My Boys Are Enough

This wasn't exactly how I pictured blogging again for the first time in a very long time, but this has been bothering me so much over the past year and seems to be coming up a lot more often now.

I don't know if this will resonate with many, or anyone for that matter, but I'm sure I'm not the only parent feeling this way.

"Are you going to try for a girl?"

I don't know about you, but I definitely don't feel like this is the first thing I would ask a parent.  True, I am often curious about other people's families and how they decide their quantity and what not, but just that.  Quantity, not gender!  

I have multiple friends who have either all girls or, like me, all boys and the only thing I ever think about asking any of them is if they want more kids.  I don't understand the world's, err society's, obsession with having children of both sexes.  Why does it really matter?

I remember the second I announced that I was pregnant with Baby E, people just instantly asked if I was hoping for a girl?  Hoping?  Doesn't that make it sounds terrible if you say yes and it turns out to be the opposite?  Then you are disappointed right?  I never hoped for a boy or girl with Baby E.  I really hoped for a healthy baby that stayed in my belly as long as s/he could.  

I hate that now that we have two boys, people think that it is okay to say we need to try for a girl.  Do you all realize that it is a 50/50 chance?  And science fact: it's not up to me!

And if we are being honest.  I would have a million babies, okay maybe not a million, but you get it.  I would pop babies out until God decided I couldn't anymore, but I don't think we would ever get a girl and that would be just fine with me.  

I feel like I was meant to be a #boymom.  I might not know what I am doing yet and I definitely don't know how I am going to handle puberty and all of the testosterone and smells, but I know that I will figure it out.  

I know that I will embrace all of the macaroni necklaces instead of pretty beads.  

I will embrace the rocks and worms as treasures instead of baby dolls and tea parties.  

I will love watching my boys learn to hunt and fish and provide for their future families from my amazing husband.  

I will be perfectly happy with my boys for the rest of my life.

My Boys are enough for me and that should be enough for you to accept.  

So next time you see a parent with all boys or all girls, instead of asking if they are going to continue to try for the other, why not just ask if they want more kids or if their family is complete?

Guilt: One Hell of an Emotion

My whole life I have wanted to be a mom.  I always told everyone, from a very young age, that I was ready to be a mom.  I knew that I wanted to get married and have babies and stay home with them and be the ever so stereotypical "soccer mom" - without the soccer part, I know absolutely nothing about it.

I completed high school, graduated college, got married and got pregnant.  All my dreams came true.  I was going to be a mom!  10 months came and went and I was blessed with the most handsome little boy in this entire world - yes I am bias because he is mine, but he is pretty dang cute either way.

Caleb Tyler has been the best thing that has ever happened to me.  He has made my life complete, even when I didn't know anything was missing.  He has shown me the ability to love someone so much that it actually pains you on the inside thinking about them not ever being around.  He has taught me patience and to not worry about being in control as much.  Isn't it crazy to believe that one little boy, one little 7 week old baby boy can have such an impact on you?

Well the one thing he can't help me with is my guilt...

