Down The Hatch

Moving. Post Correction

2012-01-06T15:43:00.003-07:00

For reasons unknown, even to myself, I will now be blogging here:

www.seejanehatch.blogspot.com

Please excuse the mess.

I'm trying some new things and figuring out how I want it to work and what I want it mean.

Yuletides.

2012-01-02T08:55:00.005-07:00

Christmas was a glorious experience this year, right down to the Christmas clementine I received in my stocking. I savored that orange like it was butter. (oh butter! Isn't butter divinity?!?....Little Women is about one of the best Christmas movies ever).

I am always more excited than anyone Christmas morning. I wake up before everyone. We woke early and came out to see the gifts Santa left us. Cash received the polar express train and with it came the bell from Santa's Sleigh. He never ceases to surprise me at what excites him. He was so thrilled about that bell. He just kept saying over and over that he really had been a good boy this year because Santa had thought to leave him and bell right off the sleigh.

We then had breakfast and went to church. I had been worrying about this for the whole month of December, but it brought a feeling to Christmas that otherwise wouldn't have been there.

It was so nice to stretch the day out opening presents slowly, remembering what it is really all about and spending the day in a relaxed, peaceful state.

We got to go sledding the next day with all the Seaman Clan. It was the whipped cream on top of lovely holiday that I have really struggled to come back to reality from.

If you didn't get a card, don't get your feelings hurt, most of the recipients went by the last name similar to mine.

6.

2011-12-22T14:36:00.006-07:00

Cash is six years old today. At this moment he is sleeping soundly in his bed. His cousin Noah spent the night, he asked and received French Toast, a fried egg and bacon for breakfast than set to decorating and getting ready for a birthday bash. He is too pooped to poop.

All year he has been planning on a How to Train your Dragon Party. I thought he would forget and I'm not quite sure why. That kid doesn't forget anything.

Most days I call him his Dad's Twin but I can see some striking similarities here and I am proud to call him mine.

I remember six years ago like it was yesterday. There wasn't any snow. We were at Grandmas house celebrating Macy Baum Baums birthday. All day I would have pains here and there and they got continually stronger for most of the day. This being my first pregnancy I didn't really think of it until they were more painful. All of my sisters had gone over on their pregnancies and most had to be induced, so everyone doubted that I was in labor considering the fact that Cash wasn't due until December 26. But they gave me an exercise ball to sit on that made me feel ridiculous and I couldn't see how it was making my pain much better.

We left Macys party and met Dad at Poppa Rogers for some steak ( to this day I eat steak very rarely, for this and a few other pregnancy reasons). I sat down took a few bites and headed out to the front room and walked the length from the laundry room door to the guest bathroom door back and forth shaking my hands like I wanted my finger nails off. We eventually came home. I put on my striped pajama pants and tried to lay down. At this point I started timing my contractions. I wanted no part of going to the hospital only to be sent home. My mom came down, and we got the doctor on the phone. It was time. I cried, kicked, told my mom I didn't want to go through with it anymore and screamed till they broke my water at the hospital and

gave me drugs and an epidural.

I slept fitfully till about 6 the next morning. The shifts were changing and I was panicking because I knew it was time but no one would come in to check me. I finally got their attention and within an hour the doctor arrived, and he was born. He held him up, said, "This kid ain't no pigmy," and I just gaped. Then I heard my dad say' "Is that hair red?" It surely was. I couldn't believe a 21 inch, 7 lb 11 oz boy with red hair came out of my basketball sized belly. He was gray and true to his nature, didn't even cry. They took he out and told me he were having some issues. It literally took three days before I knew he had a heart murmur. He was so sweet and never cried. After he ate we brought him home and it took a lot to get him mad.

He was always a happy boy and to this day has some fantastic outlooks even on his bad days. I hope to never take part in putting that light out. He is a ray of sunshine, almost always leaning towards too bright, but we couldn't be luckier to have him around.

Birthday. Suit.

2011-11-30T17:27:00.004-07:00

His mom always told me that Chaz was too pretty to be a boy when he was born. I didn't believe her till my first boy was born. Chaz is pretty but in a masculine, sexy sort of way. I love this guy. At this moment on his birthday he is talking business on his cell phone while wiping the littlest Hatch bottom.

I told him this morning to take a look at what he has accomplished in his short 31 years. It is unbelievable. I admire his drive so much, as well as his uninhibited use of words- short, sweet, and honest, sometimes oh so too honest. He doesn't mix words. He works till he can't anymore and then he comes home and bathes kids and gets them into bed

He invited someone to our home to take the missionary lessons, something I have a phobia of doing.

I am always so proud to call him mine.

He is so loyal to those he loves and I am glad I am included in that circle.

Happy Birthday to Chaz!

Follow. The. Leader.

2011-11-17T14:36:00.004-07:00

Nolan got a bit cut off because our big group was making an adolescent girl we snatched from the camp over very nervous with all our comments.

All our camp kids + Tucker

Glamis is something we talk about and look forward to, all year. It is so laid back and the kids can run free in the sand. Cash hardly steps off his four wheeler doing circles all day long. I lost my voice the minute we got there. I still don't have it back. I have a man voice right now. It's rather sexy.

Every year we go, some nice fellows from our camp volunteer to baby sit while others volunteer to lead us out (much too slowly for them) onto the precarious sand dunes. Every year I get more and more cautious. It's a funny thing. I was pretty much petrified the entire first half of our first ride out. I couldn't loosen my grip, I couldn't enjoy the ride, I couldn't relax even a tad. My whole body was sore the next day from that ride. I was so tense.

The next day when the men so kindly volunteered again, I was a little hesitant but hopped on. I enjoyed this ride much more.

I have learned to just watch the person in front of me and follow where and what they do, as long as I don't see them wreck. I have realized that if their bikes can handle it so can mine. I also am constantly checking with the leader in front.

I am becoming my mother. I am because I couldn't help but compare that with the gospel. Follow the leader.

I won't be lead astray.

No matter how scared I am, there is someone who has already gone before me.

I just have to follow those leaders and yes I will wreck or roll every once in a while but I can always get back on and truly enjoy the ride.

My mother is an angel sent from above. No really, there isn't any one else I would rather be like.

So this was all going through my head on that second ride. And that is when I watched Kellie gracefully fall over sideways on her four wheeler. I stopped mid hill and dive bombed off in hopes of showing my muscles and saving Kellies life, which if you know anything about the dunes, that is one thing you don't do. Kellie has a bruise. I was the one everyone waited for while I slowly had to roll backwards down hill and attempt to start my bike several times.

I thought I just might be a hero sacrificing my pride to make sure Kellie was alright. But then again I should have known she is a lot tougher than me and I can't start a four wheeler under pressure.
There is always good food made at the dunes. Chaz is the bomb Peach cobbler maker. There are always some good laughs and weird things happening. Our last night there, we were all talking around the campfire, when out of no where two dudes pop into our circle. The convo went something like this:

Dude 1: Hey do you all know where can find the nearest gas station? (While holding a twenty folded in half long ways between his pointer and middle finger out for all to see)

Us: Gas station? (the nearest gas is about thirty miles away)

Dude 1: Ya! We are gonna take the four wheeler to get some cigarettes cause his girlfriend took his and slapped him across the face! (referring to dude 2)

Dude 2: Does a mime show of getting slapped across the face.

Us: You're going to ride your four wheeler? The nearest gas station is about 30 miles to Brawley.

Dude 1: I mean we got nothing better to do. So three miles which way?

Us: No, thirty miles.

Dude 1: Oh *%^& we will take the truck.

Dude 2: another mime of agreement.

Flash the twenty a few more times and off they went. Together. On the four wheeler. I couldn't help but think how funny it would have been to send them on their way, down the high way, two dudes, on a four wheeler, reminiscent of Dumb and Dumber.

Finale.

2011-11-02T13:45:00.004-07:00

This morning for some reason I had a flash back while standing in my bathroom getting ready....

It was a spring day like most others. Chaz and I were still in the first couple years of our marriage. He asked me if I would mind cutting his hair before we had to go to a huge Hatch Family function. I hadn't been back to cosmetology school yet and didn't have any of the tools that I had started to learn with. He sat and I stood in that same bathroom I got ready in this morning and I took his goatee clippers out, turned them on and with in seconds I sat there staring at the line up the back of his head on the right side deciding how I was going to tell him what I had done. He laughed it off but refused to let me shave his head. He told me he would just wear a hat. I begged him not to tell anyone that I had done it. I was selfishly more embarrassed for myself than for him. And do you know what he did? He told everyone he had done it himself. EVERYONE. Meaning all 800 Hatch's that were at the party. And didn't even bat an eye.

He asked me for a haircut last night.

And has been asking for the last six or seven years.

Sailor does cartwheels like no one else I know....she starts with a kick in the air...

And ends like this...

I see Mike Seaman here...I'm just saying.

How about the final renovations pictures?

This is how it looked when we moved in...

This was the next year when we added some grass.

This is how she looks today.

Halloween rocked at our house by the way.

Trick or treating and a movie (Puss in Boots).

2011-10-27T16:42:00.004-07:00

Thats right, this was our first pumpkin carving event as a family. Cash couldn't eat for fear the pumpkin was going to get up and run out the door.

They each designed their own...well Sailor thought my idea of an H was lovely. This time of year has been so good because the perfect weather has been here. The past two days have seemed to lean toward winter. My kids already are stir crazy and my feet never warm up. I am already anticipating all the holidays but will really miss bare feet and long days. Until next summer...

Now how about some more renovations photos. I made these no sew roman shades because the rugby striped panels that looked very similar to this were going for 169 per panel on ebay. I got brave from a tip to look here.

I kept thinking to myself that I must have missed a step or that they weren't really going to work while I was making them because they were so easy. I am happy to report they work fantastically.

Dont look too close at either of these handmade curtains or you will notice my novice skills. These curtains I did for Sailors room were the reason I decided not to do panels in Cash's room. They were definitely hard and I didn't order the right amount of this chevron material so I improvised. I love what they did for her room...but like I said don't look too closely.

P.S. This basinet that you can hardly see that is filled with toys was the basinet I brought both my new born babies home to sleep in. Lovely, just lovely don't you think?

Renovated.

2011-10-12T13:59:00.003-07:00

This afternoon I was sitting here uploading pictures for this post when I hear someone come up the porch and then I see a body with a dozen roses for a head pass by my window. I then recalled a conversation I had with Chaz the other day. Somewhere in the middle of it, I said in passing, something about how unromantic he was. Not to be mean. It was just a matter of fact statement that I thought both parties agreed on. He stopped me there and asked what I meant, I told him that he just wasn't a romantic guy. He decided that since it was Wednesday today, he would prove me wrong...and he did just that.

Because it is Wednesday!

Love, Chaz

That's how romantic he is, and he let me give our home a face lift....here are some more pictures with a side note: my camera is slowly but surely kicking the bucket. Sometimes the photo takes and sometimes it does not, sometimes it is blurry and sometimes it is not. I can't for the life of me figure it out.

How about these barn lights that were originally supposed to go outside but I was sent the wrong color....so instead of sending them back, I took the cheap vanity lights back to the Depot and ordered the right color for the outside and haven't had a moments remorse. We are still waiting on Lamell to work wonders for this mirror.

How about the board and bat and the cutest Don't Give Up the Ship poster....thanks for the idea from here and the place to find it here.

More ideas from here for the master bath...and still waiting for our miracle worker to work one on this mirror as well.

This was by far the hardest and most time consuming part of the whole thing, because I did it myself. Thats right. I took every piece of door hardware off, including the hinges and spray painted them with an oil rubbed bronze finish, twice and let them dry as long as possible, then put them back on. I had to do it in stages because frankly it would have been impossible for me to take the whole door off at once and be able to get it back on. So I did all the handles one day, all the top hinges another day and so forth. I still have two hinges left. Honestly it is such a small thing that made a huge difference for me...can you see where this took place? On my back porch where the rest of the paint is still waiting to be used.

Wowee, wowee. I just love the new rock and new front door and especially the door numbers. One of the painters thought I free handed it. If only I were that talented.

Just ordered the exterior and interior shutters for this window but the trim color was changed as well as that exterior light, that is the same one as in the bathroom, only the right color. We are waiting also for a porch restain and painting the railing the same as the trim.

Heres the new garage door. We added a new gable vent, brackets, board and bat and some huge barn lights that look amazing at night.

Heres what she looks like from the road. We brought the scissor truss over my porch down and added board and bat there as well as a new gable vent. Thanks to this gal for the gable vents!

There is going to be a lot of grooming in this new area....

In more ways than one. I still need some serious decorating/organizing help in this room.

This was initially going to be put into my closet which was going to be an office slash closet...I know weird but it was a great idea and it might still happen but I have thoroughly enjoyed having this area so available for Cash's homework and my "work."

There is some more to do and show. But that will come later. I have some dinner to make for a seriously sweet husband.

Rainy. Day.

2011-10-06T15:56:00.004-07:00

It seems like it turned from summer to winter in one day flat. I thought it would be a great day to do nothing. This is what it looks like at our house. I am singing a long to one of my favorite movies when I was younger, Newsies. Cease the day! Who knew Christian Bale and Bill Pullman could sing so handsomely. Lovely, just lovely.

Sailor is dancing a long and Cash is doing any fight sequence he sees .

I have the fire going and I am just thrilled to have a day kind of to ourselves.

More renovations pictures to come.

In the mean time here are pictures of our Annual Hatch Toyota BBQ on a similar rainy day that warmed up nicely. My kids thought they hit the lottery.

Potty. Mouth

2011-09-29T16:59:00.002-07:00

This is what my house looks like as I type. Right. This. Second. It is really starting to come together. But I cannot tell you what living in a remodel does to my brain. I just can't.
Every bathroom looks out at this. And normally there are some very nice men who feel like part of the family now climbing on those ladders....so it makes it hard....to you know...use the bathroom. I usually fail miserably at getting in there incognito style.

Heres one of the favorite light fixtures with a matching one on the way.
My new floor is an absolute dream. I walk on it and little sighs of delight escape me before I know what I am doing. Oh and did you notice the trim? We got new white baseboard and casing everywhere. I feel like my house is cleaner. It's not. At all.

There is plenty more to be done and photographed but frankly I just cant do it right now.

I have to go see which ladder my kids are climbing on or which saw they might be using right now.
The kids are going to go through with draws when its all over. They just tail behind the workers and talk their ears off. I believe a time or two Daryl has been called Dad and then some more times he has been called Harold. Only by Sailor but it is kind of funny. The builders told me today that they will have to come over when its all done and see if the kids can come out and play, or at least talk to them till they get their fill. Speaking of Sailor, I have had to tell her twice this week that they don't let potty mouths into Pre-school. This lady can turn on a dime. It's immediate and it's scary. She will be screaming profanities at you and then all the sudden be chatting and giggling in a matter of seconds. Or Vice Versa. I have never seen anyone more dramatic. Her brother is her best friend/best torturer. They love to fight. I love to wear ear plugs. The end.

Change.

2011-09-13T15:52:00.004-07:00

I took this picture at a time in my life when I was implementing some change.

This picture hung on the mirror of my "station" the entire time I finished up Cosmetology(which I had started in High School). It was a good picture to see during the day because it reminded me of just how resiliant and happy my boy was. He wasn't feeling too bad about me leaving him. In fact I think he enjoyed the time away from me.

We both grew.

Now he is the one who leaves me to go to school.

We both enjoy those few short hours.

My life has snowballed into a pace, I'm not quite used to.

From a new church calling, to school, dance, soccer and a little home renovation, my brain is swamped.

Today is the first time I sat down at the computer actually without feeling like I was posting only because I had to in order to preserve a camping memory or what not.

I enjoy change.

It's the in-between that's hard.

I'm learning patience.

The adjustment is killer for me.

Did you know it's almost fall?

I opened my door this morning and BAM. 50 degrees and fog isn't very pretty at 5 am in the morning when your used to 65.

