My new life

  I am now a mother of three children all in school!  AAAAHHHH!  The first week was a blast...and then I woke up!  LOL  The first week I deep cleaned the house, washed the dogs, caught up on laundry(for a second), cleaned the cars, did yard work, got all the shopping done (alone), and even started the Couch to 5K program!  Whew, and I was tired, but felt so good!  Then, week two came along and I still had some laundry and dishes, but it was mostly maintenance.  The running only took 30min, three days a week, and the yard wasn't really in need of another cut.  So what was I to do?

  First, I had a small meltdown, of not having another little one in the house to take care of and use my time.  Then, I realized that was getting me nowhere and I shutdown my pity party and started thinking.  I put my feelers out to my friends and family and go some ideas.  I have now taken over family history for my side of the family and I really love it.  I also, continued running for four weeks and then realized (when the Dr. told me) that I had fractured my heel!  I am in an air-cast until, at least, Christmas.  I also, picked back up on my photo project I was working on for my mom.  I have been doing my best to get all our photo prints scanned in and restored so that they aren't lost to time.  Once I finish my moms collection I am moving onto my Granny's huge stash.

  As far as things to come...we are just anxiously awaiting the opportunity to purchase a house, come March!  I am nervous and excited all at the same time!  I have also, loved spending more time with some friends and my sisters.  I have the best nieces and nephews and I love getting to see them!  I am still working out how to get up to Wisconsin to see the Archibalds.  The only reason I haven't made it yet is because my husband and kids would never forgive me if I didn't take them with me!

Honestly, out of all that I have been doing, I have loved going through all the old photos of my sisters and family!  I am going to post some and I hope I have picked ones that my sisters love of themselves!  They are beautiful girls, sisters, and moms!  Love to you all!

 This is one of my absolute favorite pictures of Jennie!  She has the prettiest red hair and gorgeous face with those cute freckles!  I use to always dream of having a redheaded daughter!!

 When Danny and I first saw this photo we both said, "That's Zade!"  Sara has always been the fashion queen in the family!  She has the best personality I could ask for in a big sister!

 This, of course, is me.  I picked this picture because my dad is in in with me!  Mos of the memories I have when I was little are with my dad.  Also, if you look behind my dad you can see my cousin Davin and Aunt Debbie's legs. (I think)

 Lacy broke the mold when she came along!  She had that blond hair and the cutest button nose.  Which, I must say her son has inherited!  She mad me a big sister and I love her dearly!

 This is just one of my favorite pictures!  Mom is so beautiful and Lacy almost looks like a doll!

 Elizabeth!  What can I say...I was meaner to her than I should have been, but I never let anyone else touch her!  This is her at like 3 and look at how long her hair is!  She can grow it even though it's curly.

My favorite photo of my Dad.  He is such a handsome guy and then look at how much my sisters wanted to be with him!

Fall is my Favorite!

I have to confess I haven't kept up on my blog much because I don't really think anyone is reading it.  But I haven't given up on it because I want to have this so my kids will have the memories!  That is why I haven't posted a lot.

  This being the first year I have all kids in school I have been working on projects.  I have started work on my families', family history.  Sara has been working on it but as you can easily see, I have a bit more free time on my hands then she does.  I am happy to do it and I know she has done a great job so far!  Also, I am finally getting to all my "rehab" projects.  For years now I've said, "I'll redo such-in-such once I don't have little ones around my feet".  Well that time is now, LOL!  I have started with, what has become, my chest of drawers.  It is an old one that Danny brought to the marriage, but is still really sturdy and has dove tailed drawers!  

This one is of two of the drawers.  One has just paint and the other has paint and dark wax on it.

This is both of them with dark wax.

Of course I can't write a blog without talking about my family.  This last weekend we all got together at my mom's (Exept the Archibalds...we missed them a ton!) for our newest little family member Molly.  Elizabeth now has two adorable girls.  Molly got blessed in church on Sunday and then we all got to have some time together afterwards.  I, of course, got there a day early and Elizabeth was sweet enough to come and let me love and hug Molly.  Also my boys love seeing their cousins and Roma is a hoot!  

