The NFL

I have an announcment. Yes, it's true, Jason has slowly converted me to enjoy football. One compromise of our marriage was that he be able to watch NFL Football, and I must admit, I've enjoyed it! I watched the entire second half of the Chicago Bears vs. Dallas Cowboys and I was surprised when I looked up and an hour had passed!

I've never been one for football. I went to a couple games in highschool, just because my friends went and it was the thing to do. And, as embarrassing as this is, in all my years at BYU I think I only went to 2 football games. Shameful, I know. It just seemed so boring-- running up and down the field, jumping on each other, pass the ball, throw the ball--it was nothing compared to hockey. Growing up in Michigan, I was a big fan of the Detroit Red Wings, actually, I was a big fan of the fighting involved in hockey. I like watching contact sports. Jason and I used to faithfully watch boxing and the UFC when we had Dish. Well, football isn't nearly as much of a "contact sport." There are less injuries, but, to compensate and hold my attention, it actually does take talent to play. During the Cowboys/Bears game I was particularly impressed by Tony Romo, Dallas' quarterback. He threw that ball dead-on during some pretty sticky situations, and I found myself leaning in towards the TV, hoping the play would pan-out.

Ok, so I've confessed. Now I have to pick a team to root for on the quest to the SuperBowl!

Hairy Update

Wow, we've been busy lately! It's a nice change for me, actually. Here is the update:

Jason LOVES optometry school. He loves shining all his new gadgets in my eyes, trying to figure out my prescription, my sphere, and whatever else he can glean from that bright orange light. He joined the school's Private Practice Club and they had their first meeting on Monday. He came home bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. An optometric consultant spoke with them about the "How To" of opening up your own business. He is thrilled about having his own office (I told him I get to pick out the lobby room chairs) and this meeting pumped him up even more.

It's wonderful to see him this excited. He looks forward to attending class and is enjoying making friends with others who have similar goals. I feel blessed to be here. While moving here has been a sacrifice in many ways, having the knowledge that we'll be able to move basically wherever we want and make a decent living and life for our family, makes Memphis worth it.

I have been busier as well. Yay! I just started exercising this week (I have the blisters to prove it!) and am feeling a lot more upbeat than I have in previous weeks. It's so true that exercise and physical activity really contribute to positive thinking. I feel the endorphins pumping through my veins! It's still HOT HOT HOT here, but I've been braving the heat and have been taking Addie to the park to walk/jog. It's good for both of us to get out, sweat, chase squirrels, and better ourselves. My goal is to be a family that is ACTIVE for fun. I want to take bike rides, hike, and camp together. I'm finally taking my first step towards making that goal a reality and it feels wonderful.

A tribute to Hutchinson, my maiden name

On our way to Memphis, Jason and I stopped at a gas station in the middle of Kansas. We found a treasure that I wanted to share with all of you...Hahaha! Random, I know.

more from Mrs. Hair

Addie was looking particularly cute on her way to church this morning, and her clothes are starting to finally fit her! (Notice the adorable shoes, Lisa. Many thanks.) She will be 10 weeks old this Tuesday, I can't beleive it! Adelyn is such a happy girl, when she isn't trying to poot. (Poot; verb, Southern slang meaning "to pass gas" or "fart." The word fart is considered naughty and not acceptable in common speech.) What a beautiful girl we have!
Jason's introducing her to hip-hop culture.

The view from the top of the Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis overlooking the Mississippi River. Not all downtown looks this run-down, but the view of the river from there is gorgeous.


I'm not going to lie, I've been rather lonely since coming here. It's taking me longer than expected to find friends. It's a good thing Addie and I can play together!

Our French woman.

Many baby outfits come with hats. They are adorable, but highly impracticle. This one came from Aunt Gemarie and while the hat is awfully big on her, it is awfully cute as well.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's SuperAddie!

Imagination Library

Hey y'all!

I wanted to let all you moms out there know about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. It's a great program! Dolly Parton started this program in Tennessee that has branched out to many communities across the United States, and it might be in yours! Once you sign up, a FREE book is sent to your child every month until they turn 5 years old. That's right, it's all FREE. There are many women in my ward that use it, and I just signed up Addie today. The first book they send is The Little Engine That Could, and then after that they're supposed to send age-appropriate books. I can't wait to get them! Go to www.dollysimaginationlibrary.com to see if your county participates in the program. Not all do, but you can check! (I don't think Utah County does, but maybe your parents could sign up for you and mail you the books or something.)

Hurray for Dolly Parton!

The Memphis Top 10

Addie was happy for pretty much the whole car trip!
Happy Grandma!!
Addie loves Grandma!!

I just wanted to put a few pictures we took during the move and the trip, especially of Addie!

Now I'd like to describe Memphis with "The Memphis Top 10":

NEVER move to Memphis, TN if:

10. You are allergic to small amounts of humidity (you would surely die)

9. You hate BBQ's (They have so many BBQ places here, and they are amazing!)

8. You own ANYTHING valuable (it'll probably get stolen)

7. You drink more than a gallon of milk a day (it's over $4 a gallon here!)

6. You burst into flames once the temperature gets above 100 degrees (you would've been aflame everday this week)

5. You don't believe in pest control (you're place will be infested by bugs within a month)

4. You don't like the South.

3. You don't like friendly people.

2. You hate shrubbery's (It is very green here, even though Memphis is in a drought)

1. You don't know where Memphis is, and you're too lazy to look it up on mapquest.

Seriously though, Memphis is a fun place and very beautiful--and I am so excited to start optometry school here!

Thanks for reading.

Freakland and Orientation

So Jana didn't mention much of our trip to Memphis--so I wanted to fill in a couple of blanks. Dad and Mom came down with us, and as Jana said, they were so helpful and it was so much to explore Memphis with them when we got down here.

On our way to Memphis we went to a mystical place called Prairie Dog Land, I think it was the only thing in Kansas--I like to think of it as the Land of Fascination meets the World of White Trash. Basically, a guy went and trapped a bunch prairie dogs, and let them go in the back of his store, and then caught a bunch of other animals and caged them up, and then made a bunch of cows commit incest so that he could come up with genetically deformed creatures. Believe it or not this guy has a five-legged and six-legged cow (supposedly the only one in the world). All he asks is you pay $6.75 for admission to see his freak show.

As you can see from these pictures, the five legged cow has a leg growing out of the top of it's neck, and the six-legged cow has two little legs growing out from where it's bum hole should be.

On a different note: I started orientation at optometry school today, and it all seems very daunting. I found out that anything lower than a 70% is an F in all of my classes! And EVERYTHING is comprehensive--anything we learn our first week, we'll have to remember our 4th year. But I am SO EXCITED!! It's cool to be around so many people that have the same career goals--and it's not cutthroat--like one of the professor's said "the weeding out already occurred during the application and interview process!!" Although it'll still be tough, it'll be so great to start learning about what I'm actually going into!! I also met someone from Green Bay, WI at orientation--and she is selling Packers tickets, now I just need to figure out how we can afford how to get out there and pay for the tickets (Dane!)

I'm also starting a work study job at SCO, it'll be crazy to start out--there is so much stuff to remember. I went to train for my job, and my boss talked for about an hour and a half about all the things to remember, just with insurance plans we take from the patients!! But I think I will enjoy it, I'll only work 4-6 hrs. a week, and I'll learn skills that will be beneficial in my profession.