From then to now

I have been thinking lots about my marriage lately.  Eric and I have known each other since I was 15 and he was 16.  We first laid eyes on each other at church.  I was in the foyer holding one of my leaders cute little babies and Eric thought I was this baby's mom.  He says he had to repent for lusting after a married woman, haha.  Once he figured out I was his age, he chased me like a mouse after cheese until, finally, the stars aligned, and on his 18th birthday and we had our first kiss.  Since that point, we have had lots of ups and downs, many trials including his mission, our separation for such a long time, and then figuring out life together once he came back into the real world.  We got married soon after that, December 2005.  I was 19!!!  I still can't believe that.  I was such a baby, but I thought I had life all figured out :)  Sometimes when things get a little complicated, I wonder if we did things right.  I am not doubting that I should have married Eric.  I know he is so perfect for me, but I wonder if we should have waited and not rushed into marriage being so young and with Eric basically on his death bed.  This past weekend was General Conference, which is were all of the leaders of the Latter Day Saint faith speak to all the members across the world.  There was one speaker in particular who really touched me this time, Elder Richard G. Scott.  You can watch his whole address here, but he basically recounted his life with his lovely wife, memories together, events with their children, lesson's taught by one to the other.  He celebrated his marriage and the beauty of marriage in general, and while listening to it I just felt super comforted.  I know Eric and I did it right.  It made me think of all the wonderful memories Eric and I have had together because we have been together and loved each other since our teenage years.

I've been thinking about my wedding ring.  It is so insignificant from a worldly standpoint, but so rich in memories and love.  When Eric and I were reunited after his mission, we were so passionately in love and were determined to do whatever it took to be together everyday 24-7 no matter what.  But, like I said, Eric was extremely ill and, likewise, extremely poor.  He had only $300 for a ring and had looked and looked but had no luck with anything.  Well, just when he was about to give up, he found the beauty that is sparkling on my finger right now as I type.  It was already marked 80% off with additional mark down that day for a daily sale.  It was perfect, exactly $300.  When he bought it for me he said, "We can replace the center for a bigger diamond as soon as we have the money."  Before recently, I was so cool with that idea, but now I don't think I will ever replace this little ring.  It reminds me of our young love, of our persistence to be together no matter the elements that wanted to pull us apart, and of our trying poor times that have brought us so close to each other and so reliant on God.

Even today, I find myself falling in love with him all over again.  Like a few weeks ago, we were at KangaZoom and he was jumping and playing with Hallie in one of the bounce houses.  I was holding Saige and watching them, when he popped his head out of the door way with his hat on backwards and a huge grin and said, "Hey mom, can I have a Capri Sun?"  and then went right back to jumping.  I don't know why, but that little boyish charm he has just get me every time.   The butterflies started and I fell in love with him all over again there in the middle of the crazy bounce house with millions of kids going wild all around us.

I don't know why I felt like sharing this tonight, but I did.  I am so happy to be married, to have a great husband, to be even more in love with him today than yesterday, and to know that no matter what happens here on earth, we will be together for eternity.

Meet my new love...

My dearest friend Heather recommended this cook book to me and holy cow how I LOVE it!!!!  I am not exaggerating, every single recipe I try from it is out-of-this-world incredible.  Tonight I made fish for the very first time using one of The Food Nanny's recipes.  I have always steer away from it in fear, but decided to give it a shot and it was so so yummy.  This cook book has a great meal planning set up, gardening ideas, easy delicious recipes and really I just can't say enough good things about it.  So, go buy it!

We'll sing and we'll shout!

I am soooo beyond excited that our Atlanta temple is going to be up and running again here in a few short weeks.  It has been under extensive renovations for almost 2 years and oh how I have missed the comfort, peace and little slice of heaven that comes from attending the temple regularly.  This building is very near and dear to my heart.  I have had many of the most amazing personal and spiritual experiences in my life occur surrounding temples, including my sweet marriage in the Mesa, Arizona temple.

SO, the exciting news for everyone in ears reach is that for the 2 weeks the temple is having an open house and EVERYONE, member of the Mormon faith or not, can tour it. After that, it will be dedicated and only members holding a current temple recommend will be able to enter.  This is not because it is a secret and we do weird things in there, but because it is special and sacred.  The tours will be wonderful and are not meant to convert (though I am sure any questions will be answered if sought) but to inform and familiarize the public with the truth about our faith.  Anyone wanting to go to the open house, let me know and I will gladly go with you.  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Here is a link to where tickets can be reserved for anyone interested.  They are free of course :) 

Spanking gone wrong

So, today was the big day.  We started something we never thought we would...  we are parents who spank.  Eric and I are lost on how to discipline Hallie and never wanted to be parents who spank, but we feel like this is the last and final discipline technique that we haven't tried our head strong Hallie.  

We sat her down this morning and explained to her that if she hits mom or dad, disobey's, or tells mom or dad no, she gets a hard spanking on the bum.  She was cool with the idea.  Well, she was awesome today up until about 5pm when Eric got home.  She hit him.  The process began.  When Eric went up stairs he talked to her and then gave her the spanking  (It wasn't soft.  His hand stung.)  And then he waited for her response.  He said it felt like an eternity (probably just a few seconds) and then asked her "Did that hurt?"  She then said "YA!" bounced up started jumping and marching around the room doing the spanking motion to herself and said "All done.  We did it!  YAY!  You gave Hallie a hard spanking on the bum.  You did it dad!  Good job.  Thank you."  I heard this all from the other room.  It was HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Not the response we were looking for.  Eric was the one on the brink of tears.  Didn't phase Hallie... what to do???

