Date Night

I texted Colton from my meeting on Sunday.

I asked him if we would be going on our date right when I got home, or later.

He told me he invited these two.

So, it was the four of us.

Colton is missing his brothers so much.

He asked Braxton when he can have a weekend with them again.

He needs that brother time and, once again, I am so grateful that my boys are so close.

Colton's favorite bartender, Madison, was there again.

He adores her and she loves him!

She was telling another guest that she was moving March 28th.

That didn't go over well with Colton.

So, they promised each other that we'd be back before then for sure.

 

Road Tripping Ish

Wednesdays are my half days.

I leave at noon every Wednesday.

It's SO needed every dang week!

I usually have my lash appointment, pick up Colton, go to the gym, then rest.

Rest and rest and rest.

I have had a tough couple of weeks.

Between our living situation being up in the air and some issues with the ex-husband, I've been pretty worn out cognitively.

Yesterday morning around 10:45, I got a text from Baby Daddy.

"Are you at work?"

"Yup. It's my half day. Off at noon."
"I'm leaving North Ogden right now. I'm coming to pick you up."

OH!

I left work a little earlier and we went on a road trip.

Ish.

He stopped and got me a drink.

And we drove to Orem.

In a snow storm.

We laughed.

We talked.

We laughed and talked.

We cried.

His firstborn called and he talked to him.

We laughed some more.

We sang along to songs.

He pretty much put on an impromptu concert.

Ingenius.

We went to two different gun stores.

I was basically in heaven, just walking around.

We met up with a guy to pick up ammo for Colester.

Then we got back on the freeway mid afternoon.

He told me there was a pillow and blanket in the backseat, to lay my seat back and go to dreamland.

I did!

Power nap until like Sandy!

He took me to Sil's and fed me.

Dinner for me was a whipped cream with a little bit of hot chocolate, a scone with approximately one cup of honey butter, and chicken noodle soup - you know, for the protein.

Then he dropped me off.

I was a new person after that.

I was rested.

I had laughed enough for weeks.

I cried all my feelings out.

Aerosmith, Luke Bryan, and Air Supply got nothing on us!

My best buddy is my best buddy!

 

Daddy Mode

I knew that my boys would be good husbands and fathers.

They have always been my protectors, my biggest cheerleaders, my caretakers at times...

They have always opened doors for me and taken me on dates.

But, to see it in action is an entirely different thing.

Jackson is a fantastic dad.

He is involved.

He is always such a great partner to Isis.

He doesn't "watch" Kehlani.

Kehlani and Isis are his priorities.

He teaches her and trains her and directs her.

He cares for all of her needs.

He and Isis discuss issues and then work together as parents.

He loves this baby girl and she loves him.

He said this past weekend, "I'm always in 100% Dad Mode."
And, he is.

I am loving watching my boys be men.

I am so honored to be their mama.

 

Isis is 21!

On Monday, our Isis turned 21!

She celebrated with her little family - the three of them.

Jackson and Isis dropped Kehlani off at my house so that Jackson could take her for some fun.

They went bowling.

He introduced her to sushi at our favorite - Sushi Monster.

Then, they went and made Build-a-Bears!

Isis is beautiful - inside and out.

She is motivated and dedicated.

She is hard working.

She is an EXCELLENT mama to Kehlani.

She is the best partner to Jackson.

We love her so big around her!

While Daddy took Mommy, Kehlani and Colton and Gigi went to the mall.

She ran and ran.

She played in the little kid area.

She does so well with other kiddos!

We went to drop off Asher's birthday present and she and Anson became best buddies!

I'm telling you - she is magical!

 

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

 

Buenas! How is everyone?? I hope you all had a better week than last,  and maybe a little more growth than last week as well. I know I have. 

This week had a very tough start, It was difficult for me to wake up and not know what to expect, and sometimes wake up and go out walking in areas that aren't the safest. Although I go out and feel just fine it's that hesitation before that tends to give me a little fear, but one thing that was said at that very big devotional was that we as missionaries tend to wake up with fear everyday and need to stop practicing that. So I stopped, and got to work. Things that have been helping me have been talking and communicating more with my companion.  Reading the book of mormon back to back English to Spanish everyday, and your prayers have been a huge help! This week our goal for finding was 10 new friends, we ended with a little over 20. We got another awesome kid baptized named Emmanuel. Our ward called a ward mission leader and we've been communicating with him a bunch now trying to get him more involved with missionary work and get him on the same page as us. It's a little lame that he doesn't hace a phone or address :(

