An Update on LIFE

We've been in Jackson just over a month now and things are going pretty well for our little family.  Though we've been busy, we've managed to find our place here in Jackson and we are settling in nicely.

First, and most importantly, Matthew is LOVING his new role as a terminal manager here in Jackson.  He has jumped right in and learned the ropes and is enjoying his new found responsibilities as well as the lack of stress that (thankfully) comes along with running a smaller facility.  I'm loving it too, as he has much more flexibility and is able to pop in and out when necessary---Something he's never been able to do before.  I'm very proud of him and how hard he's worked to achieve his goal of having his own terminal.  Though I sometimes get frustrated with the demands of the job, I quickly remind myself that it is only because of HIS hard work that I am able to live MY life dream of being a stay at home wife and mommy!  For that, I am so thankful!

Kyndall has adjusted to her new pre-school routine like a champ!  There hasn't been a single tear shed upon drop off which makes this Mama feel very good about my decision to enroll her in this part time program.  She is such a social child and just thrives around her peers.  Her teachers tell me she is the "popular girl" in class and that all the boys want to play with her.  GRRREEEAAAAT.  Not only that, she has already managed to snag herself a boyfriend, or so I am told.  Cruz is her latest obsession and the teachers tell me that they are simply adorable together.  When we ask her about Cruz at home she covers her mouth and giggles like a shy, giddy little teenager gushing over her first crush!  It's too much.  When I asked her what she likes to do with Cruz at school she said "tiss!"  That's Kyndall speak for KISS!  I have no words.  I got a call from Cruz's Mama the other day and she confirmed that this relationship is in fact mutual.  Apparently Cruz talks about Kyndall all the time at home.  We also discovered that they're in the same Sunday School class, so perhaps that's where their connection lies.  I hate to encourage it, but it's just so darn cute.  I'll try to get some video of her talking about Mr. Cruz soon!  You'll die!

Let's see......what else?  We've been attending regularly at Englewood Baptist Church (same place K goes to pre-school) and we really love it!  Everyone is SO friendly and welcoming and we've already made several friends at EBC.  I especially love the worship music on Sunday mornings, which is led by none other than Travis Cottrell!!!  I was a little bit star struck the first Sunday, not believing that THE Travis Cottrell was on staff at EBC!  He's fantastic, as is the Pastor and everyone else we've encountered so far.  Though I'll probably always consider Morningside Baptist my home church, I can see Englewood being a great place for our family to put down roots during our time in Jackson.

We are still adjusting to the colder climate as well as the central time zone.  Neither of which I am a fan. Particularly the colder weather.  I feel like on the days that Kyndall is home with me, we are confined to indoors because it's just too cold to enjoy our FANTASTIC backyard.  I'm in no hurry to experience the dreaded summer heat, but I'll definitely be glad when Spring arrives!  Bring on the tank tops, flip flops, kiddie pools, and sun kissed cheeks!  (I know you're feeling me, Betsy!!)

I think we are just about done unpacking boxes and putting things away----finally!  I have so much more space in this house, but it's amazing how quickly I've already filled it up!  Where was I keeping all of this junk in our smaller house??  Truthfully, I've gotten rid of a LOT as I've sorted through the boxes.  (Shhh....don't tell Matthew!)  I just figure if I haven't seen it or used it in the past four years, I really won't miss it!  So, Goodwill has been receiving some pretty generous donations from the Hughes house lately.  It feels good to purge every now and then!  I'm on a new mission to simplify my life in more ways than one, but this is the first step.  On a whim, we went out and bought an entire new living room set this past Sunday and it's supposed to be delivered today!  I can't wait!  Once the furniture is all in place I can start hanging my portraits on the walls and make this house finally feel like a home!  (Which in my opinion means walls covered in beautiful smiling faces and glimpses of memories past!  Y'all know how much I love my pictures!!)

Many of you have asked about my health.  While I'm still not ready to share all of the details with the entire blogging world, I do VERY much appreciate all of your thoughts, prayers, texts, phone calls, e-mails, etc.  Just knowing that you all are thinking of me and praying for me brings me great peace.  I will share that I finally got an appointment at Vanderbilt with a great doctor who came highly recommended by my former doctor at the Medical University of South Carolina.  The two are friends and have been in contact regarding my case.  However, even with that "plug" from my former doc at MUSC, the earliest they can see me is March 19th.  So, right now I am just waiting.  And worrying.  And waiting some more.  I'm so anxious to have this appointment and get a plan of action for how we are going to tackle this new hurdle that's been thrown my way.  I would be lying if I said I'm not terrified, but at the same time I know that my God is not the author of fear, but rather the giver of peace.  Things I have always known, but now am being forced to put to action.  Please know that I covet your prayers and am grateful for every single one of you who have shown concern for me and my family!  I am so blessed by each of you.

On a happier note, my parents will be making their way up here in mid-March, in order to help me out with my appointment at Vanderbilt.  They'll be here for about five days and when they leave, they'll be taking me and Kyndall along with them for TWO whole weeks in Tallahassee!  It will be my first visit back home since we moved and I know that I'll be more than ready for it by then!  We'll be staying through Easter and then flying back the first week of April.  So, that's definitely something we're looking forward to!  Also, shortly after that trip we'll be returning again (just over a month later!) for my baby sister's WEDDING!!!  So so so excited about being a part of Kelly and Michael's special day!  I'll be a bridesmaid and Kyndall will be one of the flower girls.  Gotta get practicing on that!

That pretty much catches you up on our new life in Jackson!  Kyndall is at a very fun age right now and keeps us constantly laughing so I hope to post an update on her soon.  I was so good about doing my monthly updates when she was a baby but I've fallen short as she's gotten older.  But I definitely have lots to share, as this seems to be my absolute favorite age so far!  (I think I say that about every 6 months, but this time I really mean it!)

In the midst of typing this post, my furniture has been successfully delivered so I'm off to start setting up house!  Pictures soon, I hope! (Is it just me or is this smell of new furniture not one of the best smells ever?!  Seriously!)