The Hutchinson Family: T-I-M-E

**Warning** - - this could be my all-time longest post on record…
there’s been lots to catch up on!

So it seems the only time I have had to post on the blog for the last few months has been when I’m on a plane. Disconnected. Alone. Stationary. So - - here I am again. On a plane to Chicago for the very last conference of 2010!!! I am almost giddy thinking that in 4 days this “season” will be complete and we can attempt to get back to “normal” in the Hutchinson household. Oh yeah – – birthdays, fall festivals, Halloween (I already bought costumes!) and the holidays will be right around the corner to fill this upcoming void, but I look forward to hopefully feeling like I can breathe and do more than just the minimum to “get by” in most aspects of my life.

Ironically, the last 4 weeks at church have been entitled “The Time of Your Life” and it couldn’t have come at a better time. We all know that we make time for the things that are important, but even knowing that, I’ve somehow only been able to get the things I have to do done, rather than some of the other “special” things that don’t have to be done to keep food on the table or clothes on our backs…literally. Speaking of clothes on our back…laundry is something I never minded doing before, but since Riley and Ryan arrived, it has been a thorn in my side. I don’t mind the washing and drying. In fact, I kinda like the whole process, but once those clothes come out of the dryer, they hit a huge road block in our house. Sometimes we even get everything folded and hung, but there it sits - - on our floor. It’s a constant reminder that I don’t like to do this, so I don’t make the time. I’m not sure how to solve this problem, but clearly, if I can step over a pile of clothes for several days to get into my bed to watch tv, then I’m not making this a priority. I need to get over this issue, but I haven’t found the answer yet (feel free to leave suggestions in the comments - smiles). I think this is a perfect example of us finding time to do the things we want to do. One of the things I have made time for is the few hours we have with the kiddos every evening. If I have plans at night, I try my best to still pick them up and at least get them dinner. They are starting to be able too re-cap the day and give me the low down of who-hit-who and who they played with on the way home from school. There is no time of my day more precious than this. Most times I ask about something, they will tell me who got in trouble during that activity first (never them, of course) and then I might get a few details after that. It’s been a real treat to continue to watch them grow into little opinionated people with distinct personalities. I treasure this time. It’s funny how I’ve tried so hard to live in every moment with them, but somehow I have already forgotten details of the last (almost) 3 years. I know I will wake up soon and they will be driving and leaving for college, so I’m determined to make the most of all the time we have together on a daily basis.

Since Kevin and I were out of town collectively more than we were in town in the month of August (never together), we spent a lot of time playing single parents. I have so much respect for those that are single parents or don’t have a spouse that is a true partner. I not only missed Kevin’s company, but I noticed every day just how much he does to help keep our household running smoothly. He does so much that is just routine, that I sometimes don’t even realize he does it - - until he’s gone. I did all that needed to be done and fell into the bed each night exhausted. Not only by the extra work at home, but also by the added responsibilities at work and deadlines there. I realized I still don’t like taking out the trash or giving Sam (the dog) her thyroid medicine twice a day. Thank you, Kevin, for all you do for us. I feel like I say thank you a lot, but I know it will never be enough.

The day after Kevin returned from his trip home to Rochester, a dear family friend passed away and he headed back to Rochester for the funeral, but this time he had a travelling partner. Ryan went on the airplane with him and Riley stayed home with me. I’ll be the first to admit that the thought of single parenthood for any more days was more than I could take. So, as a result, we each had some good one on one time with the kiddos. This happened to fall during the the weekend that my annual girls trip was scheduled. This trip takes place every year at the Ritz Carlton at Lake Oconee. We plan it in January and look forward to it all year. A weekend without kids being pampered at the Ritz. I was so disappointed when I thought I might not be able to make it, but thankfully everyone pitched in to allow me to go. My dear friend, Joy (and her family), agreed to take Riley that Friday night, Lori picked her up and Gran-daddy took her to dinner and put her to bed. Kevin and Ryan were home by late Saturday night, so they were all able to spend the early part of Sunday together until we were all back together that afternoon. They each had wonderful new experiences and I think we were all better off after that weekend. Riley had her first sleepover and did great! She got to go out to pizza with Gran-Daddy all by herself (even if he did take her in her pjs). Ryan flew on the airplane and spent quality time with Daddy and Grandma Hutchinson. He stayed with her while Kevin went to the funeral and they had some great one-on-one time. He fed the ducks and had his choice of playgrounds on his daily trip to play. I returned a new woman and felt like I could tackle the next few weeks to get me to “here”. Each of the 7 girls all arrived that weekend with heavy hearts, each going through our own trials, but we all were able to talk and connect like we are so rarely able to do anymore. Truly therapeutic for all involved - - and the setting couldn’t have been any better. I do have to add that we rented a boat and I water skied for the first time in almost 20 years! I got up on the first try and didn’t fall at all!!! That restored all kinds of confidence in me; we don’t have to talk about how sore I was the next day from this 3 minute stunt! smiles

There is a picture of Kevin about this age making this same face and it is so much the same that I had to do a double take when I saw it! If I can put my hands on it, I will have to put them side by side for comparison…

Riley and Ryan had their first official play date a few weeks ago. They were invited to their friend, Sam’s house. I dropped them off and they played and ate dinner with a wonderful family. They were definitely not ready to leave when I showed up to pick them up. We were able to have their friend Sam and his sister, Ella, over to play at our house last weekend. They were all so great! We decided we should definitely do this more often!

Riley decided it was time to dress up our dog, Sam. She was such a good sport. See how many random things you can find in this picture!

Last weekend was a wonderful Labor Day weekend. No rushed plans and we did everything all weekend as a family! We spent Monday with Mee Maw, Gran-Daddy, Aunt Dot and Pam. It was a wonderfully relaxing day and the kiddos thoroughly enjoyed the attention of 6 adults on them for about 8 hours! My only regret of the day, is that somehow we didn’t end up with any photos of Pam…

Aunt Dot & Pam brought Riley and Ryan all kinds of goodies - - including this shark hat for Ryan and tiara for Riley!

Friday we celebrated Grandparents Day a few days early and the school had an ice cream time with the kiddos in their classroom. Mee Maw read the class a book and Gran-Daddy built a tower with the legos! I know they were both so very proud to have their Grandparents in their room and to show them where they spend their days. We then went to dinner at our usual Mexican restaurant and had a nice dinner together.

We’ve had a fun weekend…