My Last Track Meet

Madelynn helping me at track.  She is so funny and bossy....I have no idea where she gets that from :)

My 1600M Medley team - they set a new Basin record with a 4:42.61

I can't believe that I have been coaching for 9 years.  At my wedding 10 years ago I met a guy named Coach Satagena and he introduced himself and then in the same breath asked me if I wanted to coach track in the spring.  I later learned that this was totally normal for him; he LOVES track.  Well, the next year I gave in and said yes and the rest is history.  Since then I have coached 7 seasons of Girl's soccer and 9 seasons of track.  Do you realize how many bus trips that is with noisy teenagers???  What was I thinking?! :)  No, all in all it has been an amazing experience.
Well, with the baby on the way and a VERY active 3-year old (almost), I have decided that it is better that I don't coach anymore.  It it tough to have both parents coaching.  By the end of soccer season Madelynn was complaining about going to practice everyday (granted as soon as it was over she wanted to go to soccer, go figure).  I had already quit soccer back in the fall and lamented about that in another post.  So, here I am at another crossroad.  I am sure as the season starts I will be sad to not be out there, but it is nice not to have that pressure anymore.  It will be nice not to have to deal with some of the parents (who ruin it for everyone).  It will be interesting to see how different our lives are going to be and what will fill that time.  I am sure it will fill quickly, it has just been such a part of my life for so long that it seems strange right now.
What a great end to a season though; my girls setting a new Basin record.  I was so proud of them.  Bruce helped me cut some time off their hand-offs and then I think the adrenaline drove them the rest of the way.  They beat the record by a whole second and in the wind (if you don't do running that is a significant amount.)  The record was 19 years old, set in 1994 by a Shiprock team.  My last season was not quite how I imagined it but it was still great.  
And here we go, onto another chapter....What will God have in store next?   

My Sassy Little Girl

I can not believe how grown up Madelynn is getting.  She will be 3 in just over a month and I swear she is going on 13 more and more every day.  Some of my favorite things that she says right now:
When you ask her if she wants something, like fruit snacks, she says, "Well, of course."  Like, I can't believe you would even have to ask.  That kid will do anything for a fruit snack and things everyone should have them at their house.  When she stayed with Whitney last week she seemed very put out when she found out Whit didn't have fruit snacks at her house. 
She talks all the time.  I mean seriously, doesn't take a break.  From the time she wakes up in the morning until the time her head hits the pillow she is talking.  Sometimes I just need a break, but don't seem to get one.  She has an amazing vocabulary, or so I am told by other people.  We only have one kid so we really don't know any different. 
The other day she told me not to touch her books.  Of course being the brat that I am I pretended to touch them.  She said, "Don't touch, that is illegal!"  I dont' even know where she comes up with this stuff.  If you ask her to do something she doesn't want to do she replies with, "Nope!"  We are working on the respect issue here but it is still really funny.  She loves to go boxing with Bruce and to Zumba with me and does great at both.  She copies everything we do at Zumba and she is so funny to watch.  Bruce took her to boxing and now she wants pink boxing gloves.  I don't think most people have to have this conversation with their 2 year-old, "Now remember, you can only throw punches with Daddy.  No hitting anyone at Miss Ruth's house.  Do you understand?"
At night during prayers if we forget to say, "Thank you for Madelynn" she gets upset and says, "You didn't say my name!"  So we have to be sure to be thankful for Madelynn everynight. 
There are so many other funny things that she says right now and I just can't remember them right now. 
She is so excited to have a brother or a sister.  Sometimes she says the baby is a girls and sometimes she says its a boy.  She doesn't seem to care either way at this time.  She loves kissing and hugging my belly which is super cute.  I know she will be a great big sister, she just doesn't seem old enough. 
She told me the other day that she is going to teach the baby to play.  I thought that was super sweet.  I know she will just be wonderful and our house will be crazy, but I can't wait.

Changes at the Hatches

Life will never be the same around the Hatch house starting in October.  We are adding a new little "hatchling" and couldn't be more excited.  Madelynn talks non-stop about her brother or sister and how we have to buy them clothes and baby boy bottles.  (Her sitter is also having a baby in July so there is a lot of "baby talk" in her life right now).  She is so excited, not that I am really sure she understands, but I know she will be an amazing big sister.  She doesn't seem old enough to be the "big sister", isn't she still my little baby?  Well, don't you dare let her hear you call her a baby because she will correct you in no time.  "I am not a baby!  I am a big girl!"  or if I tell her she is cute she says, "No, I Madelynn!"  My brother-in-law says we are going from having a smart pet (our 1st kid) to an actually family, which always makes me laugh and is probably very true. 

I am so thankful for this blessing that we have been praying for for quite some time. 

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD."1 Samuel 1:27–28

A baby is always a blessing, but I know this baby couldn't come at a better time for our family to focus on the wonderful blessings God has given u,s even during these difficult times, and to remind us that life does go on.  As one life ends another begins and that is something we have to thank Him for. 

So, here we go on our next adventure.  I will no longer be coaching, but I will be the mom of two kidos...a whole new chapter....

(Please keep this of facebook for now.  I have student's parents on there and I am not quite ready for them to know...although I know we live in a small town and it will happen.  Thanks)

Spring Break fun

Making Playdough and having fun?

