Hubbard Family - March 2005 

Happy Birthday AC

Today my eldest grandchild turns 3 -my how time flys! It seems like just last year when his mother was 3.

We had his birthday party at my house last night. It was a Rescue Hero's birthday party, which is no longer one of the "in" party things so Brittney had to make her own decorations and might I say she did an AWESOME job. You entered my house with caution tape across the door - just like the Rescue Hero's use. He really seemed to enjoy the party and his friends. Trace watched AC open all his presents (which included like 8 different "rescue hero's" things with NO REPEATS - what are the odds?) then the minute AC moved from the chair Trace sat down and looked around like okay NOW it's my turn. Luckily Bro. Alan and Ms. Lisa brought Trace a present so he opened his two new puzzles and was happy. AC also received video's, puzzles, books, and sleeping bag with backpack, flashlight, and sports bottle plus more. So guess what the final thing AC was playing with before he left (besides the backpack sleepingbag and all on his back) you got it TRACE's puzzles - go figure!

I think we must figure out a way to slow time down! It is all happening way to FAST - before we know it the grandkids will be grown.

I'll end with AC's favorite saying "Think like a Rescue Hero - THINK SAFE!".

They had to Leave

Nyki, Jeremy, Rylee, Shawn and Tasha left our house Saturday morning for the drive back home (I'm sad) at about 9 a.m. They ran into heavy traffic due to a wreck outside of Tallahassee (3 people had to be care flighted out from it). Which delayed them - making an 20 hour drive into closer to 22 hours. Which they drove straight - after reaching Nyki's house Shawn and Tasha loaded their car and drove on to Amarillo another 6 + hours. Having gotten out of bed at our house Saturday morning Shawn and Tasha didn't lay back down for 38 plus hours, I'm sure they slept in the car but we all know how NON-RESTFUL that is. Not sure when Nyki and Jeremy were able to crash, but to know that my children love me enough to drive that far just to see me means the world to me!!!

The visit was wonderful - I would have expected with 7 people living on top of each other for a week and 4 more thrown in every day for some spats to have occured - but we all got along GREAT!!!!!! Did find out how hard it is for 11 people (okay just 8 adults) to agree on a meal but......hey I shouldn't have been surprised when it was just Randy, I and the kids we couldn't all decided on a single meal.

We did all go have a pictures done - so look for that posting soon!!!!!! It was an absolutely wonderful wonderful surprise!

WOW - What a Surprise!!!!!!

Well I had the most wonderful surprise this past weekend! Randy, R.C., and Eric placed 4th in an offroad bike race. Brittney and I took the boys to meet Julie and her boys (the bike sponsors were giving out helmet's to the first 100 children - along with proper fitting!) We received helmet's for all 4 boys and Britt grabbed some banana's to take to the boys who were riding in the 6 hours race. I was sitting in the van with the 4 boys while the girls ran to see their husbands (mine happened to be on the trail at the time). I turned around while talking to Ethan to pick up a cup for Trace and said "Ethan look at that guy - he looks like Shawn" about that time Nyki walked up beside him. All I could say is "Oh my Gosh! Uncle Shawn is here" (Not to take away from Nyki, Jeremy and Rylee coming but I expected them - not until sometime today but.....) I ran and hugged and cried and hugged and cried and hugged some more. Tasha and Shawn had driven to Dallas Thursday night - then Jeremy, Nyki, Rylee, Tasha, and Shawn climbed in Nyki's van and drove straight through to FLORIDA - so for the first time in many years I have all my family together again (if only for a week). We had planned doing this but Shawn changed jobs and along with it - no vacation for a year so I had resigned myself to Spring Break being no kids. Then a week ago I overheard a conversation between Jeremy & Nyki while I was on the phone with Nyki (actually - I misunderstood the conversation - kind of) later at Brittney's house I asked So when is Nyki & Rylee getting here - she said "How would I know - why do you think they're coming?" I told her what I had heard Jeremy say and she said well they were going to surprise me but now I've blown it, so at least let Daddy be surprised." So for a week I almost slipped just about everytime I spoke to him. Brittney had told me since Tasha & Shawn were already planning to be at Nyki's the first weekend of Spring Break Nyki and Jeremy wouldn't be leaving until Sunday afternoon when they leave to return to Amarillo.

