Back to School at the Hatch House 2008

Hunter starts Kindergarten! Teacher: Mrs. Siesmore

Dylan is the "big dude" on campus....8th grade. He is in ASB. Sometimes he likes it, but he is good at being a leader, so we make him do it!

Backpack and lunch box....we are ready! Cute Katie...always stylin'! 3rd grade and on the second floor! She has Ms. Simkins.

New preschool toy! Gotta love teeter tautters!

So, I am going to be honest in this post. I had a weird week. One a mother has to go through, but it is not fun.

It all started out with my preschool open house. That, actually, went well. Next year I may do things different with the "new" students and have the parents have a sit down discussion about the year. The older class came and had a fun scavenger hunt...and got reacquainted! Fun night! Those kids grow up fast, just in three months! I am looking forward to starting a new year! I know people think I am lying....I really do like my job! Serious!

I was asked two weeks ago to give a talk in sacrament meeting today! The topic was "Education in the Home". I usually don't worry about giving a talk...but for some reason, this topic is serious stuff! It is a constant job of teaching our children good manners, how to get along with each other, feeling confident about themselves, teaching them the Gospel, FHE, Family Prayer, loving school, finding their talents, excelling in their talents, feeding them healthy food, speaking to them in a positive voice....the list could go on! It is hard stuff!!!

So, the week before I give this talk, I screw up big time!!! Here is the story..... My oldest, Dylan, whom everyone adores, quit football! He played last year and endured it. He dreaded it all summer long, and went to two practices last week. He came home mad, sad, and hated the world!!! I told him that is how life is. We don't like things in life, but when we commit to something, you have to stick to it! So he goes to the next practice, he is still so mean and grumpy! Crying begins....."I don't like it, but I don't want to quit!!" I actually told him he has to make the choice. If he is going to be grumpy this whole season....then quit! I gave him the easy way out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so mad at myself for not standing strong! Yet, he is getting old enough now that I want him to make his own decision! I guess I wanted him to stick to it, I want him to do a sport and learn all that there is about football. I just feel sick inside thinking that my son quit! I know his football skills aren't going to take him far in life. He wouldn't get a scholarship. It is hard to see your children not do something you want them to do.

He felt terrible, but I told him all of his good qualities. He is a great leader, he does excellent in school, he plays the piano like nobodies business! He is very obedient! I guess I just need to let this go.......and roll with it!

My next parental issue....is Hunter. I have lived this before with Dylan. I know it will pass with age. But, everyday before school starts, Hunter is throwing up! Nerves....it does it to him every time there is a change! Should I feed him lunch before school...in minutes he will throw it up? He is going to be starving! So, once again, I teach my son the breathing techniques I learned as a child and what I taught Dylan. I took him to school Thursday, and he was standing in line to go in, and he started to do the gagging motions! I run him to the grass so he can "release" his nerves! I quietly go up to this brand new teacher and say...."My son throws up when he is nervous, so just tell him to run to the bathroom!" She looked at me, like, "Are you kidding?" Ummmm, no! He hasn't thrown up in his class.....but PLEASE have this end soon! Poor little guy!

So...."the sand of the hour glass" of raising boys with anxiety!!! I want them to be strong.......and I want them to succeed! They will, I know!! We all have our "things"! Just wanted to share my feelings! To get it off my chest! Isn't that is what blogging is for?

My talk went well. I didn't want to cry....but did!

I can go on.....parents make mistakes.....we do and say stupid things. I hope to teach more good things to my children than bad!

Cheers!!! To another week of parenting!!!!!!!!

Peter, Prayer and Patience

My brother, John, Nola, Meagan, Andrew, Peter, Addie

My Nephew, Peter! Cute, huh! He is pointing at a lizard!

I am a stress case! The cancer of Peters' liver has been determined at a level 3! It is very vascular and has grown inside half of his liver. They are not seeing any other cancer in his body. Which, is good.

Here is part of Nola's email address...."We're taking him to the doctor's tomorrow to find out about the chemo therapy schedule and to give our consent then he'll be admitted and have a couple of tests. Then on Friday he'll start chemo and we'll be there for 4 to 5 days. We don't know what to expect from the chemo. But having to plan on being there for 4 to 5 days makes me a little nervous. I'm praying that he'll be able to tolerate it and be able to come home sooner than that. He does so much better at home. But we'll do what ever is best for him and what the doctors say needs to be done."

My sister 'n' law is so strong. She always has been. When she was fourteen her mother left her and her dad and two small brothers. Because of that trial in her life, she has always been able to adapt to hard situaions. When her mom left....she took over the mother role. She took her brothers to church and helped them feel loved. Her two younger brothers are returned missionaries and married in the temple now. It is because of her.

Now, she has to be strong with this horrible disease that has attacked her sweet sons' body. I pray for her and my brother. I have experienced two of my children come out of minor surgery, and how miserable they are. My kids were screaming and crying....not really sure what is going on. I can't imagine what my sweet nephew has to go through! I hope he can endure and fight through this!

More of Nola's email...."Cancer is so scary. It has a lot of unknowns. Yet I find myself comforted and at peace with this trial which helps me to comfort and help Peter. I know that it will all turn out the way it needs to. So we are faithful and humbled. We are grateful even more than ever for the gospel, for being sealed in the temple as a family and for our testimonies in our Savior's attonement. I know that Heavenly Father is aware of us and our struggles and challenges. And some how that brings me comfort and helps me get through this."

She is amazing.....every time I read it....I cry! I hope and pray he recovers!

Pray for Peter Hallen.

