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It was great to be with Marquie last evening as she became the next one in our family to be inducted into the National Honor Society. Good Job!

homecoming!!!

well, when dad downloads pictures, i'll put them up here and tell you about it. :) loooooove you!

Aunt JoAnne's speech

Some of you know and some of you don't of the the Workman family's involvement with the Sutherland Institute and their involvement in helping others to understand the importance of the family in America.

Aunt JoAnne spoke at a seminar in Provo yesterday. I thought you might be interested in her recap of the event. So here it is...

I imagine that someone else can tell you better how it was received. The talk went smoothly enough, I did'nt cry, even when our family stood up. Pam said, I started out speaking to fast, but soon fell into a better pace. The event was not as well attended as they had hoped, there were probably near 300 present. Quite a variety of individuals. Our family and the friends who dared to come. Several Professors from BYU who came and talked with me afterward. Some had required that their students attend. One of the gentleman running for Mayor. At least one Principal of one of our larger private schools, some political activists, one guy who wanted my e-mail address, (I gave him the Sutherland email address) the missionary couple in charge of the building, our state senator, reporters and I really don't know who else. Those are just the ones that identified themselves to me.

There were about 8-10 protesters outside holding signs and having people honk for equality. The Headline on the front page of the Daily Herald Said "The Sanctity of Marriage Hurts Families." The protesters took the headline, the picture and the bold caption, as well as the first and last of the article. They quoted parts of my talk, of course taken out of context. No other talk was quoted, so I guess I stirred the pot, or something. It is obvious that even in Provo, Utah the tide has been turned in favor of sophistry. There fore emphasizing the need for this kind of dialogue.

Inside the tabernancle I think it was a different experience for most, hard to tell. The other talks were quite intellectual, but there was a crowd who came to hear that also. We had a chance to speak afterward with Mark and Lesa Carter. I have never seen Mark so fired up! He was anxious for more information. This is office talk where he works. He was anxious to teach his children and his friends. So who knows.

The Sutherland Institute has been extremely kind and appreciative. Their entire board of directors thanked me. I participated in a beautiful prayer meeting before we began. Where the benefactor of the Sutherland Institute offered the prayer, Sister Swim. She has been a member of the YW General board, and her words in doing the will of our Heavenly Father were encouraging to me. Giving me confidence that the group I have associated our family with is of good intent. They want to build the kingdom of God. Paul Mero sent me a personal note and the Sutherland group sent me flowers yesterday. They could not have been more gracious. The Sutherland Director over this area, who I have been working with, Dave Kimball who had read my talk prior to the event many times, each draft, had tears in his eyes when I finished the practice run through earlier in the day at the tabernancle.

While all of this has been happening, the sweetest things happened at home. Chelsey has been coming home all week sharing with me different thoughts, a scripture she read: 2 Nephi 2:13: "And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. Ye also shall say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if ther be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God, we are not, neither the earth: for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon: wherefore, all things must have vanished away." She saw something else in her government class about how political culture in America more than any other place in the world in the past has been passed on in the homes of the people in family discussions. She has been my practice audience for days, and of course planned my outfit to wear. Jay brought me a book that was given to him by an ambassador to the U.N. about the "Plundering of the law". It was writen in 1830, and has brillant thoughts. Brad & Scott have contributed thoughts regularly about practicality, and supported me in a number of ways as has Tyler. (helping cover for me in the office). We are seeking and challenging ourselves in a new way. In a broader sense, our entire family has given me food for thought and the finished talk is a culmination of our association together. On the day of the talk and the day after, my home has been filled with flowers. The whole family deserves. So who knows where all of this will lead us. But for me it has been a journey, so far of some sacrifice, but of great benefit. The rest of the family has yet to make their public debut. They will be even better. It will be the lessons that change attitudes and bless families and hopefully eventually the nation!

Thank you all for your interest and Contributions. You know Jeff it was you who started it all! Mom and Dad who gave us the best of family environments in which to learn to love and support one another and Lynne who has always been a hero for me!

Love,

JoAnne

I do have a copy of the talk she gave. If you are interested, I will email to you.

Pregnancy woes

Jodi I feel your pain. Five times now. I am tired and fat and tired and my back hurts, and tired, and did I mention TIRED. We moms are so awesome.

The other effects of pregnancy

Jodi: "I peed myself today. Really bad. For the first sneeze, all was well. But for the second, I was like, 'Oh crap!'"

For the first effects of pregnancy, see our blog.

