Blowing It Up

Saturday did NOT go as I planned.

Step back a minute:

I am a routine, planning, know what I'm doing when kinda gal.

It helps me SO much.

Saturday's plan:
Breakfast with Becky

Gym

Go do flooring with T

Tan

Home

How Saturday went:

Call from Braxton that he and Mia were at the Port of Entry in Brigham City because Mia's car blew up on the way to T's condo.

Went to pick them up.

Went to T's condo

The three of us went upstairs to work on the bathroom - nightmare

I was sick and not feeling it

Left Ogden to drive back to Brigham to meet the tow guy

Went back to Ogden

Finished toilet and demo on bathroom

Drove the kids back to Brigham

Went home

No Becky Beck (really due to me not feeling good)

No gym (self care)

No ultra violet rays (self care)

I sat with all of these feelings by myself on Saturday night.

After talking to God, I realized that even though my day didn't go the way I needed (or thought I did) it to go, it went the way it was meant to go.

Braxton and Mia needed me.

I needed time with them.

God always knows better.

He sees what we don't see.

He hears what we don't hear.

He knows what's coming.

It's all good!

Except the car.

The car is not good.

 

Working From Home Hazards

This girl does not seem to care that I am here to WORK.

She believes I am here to love her. 

I'm not.

Kaya,

I am not here to allow you to lick my face for hours.

 

So Much In Both Pictures

A mama and her boys.

Party of five.

My boys and I.

What you don't see in the top picture (2004 - boys ages 1,2,3,5) is Kaydon's GJ feeding tube tucked in his shirt, three of the four are still in diapers, Jackson was in intense therapy, Colton was still catching up after being born 2 months early, and Braxton really was the happiest kiddo. It took everything in me to get us there, in matching clothes, clean diapers, no puke from Colton and no stomach acid spilling out onto Kaydon's clothes. I was a mess. Shiz show mess.

14 years later and that second picture came to pass... (2018 - boys ages 15,16,17,19).

In between those pictures were shenanigans galore, People. School changes. Moves. Surgeries. Dates. Principal office visits. Black eyes. Jackson doing his "reading" whilst sitting on the roof (call to my office by a neighbor). Braxton almost getting his arm chopped off with a chainsaw. Kaydon shooting out a neighbor's car window with a slingshot whilst waiting to leave for school (another call to my office). Colton cutting the neighbor's prized horse's main with our otter pop scissors and stealing the homeowner's riding lawn mower and driving it to Hooper whilst trying to visit Mommy at work. Jackson begging me for a turban whilst on wisdom teeth anesthesia. Braxton stealing batteries and a finger brace from the grocery store. Kaydon gathering his brothers together to find "treasures"...aka dumpster diving. Colton being suspended for drawing (anatomically correct) body parts on the white board in black magic marker.

Heartbreak. Exceeding joy. Frustration. Rolling laughter. Loss. So much gain. Love eternal.

I'm the luckiest. I wouldn't change one thing.

In these two pictures, both of them, I see SO much.

I love the girl in both pictures.

Of course, I am in love with the boys in both.

 

Dress Shopping

 Isis Girl sent me these texts yesterday.

I literally cried!!

Missionary Moment - Puerto Rico San Juan and Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West

 I HATE that his pictures never come through. I don't know what is happening, but we still don't have pictures!

Que lo que a todo! Como estas mi familia, y mis amigos?? I hope each of you are doing well and from what I hear recieve this email in the first place jajajaja! I know that my prayers have reached each of you and that miracles have been found this past week! Though my mission has for sure had its ups and downs I know for every certainty that Jesus Christ has blessed me, my companion (we're in a trio now), my family, this mission, and all of God's children. 

On missions so so much is happening! Lots of funny, weird, even annoying things happening all the time, I won't share them all with you but I can share a few :)

1.) Is that we were better able to establish member work here, on missions it's so important to work with members, and even when I come home, it'll then be my blessing to work with missionary's and continue to press this work. 

2.) Christ is coming, and he'll be here very soon. Our president has now for the second time taught us and pressed us about the Christ's second coming and urges us to do our best to press this work. As a bit of a side note, I extend that same invitation to you all, to watch and prepare.  Now is the time. Do not procrastinate and hold off you own personal conversion to the Gospel. I promise that as you do this and come unto Christ, you will never experience as much joy as He is about to bless you with as you allow Him into your hearts. 

3.) Trios aren't easy, of course I had to take my complaining to President and he made it known to me that they not necessarily easy but completely doable so now it's a matter of changing my attitude and doing everything I can to make it work. I'm super blessed to have him leading this mission through Devine guidance! 

I love and miss each of you. Please remember my invitations! 

I hope all the pictures get through this time *face palm* 

 

Family Night Canceled

My goal for every month is to have a family night.

It was planned for last night.

Then Colton got sick.

Braxton got sick.

And just like that, it was canceled.

I was so sad.

But Jackson and Isis still brought this baby over to Gigi's house!

Kehlani said, "Gigi" twice!

Kehlani calls Jackson, "Dad." 

It makes me cry.

Him too.

Kehlani loves to go into Gigi's office and bedroom and find the coloring books and makeup!!

Here she is finding the makeup and looking at me like, "What?!?!"

She loves to go in and see Uncle Kaydon's picture.

Every single time.

