Oh Summer, Where Are You?!

Anyone else going stir crazy this winter? This winter has been brutal! I just want it to be sunny with a warm breeze. Okay, I want it to be sunny and breezy on a beach, but I will take just warm and sunny.

I started reading a book today about coastal towns around the US and it made me want to lie on a beach and sip a diet coke. So, in honor of the summer to come hopefully soon made up a play list of some of the classics and a few favorites that inspire me to think of sun and warmth, not the 8 inches we got by surprise Monday night. Here's to Summer!

I realize that I have skipped an entire season here (sorry spring) but desperate times call for desperate measures!

What The????

Jacob was sitting eating breakfast while we watched the morning news before school, a few weeks ago. As we watched they featured a clip of a clip of a cute cudly little calf born just days before. Jakie perked right up to watch and smiled as they showed the cute little guy.... until he saw that it had two heads! They were shoing it from the side first so you only saw one head and then they panned around to the front of the cows face and you saw the freaky neck split into two heads. We laughed for days after that because here was the reaction from Jacob from start to finish:

Jakie: Awe, look! What a super cute little........What the??? followed by a look at us that let us know he was having trouble processing/believing what he saw. He was half laughing, half grosed out.

Me: Honey, it is a two headed cow.

Jakie: "That is just too crazy." "It freaks me out."

Me: "Yeah, he freaks me out too."

Jakie: "Oh, man! That is just too freaky."

Me: "Yep, he is freaky alright."

Jakie: "I mean, he has two, not one but two heads!"

Me: "Yeah, that is freaky honey." "Finish your cereal."

Jakie: "I, I just cant believe it." "I am totally freaking out."

Me: "We have to leave in 10 minutes so freak out quick and lets go."

Ricky: Just looking up to see the TV & news cast. "Woooooooaaaaaahhhhhh! Feaky, Feaky!!!"

Jakie is so funny. His face was priceless. I wish I could have a photo of that very moment he realized something was not quite right!

In retrospect, I should have taken a moment to freak out with him a bit more. It really was worthy of a little more reaction that I gave. I should remember what it was like to learn about this stuff for the first time. When did I get so blase about cool stuff??? Well, I guess Jake will keep me young ........ and Ricky will keep me crazy! Ha. Love these guys!

How about you? Does it freak you out? Anyone else see this photo/clip?

Happy New Years

Happy New Year Everyone. I just could not wait for 2011. This feels like a year of renewal and starting fresh for me. I have years that I think I need to just tow the line and keep things the way that were last year, and then years like 2011 where I cant wait to change as much as possible. I feel excited about the possibilities and slightly nervous about things working out the way I want them to, but I really feel like no matter what, I want to look back on 2011 and say I took a risk and it paid off.

Our New Years Eve was filled with our friends here in Pittsburgh and we had a blast. We spent the evening over at the Kimbers home. We joined up there with the Wilsons, Olsens, The Kimbers and Us. We had fried turkey (Mark & Josh Special), and every other snack food you could think of. The kids ran around for hours while we all sat around talking, laughing and playing games. It was so fun to relax and just hang out with great friends and have fun. Jacob & Ricky loved having little friends to play with and no parents hanging over their shoulders. We stayed until midnight and lit sparklers for the kids in the Kimbers front yard. The kids ran around throwing sparks (super safe right??) and hooting cheers for the New Year. It was a perfect way to say goodbye to 2010. We got home late and we were just totally exhausted!


I went to bed thinking about the changes I want to make in 2011. It is a lofty thing to say that I want to do something risky/fun for 2011 so I decided I need a list of things I can do and a risk to take. I think my first risk is to set the goals ahead of time and say that I will accomplish them at all costs. I hate not completing things on my list, so once I set them, I must achieve!

Each year, I usually do the same old boring list of about 20 years worth of resolutions that I know I will never achieve, and never tell anyone about them. This year however, I wanted to really think about his years and make a list of things that I can really do. Here are a few that I can do and want to achieve.


