AmericanWoman

A Totally Wasted Day?

rrchugg — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 05:11:06 +0000

I must confess, I’ve started the new year out as a total bum, a major Scrooge, and a complete loser. Now I don’t plan on extending the laziness much further into the new 2010 year. But it is nice to have a day that you don’t have a long to-do list to complete. A day where you don’t have to keep track of the check marks and a day where you can do absolutely nothing. How many times does this happen in a year? Not many… so I’m taking full advantage of it. No housework, no shopping, no laundry, no cooking, no working, no email (work email that is), no makeup, no getting out of the sweats, and no fixing the hair.

Today has consisted of cycles of sleeping, eating junk, and watching football. I even slept through the Rose Parade! We did briefly start taking down the Christmas tree – but it was very brief. I thought about doing some laundry since the hamper is overflowing – but it was fleeting thought. I thought about catching a movie but decided I didn’t have the energy or patience to deal with the lines. So I sat in my chair, played solitaire, took naps, and watched college football all day. And now that the sun has gone down, I find myself continuing the days trend.

In my attempt to get into the “New Year” spirit, I contemplated coming up with some resolutions for the decade ahead, But then decided, it was too much trouble and too much stress. Then I thought about 2009 and the ups and down of the roller-coaster year. On one hand, it was a terrific year. Alex came home. I had all the kids and their families together in the same spot twice in the same year. And we welcomed in a new adorable grandson. So from that perspective, it was a wonderful year.

On the other hand, we’re still too far away from home. The economy has damped our savings plan and our travel plans. Work is crazier than and ever and I’m working way too many hours and still can’t get caught up. But now as I sit here and type, I can’t really think of any other negatives to say about 2009 (well I do have a lot to say about the current political climate, but that’s for another post!). Which brings me to the conclusion that the year wasn’t as really bad as everyone on TV wants me to think it was.

And here’s why…

I have a wonderful family. They are healthy, strong-willed, and independent. They are carving out their place in this world and doing a magnificent job. I am so fortunate to have the best parents anyone could ever dream of. I have the world’s best little brothers and adore their families and grin at their antics posted on Facebook. I do have a roof over my head and don’t think I’ve ever really been hungry. I have the coolest and cutest husband who has more patience than anyone I know. And unfortunately, he needs all the patience he can get to live with me. He’s my best friend! I have vehicle that gets me to work and back every day. I have pictures and memories of my life that I treasure so much. And maybe most importantly, I have a testimony of Jesus Christ and realize that while I am sooooo imperfect, His Atonement gives me hope, gives me strength to keep going, and reminds me to try and be a better person every day.

So while I was determined to avoid any new year festivities today, I ended the day in humble gratitude for all the good things in my life and for all the blessings that I enjoy daily. So while 2009 was a very bumpy year, I am looking forward to 2010 with optimism and with a grateful heart for I truly do possess the greatest things this life has to offer. To my parents, my husband, my brothers, my children, my grandsons, and all my friends, I wish you continued happiness and peace in the new year and give thanks that each of you are in my life. I love you guys!!!!

A few more Christmas pictures…

rrchugg — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 01:34:46 +0000

Just got a few more pics compressed for the web… Still not sure why Emily had an Ale8 on top of her head???

Ale8 – The Chugg family drink of choice for special occasions!

Christmas PJ’s – sorry they’re not really matching this year. But if you put all the girls together (Em, Jen, & Chemenn) they would match and then put all the boys together (Alex, Jeffrey, & Mike) they would all match. So it just looks a little weird by ourselves!

And to all a good night!

rrchugg — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 07:12:13 +0000

Here are some pictures of our quiet, fun Christmas in El Paso. Since there were no grandsons to play with, we got the cats some special treats. I think the catnip made them crazy!

Alex hangs an Ale8 can on the tree – Just for Fielding!

Our almost fully decoreated Christmas tree. But thanks to Emily we did get it up!

Tink plays with his toys. The catnip made him very weird!

Yes, Emily is standing on the cat toy so she can be taller than me!Ollie Mo was a little suspicious of the toys. But he looked marvelous in his Wildcat blue collar!

Emily reading by the Christmas tree – or she may have been loking at the pictures .

The crazy cats…

Had to finish the last drop before we could take a picture. Thanks to Granny for the Ales – they were the hit of the holiday!!

What a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

rrchugg — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:33:45 +0000

We just returned from a lovely few days at Jeffrey and Chemenn’s house! It was so great to have all our kids and their families together and it was extra-special becuase baby Emmett arrived just in time! The weather was perfect and we got in some “black Friday” shopping!

House Party My Party

rrchugg — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:44:46 +0000

House Party My Party.