So when Randy pulled in (very short of breath I might add from a 10 mile ride) I was standing there with Rylee in my arms and he said "Who's that" I said Guess - he said "Rylee?" (those of you who do not know we have not seen our granddaughter since September and she was only 2 month's old then so needless to say she's changed since then). When it was all said and done He knew all along that Shawn & Tasha were coming but he was surprised with Nyki and Jeremy's visit. So we were both surprised!

Since the Christmas of 2000 - our kids and families have not all been together without extended family. Not that I don't enjoy my parents and sister and her family's company but I have to say NEVER have I had all 3 of my daughters by themselves to just visit like we were able to yesterday - and again I'm reminded just how God has blessed my family!!

I found out the planning of the surprise has been in the work since right after Christmas - with limit people knowing (because I have a way of taking a few slipped words and forming a BIG PICTURE out of them - not always the right picture but the kids were not willing to risk it) so until right before they left they didn't tell anyone - then they told Aunt Zane because they knew I would probably be talking to Mom but less likely to be talking to Zane. One thing I learned is that my children and spouse are better at keeping secrets than I am - I only knew a week and Brittney, Tasha, and Shawn had to stop me from letting it slip to Randy.

Life is good!!!!! I am jealous of my sister who has her family right around her. But am and will always be thankful for the time that GOD does grant us!!!!

Well Hello

Randy here, not sure what to say since I usually create webpages, not write on them.

Life isn't bad, just not great right now. Well truth be known, we have a roof, food and cars that run (even if it's not the one we owe money on). I guess that makes it pretty good. I have a wonderful wife that puts up with me even when I'm moody and tonight has been one of those times. 6 great kid, 3 by birth and 3 by marriage. 2 grandsons and a granddaughter. You know when you look at it that way, life can't get much better.

My suggestion to those of you that read this, take stock and enjoy what God has given you and don't dwell on the things that can bring you down.

Randy

Waiting on Randy

Okay this is my last posting until Randy posts his thoughts or whatever he wants to say!

Just wanted to say Hello to all of you and let you know that I love each of you. (Oh yeah thought I would tell you about our weekend with the boys)

We discovered Trace can be a bully - he is like his mother was and is a squealer - unlike his Mother he does it when he doesn't get his way, his mother did it when someone was bothering her (You will have to ask R.C. if she still does that but as far as I know she out grew it!). All day Friday and most of Saturday we "corrected" AC for taking toys away from Trace and making him scream (ear piercing, blood curdeling) until Saturday afternoon AC and I were playing with a toy and AC walked off with toy in hand and TRACE immediately screached and Grandpa told AC to give it back to Trace and I looked up and realized it was the toy AC had just 2 seconds earlier so their was no way he could have been taking it from Trace. Not 2 seconds later Trace was off to something else so we decided that we would try to discourage the squeal but not immediately make AC give up whatever he has even to make the bad noise go away.

I know the before mentioned makes it sound like Trace is awful - but he's not!!! He is one of the most loving affectionate little guys you could ever know! AC was hurt and Trace came running to check on him and patted him and loved him so I know he loves his brother, so we just need to teach him to communicate with a "I would like that please brother" instead of EEEEEEEEKKKK.

Oh yeah AC loves Trace also he climbed in the crib with Trace during his Sunday nap (woke him up but that's not my point) when I asked him why he said I just needed to hold him. (I believe he was beginning to get a little homesick by this time.

AC informed me he was Never going home he was staying with me because I need a little boy and his mommy and daddy have Trace. That was really sweet but I think it has a whole bunch to do with the fact that Trace had just smacked him while he was watching TV and very little to do with the fact he thought I was lonely without a little boy. Believe me when we picked up Mommy and Daddy (see Brittney's blog for explanation) Sunday night - there was NO WAY he was going home with me - he wanted his house his mom, his daddy, and his BED. But his sentiment was sweet about wanting to live with us.

