Back to School 2018-19

We made it.

The kids are back to school.

They were up and out on time.

They've always been good at that.

Jackson was the carpool driver for the junior high kids and me!

Braxton is my junior. He is at Layton High again. I had to force him to smile here so it's a cheeseball smile. But, it's a smile!

Kaydon is my sophomore. He is at Layton High. This kid is my rock. Nothing seems to get to him. He and Braxton will be driving together.

Colton is my freshman. He is at Fairfield Junior. He is still in the special education program. He is just happy to be alive!

Jackson is my missionary, working. It's weird!!!

People, weird!

This beauty is my freshman. She is the mama hen of the junior high kids. She is a smarty pants. Like, brilliant. 

This boy is my seventh grader. When we dropped him off, Jackson told them that it was going to be a good day. Mari said, "It's going to be evil." He was really, really nervous. But I know he'll do great!

This is my fourth grader. This little sassy pants beauty is my heart! She loves her mama Heidi. She had to get hugs from me this morning before we took the big kids to school. Don't mess with this girl! She is going to take over the world!

Let's do this! 

With courage!

Back to School Feast 2018-19

We had our Back to School Feast last night. 

This year, Braxton was in charge of the theme for our school year.

After Jackson ordained Kaydon to the office of Priest, we hurried home and Randy and I began cooking.

It turned out so yummy!

Next time, we will actually put the spices in it. 

I purposely left them out because I was sure I would hate the spice.

It would have been good to include it.

Spicy Corn Carbanara for the win! Garlic bread, Ceaser salad, and ice cream cake.

The theme for this year is "courage."

Braxton recited a scripture from the Old Testament about courage.

He then handed out necklaces that he made each of us. They are personal reminders for each of us to have courage to do the right thing. The small handouts that he made have the picture of a lion, the word "courage" and P's name in morse code.

The boys put these cards in their lockers or their notebooks.

I read a scripture on courage and explained to them what I expect out of them this school year, and really always.

Randy then concluded the dinner with his thoughts for them.

Here's to another school year!

They start Wednesday!!

School Year 2017

We don't do boring at our house, therefore why not have the fire department at our house the night before school starts?! I came home from the gym - all sweaty and stinky - and immediately went in to my normal mom mode. I emptied the dishwasher and started a load of laundry while I fried the hamburger and warmed the refried beans for tacos. I got the hair clippers out in preparation for back-to-school hair cuts. I finished dinner and yelled for the children to come stuff their faces with food. They obliged, as they always do. As they sat down to eat, the most horrible alarm went off. I have never in my life heard anything like it. It wasn't the smoke detector. Jackson turned off all of the breakers. Nothing! We called the fire department and they were there quick. I was still in my workout clothes and the boys were sad that their dinner was getting cold. It turned out that it was a "water alarm." I was not too pleased about that and sent a lovely message to the property management company who "installed" a water alarm in the water heater closet by laying it on the floor.

Anywho, dinner was warmed and eaten. Hair cuts got done. Laundry was done. Boys showered. Mama double checked school supplies and made sure they had a clean outfit set out. Alarms were set and this mama when night night.

This morning, we knelt in prayer and I pleaded with the Father that my babies would be protected, comforted, kind, and that they would return home today with honor.

Jackson is a senior at Layton. A senior. I'm tearing up as I type this.

Braxton is a sophomore at Layton.

Kaydon is a freshman at Fairfield Junior.

Colton is an eighth grader at Fairfield Junior.

Back To School Feast 2017

Yesterday was our annual back to school feast. Because this is Jackson's last year in high school, I asked him to come up with our theme for the school year. He and I went shopping on Saturday for the handouts he would need. We also shopped for our dinner. Jackson decided on the following menu:
- Rump roast
- Homemade garlic mashed potatoes (I totally nailed it!!)
- Homemade pasta salad (I seriously totally nailed it!!)
- Rolls
- Apple cranberry cider
- Warm homemade cookies with ice cream for dessert

The theme that Jackson chose for the year is "Honor." He spoke about how each day, we should all return home with honor. He spoke about the ABC's of honoring the Priesthood with his brothers. He talked about dating and how the boys should always be respectful of the girls that they date and the rules in their homes. He spoke about respecting me, as their mama, respecting each other, respecting themselves, and honoring Heavenly Father. He gave each of them a card with the ABC's of honoring the Priesthood. He had a letter in front of each of us that spelled out "honor." He asked each of us to explain what honor means to us. It was a great conversation and a great dinner!

Besides the usual burping and farting at the dinner table (good times), it was a really great dinner. I love my boys so, so much. I am so stinking proud of them. I can't believe that this is Jackson's last year of school. He is such a good example to me and to his brothers, who adore him!

Back to School Feast 2016-17

Monday night was our annual back to school feast. I pulled out our best china (the only dishes we own) and even laid down a table cloth that I got from Kohls for $1.25! I had both crockpots going all day with a delicious chicken recipe (thanks to Miss T), red potatoes, carrots, garlic-cheese biscuits, and of course sparkling cider. We prayed and then I introduced our family theme for the school year:
"Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven who loves you more than you can comprehend." This is quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (my absolute favorite!)
I knew, after praying for guidance, that our family's theme needed to be on faith. I found this quote and knew it was the one! I told my boys that no matter what they are faced with, if they will just remember that they are children of God and that He loves them, they can get through anything.