Bring on the LOOOOOVE

Valentines is a tough holiday. You never know quite how to feel or quite what to say to people. For most of my life, I have hated Valentines Day... with a passion. I hated handing out Valentines in school, I hated that I never once got asked to a Valentines dance or prom, I hated that everyone seemed to get a Valentine... everyone but me... the list goes on and on. But, I LOVE getting Valentines from my kids and for my kids! Braxton woke me up today, wrapped his arms around me and said, "Happy Valentines Day Mama. I love you more than anything." Done. I'm sold. Is that not the best? It is. For those who are divorced, single, widowed, married but miserable, married but lonely, single and lonely, or just plain sad - remember that Valentines isn't just about being someone's Valentine. It's about love, and everyone is loved. Everyone. Remember to take a moment to ask Heavenly Father to be able to feel His love. It's there. I set up a Valentines gift for my kiddos this morning. They'll take their Valentines to school today and pass them out, and they'll come home all sugared up with lots of candy. Jackson will give his sweet "girlfriend" a ridiculously huge teddy bear with a candy bar. He'll have butterflies in his tummy. My sweet dad will give my sweet step-mom flowers. My mom's boyfriend will give her something special. The day will go on and then tomorrow it will be over. Just remember that YOU are loved just as much as the next person.

These Boys

Last night, we went to Costco. It is SO nice to have big boys to push that 150 pound cart around for me. After 45 minutes of shopping for the month, I fed them. It's so funny that my kids love salad! Love it! They want salad and berry smoothies. Every time. No pizza. No hot dogs (except Colton and Brooklyn). Just salad, please and thank you. Did you know that they no longer offer those ice cream bars dipped in chocolate and almonds? Sinners!!!! I am seriously considering sending a letter to the corporate offices! When we got home, my Jackson said the funniest thing. "Pretty sure they're having a face war, hashtag YOLO!" I wasn't really sure what had just happened, but I laughed my head off! That kid is funny sauce! Then, he asked me to take he and Braxton to mutual. I told him they could walk. He told me he couldn't. I proceeded to call him a "wuss." Yep, mother of the year right here. He then followed that up with, "Mom, there is a difference between being a wuss and being afraid of the dark. I just happen to be afraid of the dark." And, it's true. He is. My 6'1" boy does not like the dark. Don't worry, there is more. Today is "Parent Day" at the junior high. I planned on taking the morning off to go to the junior high and attend classes with Jackson and Braxton. Well, last night they sat me down and said, "We are only going to ask you once... do not come tomorrow." Oh. Well. Then. So, I'm at work this morning. Kaydon cleaned out the storage room last night. By cleaned out, I mean he threw away stuff that he didn't feel was necessary to have anymore. Kid after my own heart! Colton slammed into the concrete wall in the gym yesterday. Awesome. I love signing sheets that say that I have to check for mild concussion symptoms. I do that every day anyways!!!! I have four boys!!!!

No camera = no posts

We are still here.. alive and well.. well, kind of well. My camera cord broke a couple of weeks ago and I have this serious belief that if I don't have pictures, then I can't post on the blog. It's a big problem. Lately, this has happened: Josh is in constant pain. The MRI found a herniated disk in his neck, which has splintered and is splintered into his spinal cord. He gets his second injection today. They will go in through the side of his neck for this injection. Can't wait! If this doesn't work, he will need to have surgery. His playing days are over. Layton wrestling won the division championship last week. State championships are this week and he has a wrestler competing in every single weight class. Go Lancers! Jackson starts registering for high school this month. It seems so crazy to me that my little guy is SO big and is starting this new adventure. Braxton is doing well on his new meds. He has the complete opposite of constipation with all of this iron he is on, which is clearly not normal. We go back for follow-up testing in the next week or two. He is a happier kid, though, and that is awesome. Kaydon is just as happy and unhappy as usual! He loves to pretend to be whatever action character he sees on a latest movie. He really doesn't care what anyone thinks, which is awesome. He is loving school, and soaks up every single thing he learns. Colton is doing well. We had his quarterly ADHD appointment this past week with our amazing pediatrician. We are switching up his nighttime meds just a bit to see if that helps him sleep past 4 am. For the love of everything good in the world, we are REALLY hoping that this helps!!! We will be completing his IEP for the next school year soon with his teachers and school advisors. Brooklyn will be registering for kindergarten this month. Preschool has been so good for her! She will be more than ready to start kindergarten in the fall. I am usually a completely mess, but what else is new?!?! Work and school are more than busy and tough. Young Women's is good. I go to as many of the activities as I can. It's tough with homework and everything else. The girls are great and I am grateful for this calling!