I feel guilty about not loving being a stay at home mom at first - The week Ryan went back to work was a disaster, to say the least.  It was probably normal from everyone else's view, but to me it was rough.  I didn't know how I was going to do it for the next six weeks.  Don't get me wrong, I love my baby and I love being with him, but not getting sleep and not knowing what he needed was rough on me.  I am someone who loves having a plan and control of things, a newborn - they make the rules.  I told my mom that I would go back to work when he was 8 weeks old.  She told me it was fine and that I could stay home with him when he was older.  It helped for a second, but the guilt continued.
I feel guilty about wanting to go back to work - Now this might be confusing, but I have no desire to go back to work to escape my baby, but because I can't handle the stress of money.  In California we are given 4 weeks before your baby is born and 6 or 8 weeks after your baby is born of paid disability.  They give you 2/3 of your pay or the max payout, whichever is less.  Once the 6 or 8 weeks after birth are completed you then switch to Paid Family Leave and the pay is the same and you can be on that for an additional 6 weeks.  blah blah blah.  Well the weekly pay I receive from the state is the max allowed, which is not 2/3 of my normal pay.  We have been pinching the pennies since I went out on Mat Leave, back on August 1st, and it has been getting to me.  I feel guilty because I am stressing about money rather than focusing all of my undying attention to Caleb.
I feel guilty that my house is not immaculate every day when the hubs gets home from work - I try every single day to get the dishes done, laundry done and the house vacuumed.  If I managed to get one of those things done I consider it a victory.  But the guilt sinks in still.  There are plenty of women out there who manage these things everyday with the same amount, if not more children.  I hear it from multiple people about "so and so manages it all"  I know that we shouldn't compare ourselves to other mothers, or women for that matter, but it is a lot easier said than done.
I feel guilty that dinner is not made every single night as according to plan - just like the house stuff, dinner is the same.  I plan on having dinner made every night, while we eat every night, I am not always the one to make it.  Ryan and I have always made dinner together, but with an infant who happens to be awake during that time, it has become difficult.  This is probably the thing I feel least guilty about out of all of these things above and below - silly right?
I feel guilty that I can't provide him with enough breast milk to fill him - If you read my post from last week you know all about my struggles with breastfeeding.  I am sad to say that things have not improved in the booby department and it still makes me feel shitty.  I know that my baby loves me still and every drop that he does get from me is better than nothing, but guilt doesn't care about any of that.  It has a magical way of ruining the beautiful bonding moment we have by having him scream bloody murder after he detaches because he is still hungry.
I feel guilty that I have to go back to work and leave him - As much as I wanted to go back to work in the beginning I can't imagine it now, and now we are only 6 weeks away from that happening.  He will be staying with my mom and mother-in-law while I am at work but I can't imagine not being with him all day.  The guilt of not feeding him every bottle and nursing him when he is upset is enough to put me into a panic alone.
I feel guilty that I haven't spent "enough" time with my husband - enough is a relative term, but it is one that I am holding myself to.  Ryan and I have always agreed that as much as we love our children, our marriage will come first.  Without a happy marriage they can not have as happy a life.  I must say that I am guilty of being overly frustrated with him when he gets home and says he is tired.  He is justified to be tired because he works hard to provide for us, but am I not tired when I am the one getting up with the baby every single time?  This is where more guilt comes in.  Stupid, ugly guilt.
***************
I love my baby and husband more than anything else in this world.  I didn't know a greater love until Caleb was born.  The guilt I feel is real and rears it's ugly head every single day, but I am working on pushing it aside and telling myself that I am doing the very best that I can.  I don't want to feel guilty for worrying about money because it just means that I will be able to provide a more stable life for my family.  I don't want to feel guilty about my house not being clean or dinner being made because I married a wonderful man and we are a team and together it will get done.  I don't want to feel guilty about not spending enough time with Ryan.  We will have our time together and we will cherish it, just like we cherish our little boy every single day.

While staying at home is not in the cards for me long-term, I am okay with it.  I know that being a working mom will help me be more emotionally healthy and that is what is important for me and my family.

Have you felt guilty about some of these same things?  How did you handle them?

Operation Pre Baby Body

Hi there!

So we are officially 4 weeks post partum and feeling great!

I have decided that it is time to get my butt in gear ::slowly of course:: and start getting back into shape.

Now when I say "getting back into shape" I guess I should really just be saying get into shape. I wasn't in the best shape pre-baby but I wasn't the worst either. I had some extra fluff here and there but overall I was fine. I'm not a twig but not a rollie police either.

During pregnancy I was really concerned with gaining weight. I have never been super impressed with my body and the idea of gaining weight had a little effect on me mentally. I stressed about weight gain at each doctor's visit and that they would tell me I had gained too much weight.  In the last month of pregnancy I decided that my baby and I were both healthy and that was all that mattered. I stopped worrying about weight gain and in the end gained a total of 33 pounds.  This is only 3 over what my doctor wanted so overall I was thrilled.

Now that our precious little boy is here and Mama is healing well I have decided to start getting in motion.  Me and the babes will be walking everyday that the weather permits us. I also will be using my Jillian Michaels DVDs and let her yell at me and I will yell back - well only loud enough to not wake the sleeping prince of course. I also have a Danskin Pilates box set that I bought on Groupon a couple of years ago and have never used. I can't wait to start using these helpful tools.

I also will be tracking my walks with MapMyRun. I love this app.  I used it everyday during my maternity leave before baby came and loved seeing how it tracks your workouts. It tells you distance, speed, average, mapping and how many calories you burned. I also love it because you can link it to you MyFitnessPal app. This is a wonderful app that tracks your calorie intake per day as well as your water intake and workouts. I am a person who needs structure and reinforcement. These apps keep me focused and disciplined. Although they are just apps, they will let me know when I am doing a good job and a poor job.