The Last Teenager!

rrchugg — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:14:21 +0000

We celebrated Emily’s 13th birthday this weekend! She turned 13 on the 8th and we’ve been partying ever since! Alex surprised her by decorating the house – complete with cool decorations, banners, streamers, & of course confetti. (Which is still all over the floor at this point!) We had birthday cake on Thursday night – which we’re still eating on too! Friday afternoon she had a French manicure and checked out all the new fall fashions at New York & Co. And at some point there was a Silly String fight – but it really wasn’t much of a fight – since the girls didn’t have any ammo! On Saturday, more shopping. Emily picked up some cute t-shirts, a new dress, and some very chic black suede boots! (Sure wish we could wear the same size shoes!) We took her to Outback for steaks on Saturday night – but she ordered ribs instead. Overall a very nice weekend! And it was so fun to have Alex here with us to celebrate. Emily sure missed her big brother!

Airshow fun!

rrchugg — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:36:29 +0000

This weekend, Fort Bliss in El Paso hosted a huge airshow. It was quite interesting and entertaining. From the Mariachi band to the paratroopers to the F22 Raptor flyby – we had a great time. We even got to see a school bus race a jet plane. Not sure who won, but it was a close race. Needless to say, this was no ordinary school bus! We saw all sorts of planes, helicopters, & other military vehicles. Emily even got to go inside a hummer to work the machine gun. We saw a Boy Scout corvette, the Miller Lite cheerleaders, and even a friendly grasshoppper. It was a fun-filled family Saturday!!

Welcome Home, Alex!

rrchugg — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:50:51 +0000

These were taken at church – tried to get a few of everyone “all dressed up” and without food in their mouths from the potluck! The food was wonderful and we appreciated all the hard work & planning on Alex’s behalf. We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful family – so many aunts, uncles, & cousins to make everything so special.

More Homecoming Festivities…

rrchugg — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:15:59 +0000

We took these pictures at Nana’s house. These kids sure can get a little crazy when they all get together!

More Homecoming Pictures…

rrchugg — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:50:19 +0000

These pictures were taken at Granny and Pa’s farm. Alex couldn’t wait to climb up in the barn with the tobacco! Plus the little boys sure love to ride the tractor.

Here’s the Homecoming Pictures!

rrchugg — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:15:46 +0000

Just a few pics of Alex’s homecoming… this first stet of pictures were taken at the airport.

All pictures will be uploaded to Shutterfly at http://rrchugg.shutterfly.com/ and at our Family Post website http://www.thefamilypost.com/jchuggfamily/home.php, too.

Our Boy is Home!

rrchugg — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 03:45:13 +0000

Our missionary is home! We are so proud of him and glad to have him back with us. Although we know he did a great job teaching the people in the Philippines and they will miss him – but we are sure happy he made it home safely!

Of course, I have tons of pictures. But believe it or not – I don’t have my laptop with me in KY so I’ll have to post the pictures when I get back to El Paso.

The other very cool thing is that I have all 4 of the kids, both spouses, & both adorable little grandsons here in KY with us! This has not happened in a long time! And it’s wonderful!

I guess the older you get – the more you realize how important family really is. We’ve been to Granny & Pa’s, Nana’s and out to eat with the whole gang. Aunts, uncles, cousins, great-Aunts and all are so special to us and we love them more and more every day. Being so far away from home, I’ve really grown to appreciate and love where I came from. The drive to our humble little farm at Trapp is the most peaceful and relaxing drive. By the time we pull up to the back porch, all my worries and problems seem so far away. There’s really no place like home!

Down to the last week!!

rrchugg — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:01:18 +0000

Big news! We’re down to the last week of Alex’s mission! Can’t believe two years have gone by. We are getting really, really, really excited!! Can hardly keep from jumping up and down all day! Guess we’d better get his room ready – it’s become the “storage” room in his absence. Now where are we going to put all that stuff?

We’ll be heading to KY to pick Alex up! The big kids are meeting us there. Jeffrey, Chemenn & Lincoln will be driving from TN, Jennifer, Mike, & Ethan will be driving from Jersey. So we’ll have all 4 kids & their families all together for the first time in years!!! We’re so excited to see the grandsons, too. Boy, it’s no fun living so scattered around.

Here’s a few pics of Alex – just in case you’ve forgotten what he looks like!

Couch Potato Woes!

rrchugg — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:30:53 +0000

Yes, I know – my poor blog has been neglected during the hetic summer months. Why, I’m not quite sure since Emily has been gone – I should have had lots of spare time on my hands, but I’m just not sure what happened. I think I’ve had a major case of the lazy bugs! Yes, coming home from work, crashing in front of the a/c and just chilling – watching episode after episode of NCIS. It’s been great – but alas, all good things come to an end and it’s back to the grind of school, ballet, homework, and acting like a responsible adult. (kind of)

My goal for the week is to get caught up…

Happy Birthday, Nana!

rrchugg — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:07:55 +0000

July is full of birthdays for our family. We start with Jeffrey’s birthday on the 1st and as the month goes on we add Nana, Pa, Jennifer, Mike, Ethan, and Clay. So we might as well just put a huge birthday bow around the entire month of July – it’s a party-filled month. Today was Nana’s special day and she loved having the kids at home and talking to everyone. We even had calls from the vacationing grandkids…Jeffrey and Jennifer.