Did you know it's parent teacher conference time already?

Cash started school last week....I swear it.

I love a change for fall but this just might be the first fall I am feeling just the slightest tug on my heart strings when I think of saying good bye to summer.

Sailor still talks my ear off, sings, and dances and more so everyday.

She told me today that her Dad was her favorite.

It almost brought me to my knees, begging to know what I could do to be that doll's favorite.

When you are her favorite she runs barefoot out the door, up the 60 yard driveway and down the street, just like Hope Floats, following your car and screaming your name, while tears run down her face. She holds your face tight and gives long kisses. She snuggles you with her round, soft cheeks that I am in denial of losing.

Kindergarten has been kind to boys named Cash.

He sings songs about colors, loves to do homework, and wishes for things like getting to ride the bus, at least one time and going to school on Saturdays.

He is happy to see us when we come to get him and asks what we can do next.

That boy is as resiliant and happy as ever. As is his sibling.

I hope with all the change life brings, they can always be that way even if I want to continuously sweep where there is supposed to be baseboard all day long...

A time of big change at our house. 2/09

Impressions.

2011-09-06T19:48:00.003-07:00

Cash grew up over night.

People told me it would happen.

I didn't believe it.

We ended summer with a final camping trip up at Mineral Springs.

We didn't do much but watch this kid make circles around camp, while my heart had palpitations every time he wobbled or fell.

I was amazed that, that little person could ride on that little motorcycle.

We rode the four wheelers to the top of Sierra Montosa.

Did you know it was a volcano?

I didn't.

There was a huge crater.

I could just picture the lava spewing.

I also was nauseous from the life threatening ride I had to take to the top.

I was impressed by that mountain.

I was impressed by that Cash.

I like being impressed.

Even if it means my heart almost jumps out of my throat to get there.

delights.

2011-08-24T17:44:00.003-07:00

Sailor has just started dance/tumbling class. HIL-AR-I-OUS

Cash likes to be at school early to play.

It's not easy trying to be one of the first ones there.

Today we made it.

I took full advantage of having a bit more time without him and worked on getting some errands done.

One person is a lot easier to haul around than two.

We stopped off at good old Hatch Toyota.

Sailor went in to see Poppa Roger. He has her trained.

She goes straight to him so he will give her quarters for the vending machine.

Yesterday she picked starburst and ate the entire package right there in his office.

I was leery of her doing a repeat at 930 this morning.

Low and behold she picked starburst again.

I asked her to put them in her back pack and save them for later.

She said, "Jus' one more....pees"

I say ok of course and then ask her again to put the candy in her back pack to save for later.

She complies nicely and we get on our way to Snowflake.

I notice immediately she is being awfully quiet.

I turn to see a little pig tail sticking out of the top of her back pack, then her little jaw moving ever so slowly, the look of pure delight gleaming in those round cheeks.

Her eyes are closed and her small soft fingers working hard to remove another wrapper.

I say, "Sailor?"

Her jaw and fingers immediately stop moving but her head stays submerged in the back pack with her eyes closed.

She is still for a minute. Still as can be.

Then the whole process repeats itself. Again. And Again.

She really thinks I can't see her.

She devours another pack of starburst because I can't resist watching the charade.

There are some times I wish that I could close my eyes and eat my chocolate with out anyone seeing me.

Maybe I will try it next time.

And be oh so still, with my eyes closed, the look of pure delight written all over my face.

Act like you can't see me, it will be a joy for all.

Todays Cougar Cubs, Tomorrows Stars

2011-08-12T14:35:00.004-07:00

Cash is now an official product of the Show Low Unified School District

For a brief moment, you held on to my leg, and I mean brief. But for that fleeting moment, you didn't have to say that you might miss me just a tinge, you didn't have to say that maybe you are a little bit dependent on me, and you didn't have to tell me that you loved me, because I knew.

It surprised me that there would be an ounce of nerves in that gargantuan of a personality. I don't see your nerves very often, so it softened the blow that you were just going to up and go to school without even being the slightest bit skittish about leaving your mother and sister.

Our mornings are more quiet, a little tiny bit boring, and maybe the slightest bit more easy for us now that Sailor isn't getting teased by such a fun older brother.

I've heard that once you hit kindergarten, I am going to blink and you will be graduating from High School. You and I have waited a long time for you to go to school because of how much you will love having something to do, and your insatiable thirst for WHY? WHAT? WHERE? WHO? HOW? will finally be getting a consistent drip from some one much more patient and trained than I am.

I am glad you are so big but sad it will pass so quickly. Being the oldest has it's downfalls especially since you and I are still growing up together, and you are your fathers mini me, it is amazing how resilient and happy you stay despite having so much pressure on you to be the best. I will try harder to not expect so much from you sweet boy.

I hope we taught you well.

P.S. Remember the Cougar Cub Song? Todays Cougar Cubs, Tomorrows Stars, We are the best that we can be.....

We are the best YES!

We are the best that we can be!

P.S.S. I can't remember my Fight Song from High School...sorry about that.

Lake. Lizard. 2011

2011-08-03T16:17:00.006-07:00

Did I say I couldn't be happier school is starting one week from today already? Not to get rid of Cash necessarily, more to be on a schedule. I was complaining the other day about being tired of traveling. Really???

I have had a summer of straight up vacation. It has been a ball. I also have been eating like it's my birthday, not running and just being out of sync.

I need a schedule in my life.

So do my kids.

No naps is a big NO NO at my house. For every person under the roof during the day.

Anyhow, Lake Powell was a fantabulous way to go out with a bang.

The water was high.

There was little beach.

We camped next to a subaru who really enjoyed celebrating diversity.

I got bit by a red ant.

We were surrounded by them and thorns.

But I can still say I would rather be at Lake Powell than most anywhere.

Cash cliff dived of course right when my camera was having a malfunction.

He tubed with his Bros. (His name for all his cousins he hangs with)

He swam his heart out.

Sailor slept "under" in her "twaiwer"

She was babied by anyone she could make eye contact with.

We boat rode, played cards, ate good food.

It's hard to say when I have seen my hoodlums have a better time.

It is always hard to drive away from Lone Rock.

I always feel like I am leaving an old friend, that I won't remember what she looks like and will miss her until I can see her again.

She's a lifer.

Until next year...

Here's a shout out:

Grandma Wolfe,

We didn't forget about you on your birthday. If you haven't noticed, my brain is in shambles.

We sure love you and we sure love the way Sailor walks like you. You were a start to our little family and we know the impact you had in Chaz's life.

We love you and couldn't be happier you are celebrating another year.

Love you long time,

Caitlin

Cash

Sailor

2011-07-18T16:35:00.003-07:00

I'm going to be real honest in saying that I flat don't feel like blogging of late.
This summer has been an absolute whirlwind.
And it's more than half over.
Every day there has been something we had to do.
I am in desperate need of naps, normal food, and a schedule.
I'm not saying it hasn't been fun, but there is only so much fun one can stand before they need a monotonous, boring day where things can get done. Such as toilet bowl cleaning.

It would be lying to say I'm not thrilled at the idea of Cash starting Kindergarten next month.
That boy is busy.
He needs something to do.
He is his father's son.
He does "96's" on his slip and slide and is sure to tell us about it. Although I'm still trying to watch closely for what that might be.
His goal in life is to leave the house each morning for a cousins house, stay up later than Sailor, and take a shower all by himself for eleven minutes.
He has become quite the helper though.
His routine is simple.
Hands, face, teeth, and bed. Followed by Swiffering the kitchen and helping his sister with her hands, face teeth and bed. His enthusiasm to help is overwhelming at times. I sometimes forget that it's better for him to learn to do it, than for me to do it for him.

Sailor is in the terrible twos.
She won't let me leave the room without knowing if I am staying with in 100 feet of her.
If I try to leave her with my sister, a baby sitter, or in nursery, the outcome is extremely loud.
She thinks she is the boss.
Don't call her bossy or sassy, shes just, "Saiyer"
She keeps up with all her cousins and doesn't back down.
She's naughty in all the right ways.
She has me wrapped tight, but I'm working on unwinding.
It's very hard to discipline her.
She likes me and wants tickles in bed with a song.
She tells me I "yook pretty" and that she loves me with two hands on my cheeks.
Her independence is maddening at times and I am just learning to let her cry it out, or do it herself.

I have been delighted to have some rain in the afternoons, like the summers back on Paloma. I can crack the windows, cool down and take a nap.
I still can't get over how fast time seems to be going.
"Time is like a handful of sand- the tighter you grasp it, the faster it runs through your fingers."
-Anonymous

Floating.

2011-07-06T13:45:00.005-07:00

This is what I have been up to. It has consumed all of my time, sapped all of my energy, and haunted my every thought and dream for the past week. It looked better in person. It looked better on a nikon camera. Oh well...
I pulled out my camera enthusiastically only to see that not even a low battery warning light would come on. It was so low it was dead. Of all days to be dead!!! I worked for hours for this moment. All hail to the iPhone. Cash rode in the Fourth of July float, that my Dad came up with and we worked on together. I bit off more than I could chew. I will remember for next year to start planning tomorrow. Seriously. It's serious business.

Cash had a mike that he had two lines to say into, "Cash Hatch here, wishing you a Happy Fourth of July!" and "Cash Hatch here, I won't lose a deal over a dollar!"
He was hot. He was wearing a leather bomber with flight goggles. He did awesome.
I walked along side and passed out candy, hats, chap stick, shirts, and tow hitch covers all before we were even half way to the end of the parade. I couldn't say no. I will remember next year to be a bit more frugal and bring a lot more candy. Who knew that many people actually come up the mountain to see our parade?

I couldn't have been happier to be in the parade, although if you saw me before, during or after, you wouldn't have known it. I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free...Oh wait I didn't make that up. I am proud to be an American though. I am proud of my country and for the most part what it stands for. I am blessed to be living the American Dream in small town U.S.A. and if all I have to do is make floats once a year in between staying home with the children, I'll take it. And I will be dang happy about it too.

P.S. Thanks Jace Baum for the nice truck. Everyone wants to know if it's for sale?

Scoot. (Post Edit with Pictures)

2011-06-21T14:55:00.004-07:00

Such a goofy and not in the slightest bit flattering picture, but the funnest day in Kauai was spent scooting around the island.

Did you know there is a three hour time difference between Hawaii and Arizona? Ponder that will you?
I painted my nails red in hopes that maybe it would put a spark in my finger tips that will flow right up my arms and into my head that will shout, "You're not in Hanalei anymore!"
I am constantly finding my head there.
Life at such a slower pace. Warm balmy days.
We could own a scooter rental business and eat shave ice and, and, and,
Oh and I would be out in the middle of no where. I forgot. It would only be fun if the whole family would partner up on that adventure.
It is such a long flight.
Over a big ocean.
I am officially home and don't have plans to return to the islands. Not yet any way. I came home to two kids whom I don't plan on leaving any time soon again. Don't get me wrong they did great and had a phenomenal time, except Sailor now has her towel that she used as an infant for a blankie that she carries EVERYWHERE, and says,"just kidding" about everything. She missed me and I'm glad.
We planted our first family garden last night. It just might be the cutest darn thing I've seen since I got back.
I planted flowers this morning.
My house is on the market.
I want to read all day but I want to clean and plant flowers all day.

There isn't enough hours in the day.
Six can't come soon enough.

My mind is still in Hawaii, so instead of rambling here are my latest reads that I have loved:
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Shadow Divers by Robert Kursom
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Beyonders by Brandon Mull
Reckless by Cornelia Funke

And here is some more photo documentation of our trip to Kauai

Helicopter tour

More Helicopter (Jurassic Park was filmed here) Do you see the tiny boat?

Couldn't get away from the Crackberry. He was so busy he didn't know he had a flower in his ear.

The Cutest Chapel in Kapaa. These doors opened on the side so during sacrament you open the doors and turn on all the fans.

Helicopter Tour
I squeezed his leg so hard every time the helicopter pitched.
There were a lot of water falls from so much rain.

We rode the scooters to this light house.

The beginning of the Napali Coast Hike

Getting on the helicopter with our life vests around our waists

Sea creature right out front of our hotel

The best burger in Hawaii was at Bubbas. There were at least three that I saw and all of them were packed every time I passed. The best part was this one was parked right next to a shave ice shack. (Don't ask me why they don't call it shaved ice, I was corrected more than once while there)

Kauai is literally so beautiful it looks fake all over the island. I could get used to seeing this view every day.

Aloha.

2011-06-09T20:33:00.010-07:00

These pictures are in no particular order, but this past week we were blessed enough to get to spend a week in Oahu, Hawaii with the whole family, minus one sister and her family who is in the process of moving. It was...well just take a look.

Lets just call them Wild Things and send them to bed with out their supper.
Sunset at Sunset Beach.

Para sailing in Waikiki. It looked like someone had put food coloring in the water. Absolutely beautiful.

Another sunset picture at sunset beach.

Watching this boy swallow salt water looked like torture but he could have let those waves push him out to sea and back to beach all day, if I wouldn't have been so frightened by how little control he had against those big waves.

It seemed she would cry and cry to go to the beach but fall asleep when we got there almost every day.

Cash doesn't like any one more than his cousins. I don't know if we said more than ten words to each other the whole week.

Getting ready for para sailing.

At Pearl Harbor, we made some new friends who fit right in. They look like they were a part of our group except the guy next to Sailor is 36 pounds, eighteen months and his brother who is next to him is 34 pounds 3 years old. It was a fluke that we got them all to sit for one second.

Polynesian Cultural Center after being there all afternoon. Getting ready to go to the big show and Sailors attitude is getting nasty.

Earlier at the Polynesian Cultural Center we found the only mister in the whole place and Sailor stayed there for the whole Hawaii presentation running through it.

After her cool down.

At Pearl Harbor we saw this big Aircraft Carrier parked at the harbor just South of us. It was huge and I thought it was cool enough to get some pictures with, only to find out that it was the one and only USS Carl Vinson. This carrier picked up the Navy Seals who killed Bin Laden and Bin Ladens body. It was the one to bury him at sea.
Supposedly his body is not too far from Hawaii, says one sister who spoke to one of the soldiers aboard.

Not two minutes after this picture was taken Sailor was stung by a jelly fish multiple times on her little leg. She was such a champ about it and only cried for a few minutes. Then just kept saying "hurts bad" and "jelly got me."

A dancing game and Wii were brought and it had the whole house going.

Cash has a book about Matsumotos and we didn't even know it was a real place.
Shaved ice with ice cream in it is the thing to eat in Hawaii, as well as Ted's Bakery every single day.

Model pose at PCC.

Waimea Valley was one of the most pretty places in Oahu.

We walked a mile and saw things like this...

and this...

but this was the best part. This fresh water, water fall was like dream at the end of a hot sticky hike. And a lovely break from the salty water of the ocean. I could have swam in that cold fresh water with my kids all day.

Chaz tried surfing. I tried paddle boarding. A life guard had to get on his loud speaker and tell me that if I needed help to wave my oar. I couldn't hear him I was so far out, but if I would have heard him, I would have waved. Chaz did so well at surfing he thinks that if he lived my an ocean he would be a pro??

The Bros-in-Law being goofy on our last night.

All in all it was really fun. The Walkers were robbed on the second to last day which really made their trip crappy. Everything was stolen. Her wallet and all the money and credit cards they had for the trip, iphone, purse, keys, etc. Mauriah had the find my iphone app and they tracked the guy down but only got the phone back. Jerry was offered a job with the Honolulu Police Department.
Two children got stung by jelly fish but we had pastries and shaved ice to boot everyday, lots of rain, but enough sunshine and beach bumming, a red eye flight home, and I'm going kidless with Chaz again on Monday. WHA?????

P.S. The Wallow Fire is too close for comfort and revisit to Rodeo-Chediski. I am horrified to see that beautiful land we love to visit being destroyed and all those people evacuated because they might lose their homes. I can only pray that it rains, the wind stops and the fire fighters can do their job safely and effectively.