I can't wait to start meal planning for us again. Meal planning is good for us on multiple levels. It keeps our bank account happy by us not eating out as much and it is healthier. We can control the sodium and fat levels in every meal if we stay home and make them ourselves. I need to look up some tasty recipes and get some variety going for the hubs. If you have any good ones, please send them our way :)

I want to lose all of my baby weight and possibly an additional 10 pounds over the next couple of months. Ideally I would like to be 10 pounds lighter than when I got pregnant by the first of the year, my birthday :) I know that it will take a lot of hard work and discipline but I am motivated. I don't want my husband to forget who he married ;)

Wish me luck!!

Body Talks...

I find today's post so appropriate and it just called out to me.

Today I am linking up with Amber from Mr. Thomas and Me and Juliette from The Other Juliette.

These ladies are co-hosting a link up talking all things body...

I know that this may sound weird - as I am almost 9 months pregnant - but body issues have always been there for me.

I have been saying for a couple of weeks how I was going to talk about the weight I've gained with Baby Hughes and have yet to do so.  When I heard about their link-up I knew it was the perfect opportunity.

So let's start with where I am currently.

Currently I am almost 9 months pregnant.  I am currently gaining weight daily and there is nothing I can do about it.  I am the highest number I have ever seen on a scale and that scares the bejeebees out of me.  I am also, completely okay with it all in the end.

Let's go back a few years now...

Growing up I was a dancer.  I was a ballerina.  Now I was never amazing or anything spectacular but I did hope that one day I could be something with this passion of mine.  I quickly realized that that wouldn't ever happen.  I was five foot nothing at the age of 12 and done growing...well vertically anyways.

I have never been a twig and throughout my teenage years this was difficult for me to deal with.  I never had an eating disorder or anything like that, but I can see how kids could.  I was often sad and upset about my weight or the way that my weight sat on my hips and tummy.

Let's fast forward to being 19 years old.  I was probably the skinniest I have ever been.  I was still not happy with my number on the scale but I was thin.  This wasn't from being super active and eating right...I was up at all hours and partying.

So when I was 20 I met this amazing man...the hubs.  He made me happy.  Happier than I had ever been.  He loved me regardless of what I weighed and that was all that mattered.  Well when you are happy in life you tend to gain weight, right? So there I was up 20 pounds now that I was happy.

Life continued and we were fine.  I maintained by additional 20 pounds and then we got married.  37 days after our wedding day Ryan deployed.  I was determined to lose weight while he was gone.  I did.  I lost 18 pounds and was ready to start out lives after deployment and get ready for a family.

Ryan got home from deployment, we had our big wedding and we started trying for a family.  3 months later our dreams came true and I was expecting our first child.

My first prenatal appointment they weighed me and I was devastated.  Devastated with the number I saw.  How could this number be right?  And I have to gain more weight over the next 9 months???  Our appointment wasn't with my normal lady doctor and so when this stranger told me that my BMI was high and she only wanted me to gain 11 pounds over the course of this pregnancy I was defeated.

How could I only gain 11 pounds over the next 9-10 months?  Some women gain well over 50 pounds!!  I felt as though I could gain 11 pounds by just looking at Christmas Dinner.

So the body image issues were once again starting, but this time I was pregnant and growing a human inside of me.  How could I keep this baby healthy without me gaining more than 11 pounds??  That doctor pissed me off.  I wanted to scream and cry all at the same time.

So fast forward to seeing my actual doctor and she told me that I should gain between 25-30 pounds over the next 9-10 months.  I was relieved, but also wanting to stay as low on the scale as possible.

Each doctors appointment I dreaded getting weighed and fearful that I would gain too much weight too fast or before it was scheduled.

So now I am 35 weeks pregnant and have gained 25 pounds.  I have come to the mental conclusion that I am fine with it.  You know why?  Because it is all for my baby.  My baby needs me to maintain a healthy diet so that he can grow big and strong.  He needs me to not worry about these next 5 weeks and not going over 30 pounds gained.

I know that I have done everything right for the most part throughout this pregnancy and I know that whatever my ending number is will be fine.  I know that I will work my butt off after he is born to get back down to my pre-pregnancy weight.

I know that I have a husband who loves me and supports me no matter what.  I know that with his love and support I will lose this baby weight and potentially some more.

