10:50 and still going

- Posted from my iPhone

Look what I found...

I love how plush and warm it is...

Happy New Year!

GPA

I was going to post a nice Christmas blog about our 3some Christmas, but it takes too much energy to look up pictures and figure them out on here. I never have been very good. So instead I'll just tell you that I managed a 3.57 GPA for my first semester. 1 A, 2 A-, 1 B+ (SCIENCE!- they must have curved something major), and 1 B. Not too bad. Not too bad.

And something else to mention... I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I may not have to take another math class. All those AP/Dual Enrollment classes, and one might have actually paid off. I may get credit for Statistics!!! This would take my course load next semester from 16 credits to 12 credits by dropping ONE class, and then I can add something else for not much, and NOT have to take Calculus. (seems I haven't taken it for...3 1/2 years... ) =) So I'm happy.

Plus. I may be James's best food buddy.... this makes me happy, too. But he's cooking without me right now... a carrot cake! so I best be on my way.

What are you doing right now?

- Posted from my iPhone

A few more of Christmas

Thanks Heather for the cute matching Aprons. This picture doesn't do Jaime's excitement justice.

Yes, I caved. There's nothing that I wanted for Justin less, but I decided that no matter how much I didn't want him to have it, Christmas presents are about what the receiver wants, not the giver.

And in case you're wondering, that is breakfast casserole behind him. So delicious!

Jaime's Christmas presents can be summed up by 'books, books and more books.'

Oh, and a laptop from D.I. that I had no idea she'd be THAT excited about. Apparently it doesn't matter to her that it doesn't turn on, it's got a keyboard just like Mom and Dad's computers and that's the important thing.

Christmas Eve at the Packards

It took me awhile to get the pictures up here, but here you go. We spent Christmas Eve at the Packards and had fun. We ate Zuppa Toscana and Creamy Sweet Potato Soup, reenacted the story of Jesus' birth, and the kids opened their new pajamas. Enjoy the pictures.

The Angel.

Mary.

Juice-stained Joseph.

Pantsless wonder (note: NOT part of the original nativity).

The donkey.

Proud parents with baby Jesus.

Homemade pajamas by Michelle.

Nothing complete without Jaime getting in to something, remember? Santa's cookies were on a low table and were tampered with pretty quick; luckily it was after the kids went to bed.

Marquie Conquers Tomatoes

Merry Christmas Family!!!

We have had a lovely, though quiet day today. We miss you all and hope you've also had a very merry Christmas! Once again, I think we should reinstate everyone comes home for Christmas. Awwww...that our lives could always be everything we wish! Love you all!

Merry Christmas

Yep. Heather on her new android tablet pc. I think she is not yet decided if she likes it or not. She is facebooking.






- Posted from my iPhone

Funny Pictures

Right now I have free time. I'm very excited about this. Justin has been earnestly striving to give me a couple hours of duty-free time every week and it's a blessing. He's out buying last minute Christmas gifts and took the little one with him. What did I choose to do? Wrap presents, read lots of news, and blog of course.

I upload pictures to my photobucket album every once in awhile, but some photos never make it up on any blogs. I wanted to share a few of the funnier ones.

On the last day of good weather, Justin took pictures of me outside, savoring the perfect lighting and comfortable temperatures. These are the portraits I posted on facebook. Meanwhile, Jaime decided to poke around in the flower bed and we found her like this. Apparently she decided dirt is delicious. I love this photo not just because I think she's cute and funny, but because I have a photo just like this of me when I was this age! Same thing, my mom found me in the garden with dirt all over my face and deduced that I had eaten it.


Jaime decided she likes cottage cheese. She's also taken a liking to blowing on her food, more like blowing on anything else while food is in the general vicinity.



Same day. Jaime woke up with her hair all crazy like.

You all know Jaime loves cheese. How much does she love cheese, you say? Well, I handed her a ball of frozen cheese the other day as kind of a joke. I didn't have enough hands to take care of her and cook at the same time. I looked down and she was content, happy that I had given her some form of cheese. Frozen is better than none, right?



