Braxton's Arrow of Light

Last night, Braxton received his arrow of light at pack meeting. It was a fun pack meeting, with a pirate theme. Each of the boys received an award, but the night really belonged to Braxton. The pack leaders are awesome at really making these special awards ceremonies. Braxton was really great, too. Don't you love Kaydon's painted-on mustache?!

Saturday Morning Service

Saturday morning, we got up early to go clean the church. It goes so fast with the boys. They are hard little workers and they each do their job super good, and super quick. We were done in less than an hour! Even little Colton went with us. Thursday afternoon, Colton came down with hives on top of hives, caused by a virus. Talk about misery! Poor little kid! He was a trooper! He cleaned the entire gym floor by himself. It's good to have lots of big helpers!

Chiropractor C.H.A.O.S.

So, my brother is a Chiropractor, and a VERY good one. I am supposed to go see him every two weeks. Whoops a daisy! Probably haven't seen him in six months. I took the quorum with me on Monday because we all had the day off. The boys are loud. FYI. LOUD. They yell, scream like girls and laugh out loud while they are being adjusted. It frightens other patients. My poor brother! The good part is that we all leave there feeling SO much better. No more headaches for the big boys. No more shoulder and back pain for the small boys. All of the above for the Mama.

February Service Project

For our February service project, Kaydon asked if we could do something for Grandma Jayne. Jayne is their dad's mom. The boys have not seen her in several years. We decided to make several meal bags for her so that she can just warm items and eat. We prepared spaghetti, tacos, clam chowder with crackers, and sandwiches. She wasn't there when we dropped it off, so we left a note with it. We hope that it is helpful for her and that she feels loved!

Birthday Celebration

We went to Red Lobster to celebrate Josh's mom's birthday. Red Lobster was the place. LeAnne, Lance, Grandma, Marlys, Josh and I and the boys, along with Uncle Colton were all there. Besides Colton throwing up, it went great! :)

Kaydon's Pagen Ribbon

So, last Sunday, Braxton won the ribbon. This Sunday, Kaydon won the ribbon. I am SO proud of these boys of mine! Kaydon was recognized for what he did at the Monster Truck Jam, actually. There was a boy with Down's Syndrome sitting in front of us. My boys have the softest hearts for these special angels! They just eat them up and are so kind to them. He kept turning around and waving to Josh and the boys... he wanted nothing to do with me! Kaydon shared his popcorn with him and just made that little boys feel so special!

Monster Truck Chaos

Saturday, Josh and I had a date! I NEVER take pictures of our dates because I am usually so stinking excited that it's just the two of us that I forget about everything else. We went to the RV show and Crown Burger. SO romantic! That night, we took the boys, and Jack's friend Chris, to Monster Truck Jam. It was C.R.A.Z.Y. The boys loved it! It was pretty awesome to watch the tricks they can do. However, there was about five minutes of three motorcross motorcycles doing tricks. I seriously almost left the building! I was so sure that one of them was going to die... I could not watch. I did not watch. I am assured, however, that all went well. Phew!!!

Braxton and His Pagent Ribbon

In Primary on Sunday, Braxton was recognized by the Presidency for being an extra special "Son of God." He was given a ribbon to wear. His brothers teased him that he looked like he had just won a pagent. Gotta love brothers! The Presidency recognized him because on Wednesday, before his scouts began, Braxton set up every other room in the church that would be holding scouts. He set up their flags and their chairs. I had no idea he had done this. A member of the presidency saw him doing it and asked him why. He just told her that he was trying to help. I am so proud of this Peanut!! He is such a giver!!!!

Valentines Preparation

The boys got their valentines cards are ready to go on Saturday. They are so careful to pick just the right card for each child in their class. They work so hard on these to make them special. Jackson chose not to do any valentines this year. I guess that once you're in seventh grade, it's no longer cool to say "Be Mine" to the kid next to you. Weird!!

Sundays With My Quorum

Sundays with my Quorum are the best! They shower, comb their hair AND brush their teeth!!! They do these things during the other days of the week, but it's much easier to get them to do it on Sundays. Aren't they the most handsome boys you ever did see?!?!

The Love Boat & Homework

As part of Valentines Day, Braxton's class is having a contest to see who can come up with the most creative Valentines Day box to put their Valentines in. He came up with the idea of the "love boat." Friday night, Josh "helped" Braxton make the love boat. Don't judge. While Josh "helped" Braxton make the boat, I did my homework. At least we were sitting next to each other! Sometimes that is as close as we get to having a "date." Since we started dating over a year and a half ago, our "dates" rarely don't include children. The kids are with us most of the time and I wouldn't have it any other way. The blessing in this... Josh wouldn't have it any other way either. When we DO get a chance to do things alone, we are always talking about how the kids would enjoy it, too, and how we need to take the kids with us next time we do it. Braxton is so happy with his love boat and can't wait to take it to class on Thursday.

Two Hearts is Better Than One!

Cute Colton made me TWO Valentines! I LOVE when my quorum makes me homemade holiday gifts. I will be so sad the day that I stop getting them. I love everything about homemade gifts from my kids.

Plans for this weekend: 1. Study, study, study (first BIG exam on Thursday) 2. New church shoes for the quorum (all of them, oh goodie) 3. Buy Valentines cards for the quorum's classes 4. Tanning bed nap 5. Make a grocery list for the rest of the month 6. Love on my kiddos!!!!

My Home Away From Home

I am in my office a lot. A whole lot. Like more than I am anywhere else, pretty sure. I have really tried to surround myself with things that I love in my office: pictures of my family, my quorum, little phrases, scripture, or sayings that lift me up, etc. I have lots of little things in my office that help me to remember why I am here, why I am working so hard, why I spend so much time here. I have an angel hanging from my cork board. Miss Birdie gave it to me. It reminds me that someone is always looking over me. I love my "It's never too late to live happily ever after" sign. Miss Birdie gave me that too. I LOVE it! I love looking at pictures of my boys all day and praying for them - that their day is good and that they are safe. It's a place where I feel good, safe and of worth!