First Week of School

Okay all you first week of schoolers (James, Liz, Marquie, Bryce, Joe)....(I think Justin and Jodi don't start until next week)

I want to hear about it!

Michelle's Post

Hi from Santaquin!  I know it is hard to imagine that we are actually writing a blog, but all is thanks to Justin and Jodi who come on occasion and bring their computer so we have access to the world.  We have a sweet Julia Belle (with an 'e'), and an EllaAnne and Daniel who adore her!  We think she is pretty sweet too, crooked nose and all!  The doctor says it should go away, but if you don't expect it to, then when it doesn't, you won't be disappointed!  So we don't have our hopes up too high.  As you all probably know by now, we had a bit of a problem with the epidural, and it turned into an awful seven-day ordeal.  Think: super migraine times TEN, for SEVEN DAYS!! (By the way, Bryce says hi, and "all anesthesiologists can go to hell!")  Must have been a little traumatic for him, I guess.  Mom took very good care of me, with a little help from Justin and Jodi, of course.  Now I'm on the fast-track to normal life!  That means I can get out of bed and walk around and take care of my baby!   Each day I am feeling better and better, thanks to all your prayers and thoughtfulness.  We have had hoards and hoards of visitors, all with the best intentions in the world, but still not getting the hint to leave, even when you are talking about how annoying it is when people come over and call ALL THE TIME, and all you really want to do is SLEEP!!  They do, however, come bearing gifts, which is nice, but you have to hide them so the next person to come doesn't see the plethora of perishable sweets (pies, brownies, zucchini bread, cookies, rolls, etc.) stacked on the counter.  Don't get me wrong, I love it, but my will power is soon to fail, bringing a weight gain I have been working rather tenaciously to avoid!  We really are grateful for everyone's consideration and kindness to us.  Thanks to family and friends we are well taken care of: food to eat, clean house (again, a relative term, as Mom put it), and company to enjoy.  Don't count on hearing from us again anytime soon, at least not until Justin and Jodi come back with their computer!  We love you all!

My week!

So, I got home from Utah this afternoon. I had a great "first class" trip. Thank you to my wonderful children who sacrificed their sleep, so I could be on the 7:54 a.m. flight.

Michelle is doing well, at least last time I saw her, although she struggles with bedtime. I kept trying to tell her when the baby sleeps, you sleep. So, I think her motto is: when I sleep, Bryce tends the baby. Both Michelle and Bryce are pretty exhausted.

I had a wonderful week with Michelle, Bryce and family. For the first part of the week, Michelle only got up to go to the bathroom. She and the baby both ate in bed, lying down. Michelle even sat on the couch, lying down. She ate lying on her stomach with her head turned sideways. She was in massive pain. She just kept saying, "one day I'll wake up and this horrible headache will be gone." And sure enough, one day she woke up and the horrible headache was gone! Now, she only has a mild headache and if she sleeps enough, it stays pretty mild.

After living all week in Michelle's beautiful kitchen, I came home and realized how drab mine seems. I need a new kitchen. Wait, I'll have on in three weeks. And, it's quite lovely, may I add.
It was so sad to leave Michelle's house this morning. But, I know she is in great, capable hands with her terrific and understanding husband who has arranged for relief society sisters to bring meals this next week as well as do laundry and clean house--which by the way, the term "clean house" in the situation she's living in is certainly a relative term. My accommodations were very comfortable in the "master suite".

I came home to a massive group of teenagers and four lovely grandchildren at my home to surprise Marquie with a going away party, then many tears and hugs from Mom and Dad and on to her murder mystery play in which she, by the way, was magnificent.

I'm hoping that maybe Justin will find a way to help Michelle blog about her last week. It would be great to get her view on this rather unusual situation.

Tomorrow, Marquie officially changes her home town from Johnsburg, Illinois to Front Royal, Virginia. I, however, will remain behind to get things ready for movers to pack and haul away our remaining belongings!

I'm tired and this blog is a little discombobulated. I think I shall quit writing. Good night!

Oh MY!!

Well, I have been told that I have not been a good communicator this week so I will try to correct that error. OK, so here is what has happened for those who have not been told.
- We decided to back down from our purchase of the home on Gold Cup Drive. I was ready to fax the signed documents but we are still waiting for settlement of the Hutchings estate and did not feel that we should put ourselves at risk financially. So, that left us in the cold.
- I started looking for rentals on Wednesday. Wow, was that discouraging. Makes me feel that I can probably rent our home for a very reasonable price compared to what I saw for what they are asking.
- Nothing on Wednesday so Thursday I decided to "accept" a home that just really didn't feel good to me but would work. Before signing I went back into the rental listings and called on two that were well out of our range. Well, really out of our range! But I called, asked to see them and offered very low compared to what they were asking. One family couldn't make up their minds but the other was receptive. When I walked into the home I was filled with the warmth and love in the home. I will call it the Spirit. A family of eight children. We couldn't finalize on Thursday as the husband was traveling.
- Friday, I met with the family and they approved of me and our family, agreed to my adjusted offer (still substantially below asking) and we came to terms. I even got Marquie registered in school
- Marquie and I leave tomorrow for her to start school Monday at Skyline High School in Front Royal, VA
- We will work with the movers to get packed and move from Johnsburg as soon as possible.

