Awkward vs Awesome

Round 2 (a mini version today) of "A little bit of Awkward and a little bit of Awesome"


A little bit AWKWARD

The Stake President walking out on to the floor- in the middle of a basketball playoff game- and threatening to stop it. He had to remind grown men that it was just a game. And that we were in the church. And that they were grown men. AWKWARD. BUT because he is the greatest guy ever, it was also awesome.

Our home teachers came over for a visit. Craig had to run back down to the church on assignment and Avery was napping, so Emma and I visited with them by ourselves. They were here for about 30 minutes or so, and I could tell that something was off. It wasn't until the two retirement aged men left, that I noticed that one of my buttons on my blouse was undone. Ya...that button...the one right in the center of my chest. Bearing all. Awkward.


And a little bit AWESOME

Craig and our friend Reno flew to New Orleans to watch BYU vs Florida in the Sweet 16. They stayed to watch Butler vs Wisconsin. At the beginning of the second game, Danny Ainge asked if he could sit next to Craig. Craig obliged. Danny (former NBA star and current Celtics GM) proceeded to talk Craig's ear off the entire game. Craig looooooved it. It was a whirlwind trip, but the boys had a BLAST. AWESOME.
And Danny Ainge is a bishop. Awesome.

(Craig was too embarrassed to ask for a real picture ha ha)

Craig WON 2 tickets to Park City ski resort on KSLs Facebook contest. We never win anything. That deserves a shout out. AWESOME.

Pillow Talk

I have been drowning in pillows this week- and secretly- I love it. The theme for Craft group this round was "Home Decor", so I chose to make pillows. All sorts of pillows. I would make one, and then decide that I wanted a different fabric, or a different color, or a different style. So while I only NEEDED 4 (well, plus me =5), I made 8.

They turned out awesome and were a huge hit at craft night!

I particularly love the Peacock (blue) and the Mustard colored ones. I knew that people would either love those two colors or hate them. Surprise- they were the first to go! I am of course a sucker for grey and love a classic cream.

I made this bright pink one for Emma's bed. This isn't a great picture, but the design is a heart. It turned out really cute.

These pillows were really fun to make! Now that I only have 2 left, I am deciding where to put them, changing up some of my own decor and colors and then making more!

Peter Pan Ballet

Emma danced in a full length production of a "Peter Pan Ballet." It was DARLING. I was truly impressed by the fantastic job that the studio did. Anyway, Emma was a Magical Flower. And Magical, she was. It was so fun to watch her dance. She glowed on stage and loved every minute of it.

Woah. Stop that right now. She looks waaaay too old in this picture.

"That was the biggest surprise I ever had! When I got flowers and candy and (the movie) Tangled at the end of my performance! I had NO idea that I was going to get those things! This is the best day EVER!" She is spoiled. We know.

Mimi and Papa came to watch the little ballerina! She probably called them 438 times to remind them when and where the performance was.

The Buse and Tessa. Her cute little buddy.

The show didn't get over until almost 10:00pm. Craig took Avery home and I waited while the Buse ran around excitedly hugging strangers. Yep. She was hugging Peter Pan's leg, Tinkerbell, Wendy...all of the big stars. When I finally got her out to the car, and buckled in her car seat, she told me that she was about to "pee in her costume."

To the closest McDonalds we went. After the potty break, the rest of the 30 minute ride home, was a series of questions asked over and over again- stated in different ways each time, of course.

Something like this...

Mom, who was your favorite dancer? (You)
Ya, but who else? (Hmm..Tinkerbell)
Which was your favorite dance? (Yours)
Ya, but besides mine! (Hmmm...the crocodiles)
Who did you like best? (You)
Ya, I know! But which other characters? (Hmm...Peter Pan)

and so on and so forth. For 30 minutes.

She REALLY was my FAVORITE dancer.

Bedtime woes

Civil unrest.

That was our house at bed time last night. After having put Emma to bed THREE times, she called for me again. To which I hollered up the stairs "Nope, go to bed, I am done. I just clocked out for the night."

Craig offered to go up and put her to bed one last time. The civil unrest contined.