1. Exercise daily. I think that if I just make it a habit and daily get out, do something, release the stress, release the energy, and have fun I will just feel better and see the results I am looking for. Ultimate goal: Get in best shape of my life!

2. Be a better spouse/mom. I do everything for my family that I possibly can, I just don't always do it with a good attitude or smile. That is one I really want to improve. I think I will be happier with myself doing it. Ultimate goal: Do more to make the family happy.

3.Really get out of all debt that is not necessary. We are not big spenders but I really want to pay off the loans from school & car, etc. We have worked hard, but I want to see big steps this year. Ultimate goal: No debt, save for a house.

4. Shake things up. I would love to do something new and exciting. I have not set my sights on anything in particular yet, I would just like to rock the boat a bit. Nothing reckless. I like controlled rocking of course, but I just want to feel excited about something new. Ultimate goal: excitement!

5. Learn to let things go. I am a person that can multi task & do a million things at once when things are fine. However, when something is wrong or there is a real problem, I just stew over that one thing and have a hard time doing what is needed. I get consumed. This year, I would like to work on letting myself feel frustrated for a bit and then learn to do what I can and let the rest go! It is so hard to do, but I just hate feeling the stress that comes when things cant be perfect. I know that nothing ever will be perfect, so I have to simplify or learn to live with complex situations. I hope to really work on that this year. Ultimate goal: Less drama & stress!

That is my list so far. it is not everything but I think that they are things that are needed. I guess i could add spirituality in there too. That is one of those on-going/forever ones on the list. I do want to be better at that too though.

Well, after looking over the list, I guess each of my goals could actually apply to the family too. Mommy sets the tone though, so I am sure if I get better at them that the family will follow. Wish me luck! I will need it to stay the course and see what I cam accomplish. Happy New Year everyone! We love you all and miss you all.

"Stuck Like Glue" Happy 8th Anniversary!

Today is Ricks and my 8th Anniversary! I just cant believe that it has been 8 years. Right about now I would have been doing my hair and make up listening quietly to a sound track full of love songs. I was thinking about how excited I was and marveling at my complete calmness about marrying a man I met 3 months prior! Little did I know at the time just how lucky I was actually going to be.

Today after dropping Rick off at work I started thinking a lot about us. I remember the thrill I used to get when Rick would hold my hand. I remember how funny thought he was, how smart I thought he was and of course, how much he made me want to be better. Well, those things haven't changed. We have had to work at our marriage every day (Two bulls don't usually make it in a marriage happily) but it has been the best time of my life.

I still make so many mistakes everyday, but I guess that if anyone asked me why Rick and I have made it when so many have given up, I guess I would say these things are the factors that keep the love when life gets rough:

1. We get it all out there and then forgive one another. Hearing what is wrong is never fun, but when something makes either of us mad or sad we don't just over look it. We take the time to talk it out, argue about it when someone is not listening, thank, reward and love each other when we feel the love and keep going until we have got it all out there in the open. Things are never perfect but I can honestly say I have never been mad for more than a few hours at Rick (when I am really trying to be mad) and I think visa-versa because we just say it like it is. We work it out and move on. It really works for us and I get the bonus of knowing I wont die of a heart attack for lack of saying what I think! just kidding!

2. I have many wonderful friends & family (seriously, the best!) but Rick is truly the best friend I have and I truly believe that I am his. He is the first one I want to tell something funny to, the first one I want to comfort me when I am sad, the first one that I cant wait to see every morning and the only one I would get out of bed every morning at some UNHOLY hour to drive to work each day for most of our marriage. Okay, I would do it if some one really, really needed it, but he is definitely the only one I want to kiss on the lips!

