Swimming at Martha's House

On the 24th of July, our sweet neighbor has a big block party - complete with food, water slides and dog poop! Only a few of us showed up to it this year. After dinner, and the dogs eating the food off of the table, we opted to go a couple of doors down to Martha's and swim for the rest of the night. Some of us planned on swimming (all of the kids and Josh). Some of us did NOT plan on swimming (me). However, my husband opted to throw me in the pool (clothed). Funny.

The kids had a blast. Joshua broke the make-shift slide to the pool. Awesome. I eventually got into the pool willingly. The kids rock-climbed and jumped into the water over and over again. Mostly, I just loved being with Martha and watching Baby Brooklyn smile.

I sure love that family!

Sweet Trixie Girl

My parents' dog, Trixie, went to Heaven Sunday morning at 5:10. Saturday, we were headed down to Sandy to go to a family dinner at my mom's house. I felt a deep impression to go visit with my parents first. We have known that Trixie was sick and didn't have a ton of time left on Earth, but I had no idea just how close to death she was. She was so sweet on Saturday. She came out and let us all love on her. My dad told me that this was the first time she has been in the front room in a long time.

Trixie was so beautiful. She was so sweet, so loving, so quiet. She was so fun to take on walks. She made my parents so happy. Her little sister, Hailey, is going to miss her so much. Jackson said Trixie is irreplaceable and he is so right! We love you Trixie Girl.

This Job of Mine

One of our supervisors brought us breakfast Wednesday morning. These guys are the reason I love my job. Now, I say "love," but I use that word in a VERY, VERY liberal manner. This has been a tough transition for me. This job has been really challenging for me. It is never slower than 80 mph. Working with the public is a hard thing to do! The amount of stuff that has to be known and done with perfection in this role is enormous. But, I work with great people. I am so thankful that my previous jobs have all prepared me for this. I've been told that I am the best person to have ever set foot in this office, and I am not sure what better compliment I could be given!9

Braxton's Getaway

One of the greatest blessings of our move to West Point is the friends that our kids have made. Braxton has never had good friends, or even friends that he spent a lot of time with. When we moved here, he met Blake. Jackson calls him Ba-Lock-Ay. Josh and I call him "Block Head." We call him that very lovingly and I better not ever hear anyone else call him that! Braxton and Block Head are inseparable. They are together every single day. Block Head's mom talked to Josh on Sunday and asked if Brax could go to St. George for the week with their family. Off they went. She sent us some pictures yesterday. These pictures make me so stinking happy! I love that our kids are able to make memories with good people who care about them almost as much as we do. I also love that he has such a great friend to go on adventures with!

4th of July

Our 4th of July was really fun and very relaxing. After Braxton and I ran the race, several of us took naps and it was awesome. Then we loaded up the kids and some food and headed to Papa Bruce's for a barbeque and some swimming. The kids LOVE swimming at Papa's! After that, we went to Davis High School's roof and watched the fireworks. It was beautiful and relaxing and patriotic.

When it comes to holidays, I love that we are able to spend time with family. We are blessed to live near family and to be able to make memories with them. I am grateful that my kids get that opportunity!

Racin'!!

Saturday morning at 5:45, Josh took Braxton and I to Loy Blake Park to run our first 5K race. I felt like I was going to have a panic attack - and not a mild one! There were so many more people there than I ever imagined and it was clear that 99% of them were actual runners. When it was time to start, I told Braxton to go kill it and I got in the very back of the pack where I could just run and not have to worry about getting run over! With about 40 meters left, after running the entire way, Braxton came running toward me. He finished with me. I was SO grateful for that because I was TIRED. We finished just the way we started this journey - together!

Josh and the kids were at the finish line to cheer me on. I was so glad to see that family of mine there! I ran it in 36 minutes - 12 minute miles.

This boy, however, took THIRD place in his age group. Holy crap I am so proud of him! He was up against cross-country runners and track stars and he pulled out a third place win!

Off to train for our next 5K!

Pearly Whites

West Point Dental was pretty much amazing on Wednesday. Dad, Mom, and the four boys went to the dentist. Colton went first so that he wouldn't get worked up about the experience. He did SO great, but the staff was incredible! They were patient and calm. I patted his leg the entire time with the heart beat rhythm. He rocked it! And, for an Autistic kiddo who has hygiene and sensory issues and doesn't brush hardly ever, he had ZERO cavities!!

Kaydon was next - well sort of at the same time. Kaydon loved it! He also has ZERO cavities!!!

Braxton and Jackson were next. I only have pictures of the first three boys because I had to go too! Braxton is in a bit of rough shape. He has a few cavities, with one that is so bad it may need a root canal. :( He was a tough cookie, though, and in the next two weeks we will get it taken care of!

Jackson also has quite a few cavities. He and Braxton were so stinking frustrated because they brush every day and they do a good job. Their teeth just aren't as healthy.

Josh has one little issue - a cracked tooth. They'll fix that next week.

This girl - this girl right here - this girl who NEVER EVER EVER goes to the dentist - this girl has ZERO cavities!

"Is that kid special?"

Last Friday, it was just Mama and Colton. Josh had taken the two middle boys on a backpacking trip/campout, Jackson was at Youth Conference, and Brooklyn was with her other family. When I got home, I asked Colton where he would like to go for dinner. He said, "Wendy's." :) Of course! He and I went on our date to Wendy's. As we were sitting there, another boy and his mom came in. It was obvious to me, as a mommy of an awesomely Autistic son, that this sweet boy was also on the spectrum. Colton immediately asked me, "Mama, he is special, huh?" I told him that he sure was special! Then, we went to Maceys to pick up Colton's monthly meds. There was another little friend at Maceys. Colton immediately asked me, "Mama, he is special, hug?" I told him, again, that he sure was special! It dawned on my that Colton SEES special people. He sees them, he embraces them, he loves them, he smiles non-stop at them... but he does not recognize himself in that "category." I don't know that he sees himself as "one of them." He just sees himself as Colton.

The more I thought about that, the more I wondered if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Should Colton know AND own the fact that he is Autistic? Should I sit down and explain to him that just as these two awesomely Autistic kids are "special," that he is too? Should I put him in that category with that label? It didn't take long for me to tell myself, "Self. Absolutely not! Autism does not define Colton, just as depression and anxiety do not define me. Just as divorce does not define me. Just as blue eyes do not define Colton. Just as a size 10 shoe does not define Colton." Myself and I had a great conversation about this! There shouldn't be categories or labels. Colton is Colton. Just as those special kiddos are just kiddos.

Categories and labels are unnecessary in society. Period. We have given names, and those are what we ought to refer to each other with. Autism is not Colton's name, or his definition. Gay is not my brothers' names, or their definition. Divorced is not my name, or my definition. Our religion is not our name. Our income is not our name. Our marital status, parental status, job title is not our name. Colton is Colton. I am Heidi. Enough said.