Update on the Babes

Can you even get enough of these babes?!?!

They are perfection.

Asher is 16 months old. He is so busy. He LOVES the water. I was watching them a couple of weeks ago and took them outside to go for a walk. Asher walked (ran) right over to the neighbor's house and just stood in their sprinklers. Just stood there. He was drenched and oh, so happy. Asher loves his mom and dad. He still loves Auntie, thank goodness! He is only taking one nap a day now. He eats like the biggest boy and is just the best little adventurer!

Anson is 13 months old. He is so big! He LOVES his mama! He also loves the water. He wants to be just as busy and mobile as his big brother! He is still the more mellow of the two. He loves to climb stairs and smile and smile. He loves to ride in his little truck and is still obsessed with sweet potatoes!

These boys, though. Auntie is in heaven!

Proud Mama

I'm proud of all of my children. Every single one of them.

Braxton has been making wreaths like a freaking boss at work. The kid is talented. I love that he sends me pictures of his finished products.

Jackson is doing SUPER well at his second job! Good thing he gets a 1% commission! Roooolllling in the dough!

Colton & Mommy Time

On Sunday, Colton asked me to take him swimming at Eddie's house. He wanted "Mommy and Me Time." He has been SO good so far this summer.

He and I headed over. Maleya and her friend Madison came. Eddie's nephew, Romey, came out. Colton dove for quarters and nickels and rocks and just loved every minute of it! I ate sunflower seeds and smiled at my youngest who was just in relaxed Heaven. He was so calm and so happy in his space. He wanted me to take pictures of everything. And, I did.

It was a beautiful day and I loved having some Colton and Mommy time.

Trekking

Friday night, my boys returned. Exhausted. Dirty. A bit blistered. Somewhat pinkish.

Jackson said that he was very proud of Colton. Colton said that he still wants to be a pioneer. Kaydon didn't say much. (per the usual)

I have only received pictures of Jackson and Colton, who were in the same family. I am so looking forward to seeing Kaydon's pictures. I can only imagine that he was walking about a mile and a half in front of everyone. (per the usual)

I struggled a bit with having three of my boys gone with no access to communicate with them. T said that it was good preparation for when my Jackson leaves on his mission. I'm not so sure I'm okay with that, People. Small steps. Small steps.

I am so thankful for all of the adults who planned, prepared, organized, protected, fed, hauled, loved these kids. I realize this is a huge undertaking every time one of these treks takes place. I don't take for granted that my boys had a fantastic experience and came home alive and well.

Trekking

Yesterday morning, these three warriors left on Trek.

This is Jackson's second Trek. He went on his first when he was 14 and we were living in Sandy. He had the flu when he left, but battled through and came home with an extended and inspired testimony. He put off submitting his mission papers so that he could go again. He is on the Youth Council in our Stake, and has been influential in planning Trek. He was responsible for giving the devotional prior to leaving yesterday morning. As always, he was prepared and prayerful.

He took Kaydon and Colton shopping at the DI Tuesday so that they would have what they needed. He was able to get Colton to wear a button-down shirt (he never wears them due to sensory issues). Colton is sticking with this joggers, which is completely fine. He's there! He is with Jackson in a family in which Jackson is a "big brother." If he hadn't been in Jackson's family, he would not have been able to go. I am so grateful for a Bishop who is ever mindful of my boys and does everything in his power to see to it that they participate in all activities.

Braxton chose not to go. He is working six days a week. Do I wish he had chosen otherwise? Certainly. Do I wish he could have this experience with his brothers? Absolutely. Did I pray and ask my family to pray that his heart would be softened? Of course. Do I love him any less? Umm, no. Agency is a powerful thing. I remind myself often that I cannot pray away my childrens' agency. Nor would I want to. I make very large mistakes daily. Like, every single day. I learn from them. They are mostly beautiful, if I indeed learn from them. It's the same for my boys.

I am so thankful for opportunities that we all have each day. I pray that my three boys are learning and growing and stretching and developing in ways that only experiences like this could provide for us. I pray that Braxton and I will continue to learn and grow in our own ways with our own experiences here at home. I always long to have all of my boys home again... all of us together on Friday.

Time With the Babies

Friday night, I went to watch the babes. Oh my goodness!