Craig: "Emma, this is the LAST time. GO TO BED!"
Emma: "But, but, but Daaaaad, I just want to show you ONE thing!"
Craig: "No. You can show me tomorrow. Mom and dad are tired and this has gone on for too long!"
Emma: "BUT DAAAAAAAD!!! Just ONE thing! Please!!!"
Craig: "Go to bed."

He came back down stairs, frustrated. We heard her quietly cry into her pillow up above. Her feelings were hurt. We felt bad, but she has a serious problem with getting out of bed-over and over and over EVERY night.

A few hours later Craig and I went up to bed. Before we did, we checked on each of the girls, as we always do. Out side of Emma's door was this special little note left for Craig...

Craig looked at it and wasn't sure what exactly it was. I on the other hand, couldn't stop laughing. I knew the reference from a cartoon that I had seen with the girls. The note means "Dad's not allowed in my room" and then written in the corner - from Emma.

Like I said, I couldn't stop laughing.

Craig on the other hand, heart sunk. He and the Buse are the best of pals. He kept saying, "It would have only taken a minute for me to let her show me what she wanted to." to this I reminded him, that it would've gone on all night." It always does. And that we are working on her "Bedtime Chart".

He decided to write this note back to her and left it by her door...

She ran in this morning with the note and gave him a huge hug. She showed the note to me and said "Look Mom! Dad even drew a tutu on me!"

That he did.

Two Things

A loving, happy, righteous family- doesn't happen by accident!

This stuck a chord with me at church today. I was thinking the other day about how we (as moms- and dads- Levon!) try so hard to do EVERYTHING to teach our children and to instill in them a love of the gospel, a relationship with their Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and to foster their testimonies. Among EVERYTHING ELSE we do! I was thinking about what a great responsibility that is. I was thinking about how I personally feel like I am never doing enough. Daily family scripture study, family prayers, prayers over meals, FHE, church, briefing the kids on my lesson topics, impromptu daily spiritual lessons, etc. But THEN- it's never enough! I keep thinking of MORE things that I need to implement into their lives. Because their little spirits, are my greatest concern.

As I was mulling over these things, and feeling a bit overwhelmed, the thoughts immediately came to me- you've added these things, now they are routine. Time to add more. Endure to the end. Because it's not ever about GOOD ENOUGH it's always about DOING BETTER. And quite frankly, it's exhausting. Ha ha. But, I DESIRE to do better. And I KNOW that it takes hard work. It doesn't happen by accident.

And

Steadfastness is righteous stubbornness

This is the perfect way to word it. See, Craig and I produce rather strong willed children. Which is truly great-for the most part. I love that they are strong and independant. They are leaders. They know what they want and find a way to get it. They are persistent. Excellent attributes. I admire them. It is a bit of a challenge at times, though to be their mother. Teaching them obedience, submissiveness, etc. Is a little against their character. I have always tried to explain that I was ALL for their somewhat stubborn personalities, as long as they had their minds set on the right path. That they refused to do wrong! Wouldn't that be wonderful? As the girls are getting older, they are learning to see things more my way. I don't want to crush their spirits- just a perfect comprise. I will call it- STEADFASTNESS.

My Budding Philanthropist

"Mom, while you were gone last night, we were driving with dad and we saw a farm. There were all of these little sheep, so we got out to pet them. It was fun. Anyway, after we left, I was thinking that maybe we could go on that show, "Minute to Win It" and win a lot of money- like $160. THEN, we could buy a farm and get some sheep. And THEN, when they need to get their hair cut, you know, like their fur shaved off, YOU could sew the soft furry stuff into clothes for kids that need it to be warm! Isn't that a GREAT idea!?!"

Yes, yes, it is.

Love my little girl.

St. Patrick's Day

Emma: "Mom, how do we send a message over the rainbow to the leprechaun at the pot of gold on the other side?"

Me: "Hmm...I'm not sure. How about you write your message down and I will look on the computer to see if I can find a way that we can send the leprechaun your note."

Emma: "okay!"

Dear Leprechaun,

What I want you to bring me, is a baby unicorn.

Thank you.

Emma Hughes


The little leprechauns reeked havoc on our home, like they always do. They left the girls notes by their doors, with a stick attached to string that was strung ALL through the house. The strings went up and down and over and under and criss crossed, this way and that. They had to follow the string in order to find their prize. Avery found her surprise in Craig's office, Emma's was in the back of mom's car.