Who has the Type A personality?  Madelynn, believe it or not.

3 kids in a tub. 

Fun at the jumpy place!

Playing in Durango.  Their imaginaitons are really developing.

More fun on the slides

Brayden getting in on the action

My little bakers.

Watching them bake.



Such a little cuttie!

 We had such a great time during Spring Break.  There were only a few fights, along with some tears, very few time outs, and just one night of throwing up....oh, and the kids did well also :)  Just kidding.  Kennedy did get sick the last night, not sure what it is about her trips to NM, poor thing.  It is just amazing to see how cute they are together.  Madelynn loved playing with Brayden and helping out with him.  Both girls were so excited about the trip, it was all they talked about for days leading up to it. 

Jess and I were both tired by the end, but had such a good time. I can't wait until we can get them together again. 

Fleece sleeping bag...just another quick project

I found this project, yes, on Pinterest (I will look up the orginal site I just can't see to find it right now) but it was for a doll sleeping bag.  I decided to make one for Madelynn.

She chose the fabric herself, which I LOVE because it says Science Rocks!  Fantastic. 

There are 3 different fabrics - 3 layers.  I bought a yard of each and just lined them up, trimmed the edges, cut a 4x4 inch square from each corner (remember to fold the top layer down.  I just guessed on this part.).  Then I cut 1" strips 4" long all the way around ( I used a 4x4inch piece of cardboard as a guide and then drew 1" lines on it to help space the strips correctly). 

Then you tie them together just like you were make a blanket.  On the sections where there are 3 pieces of fabric I kept two together and tied it to the top one.  I did this in about an hour so it is really not that hard. 

She climbed right in this morning when she saw it.  Then she started filling it with "stuff".  I guess with the girl hears the word "bag" she just can't help herself.  I have a little fabric left and I am going to try to make a little pillow.  I will let you know how this goes.

Valentine's Day Shirts

 This is the shirt I made for Madelynn and her friends for Valentine's Day.  I have to say, I am quite happy with the way it came out.  It really wasn't that hard so let me tel you how I did it.

I chose ribbons that went with a Valentine's theme.  I cut the size of heart I wanted out of card stock.  Then I selected the ribbons and laid them, with some space between them, on the heart.  I put a little tape on them to secure them there.  Then I cut them out in the heart shape.

I decided I wanted them to stay on a little better so I bought fusible hem strips.  I cut them to the size of each ribbon and ironed them on 1st.  (Be careful with some of the satin ribbon that you don't melt it.  You can place an extra piece of material over if you would like)

Then I stitched line on the top and bottom of each ribbon.  I stitched around the curved part of the heart also.  My stitching is not great, but I am still happy with the result.  It even washed up well!

Madelynn's pre-school group

Cuttie girls!  This is Madelynn, Britten and Bentley (two of Miss Ruth's kids).  She made the bows for the kids.
I think I might try this with a shamrock for St. Patrick's Day, but I better start a little early; it might be tough.

The blessings of Family....

Bill Pace is the wonderful man who came into our lives in April 2011.  He and my mom were married February 25, 2012 and lived 11 happy months together.  It may have taken me a little while to get adjusted to the idea of my mom having a new husband but after I met Bill for the 1st time I knew he was a perfect fit for our family.  I used to love calling and talking to him about electronic questions, cameras, or just teasing my mom about something.  He had the best laugh.  At the end of our conversations he used to say, "Bye kiddo."  That is exactly what my dad used to call me.  I never told him this because I just felt it was a special connection that I had with him and I loved it.  He was always so easy to talk to and I felt comfort in knowing he was taking care of my mom.  The day I coached my last soccer game left me sad and missing my dad.  I met mom and Bill for lunch and just gave him a big hug.  All he had to say was, "I understand" and he hugged me back.  He was not in our lives for a long time, but the impression he left will be lasting.  As I met his family, brother and sisters and extended family, over the last week I saw why Bill was so wonderful.  I just fell in love with them.  I know there is a space in our hearts that will never be filled, but we have been blessed with a large family that is full of love.  I have 6 new brothers and sisters and 6 new nieces and nephews that I adore.  God is good and we can continue to see His blessings in our lives.  I feel privileged knowing that God chose Bruce and I to be there in Bill's last moments as he kept an appointment he had with God that day.  We may never fully understand God's plan but we can see that He is working and taking care of us every single day and for that I am thankful.  Through trials my faith is strengthened. 

Mom and Bill on their wedding day

This is the last picture Bill took as he was playing with my new camera he helped me pick out.

4 Girls in a tub

The boys all playing together with trains.  They were so wonderful!



Uncle Beau bought all the girls rings to decorate.  He is the best!




Showing off their rings....



Michael and Whitney.....

With the number of people at the house we tried to recycle cups so this is what it looked like above the sink.  There is a great story behind "The Real Meghan"

My "Manny" partner, Jon.  He and I worked hard all week to keep the house running.  With 11-12 people staying there and the tons of people coming in and out and bringing food it was quite a task.  Oh, did I mention the dog, Heidi who kept eating all the food

Pace/Lodge crew February 2012

Pace/Lodge crew January 2013

I just wanted to remind you all that even through trials we are blessed.  Maybe I needed to remind myself.  Here are some of our blessings.  I am so thankful for each moment and look forward to many more together.  I know God has great things in store for us and our families.