Back to School

For our boys, today is the first day of the new school year. Jackson is a ninth grader at Central Davis Junior High. Braxton is a seventh grader at West Point Junior High. Kaydon is a sixth grader at West Point Elementary School. Colton is a fifth grader at West Point Elementary School. Brooklyn is a kindergartner at Heritage Elementary School. Brooklyn started a couple of weeks ago because she is in year-round. Last night, Josh grilled up some amazing steaks, corn on the cob, asparagus and fat boy dessert. He also introduced our theme for the school year. "Do you measure up?" We will be using this theme in our family home evenings and in our dinner talks. More on that later... Last night, while I made sure that the boys' backpacks were ready to go, Josh made sure paperwork was signed and boys were ready to go with their schedules and locker locations. He also put new tubes in bike tires so that the two youngest can ride their bikes to and from school. While Josh was at coaches meeting last night, I wrote each of the boys a letter and left them on the kitchen counter. When I got up this morning and got ready to leave, I noticed that Josh had taken a red pen and signed "dad" next to my signed "mom" on each of the letters. The love this man has for his five kids is out of this world. They are ready for this school year and they will succeed this school year in large part because of him. He amazes me. Here's to a great 2014-15 school year!

Ordination & A Phone

Kaydon was ordained to the office of Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Sunday. A few weeks ago, I asked Josh to find out who Kaydon wanted to have ordain him. Kaydon immediately said, "YOU." I asked Josh what he told Kaydon. Josh said, "I told him I would be ready to do it." My cup runneth over. Josh was baptized a member of the Church, and was active in activities and scouts. He was ordained an Elder several years ago, but has never been "active." His mom comes from a Protestant background, and his dad is not an active member. I have never asked Josh to be active, or to participate, as I have always wanted him to do it on his own. Before we were married, he would go to Sacrament Meeting with us on Sundays, which I was always grateful for. Since we got married and moved to West Point, he has only missed one day of church and it was because he had to work. He always gets the boys to their priesthood activities, always makes sure they look appropriate and act appropriate. He makes sure we pray before meals, and participates in our family home evenings. He went and got Kaydon a new outfit for his big day. It IS a big deal when a young man chooses to be ordained to the Priesthood. The Priesthood is the path to Heaven. We, as sisters, are equally blessed by the Priesthood. Having the Priesthood in our home is essential to the Spirit being as strong as possible. Sunday was a beautiful, exciting day. Kaydon looked so sharp. He was so excited. My dad had sent Josh the wording that he needed to memorize. He spent quite a bit of time working on that. The ordination was beautiful. Again, my cup runneth over.

On a separate, but also exciting note, Braxton got his first phone. He has earned it. In our home, the rule is that you have to be 13 and getting a 3.0 to get a phone. Braxton was in no way going to get a phone when he turned 13 one year ago. He was really struggling in every aspect of his life. He was a miserable kiddo. Josh worked and worked and worked with him. When we got married and moved, it was like a switch was flipped with that kid. He is a totally different Braxton and we love it! He is responsible, helpful, service-oriented, loving, clean, kind, patient, and just good. He was set apart as the Deacon's Quorum President last week. This title doesn't make him a good kid, but the characteristics that he has taken on do. He earned this phone and I as so happy to get it for him!