3. Finding time to talk & laugh together. I used to think that Rick and I never got date night to talk because time is so tough and with no family near and friends a good drive away it is tough to sneak away. We have had to be creative! We talk for hours each day as I drive him in to work each morning and home each evening. It was daunting at first to drive him in rush hour twice a day until I realized that I was actually starting to look forward to our drive in and out of Pitt each day. Once awake I loved the kids sleeping as we talked over his day, my day, upcoming events, the kids quirks, etc. Then, he calls all day long for 30 seconds at a time just to say hi. When 5p hits I am on my way to get him as the kids nap and we talk the whole way home. I have come to love that time together.

4. Support is not an option! I always have a harebrained idea going, and Rick always has something he is in the midst of achieving but no matter what, we support each other! It can take bargaining, explaining, and when my idea is really nuts, it can take a little manipulation (he he). Yeah, I admitted it! In the end though, we are always on each others team. I never want him to miss out on something he really wanted and the feeling is mutual. I am so grateful for that because who wants to have to forgo everything they wanted in life! Not I!

5. I was listening to a song today: Stuck Like Glue by Sugarland and I loved the way that the words made me smile. I think it is kinda like that with Rick. Were not stuck with each other, we are stuck on each other. I think that is what a marriage bond should be. The song talks about feeling like just when you think life got in the way of the love, the other person goes and does something that makes your heart beat again. Rick is wonderful at that and I sure try!

Well, who knows what life will be like in the remaineder of our first decade but the first 8 have been wonderful. I hope that by documenting my thoughts I can look back at them when I need inspiration.

Thanks for sticking it out Rick and making it all worth the work! I know we don't have anything figured out, but as a team I just know that we can make it through with humor and some semblance of dignity. I love you so much and cant wait to see how much better we can get. Happy 8th Anniversary Rick!

Merry Chirstmas To All!

We wish you a merry Christmas! What a Christmas it was. This year was a real whirl wind holiday. We decided about the 18th of December to change our plans (staying home this year) and opted to make a last minute booking to UTAH. We never even considered trying to fly this year because of the cost of flights into UT. over the holidays, but Katie called and said that she found an incredible price (under 250$pp.) on round trip flights from Pittsburgh to SLC International. The price was so good, but we couldn't do it on such short notice (financially).
We were bummed to have to say no this year, but then Cam and Katie decided that they would help frey the costs for us by donating some serious $$ and that would be our Christmas present and moms Christmas surprise. Yep, surprise.
We did not tell Mom that we were coming. We planned everything and just flew in, drove to the house and walked in as she rested in her chair close to midnight. We sent Jacob in first so that he was the first thing she saw before we all came walking in. It was so fun to see her so happy and know that we were so missed. We told her weeks before that there was no way this year and even had Katie intercept all packages that were coming to Pittsburgh for Christmas so it would be a total shocker. We gave the "Scoobie Doo" plot for our whole plan and everyone was thrilled. We did not get to bed until hours later after talking, laughing and planning for the coming week., but it was so much fun to let the kids see family.
Our time there flew so fast. We shopped, ate out and talked for days before Christmas as we got everything ready. We had our Swedish Christmas as we do every year and turned in early for the big day. I stayed up and played Santa's little helper (as I love to do every year) and wrapped all of the gifts and arranged them under the tree. I sat watching the lights twinkle in a darkened room with presents pouring out from under the tree for a few minutes and smiled like I do every year after I feel satisfied that Christmas will be a success. I loved it and then missed dad terribly. I still keep waiting for him to come down the stairs and smile at me. I was glad to be back in the Shumway home and it made me want to be back. After reflecting for a bit, I headed off to bed and tried to get a few hours sleep.
The morning of the 25th was started with the kids piling in on me at 6:30am full of laughs and excitement. The boys were full of smiles as we gave them their toys and treats. Jake wanted to hand everyone their presents and kindly offered to open them for us as well. We had to ward him off with presents of his own every couple of turns so that it stayed fun for him. Ricky was still as excited about the bows and paper as he was about the presents so he was loving the heap of paper we all threw into the corners of the room.
The gifts this year were thoughtful and generous. Everyone really tried to do things that were meaningful and we appreciated everything so much. Rick & I gave silly gifts (all we could afford) to Cam & Kate and one small serious gifts to everyone. Rick decided months before to put together a beautiful book of letters that Dad had written and kept over the years. They ranged from letters on missions to talks that were quite beautiful. Rick had them bound & Copied for each family member and we gave them as our gift. It was not much, but it was really sweet and made us feel like he was there.
Our Christmas afternoon was my favorite Chinese restaurant lunch ("clab legs") and then we headed off to the Jensen's house for an evening of fun, laughing, more food and kids all over the place. We loved seeing Jakie play with his cousins (he was very fond of Trace), and Ricky play with any cousin that would play with him. I always love being at the Jensen House. They are such a fun family and they are my brand of nuts. Alex came into town this year and it was fun to get to see him. I find him so sweet and so fun to talk to and I love how Rick gets excited when he knows that Alex will be around. Every kid in the family loved playing with him all evening and were excited for the gifts he gave them. The evening wound down late and we all said our goodbyes. We were sad to leave but headed out into the cold for home.
We spent the next few days at the house with everyone and headed home the morning of the 27th. We cried from the terminal in UT until we had flown hundreds of miles East on our way home. We were exhausted & ready to get back by the time we landed. Everyone got plenty of sleep that night and it was like it never happened the next day. We sure miss being home, but we are so glad that we had the chance to see everyone and spend the holidays with family we love. We wish our families lived int he same city! It would have been fun to add a little Hutchins craziness to the trip. Well have to surprise Grandma & Grandpa Hutchins one of these years next.

