My Shining Grace

If you know Grace very well, you know that she is one hilarious little chic. Grace went with me to the Relief Society broadcast on Saturday. While sitting in the chapel waiting for the broadcast to begin she was pointing out all the "burned" lights (one was burnt out, the rest just weren't on). Grace looks at me and says, "Mom, when I grow up I want to be a light bulb. When they work really hard they get hot."

I just smiled and said, "Yes, they do get hot when they are working."

The future for a girl as special and wonderful as Grace is sure to be full of exciting opportunites and limitless fun. I wonder what else she will decided to be when she grows up?

A Little Young

Tonight was the Relief Society broadcast that happens only once a year. Nearly without fail this ends up being my most rotten and yucky feeling day of the whole year. I am perfectly aware of why this is so I make a special effort to go. I may have lost some battles today but I won the war.

Adam picked up an extra shift tonight but thankfully a couple of girls in the ward were watching kids at a friend's house. Ella and Joseph were fine but Grace was curled up in a ball crying huge crocodile tears before I even started goodbyes. New place, several older-ish kids and sitters she'd never met were too much for Grace. So after explaining that mama's meeting was like Sacrament meeting, only longer, she still wanted to go with me.

We rode in Grandma's van to the church (always a treat), shared each others soup at dinner, got a piece of cake with a purple flower on it, a piece of pink gum and got to snuggle with mom as much as she wanted during the broadcast while not having to share the "sacrament meeting" toys with anyone. I just described Grace nirvana. I think she felt very special to get to do this big girl thing with me (and Grandma and Angie).

So the broadcast was wonderful. Elder Uchtdorf's english is getting very good and he's pretty funny. My favorite part, however, was the intermediate hymn. The chapel was packed with sisters all sitting next to each other like we were all best friends. We stood to sing and the sound that came from that group of women was so beautiful. Then off over my right shoulder I hear an older sister singing her heart out in her older sister kind of off key voice. I was instantly transported in my mind to sacrament meetings 20 years ago when my mammaw (Christine) would sing the hymns she loved to much in her off key older sister voice. I instantly missed her and was so thankful for her I cried. I am so thankful for the Gospel that binds us all together in a wonderfully giant family knot. Though I love and appreciate my sweet mom and sis-in-law I was missing my own mom and sister so much I ached. I knew they would be sitting in the stake center at home at that exact moment seeing exactly what I was seeing and missing me too. I am so thankful for the incredible women I have in my life. I have wonderful examples to pattern my life after and to help me on my way. I can only think that the Lord knew I would need help.

Thank you wonderful women in my life, here and gone. I love you all!

Autumn Heaven

We got together today with ALL the cousins, yes, all four of them. We've been wanting to take the kids to Gardner Village to see all the fun witches and autumn decorations. It is such a feastive and fun place where I could spend a zillion dollars (if I'd lost my mind).

It took LOTS of trys to get all seven looking, smiling and not picking their noses or chewing their fingers. Except Olivia, we think her finger chewing is cute. Slobbery but cute!
Only some of the kids (and adults) would dare sit next to her. Adam won't do it.
Stephanie was one of the brave ones.
The Village has a huge number of BIG witches dressed and staged all over the grounds. This one riding her bike over the water is my favorite. Ella liked the hula hooping witch the best. Joe liked the two playing baseball and Grace liked the one out in the boat fishing with dynamite. They are all so stinkin' cute.
I was talking to someone when I hear Ella say, "Mom, take a pictures of me." I turned and find my gorgeous six year old posing. Where did she learn this? I haven't a clue.

We had a fantastic morning with grandma, the aunts (Angie, Emily and Steph) and all the cousins. Adam was even sweet enough to come with us on his vacation day. Thank you my sweet.

Audra, This One's for You

When waiting to be sown up last week I was flipping through a Runners' World magazine and found this. I thought of my sister. She is this ad. Enjoy!

IF YOU RAN WITHOUT SACRIFICE, CONGRATULATIONS. YOU JUST JOGGED.
Running hurts. It always has. Woolly mammoths didn't just roll over onto a plate and serve themselves up to prehistoric man with fries and a shake. They had to be caught - and running down woolly mammoths was a bitch. Guess what? Running is still a bitch. But one with a purpose. It teaches us that good things do not come easy. It teaches us that we are capable of more than we think. It teaches us that hard work will be rewarded and laziness will be punished. Don't expect to learn those life lessions from running's shiftless stepchild; jogging. Next time you suffer on the roads or trails, suffer proudly. It means you run like an animal.

http://www.wearenotjoggers.com/

Audra runs like an animal and I think that's awesome. I love you Audra and admire the woman, wife, mother, sister and friend you are.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Sam

Okay, it was yesterday. I'm a slacker!