Where it All Came Together

I had the privilege last evening of visiting what for me is a very important place. Independence Hall in Philadelphia. It was a quick tour at the close of the day. I learned a great deal about the building and it's history. It was not until the 20th century that it came to be called Independence Hall. The building was originally built as the Pennsylvania Colony House. It housed their courts and offices. it was used by the Continental Congress and it was within it's walls that the Founding Fathers made their daring plans and pledged their sacred honor. I was walking on sacred ground.

Names

Everyone has one. It is how we are known and called every day of our lives. It becomes a symbol of who we are inside, every thing we do, say, think all being associated with a few letters. In some ways it seems unfair that a name carries so much weight, but on the other hand it is plain to see how great a force a name can be for good, or evil. One’s life work, all that one stands for and fights for, can be summed up by his/her name. George Washington. Abraham Lincoln. Adolf Hitler. Jesus Christ. These are not just names, but were people who stood for something and impacted the world, and now embody the hopes, dreams, aspirations and goals of countless numbers of people.

What about Jodi Hutchings? Bryce Packard? Heather PetersEn? Marquie Hutchings? What will these names stand for one-hundred years from now? Will these names be revered like those of Nephi and Lehi were by Helaman? Will people look to and revere those who stood behind these names while living? What will these names represent? What influence will be had when people read our names?

Though the aforementioned is extremely philosophical, it is an expression of some of the thoughts that have been on my mind recently. As most of you have done, we have had the opportunity to choose the name by which our daughter will be known. A name that will be a representation of everything she and her parents are.

Well, the philosophical side of me is drained now, so I will share something interesting about the choosing of names of the third generation of the Byron Hutchings family. Here is a list of the top ten baby names for males in the United States in 2008…

1. Jacob
2. Michael
3. Ethan
4. Joshua
5. Daniel
6. Alexander
7. Anthony
8. William
9. Christopher
10. Matthew

Oh, and Chloe is #10 for the girls. I never really thought of our family as being trendy, though you may say you were ahead of the trends :)

DEATH to all flies!!!

We just canned our hearts out! If anyone wants a jar of it... or two or a dozen... come and get it. We had a canning marathon because we were up against mother nature. You see, the late summer brought a late blossom which brought a late crop for all the orchards surounding us. This meant an overabundance of fruit which couldn't be sold so they let them drop to the ground. This brought the Moses of fruit fly infestations!!! (Shell says - "Not even kidding")
So, after an hour and a half of vacuuming or flame throwing (with WD-40) to beat the living mist down, we would can. Now that the boxes of fruit are gone, the flies have subceded. We just can't get rid of them.
That's all... just wanted to vent my wish for death to all flies (Shell says - "it doesn't matter the species")!

Baby Shower

It was great! That's all you wanted to know right? right...

Well, it took place Saturday morning - exactly one month before my due date. We had delicious food and lots of it - cinnamon rolls, orange rolls, raspberry rolls, blueberry rolls, muffins, coffee cake, fruit, fruit dip, orange juice and chocolate milk - the leftovers of which are in our kitchen and Michelle's :). We started with breakfast and then began games. The attendees searched through baby magazines looking for "baby hutchings." Some cut out whole heads or bodies, while others pieced together faces or entire bodies by combining images. At the end I chose what baby hutchings will actually look like. I got to choose two, and my choices ended up being the most adorable baby in the bunch and a black baby. I got a kick out of that one. Each baby also came with a guess for her name. We informed everyone that her name was not amongst the list. If her name had been, the winner would have received a prize after her birth. (Yes, her name is already chosen, and even carved in wood - a name plaque we've been working on for her.) Attendees also got to take each other's baby trinkets when they heard someone say the word "baby" and whoever had the most at the end got a prize. I spent most of this time greeting and mingling. Then, it came time for presents. I opted to have Justin open them all up, and I think most people enjoyed that. People also seemed to enjoy when a present was opened and I proceeded to ask "what is this used for...?" (examples: strangely shaped Q-tips and "nighttime" desitin, I asked "does it put them to sleep?"). The main things we got were the porta-crib we registered for (compliments of the Workman family), the bouncer seat we wanted, some diapers and wipes, and a bunch of clothes. One of my favorite clothing items was a ballerina set, complete with little girl tutu. So cute.

Then, all were excused and the party ended!

How was that for a recount? Oh, and to answer Liz's question, the only things we can honestly think of that we still need are a carseat, a few bottles, and lots more diapers. The good news is that my sister Jerilie is not currently using her infant carseat and can lend it to us for the time before we go to China. We won't be needing a carseat in China (we're thinking baby carriers and clasping the poor child to our chest in those questionable taxis). Jerilie was also kind enough to lend me a baby sling and moby wrap. When we get back, we'll probably purchase a non-infant carseat. We won't need a stroller or high chair until we've been in China for a bit and we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Thank you Michelle for a wonderful baby shower! I really wish the rest of you could have been there (Mom, Marquie, Heather, and Liz).

