Friday, June 27, 2008

Party Party!


Last night was Hudson's long-awaited Buzz Lightyear Party. We had it at Jumping Party, and the kids had a blast jumping the night away. Here are a few pics of the party...

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Happy Birthday Hudson!!!




My sweet middle man is four years old today. Four. It doesn't seem possible, yet I can't remember when he wasn't here either. He's getting so very big. And he is much fun, and brings so much joy to our family. It was so fun watching him open his presents this morning~ as soon as he realized what each thing was, he would break out that big grin, dimples and all. Yummy.

Let's see, right now his favorite things are:
~ Buzz Lightyear
~ Playing with his brothers
~ Swimming
~ Helping me in the kitchen, with laundry, whatever (God bless that sweet boy)
~ Playing outside
~ Popsicles (purple or green)

And at four he is very:
~ sweet
~ funny
~ stubborn
~ affectionate
~ sensitive to others' feelings
~ helpful
~ thoughtful (asks me if I'm okay, says "Bless you" if someone sneezes, randomly tells me he loves me...so sweet~ I love this boy!)

I am so thankful to have my Hud Man, and couldn't ask for a better kiddo. Happy birthday buddy! We love you so much!

So Very Big



Just wanted to share a couple of new pics of Hunter. He has started climbing up into chairs, tables, whatever he can, and it's making me a nervous wreck. He is also determined to do whatever his big brothers do, which on this day included having a picnic lunch. Where has my baby gone?

Monday, June 23, 2008

Thanks Mimi and Papa!





Hudson will turn four tomorrow, and my parents wanted to give him something that they could all enjoy playing on outside. They got them this awesome swingset/playground. Brian and I spent all day yesterday putting it together, and Hudson was up at 6:30 this morning asking if he could go play on it. They are LOVING this, and I am loving that they want to spend more time playing outside! Hooray~ fun for all. :) Thanks so much Mimi and Papa~ this is the perfect gift!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

A Day at the Pool




We got passes to the little water park near our house, and went today. It's a nice little water park, the perfect size for the ages that the boys are now. All I can say is thank God for water, because it is so stinkin' hot. And I love my baby boys in their swimming trunks. Yummy. :)

Monday, June 16, 2008

Family Photo Shoot




While trying to get a good pic of Brian with the boys for Father's Day, Hudson decided he wanted to take a picture of us. Then Harrison had to have a turn too. The first one is a definite oops, but the others are not too bad.

Happy Father's Day!



To a Dad who goes above and beyond the norm for his boys.

To a husband who loves me, honors me, and makes me laugh.

To a man that protects his family, leads us, and takes excellent care of us.

We love you!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Momo


This morning at 3:45 am, my Momo passed away. She had been fighting a brain tumor for a few months, and fought it to the very end. Right now I'm still trying to process everything, but I am thankful that she doesn't have to fight anymore, that she isn't in pain, that she is now fully whole and new, and as I type this, I know she is in the presence of our Lord and Savior. It gives me chills, and makes me smile, even though I am grieving her loss and missing her terribly. I know that my Dandy must be so thrilled to have her back, and the thought of the two of them reunited in heaven brings me more comfort than I can describe.

My Momo was an incredible grandmother. She was always there, never missed an important event, even if that meant driving across the country to be there. She was always so good to talk to, and I knew I could talk to her about absolutely anything without worry of judgement. She was very open about things she had experienced, and incredibly wise in the advice she would give me. I will miss those talks.

My Momo was one of the strongest women I have ever known. I was amazed at how well she handled my Dandy's passing 2 1/2 years ago. Although she was never quite the same after he died (a big piece of her definitely died with him) she pulled herself together and went on with her life the best she knew how. She took on responsibilities that she had never had before with grace and determination. If I have an ounce of the strength she had, then I will be okay.

My Momo made the absolute best apple pie and blackberry cobbler there ever was, and every time I came for a visit or she came down here, there was always one waiting for me. I remember the first time I tried to make a cobbler, and I called her for the recipe. She wasn't sure of the measurements b/c she was so good that she was able to just throw it together without measuring. So instead she made one while we talked on the phone and told me the measurements as she went. I still have that piece of notebook paper with the recipe written down on it. I will always treasure that piece of paper. And I know that no matter how hard I try, I will probably never make one as good as hers. But I'll keep trying, and I know she'll be guiding me along the way.

My Momo and I shared a love for shopping. We both loved to shop for candles together, and no one else in the family seemed to love it like we did. There are certain scents that will forever remind me of her. I am thankful for that.

My Momo and I also shared a love for the sun. Not a healthy thing, that's for sure, but something we enjoyed. I'll never forget the summers we would spend in Kansas City, always with a trip to Oceans Of Fun, laying in the lazy river. And then, these past several years, laying by the pool at Bennett Spring State Park. I was looking forward to that with her this month.

My Momo was one of the most generous people I know. She was always giving me something, whether it was money for this or an outfit that she had bought for herself and later decided it was too young for her. I always secretly thought she used that excuse so I wouldn't feel guilty for taking it, because it all always looked great on her, but I don't know.

My Momo loved her great-grandsons, and called them her babies. It was always fun to call and tell her stories about what they were up to. She was a great audience for all of their antics. I'm thankful that Harrison will remember, and hopeful that Hudson will. I know Hunter won't, so I have lots of stories to tell those boys about both her and their Dandy that they can carry in their hearts. She called Hudson "Hank" because he reminded her so much of Dandy. We will have to keep that nickname going.

My Momo was funny, loving, affectionate. She was thoughtful, honest, and sincere. She loved the Lord and wasn't ashamed to share Him with others. She has been a constant presence in my life, and I'm not quite sure how I will go on without her. But there is peace in knowing where she is, and that I will see her again. I will do whatever I can to honor her memory here on earth.

Star Scholar





The end of the school year is almost official. Tomorrow is a half-day with a movie and pizza party, so summer has almost officially arrived in the Hatcher house. Harrison is ready for a break, and has had an awesome year.

Last night we were invited to attend the Star Scholar Awards ceremony for students who had earned all A's and also all E's in citizenship for the year. Our man Harrison was one of those few to receive this honor. He has worked hard, and we are so very proud of him.

This morning was the regular award ceremony for each grade. I was so busy trying to take pictures that I didn't hear everything that he won. I did catch that he won a medal for the most Advanced Reading points earned for his class, along with an Academic Award, a Citizenship Award, and Honor Roll. The school also gives each student a character award, which I think is so great. I love that they focus both on academics and character at his school. Unfortunately, I was so busy trying to get my camera to hurry up and take the next picture that I didn't hear what character they said described Harrison. I'll have to find out when I pick him up this afternoon. Happy Summer!

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Happy Birthday Brian!



My sweet husband turned 32 yesterday, and it's so weird, but it feels like we were still 18 and 19 just yesterday. Time is definitely flying by. We had a relatively quiet day~ pancakes with birthday candles for breakfast, and then out to dinner and some birthday shopping last night. Family fun all around. :)

I am so very thankful for my Brian. He is the most patient, loving, thoughtful, wonderful man in the whole world, and I am very proud and happy to call him my husband. Here's to many, many more birthdays. I love you Honey!