next week. God is always faithful to provide "our daily bread" and much, much more.

Merry Christmas from The Hughes Zoo

"For unto us a child his born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called.....

Wonderful, Counselor,
The Mighty God
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Wishing you a season of PEACE, LOVE, JOY and HOPE that can only our Savior, Jesus Christ, can provide.

bill jenn lexy tori & baby boy (due Feb 14th)