Morning Pep Talk

This picture sums up these two.

Burke sent met his picture this morning.

Just Ryker telling Kaya "see ya later" for the day before heading off to school.

 Be still my heart.

Kaya is feeling SO much better. 

We stopped giving her pain meds on Sunday.

We were supposed to give them through Thursday.

But she's doing so much better without them.

Kaya would be a terrible, no-good, very bad drug addict!

The Weekend

Weekends are busy.

A good busy.

But, busy nonetheless.

Basketball for both Cooper and Ryker.

Kehlani spent the day with Gigi, too.

And Papa.

Cooper's team won.

Lani is a big fan of her uncles.

She has to sit right next to them!!

By the time Ryker's game was winding down, Kehlani was done sitting.

She had to bust some moves.

And teach Gus a thing or two.

Sunday was football, of course.

Jacks and Isis came over for a while and relaxed and had dinner with us.

The things Kehlani is saying now is just so dang funny.

We took a few selfies - the baby and Gigi.

Magical.

 

No More Puppies Jumping On The Bed

Kaya was spayed yesterday.

I was not prepared for the aftermath.

When I got home, she was making the weirdest grunting noise.

Her pupils were as big as her eyeballs.

She was high as a kite.

She would be a terrible drug addict.

This morning is a little better.

The anesthesia has worn off and now she is just on her pain meds.

We still can't get her to eat or drink.

Hopefully she will be back to her spunky self this weekend.

No more puppies for us!!!

 

Thanks, Babe

Dearest B,

Thanks.

Thank you.

Thank youuuuuuuu!!

This guys takes such good care of everyone and everything.

Every single day.

Yesterday, he dropped off Porter's truck to get a stereo installed.

So, I met him there after my lash appointment to pick him up.

He drove us to Burger Bar.

Ummmmm YUMMMMMMO.

It was cold.

Snowing.

I wasn't thrilled about standing there waiting.

Queue: I am spoiled.

So, I went and sat in the warm car and he waited for it then brought it to the warm car.

This morning, after he dropped Kaya Girl off at the Animal Hospital to be spayed, he brought donuts and cinnamon rolls to my office.

Just because.

Queue: I am spoiled.

He also brought me this.

Thanks, Babe.

 

My Handsome Colton

This boy of mine.

He'll be 20 this year!

TWENTY.

Stop it!!

He lives with Jackson and Isis.

He feels very independent doing that, and pays his portion of rent.

He still works at Home Depot and really likes it.

Most of the time.

A lot of his friends are on missions right now...

Including his best friend - his brother Kaydon.

He misses Kaydon terribly.

I took him to work last night and got to hear lots of Colton stories.

They're my favorite!!

I'm so proud of this guy.

I love him so, so big.

 

Happy Birthday, Porter

Porter turned 16 on Sunday.

A few of us went to celebrate at our favorite Chris's Cafe.

Porter is the one in the gray sweatshirt and hat.

He loves cars, trucks, welding, airsoft guns, 3D printers, and small engines.

We had this cake made for him to symbolize the truck he got.

Happy birthday, Porterman.

 

Mama Time

It's basketball season.

There's always a season with kids, right?

Cooper and Ryker are all up in the basketball season right now.

Coop plays rec ball and Ryker is playing rec and comp ball.

Cooper's team was losing BADLY Saturday morning, but came back to win it in overtime...

Thanks to his clutch free-throws!

Monday afternoon, I took my Isis Girl to get her nails done.

I love this girl.

She fits into our family so beautifully.

She is strong.

She is logical.

She is kind.

She is articulate and smart.

She is an amazing mama to our Kehlani.

She and Jackson are such a force!

I love her!

 

Gigi-ing Is My Favorite Ing

Kehlani and I had some one-on-one time Saturday.

We went to three grocery stores, including Sam's Club, and she was an absolute dream!

If you know me, you know I hate shopping.

She was amazing!!

Water color painting, pantry cleaning, Baby Shark singing, chips eating, and then Papa got home and she no longer had interest in Gigi!!!

She is just every dream come true!

I said to her, "Kehlani, you are SOOO BIG!"

She replied, "No, I not big I mall!"

Over and over and over again.

Also, she imitates everything Papa says.

Papa makes a donkey noise all the time.

She was imitating him.

I tried doing it, too.

"No, Gigi. No do that. Papa and Lani!"

I could eat her up!

Aria came over Sunday and opened "Aria's Salon."
Turns out, you can watch the football games whilst getting your nails painted!

She was SO proud of herself!

My toes, Papa's toes, and her daddy's fingers!

Of course, Gigi painted her toes and fingers too.

Gigi-ing is my favorite!

 

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

Good morning all! 

Hope alls good and each of you are well! 

This week was certainly slow for me. Weeks and even days in a mission go by extremely fast but this week was just a time to re-adjust what we need to do here and that conclusion has basically come down to finding more people to teach and continue helping members, inactives, and new members. 

 This week however I've had the privilege and opportunity to stand with true disciples and followers of God. Those of humility and kindness, love and meekness, honest and hopeful. People that I have loved to be with and be like. 

My first encounter was a woman named Marie. One of hundreds of single mothers I meet and get to talk to everyday. Marie has a ten year old girl and another that was just born from a c-section like 30 minutes before writing this email. "Single" because her husband left and she was left to care for herself and her children working full time and still proving. Through it all she has told us that she still wants to come to church and read and sleep with the book of mormon as she feels peace and protection as she does. 

 Second, are the very Elders that live with me now. Being a little overwhelmed for the week, I had asked for a priesthood blessing which that had given me worthily and lovingly. I'm so grateful for the love they have for me and their willingness to bless and heal me. 

 I have also taken time to recognize what the members of our ward have done for us. Fed us and nursed us. Kept us happy and well. Their kindness touches the very darkest corners of my heart and I'm blessed to know them. 

 One of these is going through a divorce because her husband sucks. I have seen the same sadness in her eyes that I've seen with my own mother through and after divorce. Through this members divorce she has shown me how much hold she has in her savior like I need to have in mine. We prayed with her and sang hymns together 

 Ivelisse who has only one leg after and motorcycle accident (mad common here) has dedicated herself to come to church every week even after walking up hills and a distance of 3 miles to come to church on crutches. So to all those inactives that tell me they don't have friends in the church or are too tired to get up, what's up? 

 I'm so grateful to all of you, family and friends who continue seeking to bless me even though I stand miles away. 

 I love you all so very much. The Savior sees you, He knows you, he's here to help you change your life to be with our Heavenly Father again. 

 Elder Jorgensen 

 

I'll Be In The Bathroom

Tuesday night, the boys' mom was later picking them up.

So, I hurried and got Ryker's homework done with him.

I watched all of the things on Cooper's phone that he needed to show me. 

I washed some bedding.

I fed the dogs.

Then, I used my brand spanking new tea kettle and made myself some whipped cream with a dash of hot cocoa.

I sent Burke this picture and told him that I'd be in the bathroom, in the tub, with my hot cocoa when he got home from work... and he knew that meant "Do NOT Disturb!!"

Heaven.

 

Missionary Moment-ish

Kaydon said he wouldn't be sending an email this week.

This was our call from yesterday.

Isis was holding the phone that is focused on Kehlani.

Mia was at work.

I am obsessed with this family of mine.

And then there's this.

Kaya loves her boys.

She has zero personal boundaries and doesn't believe anyone else has any either.

SO much love!