The WORST FHE EVER!

Okay, so I just had one of those nights where you drop to the floor after the kids go to bed and say, "Are you KIDDING me? Did that REALLy just happen?"

Let me set the scene. It went something like this........

The theme was missionary work, in honor of my parents entering the MTC today. I had pictures of the United States and world so the kids could see better where Dave and I served and where my parents are off to. After we talked about what missionaries do, we started looking at the maps and I showed the kids where we all began our journeys (MTC in Utah) and where we flew to (Wisconsin, Switzerland and New Jersey.) Here is where things went down.

Jax: So mom, did the airplane crash on your way to your mission?
Me: NO, son! Our airplane didn't crash.
Tae: What if you crash on your way to Hawaii next week?
Jax: She'll die.
Me: Hey- mom and dad will be just fine. Let's talk about where Grandpa & Grandma are going to serve!
Jax: But if your plane crashes in the water, you'll get out, won't you mom?
Me: Son- usually people go see Heavenly Father if their plane crashes.
Tae: That means you die. Did you die when you went on the airplane to your mission?
Me: Kids! Nobody is going to die on the airplane! Now, one of these days YOU will get to be missionaries!
Jax: Not me! I NEVER want to go on a mission and be a missionary because I don't want to die on the airplane.

At that point, it because obvious that we were done with the lesson. I learned a lot tonight. I learned how a great bonding experience can turn into a creepy conversation. I would like to thank my offspring for this small gift.

Hats off to the worst FHE ever!

Highlights from A 3-Day Weekend in Idaho

Last Saturday morning, after a fast trip to the doctor for the H1N1 2nd booster, tanning for me and an hour workout, the kids and I threw our clothes into a few bags and left Utah for Idaho to visit family! Spending time with those I love dearly was priceless. Here are some of our weekend highlights:

New Mommy GINGER and Zoe Rae

Since we hadn't seen our newest niece/cousin, we called Ginger and asked if we could drive through Logan on our way through so we could meet Zoe. Even though she and Josh had a million errands, they graciously agreed. We ended up spending a couple of hours taking pictures, holding and cooing over how adorable Zoe is.
I would like to personally thank Josh for filling Austin up with candy. This is a picture of the first of many, many treats Austin consumed at the hand of his uncle.....

Girls, Girls, Girls!

We slipped Alyssa's hat on Zoe and WOW, was she adorable! What a cutie pie!

This is my favorite picture, I think. Doesn't Zoe resemble her mom?

CHESTERFIELD, IDAHO

It just dawned on me that the ONLY thing I didn't get to do over the weekend was play Rook. MOM, DAD, Now how did that happen?

It was great to spend one last weekend in the home I grew up in and have called mine for the past 30 years. With mom and dad leaving again for the mission field, they have chosen to retire, move out of their home and do something different after their mission. Therefore, Brantly and his wife Melanie will live there from here on out. I have been feeling a bit sentimental about it and just wanted to be there, in the home I love, with my parents for one more time as I remember it.

On Sunday, Jose came over for dinner. Dad employed Jose for 15 years I think. He is a family friend and we love him very much. It was great seeing him and visiting with him too. The kids LOVED hearing me speak Spanish. They each introduced themselves in Spanish (with my promptings) too.
(A quick note about Dad's beat-up look! He had a lump removed only a few days prior from his forehead and so his face was bruised, stitched and quite frankly, looked as though he had lost a boxing match.

Mom can put on a spread! Here is a picture she told me to erase......

FEEDING THE COWS!
Taylor and Jaxson got all excited about feeding Grandpa Hatch's cows. Luckily, Ivan (the hired help) was kind enough to take each of them out on the tractor to feed the herd.

Jaxson, running in from the tractor to me! :)

Taylor on the tractor.

Mom, out in the cold, making certain that everybody gets where they need to be!

Love you mom!

Last Stop On Our Way Home:
Justin & Jana's Home in Uintah!

We stopped at my brother's home on our way back to Utah for a few hours so the kids could play. They built a beautiful home there about 2 years ago. The kids play together so darling. Here are some pictures:

Taylor and Madison, dressed to the nines!