An Awesome Prank

Awesome Prank

Baby Shower

Waiting to hear about the baby shower...waiting...waiting...

Why Men can't Help IT!

Please Read

Why Men Can't Help It

All of you!

I just want you all to know that I framed you all on placed you strategically around my family room. You all look beautiful, and I'm so glad I have (for now!) current photos of my extended family surrounding me. I do need some new frames, but you're all sitting pretty enough for now. Thanks, Heather for getting these beautiful little moments of history into my home. I cherish them and the loved ones they represent.

A Virginia first for me

So, tonight I was headed down to the high school to pick up Marquie and Diana from play practice. I drove down the driveway and around the corner and what did I see meandering across the road? A lovely, fuzzy, black bear! I guess we really do have bears here in our neck of the woods! I whipped out my phone to take a picture, but, of course, not enough memory....sigh....maybe there will be a next time!

Our weekend in Kirtland

We had such a fun and busy Labor Day weekend in Kirtland with Grandpa and Grandma! We spent two very full days--Saturday and Sunday--seeing all we could see and trying to digest the wonderful time it was in Church history! My favorite part was hearing over and over Grandma and Grandpa's testimony of "the work". They are great missionaries! On Saturday, we watched a movie about Kirtland at the visitor's center, then drove out to the Johnson farm. This is where the prophet Joseph Smith lived when he was tarred and feathered. It's a long way from Kirtland, it took us almost an hour to get there. It's a beautiful old home, just the size we need with lots of bed room for guests. Then we drove through Amish country and saw all the horses and buggies driving down the road, as well as some really beautiful quilts and some cute children's toys. All very expensive. We shopped at the Amish stores and had a lovely time. Then we went to Nelsen Ledges (I think that was what it was called). A fun hiking and exploring place. We ended the evening with a trip to Lake Erie.

Sunday, we got a personal tour of the historical sites in Nauvoo. The school of the prophets in the Newell K. Whitney store was by far the best. Not much to see, but, oh so much to feel.

Grandpa and Grandma had a change of plans for Monday morning and needed to work, so we left after visiting the Kirtland Temple so Marquie could take lots of pictures. It really takes 6.5 hours to get there from here, or to get here from there. That included 2 stops and all of Pennsylvania being under construction. Along with the mega tolls, of course.

Here are some of the beautiful pictures mostly Marquie took. We highly recommend a trip to Kirtland while Grandpa and Grandma are there!

A good laugh for you

Marvel vs Disney

For any of you who care and those who don't, this is just plain funny. Really it's the titles more than the descriptions. Enjoy!

Marvel/Disney Crossovers We're Looking Forward To

Mary Poppins vs. Dr. Strange: The Cloak of the Vishanti vs. A Spoonful of Sugar! The Faltine dimension vs. the racetrack full of penguins! “Abracadabra” vs. “Supercalifragilisticexpialadocious”!

Spider-Man vs. Jiminy Cricket: Seized by arachnid instinct, the way-out web-slinger craves cricket meat! Will an enchanted umbrella be enough to shock him back to his spider-senses?

Hercules vs. Hercules: The battle the public domain laws demanded! Not a dream! Not a hoax! Not covered under the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act!

Br’er Rabbit vs. Cyclops: Two brilliant tactical minds, fighting for the future of their outcast friends! They’re ready for anything – are you?

Power Man vs. Uncle Remus: The righteous fists of Luke Cage stand ready to drop a slaveship’s worth of pain on The Man’s favorite sharecropper – until a wise bluebird reminds him that we’re all brothers under the skin.

Black Panther vs. The Lion King: When Wakanda goes to war with the Pride Lands, only one big cat can be left standing in the circle of death! The two-pawed battle epic that shook a continent!

Galactus vs. Pocahontas: She laid her head down on the soil – and a doomed world was saved! But can she lead her new master on a journey that turns his hunger… into love?

Colossus vs. Pinocchio: The building materials who walk like men! Who will triumph: Italian wood… or Russian steel? There’s no flesh in this supersaga – but plenty of blood!

Esmerelda vs MODOK: Can a hideous creature designed only for killing discover the beauty in himself through the love of a gypsy girl designed only for compassion?

The 7 Dwarves vs. The Fantastic Four: When the last surviving members of a race of woodland demi-humans hold a naive princess hostage, the original super-team springs into action! Whistle while you clobber!

