Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wisdom from Garrett...
Last week I was sitting outside watching the kids, when Garrett came up to me and asked, "Mom, why is Paul brown, and Kevin and Mr. and Mrs. Dow peach?"
Okay, I wondered when Garrett was going to notice the difference. So I explained that Paul's brown Mom and Dad could take care of him but wanted him to have a good family, so they asked the Dows who are great parents to have Paul join their family. This is called adoption.
To which Garrett responded, "Oh, like when I adopt a Webkins or take a puppy home from the pet store?"
Me, "Ya, kinda like that."
Then Garrett just went on playing without asking more questions. I thought we were done with the conversation until that night when asked, "Where did the Dows go to get Paul? And do you think we can go there a get a brown boy too?"
Bless his little heart, all Garrett wants is a brother to play games with him, not that he doesn't love his sisters and play well with them too. Although Kendall can play rough and tumble, catching slugs, and pretend castles with dragons and bad guys, she draws the line with some sport Garrett tries to engage her in. She is completely afraid to play catch with the t-ball. Basketball is not her thing, yet. And Lego's sound fun, but they become boring after about 3 minutes.
After watching the differences in age and gender over the past few months, I think I was the most disappointed when the Ultrasound Tech., told Garrett that, "You're going to have another sister!" Garrett didn't seem disappointed. He just thought about it for a minute, then stated, "I guess that a good thing because we have a lot of Pet Shops and girl toys." He's such a logically little thinker like his father.
It wasn't until we were driving home from the Dr. that Garrett made this comment, "Mom, do you think we can put all the boy toys in one place in the house away from all the girl toys?" Oh, sweet Garrett, toy space is not going to be your biggest problem with three little sister, you need to start worrying about bathroom space.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Friends who inspire....
Last weekend my mom called to tell me that Celia (Hunt) Turley, a good friend from high school had past away. I knew Celia had be fighting leukemia but I assumed modern medicine would prevail.
Her mother, who is battling phase 3 colon cancer herself, wrote the obituary for Celia. She ended a obituary by saying, "We are so blessed to have had her for 39 years." 39 years!
How fast those 39 years have gone by for me.
As children, Celia came to almost all my birthday parties. Her mother and father were my primary teachers, and high school science teacher, bless their hearts for enduring that. She is in every memory of have of Young Women's. We played sports together, and shared many friends and high school activities together. The main thing I remember about Celia is she was always found doing the right thing. She always put herself in the right places, with good friends. She always made the right decision that would lead her to happiness. She was obedient.
Over the past 20 year since graduations, Celia and I have not really keep in contact, but I've heard reports of Celia's life through her mother and sisters who are friends with my little sister. Celia's wisdom to live an obedient continued to lead her to happiness. She became a wife and mother. She continued to be a good sister and daughter. And she continued to serve and bless those around her by always being in the right place and doing the right things. Celia knew how to follow the spirit. And although her young family will mourn her lose, I am certain they were blessed to have her as a mother and example.
As I thought about Celia and all the events of her life, I thought, although no one like to hear of a young mother dying, she was prepared to return to our Heavenly Father. I, on the other hand can't imagine meeting my Maker right now. I'm not ready. I'm a slow learner. Unlike Celia, I am still perfecting my skills at living a more Christlike life. Being prepared isn't about accomplishment that we achieve, or experience that we must have but a change that must occur. That change of heart, mind, and body that the scripture talk about. And not just changing for Sundays and special events, but a consistent moment to moment, day in and day out. A change that causes us to think, and speak no evil. A change that makes our actions always in the serves of our Savior.
Simple things make kids feel great!
One Big Happy Family!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
More from the ranch
I must admit, I must enjoy the ranch more then I let on, because as I was going through all the pictures I remembered all the great memories. I love these pictures of Josh with his mom, Ruth and his best cousin friend, Carolyn.
Little Red, the cowgirl, wasn't that into the ranch. She doesn't like the dirt yet, and the horses are fun to look at but not ride. Of ever she did enjoy wearing the red hat.
The Talent Show Family Home Evening
On the last night at the ranch we gather in the front room for a family meeting which always includes the Grandchildren sharing their newly acquired talents. Many lovely children's songs were preformed and even a lengthy scriptures quoted by our soon to be missionary. Grandma and Grandpa enjoyed every minute of having all their Grandchildren together and happy.
Kendall was a little grouchy and exhausted from the days events, while Garrett was enjoying the chaos of children hoping all round and giggling.
It was particularly fun to get to know Sean our newest little person to join the cousin fun. He is the sweetest little man.