Sam is the baby of our family. Does he look like a baby? No? I could have swore he was eight years old, like yesterday.

We all, here at the Hutchinson house, love Uncle Sam. He is a excellent brother and a very cool uncle.

I've seen Sam wet with sweat while helping us move when I couldn't help because I was too pregnant.

When Sam was in school at BYUI he would drive down and spend conference weekend with us. Sam ALWAYS bought groceries, shampoo and laundry detergent while he was there. I appreciated his way of saying thank you (he would also actually say thank you).

On Joseph's first birthday he made a royal mess of himself with the chocolate cake. Once the mess was made I didn't have a chance to clean Joe up, Sam had it taken care of. He had Joe in the sink and squeaky clean in no time. I so appreciated that. Icing is really hard to get out of a kid's hair.

And just a few weeks ago when we were in Memphis. I won't hear the kids for a while so I'd head upstair hoping not to find a disaster. I'd find them in the playroom with Sam playing Lincoln Logs, Barbies, Legos or cars. They love Uncle Sam.

Thank you for all your help with my kids and for your patience when we invade Memphis. Thank you for long talks on the phone and for introducing me to new kinds of movies that I end up loving.

I love you Sam. I hope only the best for you and can't wait to see the great things you will do.

The Big First Day

Grace started preschool today. She was terribly excited. Her cousin, Isabelle, will be in her preschool class whish is also terribly exciting. Grace put on her backpack, which is as big as she is, and was off without the slightest reservation.
She is my very grown, yet very little girl still. Grace likes to cuddle in my lap, pets my arm when I read to her and always has lots of hugs and kisses for mama. She tolerates dad but mama has always been her favorite.
Grace will do wonderfully in preschool. She'll loves to play with other children and it'll help to have someone beside me talking about colors, letters, numbers and shapes.

Congratulations my big Gracie girl on your first day of preschool!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Meggan

I have a really cool sister-in-law, Meggan. Meggan was a fine sister-in-law until they moved to St. Louis while we happen to be living in St. Louis. Megg then became a fabulous sis-in-law. I love Megg like a sister and I'm glad my brother chose so well.
For a whole wonderful year we all lived in St. Louis and saw each other once or twice a week. We ventured to many of St. Louis' fun family spots together, traded babysitting, scrapbooked and did girls nights. I miss living so close to Megg and hope we can again.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Meggan. We love you!

Talent, Sheer Talent

About a year ago I bought this gorgeous Minvera Tiechert print called Rescue of the Lamb. Love it!

Then about a month ago I stumbled upon this frame at DI for $10. Thursday night I took out the glass, cleaned it, painted the frame and readied the print with the mat. So Friday afternoon I was ready to put everything together and hang it. I was so excited.
I was attempting to put the glass back into the frame when it broke. In the process I got cut on the wrist and five places on my hands. While making a bloody mess I called for help. My brother-in-law came to my rescue armed with all manner of first aid supplies including duct tape. Thankfully, I didn't end up needing the duct tape. Impressive, eh?
I did end up needing four stitches, five bandages and a tetnis shot.

Thank you Randy for coming over and helping me get bandaged. Thank you Vickie and Stephanie for coming and watching the kids while I went to the doctor. Thank you Angie and Randy for then having my girls spend the night.

(Funny side note - I've been in a tired, rotten, achey mood this evening (okay, all day). But after half an hour of blogging and a bowl of chocolate/peanut butter ice cream, I feel much better. Amazing, isn't it!)

Tying up loose ends

So these are the last pictures that I will post from our trip home. We were there for 16 days but had a summers worth of fun.

I got to spend some real quality time with my kids, which I loved. I realized I need to do more of that at home. Cleanliness may be next to godliness but so is spending time with your kids.

I have three incredible little spirits Heavenly Father trusted me to raise and nurture. They deserve nothing but my best. And they'll get it.

We got to spend some much missed time with Ben, Megg and Kate. We miss St. Louis terribly. They are one of the many wonderful things about St. Louis.