This is a little decoration from her room. When I placed it there, I intended for it to be just a decoration, but you wouldn't believe all the stuff kids have done to it! Jaime's favorite is to climb inside and other kids push it around all loaded up with stuff, even though the wheels don't move.

Seriously cute

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID.

OOhhhh, I don't know what it is but I want it.

Just a little bite to see.

Oh, I likee.

Yah, I'm feelin the sugar high. Woohoo!

I LOVE CAKE! IT"S GOOD TO BE 1

Ahhhhh

I do believe this has been the title of more than one of my posts. Hmmmm. Yes, we are here and we are warm. It is supposed to be 71 on Christmas. Weird. Did you like our Christmas rose. Yes, I named it. My house is slowly coming together. Joe's office, my bedroom, kids rooms, kitchen, family room, and toy room are pretty much done. The garage is full of unmarked misplaced boxes everywhere. Officially the worst moving company EVER!! Can't unpack the living room until I replace all the bookshelves they broke. How many did they break? All of them. GRrrr.

Joe loves his job. Oohhh, JOB! He is supposed to start working from home the first of the year. Yippee for us. Yes, he has a large office with doors that lock. He also gets next week off. Fun for us. I have made it clear it gets unpacked next week or I'm throwing it away. Few exceptions will be allowed. Oh, you all know I'll do it. Then, we will begin the claim process with the moving company. Joe is trying to figure out the whole Ward mission leader thing. Good luck. We get to feed the Elders every week. It is actually really fun, because these Elders can eat. No really, they eat. Imagine Michael and Ethan as one person, on a mission. Holy crap. I KNOW. It is an adventure to figure out what to feed them.

I am loving Florida. It really feels like home, which I chalk up as another blessing. I have had my moments of loneliness, but get over it. I have made good friends with a lady in the ward not far from me. She is lots of fun. We are even exchanging babysitting. You know, next month when things are a little closer to normal. Don't laugh at me, I said a little closer. I love being the primary chorister. Weird as it is, the kids actually like me. Hmmm, go figure.

The kids are enjoying year round play time. They go out everyday and ride their bikes. They have made a few friends with the neighbor kids. All boys, which is kind of annoying to the girls. What do you do?

Hope you all enjoyed a blurb of my crazy. I will think of you, but not your cold, because it makes me shiver. I think I will go open a few doors. Ha Ha ha. Feel free to visit!

Christmas?

Really. Roses in our front yard? Now?




I love it.

Posted from my iPhone

'Tis the Season

It's that time of year when I wish people would blog every day so I feel closer to family who are all far, far away. I suppose it's like a hug—maybe if you give one, you'll get one back. Actually, that almost always works with hugs—so well, in fact, that Liz and I have a saying: "Give a hug, get a hug!" Anyway, here's my blog hug/Christmas card to all of you.

Things in the James Hutchings home are well. In fact, I am overwhelmed daily by the blessings and opportunities the Lord gives us. Our children are well, and they continue to love school at home with Mom. They are learning and growing and discovering, both the things of the world and the things of the Lord. Joshua passed off the last of his Articles of Faith today, and I believe he was the first child in the primary to complete them and pass them off to a member of the Primary Presidency. Michael has become a voracious reader (he was, of course, previously only a near-voracious reader) and his mind is opening to the wonders of the world. He has become especially intuitive with the scriptures, and I delight in his insights as they are manifested during family scripture reading. He loves Cub Scouts and is almost finished with his Wolf rank. While Joshua has always been our most physical child, I think Jacob might be our pinnacle of boy-ness as he runs around the house sword fighting imaginary enemies and doing whatever it takes to play in the snow, including putting on eight layers of warmth to satisfy his mother. He's even mastered the great, and previously unknown in our house, belch-and-laugh. It's getting better, but you should see this kid giggle when his body emits gases. It's almost too cute to reprimand, but not quite. I'm learning anew the ago-old truth: Boys are gross.