Time.

2011-05-24T09:07:00.004-07:00

(Another testament that time doesn't slow down for anyone. My two year old says yes, very politely when asked a yes or no question like she's forty and can't wait to swim in the ocean with her goggles next week.)

I was wearing the same shirt I wore yesterday. A light peach loose tribal eighties style tee.
I was sitting in my black car. I was sitting in the Wal-Mart parking lot. My kids and I were eating Wendy's before braving those daunting aisles together. Preschool was out for good and I was going back to grocery shopping with two kids feeling sorry for myself. It was one year ago today.
Over the radio, on blue tooth, my phone startled me out of my greasy pity party. I usually never answer the phone on blue tooth because no one can ever hear me, but my hands were full that day. I saw it was Chaz and figured whatever he had to say was OK for the tykes in the back to hear.
He didn't say hello, it was just a matter of fact statement telling me the news. I had to drop everything and transfer the call to my phone, then make him repeat it.
He didn't give details. He just wanted me there.
I vividly remember the drive, trying to make it real, trying to guess how, and trying to talk in a normal non-hysterical voice to my kids.
Cash had heard it.
He knew the words and repeated them a few times before I could gratefully drop them off at my sisters.
It wasn't until I made it to Chaz that everything came crashing down.
I had experienced death.
Not like this.
I knew and still know it wasn't over, it was not the last time I would ever see her.
It was hard to remember.
I wanted to hold Chaz like a baby but he was holding up better than I was.

It was something I couldn't comprehend.
It still leaves my stomach turning.

There isn't anything that can prepare you for this.
There isn't anything that will make it feel better but time.
It makes you look at people differently.
More forgiving and a desire to learn more before ever trying to understand.

Just the other day Cash said our morning prayer.
After it was over Chaz explained to him why we thanked Heavenly Father for the new day every day. He said,
"You say that because you never know how many more of those you are going to get."

We made it a year.
Time has softened the blow.
The fact is, my husband and his siblings didn't have their mom on Mother's Day.
The thought of not having Kim around makes me nauseous and a blubbering mess.
I have not ever handled this gracefully, but you know what, her kids all have.
And it just goes to show that although she wasn't perfect, and not one single one of us are, she knew how to raise a man who could work like a work horse, cook like a housewife, and mother like his very own mother(in a very masculine and sexy way). She shaped a man like no one else and for that I could not be more thankful.

Smell. It.

2011-05-17T16:51:00.002-07:00

(Cash in his first year of tee ball. It looks more like he rolls in the dirt for an hour right?)

Cash: "I need to get out and smell the world!!! It smells fantastic!!"

2011-05-06T10:29:00.003-07:00

I'll admit this hasn't been my best three days. In fact it would rate right up there with having the flu. Oh wait I did have the flu. As well as Cash and Sailor.
My bags were packed and waiting by the door when I went to bed Tuesday night. At some point Sailor slipped quietly into my bed, then a 430, I awoke to her poor body trying to expel whatever was making her sick, right onto my side of the sheets.
Ok she ate something bad. No fever. We would see how it played out. It was like that Bill Murray movie, Ground Hog day. She kept at it. I unpacked my part of the bags and sent Chaz on his way to have a get away to San Diego, that we were supposed to go on together, sans kids. It was with Toyota and a few employees so he wasn't alone.
I'm not bitter. Actually I found it to be a relief that she got sick before I left. I was so glad to be the one to comfort her. She was done in a matter of hours and no one else had it. I was impressed with my sanitation skills.
I went to the park yesterday and came home feeling heart burn-ish. We fell asleep and I awoke to my body doing the same expelling I had seen Sailor do only the day before. It was a short lived flu. But not any less miserable. It was painful. And I just might just be the biggest cry baby ever. I was torn between wanting Chaz home to care for me and the kids and being so relieved that he wasn't here to get it. I cried to him and to my Dad, and my sister. They all offered their services to which I declined. I didn't wish this upon anyone. Dramatic maybe? Maybe. Maybe not.
Guess who swooped into my rescue. You got it, Kim Seaman. She brought dinner down for the kids and had a picnic on the porch. She stayed an played for quite some time while I wallowed in self pity.
How fitting is that?
A mother giving relief to her daughter. Only days before mothers day. And I have to admit, I didn't think could appreciate her anymore, but I do.
Because just hours after she left the ground hog affect reared it's ugly head again. Cash was in the same boat. I can say the throwing up was bad but the aches were worse. I slowly carried myself around all night rubbing backs, cleaning out throw up bowls, throwing up myself, and laying in my bed going between self pity for the aches I was having, to the horror that the only reward my mom was going to get for helping me out was the flu. I prayed silently all night that she would be blessed with health for her service and that I would be a normal human being again. It's hard to believe that was just last night.
I finally found rest at 130. Sailor was done resting at 530.
I waited almost an hour before I had to call and see if the flu had found it's way into the Seaman home.
My prayers were answered. At least Kim wasn't sick. As for Mike, that very likely is different story.
Needless to say I missed Chaz. He's coming home today.
And I can't wait to take a nap.

Some of my favorite moms and moms to be (Not for quite some time mind you)

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2011-05-02T17:17:00.003-07:00

Did you hear?
Osama bin Laden was killed.
I have been so interested in this news.
I was amazed at the reaction people were having.
Some may have lost parents are relatives but for the most part, I was amazed.
I had to ask myself if it was ok that I was happy someone was dead.
I'm not saying I'm not relieved and glad.
I'm just saying I'm not celebrating.
I also wonder why his body was dumped in the ocean before anyone I implicitly trust could see it.
It's alright.
I'm not a conspiracy theorist.
I just wonder sometimes.

We had a bunny and her friends over.
And our home teacher said that if Cash is nice to everyone, even people who are mean to him, he will bring his dog Taco over, who is a girl.

The End

Easterz

2011-04-26T07:12:00.002-07:00

2011-04-15T14:54:00.002-07:00

Can you see that right above the spoiler there?
That cutest white writing?
Probably not but it's there on that back window.
And that is a car I know and love. Moreover one that has some seats for bums of people I know and love.
Mike and Kim, to be more specific.
I followed them down here to the valley of the sun today,
And I got to thinking about that special white writing. It says "I Like Mike."
They have always liked each other.

In fact I owe any good relationship skills I have to them.
Kim adores Mike and calls him "lover."
Mike remains calm in all situations.

I don't remember seeing my parents fight.
I remember them being unified in all decisions.
I got breakfast in the morning, church on Sunday, dinner at night and everything in-between.

I always felt safe and secure in who I was and where I came from because they were so secure in who they were and what they wanted out of life.
The older I get the more I appreciate their relationship. When I was a kid I thought it would be easy to be married and not only love each other but really like each other as well. Marriage takes work. Hard work. And it isn't always roses. But it's worth it. It makes better people out of your kids. It shows them not to quit, not to give up on one another.

I was always embarrassed when Kim would call for "Mikie" or "Lover" out in public. But honestly I don't see people do that very often after thirty years of marriage, or even five. I find it adorable. I find it to be something I hope for in twenty five years. I want to hold Chazs hand and call him "Lover" in public. But mostly I hope to want to call him that when no ones looking either, because I know as I was taking that photo of the white writing, a conversation was taking place that had "lover" thrown in at least twice.
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The Path to Independence

2011-04-07T10:07:00.001-07:00

It looks something like this.

As much as I love Dora, and I do, I really do. The way she can get us singing and dancing on a dime, is bringing a smile to my face right now.
As much as I love socks, and I do. I really do. The way they keep our feet warm and let us slide on our floor like we are gliding on ice is making me want to grab a pair right now.
As much as I love sandals, and I do. I really do. The way they show off newly painted toes and come out during the vacationing, warm months is making me want to sport a pair right now, even though it's windy and cold on this spring day.
As much as love all these great things, I'm not sure how they go all together. I'm really not. But I forgot I have a two year old now. One who has no inhibitions as far as Dora, socks, princess shirts, wild hair, and sandals go. And as far as that goes I'm pretty cool with it. I always pictured my girl with perfect hair and impeccable wardrobes. I'm sure it will come, sooner than I'm willing to ponder on. However this week has really forced me to go there.

Is it my imagination or are my arms staying empty longer this week? Is it true that I have a little girl and no longer a baby girl?
This baby girl has potty trained herself into the realm of being a big kid now. A big kid who wants to dress herself, blow her own nose, and didn't at first mind missing the toilet when she has only liquids(but now even that is mastered) but, and I know it's more information than most want to hear, she hasn't missed the one that counts yet. Not for three days. I'm pretty proud.
This potty training business is hard work (though I must say this time around has been a cake walk).It also brings reflection on lots of things I wouldn't find myself connecting to the toilet.
It's something everyone goes through. I just didn't know it was going to be so soon. It's a task most parents welcome at first, bang heads against the wall while in the process and then have very mixed feelings with when it's all said and done.
It would seem that our children have made a rather large step in growing up. With it comes less cheek nuzzling, and more days where Dora is picked over the Gap and paired with some ankle socks.
It only goes at neck breaking speed from here...
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2011-03-29T20:30:00.005-07:00

This post and from now on, this blog, will be written to a target audience, the audience being my offspring. So when I say you, it's not really you out there in cyberspace, but to them in 10+ years. Don't feel bad. You(out there in cyberspace) are allowed to read and take notes and tips and feel free to leave your own little tips and stories for the Hatch children.

It has been over a week and two days since my last post. Forgive me. Or don't because honestly it won't matter when you are reading this. All you will have to do is click your mouse or tap your finger or turn a page or whatever it is that you do in this day and age and it will be like you haven't missed a second right?
Last night I was in domestic harmony with myself, listening to Steve Martins "Pretty Flowers," singing my heart out, making one of Chaz's favorites, Stew, with the kids standing on chairs helping. I then started to ponder on something I had noticed earlier in the day. Remember this post about revamping the laundry? Remember how I thought I was going to get us all to Disney Land by fall time. Bad news: Since that post to date there has only been one penny deposited into the "Empty Your pockets Jar." For some reason we have all decided to be much more diligent about emptying our pockets before they hit the dirty clothes. Too bad about Disneyland. But good news: Spring break was almost as fun as Disney Land.

Why so serious? It's really hard to smile like a dork when you look so darn cool at the WildHorse Pass.

The photo taken of me, is taken while I am taking the photo of the slide action.
Sailor try not to dive face first into the pool while I am taking photos.
You don't know how to swim yet.
It scared the swim suit bottoms clear off Addie Gaylord.

Cash when you have to remove skin cancer from such odd places as behind your ear refer back to this photo. Goggles are sweet and all but dude, the band goes above your ears and no matter how hard we tried to fix it, you weren't having it. Sailor has her own shades but she has her mothers fashion intuition and knows that big shades are totally IN.

Sailor quit smiling about your jailbird stripes and fitting in so nice behind those bars at Rawhide.

We sure hope Cash and Sailor turn out as nice as "E" and Kort.

This is Burt the Burro, not to be confused with Sharon or George, who are in line behind him. Jett was right about the Donkey Kongs, they were a big hit.

This was real fun but we were sure pleased to have these hats. I can't imagine going to Rawhide when it was any hotter.

Just moments before this shot was taken, Cash was casually climbing on this llamas back. He had it straddled and was ready to seat himself and giddy up when I so rudely snapped at him. Needless to say we just missed a catastrophe, the llama and Cash.

For heaven's sake, do you know how cool it is to wear aviators?
Chaz Hatch cool!
I was only reassured how cool he really is on this trip. I'm pretty sure he is going to be the next Eb Lewis. When the Hatch offspring tell people who their mom was they won't know until they say who their dad was and then they will only know me as Chaz Hatch's wife. Twenty years after he dies people will still be talking about him.
Pizza guys will probably forget that he died and ask his grand children how he is doing.
Work Hard and Play Hard, those are the words I have reserved for his headstone.

2011-03-18T10:03:00.001-07:00

Over the Salt river and through the Queen Creek tunnel, to Addie's house we went.
A few costume changes, one hit and run accident on the freeway and large hit on the old wallet, we made it safely home.

Both of my grandfathers have been gone for over 10 years now.
I never met my moms mom.

Almost 7 years ago two friends of mine were killed in a car accident. An accident that of course could have been prevented. Knowing what I know should have made it easier, and I'm sure it did, but it was one of the single most painful memories of my life. I was just 7 days graduated from high school. I considered these friends sisters because in that phase of life thats what your friends are and if you're lucky this friendship continues long after.

Now almost one year ago, my mother-in-law passed away. She lost a battle. One that is taboo and one that I don't really even feel comfortable talking so openly about because it's not my place.
Do I say this for sympathy? No, I don't know very many people who haven't experienced losing someone they love. Death is just part of it all. Something we signed up for.
I have been thinking hard about it all this week.
The only things I can come up with are these:

-You never know what battles someone is fighting. Even when you think you may have an idea, it's probably only scratching the surface. Judgement of peoples choices only comes back to slap you in the face. Hard.

-It's not easy to love unconditionally, but will seem easier once someone is gone and at that point it's useless. We can want the best for others, but we cant force it.

-No matter what I have been taught, I keep learning that mercy and understanding are boundless when it comes to the Savior, and its up to him to judge.

I'm not too good with all this serious business. And mostly I say this to remind myself. I have been so blessed to live where I live, love who I love, and know that the finality we feel at someones passing is just that, a feeling. It is not final. It is only temporary. Just another step in the progression.

P.S. Everyone is just dandy. No one was hurt in our little accident. All that is except the front passenger side of Addie's vehicle. We were blessed with safety in ways that may seem silly but mattered considerably. The guy side swiped us, ping ponged over four lanes of traffic, 360ed and without even a tap on the brakes sped off. Bless whoever called in his license plate number. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. He told the police he didn't think he hit anyone. Like I said, I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.

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I haven't forgotten him

2011-03-09T14:53:00.002-07:00

With sleep still on his face he's already a happy busy boy...

As I sit and write this I am blissfully sitting on my back porch in the nice spring weather steps listening to my kids dig for "gold." Can you tell we are Gold Rush fans?
I am not sitting here expecting it to be like this tomorrow. I am just sitting here hoping it will be like this tomorrow. It's good for the soul to get fresh air everyday and sit in some sunlight, with SPF mind you.
I am picturing a grass plot directly in front of me this summer if and most likely we are still here. But I digress.
I think its time to touch on Cash's dressing habits of late. Remember when he always tucked his shirt? That tuck is still an occasional visitor at our house especially at pajama time. He just can't get away from it. He got some new shoes which I purposefully ordered a half size too big because he goes through them like water. Well he wasn't having it. So I in turn ignorantly cam up with a great solution. Little did I know, he would take it strictly to heart. I told him to put on two pair of socks. I thought I was so clever. Keeping his feet warm and preserving a little mula by not having to buy another pair of shoes.
He now feels its very important to wear two pair of socks with every pair of shoes.
Cash has also had his belts taken away. If he needs one they have to be brought out from their secret place. His breathing has to be monitored all hours the belt is out of hiding. Otherwise he pulls until serious marks are
left on his skinny hips, lips are turning blue, and cries when we try to loosen it. He doesn't want his pants to fall by the wayside.
It is a constant battle. A constant, hilarious, frustrating battle.

I always think I have him outsmarted. I don't. He evaluated us on our 2011 goals for FHE the other night. While doing so he wanted us to look him with our eyeballs. I thought he would be way off. He wasn't. He was spot on in letting me know that I was doing just so so in my patience but gave me a thumbs up in my organization. A literal thumbs up. Which in his book is excellent. He was spot on. It's too bad it's not the other way around. But he's got it all. Forgiveness and smarts.
I'm pretty sure most of it came from his dad but don't tell Chaz I said so.

