An Entire Decade

What a decade for my little family!

We started the decade out with an 11 year old, 9 year old, 8 year old, and 7 year old.

We are ending the decade with a 20 year old, 18 year old, 17 year old and 16 year old.

We started the decade living in Sandy, in my mother's basement.

We are ending the decade in Layton.

We have lived in Sandy, West Point, Hooper and Layton this decade.

I had a stroke, Braxton and Jackson had their tonsils removed, Braxton had three surgeries and ended up in ICU - almost dying. We had four ambulance rides this decade. Mama had a hysterectomy and heart surgery.

We had three teenage boys get driver's licenses this year.

Jackson graduated from high school this decade.

 Jackson leave on an LDS mission.

This mama started addiction treatment, recovery, in-depth counseling and a whole new course of loving myself and depending on the love of our Savior.

We went on family trips with Papa and Grandma to Disneyland, LegoLand, San Diego, Las Vegas, Florida and the Eastern Caribbean.

Mama went on trips with Papa and Grandma to Hawaii and Notre Dame Stadium, along with Chicago.

We went camping and hiking.

Mama left the College and started a new job at Ogden City.

The boys got jobs as well.

Cold Stone, Jiffy Lube, Sunglass Hut and Bennion's Crafts.

Mama started selling Younique and Green Horizen CBD.

We got a new dog - Gus - and a tortoise - Dobie.

We lost our P to Heaven.

We gained two babies in our family - Asher and Anson.

They are the light of the whole planet!

Kaydon got his Eagle Scout award.

It's been a decade of lessons.

Laughter.

Tears.

Heartache.

Chaos.

Joy.

Frustration.

Fear.

Confusion.

Addiction.

Neglect.

Love.

Healing.

Singing.

Dancing.

Dating.

Schooling.

Working.

Grieving.

Hurting.

Recovering.

Living.

Here's to another decade of the exact same!

It's all in the journey!

Missionary Moment - Chile Vina Del Mar Mission

Buenos días!

Let's get this show started shall we? First of all I have a dope new companion Elder Foster, who is probably the funniest guy on the planet. He's from Salem, Utah. (no he doesn't know our family) and he is in the same group of my last comp. Elder Brown. They are both in the same group so they are both just out of their training. La Serena, the zone where I am at, is probably the coolest, you guys know why? I FOUND A MCDONALDS AND A JOHNNY ROCKETS. Let's just take a moment of silence for the happiness that I am feeling at this moment, thank you. 

We have done a ton of work here since I got here. We had 2 baptisms the other week and they were confirmed yesterday. Elder Foster confirmed Ambar, and I confirmed Miguel. It was a super awesome experience and I'm grateful for the promised angels that have been with me all this time. Truly a blessing. We are working with this kid that was supposed to get baptised on Saturday but the flippin kid left town on Friday and that didn't make us super happy but we work with what we have, I guess. He should be getting back today so we'll be putting down the boot when we get some time.

Guys, this Church is soo true. Every day is another day to feel the happiness that is given to us when we are obedient to our Father in Heaven. The Heavens are literally opened when we put ourselves to work and He knows the desire of our hearts, so we better be having some "deseos buenos". We are going to continue to keep on working here. I invite you all to make some resolutions to serve the Lord "aun mas" (even more). After all we are here because of our Older Brother. Let's get out there and help pay back the favor! Love you all, be safe and warm in the cold weather up there! 

Elder Jorgensen

Mision Viña Del Mar

Mission Fun Day

I love that Jackson's mission has a blog!

These fun pictures popped up today.

This activity day took place a couple of weeks ago, but I love seeing candid pictures of my boy in his element.

His companion in these pictures is no longer his companion.

It's fun to have pictures, though, of his memories there!

Christmas 2019

Christmas Day was really, really wonderful.

We have never done Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with just the boys and I.

It was no-stress, easy, and really laid back.

Jackson called just as we had finished opening presents.

He spent the day with members.

He was exhausted.

In Chile, they celebrate Christmas with a dinner around 10-11 pm on Christmas Eve.

They did that with members and were exhausted.

The boys spoiled me, as usual.

Braxton played Santa and did a great job with stockings and gifts.

We had a yummy dinner of ham, scalloped potatoes, croissants, and a relish tray. 

I made Jello and whipping cream for later, and had a chocolate cream pie.

The boys drove down to Sandy to visit with their grandparents after we ate.

I took a good nap.

Next Christmas, I will have all four boys under one roof again and I'm so grateful.

Christmas Hearts

Monday night, Amanda brought our Brooklyn.

Brooklyn is now 11 years old.

I haven't seen her for three years.

She is grown and tall and beautiful and articulate and smart and funny and active and a super star soccer goalie and a fantastic BIG sister...

We remember her as a little, squishy, adorable, funny, sassy, spoiled LITTLE sister.

When Brooklyn came into our lives, she was barely two years old.

She called me "Mom" because that was what she heard "Brothers" call me.

Jackson and Braxton were always the protective, nurturing, teaching brothers.

They were the ones who would want to try to do her hair, who would hold her, help to feed her, carry her everywhere. 

Kaydon and Colton were always the playful brothers.

The three of them were buddies and did all of the fun, silly, exploring things that little ones do.

I always said I was so grateful that I had boys because I would have no idea what to do with a girl.

However, my heart never needed to find a place for Sis.

Her spot in my heart was always there. 

She completed us.

I loved her the moment I saw her.

That love has never changed.

Listening to the kids talk about stories and memories that I didn't even know about...

Looking at old pictures of her falling asleep in the laps of the boys...

Feeling her hugs...

Watching as they all laughed and talked and showed off mad soccer skills-ish...

My heart was over-flowing.

Watching her leave...

My heart ached.

God, thank you for this light.

Thank you for allowing me to love her and to nurture her and to learn from her.

Dear God, thank you for these boys.

My goodness, these boys.

Braxton bought she and Amanda gifts.

Just because.

These boys have been through SO MUCH.

TOO MUCH.

But the love they have for her and for people in general far surpasses anything anyone could ever expect.

This Christmas, I am absolutely exploding with gratitude.

I am FEELING joy and happiness.

I am also FEELING the sadness of not having Jackson right with us.

And of missing this sweet spirit in our home.