Single Mom Life - The Moments That Matter

This past weekend was incredible. My grandparents were here from Fresno. My aunt was as well. Saturday the boys and I drove to Sandy to visit with everyone. Oh, how my boys love their great-grandpa. And, oh how he loves them! Grandpa is one of my favorite people of all time. He is just a gem and I am so honored to call him mine. He told me a couple of times that he is so proud of the way that I have raised my boys on my own and what good, good young men they are. Coming from my grandpa, that meant the absolute world to me.

Sunday, everyone came to my ward. My Braxton and Colton were being ordained to Priest and Teacher, respectively. It was Fast and Testimony meeting and it was the only opportunity I've ever had to bear my testimony in front of my grandparents. I totally took the chance to do that. I spoke of our family theme this year, Honor. I told the story of "17 Inches." I reminded my boys that their mama knows that we are children of our Heavenly Father and that He hears us and loves us. I know that. I spoke of the Priesthood in our home and how Jackson gathers us for family prayer every morning, how we have a family message every Sunday night, how we honor each other and ourselves every day.

Then, my grandpa stood at the pulpit and bore his testimony. I wish that I had it recorded. My sweet, fragile grandpa stood and spoke about how each week when he works in the Fresno Temple, he always feels impressed to put the names of my boys and I on the prayer roll. Then, as he watches those gather around the alter to pray for the names on that roll, they are all - in unity - praying for my boys and I. He spoke of what good young men I have. He spoke of his love for us. He spoke about how the Church is true no matter where we are. Gosh, I love him.

Then, we moved to the Bishop's office. First, Brandon ordained Braxton to the office of a Priest so that he could in turn stand in the circle to ordain Colton. As Brandon began the ordination, I looked up for a moment. Jackson was directly in front of me. To his left was my pops. There was a large gap. There, in my mind's eye stood P. When the ordination was over, Jackson sat next to me and sobbed. I leaned in and told him what I saw. He nodded his head and said, "Yes, Mama. He was here. He was right here with us." Colton was then ordained by my grandpa.

This single mom life is not as single as I sometimes feel. Angels administer to us every single day. The veil is thinner than I sometimes think. This family that I have, that we have, is the greatest family of all. I have been told that at the beginning of each day, angels meet and discuss those who they will be administering to that day. I believe that to be true. I cannot tell you the number of times that my boys and I have felt the love and presence from those on the other side of the veil.

To see that all of my boys are worthy Aaronic Priesthood holders is no small thing. I realize that I had such a small part in that. This past weekend reminded me that being a single mom is so much less single than it might sometimes appear. We are surrounded by love and support and my boys are amazing.

Thankful! - Grandma and Grandpa Nef

I have felt so blessed the last couple of years as my children have had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with my grandparents. It seems like my kiddos have had more time with them than I did when I was their age! Even though we lived in the same ward as them growing up in California, I don't have a lot of memories of time with my grandparents. My boys see them every couple of months, and they love it. I love it too.

Every single time my grandpa sees my boys, he says, "It really is crazy when you have to look up to hug your great-grandsons!" It's so cute. We all mouth what he is going to say as he says it. He is such a loving, kind-hearted, hard-working, man of integrity. I have always loved my grandpa. He is affectionate, strong, and always has an open door to his heart. People are drawn to him.

Grandma is very practical, logical, organized, and strategic. She is the money person and is also a very hard worker. She was always the hostess with the moistest! People have always asked to have their weddings and other large gatherings in her homes and in her yards. She cooks like no one else can. She decorates and prepares like no one else can. She is smart and frugal. Grandma and I have become much closer over the last couple of years.

I love them both so much!

It's an Honor

Last night, family came together for Kaydon's ordination to the office of a Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood. Kaydon had asked that my grandpa perform the ordination. Last night was the night that seemed to work. Grandma and Grandpa drove up from California and we all met at our chapel last night.

In the circle stood Grandpa, Papa, Pops, Uncle Brandon, Bishop Krum, Don Mendenhall (a previous YM advisor), and Jackson. In the surrounding chairs sat Nana, Grandma, Grandma Nef, Aunt Carrie, Mommy Martha, Baby Brooklyn, Braxton, Colton, and me. It was a beautiful ordination and blessing. To see my Jackson standing in that circle with his hand on his brother's head was priceless.

After the ordination, our sweet bishop said a few words. My grandpa spoke to Kaydon directly. Brother Mendenhall said some things that were beautiful. Then, Bishop asked me to speak. Through tears, I simply said, "I am honored to be their mom." "I am honored to be their mama. Boys, you are to live up to the Priesthood that you hold. You are to honor it. You have not had good examples in our home, but as you look around this room, you can see that you have all of the examples that you need. We need the Priesthood in our home and each of you holds it. Your mama needs the Priesthood, so you are to live it and honor it."

Look at these boys. Look at them. I am oh, so good.

A Few Extras

I have to post a few extra pictures from the last week, or so.

Grandpa and Grandma Nef were here again. I feel so lucky that they have been here twice this month. I so wish my boys had more time with them. My grandma kept saying how she needed to look better for when family came over. I was in my pj's and had no makeup on and I was perfectly content!

We went to visit Jacks at work. He works at Cold Stone - just up the street. Why wouldn't we visit him?!?!

I got a few extra pictures of Kaydon's time with Uncle Brandon and Aunt Carrie. He had a great time with them!

Grandma and Grandpa Nef Visit

We are SO lucky! Grandma and Grandpa have been here twice in one month! I can't get enough of my grandpa's hugs and kisses. My boys can't get enough of them too! We went to my mom's house for dinner and loves on Sunday night. Oh, how I love them. My grandparents are so healthy and so spry in their mid-80's! They are getting ready to build a house!

The boys also love cousin Andrew, who is married to my beautiful cousin, Shanna. He is so fun and they just love him! Shanna played with Colton for a bit while Grandpa told us stories that I had never heard. He also gave Kaydon and I blessings.

I know that these times are few and far in between - that my kids will get to spend time with them. I wish I could bottle up these experiences!

Grandpa Nef Time

I love this picture so much. My kids have had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with my grandparents. I was really, really upset when my Grandpa and Grandma Robb passed away right after Jackson was born. I realized that my children would never have the opportunity to spend time with them, to get to know them, and to love them the way that I love them. We have been so fortunate because my kids have had the chance to spend time with my Grandpa and Grandma Nef, who live in California. We have gone to Fresno a couple of times to visit, and they have made several trips to Utah. Each time they come, my kids get so excited. Brooklyn especially. My grandpa is a gem. He is so affectionate, so kind, so loving. He loves to just hug on and love on his family members! Jackson and Braxton were sitting on the couch and Grandpa came over, sat right in between them, and put each of his hands on each of their knees. Nothing was said. Nothing needed to be said. They spent time with Grandpa, in silence, and in love.

G & G Come To Visit

Grandma and Grandpa Nef came to visit on Saturday. Grandma interviewed every one of the grandkids on how school is going and on how boys shouldn't be in relationships until AFTER their mission, and on how Brooklyn is a princess (duh!), and on how Josh is amazing. Grandpa just sat there and... well sat there. He then played horses with Colton.

I have become quite close to my grandparents the older I have gotten. My grandma and I talk or text about once a week. I have come to love her and respect her and appreciate all of her amazing talents. My grandpa has always been one of my favorite people. He makes me smile. He makes everyone smile. I can't think of anyone who might dislike Grandpa. He is so hardworking, funny, talented, smart, out-going, accepting, and affectionate. Everyone he meets gets a hug and a kiss. I long for those hugs. He LOVES his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Every single one of them. It was so fun to see them!