Bottom line?  I don't think that doctors should put weight limits on pregnant women.  I understand encouraging healthy diets and whatnot, but to say that at 8 weeks pregnant I was "OBESE" is freaking absurd!

I hope that you all take an extra second to think about this when or if you have a baby.  You have the will and motivation to gain as much or little as you want.  You will be able to get rid of that baby weight if you want to.

Thank you Amber and Juliette for talking about a subject that is often so ignored and brushed under the rug.  I hope all you girls remember that you are beautiful no matter what your body looks like and that if you have the confidence no one will notice a number on the scale.

What I Would Tell Myself 5 Years Ago...

5 Years Ago...

I was 20 years old
I was single
I was a party animal
I was a Sophomore in college
I was working at The Old Spaghetti Factory
I was staying up way too late
I was doing things that I pray my children won't do
I had the "best friend" in the whole wide world
I lived at home with my Mom and Grandma
I drove a truck
I had more money than I could imagine right now

If I could go back I would tell myself a few things...

Dear younger Sara,

Those boys you are hanging out with are no good for you.  Just wait a few more months and believe it or not the man you will marry and have babies with will come into your life :)  In fact, you have already denied his friend request once on Facebook, maybe you should look out for it coming up and not deny it again :)

That best friend of yours?  Well it won't last.  Things will happen that are both of your guys' faults and you will go separate ways.  As much as it will hurt you, it is for the better.  You find friends that have been there all along and will end up being a part of your wedding day and some of the greatest people in your life.

College?  Quit skipping classes so much and start doing your homework.  Although you won't "grow up" to get a job in your field of study, you will want better grades to brag about once graduating.  Also, this major change that you just completed was the best decision ever, so don't second guess yourself.

Partying.  Oh man.  Where to begin.  I know exactly what you do after your shifts at the good ol' Spag and they are so not good for you, and as much as you already know this you will stop very soon.  Remember that man I was telling you about above?  Well he will ask you to change your ways in this department and you will and it will be the best decision ever.  Who really wants to go to Olive Garden one more time for "breakfast" when you can't even handle the smell of pasta take your sunglasses off?

Living at home is the best thing for you.  As much as you want to move out because of Mom and Grandma, those two ladies will teach you more than you can imagine.  Also, enjoy the times with Grandma where you eat Subway and watch So You Think You Can Dance.  She is fading quicker by the day and soon she won't remember you, as harsh as that sounds.

Daddy.  I swear that this is the one thing that will be the easiest to overcome shortly.  The pain will never go away, but I promise you that once you are happy with, once again, said man up above, you will understand that he is always there.  You will get married and it will be okay that he isn't there.  You will go visit him quietly and alone before the wedding and have your moment.  He is always with us, just remember that.

Night Owl Syndrome.  As impossible as this may seem, this will go away.  Close your mouth from shock because you will soon be the lady in bed at 8:00pm.  No more watching the sun rise when you go to sleep.  The man you love will soon convince you that staying up all night without him is a boring way of life.  And once you get a big girl job and pregnant, all bets are off.  You will be begging people to let you go to sleep at 8:00 every night.

That truck.  What a stupid choice that was.  Of course, when you are 19 and grieving the only logical thing to do is to sell the car that you had no payments on and go get a truck payment on a piece of crap that will end up costing you more than it is worth.  Don't worry, in 2011 you will get a new car :)

My dear younger self, please enjoy these times are they are some great memories.  But remember, that these are the moments you will tell you children about one day and you don't want to lie to them about how mischievous you really were.  Keep your eye out for that man, he will change your life forever.

I'm Not A Fashionista or A Foodie

1.  I don't own a fancy camera, first and foremost!  I would love to get a fancy camera and have amazing blogging pictures especially now that we are bringing a little one around.  However, I have had so many cameras in my life (thanks Mommy) and have rarely used them and end up breaking or losing them.  I know I am more grown up now and should be able to handle it, so maybe this year for Christmas or Baby H's birthday I will get a big girl camera :)

2.  I am not a fashion blogger.  I have no clue what I am going to wear most days of my life.  Whatever is clean and happens to fit that day works best for me.  I despise getting dressed for work because in my current state, preggo and loving it, all I want to wear are yoga pants and jeans with a stretchy tummy attached to them.  I think I have good taste when it comes to clothes, but the fact that I refuse to pay full price for anything probably makes me feel like I would fail when it comes to fashion blogging.  If you haven't already, go check out Night Chayde for your daily fix of fashion blogging.  She is wonderful.