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Revamp. The. Laundry. (Post Edit)

2011-03-01T21:09:00.005-07:00

So it was late for me last night because I was exhausted. I cut it short, so now here is the full revamp. Enjoy.

I have been without a washer for just over a week now. That is until today. Some nice men who came to save the day after five days of negotiating with a different party. I could not be happier to be doing laundry in my own home.

For some reason the lack of utilizing my laundry room gave me the bug to change it up a bit.
I recently read BHG's March Edition. There was an article about making your laundry room a more productive room. Hence the lazy Susan for The Container Store, and the vintage napkin dispenser used as a fabric softener sheet dispenser. Not only is this convenient but it makes my laundry room smell lovely. The main reason for the washer break was due to my lack of checking pockets. I came up with something that just might help remind me.

So I took a board I had laying around. I believe it was a former cabinet shelf. I plugged in my glue gun. A stapler was also used for this same project only on a different board. So depending on the capabilities of your stapler either one can be used.

I cut some burlap out just big enough that the burlap will wrap around the back of the board.

I hot glued the burlap pulling tightly so it wont hang loose.

I cut access on the corners so there isn't bulk in the corners

I made sure to glue any extra frills down extra well.

I took some mini clothes pins which can be found at just about any craft store and lined them up evenly and hot glued them.

I brought out the stencils found at Kmart for about 3 bucks and made sure the phrase I wanted would fit. I taped em down to keep them straight.

>
I used my favorite king size magic marker to fill in the stencils. Put picture hanger on the back....

And this is what I ended up with. These bags can also be found at The Container Store. These bad boys can be put through the wash and dryer. I use them to wash my braziers and all socks to keep them together and out of the boot in my washer. Did you notice the apple juice jar I am using for the loose change I empty out of my pockets?

I'm pretty sure I am going to make it to Disneyland by Fall.

This is what Cash and Sailor have been using for laundry baskets in their rooms.

This jewel is what they use now. Found at Red Door Consignment for less than 50 bucks! You can't buy one of these for under 120 at home stores besides this is vintage.

Here's the other burlap board where I used the stapler. I now have a place to hang my keys, put stuff that needs to be mailed, done, looked at, etc.

This mirror was where the former burlap board is.

I took the hooks off. Used my sanding block, hammer, and screwdriver to bang her up. Slapped a picture hanger in the right spot and now she hangs adorably horizontal so I can check my lipstick on my way out the door. BTW did you know I am the baby of six? That's why this No. 6 decal was a must have. I like to be reminded of who I am when I'm walking out the door.

I moved my old sewing machine in its adorable case into the laundry room and plopped a mending basket down next to it. This way when somethings torn or needs hemmed it's in the basket and hopefully out of the basket much quicker because it's in view.

The La La Love you Poster adds a nice touch don't you think?

It's not much but I feel brand new. Laundry is now being done that hasn't been done week. Its being done in a productive and sorta stylish way that wasn't the case two weeks ago.

Who knew?
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Some. Announcements. Post Edit

2011-02-22T16:29:00.006-07:00

My Favorite New House Slippers. I mean who doesn't like red flannel flowered slippers? From here.

I have officially started calling Wednesdays, reprieve day. Yep, that means I am unsympathetically inviting myself over Jess or Linds.
Any takers? Eh?

For a reason named Gianna, I have I religiously driven up north 17 miles to the far edge of town to pick up and drop off a weeks worth of drycleaning/ironing, Chaz's that is, because I don't do ironing. My Iron-er is named whirlpool. And she does a lovely job.
Gianna is Italian. She is about 75. She likes to wear her house slippers too, as well as tank tops with non shaven armpits. She loves me and my children. She also gets rides to Circle K sometimes so she can get cigarettes for her "friend." I often catch this friend in the act, when I am pulling up to get my dry cleaning. Friend wears tank tops, house slippers, and has hairy armpits. Get my drift?
I don't know if she's worried about offending me by her smoking or if she thinks I am worried about the smell getting on my clothes, but either way I just nod and smile at her very broken English and tell her to tell her friend to enjoy the smokes.

Anywho, I just so happen to pass by not just one but two houses that family of mine lives in on my way to Silver Creek Cleaners. So lately I have made a day of it and decided to eat lunch and sit on their couches and chat.

We usually end up with all three of us there. We talk about serious things like blogging, where we got our pants and how we should wear our hair. And then we talk about not so serious things, like the meaning of life, child rearing, and so forth.

I so enjoy getting to vent to them. I enjoy being able to confess my deepest darkest fears and thoughts about parenting and getting the looks and nods of recognition, the ones that mean they have been there before.

I don't know. But I am pretty sure having a sister is like, really important. I feel sad for gals who don't get to enjoy the camaraderie. My mom didn't have any. She ended up with six girls.
You might not think her lucky, but if you ask her now a days, she would tell you she is.
She always told us to be nice. She told us they would be our friends for the rest of our lives.
She was right.
Sailor needs a sister.
Do you feel sorry for Cash yet?
Don't. Boys are different than girls.
I know because I have a boy and a girl.
And I have sisters.
So there.

That's why I am pleased to announce that I am not pregnant, nor do I plan on becoming so in the very near future, but I have it on high authority that there is a third Hatchling waiting in the wings.
Don't tell Chaz yet.
We have to break it to him slowly.

Post Edit: BTW who's to say that third Hatchling won't be a little fella? If that's the case Sai is just going to have to be one of those gals I feel sorry for.

The fruits

2011-02-15T21:26:00.001-07:00

No-ees birthday party

"The thing about going to the gym is it's good for one day, then you have to go back the next day, and the next. It's something you have to do and redo and keep up forever."

As soon as the words were out, I knew they were wrong. I glance nervously out of the corner of my eye at my dad, who I know is a pretty good picture of what I am looking and feeling like at this moment, sweaty, limp against the seat, flushed face, and just flat tired. He just shrugs and says, "so?"

In that moment I knew what he was thinking and it probably went along the same lines of what Chaz tells me when I talk about how pointless it is to sweep the floor, "why wipe your butt, if you're just going to poo again?" except my dad would say in a much more elegant way being the father of six girls.

I think in that same ride home we were talking about the pros and cons of drinking diet and non diet soda. We both came to the conclusion that neither one of us are giving the diet soda up. I explained that I look forward each day to the moment when I put the kids down after lunch and I sit and enjoy a diet cherry pepsi in the stillness. It's a moment I would be more than a bit reluctant to give up.

I complain about monotony and doing the same chores repetitively.

It also rocks my world when some one tries to throw a hitch in my plans.

So what is it that I want then?

It's a good question, one that has been weighing on my mind since hitting a quarter century old.
I have been panicking about what I'm supposed to be, where I'm supposed to be and how my furniture is arranged.

The thing about this motherhood is, the fruits of your labor don't really come to pass in obvious ways, or until years later.
You wipe bottoms thanklessly.
And sometimes its hard to wipe the guck from your eyes and see those fruits that come and go quick as they are quiet.

I keep thinking I need to be doing more in the world.
It's only in moments of clarity, that I realize if every mom swept happily, wiped bottoms gratefully, cooked meals regularly, kept house lovingly, comforted willingly, let messes be patiently, and really wiped the guck from their eyes, including yours truly, we just might have a few more good men and women around.

And that's the most important job for any of us, including me.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

So it begins...

2011-02-08T14:01:00.001-07:00

Her birthday was much better than she is portraying it.

Pop photos and all.

We know what comes with two year olds, and trust me it hit early with her.

But for some odd reason, it's cute when she turns into sassy pants. (and yes she is going to be a musical genius someday)

I'm in for it. But good grief, her Poppa and Grandma only feed the fire with their gifts. Apparently they thought there wasn't one more fitting

and darn it all, they were right.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

This month is such a special one

2011-02-02T21:30:00.001-07:00

Sailor and I her first night home

From the second she was handed to me, all 7 lbs, there was something so cherub like about her. Was it her curly lashes, big eyes, round face and tiny features or was it just that I knew how special little girls are in heavenly fathers eyes?
Don't get me wrong we all are.
But for some reason he puts some extra love in the creation of little ladies, I just know it.
Over the past two years we have seen more sweetness and more sass than I thought one house could hold.
Her rendition of twinkle twinkle little star will have you crawling on the floor offering endless sweets for just one more twinkle twinkle.
We call her grandma Gaye and grandma Faye. She has a bit of both in her from her sassy strut to her sassy 'tude.
Sailor Jane melts me like a Popsicle on the fourth of July.
I couldn't be happier or more heartbroken at the same time about someone turning two, two going on sixteen that is.

Here are my favorites:
The nose wrinkle when she smiles at you
How she grabs your face with two chubby hands to give you a smooch right on the lips.
Her prayers
Her pout
"hode you"
Follows her brother and can pretty much say and do whatever he does like; front rolls, "oh man", count, sing and dance
Every things "fu-neee" or "scawy"

Happy birthday tomorrow little lady.

Sick Babies Make Me Sad

2011-01-31T14:48:00.001-07:00

Its true. I have a sicko in my house today.
She has been a trooper.

But I would rather it be me.
I remember once my parents went on a anniversary trip to Hawaii when I was seventeen. I thought I was so cool being home alone. I probably did some things I shouldn't have and then karma came bit me in the butt big time.
I crawled from bed to toilet every five minutes or so with a nasty stomach flu and finally got so tired that I just laid there next to the toilet and slept because my mom wasn't there to fill the throw up pan up and lay it neatly on a towel next to my bed.

That is where she found me. Next to the toilet. I was so happy to see her I cried and curled up in her arms like a baby. I let her treat me like I was seven all over again for fear that she just might pack up and head back to Hawaii leaving me to be a big sick girl on my own again.

I think of that often. Especially when my own kids are sick.
And just for the record, I still get misty eyed when my mom comes swooping in to my rescue.

Sailor at a healthier and much warmer time.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Mormon

2011-01-27T21:02:00.003-07:00

I am Mormon.
I am a mom.
I have a friend who has questions about it.
There is something daunting about letting people into such a cherished and different than the world thing in my life. It's not that I'm embarrassed it's that I don't know all the answers and most people already have been exposed to my faith by weird things. Such as odd pamphlets that I think took way much energy to make and distribute on my windshield in the parking lot of the church where I am trying hard to contain a five, two and thirty year old for three hours. (I honestly can't imagine Jesus doing that sort of thing, can you? The idea that I even just said I can't imagine Jesus doing it is making my mother cringe.) And this is a hard thing for me to not get defensive of thereby contradicting everything I am trying to be.

I don't know many people that do know all the answers about scripture and doctrine. In fact I don't know any.

I do know that as long as I'm striving to do what I believe is right, the answers will come. Maybe not in this life, but in the next.
I have friends who are and friends who are not Mormon. I have family who are and are not mormon. I like them all the same and I will probably let my kids play with their kids, and always enjoy our friendship. I even talk to most of the non mormons exactly the same way I would talk to a Mormon. But and yes there is a but, we all find friends who we can relate to and have things in common with.
Mormonism is not just a religion it is truly a way of life. It is a 7 day a week, 24 hour a day commitment, and when thats what you live, it is how you think and speak and eat and drink and dress, and generally that we reproduce, but I am not aware of a magic number, if there is one I'm in trouble. It is who you are and therefore who you can most easily associate yourself with, except when you can find exceptional friends and family who are willing to put up with wholesome recreational activities such as eating, movie theaters, eating, shopping, eating, skiing, eating, camping, eating.....
Oh wait, you non believers do those sorts of things?
I guess we aren't that different after all.
I watch football on Sunday's. I have terrible mouth. I am pretty vain. But I know this: People are not what make the Mormon religion, just like the cake of a twinkie isn't what makes it. Its the core. Its the cream filling. It's the actual doctrine. And although the cake is mostly good and really enhances the cream filling, there will always be a few dry spots.
I try my best to do right and fall flat on my face most days. I am generally happy and feel blessed, except on saturdays when I pout the whole day because Hatch Toyota is open for business. But I know what I know and I love to share.

This was in response to all the attention Emily is getting at Salon.com and Cjanes challenge for me to become a bit more brave.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Swagger

2011-01-26T09:20:00.004-07:00

This is how Sailor chooses to dress herself.

She literally walks into her closet picks it out and unsuccessfully puts it on. She then refuses to try anything else on.
Not that it's too bad right.
I think this gals got style and moreover I don't really care what she wears.

This is not how Cash chooses to dress himself.
He says these are girl pants and he wants his jacket zipped to the neck, just like he wants his pants sitting right on his shoes and his buttons buttoned to his Adams apple.
This guy has his own clean style that isn't anything like mine. He is his dad to the T.
Why do I care, you might be asking?
This is the point, I don't know why. Why I think it's ok for sailor and not for him is probably because he likes things different than me.

This is how I choose to dress myself.

How do you put yourself on your blog without looking uncool?
In my case you don't.
Anywho I like frilly and vintage. I like simple and clean. I like messy buns and fancy curls.
Born the baby of six I like a mixture of everything and then some. I grew up wanting to be just like everyone of my sisters and it shows in my style of clothing and house and life but I also have always liked somethings different.
For some reason I love to watch professional sports. I find the talent amazing and have also become infatuated with college basketball this year. (go BYU!!!!) This always surprises people even my family. It's my dream to watch the Suns live in person wearing a great pair of heels(Are you ready Addie? I think I just might embarrass you with my enthusiasm for the game).
I know the game if football and basketball and I have favorites. I enjoy sitting down to watch a game at home and drinking a diet pepsi while eating corn nut chips, Santa fe ranch style. I also love to smell like this and have lashes enhanced by this while doing it.
If I could paint up projects like this while eating corn nut chips, drinking a diet cherry pepsi, watching a suns game, in heels, with a fancy shirt on you can bet I would.
But I'm not that talented.
So in light of these revelations I have realized that letting cash wear boy clothes instead of girl pants with shirts buttoned up to his chin will only add to what type of man he will be and I'm thinking it's going to be along the line of marketing Toyotas.
Just like Sailor will probably always look so darn stylish to me while watching a Suns game with her mother.
Which brings me to a very serious question...

Who do you like to win the Superbowl this year?
AND
What are you making for the main dish?

Skills

2011-01-21T10:53:00.001-07:00

This morning I had an out of body experience in my bathroom. I listened to someone who sounded a lot like me hollar, "Cash, why is the tv off? It better get turned back on now!" I then came to myself, stopped curling my hair and came to the realization of what I had just said and how it should have been just the opposite. I then justified it like this:
1. Sailor will probably know spanish by the time she is 10 and we can go to Cozumel for a lovely vacation.
2. Instead of watching Dora, Cash might be buying and selling drugs to my Eighty year old English accented neighbor.

I then heard the back pack song come on mid way and I went back to curling my hair feeling satisfied my killer mothering skills.

If you didn't catch the sarcasm before this line, it's now hitting you smack dab in the middle of the forehead.

Not. Cool.

2011-01-18T16:12:00.003-07:00

(Sailors face when she knows she's busted)

When did it stop being cool to have a birthday. I will tell you when.
When you stop making it cool.
And that's exactly what I did yesterday on my 25th B-day.
I acted like an frumpy dumpy grumpy on my big day.
And I apologize.
I apologize to me and anyone else who in the future look at their birthdays with a sour sneer on your face.
Don't do it.

I'll tell you what. I yelled at my kids. I left a perfectly lovely lunch in a rush. And I couldn't even run/walk two miles on the treadmill. I was feeling sorry for myself that there wasn't going to be a friend party and baby dolls, a green frosted cake with marshmallow pigs on it.

But you know what, by about four o'clock my day turned around all due to a dashing fellow that by the way, chose me to be his bride. He came home early from work, which is in no uncertain way a HUGE deal. He took me to happy hour at Sonic and let me shop while he sat in the car with the hoodlums.
He drove me around and took me to my parents house for a chaotic, crowded, all the people I like stuffed into one room, just the way I like it, dinner. Nothing fancy, just a cha-cha birthday song and tacos, and sheet cake to die for.