This week at work has been grueling but I am surviving! Remember our car situation in your prayers - to fix or to buy that is the question.

Remember you will not hear from me again until Randy has posted something so if you get tired of reading this - NAG HIM!

Who am I kidding?

I was just reading through past postings and realized that every weekend that was good enough to write about had NOTHING to do with my getting things scratched off of my "To Do" list. I've decided I'm not kidding anyone with my "To Do" list - I just write it down and ignore it, and then feel guilty because I didn't get the stuff on it done that I had planned to do. So I am throwing away my list and if I see something I want to get done I will just try to do it then instead of thinking that's a good weekend project - and that should do away with all the "guilt" trips I put myself on.

While I'm in this moment of reflecting I'm also going to make a change about the way I plan to make phone calls. I always look for blocks of time that I have 30 minutes or so to make a phone call so we can have a good visit. Which means I don't talk to people as often as I want so I'm going to be satisfied with a 5 minute how are you type phone call and make them more often!

Randy, Twila, Eric, and Julie at the Southernmost Point of the Continental USA in Key West, FL 

Sunset in the Keys 

Key West Sunrise from our Balcony 

Valentine Weekend

Wow - what a wonderful weekend! Eric, Julie, Randy, and I went to the Keys for the weekend (thanks to Randy's free hotel stays from all his travels) It was a beautiful place. Romantic Hotel, hot tub, swimming pool normally has a waterfall on it but either they were repairing it or had it off everytime we were at the pool but hopefully it will be repaired prior to RC and Brittney going for her birthday.

We took our bikes and parked on Key West and road the island from one side to the other. Ate at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Of course I had the Cheeseburger in Paradise & a Margaritta - the others weren't as traditional (but hey if we are going to live the song.........) We took pictures at the "Southern Most Point of the Continental USA" It was so relaxing and kicked back - even more relaxed atmospher than Hawaii. I know I would be bored there fairly quickly but.......I could do it for a couple of weeks.

Valentines day was back to work and spending time with the boys, but was still a good day. Ethan brought me a red rose and a heart shaped lollipop, so I still had something pretty for V-Day. This week has been crazy at work - I know why I was aprehensive about the buy out - MEETING MEETING MEETING to discuss the previous meeting - GAG!

I'm homesick this week knowing my mother is spending time with my granddaughter and daughter but I'm glad that Nanny can be near even if I can't. I understand Rylee loves her Uncle Shawn and Aunt Tasha, but then again what's not to love! I cannot believe it's been 5 months since I've seen her, she doesn't even know me which is sad, for both of us.

Well that's pretty much it for now. Hope God blesses each of you.

Ultimate Valentine

."For God so loVed the world,
.........That He gAve
.............. His onLy
............. BegottEn
.................... SoN
......................... That whosever
..........believeth In Him
............ Should Not perish,
..........but have Everlasting life."
.................................. John 3:16

Quote worth remembering

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace... and your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace.

Weekend

Wow I cannot believe the weekend is over. I didn't get nearly as much done as I had planned! Friday night Brittney made RC a birthday supper and invited us over. It was wonderful - close to heaven, She did the work while I played with the boys - we ate (pork chops, potatoes, green beans - UMMMMMMM makes me hungry just remembering it). I helped with the dishes then Britt & I lost a couple of games of dominoes to the guys (I think they were dealing off the bottom, cause Britt and I usually win!)

Saturday I spent probably close to 2 hours on the phone with Nyki - then had to hurry out the door to get to Weight Watchers for Randy to weight in - I'm joining again and getting serious about it THIS WEEK!!!!!!! Met up with Britt and the boys for some errands, back to our house to play Literati while Randy hung a ceiling fan, RC came and helped him after working all day with his friend Russell. They had to go to Home Depot to get something else and picked up supper - then when Randy sat down to eat he ran out of gas so he had to finish up Sunday. The boys spent the night with us. I talked to Shawn and Tasha earlier in the day while they were sorting clothes I always enjoy talking to the kids! Which makes me feel guilty about not getting around to calling my mom cause she might enjoy hearing from me!!!!!!!!!

