Me at 17

My senior year of high school in english class we were given the project of writing a letter to ourselves 5 years in the future. I just got mine the other day and I really enjoyed reading it. This is what I had to say to me five years ago...

Hanna,
Well, hello! I feel very awkward writing to myself. By the time I recieve this I'll be around 21 years old. So, let me tell you a little bit about yourself as a high school senior: I'm 17, I drive a red, 96 mustang, I have a 3.5 GPA, I'm a cheerleader, I run cross-country (co-captain), and track (5:52 PR), I go to Abundant Life Church, my closest friends are Daffne N***, Katie O***, Kendra H***, I have a calico cat named Gypsie, I love being artistic, I love being envolved in school activities, I ran a 13:02 at the state cross-country meet, I was the 2001 Homecoming Queen, My favorite candy is a kit-kat, I'm on the National Honor Roll, I was elected to Who's Who among American High School students, my nickname is "Banana", my Freshman year we were the Bloomer Bowl Champs (The FR BALLARS), I was secretary of our Junior class, I'm Parish Champ in the 1 mile and 2 mile, I'm 2nd in District in cross-country, The Girls cross-country team placed third at state (one point away from SSA), I ran 15th in the state for cross-country, the cheerleading squad placed 1st in parish - 1st in the twist-N-shout - 3rd at Regionals - and we're going to NATIONALS (hello Mickey!), I love to imitate "carla" from the movie "the other sister", I wake up every morning for school at 5:40, My youth pastor is Greg Beatty, I sometimes dye my hair the color "clove", I'm currently growing my hair really long, I love to read my bible, I want to name my girl Mackenzie and my boy Christian, My brothers live in Colorado Springs, and most of all I love to make people smile and feel good about themselves,

I try my hardest to be a good Christian and a good person. I always put God first in my life. It's all about him. I love to be around others and be envolved. I love to make people laugh and I love to even laugh myself. I very rarely have bad days, but I do worry alot. Hanna, don't stress on things. Life gives you many trials and tribulations that you must go through to grow and mature. Strength often comes from your failures in the past. God hasn't given you a problem that he doesn't know how to solve already. When your head is down and you feel like giving up - look up - you may just be inches from reaching your goal.

As of right now, I aspire to be a Kindergarten teacher. I'm most likely going to end up going to Southeastern (SLU). I plan on going to college, graduate, start working and while I'm working go to school to get my masters and my Ph.D.

I hope by the time I read this again I have found my niche in life. Good luck in all you do. Remember the Good times.

Love Always,
Hanna Hughes
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I'll be 23 in February, and I'm no where I'd thought I'd be. I went to LSU for 3 years majoring in Kinesiology to become a Physical Therapist only to Change my major to Nursing and go to Our Lady of the Lake. I eventually want to pursue my Master's to become a Neonatal Nurse Practioner.

I'm married and have a wonderful little boy. I'm so happy I didn't have to spend years finding that one person who I wanted to grow old with. Craig is my #1 Cheerleader and my biggest fan. He helps me through everything. And Hayden? I can't say enough about him. He's my motivation and light everyday. Life is good people! Enjoy It!

OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - I've got it and I can't help it. I can't set my alarm clock to anytime other than that of a multiple of five, nor can I do this when turning up the volume on a T.V. stereo, or any other device for that matter.

Today, my OCD took hold of me again as I finished graduating a few students (I'm a registrar). Throughout their classes we file all students test papers in a separate cabinet from their academic file. When you graduate someone you pull all sorts of things to put together, one being these test papers. As I did this for one particular student I noticed the label on his test paper folder had their last name spelled wrong. It ended with an "h" not an "l". After we're done with these folders we just throw them in the back to be re-used whenever, but I just couldn't help myself. I whipped out my ink pen and made that "l" an "h"....and afterwards....I felt so much better {sigh}. I'm hopeless sometimes. Oh well, "A place for everything, and everything in its place."

Until next time...ciao!

Catching Up

Today I had lunch with my long-time pal Daffne. It was so good to see her and catch up on a whole lot of nothing. She just graduated from college and I just became a new mom, so we really haven't had alot of time to do "girl stuff" lately. I love the fact that we could go weeks without talking and pick up right where we left off. To me that defines a really great friendship - You don't have to talk everyday to know they're right there for you at every moment.

With that said, did you ever have a friend you were so close with everywhere you went someone would always ask where your other half was? Well, that person for me is my dear friend Katie. I say "dear", but we've lost touch over the years. Now I have to constantly explain to everyone I run into how we're not really friends anymore, but not because we had a falling out - It's just that we let life get in the way...I guess!?! So, I guess you could consider this a New Years resolution - To get reacquainted with Katie, the friend no one will let me forget about. I do miss her {sigh} Good times....good times.

New Years

Goodbye 2006! Hello 2007! I really didn't make any New Years resolutions this time around. Maybe because I never follow through with them. It's sad to see another year go by because It means I'm getting older, and so is Hayden. At the same time though It's exciting to see Hayden growing and discovering new things.

January 1, 2007....Hayden sits up by himself for the first time!


From us to you have a Great 2007!!!

Christmas

Christmas was great! Looking back at my childhood I never thought I would get to a point in my life where it would be more fun to watch someone else open gifts instead of myself. But, I'm there! Watching Hayden explore the details of Christmas was so much fun. From wrapping paper and tissue paper, to ornaments and red Christmas cups.

Christmas cups? Yep, that was pretty much Hayden (and Blakeleigh's) favorite part of the season.



Christmas started at our house, of course, and ended at Craig's mom and dad's house. Here are few pics...







Merry Christmas!