Life with my new companion is sure different from my last with Elder Nelson and my step dad Elder Thomas, I realized that when he doesn't eat he gets super grouch and negative, and I also realized that he is hungry all the time hahaha! It's a party honestly. There are so many things that I take for granted with him, he supports me in all that I try to do and quite honestly is the only one on the entire island who has been patient with my Spanish! Many people here really just want to cat call at me to get themselves a good ol green card or get me married, never too interested about the law of chastity either, or the message about Jesus Christ in general. It's also amazing to see that I've never seen so many penis's in my whole life, kids below the age of 4 maybe 5 just don't wear anything, even some full growth men dont wear much after Saturday afternoon.  Winners if I didn't know any better. Bienvenido a República Dominicana I guess! 

Sorry for scaring you all like that but to bring the spirit back a bit, I'd like to share my testimony of something that I haven't thought to testify of much before, only ever implied of it. 

It is the simple but extraordinary true that Jesus Christ lives, he has a body of flesh and blood and his voice can be as soft and the wind and as loud as thunder, I know that same voice commands even Death. He is our Savior, His Father, Our Father in Heaven is like unto the same.  He lives and dwells in a place that we cannot go unless through the atonement of Jesus Christ.  They live and their love is infinite and eternal and hard at times for me to comprehend.  They work together with the Power of the Holy Ghost to comfort and bring us all back home. I know I can feel my saviors love. I know my Heavenly Father loves me.  The voice that commands even Death speaks to me and works with this mission and missions all over the world to further His work before His coming. He is coming,  heed to the words of President Russell M. Nelson. Attend the temple often, if you have been inactive,  come back to church, renew your covenants with our Heavenly Father, follow the example of the Savior in all things. Be more centered with your families as you build and strengthen that foundation on His rock. Keep his commandments and Love God and one to another.  

 

I testify of those words and hope that you all find truth and happiness in them as I know you will. I love you all so very very much! 

Elder Jorgensen 

 

Bells

A couple of weeks ago, this little bit of magic arrived.

Isn't it magical??

My Jeanie, who I've never met and who lives in Kansas City, has sent me goodies over the last year or so.

This one, though.

I LOVE it.

I used to collect wind chimes.

Then, I no longer had a place to put them.

And they all broke in the moves.

So I decided that this little bittie will be the start of me collecting them again...for the day when I do have a place for them.

 

Cars

May I just begin by saying that the last two weeks, I have been haunted by cars?
Of course I can say that because this is my blog!

As you know, I was having car issues last week and the week before.

Well, last Friday on my way home it went from C to H and shut off completely.

Here's the back story:

When I left work on Friday, there was a VERY loud voice in my head telling me to take the back roads and to not get on the freeway.

I had no idea why.

I was tired and just wanted to get home.

This voice told me to just get groceries from Macey's in South Ogden and take HWY 89 home.

So, I did.

I went to Macey's.

Then started on my way home via Washington Blvd.

Earlier that day, Cory (one of my work guys) had replaced the thermostat housing.

So, I'm driving southbound and the car goes from C to H and shut off.

I was able to glide my way onto the side of the road.

If I had been on the freeway, I would have been killed.

I called Braxton.

I texted Beyta for Cory's number.

Two military guys pulled over to see if I needed help.

I was crying.

I was cussing.

A lot.

Cory showed up.

The radiator hose had blown off.

That's bad, I hear.

He fixed it in the dark.

Brax showed up and talked to Cory.

I went home.

Yesterday, on my way home, this happened right in front of me.

I had to swerve to miss the car coming at me after being hit.

I pulled over.

The car was smoking, so I pulled the driver out.

She is an 18 year old girl who just wanted her dad.

I got her into my car and called her dad on her phone and 911 on mine.

Poor thing.

I was so grateful I was there right at that moment.

I was grateful I was able to comfort her and be with her until her daddy got there.

Both drivers were injured, but should be okay.

I'm ready to walk everywhere.

 

Family Weekend

While I was in American Fork with Isis, Braxton and Mia got Colton ready for Sweethearts Dance. He looked SO great. He had fun, but I think he was also glad it was over!

They went to the Capitol to take pictures, went to Brio for dinner, then to the dance.

He looked so handsome!

Sunday night was February's Family Night and it was also the Super Bowl.

We had a taco bar, watched football, of course loved on the bit of magic that is this grandbaby...

The kids played Monopoly.

Seriously, you play games with our family at your own risk.

Braxton is determined to be the favorite uncle!

She still carries Kaydon's picture around with her!