3.  I am not a cook.  I am working on it, and thankfully my husband is very supportive.  I have some good go-to recipes but most of them are simple family dinners and not what I think people search blog land for.  If you are looking for good recipes check out Heather's blog and wish nightly that she was making dinner for you.

4.  I do not blog design.  As badly as I wish I could make this little space of mine look exactly like I want and change it whenever I want, I have NO clue how to do anything.  I was ever so lucky to have Marie as my CaraBox partner and she gifted me my current layout.  It would still be plain and boring if it wasn't for her.  Have you noticed how the "Wedding" and "Baby Hughes" tabs above go to nothing?  That's because I can't figure even that out.  So if you want to help a girl out, let me know!! :)

5.  I am not the queen of DIY.  I so wish that I could sit at home all day and just craft and DIY my little heart out.  I have big plans for my Maternity leave, all of which I'm sure won't happen since the whole "you're out to have a baby" thing will be happening. LOL.  But I love to get crafty and definitely think that I got some creative genes inside of me.  I can't wait to get settled and set up a craft room/area and start getting to it.  Maybe then I can have a reason I should be a blogger :)

6.  I am the worst at pre-writing posts!  I know that most bloggers plan out there posts a week in advance and then schedule them with HootSuite or another website that manages it for them.  I aspire to be like these women.  I usually end up writing my posts first thing in the morning at my desk while working. :)

7.  I do not live in an amazing city like New York or Paris.  I live in a tiny town in nowhere California.  My husband and I are not "city folk" but not "country."  We live a simple life of going to work, cleaning the house, mowing the lawns and fixing dinner.  We love where we live, I'm just not sure everyone else would understand why :)

8.  We do not have an endless amount of money so that we can travel the seven seas.  As much as we would love to get away every weekend, we don't have that luxury at this point in our lives.  I understand that most don't, but it seems in blog land that these ladies have the travel bug just as bad, but can actually take care of it.  LOL.  We have gone on one big vacation the entire 5 years we have been together.  We are planning on taking another one in a year or two, but until then, I will live vicariously through all of you lovelies :)

9.  I am not a fitness blogger.  I actually have no desire to ever blog about working out.  I think that has most to do with that fact that I can really only "work out" by walking currently.  I know that once I pop this little boy out that me and the hubs will be hitting the pavement and getting our work out on.  So maybe by next Spring I will be attempting to be a semi-fitness blogger :)

10.  I have never been on a blate.  I feel as though this is like a right of passage for bloggers.  I hope one day I can meet some of these amazing women in person.  Until then, I will keep reading and enjoying everyone's posts as if they are my best friends :)

So We Are Buying A House!

EEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have put in an offer and are actually in escrow!

Now I say actually because this is the THIRD house that we have put an offer in on.  The first one we loved but they had Mello-Roos that were going to be almost half as much as our property taxes.  I just couldn't handle that especially since there were things about the property that weren't necessarily loved items.  The second house we put an offer in on was somewhat perfect.  It was the neighborhood we wanted, school district we wanted, close to the Air Force Base (even though we are Army we still enjoy the perks of the closest commissary for groceries).  We started imagining where we would put things and what colors we would paint the inside...well they were shitty and gave it to their friends after we had put an offer in on it.  I was highly upset but looking back now, I know that it wouldn't have been the most perfect house for us.

Now this house!  I am thoroughly excited about!  It is closer to my work and still in a nice neighborhood.  Best thing!?  Still in the school district we want for our littles!!! :)  It has a big backyard for the pup pups and already has garden beds built in.  Has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a huge living room and open concept with the kitchen.  It is the perfect size and I think it will fit out family nicely.  We put an offer in and heard back less than a week later that it was accepted.  We have started escrow and are hoping that we can be in there in less than two weeks! :)

Now while this house is perfect there are cosmetic things that need to be fixed...

The entire kitchen, living room and hallways are blue!  I don't just mean one shade of blue either.  As you can see from the picture above the kitchen is a deep blue and then the rest of the above mentioned are a shade of powder blue.  I like blue as much as the next girl but not in these big amounts.  The blue walls are going!

The master bedroom.  Oh goodness.  Probably the thing I am most sad about is what they did to it.  Nothing major...just cosmetic...but take a look!