I have pondered a great deal on the strong feelings of the Spirit that I had related to the other home. I have come to understand that it was all part of moving forward and me may well still have the other home. I know the Lord is guiding us and we are looking forward to being back together as a family.

Gratitude

I have felt very grateful this week and thought I would share.  (In no particular order.)

I am first grateful for a healthy family.  As I have tried to support and love others who are dealing with physical challenges I have realized how healthy me and my family have been.  We have not been to the doctor in almost two years. . . unless Jeremy counts.   I hope you all get better soon!

I am grateful for a home.  I recall when we first found a place to live in Arkansas that Marquie commented on why they couldn't find a home and we could.  I have been amazed to see that when the time is right we find what we need.  We needed to find a home so we could return to our boys, so we did.  When we needed to find another home back in Missouri we found one and oh how I love it!  And now that mom and dad are ready they have a home in Virginia!  Congrats!

I am grateful for prayer.  I have never really been grateful for prayer before as I am now.  I have always prayed but mostly just prayed because it was what I did or because I needed something but lately I feel like I am communicating with my Father in Heaven when I pray.  I've always been taught that you will know what you should pray for and now I really feel like I do.  I can pause and listen and realize what else I need to pray for or to know when I am done.  I have gained great strength in communicating with my Heavenly Father.

I am grateful for my boys.  We have had one crazy summer running all over the United States but they go with a smile, for the most part, and love us still the same.  I feel like sometimes they are taking care of us more than we are taking care of them.  

I am grateful for family who love you no matter what and will be there to help you when you need it.  I know I can call anyone and they will do all they can to help.  Thank you!

I'm sure I could go all day but just thought I would take a moment and share.  I hope you are all having a great day!

OK. . . I left out a very important person who I am very grateful for.  Yesterday he drove us all down to the outlet malls just to help me find a dress for Deborah's wedding next month.  It was a long and tiring shop mostly because we were unsuccessful, so today he let me stay home from shopping and went to search again and came home with a most beautiful dress for me to wear.  He is always there for me and I know he always will be.  :)  I love you James!

Yes, I'm still here....

I sincerely appreciate none of you falling of the face of the earth. I love reading about what goes on in the world of the Hutchings crazies. Life has been its normal soap opera here. I think I let you all know about Joe's current health issues. For an update, the CAT showed us nothing of help in regard to his small intestine. It did however, show us his liver wasn't functioning much. Yes, it is actually starting to get quite laughable. Not to worry..... the doctor thinks we caught it early enough. If he takes 800 I.U. of vitamin E and 1 Gram of vitamin C everyday for the rest of his life, he should be o.k........ Joe started school again tonight blah blah blah. We also started school here again this week. i am really looking forward to this year. We are doing things a little differently, yet very structured. This still allows for my sanity too. I printed reading lists for Kindergarten, 2nd, and 3rd grade from the Chicago public school system. Our library is wonderful at finding all the books we need, somewhere. April is reading a book on Native American legends. She loves it. Yeah! I also found some wonderful workbooks for Geography and Science at Borders. They are called Spectrum and are based on state and national standards. They teach a lesson and have a corresponding worksheet. So far, so good! I love it when they teach themselves! Our one great splurge for the school year was Rosetta Stone. Yes, we are learning Spanish. Not Spain Spanish, Latin American Spanish. Joe is very pleased. He he he!!! They actually have a home school version which allows for tracking and printing of progress reports. April tried the online demo and loved it. It also comes with an accompanying audio learner. (for mp3) They have a six month money back guarantee, why not! Anyway... pretty sure Mom, Dad, and Marquie leaving this week is pretty stinky. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go a little stir crazy while I adjust. If I wake up and decide it just isn't happening, I just go to Moms. That could get a little expensive now..... Wish you the best though guys! Hurray for getting rid of Soni! I know Liz just smiled.... I don't know all the details, but she is gone. You'll have to get one of those crazies to blog an update. I think I've rambled long enough. Love you all. POST!!!

p.s. Jodi, I've been married to him 9 1/2 years and I don't get him either. You just smile, nod, and laugh lots! (refer to previous blog comment)

Oh Boy!

Well, the offer has been accepted. Not ratified but accepted. That means we have agreed to price and basic terms. Home inspection and tests pending. Now we are pondering constantly and praying constantly to know where to turn. Well, mom and I are both excited and feel good with what we have done. We look forward to sharing with you when you can come to Virginia. Our target close date is September 23, target move date is August 24, school starts for Marquie on August 25. So many things to get done. Love Dad.