Front Page of the Newspaper

On Sunday, we had family dinner at my mom's house.

Kaydon and Colton drove down right after church.

Braxton waited for me.

I went to the gym, made our dessert, then we headed down.

On the way down, Braxton said to me, "So, Ma. I was on the front page of the paper."

Huh?

When?
"Couple weeks ago."
Braxton! 

At what point did you not find it important to tell me this?

"It's just a newspaper. I thought you'd know."

How would I know if you didn't tell me?

"Everyone at school knew."

Rolling of the eyes number 9372630940.

For real.

Here it is:

Braxton, and his team at school, built this killer lemonade stand.

The newspaper interviewed him.

His quotes are what is on the front page of the paper.

This kid has got so much talent, it's unreal!

Oh, and just another little thing he never shares with me:

His archery skills are on point!

Two In The Middle

These two texted me on Friday and said they were coming to take me to lunch.

I was really, quite grateful because Friday was a bit emotional.

When they arrived, I asked them where we were going.

Lonestar Steak House.

Uh, NO.

I don't have money, Boys!
So, we went to Lonestar Steak House.

They bought.

I ate.

These two are actually hilarious.

In the most inappropriate of ways.

If I told you about some of their shenanigans, you'd judge me and them.

So, I won't.

Just trust you me, they are hysterical.

And, they're mine.

And, I'm so thankful!

Yesterday after church and the gym, I asked Kaydon if we could watch a movie in his room.

He has the projector, full-size wall screen, and popcorn machine.

He put in 50 First Dates.

I freaking love that movie.

It makes me laugh and cry.

I'm just the luckiest.

These Babes

Carrie needed balloons, so she texted me and I met her at Braxton's work.

These babies!!

Asher was happy with all windmills.

Anson was happy if he wasn't throwing tantrums! :)

They are just the sweetest, most handsome, most adventurous baby boys and Auntie loves them SO BIG!!

Stitches 'R Us

Yup.

Just another day in paradise.

Or, just another day at our house.

In fact, I don't even have to be in attendance.

They just have to call me and get verbal approval to treat my kids.

I know you want the story, because they are always so good.

Nothing normal from this Party of Five!

So, his granola fell on his driver's seat in his car.

He ran his fingers along the back crack of the seat.

While doing so, he cut his finger wide open.

Upon further investigation, nothing was found in the seat.

So, we have no idea how he cut his finger wide open.

Stitches.

R.

Us.

Momming

It's been a crazy few weeks.

As I look at my days, they are ALL crazy.

Don't we all feel that way??

Yesterday morning, Colton came to work with Mama.

He secretly loves that, I think.

We had our Diet Coke, Mom did some work... then we headed to a few hours of testing.

When the man came out to get Colton for the testing, Colton looked at him and said, "No thank you."

The man told him that he needed to go back with him.

Colton said, "I don't want to."

I promised him I would not leave the waiting room.

He emerged just fine.

I went back to work for a few hours, then headed to Braxton's parent/teacher conference which was just a meeting with his advisor.

Mountain High has been such a blessing for my boy and he is doing SO good.

He applied for the electrical program at the DATC for next year as well.

I am so proud of him.

Then dinner, gym, laundry, cleaning, Colton time, etc.

This morning, I am at work for a hot minute then heading to get Colton for round two of testing this morning.

When Kay and X arrived this morning, they said that I look extremely tired.

My brain and my heart are tired.

This is what I do.

But with a broken brain, the evidence of fatigue is much more glaring.

I love this quote I saw yesterday:

I can do hard things.

And people who don't believe that I am doing my best can shove it!

Layton High School Prom - 2019

Braxton and Hailey went to Layton's Prom on Saturday.

They have been dating most of the school year.
Hailey goes to Layton. Braxton goes to Mountain.

They are a pretty darn cute couple!

Isn't she gorgeous??!!

Matt and I took Braxton to get his suit a few weeks ago.

Because he's Braxton, he wanted the pants to be much tighter than they were.

He had to go get them altered.

He is just the most handsome!!

Wreaths & Such

These creations right down here are made with love and care by my boy!

Braxton is massively talented.

Look at these!!

Saturday morning, Kaydon asked if I was going grocery shopping after the gym.

I had certainly planned on it.

Well, he went and did it himself with the grocery list I had created. 

He told me my card didn't work.

The truth: he didn't even try it. He used his own card to buy groceries.

These boys of mine, though!

Annnnnnnnd.... one more things, People!

Yesterday, was the 15 month anniversary of the stroke. And guess what I did?

Just 50 pound biceps curls for days!!!!

Annnnd, check out this comparison!

15 years as a team of five!!!

Layton High Valentine's Dance 2019

Hailey asked Braxton to Layton High's Valentine's Dance.

They had a lot of fun.

Notice her corsage.

My boys is UBER talented.

Like, majorly talented.

And handsome.

And tall.

And a gentleman.

And my peanut forever and always.

My Boys

I LOVE being a mama and auntie of boys.