Thanks Ben and Megg for taking my girls to Jerry's for sno-cones.
My kids love to play dress up. Mammaw and pappaw have a special dress up closet off the playroom. And what better excuse to dress up extra fancy than a special FHE dinner.
Kate and Joseph were born the same summer. They played beautifully.
Mammaw and pappaw's jacuzzi tub is a hit with the grandkids. My kids take a bizarre number of baths when we go to visit.
Joseph got into the dress up spirit too. He particularly liked this pair of mammaw's shoes. Notice he has a car in each hand and a well fed tummy. Life is good at mammaw's house.
What's a trip to Memphis without venturing down to Beale Street. My girls are very into Elvis lately (we visited Graceland but I didn't get any pics). We always stop into A. Schwab on my eternal, and thus unsuccessful, hunt for an A. Schwab t-shirt in my size. I'll keep trying. If you're ever in Memphis, stop in. Its a cool, OLD, little place.
The worst part of a trip home is having to go home (to where I actually live). It is always made more difficult not knowing when we'll be back. At the very best it will be next summer. How sad, I don't get to go home again until next summer. We'll just keep busy doing fun things and the time will fly.

My dad said the sweetest thing the other night after telling bedtime stories. He told the girls how much he missed them then said he thought the house was sad without them there. After two weeks of the house being full of kids and fun, going back to just three grown ups must be sad. Thank you, mom and dad (and Sam), for making us welcome and for loving us so very much. We miss you terribly.

Hot and Sweaty then Soaking Wet

My kids love, love, love to play in sprinklers. At mammaw and pappaw's house they can play in the sprinklers whenever they want and do whatever they want. They love it!

I think Grace is doing a happy dance.

Remarkable! Joe was still for a good half a second so mammaw could take this pic.
This is Ella sulking because I won't let her take the sprinkler attachment off the hose and put on the sprayer gun attachment. I can be so cruel!

(And yes, my parents' neighbors have a family of fake deer in their yard. Joe was thrilled to pet them.)
I am more than excited for the day when we will have a real yard of our own. Big enough for the kids to run and play, get hot and sweaty, play in the water and thoroughly exhaust themselves. All while I'm making dinner or doing something not hot and sweaty.

Would Tom the Tiger eat Rocky the Redbird if given the chance?

Whenever we are in Memphis we ALWAYS catch either a Redbirds game or a U of M Tigers game, depending on the time of year. Thank you Audra and Nathan for timing your wedding just right so we were able to catch them both in one trip.

After a busy day of wedding chaos, I mean, fun, we spent the evening relaxing on the bluff at AutoZone Park watching the Redbirds get their tailfeathers handed to them.

We sat very near both the playground and the backside of the bluff where the kids, all kids, love to roll down until they laugh themselves silly.

Mom was nice enough to stay home with Joe and there were lots of extra adult eyes to watch my girls so I was able to actually relax. Good times all around!

Above: Megg (7 months preggo, like you can tell) and I had a wonderful time chatting like in the good old days.

Below:Grace and Kate played beautifully this trip. Grace was thrilled that someone would actually do what she said.
The next Saturday we ventured to the Liberty Bowl to watch the Tigers give the game away to the Rice Owls in the last few minutes of play. It was a good game all the way to the end though!
Above, Grace spent most of the night attached to me in one way or another. In this pictures, I think my right leg and butt were completely numb.
Ella and Grace love, love, love going to Memphis Tigers games. My dad has taught them the words to many of the songs the band plays so they sing, dance, yell and cheer. They are, of course, fueled by Pronto Pups (Memphis for corn dogs), cotton candy and soda.

The picture above is a picture of true pappaw, granddaughter bliss.

A really good excuse!

The kids and I just returned from a long and wonderful trip to Tennessee. Any and every trip to Tennessee is wonderful (I mean, come on, its Tennessee). I got to see ALL my siblings at the same time. That doesn't happen often and I love it when it does.

My sister got married over the Labor Day weekend. It was an excellent excuse to get everyone together. The day was lovely and crazy all at once.

Nathan and Audra Stiles

The Stiles siblings got together too. Its even more rare for these five siblings to ALL get together. I got to spend some time with the rest of the Stiles after the wedding and they are fantastic. We love the Stiles. All of them!
The Boston clan (minus my Adam). It was bright, the kids were getting restless and we were all starting to sweat, I mean glisten. The perfect wedding in the South.
To complete the perfect wedding in the South, Audra and Nathan had a small reception for closest friends and family where we ate barbeque. Fantastic barbeque with beans on the side and coleslaw on top. And yes, I got sauce on my new cream blouse.

(More pictures and fun from our trip to TN to come.)