Sunday I taught the 2 year old's first service class - Luckily Randy helped out, but we (the person who hates for people to be late) was more than 15 minutes late - I forgot how long it takes to make Pancakes & clean up and get the boys ready (I did get up an hour early but guess that wasn't early enough). Luckily we have an exceptional church where people just step in and cover for those of us who are running late. (Not that I haven't done that myself for others - but was embarrassed it had to be done for me!) Randy and I went home - started working on the fan again, Eric came over to set up the network for Randy's PS2 - but ended up helping with the fan since the PS2 is in the room we had the electricity turned off in. Brice stopped by to see me and helped the guys - I know a ceiling fan should not be that hard but remember that there is no lights in the ceiling so they had to run brand new wire and rewire the switch to work on the light instead of the plug in the wall. But you should see my BRIGHT colored ceiling fan in the computer room (we're decorating in M&M's so we needed bright colors.) Randy and I just crashed after everyone left and now here it is Monday and my plan to do list is just as long (in case you didn't notice Randy was the one doing the "work" this weekend - I was just a bum)

Twila's Stress Reduced

As many of you know my company was bought out by Stanley Corporation. We were not sure how things were going to go from the buy out - but we have been assured that last Friday's Reduction in Work Force (RIF) was the only one coming. Tampa office lost only one employee and that was Jeff Johnson, a gentleman we were going to seperate in early December - but due to lack of documentation on past offenses my boss opted to put him on a performance plan. (I lost many nights sleep over this because Jeff is an extremely quick to blow individual (HOT HEAD) who is licensed to carry.) But with it being a RIF he was able to receive a severence package & leave in a dignified manner, so things went extremely smooth.

So after all the above stress my job is finally settling down to status quo so I'm beginning to sleep again.

Thanks to all of you who remembered me in your prayers for the last few months! Also a praise my raise that was given in November has finally been cleared so I should see an increase this week - yeah!!!!!

After 25 years and still going strong. 

Trace's 1st Haircut 

AC Merry Go Round 

Poll Results

The votes are in - here are the results of "Where you would spend your next vacation if money were no object?" pole.
Hawaii 29%
Ireland 29%
Alaska 14%
Texas 14%
Some place else (Australia) 14%

So I guess that means no one will be dropping in to see us anytime soon since Florida didn't receive a single vote!

Check back for a new poll soon.

Once a mom - always a...........

Okay everyone I've had a tough few days reminding myself that my children are adults!

Shawn & Tasha took a trip to Kansas to see some friends. (If you want to hear about the trip click on their link - Tasha's done an awesome job updating her blog.) Anyway back to the "Mom" thing - I begged them to call when they reached their friends house (which they did) and then I begged them to call when they got back to home (which again they did). Randy reminded me that they live out on their own & that they are grown-ups but might I say he didn't mind knowing they were safely off the road.

Brittney accidently hit me with a toy the other day (no she was not throwing it at me or the boys) and I yelled at her as if she was 2 years old still. Later when I was thinking about it (still rubbing my leg) I thought I would never have treated Julie like that if she had done the exact same thing. I know that my children deserve to be treated as Adults. (I know this..I know this...I know this- I'm thinking if I say it enough I'll believe it)

Nyki's lock on her front door broke and she had to get a neightbor to help her break into the back door. I immediately thought her Daddy needs to take a look at both doors and make sure she's safe - as if he's some kind of super hero that can see across the Gulf of Mexico. Then I thought HELLO TWILA, her husband is a very handy man & can protect his family just fine.

Anyway when I was thinking about the above incidents I thought of all the times I whined that my Mom would not allow me to grow up (usually was accompanied with some foot stomping & sighing - I'm sure even some eye rolling) okay okay I realize I was not acting very grown up - but "IT'S NOT FAIR -EVERYBODY ELSE IS GETTING TOO" So I've decided I owe Nanny Liz an apology and I know that it was because she loved me and just wanted to help.