My Birthday was cool. After four o'clock.
Next year, It'll start being cool about the time I wake up.

P.S. My husband is not for sale. And by the way, he bathes kids every night, tucks them in, etc. I know in the blogging world sometimes our lives seem fake, but trust me, whatever other bologna comes out of my mouth, Chaz and all his talents are as real as a heart attack.

Pleasantly. Surprised.

2011-01-12T14:55:00.005-07:00

Cash's new look...Remember this? Well the tooth finally had to come out this week at the dentist and he got a new do all within a 24 hour period.

Cliche.

2011-01-11T11:05:00.002-07:00

My Dad at a Simpler Time

New Year. New Look. New Goals.

I once heard a goal not written down is just wishful thinking.
So just to cover the bases and maybe feel a little more accountable I will have them written down about three times.

Patience
Thought before Speech
No Judgement
Simplify
Organize
Becoming comfortable with myself and who I am
Having gratitude

Just to name a few.
Da Vinci said "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

Don't think I forgot the one about going to walmart anytime before 6 am.
Oh wait I broke that one yesterday.
I'm renewing it.
Trust me. It will only make the first 7 come easier.

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

2011-01-03T21:16:00.004-07:00

(Sailor's Christmas Dream Came True, she got to eat cookies in the buff and hang with her Dad for a few days)

A wise man told me to write my strengths and weaknesses down, then to work on making my weaknesses my strengths one at a time. I thought this would be a good way to start the year out right. Surely, you didn't think I was going to post them here for the whole wide world to see did you?
You were right. I'm not.
But I will say that I did not get a check mark for flipping the top weakness to strength on my list today.
I went to Wal-Mart.
With two kids.
After being on a holiday for about two weeks.
With every person who got a government paycheck within a 500 mile radius. (I have nothing against government paychecks, just maybe we could stagger them so not everyone goes to Wal-Mart on the same day.)
Sailor screamed the entire time, wanted to be held.
I had people surrounding me at checkout trying to unload and load my cart, talk to Sailor, put her boots on repeatedly and tell me that it's alright.
I was mortified.
I literally had beads of sweat on my forehead.
My new, new years resolution is to go to wal-mart alone no later than 6 am.

In other news Cash man turned 5.
Everywhere we go he whispers to me, "tell them I am 5, cause they might think I'm 0."
He feels more mature and more willing to help.
His New Years resolution is to help me cook better, huh? and to help me grocery shop?
I'm trying hard not to take that personally.

(Cash got a Red Ryder BB Gun from Poppa Roger this year, I hope he doesn't shoot his eye out!)

Christmas was a bit different this year, in more ways than one. My kids are getting old enough that they appreciate the magic it brings. I think I might actually get more excited about it than they do. We sure missed Andrea. Jade made us a beautiful quilt out of her t-shirts.

(Chaz taking the kids to put their letters to Santa in the Mailbox.)

Sailor has really come out of her shell and is just about the busiest thing you ever saw. Her top half stays motionless while her legs go about 80 miles an hour, not just sometimes, but all day long. She fights with me over who loves who more. We made a trip down to Addie's and got stranded there an extra day and night. Sailor stayed right in the middle of all those boys the entire time.

I'm hoping to do a bit better about keeping a log of our little lives for the sake of my kids later on. It feels like I was just resoluting (another made up word) these same goals last year, and will probably say the same thing next year.

Mountain. Climbing.

2010-11-30T09:16:00.003-07:00

See the handsome guy in front (as opposed to the handsome little guy in back), he's turning 30 today....shhhhhh don't tell him I told you. I asked him the other day if he felt 30 and he said,"Older than 30."
I didn't know how to respond. Because on one hand this guy has accomplished a lot in his short 30 years so in that respect he should feel older than 30. But then again 30 is nothing, dang 60 is nothing in my book.
Chaz still has it. If you know what I mean. This year at the dunes he took me on a night ride in the razor. Something that in our 7 years of knowing each other he never would do, but in the new ride I guess he felt it was a bit safer. He made me scream like a little girl. I peeked a few glances of his silhouette in the dark and remembered how any type of quad can turn my boy into a risk taker, but a responsible one. Does that make sense? I know that whatever risk he takes, its a calculated one and he has every ones safety in mind. Even when he wants to be at the front of the pack showing just how fast he can ride he will ride in the back to make sure no one is left behind.
And that is why I am so glad that he was born on this day 30 years ago....
because I am never going to get left behind.
Selfish much?

In other news Thanksgiving rocked. Addie was a peach to allow us all to invade her space. There isn't anything better than our loud wild family gatherings. I do have to say that Mauriah's Peanut butter Oreo pie was my favorite, along with the chocolate silk pie from Village Inn. But I can't complain about one thing I ate. Or about how darn thankful I am for the whole familia.

Nomadic.

2010-11-20T14:22:00.004-07:00

It has come to my attention, that maybe we seem to be traveling a lot this year, and I won't disagree. If traveling is the only way to get Chaz to take a day off, then darn it all, I'll pack up right now and do it. I will clean the trailer, shop for desserts and then last minute head back to shop for more meal planning, I will make beds, in odd positions making me sore and leaving knots on my head because of the where they are positioned in the trailer. I will cook and prepare things before hand. I will drive eight hours with two hoodlums and sit in the truck with the younger hoodlum who gets nervous when too many stranger dangers are around and screams like something is terribly painfully wrong, while my husband and son get to eat in one of my most craved restaurants that is on the way to our destination. I will pack up the house and then slowly unpack it when we get home and then I will slowly clean that trailer all over again. I will do that because nothing compares to doing nothing but whatever we want, together + a few friends and I get to have Chaz all to myself + two hoodlums and eight gallons of sand in places I didn't know I had. It's a joy. No really it is. Sand itch and all.

2010-11-01T15:04:00.004-07:00

My Kids Playing some spooky background music. Can you picture it?

Long ago in the days when Paloma was cut in half by an open field where us Paloma hoodies used to play soft ball with pallets as our dug outs, and I would cut across that field to get to the house that was built by my dad, that I came home from the hospital the day after I was born to, that was now somebody else's house. Not just somebody, but my bestie Debbie.
Many a weeds were mowed down by the treading of my feet to and fro the Debsters house. We were quite the pair. Many activities included in our camaraderie was that of fort buildings with real hammers. Yes, real hammers and I got myself a nice blister and didn't use and real hammer for almost a month after that. It also included doll making with any assortment of things lying around, and dressing up. Which slowly and almost to the point of boredom brings me to my point. Halloween.
That year I couldn't decide what to be. I had on a pastel pink dress that was quite old even in 1994. I believe my oldest sister probably wore it to Primary ten years prior to that occasion. I put on blush and pulled my hair back as tight as I could, thought I was a princess and marched my pink fanny right on over to Debbies. She then pulled out the most dazzling pink pig head with two eyes to see from and some black braids. I was in love. I had to have it. I didn't even have to ask twice. It matched my princess pink dress perfectly and I was a pig princess. How much more original can you get? That is one of the only costumes I can clearly remember wearing.
This was the year. I was going to get brave.
We paraded around Paloma and as we rounded the corner onto the South Side(I was from the North side), my pace slowed just a tad. I had to pee. I had to check my candy out. I kept glancing at the coming house. I could hear the screams and laughter coming from it. I dragged my pretty pig feet straight up to where the asphalt hit the concrete and refused to take another step. I watched Mrs. Gallegos in her Elvira(is that even right) costume welcome each little trick or treating sucker into her home and my heart nearly jumped out of my throat. But this pig was pressured. I had promised to do it.
I wanted to rip that sinister smile of Elvira's face for allowing such a pretty pig into such a house of horror. I rounded the corner and there he sat. I knew who he was. Mr. Gallegos with a mask on, cutting something bloody or ketchupy, I still have a funny feeling it was real blood. Pig blood even. His hands were moving but his head was staring straight at me, the pig. I immediately begged, "Please don't jump at me."
He jumped.
I squealed literally. Like a stuck pig.
They all laughed
I blindly ran for an exit. Knocking scary props over as I squealed along.
I felt hot tears running down my sweaty face.
I felt someone lead me out and I ran to where the asphalt met the concrete and turned and watched Elvira welcome more suckers into her home with an even bigger grin on her face.

This is how my love for haunted houses all began.

If you were wondering they had the best Halloween yet, or so Mario said and the bird agrees with anything that allows her to eat candy, wrapper and all.

Comics and a Bowl

2010-10-13T20:35:00.004-07:00

You would think these two had a bone to pick but in all actuality...this is Cash's standard pose and Sailor just thought we were about to burst into prayer out there on our lawn. I had been packing and doing laundry when I come out to find my succulent Sailor carting the laundry basket around with her Cowgirl hat on. I grabbed the camera and Cash sniffed a photo opt. This was the last picture I took before I decided to go hang with this dude....
After waiting a number of hours and a few more hours on the plane before take off due to hail storms we finally made it to Las Vegas. Jade accompanied us. When we arrived to check in a man kept eye balling her. I didn't find it odd because she is a looker, but as he turned around he asked if her shoes were Sam Edelman, and told her he loved them, and that he was a heterosexual with good taste. I found this to be quite entertaining. Jade just thought it was weird. All the while my boy was at my sister's house, who is a real smart alec by the way, deciding this was a good time to start doing this.
I called homesick for my kids and had a good conversation with Cash and Kirsten and as it was coming to an end she says, "oh yeah, Chloe taught Cash how to ride a bike with no training wheels today. He did really good. Just hopped on and went." I think she thought it was real cute he did it at her house and that Sailor gave her kisses, just like the ones she gave me when I came to get them after my hiatus. Do I sound ungrateful? I'm not. I love that gal like a horse loves water, and she's always a real nice volunteer to watch my offspring when I need it. But trust me...she is a smart alec.
I sorta look like my teeth got stained in the smoky casinos of Vegas but boy my eyelashes look lovely don't they? Maybe someday I will schmooze about the mascara. I really loved the jelly fish but obviously you can't tell how awesomely glow in the dark pink they were in this picture.
We rolled back into town right as this guys soccer game ended. He was walking off the field as I was walking on. The first words out of his mouth were, "Hey, where did you come from?" His hair seemed to grow another two inches in two days.
I thought Sailor might have been a bit more happy to see me. There is something about her little cheeks touching my face that I miss terribly while I'm gone. Little cheeks and fingers make my maternal heart skip a beat. I have a horrible desire to squish them most of the time. My voice gets high and I tell my kids how "squishy" they are and squish away. When I talk that way about it, I feel embarrassed. Not only for them but for myself. Do I really do that in public? I need to try harder to maintain some dignity, because with mothering, unintentionally most of that goes out the window, needless to say, I shouldn't make it any worse than I have to. But Sailor has an affinity for the red bowl. She watches "toons" in it and boy I do want to squish her when she sits there happily in it. If only...

Teton. Wild.

2010-09-07T15:11:00.006-07:00

Doesn't she fit in here? The dirty overalls. The face of a some serious contemplation about how we are going to survive the winter in this rugged country facing the Tetons.
I incessantly annoyed Chaz about wanting the pink house from the former post. I was appalled that someone would let that house sit boarded up like that and rot. It was coral pink. Coral pink stucco. With green trim. It had an outhouse. It was directly below the Tetons. It was dreamy. I could just picture myself with the Wyoming Summer breeze in my hair standing outside in my rugged country clothing letting my children run through the swaying grasses, with one eye on my homemade dumplings and the other for any bears who might venture to our homestead or Indians...ok, I'm going to far back. But I really can picture it. If you own that pink coral house. Can I buy it from you. I really want to sweep the floors there. I really want to make fattening food there, like Cornbread Enchiladas......otherwise known as Mormon Enchiladas...I still give that recipe out today in fact I did give it out today. It was Andreas recipe by the way.
Anyways, person who owns the pink coral stucco house with green trim, can't you just picture this baby running wild through the homestead? It's picturesque right? Name your price. I'll get in touch with my financier (otherwise known as the NEW VOLUME DEALER).
We got to spend a day at the Ranch. Serenaded by the Miller Sisters...don't know 'em? Check them out. Chaz thought they were great country singing gals. This ranch is the one Chaz wants me to sweep. He wants me to make enchiladas here. Can you see the Tetons in the background.
Cash wants me to set up camp permanently here too as long as the pony can stay. It was quite the chore to get that boy to leave the dang pony alone. Cash was grinning like this from ear to ear all day, the pony...not so much.

Sailor thought it was quite a treat to get snuggled up in the hotel robe after her baths. What a fantastic Christmas gift idea for the little gal....ehhmmmm...I'm just saying.
Our view of Jackson Hole from the gondola.
He was feeling extra rugged out there.

Another Mormon barn that was about 10 years in the making. The guy just kept adding on. I think it's rather adorable sitting next to those mountains.

Yogi and Those Damn Mormons

2010-09-03T15:28:00.002-07:00

This is literally how my mind is.
JUMBLED.
There is not a chronological and any other rhyme or reason to how I am going to post pictures except that I can only do a few at a time. I took well over 200 hundred pictures but don't worry I wouldn't bore my kids and self later with ALL of them.
It was one week ago today we came rolling back into town. And this is what we came with....
The first morning after we arrived we were loaded by Toyota officials into a tour van all by our lonesome. We went and saw the Grand Teton National Park. Many more Pictures of that outing are to come. As we were coming down a dirt road the guide said and this is "Mormon Row..." and continued prattling on how this particular house that was the first on the row or road or path or whatever you want to call it was "interesting" because the mormon's and were the first in the country to be building houses with it due to some of the special teachings the mormons had. I thought that was a sweet and delicate way to put things. I asked why it was called mormon row and come to find out Mormons settled that area. There was a church built there and later was transferred into the town and made into a restaurant and bar that we ate in later. Pictures of that to come.
There was lots of car time on this trip. I mean lots of car time. 18 hours in one shot to get there then tours galore. Needless to say I getting photo crazy in the passenger seat.
Some damn mormons on the damn tour of Mormon row and the Grand Tetons. We thought it would be funny to take this picture because my dad has one of himself as a tyke with his family, and I have one as a tyke with my family on this exact fence but probably not in the exact spot but as you can see I was the only one who thought it was funny.
As we drove into Yellowstone one of the mornings we were there we saw rangers setting up cones and caution tape and photographers milling around. The day wore on and we made our way back in the late afternoon the same way we came. Just as we were coming up on this spot the ranger runs out into the road and I'm pretty sure his name was Park Ranger Smith and his hair used to be dark brown. He's stops flags us to a stop and low and behold this guy walks down the hill into the road and passes Old Ranger Smith at about 2 feet. I swear I heard him say "Hello, Mr. Ranger Sir." as he sauntered by in front of the car and headed to the river. I was in shock. I told Chaz to stop and ask the ranger if they knew he was coming because of the cones and stuff. The Ranger just smiled but pretended to be real busy and flagged us on, claiming "no comment." I talked about it for...oh wait I'm still talking about it. Even though I could set up my trash can outside on my driveway, park a chair there and wait, chances are pretty good a bear will come along....but I'm pretty sure that bear was a celebrity...I'm pretty sure his name is Yogi and he gets the cone treatment daily with Photographers and everything. And I got to see him.
Just a nice waterfall on the way out of Yellowstone.

Cowboys.

2010-08-28T17:56:00.006-07:00

Well just one to be exact. One that I love dearly and wouldn't you if he looked all dreamy like this....
A Stetson + A Ranch in The Mountains = His Lifelong Dream fulfilled.
More Pictures to come straight from Jackson Hole, WY.

And Here are my latest FAVORITE good reads....
This One.
This One.
Both of the formers are classics which if they have already been read, need to be thoroughly enjoyed once more.
And This One.

An. Interview.

2010-08-10T09:29:00.005-07:00

(Sailors Blessing day)

An Interview with Cash

Me: Did you know it would have been Nanas Birthday today?