Liz was recently and unexpectedly released from her calling as Young Women's president, but the Bishop indicated that "something exciting" was in the works. After several weeks we figured it was the Bishop's way of being overexcited about everything, but today Liz was called as the new Institute Teacher in the new Galesburg Institute starting in January. That's right folks, I'm married to a pioneering CES hottie now—good looking and she knows the scriptures. She misses working with the Young Women, especially the Laurels, but we are both excited for the new opportunities she'll have with the young people in the coming year. She's become increasingly involved with other home school families, and she has made some great friends in that circle. The boys also enjoy her newly forged friendships as they are the beneficiaries of play dates and family get togethers. Her work continues well, and she's enjoying new responsibilities with her full-time job where she continues to enjoy her students. Because she teaches multiple types of classes, she's even seeing many students return specifically to her class as they move up through the courses. Really, you can't honor a teacher with much more than that.

I'm just me, and I continue to work during the week and play on the weekends. I was set apart today as the Ward Music Chair in the ward (I know, shocking . . .) and I continue to enjoy Sunday school and wish Elder's Quorum was shorter. Work/School continues well, and recent indications are that the higher-ups are pleased with my work. In fact, they're pleased enough that they are looking for ways to push more money into my department and programs. I'm continuing to learn that students today are spoiled and think they deserve the world and cannot, even for a moment, be cut off from their cell phone. Instant gratification runs rampant, and yet we still find a way to show them that they're not all they think they are. It's a special talent a teacher has. :)

Being in Galesburg has been a challenge for us socially and personally, especially for me, but we're learning to put ourselves out there and find ways to serve and make friends. We're pretty sure that the ward will not be the source of all of our friendly joys, so Liz is pioneering the effort to get us into the community. She's doing great, and I'm failing miserably. Apparently I work all day while she's out playing with her new friends, then she tells me about it over dinner. I find joy in my family, though, and a Dad couldn't ask for a better one. I really don't think I've seen a group of boys who love their Dad more than these three do, and daily I am reminded of my blessed and fortunate position in this home. We miss being near all of you, but our times together are, therefore, that much sweeter. It's been an amazing year for us, and most of the choice moments we enjoyed we were able to enjoy with some or many of you. We had China with Justin and Jodi, graduation with everyone else, Kirtland with Grandma and Grandpa, remodeling with Michelle and Bryce, family reunion, and a very special weekend of dull chainsaws and good times with the Petersens. Liz and the boys even enjoyed extra time in Viriginia, and we're excited to have the Virginians in our home next week.

We are blessed to be a part of your great family, and while we are far away from every single one of you, know that you are close in our thoughts, and dearly loved in our hearts. Merry Christmas to each of you.

Love, James.

Happy Birthday David

- Posted from my iPhone

SHE MADE IT!!

For any of you following Marquie's departure from SLC...she made her flight...with 4 minutes to spare. Thanks Jodi for getting her through the accident laden traffic! And, you know, just for taking her to the airport in all that traffic! Now if she and Dad can just get up the snow dusted driveway!

sorry

I'm sorry.
I feel bad about my last post now.

But I felt like if I deleted it, that would be stupid. So I can delete it now after I apologize if I offended anyone. I'm not the sharpest crayon in the box. Or the brightest, but I try. I'm sorry.

I have to go study my brains out. But hopefully they don't actually fall out, or then my studying will do me no good...

okay.
loves.
Marquie

China Essay

As part of the Flagship program, I was required to write an essay about my experiences in China. I posted it for you all to see, and then I'll probably take it down when whoever wants to read it has read it.

The prompt was this:

"Write me a 5-6 page paper about your experience in China—what you learned about Chinese culture, challenges you faced and how you overcame them, what you really liked, etc."

I'm still alive...

for now...

hey guys. :D

Mom told me I needed to blog... yeah... I don't know what to say. on either blog...
*sigh
so.
i'm just typing.
Today was the official last day of classes. However, I still have a class tonight. It's my cooking lab. We are each making a pie ourselves, and I don't want to go cuz I just want to be done. And plus, tonight is Timpview's Choir concert, and I want to go, but I don't think I'll be done in time. :( sad day.
and.
Tomorrow and Saturday are reading days. aka study your brains out.
and next week is finals. any words of wisdom that won't make me want to give up right now, cry, and run away? Okay thanks.