At the conclusion of the talent show, Grandpa and Grandma both bore sweet testimonies to their children and grandchildren of the blessings that the gospel of Jesus Christ had brought them and how much they loved and appreciated each one of us. Then they asked if any one else would like to share their testimony. The first person to stand was Josh. I felt the spirit as Josh bore his testimony that Heavenly Father loved him and how grateful he was for Heavenly Father's help in his life. It was easy to sense Josh's faith in our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Josh also thanked his family for loving and taking care of him.
Traditions of the Ranch
(I LOVE this picture of Keith and Kendall driving over to the coral. Sweet!)
One of Keith's happiest memories of his childhood, was going to "The Ranch" every year. Garrett loves to hear stories about Keith's experience at the ranch. The huge ranch in southern Arizona owned by Uncle Devon and Aunt Lilian, Delwin's sister and husband.
Keith loves the whole experience of the ranch. Keith loves riding horses. A trait he past on to Garrett because he definitely didn't get that from me. Keith loves the dusty primitive living conditions, which thanks to Uncle Devon did vastly improve this year. Keith loves the traditional meals that they fix, like chili boats, aka Frito chili pie. But most of all he LOVES having the cowboy experience. And now as a Dad he loves watching his kids gain those same experiences. So because Keith loves the ranch, I will suck it up and continue to go to the ranch every other year. Hopefully someday I'll be able to go to the ranch without being pregnant so that I can learn to love it as much as Keith.
After a delicious breakfast, we loaded all the kids up in the back of the truck to go over to the coral to saddle up the horses for a ride. As you can see from the many happy faces riding in the back of the truck is almost as exciting at riding on the horses.
While waiting for the horses to be saddled, Garrett amused himself with the tire swing. Later in the day I let him try his hand at driving the truck while sitting on my lap. We was easily distracting by the many cows on the side of the road. Let's hope he works through that by the time he is 16.
Garrett also found himself a souvenir horseshoes, and received a lesson on branding from Uncle Devon.
I didn't get very good pictures of Garrett riding a horse, but he made plenty of memories by riding the horses non-stop. Every time he could get on one he was up there.
Kendall was just at excited as Garrett to get up on the horses but she didn't have as much fun. Unfortunately, she was bucked off the first horse she was placed. I don't know who it did more trauma too, me or her. I thought I was going to have a baby then and there watching my baby girl fly off the back of a horse. But we went back to the house, discussed the events of the morning, to which Kendall decided that not all horses are bad just the one that bucked her off. By the afternoon when they brought the horse back up to the house, Kendall wanted to get back on one. I would have been perfectly happy if she never rode one ever again, but she wanted to ride. It's Keith's blood running through her, not mine.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Enough is enough!
The hunt!
Aunt Vonda was nice enough to let all the Hatch invade her home for Easter dinner and festivities. After a delicious meal, and enjoying the delightful company, we sent the kids to the front yard so that the Easter Bunny could work his magic in the backyard. I always try to prepare my kids for the hunt but they lack the aggressive drive necessary to acquire eggs when hunting with the Pros of the sport. Fortunately, we had a few older cousins who helped my kids find some success.
We decided to find a piece of shade to enjoy the spoils.
Grandma likes to play a Easter Question and Answer game with the kids after the hunt. Upon answering her deep doctrinal question on the resurrection, the kids win dollar store prizes from Grandma. It's loads for fun and a crack up to hear the kids try on answer the questions. My favorite was these two little men, who were cracking each other up.
I love this picture of my niece, Kam. The bucket, glasses and her serious determination to answer Grandma questions. I love her.
Down Home Fun!
Our first week in Arizona we spend in Jo City visiting my parent and sister and her family. I had forgot how much kids love everything about this small town.
First off everyone owns a dog, which is the greatest thing ever to my kids. Not to mention the dozens of other farm animals in every ones backyard.
Also dirt is a cheap toy. And for some reason sandy dirt was particular interesting to my kids. Maybe it's because there is so little grass, dirt in easily accessed.
Speedy's was also a hit with my kids. Speedy's is the only store in town. The other grand kids call Speedy's the "Candy Store!" We became reacquainted with their greasy bean and cheese burritos. What a treat!
And you can't forget baking with Grandma and teasing Grandpa. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Hatch for letting us enjoy a relaxing week in small town Jo City.
The highlight of our stay in Jo City would have to be chasing chickens. Kamryn the resident professional chicken catcher instructed my children on the art of catching a chicken. The real problem is overcoming ones fear to just grab the feathered creature, but it's difficult to do, even for me. Garrett quite quickly abandoned all hope of catching a chicken and moved on to jumping on the tramp and digging the dirt. But Kendall was obsessed with those stinking hens. Sweet Kam would catch them and taught Kendall the proper way to put that chicken under you arm and on our hip to carry them around.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Easter morning
I love these pictures of Taryn but wish my stinking photoshop would work so that I could fix them up. Oh, she's yummy!