Thursday Start To The Weekend

Randy drove up Thursday night because he wanted to spend some time with the gang before the weekend getaway. We headed to Boondocks, ordered some dinner and purchased our passes for the night. Before dinner even arrived, Jackson got a call from work and was super bummed that he had to go. He had traded with someone that night so that he could hang out with us. He headed off to work and the rest of us started our bowling game. I suck at bowling. Like, bad. Like, I don't even think bumpers would help. But, I love doing it with my family. Kaydon was super competitive with Randy, which just brought so much laughter. Colton had way more fun once Randy pulled out the ramp for him. Who wouldn't?! Braxton started off slow, but came back strong!

After bowling, we went in for a little laser tag. I'm a big trash-talker when it comes to laser tag! I think I'm pretty good. Sooooo... I had to finish it up with two back-to-back wins!!!

Blankets

I was told that the NICU at Ogden Regional Hospital was out of blankets. We had to get right on that! As you know - 27 surgeries... days and nights in hospitals... holidays in hospitals... grief and pain... exhaustion... my boys and I understand, truly, what it is like to be in the hospital. Gestures as small as blankets are such a gift, such a blessing. They are a bright spot in rough days. So, we made seven blankets that are all ready to go wrap babies up nice and warm.

These Boys of Mine

The boys had Fall Break on Thursday and Friday. Braxton went with Cam's family to go camping in Colorado. The others chilled at home. When I got home from work on Friday, the kitchen was cleaned and organized. The fridge and freezers were cleaned and organized. The laundry closet was cleaned and organized. The menu for this week was written and the grocery list was completed. I almost cried.

Jackson handed me the grocery list and told me that all I needed to do was go get groceries. Okay!!

Jackson made ziti on Monday. It was pretty delicious.

I am just so thankful for these boys of mine and for our teamwork. I am so thankful that someday these boys will be amazing husbands and fathers. They will be great missionary companions. They don't just leave household things to me. And, when they do... we have a family counsel and we get our crap together again.

They don't ask for anything return... just a happy mama. And, they make me that every single day!

When They Play Together

Last night, I was cleaning up downstairs and was headed back upstairs. I looked out the window and saw this:

These boys are so blessed to have each other. Sometimes they don't think so. In fact, probably a lot of the time they don't think so. But, they are. They were out playing frisbee last night, laughing and razzing each other. Then they headed to a fireside. I love those boys so much!

In the meantime, I ran to Brandon's office because the babes were there. How can I not run over to love on them?!?!

Layton Homecoming 2017

Layton's homecoming was Saturday.

Braxton went with Cam. They didn't have a group, mostly because most of their friends aren't 16 yet. They went to Boondocks for their day activity, then he dropped her off to get ready. He took her to Annie's for dinner, then they went to the dance.

Jackson asked Lauren, who he used to work with at Cold Stone. She is an SBO, and was very busy leading up to the dance. For their day activity, they played games with their enormous group, then prepared homemade pizzas. He dropped her off to get ready, then picked her up around 4. They took group pictures, then went and made their homemade pizzas in a pizza oven. Afterwards, they went to the dance then back to a friend's house to hang out. He had a great time. Isn't she adorable?!

Awww, The Blessings of Mamahood

Monday, I received an email from Jackson's seminary teacher sent me the following message:


He’s a wonderful kid, and I’ve enjoyed his calming influence in class. He has a set of intangible skills that really uplift the class as a whole.

Thanks for letting me know and never apologize for a family situation! Family, at least in my mind, is what it is all about. I’m glad that Jackson was able to help out at home. He’s a wonderful kid, and I’ve enjoyed his calming influence in class. He has a set of intangible skills that really uplift the class as a whole. Thanks for letting me know, and I’ve changed it to parent excused. If it happens again, just let me know.

Thanks for all you do as a mother. You obviously are doing something well, because kids don’t turn out as good as Jackson without an awesome mother like you! In fact, if I may, let me quote your son. In his get-to-know-you letter to me, he said, “She is seriously the most amazing person and I love her to death…” I hope you get a thank you every now and then from your kids, but you should know that it is evident to me as a teacher of one of your children that you are doing a marvelous job!

Jackson missed a day of seminary last week because Colton was sick and school and I couldn't get away to go get him. Jackson went and checked him out, then stayed home with him. I had emailed his teacher to excuse his absence. The above email was his response.