P.s.
I've been slightly frustrated the past week. I feel like my family has been talking about things that concern me and I should know about, but don't let me know. Like when everybody else knows about something except YOU and you are the only person left out... good when it's a surprise or something, but nothing else. :(

anyways. I love you all a lot and I feel privileged to be a part of your family. Thanks for keeping me around.

One of april's many lizards

- Posted from my iPhone

December 7, 1941 -- We Should Remember

While it has been 69 years, the global effect is still being felt. It was a day that not only sent hundreds of sailors and solders to their ultimate home, it was a day that changed the world. I personally am very grateful for those who made the life I live possible. May we never forget their sacrifice. Love Dad

Incoming

We've decided to buy this.

Hallelujah -- The Joy of Christmas

Must See: Hallelujah Chorus

A First

Mowing the lawn in December, who would have thought? Well, it was not to mow the lawn but to get the leaves off. Success!

I would imagine this will not be such a rare feat for our Florida family.

Help

Jaime has been having skin reactions. I first noticed it one morning after feeding her some pineapple from a can. I think it was the first time she's ever had pineapple. I was worried and took her into the doctor, also having him check on her eczema. After looking her over he told me that she's got really sensitive skin and that she's likely to react to many things (with eczema and skin reactions reciprocally flaring each other up) and to keep an eye out for what she's reacting to and keep it from her. I thought it was the acid from the pineapple, so I was careful to keep acidic things away from her. But today, she had the reactions below from either home-canned peaches (I don't think this is likely, as she's eaten these peaches for quite some time and I've never noticed anything) or commercially-canned corn. To add to the confusion...later on in the day she had an orange without a hitch. So it's not acid. What?! Now I'm thinking it's something having to do with commercially canned products. Maybe some kind of preservative they use in canning?

It should be noted that these are solely skin reactions. She does not get a swollen tongue or have trouble breathing.

I've never dealt with this and nobody in my family has these problems. I'm wondering if any of you have experience with this and can help me out.

Blessings

Count your many blessings name them one by two, three, four, five, six, seven. That is the number of tornadoes that struck within 10-15 miles of my former home yesterday. Aaahhhhhh! Today I am grateful to have moved away from Illinois. What are you grateful for? Ooohhhh, Joe is coming!!!!!!!! I am definitely grateful for that one too.

My first manatee

Can you see it?



- Posted from my iPhone

Sabbath thoughts

Admittedly, I am not at church right now. Jaime and I haven't been feeling well, and while we did attend sacrament meeting today, we didn't feel comfortable sharing our germs with those in nursery. Had you heard that Justin and I are now in nursery? Yep, we are. We were called the primary board and were given the choice of being the teachers of the 6-7 year olds or being in nursery. We chose nursery hands down, for Jaime's sake. She doesn't quite understand social interaction like the other kids in there, but she'll get there.

Anyway, I wanted to take this opportunity to share a thought I've been mulling over lately regarding motherhood. My insight came about as I found myself wishing I had a greater capacity to serve other people. I wish I had the time and lack of obligations that would allow me to drop everything and help someone who needs it. At the time, I also didn't have a car to use. As a mother, with a husband that is gone at work everyday all day (and all night 2 nights a week), that is impossible. But, I got to thinking, what I do everyday isn't just the boring and frustrating duties of a mother, it is service. What more do we do as mothers than to clothe the naked, feed the hungry and minister to those that are sick and afflicted (Jacob 2:19)? How many times as mothers do we bless those that yell at us (in Jaime's case, quite loudly) and do good unto those that despitefully use us and persecute us (3 Nephi 12:44)?

So, my thought is that motherhood can be hard. It is hard to take care of screaming kids that only want to fight you when you are trying to help. They refuse to eat, make it difficult for you to change them, and sometimes deliberately make messes for you to clean up. But, I can't think of a better description of service than the job description of a mother. So, motherhood, bring it on!

Sand Castles on Siesta Key

- Posted from my iPhone

Michelle

Oh, and here are a few on Michelle's behalf.

All pictures taken at Justin's party taken by Marquie.