Having said all this I've decided - I want to go back to being my parents little girl - I want to play barbies & watch TV, have a curfew, a bedtime, and someone else to make me meals. I'm not doubting God but I think that he made us backwards - we don't appreciate things until they're not there anymore. (Okay maybe it wasn't God - I'm sure it was Satan that puts the blinders on us as we are growning up!)

Folk Song - Turn Around

Turn Around
Written by: Harry Belafonte / Alan Greene / Malvina Reynolds

Where are you going
My little one, little one
Where are you going
My baby, my own

Turn around and you’re two
Turn around and you’re four
Turn around and you’re a young girl
Going out of the door

Turn around, turn around
Turn around and you’re a young girl
Going out of the door

Where are you going
My little one, little one
Little pigtails, petticoats
Where have they gone
Turn around and you’re tiny
Turn around and you’re grown
Turn around and you’re a young wife
With babes of your own

Turn around, turn around
Turn around and you’re a young wife
With babes of your own

Where have they gone
My little ones, little ones
Where have they gone
My babies, my own
Turn around and they’re young
Turn around and they’re old
Turn around and they’re gone
And we’ve no one to hold

Turn around, turn around
Turn around and they’re gone
And we’ve no one to hold

Where are you going
My baby, my own

Weekend

The past weekend was one of the most relaxing I have had in awhile. Friday night Randy and I did laundry watched TV & I finished up 4 blankets that Nanny had started and did 70% of the work on over Thanksgiving and I promised I would finish them. Good thing I didn't commit to a time frame - but do know that AC thinks they're the bestest blankets ever. (He's started talking in exagerations and it cracks me up!)

Saturday Randy and I met up with RC, Britt, AC, Trace, Eric, Julie, Ethan, and Seth to ride the "Flats". RC, Eric, and Randy rode 20 miles offroad. Julie, Britt, Ethan, and I road the road track, the boys finished before us but Ethan just can't go very fast on his little bike with training wheels, in fact he only made it the first 4 miles - which I think is pretty good for 6 years old! Julie had Seth in the toddler seat on the back of her bike, Brittney had Trace, and I had AC. AC's is an encourager always saying "Faster Grandma" "Come on Grandma you can do it" "Remember the little engine - I think I can" the last one was thanks to his mother but hey still so encouraging you want to put him down and make him walk - Not really! AC and I rode 2 miles further than the other two in order to go down a hill that AC loves (well so do I) we had to stop to allow a snake to cross the road and while we were stopped a BIG FUZZY BUMBLE BEE joined AC in his seat and couldn't find his way back out. Everyone that knows me knows I'm not brave but I cupped him and threw him out - I thought better to sting me than AC - but he didn't sting either of us - PRAISE GOD! We also saw 2 armadillo's, we stopped and watched one for a few minutes - AC thinks they are "the coolest animals in the whole world". Grandpa didn't argue but since one wiped him out on the bike they haven't been high on his list!

Went home and showered and did some errands with RC, Britt, & Trace. AC was off to the Circus with NaNa. Trace talks more than we thought - maybe because AC is always chattering but.....we just didn't realize how much the little guy has to say. The boys spent the night and after their bath Trace was so ready to go to bed he said "Night Night Grandpa" gave him a kiss and allowed me to lay him down and we didn't hear from him again until after 7:30 Sunday morning. AC was wound a little tighter but finally he said "Merry Christmas Grandma" and was off to dream land.

Sunday the Crosby's, Randy and I met Andrew and Donna and road the "Flats" again - was faster than the day before, we all stuck for the most part to the road track. I can actually ride and talk and still breath now so riding with others is pleasurable!

Hope all had a great weekend.