Smiley face

Last night Eric and I went on a date to see The Adjustment Bureau (weird movie btw).  We of course had to bring Saige.  Most people have to worry about their 7-week-old baby interrupting the movie with crying... well not us.  I had to keep leaving because Saige was too happy.  She wouldn't stop cooing and gooing.  She is the happiest baby ever, and  I couldn't have asked for a more sweet, peaceful little spirit to come and warm our lives.  I was finally able to catch this million dollar smile on camera.  Gah, I love those dimples!  LOVE YOU SAIGE!!!!!!!

If momma ain't happy...

It's easy to only post about how life is all sunshine and rainbows.  Seems like everyone's life in "Blogland" is perfect.  Well, in case anyone had any doubt about the Hutchison household, we have lots of not so perfect days.  Today was one of those days for me.  You know that saying "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." Well, I always thought that it meant make mom happy if you want to be happy.  I am beginning to realize that what it really means is that if I don't act happy, even when my 2 year old is screaming and throwing toys in a tantrum, my 5 week old is fussy with gas, and my hubby is in bed with a self-inflicted tummy ache, then the our little world will crumble.  When I get upset, they all get worse.  I must stay calm.  I must be patient.  I must be cheerful.  Well, you know what people... sometimes I just want to be grumpy!   Can I get an AMEN!?!  It can be so hard to stay happy and positive some days!!!!!

I am realizing more and more how crucial a woman's influence is in the lives of her family members.  It's a lot of weight to carry.  Some days I want so bad to give in to my inner fury, annoyance, grumpiness, and frustration.  Today it was especially challenging for me to be that influence for good.  As soon as I am done fulfilling one person's needs, there is someone else in line, hanging on my leg until their need is fulfilled, and then the process repeat's itself.

I am not writing this post to simply complain (even though it feels really good).  I am writing it to remember.  I know there will be days in my future when I will badly miss day's like today.  I will miss my children being so dependent on me.  I will long for the time when I got to hold and bond with my sweet Saige every three hours on the dot. I will wish I could rewind time to when Hallie was 2 going on 10 and as fiery as humanly possible.  I will wish my hubby could stick home with me all day when he is sick instead of going to work, church, etc.  I will want to go back to when life was crazy with the chaos of raising young children.  To life when I was the very center of my children's world, and they lived for my every hug, smile, kiss, story, etc.  So, here are some fun things that Hallie has said recently.  I am dedicating them to my future self.

She is such a fireball.  We go to pick her up from date night at the church and what is the first thing she says to me once she is buckled in her car seat...

H-  "I hit T.  I hit Dax.  He sad.  Hi-Ya. (insert karate chop)  I step on T. (insert stomping motion)  That's naughty.  I mean."

Embarrassing.  I hope none of these things are true, but being that she was in timeout when we picked her up, I doubt it.

Today, she interrupts while Eric and I while we are talking...

H-  "Stop talking.  Stop talking."
Me-  "Yes Hallie?"
H-  "Guess what Mom?  I haf ooo tell you someting.  Jesus and the children!  And Jesus.  At the temple!  Wanna go?"

She can be so fisty, but then so incredibly sweet.  Tonight while trying to say prayers, she wouldn't stop dancing and running around, so Eric sat her on his lap and asked her...

E-  "Do you want to fold your arms or cross your fingers?  What do you want to do?"
H-  "I do the things the Lord commands."

One of my favorite things about her right now is that she thinks every prince is named Eric.  Infact, she doesn't ever use the word prince... they are all simply Eric's.

She does this absolutely adorable face every time she is using the potty.  It's eye and mouth as wide as possible, like "Can you believe this?" and then states "I'm so proud of you!"

Hallie's prayers are always the same, no matter when or where.  In fact, I catch her saying the same little prayer to herself lots of times throughout the day:

H-  "Heavenly Father.  Thank you mommy.  Amen."

We are trying to teach her to say "Yes, mam"  and "Yes, sir" when we ask her to do something.  She says, "Yes, man" for both.

She is so funny.  I love this little ball of energy that brings so much flavor to our life!

Saige is growing too fast and cuter every day.  Putting an infant on a schedule is demanding, but so worth it because she is so happy.  She is starting to smile and coo and I can't get enough of her.  The infant stage is going by too fast this time around!

So, hopefully when I am sad and lonely one day, wishing my grown kids were young again, I will read this post, remember the days of early motherhood, and smile.

Saige Brianne

She's here!!! 

January 20, 2011

1:53pm.

7 lbs. 10oz. 19 in.

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

I am seriously still on cloud 9... I love this little girl!!!  Life with Saige has been so wonderful.  My delivery was flawless, my recovery has been great, and she is such an easy baby.  Hallie loves her little sister.  Nothing makes me happier than to watch Hallie and Saige together. It makes my heart sing to see that special sister bond already forming.

Saige already sleeps 7+ hours at night.  I feel rested each morning and usually have to wake her up to feed her because I am about to explode.  (I LOVE BABYWISE!)  The transition from a family of 3 to 4 couldn't be going any smoother.  I thank the Lord every day for blessing me with two beautiful, healthy baby girls.  Being a mom is the most amazing experience and I am falling in love with it all over again.

Today is our first day home without any help.  It was so wonderful to first have my mom and then Eric's here.  Now real life kicks back in and I am so excited to get back into routine and see mi AMIGOS!!!