Among other things, they also dyed all of our food green! Those crazy little guys! The girls love St. Patrick's Day and look forward to the Chaos every year.

Oh and Emma did indeed get her baby unicorn...

On the home front

These came today..!

They are the end chairs that I ordered to go with my (mostly black) side chairs in the formal dining room. Love.

And speaking of chairs, I just finished scotch guarding these...

The six side chairs for my round kitchen table. No, linen chairs are not the most kid friendly item in our home, hence the need for scotch guard. We have had a couple of dinners (bbq chicken and spaghetti) so far, where the kids have been banished to eat at the bar. ha ha.

In other home news, I am about 75% finished cleaning, organizing, sorting, dejunking sweeping and dusting the basement. It is unfinished and has become quite the storage and game and toy area. The storage room was at the point that I couldn't even walk into it. Now, everything is sorted into categories and holidays. In order, of course. There is even an entire corner for "sentimentals". That would be Craig's stuff. He is much more sentimental, by nature than I am. Which is why I do all of the cleaning and dejunking while he is at work :)

I kept most of his boxes for him. Mementos from his childhood. When he got home, I then asked him to sort through a bag of items that I found...unnecessary. Items like high school cleats (have you worn these in 13 years? (no) are you planning on wearing them? (no) Do you have other pairs of cleats? (yes) okay, in the GO bag), high school football thirst (stained), shoes from his mission...you get the idea.

I fully support keeping items such as photos, letters, even a football helmet, BUT stained t-shirts from '97. Gotta go.

There are so many things that I adore about this husband of mine. And his sweet heart is definitely high on my list. But I was in SPRING CLEANING mode people!

Oh and I guess since we are talking about changes around the house, I should mention that Avery is in a big girl bed now! Yay for her, boo for us. We sure liked when we could zip the crib tent and leave her to sleep. Now, she loves her independence and insists on showing us how much she appreciates it by getting out of bed 42 times a night.

So, that's what is going on in the Hughes house! And there are more changes to come!

And speaking of my favorite 2 year old...

She knows how to keep things lively. Yesterday, we had one of Emma's little friends over to play while her parents set up for the 'Home and Garden' show and the Expo center. Emma, Avery and Tessa were downstairs playing in our unfinished basement. They decided play a game where they jump off of a couch- on to the LoveSac. It's a game that they have played many times before.

This time, Avery was climbing up and Emma was giving her a boost by pushing her bum. She "pushed her a little too hard" and Avery fell back-straight on the back of her head- on the concrete.

I heard a Cry like I have never heard in this house before.

By the time Avery and I reached each other, her shirt was drenched in blood. Her hair was dripping. Knowing that heads tend to bleed profusely, I grabbed several paper towels, got them damp, and put pressure on her head.

I spread her hair and assessed the wound. I knew it was bad. I knew she needed stitches. I called Craig. Luckily, he was almost home. That way I didn't have to figure out how to get Avery to the ER and have someone take Emma and Tessa (and Belle) to dance. It was my turn to drive car pool. ha ha. Anyway...

Craig took Avery to the ER. Since I wasn't there, I can't give the play by play. What I can tell you is that she received;

TWO SHOTS
TWO STAPLES- instead of stitches (they are faster to put in((read-better for small children)) and it doesn't matter how they look cosmetically because it is the back of her head)
TWO SUCKERS- 1 yellow and 1 orange
TYLENOL

Coming home she was exhausted and fell asleep in the car. Which was okay, by the way, because it had been over an hour since the accident and she passed the tests neurologically.

Craig says that she was a champ. I say- no more visits to the ER. BUT- Two kids and never a visit to the ER? (besides the carbon monoxide incident...remember that?!?) I guess we were due.

Little Miss

Me(Exhausted): "Avery! YooOOOoooUUU!"

Avery(Elated): "I know! I drive you NUTS!"

And she couldn't be more THRILLED about it. And That, my friends, is why I love this girl more than words can express. It is also why I secretly fantasize about dunking her head in the toilet and giving her swirlies several times a day. I kid..I kid.

She is one of a kind. And she is mine.