Cash: Ooooooh how old is she?

Me: She would have been 51 today. What do you think about that?

Cash: Good.

Me: What would you do if you saw Nana today?

Cash: I would tell her that I drawher something.

Me: Oh what would you draw her?

Cash: No no I ALREADY drawed her something.

Me: Oh what was it?

Cash: Its me and her.

Me: What are you doing?

Cash: We are holding hands. I would give it to her.

Me: What do you miss about her?

Cash: Going to her house. I only tell you one thing.

Me: Do you remember what she looked like?

Cash: Ya. She looked like a cloud. A white fluffy one. Can you feel it?

Me: What?

Cash: That little smushy cloud.

Me: Oh. Ya I can feel it. Can you feel it?

Cash: Ya. I love it. Its huge.

2010-08-01T10:26:00.009-07:00

Did you read Cjanes letter to her mom and dad?

Did you go watch Ramona and Beezus yesterday?

I don't feel entitled to feel sad.

Theres atleast four people who are sadly enormously more entitled to sadness this summer and this year and probably for a while to come.
I guess I feel reflective...and I hate to get all philosophical and mushy on you but....

I keep thinking about proud of my kids I am.

Yes they scream and throw tantrums but they smell good most days.

Sailor eats grapes and strawberries and cherries and even spits the pit out all on her own. She walks faster than I can run. She loves her mom and dad and anyone who might share a drink of pepsi. She is growing up faster than I would like because like I have said before some days I look around and feel guilty for the time passing so fast and life having to return to normal.

Cash got a bicycle last night....finally. Poor december baby.

He couldn't stop stuttering how great the bike was and how fast it was and how it was first and Sailor was last and that his bike is good and sailors tricycle is not good.

He wakes with a big smile every morning and talks in his sweetest highest voice to Sailor as she wakes soon after, "hi bunches of oats!" He still rubs "fluffy hair" like chaz or Sailors. He picks up on everything. Just the other day he asked Chaz when his birthday was. Chaz said November and he said "oh thats great dad! thats when we go to the dunes!"

Now how on earth did he know that? I didn't even know that. But sure enough its the truth.

He still talks of cereal being mysteriously left on the porch, puzzles and wants to know all sorts of whys?

Chaz hasn't been sick in over a month. I wish I could say the same for the rest of us. But thumb suckers around here seem to pick up every disease imaginable and pass it on...like the stomach flu on the early morning we were to leave to Lake Powell. He slalom (sp?) skiied like it was nobodys business. He works so hard to keep the peace with everyone. He was trained oh so well. I love that guy.

I think of how lucky and loved I am.

On that movie there was a quote Ramonas dad says to her when he picks her up from running away, "you didn't think we would let you get away that easy did you?"

And I'll be damned if I don't wish I could say those words today. Is that ok to say?

Some pics of late:

This might be borderline pornographic but....a sprinkler party in our front yard turned into a naked sprinkler party....turned into Cash thinking it was funny to get his booty wet.

Dont let this fool you. Some folks did a 2 mile walk....We should have moved over in front of the 10k banner...

This is me asking where the hell the finish line is...flattering I know.

Experience.

2010-07-14T13:11:00.011-07:00

(My childs fear of nothing except people who look like they might take her from her mom)

I ran my first 10K in Heber with Mike, Addie, Mauriah, and Jerry(who I could not have been happier to see waiting for me to cross the finish line). It was an experience. While "training" for this I kept wondering why I was doing it and knowing that I wasn't going to be able to run the whole thing. But guess what? I did. My competitive flare came out and I ran through the finish line....very slowly mind you...straight to the porter potty. Pictures to come. (of course not of the porter potty)
Then I raced to home to the parade. It was an experience, belly dancers, dead smokey the bears and more politicians than you could sneeze at.

Then I loaded up the truck and we were off to big lake. It was an experience, nice weather, good food, corn hole,(ya I said corn hole) and la familia.

Then I came home and stayed for awhile. It was an experience, laundry, fevers, poopy pants and all.
Then I took State Route 60 into the sweltering heat. It was an experience, ear piercings, run ins with the bag racks at target, and the realization that I have two uncontrollably loud, WILD children.

(Sailors newly pierced ears sporting her latina dress from rocky point)

Wait that sounds familiar? I'm pretty sure I have said that on numerous occasions. I believe it is a larger realization this time. One that screams it louder. One that states they just keep getting MORE WILD. All the while I am trying to prevent it, and apparently it only adds fuel to the fire. Sailor made Jett cry.
Jett.
Sweet loveable Jett whose cry could make a grown man cry.
My Sailor made that boy cry.
She didn't even bat her long lashes either. She just turned her sassy little self around and made her speedy booty shaking exit. Did I mention she walks about 30 miles an hour? And thats on about 5 inches of leg.
Every time I think its going to be great fun to go somewhere and I get there and remember how much I love to be home in the privacy of my own home where boys can go to timeout that they stay in and girls go to bed when they are naughty.
I'm still working on this parenting thing.
Do I mention that too often?
I know I'm supposed to be learning something from this, and I know what that something is...patience is a virtue. And it's not a virtue I was blessed with, just one that I have to master.
Hopefully they will forgive my impatience one day and know that I really do appreciate their sassiness, because I know exactly where it comes from...

but I'm not saying it out loud.

Last. Week.

2010-06-24T09:00:00.005-07:00

Monday

Sailor got tubes put in her ears. It is a full on operation where she is put out. Don't worry I had to hold her while they put her out with that mask. I felt like I was killing her. Apparently, the tubes are working because she screams just to hear herself now.

Tuesday

Get ready to go, R & R for Sailor.

Wednesday

The view of Puget Sound outside our hotel room.

That same view with a little something extra.

The letter I hope Cash will write to me one day. (At the Seattle Museum of Flight where we were fed a lovely dinner and the amazing progress of flight over such a short span of time.)

Thursday

My five foot nothing view of the Space Needle.

From the top

At the largest building in the world seeing the largest airplane I have ever seen (seen in the background here) taking off.

Friday
Come home.

Saturday

Get ready to go, head to Scottsdale, watch a movie at the Princess Pool with all Chaz's Familia.

Sunday

Swim in 105 degrees. Chill. Eat. Chill. Happy Fathers Day Chaz, Roger, Mikey.

Monday

Cash has recently started Pee Wee T-Ball and this is the scene of our newly hearing gal, who found herself as cargo in the cargo space of our small stroller, screaming as loud as she can so all those who came to watch T-ball actually watched my red face and hers.

Needless to say our minds have been occupied...

Normal.

2010-06-13T20:35:00.005-07:00

I have often wondered the past week or so what I would type on this screen. Most of it has been depressing, or sad or just too personal to have anywhere outside the confines of my brain. This month has been a blur. I am just starting to get my days straight. I made it to church so at least I knew it was Sunday today. Normal is the natural way to go.

I still water my flowers.

I still bathe and feed my children.

I still laugh, cry and take goofy pictures.

I have happy days or moments or normal ones but then I look on my front porch for some cereal boxes or puzzles for my kids or see a white tundra going down the road or wonder what I could have done or why I didn't do this or if I was the person I should have been in her life. And I think that it's a hard choice to have to make to go back to normal because you didn't realize the part no matter how big or small she played in the life of your husband, children and self. And now it has to be a new normal, where although most things are the same, the absence is always in the back of your mind.

I have flickers of, I need to call Andrea and see how she's doing, or ask for this recipe, or send her a picture of the kids, and I hope that this is a testament to the fact that I was the person I should have been. I keep incessantly saying you never know....you just never know. And you know what, you don't. If there is anything I have learned from this it's to be nice to everyone you love because even when you are, when something like this happens, you will always wonder if you were nice enough. And you never know how bad off someone is until you take a walk in their shoes. And only one person has and ever will be able to do that...and He is awfully merciful and knows so much more than I do.

Some days it feels like May 24th was yesterday, and some days it feels like it was ten years ago. Either way I have very conflicting feelings about time moving forward. But forward it must go and apparently time heals everything...there is just something so wide open and infected that it feels like part of it will never heal. I know it will, if not in this life in the next.

I keep trying to remind Cash of Andrea and show Sailor pictures although I doubt they will remember as time moves on.

And even though it breaks my heart to think of all the affected people and of how hurt Andrea really was, I can honestly say I have the best of her laying next to me in bed at night. And that will always be a sweet spot reminder of who she was, and what she left behind, because I owe a good portion of the happiness in my life, to her, and my hope is that the message got relayed sometime before May 24th, 2010.

P.S. My thoughts are obviously very jumbled. At some point I may come back and edit this post so it makes sense...until then look at some pictures of Cash and remember my Sailor girl is getting some tubes put into her ears tomorrow morning. Time marches on...time marches on.

Yes this is a shirt he is wearing as pants and the undershirt is the pants....

Andrea would so not be proud of the arm muscles I'm trying to portray in this photo.

2010-05-26T22:01:00.004-07:00

A Memorial and Celebration for Andrea Hatch will be held Tuesday, June 1st at 5 pm. at Torreon Golf Club. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Book. Worm.

2010-05-20T15:46:00.005-07:00

First, Did you check out the humor yet?

We have been working really hard on some hair dos at our house. Can you see them?

Look closely, those pig tails were a doozy. But awfully cute don't you think?

Its ok to schmooze about my kids right???

Moving on....

So recently a friend of mine who moved to what seems like the far corner of the earth asked about a book list. And every time I tell someone a book to read they always ask if I will just email it to them.I guess she and others got the clue that I am pretty into reading. So here is what I sent her and you can pretend that I emailed it to you(notice the disclaimer at the bottom):

Pittsburg!?! What in tarnations are you doing there lady? Good grief. So here is a list of my must reads in no particular order....

Life of Pi

The Testament

Eragon

Eldest

Fablehaven (the Series)

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (the series)

The Host

The Hunger Games

Catching Fire

Mockingjay

The Uglies

The Pretties

The Specials

The Maze Runner

City of Ashes (the series)

Angels and Demons

The Da Vinci Code

A Thousand Splendid Suns

The Kite Runner

Fire and The Covenant

The Long Walk

We Die Alone

The Count of Monte Cristo

To Kill a Mockingbird

I'm kind of nervous about recommending books because some of them might or might be a bit racy or violent or just might not be your taste. So don't judge me. If I remember anymore I will add them to a list and send them over. Also if you need authors I can do that too. Good luck in PA.

Caitlin

2010-05-11T16:33:00.004-07:00

First check out this humor....

This is the conversation in my swagger wagon on a daily basis.
Cash: Whats that guys name mom?(about a man driving in front of us)
Me: I don't know bud.
Cash: Come on Mom Just tell me
Me: .....(I have learned to just not say anything at all or it turns into a long drawn out process with me yelling in the end.)

Twenty Second Interval

Cash: Why did that guy drive that way?
Me: I don't know
Cash: Just Tell Me Mom.
Me:.....
Cash: Mom....Mom....don't DIGANORE me....MOM, WHY DID HE GO THAT WAY?

And so the story goes, question upon question I don't know or care to know the answers to...all the while Sailor is in the back trying to yell just as loud or louder when ever one of her two compadres voices go up with her thumb stuck in her mouth and her legs in the air doing the splits.

We are still working on those words...and those sparse little locks Sailor has.

Quit calling her a boy. It makes me crazy.

She's about the loveliest little lady you have ever seen.

Growing. Up.

2010-04-22T14:49:00.009-07:00

At one point in my life, consequences meant nothing.
I ate what I wanted when I wanted.
I was self-conscious beyond belief and almost certainly did things to other people in order to feel better about myself, things I cringe at now.
I thought I knew better. I didn't.

One husband (present tense, mind you), two kids and twenty-four years later here I am, content to be here. Did it really take twenty-four years to grow up? (well maybe not completely, that will likely never happen)

It has really taken some time to get comfortable in my own skin.
I have had some things thrown at me lately. Nothing that anyone else hasn't had.
Just things that have finally knocked some sense into me.

Have I really been that self-absorbed for so long?

I gave birth to one Cash Hatch, and apparently we had to grow up a bit together.

Do you think he will forgive me for being so paranoid about what he chooses to wear on any given day where we are liable to see just about anyone and everyone?

Do you think he will forgive me for my lack of patience and understanding to the exact workings of a pre-school boys mind?

He has started calling me mama.
I think mostly because we are still holding our breaths(and turning purple), for the Sailor of the household to grace us with a real life word. Should I be concerned she's not formulating words yet? I'm not sure. We will work on that. But in the meantime with all the tedious donning myself "mama" he's bound to cling to it for some attention right. And rightly so.
He deserves it.
I find it endearing.
He has so much of me in him.

Growing up the baby of six with a three year gap in between my older sister and I. I constantly felt the need to vie for every ones attention. I wanted to be the center of the show. I wanted to be so much like yet so much different than all of my older sisters...now I realized that we are each our own person. The similarities are sweet and the differences sweeter.
Am I a bit over dramatic...you could probably say that. But what are you doing to do?

I bring the drama and rumor has it that I passed it on to my offspring.
I find it humorous(sometimes).

I find myself starting to grow up, dig in and getting comfortable in my roles.

P.S. Did it sound like I said I was all grown up? That's not what was intended, I am starting to grow out of one phase and into another...and the cycle repeats itself.

D.Land.

2010-04-16T17:00:00.005-07:00

We just made the grueling drive home from Cali on Wednesday.
We are still recovering.
We are wishing we were still there.
I had more fun than anyone.
I got to ride the rides this time and actually go to California Adventure.
We ate at the Blue Bayou...in the Pirates ride and I ate a Monte Cristo...google that if you don't know what it is.
I made noises to myself the entire time while I ate it.
Cash cried on every scary ride but if you ask him he will tell you that was his favorite part.
I'm going back next year.
Care to join me?

This guy was hilarious...atleast I thought so. He posed for this photo for all of us...No one else laughed.

Happy. Easter. 2010.

2010-04-03T17:10:00.002-07:00

In. the. Meantime. part II

2010-03-30T13:41:00.003-07:00

-I got a bad sunburn on my arms. Hooray for windless sunny days.
-Sailor got one just on top of her head.
-I spent three hours at the park and talked my head off while my kids played or sunburned theirs off...and yes I did lather them in sunscreen but three hours went by like thirty minutes.
-Sailor walks now. It's pretty hilarious watching that tiny tot walk. She balances herself then walks in place for a running start and then moves. I love it. Eventhough I'm not really looking forward to it. My baby is not a baby for too much longer. Next thing I know she's going to be asking for a blackberry.
-Chaz stayed home sick all week last week and made one trip to the hospital.
We are boiling his illness down to stress...atleast I am.
-Cash is still around. Growing. And trying to grow some more red hair but it's starting to look like a mop. I'm a bit concerned.
-It's amazing how fast the time is going. Except warm weather here to stay could not be taking any longer.
-I quit drinking dark soda. So feel bad for me. But not too bad.

in the meantime...

2010-03-15T16:49:00.004-07:00

We drink chocolate milk and watch the "baby movie"

When I ask why we have to watch the baby movie he says because there is so much stuff on it.

Baby einstein is forever taunting my days.

We wear pjs that make us look like "who's" and that our legs have shrunk since we put them on last night.

We make growling noises at every thing that resembles fur.

We eat cadbury mini eggs like they won't be here till next easter when in all actuality they come out at Christmas time in Christmas colors and not in the shape of eggs.

We still wait patiently by the door after six p.m. and jump for joy when our Chaz comes home.
Not much has changed except that the wind is blowing.

2010-03-01T17:07:00.002-07:00

I know this little lady gets her photo posted all the time but seriously can you blame me? She struck this pose all on her own. I do have a lot more alone time with her while Cash is at preschool. But don't feel sorry for Cash he got a new watch today at Sonic and while we were so excited to take advantage of the sunshine today we went for a walk and every ten steps we stopped so he could tell me the time....backwards. It was fun to try and decipher the real time and to feel a small amount of warmth on my face.