Yesterday, Braxton hung out with Mama at work.

This kid is a hoot!

He got us Cafe Rio for lunch and cut his finger nails with the sharpest knife I've ever seen.

I'm not sure why these things surprise me anymore!

I will miss my kiddos coming and hanging out with me.

I will miss their boy-stuff that they do, i.e. cutting finger nails with a super sharp knife.

Asher is 23 months old! 

He turns TWO this month.

That actually makes my heart break a little.

I LOVE his auntie kisses and his naughtiness!

Anson is 20 months old.

I LOVE his snuggles and cuddles and giggles.

I love when I get to the house and he grins SO big to see Auntie!

Colton is like a dang star shining brightly.

This kiddo is so happy.

He loves to take selfies with Mama.

He also loves getting his Starbucks coffee once a week!

Last Saturday morning, he and Kaydon got up at 5 am and went to the Bountiful Temple to do some baptisms.

These are MY kids.

How did I get so blessed?!

Kaydon was able to do quite a few of the baptisms.

This boy right here is LOVING Chile.

He is happy, healthy, safe and full of love and joy.

He is missing peanut butter and American food.

But, he is SO good.

I am just the luckiest!

The Kid

Because our lives are so boring and rarely is there ever excitement, I have to share you a couple of stories:

Rest assured, there are always stories up in this Struggle Bus!

Yesterday, Kaydon and Braxton took some time to go "register the yellow car after Dave looked at it."

Around lunchtime, I got a text from Braxton:
"The kid locked the keys in the car and the car is running."

Insert me rolling my eyes for the 12389234857 time since becoming a mother.

"Where are you?"

"Farmington."
"WHY??"

"Kaydon wanted to do some shopping."

"You guys are supposed to be getting the banana car fixed and registered, Yo!"

"I know, Ma."

And now I roll my eyes for the 12389234858th time.

"What are you going to do?"

"Don't worry, Ma! There is a police officer here to help!"

"Uh, to help you get into an unregistered car that is not insured and you two are basically truant."

"Yeah! Cool, huh??"

12389234859th eye roll.

The car is being "fixed" tomorrow.

Then registered tomorrow.

Then insured tomorrow.

I hope.

By the way, I knew a girl growing up that would cross her eyes and roll her eyes and they got stuck and she had to have surgery to unstick them.

So, probably don't roll your eyes as often as I do!

Boy Mom am I.

A Little Visit

On Sunday, after church, Braxton quietly drove us to the rest home.

We were all in our church clothes still.

Not really sure why we were pulling up to the rest home.

We went inside, following Braxton.

He asked for Ned Christensen.

She told us where to go.

I know that name from my boys.

Each Sunday, my boys have taken the Sacrament to Ned's home.

They have mowed his lawn for him.

They have gone to visit him, just because.

A couple of weeks ago, before Elder Jorgensen left, Braxton and he went to Ned's.

There was no answer.

They could see his walker.

They could see other things through the windows, but no Ned.

They were worried.

Braxton asked the bishop where he was and the bishop told him that he had been moved to a rest home.

Yesterday, Braxton felt it important that he visit him. That we all visit him.

The last time they saw him, he didn't recognize anyone but Braxton.

He was very lethargic, forgetful.

Yesterday, he recognized Braxton right away.

I came around in front of him and introduced myself as the boys' mom.

He immediately asked about Jackson and his mission.

It was pretty sweet.

I could tell that he loved my boys so much.

He asked them to go visit him more.

He said that he is happy to be safe in the rest home, where he has help.

He said that they bring him the Sacrament each Sunday.

He said that he gets to spend Christmas with his family.

And he asked us to tell Jackson "hello."

As we left, my heart was exploding.

 Literally exploding.

You know, when I was young I dreamed of being a full-time, stay-at-home mama.

I dreamed that we would go visit the lonely in rest homes every week.

I dreamed that we would go do good deeds everyday, me and my kids.

Literally.

I'm not a stay-at-home mama, although I am a full-time mom.

We don't go to the rest home every week.

We don't do all that I had dreamed of.

But these boys of mine do so much more!

I was so impressed that my 17 year old felt a need, and listened to that still small voice.

I was so impressed that my boys drove us to another house after the rest home to serve the Sacrament to another elderly person unable to leave their home.

I am beyond grateful for these boys.

I am beyond honored to be their mama!

Braxton Shoots the Cannon

Braxton spent Saturday with Papa.

They went to the BYU volleyball game, BYU basketball game and then the BYU football game.

Braxton was able to shoot off the cannon after the first extra point of the game.

I wish I would have saved the video because it was pretty awesome-sauce!

Look at this boy's smile!

He was able to hang with Tanner Mangum and Mr. Kaufusi. (good thing the Jets had a bye this week)

I am always grateful when my babies get to have experiences like this.

I have always wished that I could provide for them all of the experiences that I would want for them to have. I simply can't. But Heavenly Father has not let them, or I, down.