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY JAKIE BOY!

I just cant believe that you are already 6 years old! Happy Birthday little buddy.

We had a birthday party for Jacob on the 18th of December since he was recovering from his surgery right up until his real birthday. I think that Jacob forgave us for missing his real day since we allowed him to do his party at McDonalds.

We called up about 10 of his little friends that he plays with all of the time and any of their little brothers and sisters that could come to. We had parents just drop them off if they wanted, but everyone just hung out with us anyway since we are all good friends.

Jacob got lots of fun toys that he had not even let himself dream of. He loved them all and loved that his friends turned up and wanted to play with him.

We got balloons, made cupcakes, got everyone a happy meal and did simple lolly pop party favors.

This one was truly about Jakie having fun with friends and feeling special. Next year we can do something a little bigger. I figure, let em run & play for their birthday while they will, right?!

We felt like proud parents as we watched Jacob with his group of great little friends. We really feel lucky that we can have a kid like him and that he chose friends like them.

Happy Birthday Little guy! Check out the fun below:

Good Bye To Primary, Hello To Young Womens

It is official. I am no longer the Primary President at my church. I was informed that I had done a good job for almost 3 years and that it was time for a leadership change. I was sad at first because I loved working with the kids and hearing their adorable little thoughts. 2 Sundays ago was my last time back there. It was hard to say goodbye to the kids and my presidency.

Barb Getty- 1st councilor in the center R, Diane Burnette- 2nd Councilor next to me, Linda Bowden -Secretary on end on R.

They were everything that someone could ask in a supporting role. They were capable of leading on their own but let me lead. They guided me in my thoughts and offered to help in every way. Everyone should be lucky enough to work with ladies like them! I loved working with my first second councilor Kate Wilson before they stole her for Relief Society in May. She was every bit as amazing as the others. I will miss being with them every Sunday.

I was sad for a bit until last week when I was extended a new calling. I am now the 1st councilor in the Young Women's Organization. I think that lightening may have struck twice because I get to work with a great President (Mary-Katherine Rodriguez) Me the 1st councilor and Mandy Mancuso , the Secretary, Amy Spencer , second councilor and Liz Waits Personal Progress. We are still looking for a second councilor, but I am sure I will love working with her too. Cant wait to meet the girls and get started! This Sunday will be my first Sunday in class.