She loves Mr. Potato Head.

I pretty much love whatever she loves!

And she loves crackers.

And Gigi singing that I love Kehlani into her pretend microphone.

And coloring on paper towels.

And blabbering.

And her new table and chairs!

And we love Kehlani!

 

Working From Home - Take Two

Kaya is a very nosy co-working.

Loud, too.

Very demanding.

The crazy Covid numbers has forced us back to home, to work.

I don't love working from home, Friends.

I miss my guys and my people at work.

I do NOT mind working in my workout clothes, however.

And, speaking of Covid, Colton has it - pretty sure.

So, it has been good to be home to comfort him as he needs it.

And, I didn't have to drive in the snow this morning.

Another bonus.

 

Little Table

 

I had to run to Winco on my way home last night.

I saw this darling table for $10 and knew that Gigi's house needed one!

I chose lavendar.

And, these two little teal chairs...

I'm in Heaven.

I sent Kehlani and her parents a picture.

I think Kehlani approves!!!

Proposal Take Two

Sunday night, Jackson proposed to Isis.

Isis said, "YES."

We were expecting this one.

They are such a great couple!

She is wanting a summer wedding!

 

Missionary Moment - Puerto Rico San Juan Mission & Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West Mission

Okay, so Kaydon's emails come with lots more pictures than this.

However, they don't come through. They come across as something else.

He's working on it.

In the meantime, this mama was able to Duo with him yesterday and see his face and it made EVERYTHING better!

Hello everybody! I hope each of you are doing well and finding your own personal grove in this crazy COVID world. Here in Puerto Rico people here are covid crazy, its kinda lame because most people here don't really like hearing our message using the excuse of getting sick over a phone call? Uh. I guess that happens now. 

But the work continues!! And obisously its still tough, things coming up are...we have another ward Baptism this coming Sunday and me and my Companion made it a goal to get 2 more my the end of the month! 

Which my friends please don't take that to be bragging or boasting because none of this work should be given credit to me or my companion. We work tirelessly through our Savior Jesus Christ to further His work. He works miracles everyday, I can very clearly testify to each of you that Jesus Christ works in the details of the details of our lives. He does no sleep nor slumber. He will not forsake his promises. He loves you and he loves me. 

Everyday I wish I were back with the real district 12E but this work is important and there is so much work to do EVERYWHERE! 

I dont have too much time but I'd like to leave you all with my Eternal love for each of you individually one by you.  I know this gospel holds a special place for each of you. No matter your choices,  no matter your struggles, worries, or frustrations.  I pray for each of you every day. 

This work is picking up here and Satan knows it and he is trying to do everything he can to stop this great progress, there is no one else that I'd rather serve a mission with than these amazing young brothers and sisters across the world. 

If it's not too much to asked bothers and sisters tonight I invite all of you to offer a prayer to our heavenly father for strength in your wards and for all the missionaries and church leaders.  This is the most important work in the whole world. 

 

Ridding

Part of my personal blueprint for this month is sauna-ing at least once a week.

I usually sauna on Sundays after I exercise and stretch. 

But I needed some ridding last night.

Obviously, sitting in the sauna makes your sweat and therefore rids your body of toxins.

While my physical body is sweating and ridding itself of toxins, I like to picture my soul and my spirit also being rid of toxins.

I like to do thought work while I'm in there.

Breathing.

Imagining myself breathing in new light and new air and new love, while breathing out all the negative distractions, feelings, emotions, and thoughts.

Sometimes I do this by picturing actual colors.

White entering my body through breath and brown or icky green/yellow being pushed out of my body through my mouth and nose in breath.

Sometimes I'm lucky enough to be in there by myself.

Last night, it was packed with little room for people to sit.

So I just closed my eyes and held my own space.

When I got home and did my personal inventory for the day, I simply wrote in my journal:

"Welp, I'll try again tomorrow!"

I giggled at myself.

My awareness.

My self-grace.

My ability to value the journey rather than the sprint.

And called it a night.

 

He Did It

Colton did it.

The fifth learner's permit test he took, he passed.

All of the employees at the Driver's License Division cheered for him.

Yes, he sure did keep those ear phones you see in the picture.

This kid doesn't ever surprise me.

He has overcome ALL of the obstacles in his way and has paved his own path.

Now, we sign him up for summer Driver's Ed and his brothers get to take turns driving with him!

Then, he joined me last night for our YW/YM activity.

Laser tag, ax throwing, gaming at the mall.

I sure am grateful for and SO proud of this boy!

 

Weekend Love

Jackson and Isis brought this baby to see Gigi on Sunday.

There is literally nothing better!

Kehlani is obsessed with the dogs.

They are not exactly as thrilled with her as she is with them.

Gus is a grumpy old man and growls at her.

Kaya doesn't really understand, 1) that she, herself, is not small, and 2) Kehlani's gibberish. :)

This baby girl is JOY.

Her hugs and her laughs and her silly tactics are just magical.

She could not be more loved!

On Sunday, Colton took me to dinner then wanted to walk around the mall.

We have to take these times when we have a chance!

Colton works five nights a week.

Mama works all the time.

So, we take advantage of our time together!

I love my family SO much.

I am so grateful that I am able to celebrate their wins and their joys.

I am so grateful that I am able to comfort them when things are hard.