This is me holding sweet little Molly Sue

Also, I have to talk about my boys.  Isaak is doing great in school this year.  Though he is having a bit of a "Sheldon year" is what I would like to call it.  He believes his intelligence and truthfulness is more important then kindness.  He also feels he can speak to adults as if he were an adult.  So I've been wracking my brain for solutions there.  I know he will learn but this is definitely something he struggles more with in life.  He is just too smart for his own good sometimes and it is coming around to bite him in the butt.

  Brett, is in love with the outdoors.  I fear the day is close at hand when he will just not want to come inside ever!  He constantly smells and is sweaty!  While at Mama Ford's house she put him to work outside spraying off the windows with the hose!  He didn't want to stop.  He also wants me to take him back every weekend so he can have hose time at her house and clean the windows.  I know my mom would love that for many reasons but we both understand that is not happening!  He is also starting Karate this week, which has him beyond excited!  

  Jack is his usual goofy self!  He reminds me a lot of my Uncle Lynn.  He is so silly but so sweet that it hurts a little when I think how much he acts like Lynn.  He was also born 9 mos after Lynn died so I think they know each other!  Jack definitely marches to his own beat, but never leaves anyone out that wants to join in.  Having three boys and no girls always makes me wish my Grandma Ford was still around.  I feel like she would have so much to share with me.  

Jack and Brett chillin' in the back seat.  It was a Bama game day!  Can you tell?

Isaak wanted it to look like he was hanging on...so I turned the camera.

Being Mother

  Five years ago I had my little Jack.  I remember thinking, as I put his oldest brother on the kindergarten bus,  how long it would be until he was getting on the bus himself for kindergarten.  Now, here I am and he has just finished his first week of kindergarten!  I'm still adjusting to being the mom that is at home all day alone.  It is definitely different, but I am finding my way.

  Like all moms I have those thoughts of, should I work now, should I just enjoy my days until they get home, or should I fill my days with all those things I've wanted to do for so many years alone?  The answer is...any of those will work!  As long as I don't feel like I'm wasting time, I'm doing great!  So there have been days with workouts, shopping and running errands.  There have been days with lunch with the hubby.  There have also been days with laundry, dishes, cleaning toilets, and a small nap!  With a whole school year to fill I know I'll keep myself occupied and finally doing things I've hoped to start for years.  And with all that I still get to be available for my kids, should anything come up during the day.  Also, there will be days when they stay home sick and we cuddle on the couch!

  I often think of a quote from President Hinckley, “It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers.”

  Staying positive and looking on the bright side has never been my strength, but I have leaned more on Danny and my Heavenly Father over the years then I use to.   I also have great friends and a wonderful family that I love talking with and making memories!  So when all my worries start creeping in, and they do, I remind myself...it will all work out.

Crime stoppers

 Just a short note.  Yesterday morning Danny came running upstairs and then quickly back down.  It was odd so I followed him.  There were two young guys stealing the basketball net that our neighbors put up.  They had stayed outside all day struggling and sweating with their grand-kids to put it together and fill the bottom with LOTS of sand.  These guys were just (quickly) trying to load it up and take it.

  So Danny was getting dressed and I was standing there looking straight at them(across the street) recording the whole thing.  They finally got it in the back of the truck and started to drive off.  The guy in the back finally saw me and and I waved and asked them if they'd had a good time doing that.

  Then we called the cops.  After the cops came and the old man across the street said he didn't want to fool with pressing charges we let it go.  We had done all we could do.  But the cop decided to make one drive around the neighborhood just to make sure he didn't see the truck or goal.  So he left but was back in a few minutes saying he had found it!  We were so happy and Danny went to help them bring it home!  It was a good ending to a crappy story!  I'm glad!

Time marches on

I often think about sitting down and writing on here, but most times I find other things to occupy my time.  You know, things like laundry, dishes, children, etc.  But today I had to stop and count my blessings.  On my kids birthday's I am always reminded how blessed and happy I am to have them, and so much more in my life.  Like most people, I can get weighed down with the stress and worries of life, but I really like to try and think of my blessings as well.  Just like stress, our blessings are always there.  It's usually a matter of choice, as to what we focus on.

