Snow day after day, after day...

Snow Day #2.

What makes the snow day more significant is the fact that school was to begin yesterday after our two-week Christmas Break. (I can call it Christmas break instead of Holiday break because here in Arkansas we don't have to be so politically correct - you can call things exactly what they are without worrying about offending anyone - and people here are not so easily offended.)

Back to the snow day(s). I am allowing liberal use of the XBOX 360, the Wii, the playing of WOW, and the overconsumption of Top Ramen noodles. Will it earn me the Parent Of The Year award? No. Will it help keep the remaining marbles in my head from being completely lost? Perhaps.

When we lived in California, I had such a romantic view of the snow days that I saw on the news.
I envied those families, homebound, who were undoubtedly drinking cup after cup of creamy hot cocoa, snuggled up reading books, watching snow fall while sharing a togetherness that could only be achieved in a winter wonderland. I failed to see the piles of snowboots by every door, the wet socks, gloves, hats, mittens littering the house IN SPITE of the basket by the door labeled, "GLOVES & HATS". The parade of neighbor children in and out and out and in and then in and then out again. Hot chocolate splashed across the kitchen that I seem to clean about 10 times a day. . . good times.

Weather forecast for tomorrow? SNOW. Really. I've got to go now - WW3 has just broken out upstairs...

Alright. I know. It's been just about a year since this blog has been updated.
Why the neglect of this family record?
Why the failure to update our comings, goings, celebrations and milestones?
Because in 2009, 24 hours in a day was simply inadequate. If I had been able to
invent some way to function without sleep, perhaps I could have downloaded a picture or two, journaled about Evie learning to walk, Michael's graduation, Griff's baptism. So I approach 2010 penetantly, with hat in hand, asking for a chance to try again. To keep some sort of record of this hurricane, this whirlwind, this tornadic event that is otherwise known as, "MY LIFE."

Goodbye 2008!

For the Hatch family it was a year of ups, downs, storm, sun...you get the picture. We sent one daughter off to college and welcomed another into the world. We survived one tornado- (although much of our property did not). Michael totaled his Jeep, but John has added 2 more rusty, old...I mean CLASSIC Jeep Wagoneers to his current collection of 3. We celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary - and realized we won't be alone until our 38th!

Every day is another story of challenge, survival! and through it all, JOY. Yes, life is crazy. Yes - there is rarely a quiet moment; no - the laundry is never completely done; of course - there is too much to do and not enough time to do it all. And yet the constancy that remains is the underlying feeling of joy that through all the messes that life creates is the foundation of peace through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This peace allows us to face each day and say "Bring it On!" Because when all is said and done, all that matters is our Faith and our Family - and how blessed we are to have both.

Griff's First Grade Christmas Program

Makes me wonder what his future holds!

Holiday 2008

A Poem of Fabulosity

Oh, the FABULOSITY of my life!

See this happy, smiling face of a high-school sophomore

Who only two hours before called his mother from the school,

Informing her that he had to have an edible representation of a cell

- due by third period.

See the kitchen which is now covered with cake, frosting and chocolate pudding,

Which represents the nucleus - of course.

See the happy, happy mother.

The FABULOSITY of my life!

Okay - a little girl is a lot more fun to dress up on Halloween then boys who just want to wear black robes, carry huge, medieval-looking weapons, and of course, paint plenty of blood dripping down their faces. Evie was a sweet, little Woodland Sprite, with no black, blood or instrument of death to be seen.Connor got to spend a little time with Evie before we went to the 4th grade class party

where he gave a 20-minute presentation to the class with his Tarantula. Really.

(The whole family gets to participate when mom is the room parent!)

Evie channeling her inner and outer girl.

She loved being surrounded by flowers and tulle.

Thank heavens for little girls!

Responsible Women

My favorite picture - The Responsible Woman - by James Christenson

It has been interesting watching the media try to figure out what to do with the Republican VP pick, Sarah Palin. She is the mother of five, with conservative values, is not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for that which she believes and does not wear monochramatic pantsuits. I see her and she reminds me of most of the women that I know. Women who want what is best for this and future generations, who value life and freedom, who stand firm to those beliefs which wise women know benefit nations. Women who do not pretend to be perfect, for smart women know that perfection is a very lonely place to be. Women who could solve the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, end world hunger and restore world peace in one good scrapbooking session. (okay- everyone knows that I don't scrapbook - but you get my meaning!)

Women who love their families and their husbands and simply do the very best they can each day regardless of their circumstances. Women who love their Father in Heaven and understand that who they are matters. Women who handle their trials with grace and dignity and make their own worlds a lovelier place.

Women like you.

Let's hear it for the Responsible Women!!!!!

( We deserve some chocolate).

I'm back on my blog - watch out for flying pigs.

Idaho Vacation with Grandma

Evie is 4 Months Old!

Evie's Blessing Day

Our little Evie Greer on her Blessing Day


Evie's Aunt Paula made the dress and the shoes ...



This is Aunt Paula - no she is not laying down - I forgot
to rotate the picture and the baby is crying and don't have
time to change everything. Paula, I'll change it later - Thankyou
for being here and sharing your amazing self - you saved
me that second week - I love you!


Grandpa Bob came from sunny California to share in the
blessing day. What is Evie - grandchild # 26? I think so!

Michael goes to prom

Michael is embarrassed that I am posting these pictures,
but as his mother I reserve the right to be embarrassing.
Michael looked DASHING as he went to the prom with
his date, Emily. Prom here in Bentonville is held in the
high school gym - so refreshing! (And affordable!)

It is hard to believe that it has been twenty years since those two kids got married!
We thought we knew it all and had it all figured out...if we knew then what we know now...

If we knew then what we know now we wouldn't change a thing.
The sleepless nights, living on faith when the bank accounts were empty, the joys and the sorrows, 7 children, 8 moves, burning things down, building them back up - we can't wait to see what the next twenty years bring!

As long as we get to face them together - all we can say is "Bring It On!"

Lauren and the baby sister she waited 18 years for.

Lauren was home for spring break the week Evie was born -

she'll see her again after this next semester!

Our family was so lucky that Grandma Honey (Jenni's mom) could

come out and stay the week Evie was born. I'm sure we wore her out,

but she was such an incredible help to all of us. Thank you Grandma Honey!

Evie is getting much more alert and interested in her surroundings.
She has such a sweet disposition - now if she would only start sleeping at NIGHT...

Michael and Evie - now that is love.

We Have Arrived

Welcome to the Hatch Family Blog. After reluctantly being dragged into the 21st century, all I can say is "We Have Arrived". Are YOU ready?