Anson wanted his daddy and Asher wanted to show me all of his new tricks. The love I have for these babies is out of this world!

I took them outside to walk around a bit before baths. The neighbors two doors down had their sprinklers on. Asher went straight to them and just stood in them. So content. Just stood in the water. He was SO happy. He didn't want to leave their lawn and I didn't make him. The elderly couple just watched from their front window and smiled and laughed. Anson wanted a piece of it, too, so he and I went and stood in them as well. They were so excited. I love watching them explore their world... a world that too often we don't take the time to recognize.

Eddie came over to help me with bath and bedtime. Asher could not stop giggling. I think he was super excited to see someone that is the same color as him! He just giggled and giggled. Eddie fed him his bottle while I fed Anson his. I kissed them goodnight and told them I love them... until next time.

Dream Team

When P was alive, he was my protector. He was my human diary. He was my big brother. He was my guider and director and speak-straighter. He would put me in my place when I needed it and would allow me to do the same with him. When that airplane crashed, I lost far more than my boss.

He had trained the guys right, though. Everyone picked up their own "duty" when it came to me. For months, the guys would take turns following me home to make sure I got home safely in the stick shift. For months and months, Rock would text me every morning and every night. For months, the guys would take turns eating lunch with me to make sure I ate. They have always been very protective, but they each picked up the slack from P being gone.

In particular, Mr. Watkins took the reigns. He and P were very close and I have always trusted him. He has been my P since I lost my P. This morning, we had interviews to go do. The dream team. Mr. Watkins, Beyta and Heidi Ray. Afterwards, they took me to lunch. At 10:15 a.m. Better believe I had a FAT bacon cheeseburger and a full dose of fries. I've been nibbling on crackers ever since with a slight stomach ache... judgement free zone!

P, thank you for making sure I'd be taken care before you got in that airplane. You never missed a single detail. I miss you. Every single day.

Best Buds

These two, though.

Ja'Mari will be starting seventh grade this year. Colton will be going into ninth. Amia will be in eighth. Ja'Mari is an AMAZING buddy to Colton. He gets him and he understands him and he is super patient with him. They love to hang out and have sleepovers. Ja'Mari is definitely my fifth son. Lila has been taking them to fun parks and splash pads since the summer break started. I am so grateful for the village that has been created around us... where my boys are looked after and looked over, loved and included. I am also so grateful for the time that I get with this extra littles.

Sweet Amia came over to our house Sunday night as I was getting ready to put myself in bed. She had gone to get me a birthday gift and wanted to give it to me before she left to go back up the mountain for the week. Oh, how I love that girl. And every single day when I get home from work, Sassy is right there to hug me and just holds on. Our village kind of rocks!

The Birthday Weekend - Photo Overload

My 41st birthday was the best dang birthday EVER! I love my birthday, as you all know. It's my jam.

The weekend was perfection!

Saturday, Cute Kyanna's uncle Eddie came and got me bright and early WITH YELLOW flowers! And ICE CREAM in hand! We had the best day that included more ice cream from Leatherby's (for freaking real) and BASEBALL! He got me nachos and a snow cone at the game along with a score card and sharpened pencil. Best day ever! We finished the day off by watching the fights. (interject googlie eyes here)

Sunday, we went down to Nana and Pops house. LOGAN WAS THERE. People! Logan was there! In all of his beautiful, hilarious, kind glory. Logan was there! And the babies were there. Yes, Brandon and Carrie were there, but the babies and Logan!!! Nana made the best dinner and Carrie made the most unbelievable dessert. (interject googlie eyes here)

Monday, I took the chidlens to the pool. We are so red that there is no Crayola color yet invented to describe the redness. Lila and I sat and talked and laughed our booties off for hours while the kids swam. Oh, how I love my babes! Uncle Eddie took me to breakfast, where I had ice cream. I had A LOT of ice cream this weekend. A lot. And I don't even feel bad. At all. Jackson took me on a date for dinner, then took me to Target to get me markers. (interject googlie eyes here)

I barfed this morning when I got to work. But, it's all good. I have Diet Coke. No more ice cream for this girl for at least a day or two.

Here's to the next 364 days... counting down to my birthday of course!!