ORANGE!!!!  And lots of it!!!  And not only is it all FOUR walls but they also painted the entire master en suite also!!!!  My poor husband and father-in-law.  They have their work cut out for them with this little baby.  

So overall, we are extremely pleased and can't wait to move into our first home!

Any good makeover tips for our new abode?

"I want to have my baby here already" - The Hubby

Today I'm linking up with Lauren, Lisa, Samantha and Jessa and had so much fun doing this with the hubs!
  To find out what to do and to link-up head over to Lauren's blog!
Hers I am so glad that it is Friday! I want to meet our baby! I have fears about being a mom and making sure that I am the best possible parent for this little. I wish I was more brave. I hate mustard and mayonnaise! I fear every sound when it's dark outside.  I'm working on this. I hear strange noises when I try to sleep and it drives my hubs bonkers. I search for better understanding and patience when it comes to others. I wonder who our baby will look like more. I regret nothing. I love my husband more today than I did yesterday and will love him less today than I will tomorrow. I ache when I over do it. I always kiss my husband before work, after work and before bed. I usually have at least one pickle every day. I never would make it to closing time at a bar these days...this baby sure takes it out of ya! I rarely eat breakfast although the little is making it more of a point that I do. I am not always confident. I lose my temper easily.  I get overwhelmed and can't hold my emotions in. I'm confused when try to explain directions to my husband...he gets me all flustered! :) I should exercise more.
His I am friendly. I want to have my baby here already I have little patience for stupidity I wish anytime I see 11:11 on a clock I hate beans!  Any kind! I fear wires in the ground I hear what I want to....huh? I search the Internet...a lot! I wonder what my future holds I regret nothing.  I'm better for my past experiences I love my wife and on the way baby...plus my dogs. I ache when my back hurts. I always breathe. I usually try to get out of the house as often as possible. I never give up. I rarely don't voice my opinion. I am not always smart. I lose my temper sometimes. I'm confused when people who are smart act stupid. I should have this make me sound like less of a jerk... but oh well.
*********************************
I love this man so much!  He is so inspiring and courageous to me each and everyday.  I think that this was a great link-up with the gals and it really helped us both understand each other a little bit more.
I love you hunny bunches!!!

A Little Bit of He and She made us Three!

Is the title for this post a little confusing??  

Well I promise you in about 2 seconds it will make plenty of sense :)

You see, the husband and I have made a Hughes!  That's right folks, Ryan and I are having a baby!!!! :)

We are beyond thrilled and excited to welcome this new addition to our family!

I know you are like, "Jeez Sara!  Shut up already and give us the real facts!"  Alright, alright.  Here ya go!

We are due August 28th, 2014!

We found out we were pregnant on December 21, 2013!  Merry Christmas to us!!!

We had our first ultrasound on January 17, 2014!  We heard the heartbeat and saw our little one!

We waited to tell our parents until after the first ultrasound, which means that I kept a secret for 4 weeks!!! 4 weeks people!!! INSANE!!!!!

We are over the moon excited and can't wait to meet our little!!! 

H A P P Y  V A L E N T I N E ' S  D A Y

What's In a Name...?

Today I am linking up with Mackenzie to inform everyone about what this little blogs name means.

I would like to think it is pretty simple and self-explanatory, but when thinking about it some more, it has so much more meaning than just basically what it says.

Life as a Hughes...started as a way to document my life as a new person.  Granted I started the blog after I had been a Hughes for over a year but it was still a way to document how my life had changed.

I had changed from a Garcia, something I had been my whole life.  Proud youngest daughter of my Mexican daddy and Irish/German mommy.  I went from being a single (not married) young lady starting her life after college.  I luckily got to marry the man of my dreams and soul mate and became a Hughes.  

I am now a Hughes, something I have only been for less than two years.  I am an Army wife.  I am a career-lady.  I am a fur-mommy.  I am the best friend to a man who shares my last name.  I am the future baby mama to his babies and new little Hughes'.  I couldn't be happier with this change.

So after thinking about it, I realized how Life as a Hughes isn't just about me being a new person, it's about my journey through life with my best friend and making our name ours.  

Currently I blog about life, recipes, the wedding, etc.  I am sure in the future it will be about house buying, baby making, and birthing little ones.  I am just so excited to see where Life as a Hughes takes me.

I hope you will join me on this adventure and read along

ABCs of Me!