I cannot wait for spring.

2010-02-24T09:26:00.003-07:00

One day I got in my car and drove on up to the moneymakers origin and sat in my car and let tears stream down my face, while saying I just can't do this all day. Everyone is sick. My house is dirty. Poor poor me. I never get a break from my 24/7 job. Poor poor poor me. Life is so hard for this little Hatch, who's husband has a job and yes we are still in business even after this huge...eye roll...life threatening...bigger eye roll...Toyota recall.

Seriously.

I'm over it.

Life is so hard for this Hatch whose family may have had a sick year but not a life threatening sick year and so on and so forth. So apparently it's not that hard for this little Hatch. I have much to be thankful for.

But I do want a break sometimes...poor poor poor poor Caitlin.

Another day, I guess more like evening, I was waiting like a sixteen year old on her first date for my date, although it was more like a bro date, but more like a sis date trying to hide little smirks of excitement as my husband was feeding and bathing the kids like I wasn't there...giving me a break.

I love that guy.

So down the long and precarious snowy driveway my date pulls and I hop in without looking back and scream, go go GO!!! Ok not really but we start the long and precarious reverse backwards up the driveway and off we head over our rocks and into the snow and mud all the while, trying not to hit a twig of a tree.

I run back down that precarious driveway in heeled boots mind you, inform the husband and take over bathing responsibilities. The date so sweetly stands in open toe heels in about six inches of snow holding that twig of a tree while the husband professionally and quickly gets her unstuck.

i love that guy. and he really has a way with getting cars unstuck.

I race back up that precarious driveway that is atleast 50 yards long, jump in and scream go, go GO!! Ok not really but we were on our way to a special little joint for a long awaited dinner. Full of Cannelloni, and hot lemon cheesecake and of course diet pepsi. The owner told me good job as she took my plate and I asked if she could please put it down so I could lick it clean.

It was quiet. I only cut my food. I got to say things I don't normally get to say at the dinner table.

And I have the ruts to prove it.

To whom it may concern:

I could use a night away one night a month please.

I think it makes me a better mom and wife.

We will try not to make ruts in the driveway next time.

Please and Thank You.

Caitlin

2010-02-12T14:21:00.009-07:00

Have you ever got one of those presents you love and you don't even know how much you love it till you've used it and then you feel bad because although you were grateful when you got it, you are especially grateful now and you kind of look like an ingrate calling them back and being like..."hey thanks for the present, I mean I was happy to get it but now I mean I'm really happy..."

Do you get that?

I got this book for my birthday from a sister I like to call Juice(I don't think she really appreciates it, but it's only out of affection).

If you don't know how I feel about books...it's like I love to walk around in the library just to smell the books. I think books are treasures. I decorate with old books. And I make a trip to the library almost weekly. It's not only the highlight of my week but of Cash's as well.

That was a tangent.

So I just tearfully finished reading have a little faith by Mitch Albom.

Seriously, I love this guy.

Read the book.

Yesterday, I abruptly stated to Cash to change out of his comfy clothes because we had to race to Safeway to get back in order to finish these lovely cookies. I was racing. I was singing to Cash that we were racing and I was borderline jogging around the aisles to get back home, when I saw a lady from behind that had the cutest dang haircut and then realized she was someone I knew. I stopped to say hello, and she just beamed and hugged and prodded and proceeded to tell how beautiful my kids were and hear about the year we have been having and just listened and encouraged and hugged me till I was all bubbly inside.

It took more time than I had allotted but I felt much better.

I proceeded on and continued to see a few more people with the same encouragement and concern for me and my family.

I have this community (read the book people).

People do care.

Heavenly Father weeps for us, he shouts for joy for us, and he shakes his fist pleading for us not to do some of the things we do...but he can't step in for us.

Otherwise it wouldn't be ours.

He sends us to communities, to families, and not with out communication.

People do care.

They do care if I'm ok, but not if I'm Mormon.

They respect that I have a strong belief and just because I have that, doesn't mean they don't have something they believe in just as strongly.

I have been enlightened with experiences, but only realize the enlightenment after reading something like this.

If there is anything I have learned over the past six years is that everything is doable, we aren't given more than we are able. Heavenly Father is aware of what's happening in my life.

I hope to be a bit more aware of people's goings on.

I hope to be a bit more encouraging as they are to me.

I hope when people see me at the grocery store they feel like they give a bit of their burden to me, and I in return can send them happily home to make cookies.

R.S.V.

2010-02-09T14:59:00.002-07:00

Photo thanks to my Blackberry, hence the quality.

We spent two long nights in the hospital this weekend.

After clocking a 106 degree fever friday night, we drove our little Sailor up to the hospital.

She had been battling three different ear infections in the prior days.

She had low oxygen saturation and more ear infections.

I don't know of a time when I have been more petrified or heartbroken.

I had to leave the ER several times in tears as they tried to get her to take oxygen and poke her with an IV. She had to wear this "cast" the entire stay so she wouldn't rip it out.

She was confused and so so sick.

Everytime she would get to sleep they would come wake her up to check her vitals, obviously doing what they were supposed to be, but making my heart ache for her more.

I knew she would be ok.

I knew it because she received a much needed blessing from her dad and mine.

Her doctor was reluctant to let her go home on Sunday.

We went to follow up today and she is completely healed.

It was just one of those times we had to be tested and humbled and shown just how blessed we really are.

UNO. and. Schmoozer. 3.

2010-02-01T21:28:00.006-07:00

La tenga un ano.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that means- She is one year old.

Well almost. Wednesday to be exact.

But we celebrated tonight with my parents and Grandma.

She doesn't care when we celebrate or to be honest if we celebrate at all. Isn't that a lovely thing about one year olds?

She had two cupcakes for dinner and dessert. It was her best birthday yet.

She is still exacting the bear crawl.

I won't be surprised when she starts out running instead of walking.

The way she can book it like this, never ceases to make me laugh.

She is easily entertained as long as her madre is within eye distance. Otherwise she sounds like a baby elephant hurrying after me. Seriously, it sounds like Cash running down the hall with a baby girls scream. That's how fast her bear crawl is and exactly how much she likes me.

What an awesome first birthday to be shared with four generations.

Sailor has been the sweetest addition to our home.

I didn't know there could be anyone so dainty or enchanting.

Of course I am her mother so I would feel that way.

She hasn't grown much and looks much too midgety to be cruising around.

She enjoys talking, dancing, eating, eating, sipping out of her juice cup that has a straw loudly ALL DAY. The only word she is attempting to say is Cash and it sounds more like DA.

This year has gone by much too quickly,

I mean just look at the legs on her brother.

Schmoozer:

Have you ever licked your plate clean?

I never have.

Until recently.

I mean I literally licked my plate clean and just stuck it right back in the cupboard to be used at dinner.

I kept telling Cash it was like we got to have a little slice of heaven for breakfast.

Five days in a row.

And he didn't disagree.

'Nuff said.

Heres the recipe:

1 C. Butter

1 C. Sugar

1/2 C. buttermilk (or add 1 Tbsp vinegar to 1/2 c. milk)

Boil-Then add:

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

Stays good in the refrigerator for a few weeks but it won't last that long.

You will go drink it at midnight when you think no one is watching but you will meet your husband there trying to do the same thing. I mean can you go wrong with that much butter and that much sugar?

But maybe you should just make some German Pancakes/pancakes/waffles and dump it on there. Then you can lick the plate clean and save yourself the clean up.

Happy Breakfast.

Let me know what you think.

schmoozer. 2.

2010-01-26T10:28:00.004-07:00

I am a white girl.
Oh really you say, I never knew.
But I mean like really really white, like if it weren't for my freckles I am borderline see through.

Most of my lovely sisters and my father have lovely olive skin that tans nicely and sticks year round. I on the other hand am the one at the Rocky Pointe Swimming pool wearing and white t shirt over my bathing suit while swimming like a pouting adolescent whose mother made them wear it because they didn't wear sunscreen the first 20 minutes they were out at the pool (I know because that was me ten years ago).

I now am petrified of skin cancer. I wear sunscreen daily. So poof there goes any chances of looking like a tanned lady, and besides I know about spray tans. I look orange and they wear off and I really can't stand the smell to be honest (besides the lovely spray tan I received over the holidays from one lucky lady named Lindsay, but hello she lives three hours away). I'm such a smelly person...not in a literal sense, more of a I have a whiffer, like a sensitive nose kind of sense.

So anywho when I came across this product, it was as if the stars had aligned in my favor and the heavens really did care about my vanity, or maybe some see through, tshirt at the swimming pool kind of lady just got smarter than me and invented it.

My oldest sister turned me on to it.

It smells lovely.

My eyes are whiter, brighter, bluer.

It washes off with soap and water but not with tears.

Is it possible that my face looks skinnier?

Word of Wisdom: The can says to hold 20 to 25 cm away from face...Im thinking more like 6-12 inches otherwise you look like you just stepped out of the chocolate river in the willy wonka factory singing oompa oompa oompady do. It has taken me some practice and I know that I have made a few public appearances where I look exactly like that. You have to blend with your fingers...It will show up on light colored clothing... but truly you will look radiant and when you look radiant you feel radiant and then you look even more radiant.

Check it out at http://www.target.com/ for around 12 bucks.

Perks. of. the. 1st. Season.

2010-01-21T14:04:00.009-07:00

So the other night I was sitting at a meeting where my husband received an award from the Chamber of Commerce and was honored to hear from a guest speaker who not only has been extremely successful by starting sky mall but is a down to earth, LDS man. It's always so interesting to see that because most people who are that successful are not acting members.

He spoke about our area and showed us some maps of it. He said these maps had traveled to no less than six countries at least fifteen times and when he showed these maps of the wedge(which is what he calls it) to some of the leaders and explained the area each of them asked, "Where did you find such a bless-ed area?" This man went on to show us how our area is the most unique area in the world and no other place has what we have.

I always tell Chaz I feel so lucky to live here and to be able to raise my kids here. I didn't know really how lucky I was. In the wake of the recent earthquake in Haiti, I have thought a lot about this. I not only have every season and every resource of energy and beauty right here in my back yard. I also don't experience tornadoes (although this remains one of the best resources for wind energy in the world), hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. For some reason I was lucky enough to be sent to this anomaly we call Show Low. When I tell people I'm from Arizona, they automatically think I'm a desert rat. It never fails to surprise people that I live 45 minutes from a ski resort, I have pine trees in my yard and it isn't unusual to see snow in May.

In the meantime of all my thinking a wonderful, yet over exaggerated snow storm has hit us. It only reaffirmed my gratefulness of having my family here.

Snot Noses and Ear Infections, but one happy Girl

Snowballs

Gloating

Repenting for Gloating

Happy Manly Visits from Poppa Mike for not only our Cash Man but also so we can get out of the driveway. Did I ever mention what a guy my Dad is? He came down and plowed my Goliath of a driveway. I watched as his face got so red that I thought he might have frostbite...and then he left to do the woman's driveway he home teaches and ended up doing her neighbors driveway as well.

Did I mention what great dad I have? Oh I did? Well let me repeat myself.

This little jewel was a present to me on my Birthday(did I mention that is a perk of the 1st season?), handmade straight from the workshop of Mike. Its a roll about for all my hair things.

schmoozer.

2010-01-19T15:10:00.006-07:00

Heres a new bit. I'm what I like to call a schmoozer. You know. I talk and talk stuff up that I love. If I try something new and I love it, I want to share it with everyone. So every now and again I will be schmoozing about something. This story starts over a month ago. I was getting ready to blow dry my mane, reached down to my cupboard, pumped and made a startling realization.

My kerastase was running on low.

I then hurried to the next room and texted my husband as fast as I possibly could because you never know maybe my stocking shopping was already done, and then I might be heart broken and have to wait until my birthday because this stuff is GOLD.

For those of you who don't know what kerastase is, its the beautiful hair product. Specifically, I used the oleo relax. I loved every drop of it. It was is worth it's weight in gold and trust me, you pay just about that much.

Fast forward to a little less than a month ago. I joyfully opened all my wonderful gifts in my stocking but no orange bottles were to be found.

Outside I was beaming with gratitude.

Inside I was pouting like a three year old. (a little over dramatic, but you get my drift.)

I really didn't specifically ask for much just the oleo relax kerastase please.

As the tree skirt became barer and barer I kind of forgot about the little mishap because my husband did good, oh so good. Seriously, email me and we can talk about how great he did...all by himself.

Then there was one last present.

Chaz: This was supposed to go in your stocking but it wouldn't fit.

Caitlin: Hmmm I wonder what it is? (on the inside I'm doing that EEEEEEE sounds because now I really dont have to have a poofy mane till January.)

The box opens and there it was, but wait it's not orange and theres no pump, and I definitely think there was a misprint at the kerastase factory because this looked more like Moroccan Oil....then my heart fell.

Chaz: Jade said this is new and you should try it and if you don't like it send it back and she will give you kerastase.

Caitlin: Oh it's fine I will test it out (on the inside Im saying wheres the packing tape)

Test it out I did.

The smell was like a fresh summer breeze spent in Hawaii in a cute bathing suit, your really tanned and toned and skinny....you know one of those kind of smells that makes you feel LOVELY.

My hair dried faster.

My hair glistened...did you catch that? It glistened!

I run my fingers through it unknowingly through out the day and do hair flips like Im walking down the runway just to catch a glimpse and whiff of the beauty Moroccon Oil brings.

Did you get that I love it?

P.S. Kerastase I still love you and maybe I will try going back and forth because the one thing you have that Moroccon Oil doesn't is a pump to regulate how much is being used.

P.S.S. Click on the photo to go to the website. You can get it elsewhere besides salons but I don't really promote that since I'm a professional...but google it or go on Target or whatever. Trust me its worth every penny.

Down. with. the. Sickness.

2010-01-12T16:05:00.005-07:00

For some reason I associate my having to have my mouth open to breathe while being afflicted with a cold, with people who are intelligently challenged. I despise having to have conversations with people while my mouth his hanging open with a rude sniffle in minute intervals.
Do you know what I mean though about the intelligently challenged?

Like on all the cartoons the sidekick who is a brick short always has his mouth hanging open.

Anyways, I've been gone too long.

I find joy in the fact that I can jot things down, and they won't be lost somewhere in my brain.

Chaz is sick again.

Chaz is sick and tired of being sick.

I want to fix him.

Because that is what I like to do.

Fix people.

Although I was going to quit trying to do that unless someone implicitly asked me to do just that, fix them.

Chaz apologized for being sick.

I told him he better not be sorry to me for being sick.

I love that guy like Sailor loves consumption...food consumption that is.

I feel sick for him.

I mean I do have a cold but I feel sick in my heart for him.

I cry every time someone asks me how he is doing in a honest compassionate way.

My kids think it's Christmas all over again because he is here, and trust me there is nothing like being able to say whatever is on my mind right then and there while he is suffering on the couch, but I'm thinking there has to be a better way.

People say oh its going to pass and of course I know that, and I try to tell Chaz that but it doesn't make it easier on him.

He is being forced to do the one thing he doesn't ever like to do.

NOTHING.

He can not stand it.

And I can't stand to watch it.

Sailor is still about a whopping fifteen pounds. She got her top two teeth and of course they look like the cutest gapped chiclets on her pretty face. She bear crawls at mach ten. She is battling the same nasty cold I am but in much higher spirits.

Cash still goes to school. He still loves every minute of it He is four now and believes that constitutes a little more authority around here. He still loves to smile and talk talk talk. He still is the most energetic boy you ever met who has a sister who just might beat him one day because she fights so hard to keep up.

My Dad told me to watch The Dog Whisperer for some interesting psychological disciplining tricks for Cash.

The kids are still going to grow whether he's sick or not.

Time still goes on.

Cars still get sold.

People get sick.

People get better.

Atleast thats what we pray for at this house.

And I was gone too long.