Cute Kaden and Austin!

Jaxson and Jessica play together so cute too.

Alyssa, discovering how fun gun handling can be!

And then, HOME AT LAST! Toward the end of our trip, Taylor sighed and declared, "Mom, I am missing my home and can't wait to get there." As I pondered her comment, it occurred to me that my own children will most likely have similar feelings about the home they are being raised in as I feel about the one where I experienced most of my childhood memories. A reminder, yet again, for me to continue to create a place of happiness, warm memories and love. Thanks, mom and dad, for giving me that priceless gift to enjoy in my adult years!

Pretty much a fantastic weekend!

Let's face it----- for Jody Hatch Lindsay, a great weekend means accomplishing things, spending time with loved ones, great food and having FUN! This past weekend pretty much perfect for me! Let me explain-

Friday Night
Now this isn't going to sound too great, but it's just an interesting part of my weekend! On Friday night, Dave and I lined up a babysittter and headed to see AVATAR with our friends, Jen and Steve. Since we don't leave Alyssa with a sitter yet, we took her. I ended up paying 10 bucks to see 10 minutes worth of Avatar because I forgot 11 month old babies babble! Alyssa and left, went shopping, went home and I was able to work on some things.....ALL before Dave arrived home from the 3 hour movie! Not the best night, but I got some things done and had a peaceful evening.

Saturday

While Dave worked on some much-needed projects in our home, I chose to make....the perfect salad! I made this for Dave and he LOVED it! I even made the low-calorie version and it was a hit. Doesn't this look yummy?

I have to thank Julie and Chantelle for this extraordinary salad recipe that has changed my life! Dave's too! I eat it almost every day for lunch right now and simply look forward to it every day. Here is the recipe:

Strawberry/Blackberry Chicken Salad

Torn lettuce, preferable a spring blend or romaine.
Grilled chicken (I love the Tyson's grilled chicken from Costco- there is a coupon this month!)
A few Strawberries & Blackberries, sliced
Feta Cheese, sprinkled on top
Sugared Almonds, sliced (I use plain almonds unless trying to impress. To sugar the almonds, heat a few tbsp of sugar in pan, toss in the almonds and stir until sugar is melted on them- let cool)

Poppy Seed Dressing

1 C   Canola Oil
3/4 C Sugar
1 tsp Dry Mustard
1 tsp Salt
1/3 C Vinegar

Blend together in blender then stir in Poppy Seeds (approx 1/8 C.)

****Dave and I use the spray dressings which are only 1 calorie per squirt. The red vinegar is delicious!******

Later that evening, Dave and I went out to Rodigios for dinner. LOVE THAT PLACE! Grandma Barbie and Poppie came over to spend time with the kids while we got out for a few hours. By 10 pm, this how poppie and Austin looked:

(notice Austin's leg draped across his grandpa!)

Kisses for the princess!

Happy children!

PROJECTS COMPLETED: Shelving in kids' rooms!

When we moved into our home, the builders installed cheap shelving. Now, I'm not complaining since we got into our home at a rock-bottom price, but the shelving has been the pits to deal with!

Dave was at Lowe's and noticed that the shelving he had purchased a few weeks ago to do our back closet was on clearance, so he bought some to do ALL of our closets! While Dave spent hours building and installing the shelving, I was able to de-junk the bedrooms. Here is the result:

Taylor and Alyssa's Room

Ahhhh, SHELVING! Life-changing!

Jaxson and Austin's Room

Look how clean! It won't stay that way, but for now, just balloons on the floor! :)

Shelving for the boys: I LOVE IT!

(Here is Jaxson with his art easel)

Our bedroom project will be massive but Dave is excited to tackle it. I'm going to do everything in my power to keep the momentum!

De-junking, completing projects, great food and family: It just doesn't get much better than this on a weekend!

Stealing in 2010- I've gotta do it!

