An "A-ha" Moment...

On my way home from helping with Kylene's class today, I came to the sudden realization that the vision I had of myself nearly 9 years ago had come to be!! As a naive teenager, my future dream of being a wife and mother seemed so distant. This memory, however, seemed like it happened just yesterday. I was in the driveway of the house I grew up in with my best friend at the time, Amber. Our silly girlishness led us outside to enjoy the fading days of summer when suddenly, I decided to try on her baseball cap. Amber told me I looked like a "soccer mom". I gleamed on the inside (trying not to appear too pleased with what I knew wasn't a compliment) and proceeded to check out my reflection in the window. We went on to "joke" about the minivan, the kids in the backseat, the juice boxes that littered the cupholders, and the constant driving in order to shuffle the kids to their designated sporting events. The thought of cleaning my car out when I got home triggered this sudden memory and produced an immediate sense of accomplishment within the essence of my being – I believe Oprah would call it an “a-ha” moment. :) At times, the troubles and trials of motherhood get me down but moments like these make me realize how satisfying my role as wife and mother to my little family truly is. I'm right where I want to be....what more can I ask for? :)

Valentine's Day Summary

My hubby and I have tried to "boycott" Valentine's Day since we were engaged! I don't think we are very good at it because we have always done something sneaky and romantic for one another on V-Day. Perhaps it is an over-commercialized "Hallmark" holiday in which many rush to the stores to overstock and over-indulge in chocolate. But maybe there is something more to this day of love...

My sweetheart took me to the Blue Fin Restaurant here in Howell. We had delicious sushi rolls made with fresh salmon and our buddies Lara and Steve had us try raw eel and octupus! I didn't care much for the eel but the octupus was really good! This surprised me. In fact, liking sushi to begin with surprised me. (I first tried it a few months ago and LOVED it!!) I think it helps that I've only eaten well-made sushi. :) But, before we dined on the delicious feast of raw fish, Alan and I got to attend a temple session together. We haven't been to the temple in a long time but I am so blessed and have a wonderful visiting teacher and amazing friend who offered to watch our crazy kids. I really can't think of a better place to spend Valentine's Day with the man I love mostest in the world!!

So I've come to the conclusion, with this being our 8th V-Day together, that devoting a day to simply show love for the ones you love and care for the most isn't such a bad idea after all. I guess it's not such an awful thing to have a day set aside especially for that. Life is busy and crazy and scheduling a day of romance definitely has its perks!

Random happenings...

I know these pictures are all of my kiddos when they are really little - but I came across them today and simply had to share the cuteness!!!! :) And it dawned on me that the picture of Camryn was taken exactly one year ago! :(

Ok! Since it has been a while since I wrote...I thought I would share some happy adorable moments of my life - the ones I will live off of when I'm an old gramma rockin' in my chair knitting a doily. Just a few weeks ago, Kylene was playing "this little piggy" on Camryn's toes and said, "This little piggy goes to Hutchings....this little piggy got married!" And just when I thought she couldn't get any more adorable she continued, "This little piggy goes to college...and this little piggy goes to work! And this little piggy went wee, wee, wee all the way home!" I don't know that I've laughed so hard in my life! What an intuitive little 5-year-old that I have!

Then there is my Tanner. One evening when Alan tucked him in for bed, Tanner asked, "Am I your son??" Alan replied an exuberant, "Yes!" Tanner sweetly replied, "I like it." And then he rolled over and fell fast asleep. What a heart melter!!



Camryn is a sweetie all around and lately her favorite phrase is, "You! I love you!" Every time we say thank you she says, "Elcome!" And she ALWAYS says, "Bless you!" every time somebody sneezes.....or coughs! I love her to pieces and enjoy just about everything that comes out of her mouth....even when she says, "No!" Sometimes it is SO cute....I guess the key is to not let HER know that! :)