2009-12-21T10:37:00.002-07:00

Remember the movie, Stepmom? Such a good movie. I love Julia Roberts. I always dreamed that my family could sit down(in much better circumstances than in the movie) and take a beautiful photo that just emanates Christmas. This is what I got yesterday. Not quite the way I dreamed it but it is us on what I consider the most important Sunday of the year along with Easter Sunday. I always feel its important to get a new dress to show how important it really is to me...uhh umm. I do think its a great tradition to get a new set of church clothing for Christmas Sunday. I love that tradition as well as for Easter.

I love this time of year.

I love the Christmas story. As my family grows, the story means more and more every year.

I love Joseph.

I love Mary.

I wish I knew more about them.

I kept looking at Sailor yesterday and tried to picture our Savior as a baby.
How unbelievable that must have been for them.

I am truly grateful for the sacrifices they all made on my part.

Watch this and remember the reason for the season.

This fellow is going to be 4 tomorrow. 4?!?

Since when did I turn around and as he puts it "he grewed all up?"

He still likes his shirts tucked in.

He still pulls his pants way up.

He gets smarter and funnier and more ornery everyday.

He and his dad thought this pose was especially great.

I don't know what I did before he was around.

I must have been awfully self absorbed.

This time of year is magical for him and I think he is an extra special Christmas boy who was blessed with red hair in sync with the season.

I think I am going to blink and he is going to be 18 tomorrow.

Sailor's Christmas ensemble was particularly fetching don't you think?

Ever Evolving

2009-12-02T09:10:00.003-07:00

November and December bring stress to everyone, including the Hatch's. Besides the holidays we have two birthdays and one anniversary. I have been trying to step back and watch us continuously change. Sailor has been a real eye opener to the fact the nothing ever stays the same.
She is a sneaky snake. She army crawls everywhere and with a speed that baffles everyone who watches. When she gets on the wood floor she looks like a python because her body goes in a s just like a snake and she moves so quickly. I believe this will be the extent of her crawling. She is pulling herself up everywhere and competes with anyone who is talking by yelling louder than them. She is still quite the midget and I love her just how she is. I wish she could stay that size with those big old cheeks so I could kiss on them all day and smell her babyness.

This guy turned 29 on the 30th. A lot of people mentioned how accomplished he is by that age and it's true. I guess to me though that is just Chaz. He has been that way since day one and so it doesn't surprise me the limits he is pushing and the radio ads he is taking out! He loves it and he there isn't very many nicer 29 year olds.

We also were married five years on Thanksgiving day! Can you believe it? He says it feels like fifty. I feel like its one. I know I mention it all the time, but I wouldn't change a thing about my crazy days because it lead me to him and I couldn't have chosen a better lifer.

Photo: courtesy of one Cash Hatch and yes I am wearing an apron

This dude continues to talk and talk and talk and talk. He is just like his mother and thinks everything is "so cute!" and everything excites him. He will be four this month. I can't believe I have a four year old. He's four going on ten.

The ever evolving cycle hasn't slowed down for me. It seems to be just moving faster and I am finding it hard to keep up.

Dunes 2009

2009-11-17T21:30:00.003-07:00

Before I share the details of Glamis, how would anyone like a $25 gift card to Safeway this week to help out with the Turkey Dinner shopping, or a yummy recipe? Go here. And hurry cause it's gonna go fast peeps.

Moving on...

I watched a 22 year old man die this weekend. He wrecked his four-wheeler and I literally stood there and watched him die. I didn't drive myself up to the top of that dune to watch his spirit leave his body, I was told his leg was broken and wanted to watch a helicopter land. Five minutes later they were performing CPR and continued to do so as hundreds of people circled around and held our breaths. I couldn't walk away. I felt like doing that was giving up on him and the friends who were surrounding and cheering him on. I have never seen anything like it nor would I prefer to see it again. But it was such an eye opening experience. It was a confirmation to me that life is so fragile, that our bodies die but our spirits live on, and that we will get to have that body back in its perfection one day. It was devastating to watch and would never wish it upon anyone no matter what circumstances were surrounding it, and though I am the least of anyone who needed comforting at this time, I was comforted in knowing what I know and hope that those who loved this guy can know it too.

Before this experience, we had a blast. Cash rode till his thumb was cramping and he was using his wrist to push the gas. He wore the same riding pants the entire trip only taking them off to sleep. Sailor ate, ate, and slept and tried to eat sand and so mostly played in the camper. She is so easy going. Chaz did what he loves best to do. It is always so fun to see him get on his four wheeler and act like a carefree guy again. I had dune fright. Period. I worry way to much about leaving my kids motherless.

We had good company, good food, and some good relaxation as well as a sobering experience to remind us just how important our time together really is.

Listen. For. This. Guy.

2009-11-05T19:39:00.001-07:00

Spooky. 2009.

2009-11-01T12:56:00.004-07:00

*P.S. Did you get my humor about miss piggy and kermit the frog? It kind of looks like that right?

C.L.U.M.S.Y.

2009-10-26T13:01:00.002-07:00

How does one remain graceful throughout the trials given to them? I'm definitely not graceful. I'm clumsy with a capital C. One minute I'm up with my chin up brave face on and the next I'm huddled down in a corner sobbing. How does one keep it all in perspective? I can't. I act like my world is going to fall down around me. It is so hard for me to remember to take a step back and realize that other people are struggling so much more than myself and my family.
Sailor is on the move as of this week. She no longer is in the confines of my arms or carpet burn on her bald occipital. Chaz was back in the hospital as of this week. No pain from his gallbladder anymore but still just as sick. More tests were done. More IVs were administered. More babysitters for the kids. More tears for my poor boy. More frustration to boot. And still we cannot find the source causing this commotion in Chaz's life.
This has made me so grateful for my health and grateful for my husband and his ability to work so hard. He has seen that maybe he should slow down a bit. It has been good to look at it from that point of view, because that is all I can do or I start ranting about how frustrated I am that no one can fix him. I want him back. Don't you?
Since we have been home I have pounced at every moment Sailor makes a move to make sure that Chaz is watching. I ask Cash questions over and over again to make sure Chaz knows how smart and big that boy is getting.
I guess that is what trials are for. To humble us and bring us to our knees. To remind us to never be complacent and to be grateful for what we have, to show us that nothing can remain perfect and of course we don't want it to because we wouldn't remember how good we really have it.

p.s. he is headed to the mayo for more tests this week. would you mind saying a little prayer for him?

Todays. Agenda

2009-10-10T22:32:00.003-07:00

1. Wish Grandma Kim Happy Birthday and tell her that she is the cutest and most fun 55 year old we know.

2. Go to the pumpkin patch and pick out some whoppers.

3. Hang with my dad.

4. Eat pizza and pumpkin surprise cake at Grandma's for a birthday celebration.

October's a good month.

On. The. Mend.

2009-10-04T14:36:00.001-07:00

Over the past few months, Chaz has come down ill atleast once a month. He wouldn't get out of bed unless he was throwing up. He had dark circles under his eyes. He didn't want to eat. The first couple of times I thought it was just a coincidence that he had extracted the stomach flu twice in two months but as time continued on, he didn't have an appetite. He was tired and had no energy.

Chaz does not miss work. Period. He has missed over a month in the last four months.

He would go to the Dr. They would give him and antibiotic.

He would go back and they would give him another one.

He went back and they asked for blood work, all while he continued to get weaker and sicker.

He finally checked himself into the Emergency Room on Thursday.

After spending an almost full twelve hours there on high dosages of pain pills they figured out that Chaz's gallbladder which should have been working at a full thirty to forty-five percent was only working at one percent.

When he would eat something, it would seal itself shut and blow up like a balloon causing Chaz severe pain, nausea and just down right sickness.

He had surgery on Friday after noon and came home yesterday.

I was petrified that they would open him up and find stomach cancer.

I cried when I thought about him being in so much pain in the hospital while I sat at home with my kids.

I cried when he went into surgery.

He told me he was sorry.

Like it was his fault.

I was selfish. It scared the pants off me to see him sitting in the hospital like that.

I want to die first because I will lose my mind without him.

He keeps me grounded. And I hate waking up without him.

He is on the mend and it has been so humbling to see the concern that people have for us. I could not be more grateful that it wasn't something much more serious and I can't wait for the boy who has been sick for far too long to feel like a new man.

Bystander.

2009-09-24T13:16:00.004-07:00

The sound of my voice screaming my sisters name startled me out of sleep this morning at 4.
The dream had been petrifying.
I saw her out of the corner of my eye, take a running start and leap from a cliff to a small lone butte cracked in two that was leaning precariously. I heard her body slam into the limestone. Her mangled body was sliding slowly into the crack. I was screaming her name desperately. She bucked and looked up trying to give me a reassuring smile but I knew from the head trauma she had no idea what was truly going on. The rock started tilting and she kept trying to smile and control her eyes into conciousness but it was no use and I stood helplessly screaming her name. I watched for what seemed like hours as her body slid further and further with the tilting edge and just as she was about to go, my scream jolted me awake.
I have been awake ever since.
Pondering on this dream.
I'm not normally one to try to apply my dreams to my life but this one has had a profound affect on me.
I want to save people.
I want to fix them.
I think that if I could just get near them I can do it.
But usually I am a bystander, screaming their name, hoping they will hear me.
The only time they hear is when they want to.
And by that point they are well on their way to fixing themselves.
Because I can't do it for them.

And more often than not they will just smile at you trying to reassure you that it's all under control as you helplessy watch them slide off of a cliff.

I can't save anyone.
There is only one person appointed to do that and he has to be let in.

Manual Labor and Other Tidbits

2009-09-18T12:35:00.002-07:00

For the past five years since I have been married I have owned a Swiffer Sweeper, and I have loved it, and I have promoted it. No, seriously I should have been the Billy Mays for Swiffer Sweeper(R.I.P Mr. Mays, R.I.P.). After a few comments here and there that maybe I should purchase a broom for large things and hair that the swiffer won't swiff up, I brushed it off. Until a few weeks ago at the one and only Wally World I fell in love with this five dollar beauty and carefully carted her around and fit her snugly in my car and made a special spot for her in my pantry. She then sat there shiny and new unused for about 1.2 weeks, at which point I found her again and decided that I would give that old chore a try. I have never enjoyed a chore so much. I could sweep all day. I am sweeping up each little stress into a big pile and chucking it. Who knew Mike was right about manual labor?? Oh wait, I did, I just got caught up in the fancy pantsy noisy swiffer sweeper which still holds a spot in my pantry and in some of my clean up routine. Bigger and noisier ain't always better or nicer.

These two go to school together. Cash used to play at Jackson's house every Thursday from 1 until all the hair cuts were done. He loves this guy. Jackson got to come over yesterday. As soon as this soft spoken little man got into my car and was asked what he wanted for lunch he won a serious place in my heart....(even though he already had one for hanging with the Cash Man and liking it!) He told me he wanted a corn dog from Sonic with no hesitation and I belted out a halleluja and was on my way. I asked him if he loved Sonic and he said yes. I then said "SO DO I!" and Jackson continued to move up on my list with a "Ya, I like it because it has corn dogs and you like it because it has your cokes huh!" You betcha...He played and said things like "I want to stay here forever," and I just couldn't have been more pleased with the kids my kid is choosing to be friends with...I mean a sonic lover, someone who loves mi casa and speaks softly. They don't get much better than that, Cash has stellar taste.

I think I have mentioned it before but my mom has always called Cash her fall boy because his hair is such a beautiful autumn color even though he is a Christmas baby. And even though he will tell you its going blonder...It's still red and the change in the seasons is always welcome here.

Sit. Up. Sailor

2009-09-16T14:36:00.005-07:00

There is nothing more sad than this little face.

So I pick her up and we walk around all day,

with her happily chewing on my sleeve.

Every time she can catch my eye, which is her constant goal all day, she grins her two teeth grin and I can't be mad that I am trying to clean or cook with a baby on my hip.

1st. Day. of. Ms. Ronis.

2009-09-08T13:43:00.003-07:00

Labor. Day. 2009.

2009-09-07T20:36:00.006-07:00

The trip started like this...

It was a bit chilly, especially for little Sailors. I adore this little hat.

There aren't very many spots like these across from diners. It feels adventurous and surreal to walk through places like this.

Once again it's not easy to find a big apple tree next to a spectacular diner. My mom, Sailor and I were thinking that this is our kind of camping: ride in the truck to Greer, eat at the Rendevous, stop at the Quaker Barrel and pick up such things as old Reindeer Sleigh Bells, antique towel hooks, and stuffed elk who bugle.

There really isn't a better place to eat a bacon Cheeseburger followed by your choice of Brownie Delights, Peach Cobbler, Strawberry Shortcake, Pumpkin Ice cream Squares, etc. This is an old homestead from the early 1900s now turned into one of the most popular diners for miles.

On the drive back to camp we were full, content and sleepy. I loved this shot.

This is "Thunder Balls," the stuffed bugling elk (thanks to Pop Pop Mike for the naming of that Elk). Cash would walk around camp telling us that thunder balls "is so cute!" He even got a tiny blanket from Grandma Kim and carried him everywhere.

How many campers do you know that tie off quilts?

Cash loved the fire and to throw stuff in it. Poppa Mike told him a story about a ghost horse named thunder. The next morning right in our camp we found a small plastic horse (that someone had probably left behind) and told him that Thunder had left it for him. That couldn't have worked out better or cuter.

And even though he loved his bugling Thunder Balls, the real elk bugles were not his favorite. After the first couple of bugles which are kind of eerie to me, Cash turned to us all and said, "Those elk are driving me nuts!"
The nights are beautiful there and a little novice photography makes it look even more magical.

We got a flat on the way in from a misplaced monkey wrench. Chaz's mini me couldn't have been more happy about it.

Sailor was, of course, you guessed it, a doll. She started sitting up a bit while we were out roughing it and I believe gained 3 lbs in three days.

Ready to come home to start some school tomorrow!

I. Love. Sailors.

2009-09-02T08:56:00.004-07:00

Not ones with dirty mouths,

although I tend to speak like them sometimes.

Not ones who smoke tobacco pipes, or eat spinach.

I love Sailor's who try to do sit ups all day and have just made it through their first two teeth.
I love ones who do the smiley stink face every time their Dad walks in the room and will let him hold her when she is half asleep.

...

I love stink bug Sailor's who are all wore out from doing crunches all day, making stinkey faces, crying because she doesn't know what to do with her new chompers and who sleep even when you are holding her...

OH and I really really love Cash too..not only when he's green either...

He wants to make sure that I blog about how his hair isn't red anymore because it is getting blonder and he might not have any eyebrows the next time you see him.

Waiting.

2009-08-27T20:22:00.005-07:00

Days at our home are full of waiting. Cash waits for the sun to come up so he can bounce out of bed. Sailor waits for Cash to wake up so some one will come pick her up. Chaz and I wait for darkness so we can talk quietly and alone.

This little waiting game starts at approximately 3:30 pm and you can bet it doesn't conclude till sometime after 6:30. Cash states that he is going to wait for his Dad and he does. Right there on the retaining wall, rubbing his eyebrows, talking to himself and to any lucky passers by. It always makes his day to see a member or two of the Walker family on the daily evening walk. He just waits patiently (about the only time this occurs) and then jumps up and down and yells when his dad comes rolling down the drive.
I have been waiting for my roses which were cut to come back...and lo and behold today one bloomed. If you look real close you can see one pink rose in the distance. Waiting on this one has paid off and apparently when they are cut, they seem to come back more pink or is it just my imagination?

This little waiting game starts the moment she wakes up. She is just waiting for the next taste. Mostly, her preferred taste is still the milk wagon and I'm delighted to be the apple of her eye and the one who gets to hold her all the day long.

This waiting game starts the minute I leave the library with a known good read. I have one thing on my mind all day. Get things done so I can finish the book...or not finish it because I hate finishing a good book but of course have to know the end.