Love you each. Twila

AC's Dreams

The doctor's say that dreams are a sign of active imaginations in children. (Not sure what they're from in Adults ......) I digress I wanted to share with y'all a couple of AC's dreams - he has had both numerous times. (Where is Joseph and his ability to translate dreams when you need him - or as AC know's him Lil' Joe - veggie tails)

1st one is: He wakes up saying that Uncle Shawn put his blue bike in the street and a car hit it, then it was up in the tree and he couldn't get it down.

Grandma's interpretation: When Shawn was here at Memorial day he was pushing AC on his bike (because AC is not tall enough to push the pedals) Shawn started out in the street to turn him around and I said not to teach him to ride in the street. The car hitting it or the tree part is a mystery to me.

2nd one is: (Now this one makes me cry) He says that his friends are gone. He goes to church and his friends are gone - he sees them then as he gets to them they're gone. (He's usually crying and it takes a while for you to calm him down after this dream.) I asked him what friends are gone, he said Bubba & Justin. (Which is actually the same boy - he's my sister's grandson he's called by both names - well actually he's called by Bubba, Justin, JJ & Lil' Justin so we're lucky AC doesn't see him a 4 boys) He said that when he goes to play with Bubba he's gone and then he can see Justin riding his car but he won't wait for him. I asked him if he knows where Justin is when he's not in his dreams and he said yes at Nanny and PawPaw's in Shawn's Texas. (not sure how Shawn received ownership of Texas - but hey who can argue with a 2 year? Oh yeah his Grandpa does all the time.)

Grandma's interpretation: I think he misses the fun he had playing with Justin for everyday for 2 weeks in September - so my solutions is Alisha & Justin should move here with their boys (Justin and Josh) so they can play together everyday - I would say we will all move there but AC's daddy doesn't much want to move and silly Grandpa thinks we should have jobs and God hasn't given us one in Texas yet.

My Family from left to right - Jeremy, Nyki, Rylee in mom's arms, Randy, Shawn, Tasha, Twila, Brittney, AC in mom's arms, RC and Trace in Dad's arms. 

2004 Reflected Upon

With the New Year starting - I've been reflecting on the past year. Here are some of the Highlights.

We've added 2 girls to our family in 2004. The boys still out number us by 1...but we are at least gaining on them again.

Nyki and Jeremy gave birth to Rylee Nykole Skogen on June 18, Grandpa and Grandma were lucky to be there and see her first moments, have to say we had a scary few hours - she wasn't breathing properly and they had to "suck and blow" the crud out. But she finally turned a pretty pink and we were able to hold and love up on her. She still has some issues with breathing while she's sleeping but seems to improve each month. Nyki and Jeremy are as wonderful parents as I always thought they would be.

Shawn married NaTasha (Tasha) Godwin on September 4th in Amarillo. Tasha is the wife I prayed for God to provide my son from the time that Shawn was born - Godly girl and loves my son as he deserves to be loved. (He better be treating her well). Our whole family was there for the wedding. It was the first time that Randy and his siblings were all together in 12 plus years, I'm sure his mom enjoyed it.

Randy and I had our 25th anniversary in September. We actually celebrated in June with a trip to Hawaii, my parents (Don and Liz) and sister and her husband (Zane & Steve) all went. It was a blast. If you plan to go let me recommend you try the Hawaiin cruise that goes to all the different Islands. We went with Palo Duro Band so we were limited to what was on their schedule but was great just the same.

Prior to leaving for Hawaii we were lucky enough to spend time with Randy's Brother Greg and wife Cristina - I saw my first sea lions and seals - and despite what I previously thought they are not the same animal. I also learned the hard way not to put any film in your suitcase because the new exray machines erase it so I have no pictures from our visit with in San Diego.

AC turned 2 on March 30 & Trace turned 1 on September 30 - my mom was right - GRANDKIDS are great. Brittney and RC are blessed with 2 perfect little boys. They say that you pay for your raising - well Brittney spent most of her childhood sleeping (only kid I know that never complained about having to take a nap) - so makes me wonder what kind of active kid RC was because the boys don't seem to take after their mom in the napping area.

Well I'm hoping that the new year has found each of you well and ready to face it with arms wide opened. May God bless you in the year 2005.