Colton's Birthday Weekend

Colton had a fantastic birthday weekend!

Unlike past years, when he has (unbeknownest to his mother) gone door-to-door throughout the neighborhood at 5 am to remind people it's his birthday at that he is accepting gifts for days, he instead texted loved ones to remind them.

He is growing!

This boy of mine is 16!
My BABY is 16!

We went to Nana's for dinner and Cold Stone ice cream cake that Kaydon made.
Delicious!
KiKi came on over to bring Boogie and gift and to talk to Jackson.

We were able to talk to that gem for over an hour.

It was Heaven on Earth.

All of my boys.

Talking and laughing and eating and being way too loud and me having to yell at them for being way to loud.

Just the way it should be!!!

The Birthday... Week... Okay, Birthday Month

When I entered my office building last Monday (the 3rd), I saw this amazing wall that Gina put together.

It made my dang month!!!!

My girls, Sariah and Amia, wrapped several gifts for me!

I opened them over the weekend.

I love my girls!!

Sunday, Nana and Pops had a dinner for us.

Carrie made these unbelievable desserts!!!

Time with these two is always my favorite!!!

My co-workers spoiled me rotten!

Matthew sent flowers.

He also changed my shower head and took me (and Sariah) shopping over the weekend.

I got a new outfit and a new workout shirt!!

Dalila spent 8 hours braiding my hair!

I love it!

Papa and Grandma brought a birthday dinner and an amazing Yankees picture for me last night!

The new bishop's wife brought me flowers last night!

I talked to Jacks on Monday.

Lots of loves from Colton, Je'Mari, Sassy, and Braxton yesterday.

Lots of texts and FB messages.

I am the luckiest, most blessed girl EVER!!

Happy Birthday Nana!!

Happy birthday to our Nana!

We love you so big!

You are a warrior, a survivor, a feisty little thing...

Your grandbabies love you so much!!

Your kids love you so much!!
We hope you have the best day EVER!

Friday Favorites - Guess WHAT?!

It's my birthday weekend!!! I wait all year for these moments! I don't know of anyone who loves their birthday more than this girl right here!

I had a talk with myself yesterday. I said, "Self. Why is it that your birthday is such a big deal for you?!" Then I replied, "Because Brandon was born on your first birthday, so you never got your own dang day! He hijacked your very first birthday!" Then I said, "Oh! Then keep on celebrating, Girl!"

T and Aimee drove up Wednesday night from down south and brought Kaydon a brand new bed. He was so stoked! Then, they took me to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. T had them get me up on the saddle and sing to me. FYI... I was wearing a skirt and my left hand wasn't working. Awkward!!

Oh, how I love these girls. I am so dang blessed with my circle of people. So dang blessed.

I cannot wait for this next few days! Logan will be here!!!!! We will miss Skipper so much! We will all have dinner together on Sunday at Mom and Pops with Brandon, Carrie, the babies, and Logan. My boys and I will celebrate on Monday (the actual day). I am HERE! I am thriving! I am going to be 41! I am going to celebrate!!

Lots of Black

When I opened my office door this morning, this is what I saw:

It made me smile SO big! I have the greatest boss, the most amazing co-workers, and a fantastic job. I am so spoiled. I love them so much and I think they missed me!

An Unexpectedly Beautiful Weekend

Thursday, Josh texted me and told me that Brooklyn was really wanting to see the boys and I. I told him that we would love to have her. He told me that he was working on Saturday 5:30 am - 2:20 pm. I suggested that she sleep at our house and stay with us Saturday until he got off of work. He then asked me if I would also like to have the baby. I was a little caught off guard. I obviously haven't even seen the baby yet. I told him I would talk to my boys and get back with him. I spoke to each of my boys, individually. Everyone was okay with it. So, late Friday evening Josh brought Brooklyn (who was absolutely ecstatic to see us) and the baby. The baby sat in his baby carrier for a little bit while I allowed all of my emotions to process. I just looked at him. He is a beautiful baby. I took him out, changed his diaper, put him in his pajamas, then I held him. I allowed myself to cry. I allowed myself to feel. I allowed myself to forgive. I allowed myself to love.

Brooklyn crawled into bed with me and the baby (his name is Treyvan, but I call him Goober) slept next to me in a bassinet. I was up most of the night. He is a loud sleeper. When Kaydon heard him fussing at 5:30, he came in to see if he could help. I made a bottle to feed him and Brooklyn asked Kaydon to crawl into bed with her, so he did. The baby and I went downstairs to feed him and then we fell asleep on the couch. As the children woke up, they each took their own personal time with him as well. Both Braxton and Kaydon fed him. Jackson spent time tickling his arms and talking to him. The three of them tried to figure out how to change a diaper (it was the funniest thing I have ever seen!). We played outside, put Legos together, ate popsicles, and watched Baby Einstein. It was an unexpectedly beautiful day.

When Josh came to pick them up, Brooklyn cried and cried. I pulled her aside and told her that I would always be her mama and the boys would always be her brothers. She nodded and cried somemore. She told her dad that this was his fault and that she was very mad at him. He acknowledged it and told her he was so sorry and that he knew he messed up very, very badly. Then, off they went.

Our family of five then celebrated Kaydon's 14th birthday. Oh, my boys crack me up! They are so dang funny.

Oh, how I love my children. Oh, how I am so thankful for forgiveness and joy. Oh, how I am so thankful for my Heavenly Father who is very patient, who has a plan for us, who knows best, who loves us so very, very much.