We've grown up!

I have finally tackled the monumental task of changing the header of our blog...

WOW!

It seems we've grown up overnight doesn't it.

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Actually, we have grown up overnight.

Our Tyson turned 18 the day after Christmas. His uncles were kind enough to inform him of all the things he could now legally do. He smiled until his dad informed him he was also old enough to go to JAIL.

Ty received a wonderful gift for his birthday. He woke up to see his smiling face in the Salt Lake Tribune ... announcing that he'd been selected Football First Team All-State. He was thrilled and we were excited for him.


He spent a fun day with The Johnson Family and a fun night at dinner with us ... and Tenille. He will celebrate with The Hutchins Clan on New Years Eve. Yes, we do nothing but party!

We feel so blessed to have Tyson in our family. He is kind. He is thoughtful. And best of all, he tries to do the right things. We love you Tyson!

Happy 18th Birthday!

He is Mindful.

Life lately has been ... hard.

Don't get me wrong, I know I am truly, deeply blessed.

However, at times, even the most blessed life can be ... hard.

Tonight the Bishop called and asked if he could drop by. I knew a new calling was coming my way. I felt like I'd throw up. I knelt to pray hoping to feel a strong stirring of the Spirit telling me that I could do whatever was asked of me. However as I stood, the throw up feeling just got worse. I knew there was no calling the Bishop could give me that I could do well right now.

The doorbell rang. I made Jeff answer it. As slow as I could, I slumped to the front room and fake smiled at the Bishop. His smile was genuine. He thanked me for all I'd done for the youth in Sunday School and then ... the new calling.

As soon as he said it, the stirring I'd hoped for earlier came. An undeniable feeling rushed over me telling me that

The Lord is mindful ... of me.
He knows life's been hard.
He's heard my frustrations and my plea's.
He's been listening.

I smiled at the Bishop.
It was genuine.
I told him "yes".
Then I smiled again.

The Lord knew what I could do.

How is it that in the season when I'm suppose to be giving gifts to Him...

He gives them to me?

I'm ditchin' the "mopey-mopey" and "busy-busy".
Wanna join in makin' a
GIANT BIRTHDAY CAKE?

The End of His Tunnel...

Sometimes do you wish for actual, living proof that

Heavenly Father really knows we're here?

Sometimes do you wish for actual, living proof that

tender mercies really do exist?

Sometimes do you wish for actual, living proof that

life can change in an instant and you can be happy?


This man is actual, living proof of all of that.
Four weeks ago he received a tender mercy.

Four weeks ago his life changed in an instant.

Four weeks ago he was reminded that Heavenly Father knows him.

... and yesterday there was a

bright sparkly light at the end of his tunnel.

CLICK HERE to see his JOY.
His smile.

Operation Christmas Child

You know, teenagers are good...

Tyson is involved in a wonderful cause this Christmas and would like to invite you to participate with him. As I looked over the project I thought what an easy and fun way to let little children give something to someone in need this Holiday Season. I have listed the details below. We have plenty of shoe boxes if you need one. They are all due back on November 11th. Ty will be glad to drop by your home and pick up your filled box if you choose to participate.

"Operation Christmas Child"

This consists of filling a shoe box for a child. The box can be for a girl or boy and the age categories are 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. These shoe boxes will then be given to children throughout the world. For some of these children, this will be the only gift they receive their whole life.

Gift Suggestions:

School Supplies: pen, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

Toys: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch a Sketch, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky, etc.

Hygiene Items: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

Other: hard candy and lollipops, mints, gum (please place all candy in ziploc bag), T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries).

A Personal Note: You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back).

DO NOT INCLUDE: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans.

All boxes are due November 11th

My Pop

Meet my Dad...
You can usually find him wherever we are. However, right now he's in the hospital. He's having knee replacement surgery. I'm here with him today.

He informed me last night that this was a hereditary condition. Since I seem to have inherited everything he suffers with, that means I'll be having mine replaced someday. He'll be here with me when that day comes. I'm lucky that way.

As you kneel to pray tonight, please remember my Pop.

Also remember my mom. I'm teaching her to blog while we're hangin' out. That means she'll need all the help she can get. She's NOT computer literate AND she owns a Mac... I don't know how to use a Mac! How do you teach something you don't know??!! Luckily we have nothing but time. Shaun, I'm still cussing you for this purchase, DANG IT!

Tonight...

there are only tears.
Maybe tomorrow they'll be words.
But not tonight.

I coped... barely.

Previously I mentioned Senior Night.
One of those dreaded events you thought would never actually come. Well, I made it through better than I thought I would.




I cried my eyes out
at the sight of this...









and this...




and this...



I'd finally
pulled it together
by this time...




Well, until this...




The night ended almost as emotional as it started when the Cowboys pulled out a tight one to make it to
THE PLAYOFFS!
(Yes, I lost it again!)

Cheer for us today as we head up to Park City!

On a side note...
I also never thought this would happen. Yes, it's my little one snuggled up on the top row with A GIRL! If you don't see him around it's because I'm tying him up.

Voting in my Small Town

I often tell you the reasons I love "this small town".
Here is yet another.

Meet the gals who work at the voting poles...

If you're thinking of not voting for fear of The Swine Flu... think again! You have nothing to fear here!

We love you Tamee, Lindsay and Dolly!

P.S. I still took my own pen and kept my gloves on. The voting gals were proud of me.

How can I COPE?

Tonight they will honor the Seniors at the football game. I've been tearing up all week. My heart is heavy.

The football team will be giving be autographs to all the little boys during Fan Fest. What happened to my little boy who used to hunt for autographs?

I never thought 2010 would ever really come. The time has gone by to fast... to fast... to fast...

