Sickly Update

I'm doing better each day.

 More strength.

More energy.

Less pain.

Still on soft foods and fluids.

Lots of appointments.

Lots of learning.

Lots of tears.

Less sickness.

Less fatigue.

More better!

After Rides

Sometimes after doctor appointments, I get to go for a ride.

Up the canyon.

Past the damn.

Into the cooler weather.

With waterfalls.

And animals.

Peace and Quiet.

Except Bob Marley playing on the bike's speakers.

Helmet and sunglasses.

Closed-toed shoes.

And my mind and my body just relax into the ride.

For an hour, or so, I don't feel like I'm broken and sick.

I just feel free.

And I'm so grateful.

The Birthdays

During this crazy week, two more boys had birthdays.

I have a twenty year old.

20!!!

How on earth did that even happen?

I also have an 18 year old.

A 17 year old.

A 16 year old.

I remember when they were little and people would ask ages...

"1,2,3, and 5."

"5,6,7, and 9"

And so on.

Those seemed like the hardest years ever.

Little did I know these boys would grow up to be the most noble and loyal and funny and resilient and courageous and handsome men and young men.

Oh, how I love being their mama.

Missionary Moment - Chile Vina Del Mar Mission

Buenos días!

How is everyone doing? Sorry I didn´t send out an email last week, I think I´m going to start sending out the email every other week so that I can put a little more detail in the emails and so that you guys are still interested in hearing what is actually happening down here in Chile. It has been a crazy couple of weeks honestly. I got transfered to another sector, it is called Los Vilos and it basically sits on the coast of Chile and I mean right on the coast. We get some really cold wind from the ocean that hit in bursts but the people are really nice, and my new comp is pretty cool. He is from Ecuador but he lives in Chile! Pretty cool!

There have been some crazy experiences here since I got to my new sector. I saw a dog get hit by a car, a little scarring but hey I think the dog is okay. It was just limping a little bit. What else happened..OH my poor companion does not like flies, he hates them more than I hate spiders. And there just so happened to be a fly in our house and he stopped everything and absolutely destroyed this fly with his sandal then because I am pretty sure he is a germaphobe so he poured probably about half a bottle of alchohol on the table where the fly dropped. I kind of questioned it but in the end probably wouldnt have helped anything. We both got a little high from the fumes but we are still here so we musnt have taken too much in!

I hope everyone is doing alright up there. School just started so everyone should be super busy with both work and school but I hope everyone is doing alright up there and I will send some pictures here too! Thank you all for the birthday wishes too! I have never felt so old in my entire life!! Love you all!

Elder Jorgensen

P.S. Elder Watson! You ended your mission, Felicitaciones!

First Day

These two are having a bit of separation anxiety from each other.

They were so excited to see each other after school and tell all of their stories.

They played games to decompress while I went to the gym.

When I got home, I asked them if they had dinner yet.

Of course not!

Why would they?

It was only like 7:30.

So, they ate an entire roasted chicken all by their dang selves and the rest of the brownies from our back-to-school feast.

Then they went to bed.

These two make this mama heart happy!

School Year 2019-2020

Colton was the only boy I got a picture of this morning.

He has been SO nervous about starting high school.

He is a sophomore.

And just the most badass kid I know.

He put on the shirt Mama bought him and the necklace Auntie Tif made him and he was ready!

Ready to conquer fears. Ready to conquer anxiety. Ready to conquer hard things.

Last night we did our back-to-school feast.

I do these annually. 

I felt bad this year. I didn't even get sparkling cider.

Bad mom moment.

But, I did make amazing creamy chicken enchiladas, spanish rice and brownies.

Kaydon was in charge of the theme for this year.

"Kindness and Patience."
He talked about how you really can't have one without the other.

He is right.

This will be a great theme for our family.

Yesterday, Jackson called Auntie Carrie and I.

He was in the best mood.

He informed me that he will only be sending "big" emails every other week.

I was not happy about this.

I told him that this was unacceptable.

He just laughed.

Then, we did not get an email yesterday.

He's gonna get it!

BUT, he is transferring to a new area tomorrow.

It is north about four hours.

It is in the country, rather than the city.

It is called Salamanca.

He has been called as the District Leader.

His new companion is still training, as well.

His new companion is Mexican.

And, Mama is always glad to be back into a routine!

I'm Back-ish

Oh, was I sick.

I was down and out until Saturday.

I went and walked at the gym Saturday morning and then took my dang self to the pool to sit in the sun for a couple of hours.

Followed by bed.

In the midst of this, Kaydon and Colton were able to go camping with their dad for a night.

They all got sunburned, but the boys said it was really fun!

Braxton and I went to our last baseball game of the season.

It's my happy place.

And, it's really the only time that I get one-on-one time with Peanut.

I love that boy.

I love our conversations.

I love his personality.

I love that he lets me be my baseball self.

And, I love that I felt well enough to do it!!

Preparing for School

Colton starts at the high school this year.

I've never been so nervous about something.

Ever.

But, Big Sis Amia will be there... just as she always is.

Tuesday, Amia, Colton and Mama LaLa went and toured the school.

Amia did a map of the school for Colton so that he knew exactly where he needed to go for each class and how to get there.

He came home feeling MUCH better.

Mama is still very nervous.

Mama LaLa and Colton met his Math teacher and one of the assistant principals, who he was very adequately able to communicate his fears to.

I am so proud of this boy of mine!

He is very capable and works very hard to be extremely independent.

Here's to an amazing sophomore year for this boy of mine!!

These Babies

Sunday, Colton and I went and helped Brandon with the babes.

Carrie was working and Brandon was sick.

We did the basics:

Play outside

Tickles and snuggles

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Play in the dirt

Play in the dirty water

Play with the balls

Learn how to drink Diet Coke!!!

Thank You For Kaydon

Every year on this day, I send an email with pictures to Dr. Mizell.

Dr. Mizell is Kaydon's attending physician. 

He has been since Kaydon was six months old.

He is a gastroenterologist.

Extraordinaire.

The best there is.

This man has my heart.

He saved my son's life repeatedly.

And, he saved my heart in the process.

He would come to the hospital to do rounds before 6 am.

He would gently wake me up as I held my boy, laying in the same hospital bed as my son.

It was against the rules, but this mama was not one to mess with.

He would patiently wait for me to fully wake up, since I had just fallen asleep every single time.

Then he would pick Kaydon up, with all of the tubes and plugs and such as I climbed out of bed.

The doctor would sit in the rocking chair and hold my fragile baby as I went to shower and get some breakfast.

He was the only reason I would ever leave my boy.

Today, Kaydon is big and strong and athletic and bright and kind and lives with purpose.

He is active.

He climbs mountains, literally.

He serves the people around him.

His testimony is the strongest I have ever heard.

He is in tune at all times.

He is a hard worker.

He is smart.

He is everything that so many other doctors told me he would never be - and he is the best.

On this 17th year of his life, I offer thanks to Dr. Mizell for believing in his purpose.

I also thank God for allowing me the honor of being this boy's mama.