I have been "Tagged"

I was tagged by Terilyn....but I changed the rules.....instead of just using one word I gave myself permission to expand my thoughts!
1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Your significant other? Temple,Baptizing for the Dead
3. Your hair? getting grayer and grayer
4. Your mother? California
5. Your father? California
6. Your favorite thing? Good Book
7. Your dream last night? Mice in the house
8. Your favorite drink? Icy cold Diet Coke
9. Your dream/goal? Loose 80 pounds
10. The room you’re in? office
11. Your hobby? Preschool
12. Your fear? death of husband
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Missionary Farwell for Dylan
14. What you’re not? thin
15. Muffins? YES....any kind
16. One of your wish list items? Continued health for family
17. Where you grew up? Redlands, Ca.
18. The last thing you did? loaded dishwasher and cleaned out closet
19. What are you wearing? glasses
20. Favorite gadget? Dyson vaccum
21. Your pets? Retrievers
22. Your computer? well used
23. Your mood? thirsty
24. Missing someone? California and Utah family
25. Your car? Trailblazer
26. Something you’re not wearing? contacts
27. Favorite store? Fun to Learn
28. Like someone? myself
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? Watching "John and Kate Plus 8" this morning
31. Last time you cried? Sunday at Stake Conference

I tag anyone who wants to play!

Happy Fair WEEK!!!

The Good and the Bad!

My little sister, Laura, is having her first baby! She was 11 when I was born. So, it is exciting to see my sister go through this wonderful phase of her life. She is having a boy! His name will be Harrison! Cute! So, in Jan. I will have to take a flight to see her and her new little one!
I am proud of her! She is working full time and enjoying all the "firsts" of pregnancy! She called me today saying that she cut all her hair off and donated it to "Locks of Love". Why do pregnant women make drastic decisions? Like cutting hair?

This is my oldest brother,John, and his youngest son.Peter. He is 22 months old and Nola(mom)took him to his well-baby check up and the doctor noticed that his liver was enlarged. They took catscan/ultrasounds immediately to determine what it was. This past Monday, he had a biopsy to determine if it is cancerous.....this is what Nola wrote in her latest email..."It's a lot higher up in the direction of the armpit and then down beneath his rib cage. He bled more then they thought he would so he had to get a unit of blood during recovery. We should know the results of the biopsy by Monday, but the doctor is pretty sure that it is hepatoblastoma which is cancerous. Either way, he needs chemotherapy to shrink the tumor. Then they will remove it."

Please keep this little guy in your prayers! This is when I wish I lived closer to help. My mom and Dad are still on their mission in L.A. Dad was able to be at the L.A. hospital with John, Nola and Peter. Mom was able to go back to Johns' older kids to help start the new school year. Thank goodness for mom and dad and that they are serving a mission so close.

Just getting ready for open-house for Preschool and cleaning drawers out for new school clothes!

Excited for the fair and rodeo! Yeehaa!

Meet.........A survivor of an Eating Disorder.

My sister-n-law has published her book "A Future for Tomorrow"


My Sister-n-law, Haley Hatch Freeman!

Isn't she beautiful! Travis and Melissa Wedding reception 2007
Her husband Brandon and two children, Trevan and Kaylea.
Ten years ago, we never thought we would see this day! She was so sick with Anorexia. She was on the path of death. Shane and I and Dylan lived in Logan, going to USU. I remember every month, when we would go down to Scipio, we could see a dramatic difference of weight loss. She has chronic fatigue syndrome, so that's what she claimed was the cause of her weight loss. We would be so concerned about her. She spent alot of time in her bedroom. Not the same happy Haley. She used to spend hours with Dylan. But, the disease consumed her every thought and action. I would watch her eat a corner of a piece of bread, a small teaspoon of this and that. We would talk to her and try to help her. Nothing. Stone cold. Shane's parents were so concerned for her health too! They finally took her to several doctors and therapists. She would not change. Unfortunately, it became so severe....that she was almost gone!

During her miraculous recovery, she knew she needed to write about it! And ten years later, it is here! She has published her journey! She hopes it will help those that have suffered and are suffering! It is a real disease and there is hope!

I am so proud of the woman she is today! I am proud of her for having the courage to battle the demons of Anorexia! She is the best mother! She spends hours reading and teaching her children. She is happy with her life. I love you Haley. Thank you for sharing your journey!

Anyone, interested in purchasing one, let me know!
She mailed me a few copies.

When we went on vacation......we took...

I remember when I was a kid, my mom would always have us play...."When I go on vacation....I am going to bring..." game? So, I thought I would describe the vacation we had this past week in Fishlake and Scipio!
The whole time I kept on thinking how grateful I am for my Hallen grandparents who bought this cabin, for so many other families to enjoy throughout generations! We took very good care of it....and made wonderful memories for my Hatch family! "SALUooTE...Grandpa Melvin!"...thanks for purchasing a place for memories!(My grandpa Hallen was a Swede...who always cheered with his cup)
This is what I brought ....
...I took these two things with me at all times....until I finished this delight of a book! And I am in love with it! Go Stephanie Meyers.....way to write your dream and amazing words in pages and pages of passion and excitement! I am hooked!

kisses for this sweet cousin!

enough "guts" to ride with Dylan on the four wheeler!

These beautiful humans!

Hunter's cowboy boots

Two little cowboys getting ready for the Scipio Rodeo!

A bag big enough to fill the candy that was thrown from the Scipio 24th of July parade

Grandpa and Grandma Hatch

Hatch brothers

Air soft guns...in an open field!


The Triplets

Katlyn, the best babysitter!

All of Our Hatch Cousins
Great times....glad to have Dylan back! Now he is on his way to Scout Camp! Uggghhh!
Today is My Hubbys' 36 birthday! Unfortunately, he got the "flu" that was passed around the relative! So, he is in bed, today!
But....you all know that he is my "Hunk of Burnin" Love"! He played a great tour guide during our cabin trip! He gets the prize for being the best activity director! I hope he feels better, and the rest of us don't get it!