The Hound from The Fox and the Hound vs. Rachel Summers from Days of Future Past: “Turn in your best friend,” the humans said! “You have no choice!” As you cry in your cage at night, can anyone truly know the depths of your loneliness?

Wolverine vs. Tramp: One is a scruffy loner with heroic instincts and a heart of gold! The other has giant adamantium claws! Who will win the good girl’s heart?

Bambi’s Mother vs. Uncle Ben: “With great power comes great responsibility” – or, “If you’d just been a better kid, I’d still be alive.” The neuroses of tomorrow begin here!

camping

Yep, we were crazy enough to go camping this week. Needless to say, by the end, it was quite an amusing trip. I figure pictures tell the best story and we all like pictures.

Ethan is just thrilled to be outdoors. He pretty much ran around the whole time.
Everyone went fishing after we set up. I think this was their favorite part. As you can see, the fish weren't much to jump about, but Collin did anyway. He just like to throw them back. Usually they bounce off the shore a few times before making it to the water.
This was fishing again in the morning. Yep, they are still in their pjs. There was hardly anyone there, since it was a Tuesday. We really like the site. I would love to show you a picture of our roaring fire, but we never had one. They said they had bundles of firewood, but didn't. Scrounging for firewood here is a little different than in Utah. Everything is still green. The pickins were slim.
This was evening around the fire. It looks all cute, but they were just trying to keep me warm.
Doesn't this look fun. Due to the ridiculously cold temperatures for camping (40 degrees), by 3 am everyone was in bed with me. I actually really appreciated it. It was the only time I was warm, so I slept. The kids were not so keen on the idea of sleeping at this point. We actually had a wonderful middle of the night laugh. About 30 minutes or so later, everyone was asleep. I love family time. While it was crazy, we will never forget it.

Reflections on Marriage

I know I am new at this whole marriage thing, but a thought struck me the other night that I would like to share.

We've been married for 1 year, 3 months and 12 days. When I think back to when we first got married (yes, I realize that someday I will be referring to the current time as "when we first got married") I remember how hard it was. It was hard to get to know each other, to love the things about each other that we didn't even know were there beforehand, and life wasn't always fun. When I think about that time I realize that a year ago I had no idea what level of satisfaction in marriage was possible. I didn't know what it was going to feel like in our happy times that we have now. In thinking about how much changed and how much happier we've become I can't help but think about how much more our satisfaction with each other can grow! What a happy thought that is. If I had no idea what level of satisfaction I could have with our marriage only a year ago, it thrills me to think about the levels of satisfaction that are ahead of us.

It's times like these that I awe at Heavenly Father's plan for his children. He only wants happiness for us, true happiness and no fake substitute. The only way to find true happiness is to work hard and live your life in harmony with His commandments. Happiness is so much more frequent and so much greater when we're living our lives with exact faithfulness. I don't think that's a coincidence.

Petersen Family Tradition

I'm sure that Heather's already spoken of this to some of you, but I also wanted to share it.

One of my fondest memories as a child watch watching XMen The Animated Series. I read the comics. I studied the characters. It was awesome. The children and I, about 2 months ago, started reliving my childhood through the cartoon again. Every morning, usually when Heather is asleep, we watch one episode. On Saturdays we get three. Woohoo! There were 5 seasons that originally aired. I was able to download all five seasons onto DVD. We are now watching them in better picture than I even remember.

In honor of this momentous occasion and tradition, I bring you the XMen (and all other superheros and villains which Marvel created) I'm curious...How many can you name?

Family Home Evening

I originally titled this post "No News" and proceeded to explain that there was nothing worth taking note of in our lives, but then I remembered our FHE last night. I was in charge...which usually means it is not as creative, nor as fun. But last night, I did alright. We made a quick dinner together, then grabbed the Ensign and headed up to the base of Y Mountain. There are multiple wildfires burning in Utah, and combined with the strong inversion so common to Utah Valley, the sunset was beautiful, and the view of the valley exquisite.

For our reading, we chose Elder Kevin W. Pearson's "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ" from the Saturday afternoon session. As we set out on our exploration of the this address, we were very impressed by the simple way Elder Pearson taught us about faith. He helped us understand two different levels of faith: 1) faith that comes from desire, hope and belief; and 2) faith unto POWER. He emphasized that the latter (faith as a principle of power) comes from our being obedient. Power can never come if we are not obedient. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is so simple. Obey. Simple, right? And so we have determined to increase our commitment to live more obediently to the simple counsels we receive, namely regular family scripture study, and daily morning and evening family prayer. The blessings of doing so are clearly evident. Life is rich and full when founded on obedience.