  I want to focus on the blessings more.  There will always be something to worry about, or fret over or complain about, but at the same time there is always a silver lining or a huge gift just staring us in the face.  Life in a journey and a test.  I want to enjoy mine!

The new year

Our new year has been full of fun times.  We've met new people, made new friends, and added to our extended family.

Danny and his friend Matt (my friend as well) went to Nooga Con.  Basically a Comic Con for Chattanooga.  There they found this really cool Dr. Who shirt!  This is hands down, one of my favorite shows.  We have watched it since it re-started in the early 2000's.  

Danny and his friends have a website and a postcast that they just recently renamed.  This is thier logo and so we thought we'd make a shirt out of it!  We both felt that it turned out well.

Brett had to dress up like a Dr. Suess character and decided on Thing 2.  His best friend dressed up as Thing 1.  He has blue hair but it doesn't show us well in this picture.

Jack has been reluctant to let go of a hooded towel my sister Sara made for him when he was a new baby.  He has been complaining that it's not made for a big boy because the hood doesn't fit his head.  So Mom was kind enough to make Jack-Jack a big boy hooded towel.  It even has his name on it!  He loves it!

I am in love!  This is a snack I discovered earlier this year.  I can't even describe how amazing this stuff is.  It's salty, and nutty, and sweet!  So yummy!

Mom and Dad recently had the Vaughn kids at their house for the weekend.  My kids happen to have a long weekend the same time.  So we packed up the kids and took them to see family!  To me that's the best reason for a trip!  Dad took us all up to Cheahah...the highest point in AL.  Mom and I had packed lunch for everyone.  Then the kids went exploring!

Danny and I loved the weather and the time spent with each other and the family that we were with!

This little guys name is Jackson.  We knew his mom and dad in our old ward in Huntsville.  He is only 7mos old and is almost a walker!  His poor parents are trying to get through school and needed one day a week to devote to studying.  So I offered to take this little ball of energy for them so they can get some work done.  He is a doll...even when he's teething.

The newest member of our family.  My nephew and they boy's new cousin...Dieter!  He is a tiny cute baby boy that we just love.  Isaak fell in love and didn't want to put him down.  

Brett is our baby lover so we knew he would enjoy the baby.  He desperately wants one in our family, but we will make do with wonderful cousins that need some loving too!

There are many more things we have been up to.  Danny and I are each writing a book.  Of course Danny turned it into a competition to see who could finish first.  The Vaughns are coming this weekend to visit and we are thrilled to have them.  Also, next week is our Spring Break!  We are just always going and doing.  It's nice to have so much to do and so many great people to see and spend time with.  Until next time...

The Sick Icks!

  Hello, from the Hatcher home.  I have spent most of my time since Christmas in our home.  Either with a sick child or trying to get over a bug myself.  We experience this every year, and every year, by this time I am at my wit's end!

  But as I sit here exhausted I can't help but think about how happy I am.  And how my (sick) family have made me that way.  When I became a mother almost 9 years ago I had a baby that hated life.  Every time he smiled seemed like a miracle.  Everyday that went by and I wasn't drenched in his barf I counted as a blessing.  Ok, so this list can go on for a long time.  I have three boys that have put me and my husband through a lot!  But the whole point of it is...they have made me smarter, happier mom.  And I'm sure they will continue.

  I truly, know how to laugh at the good things and try to remember the bad things will pass.  Also, they are little, people as well and I'm not the only one who has bad days.  I have many more years as their mom, so I have lots more to learn.  Like Joseph Smith Jr. said "I'm a rough stone rolling".  My kids just keep pushing me down the mountain to polish me up!  LOL

  So, I will survive these sick icks and enjoy my spring and summer in the great sun, and weather!  The pool is calling and I can't wait to get to it.  It should be opened before the kids get out of school in May!

Pinning the night away!

  I now know the the end of the world is near!  I have joined Pinterest.  I do like it and am enjoying the motivation to get things started in my life.  I always say I want to do things and then don't know where or how to start...now I have a place.