Today during sacrament meeting, I took Alyssa to the mother's room so we could fight over the bottle vs the breasts (yes, I'm done nursing). It was quiet and I was enjoying listening to the testimonies shared. Suddenly, I recognized the voice of one of my dear friends and neighbors, Jen. As she shared a beautiful testimony, she mentioned that she appreciated the friend in the ward who allows her to go to the temple every week. For a brief moment, I found my mind starting to say, "Man- Jen has such the princess life where so many people, including her husband, allow her the time to do everything she desires...." In the next moment, I stopped myself and quickly celebrated the life which I embrace! It is not perfect, but it's mine. And do I have the same free time that other friends have? NO, but that is okay because my life is so blessed and I love it. And I certainly embrace it!

Embrace

I'm going to begin this 2010 year by stealing. I'm going to steal a word and an idea from one of my dearest friends, Rachelle. Last year, she shared with me how she was going to choose a word to live by for the year instead of making resolutions and she chose the word, "embrace." I loved the idea at the time, yet being 8+ months pregnant and in pain, the only words which came to my mind were "defeat" and "DJSJDJFJHAUHAUDHHS." Today, in the mother's room at the church, I couldn't get the word "embrace" out of my mind.

Embrace

So what do I want to embrace this year?

My husband, Dave! He is the world to me and I want to embrace every moment we spend together, whether in the thick of raising children or in the quiet moments of the day.

Taylor! I want to embrace her last years as a little girl before the "tween" thing sets in too much more! I want to embrace the fact that she loves to hold my hand when we go out together and loves to kiss me.

Jaxson! I want to embrace his open mind and his creative edge. I want to embrace his excitement of life and learning. I want to embrace the love he shows me and his family.

Austin! I want to embrace this year where his mind is still so open! I want to embrace every time he says, "Mom, I just love you! May I give you a kiss?" I want to embrace this phase of moving from a 3-4 year old son.

Alyssa! I want to embrace her last stages of a "baby" before the toddler phase begins. I want to kiss those little cheeks, teach her songs, read her books and film her little giggles. I don't ever want to forget her as a baby.

ME! I really do! I want some things for myself this year! I want to grow spiritually, mentally. I want to be a better neighbor and teacher.

"Embrace" is the word I'll live by this year. And embrace I will!

So there, you have it. Stealing in 2010. What a great way to begin the new year....

New Year's Fun 2010!

Austin

This is an example of what we have felt like over the past few days while celebrating the New Year!

Bringing in the New Year was a bunch of fun. The kids and I played so many board games and watched movies all day long. Jaxson and Austin found a new love: Rock Climbing! I told them they had to quit rock climbing in our home on our fireplace, but before they quit, we took some pictures!

Here is Jaxson scaling the fireplace.

Austin followed right behind. Little daredevil!

Alyssa just sat there as cute as could be watching the boys. She is EVERYWHERE now with her funny little crawl!

Here is the picture I have been waiting for: Alysa drinking from a sippie cup instead of from the milk bar! We have fought it for weeks now and today there was progress!

Taylor is so cute!
She has a new-found sense of fashion and loves to create outfits she feels are stylish.

"Best Friends Are We; My Sister And Me."

This saying is on the girls' bedroom wall. I hope they continue to grow closely.

New Year's Eve!

I don't have many pictures of our New Year's Eve. I'm actually hoping to borrow some off of Yolanda's blog. We went over to Dana and Yo's for the evening along with Steve and Jen Johnston and Nate and Merideth Hult. There is nothing like being with great friends and food! We played some games, including Mafia, andd brought in the new year with fireworks in the front yard.

Swiss Miss

When Taylor was a baby, my dear friend from Switzerland, Rebecca Mueller, came over for a visit and brought me some cute clothes for my new daughter. I unpacked this darling hat recently and put it on our baby. She looked so sweet!

New Year's Day

My Christmas gift was given to me on New Year's Day! Dave pulled out the shelving in our back closet at the beginning of the month and got up the new shelving on Jan 1st. Here is how the afternoon went:

Dave getting the shelving ready!

Alyssa helped mom empty the dishwasher!

Taylor made some fruit porcupines with her mom!

And finally......shelving complete! Love it and thanks for tha great gift!

I have to admit: I love a new beginning!