Good morning lovelies!  I read a fun little thing from Allison over at Texas Mrs last week and decided to borrow it myself.  It will give you a little bit more info about me plus it is fun!

I hope you enjoy and as Allison said, feel free to borrow :)  

A - Age: 25
B - Birthday: January 1
C - Color: Green
D - Drink: Mr. Pibb ::now known as Pibb Xtra::
E - Eyes: Green and not from jealousy :)
F - Flashback: Rugrats 
G - Gent: Hubby Ryan
H - Hobby: Blogging, shopping, watching TV - this should be more like running, biking, kayaking but I'm just not that gal
I - Indulgence: Pizza
J - Job: Admin by day, wife and fur mommy by night
K - Kiddos: Someday :)
L - Love: Husband, family, dogs, life
M - Music: Country all the way
N - Nation: The greatest country in all the land - United States of America!
O - Overstock: Socks!  I can't help it!  I love them!
P - Pets: Hank, the Yellow Lab and Abbie, the English Pointer
Q - Quote: "Happy girls are the prettiest girls." -Audrey Hepburn
R - Residence: Northern California
S - Siblings: 5 sisters, 1 brother
T - Temperature: Not cold like it should be in Winter
U - University: California State University, Sacramento
V - Vehicle: 2008 Ford Taurus - LOVE!
W - Want: A home, baby, happiness forever.  Is that too much to ask for? :)
X - X: I love the Xylophone!  No joke!  This has always been my favorite instrument since I was a little girl.
Y - Yuck: Clowns
Z - Zodiac: Capricorn

2013 - Year in Review

Well I almost can't believe it...we are at the end of another year.  It has definitely been a great one for us and I am so looking forward to next year.

2014 is going to be our best year yet.  We have a few secrets up our sleeves that I cannot wait to tell you all about. :)

I hope you enjoy this year in review and we wish you a very wonderful next one!!

Get ready for picture overload - this is my warning in advance :)

{January}

I celebrated my 24th birthday

{February}

Ryan and I celebrated Valentine's Day via FaceTime ::Thank God for Apple products::

Went to Disneyland with the cutest little boy ever ::Gavin Alan::  All that was missing was his Uncle RyRy

{March}

I participated in my first ever Run or Dye event.  I was joined by some great company ::my favorite little girl - Pumpkin Pie:: and we were a complete mess.

{April}

Ashley and I took Pumpkin Pie to an Egg Hunt at a local park and we missed the hubs terribly for Easter.

{May}

Saw Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley in concert with Ashley K ::Ashley G at the time - yay for weddings!::

Celebrated my mom's birthday

Celebrated Mother's Day

Waited for Ryan to come home

{June}

Found a house for Ryan and I to live in once he returned home from deployment

{July}

My Sister came to town

Had the most wonderful bridal shower ever

Celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary with my mom, Ashley and Pumpkin Pie

Ryan FINALLY came home

{August}

Went to Disneyland with the Parsons Family ::Pumpkin Pie::

Saw Luke Bryan in concert

Saw Brad Paisley in concert

{September}

My brother, sister-in-law and Gavin came to town for the wedding along with a million other loved ones. :)

Renewed our love and devotion for one another

Went to the B-A-H-A-M-A-S!

Went to Ashley and Puffalump's ::not his real name:: wedding

{October}

Started this here little ol' blog :)

Saw Jason Aldean in concert

Went to Johnny and Kirsten's wedding

Duck Season started

Our little Hank was born on Halloween Day

{November}

Hosted our first Thanksgiving Dinner
Went to Reno to see Rodney Carrington

{December}

^^probably the best month of the year besides July when Ryan came home^^

Ryan's 25th Birthday

6th Annual Suits and Staches

Got to bring Hank home just in time for...

CHRISTMAS - as a little family of 2 humans and 2 furbabies :)

We also got some really great news in December but that is part of the surprise that we are keeping until next year.  Stay tuned to find out.  I guarantee it will be super exciting! :)  It is for our little family at least!

I have a few goals to accomplish in 2014:

+ be a better wife - although I already spoil him, there are times when we both get a little upity :)

+ buy a house and make it a home

+ become a mommy

+ live a healthier lifestyle - more veggies and exercising

+ eliminate the debt and increase the savings - I work on this monthly but will continue in 2014 and hopefully only have a mortgage and two car payments in the ways of debt.

See you in 2014 - another year older ::literally because it is my birthday tomorrow:: and hopefully wiser in some way

XO