  One of the things I have been telling myself I'm going to start is Crocheting.  I have known how to do a little for a long time now, and I would like to get more proficient.  So at Christmas I went to Hobby Lobby and got yarn, hooks, and a book on how to start.  I have yet to start, but now I feel more invigorated to get a move on.  Hopefully I will have something to post about soon in this area!?

  Also, a friend of mine is having a baby and we want to give her something special, so another one of my girlfriends and I are going to give her a shower.  So now I have a board with shower ideas.  It's nice, I feel like my brain is now organized.  Sweet.  That works wonders on a girl with OCD.

  This past weekend we had some great friends from AL come to visit.  We took them  to all the fun places here.  We started with the Georgia Aquarium.  It was so much fun.  There are so many things for the kids to touch.  And we all know how much kids like to do that.  There is a feeling there that the workers want kids to be kids.  With your general admission ticket you get a free ticket to see their Dolphin Tales show.  And I can't get enough of dolphins   They are so amazing to watch.  Swimming with dolphins is still on my Bucket List.

  Finally, I have been enjoying more time at the gym.  I am not the best at motivating myself, but once I get there and get going I really love the feeling of taking care of my body.  I'm not going to lie, I want a better body, but I have this one and I need to treat it with tender loving care.  So, days at the gym are a good thing.

  Well, hopefully by the next time I blog I will be the next Mary Stewart...get it?

Why is this so hard?

I have not been doing a good job keeping up with my blog.  Mostly because our lives are pretty dull and normal.  But I know there are friends and family that want to know what's going on in our lives.

  Isaak:  Is my big 3rd grader!  He loves school...still!  He has his homework done before he gets home.  If he has a project due in a few weeks he comes home and starts on it immediately.  Sometimes he finishes it that day!  He soaks up knowledge like a big ole sponge!
  He recently had 4 teeth pulled by the dentist.  His mouth has little to no room for his adult teeth.  So to keep from spending more money on braces later and so that he doesn't have to wear braces as long they pulled some teeth to allow his teeth some time to straighten on their own.  He didn't mind it too much.  And the tooth fairy brought him 4 gold dollars.  That's what our tooth fairy brings!

Brett:  What do I say about our Brett?  Lately he has really taken after his mother when she was growing up.  Everything is very dramatic and drawn out.  He turns his head away about everything...very dramatically.  He hates doing his homework and it's an issue everyday to get him to finish.  And to be honest some days I don't fight him about it, if he doesn't do it then he needs to deal with the consequences!  He is still very tender hearted and cuddly! But his world falls apart a little more than it should over simple things.  He is definitely coming into the middle child syndrome.  And he is in the 1st grade now.

Jack: is just a blast at the moment!  He makes everyone laugh all the time!  He has a new best friend since we moved here that is his carbon copy!  His names Jacob.  They act and speak so much alike.  Rachel, his mom, and I just can't get over it!  He's in pre-K right now, but is super excited about started Kindergarten in August!  I know I am going to cry like a huge baby!  I have done it every time one of them starts school!  On the days Jack's not in school he is my little shadow!  We will spend time on the couch watching a movie or playing games.  There are also times when he helps me at the store or cleaning around the house!  He is just really a happy kid right now.  I am enjoying it cause I have two older ones that are do dramatic right now!

No matter what I love them all and being a mom is really an awesome thing.  Most of the time!

Danny and I are just doing the same ole same ole stuff.  We did recently decide to become gun owners!  Scary...I know!  But we have been practicing and learning more about guns and gun safety.  This year will also bring decisions on purchasing a house.  By December our second year of renting will almost be behind us and we are planning on becoming home owners again!  I don't think there are words to express my nervousness about the whole subject.  I know we have no plans on leaving this area.  Danny loves his job and we both love the area.  There is no reason (in our minds) why we will ever move jobs or locations again.  But life is not predictable and we all know that!  But on our end we have found home!  Any prayers would be welcomed.

Here are some fun pics just to go with what's been going on.

 Our friend Rachel...that is Airose on her head.  Isaak loves this bird!

 Jack's preschool had, what they call, Tiny Town.  This was the Bakery...making cookies.

 Tiny Town had a car wash as well.

 These are the kids that we love playing with.  They live just up the street and go to church with us!

 Practicing at the gun range

 There was a little hardware store too!