Our BABY is 14

When Heavenly Father sent Dillon to us he knew what he was doing!

We were so serious and stressed out all them time... until Hummer. He doesn't have a stressful bone in his body! He is happy ALL the time and has taught us how to be happy too.

He makes us smile... he makes us laugh... he makes us sing... he makes us dance, even when we don't feel like dancing!

He is liked by all who know him as "Dillon, Dill, Dill-Weed, Dill Pickle and Dilly-Bob". But he is LOVED by those who have the honor of knowing him as...

"Hummer"

(Is that you Hum?)

The Friday before Dill was born, the Dr. said he would help bring him into the world on Monday (but no sooner). Well, we had a football game to be to on Thursday so we had to take matters into our own hands (a.k.a Castor Oil). Dillon was born on Saturday morning and attended his first football game when he was just 5 days old.

That one decision shaped Dillon forever. He found it imperative that he dress like this EVERYDAY for the first 5 years of his life...

Dillon James Hutchins
born October 21, 1995

11:26 AM
named after his Grandpa

James R. Palmer
(Who'd be mighty proud of him!)



Happy Birthday Humm!

Don't ever let life take away the natural gift Father in Heaven has given you... the gift to make everyone around you happy!
We Love You!
Dad, Mom and Ty

Comin' Home Friday?

It's HOMECOMING!!

Come on! It's promised to be INCREDIBLE. I, personally, know Fan Fest will be like nothing you've ever seen. Live music with Dillon Hurst... lots of things to jump, slide and run on ... hair cuts ... face painting ... food ... I'll stop but just know I could go on and on! Oh, and there will be a football game too (LOL).

Be sure to come
"BACK IN BLACK". Snag yourself one of these $2 Homecoming BLACK OUT shirts. You can get them at GHS, Soelbergs, all Homecoming activities or online.

Just click to link up to Cowboyspiritgear.com

See you Friday!

Stop the car... Let me out!

The things you can find at the airport...
The things a grown man will do when no one is around...
I'm thinking Keith was INSIDE the bus...
LAUGHING!!

Night Vision?

Here is...
Dill at practice.
What was that?
You say you can't see him?
I wonder if they can see each other.
I would say NO!
Come on Coach... it's bedtime.

Have you done any good...?

The Prophet has asked us to help someone in need.

But can you do that even when you are on the computer?

With just 2 quick clicks you can do it EVERYDAY.

On the side bar find these 2 buttons.
Just push them once everyday.



In just 2 clicks you can feed the hungry and help prevent cancer.
--------------------
Give it try. You'll find...
you've helped someone in need!

Not to mention you've given Pres. Monson what he wanted for his birthday.

To hear Pres. Monson and other messages CLICK HERE.

If you're looking to do something really specatular to help little children, our sister Jeri has an easy solution for you.
Here you go...


Dear Family and Friends,

I have been asked, once again, to serve as a committee member for the 2009 Festival of Trees. Every penny raised goes to help children at the Primary Children's Medical Center. Just a note-in 2007 there was over $6 million given in charity care. That amount rose to $13 million in 2008 and will be even higher this year. The need is great for charity care and what better way to help families under stress?

Once again I need to gather handmade items for the Gift Boutique. My committee members were in awe at the items that I turned in last year. Your response was amazing. I would appreciate it if any of you felt like you could donate a handmade item again this year. I am aware of how precious your time is and will certainly understand if you are unable to help out.

Handmade Gift Ideas
Christmas Items - Nativity items, snowman kits, wall hangings, large wooden items, ornaments, tree skirts, neighbor gifts.

Craft Items - Handmade note cards, necklaces and bracelets, embroidered samplers, teacher and neighbor gifts, vinyl lettered tiles, and magnet boards.

Quilts - Quilts of all sizes, tied or quilted.

Toys - High quality child-safe items, picture/quiet books, I-spy pillows, boys items, dress-up clothes, push toys, blocks, stuffed animals and dolls, doll clothes, stick horses.

Kitchen - Tablecloths, runners, aprons, applique dishtowels, nylon scrubbers, crocheted dish cloths.

Baby and Children - Receiving blankets, burp cloths, chunky and fuzzy yarn hats and mittens, hooded bath towels, preemie items, baby headbands.

Afghans - Lap robes and afghans (white and off-white are always in demand).

These are examples of some of the more popular items from years past at the boutique. I need to gather all items by November 1st. I would appreciate anyone of you who would be willing to help me in this service project. As a committee we are encouraged to do our very best to put "The Child, First and Always" as we work together to create the 2009 Festival of Trees. With your help this will be possible. Please feel free to share this e-mail with anyone that you might know who might be able to help. Your service truly is a "Gift of Love."

Love, Jeri
butler71@gmail.com

We are NOT...

Fair-Weathered FANS!
No matter the weather ... we're here!

Set up,
sit down
and tailgate
even in the bitter cold...


Stand
in the
drizzling rain

to give a high five to
#10...


Stand in
utter darkness,

hoping the power will come on and we can finish the game...



Cheer extra loud when...

Grantsville
beats Tooele
35-28!



What a great night!

Grantsville Fans showed up to show their true colors!



And
what happens
to those
Tooele Fans
and even their cheerleaders?






They switch teams!

You can't beat

The Cowboys!

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The amazing thing about this football season is the fact that the boys know who they are really playing for...
THE COWBOY FAITHFUL!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A warm heart and a DRY HEAD to match!

Once again...
why do I live in

this small town?

Because this morning I put out a call for canopies to cover the die hard Cowboy Fans during Fan Fest. Within 1 hours I had over 10!

Awe, it warms my heart.