making memories....

Justin's doing Great and has enjoyed life away at college - a little too much! See pictures below....










Okay- Momma's a bit worried now! He said he couldn't wait to try to escape! Now mind you- he lives on the second story!

Somebody please

Settling into College life

Justin is officially getting settled in and has so far felt right at home. It's hard to imagine him all grown up but it is a fact.... he is growing up fast!

So one of the things that needed to happen was Justin needed to trim the hair. He started to cut his hair and his room mates started laughing. Justin said, he just gave up trying and just buzzed his hair. Now mind you- he's not had a buzz cut since he was oh.... in the 6th grade!





these pics are WAY to SMALL! but I had to snatch them from his facebook photo album. ;)

Graduation night

It was a great night and full of some fun moments. They had a rose ceremony where the kids actually come down from the stage and say goodbye to the parents and siblings. It is such a meaningful moment and so symbolic of what lies ahead. All week I've been thinking about him and just remembering the first day I brought him home and how exciting it was for us as a family. How excited Josh was to have a baby brother or sister. How proud we were as parents.

We are packing his stuff up now and are talking about what the states will be like for him after being gone for so long. I'm so thankful that we made the choice to allow him to study for one year in the states. It was a good decision and we do feel he is as ready as he can be to leave home to go to college.

This summer he hopes to go and work on the river with his brother for about a month or so. Then he'll leave to head to Arkansas for an TCK retreat where third cultured kids come from all over the world to attend this retreat. It's meant to deal with some of the issues that these young adults will face after having lived overseas. It was a great time for Josh our oldest and now Justin is looking forward to it as well.

I guess that is all for now... Justin is working hard to pack up his room and get his stuff whittled down to 2 trunks and 2 suit cases. This is is ofcours

Update on Senior Trip

Here is the latest from the boys. They arrived safe and sound but they have had a great time. These are pictures of them in the Shire! :)

pretty cool!

I can't wait to see all the pictures..

love to all,
mel...

Senior Trip

Justin and Dwayne are off on a great adventure!





Heading out to New Zealand for one amazing Senior Trip!

love to all!

Senior Pictures

This year our second born son: Timothy Justin Carus Hughes will be graduating from High School in June. We can't believe how fast the years have flown by and it's been one of the GREATEST JOY's in our lives as his parents. I thank the Lord for the privilege of being his mom and I know his father feels the same way.

He's the one person I can count on to make me laugh. He's full of such Joy and hates injustice. He's one of the most forgiving people I know and loves his brother and sister so much.

We are so proud of him and can't wait to see how the Lord uses him........

Here's to Justin -


click on anyone of the pictures for a larger picture.

more pics

At the Dance

Justin went to the dance stag and I must say he had a great time. He is such a gentleman. He danced with anyone who asked and it was so sweet. At one point he went and grabbed his sister and they danced. Oh, it was so sweet.
I wasn't able to get all the pictures I wanted but here are a few of my favorites... These are all good friends of Justin's.





Justin and Hannah - she's like his little sister. They are actually working on a book and hope to get it published in the very near future.



Justin and Blakely - so sweet



Here is Justin and Kayla - I love that our kids genuinely like each other.



Justin and Tony- Can you tell they love posing

They always throw in a fun one!

here's one I forgot to post - It never fails :) when pictures are being taken that the kids start hamming it up....

Belated pictures of the Christmas dance

We were in Turkey during this Big Event! Sadly enough and I didn't bring my computer so I couldn't post pictures my friend Raffia sent them to me. So here they are a bit late but you might still enjoy seeing how handsome he was and beautiful Blakely looked.

Oh, Justin rented a Mercedes Benz to take her to the dance. She had no clue and they ate Italian for dinner. They did have a good time and enjoyed the ride!