What Jackson said in his class was so touching and it made my mama heart swell!! We don't often hear this stuff directly from our kiddos, but when we do... it's HEAVEN!

Answer to HOCO

On Friday, we all went to the Layton game because Cam told me that she'd be answering Braxton to the dance. She is seriously the cutest dang thing ever. Like, of all time. Ever. They called Braxton's name up to the announcers booth and there was a poster and a football waiting for him. So cute!

Head Chef

Jackson sent me a text on Friday. It was these two pictures:

At the bottom of these two pictures was, "Head Chef." Jackson was voted the Head Chef of the school cooking restaurant thing. Basically, this particular cooking class feeds the teachers. Can you imagine?? Safety first!! Anywho, right now they are simply practicing. Earlier last week, they tried to make crepes. Apparently when making crepes, it is necessary to try to flip them in the pan. The crepe stuck to the ceiling. Keep trying?!?!

Friday, they made cookies. Apparently none of them stuck to the ceiling. He told me that he made the snickerdoodles and they were voted "best." Mind you, a few years ago when Jackson was in cooking class in Junior High, he called me and asked me, "How long do I put Rice Krispy Treats in the oven?" What?!?!?!

I'm sure everything will be fine.

Single Mom Life - All Families Look Different

I had the opportunity to have a conversation with a 14 year-old on Sunday. He lives in our complex and came to our door, asking to speak to me. I went out on the porch and he and I had a little chit-chat. This young man, who is a good kid, had been talking poorly about me and Jamari's mama in front of Colton and Jamari. He had been saying that I am a bad mom because I am at work everyday and I must not love my boys because I am at work all the time. "She must not even miss you," he noted to Colton.

It is important here, to remember that Colton's Autistic (and awesome) mind don't have the ability to divide fact from fiction, or truth from garbage, when things like this are said to him. So, in his mind, Mama must not want to be with him or brothers. His mama must not love him like moms who stay home love their kids. In his mind, other kids see that too and that is embarrassing and hurtful. In his mind, if I loved him, I would be home with them when they get home from school. In his mind, this is troubling and so hurtful.

I explained to this 14 year-old boy that I HAVE to work, that I am the support for my family, that while his mom is at home cleaning and taking care of children and cooking and running errands, his dad goes to work to support their family. I explained to him that in my home, there is only one parent. I have to do all of those things by myself. I told him that the fact that I go to work everyday and then come home and do all of the things that his mom has done all day proves that I love my boys more than anything on this planet. Then, I explained to him that all families look different:

This is our family:

Some families have two parents, a mom and a dad. Some families have two parents, a mom and a mom or a dad and a dad. Some families have one mom or have one dad or have grandparents. Some families just have brothers and sisters (like P's family). But, all of these are families.

Then, we talked about Autism. He told me that his parents have told him not to be around Colton because Colton is "special." They don't want him to "catch" what Colton "has." I explained to him that he needs to obey his parents, but that maybe I could educate them on Colton. I told him that we are blessed to learn from Colton every day. I agreed with him that Colton can be challenging, but no more challenging than a kid who talks badly about someone's mother. He told me that at school, he'll tell Colton to "not act a certain way," or to "not say certain things because kids will think he's weird." I told him that first of all, Colton is Colton. We teach him and train him and direct him, but Colton is NOT at a 14 year old level. He is at a seven year old level. Deal with it! Then, I told him that if he feels that he needs to change Colton, then Colton doesn't need him as a friend. Period.

Finally, we discussed "safe places." I told him that "this place" (the complex) is our home, and his home, and the home of everyone who lives in it. For that reason, it is also a safe place. I told him that I will not tolerate him or anyone else coming in to our complex and talking badly about any of us. I told him that when he has friends over at the complex and they begin talking poorly about anyone who lives here, that he should protect his complex and, thus his home.

All families look different. All families have different struggles. Do I wish I was a stay-at-home mom? It was my greatest desire my whole life. Does the fact that I work a lot of hours mean that I love my children any less? Hell no. And this mama bear will come out every single time I hear someone say it. I work my booty off for my boys. All families matter. All families are just as important, and matter just as much.

It's so important for me to teach my kids this message, and to help others understand it as well. We need to educate ourselves on people so that we can be less judgemental, more accepting, and more protective of our families. All of them.

Friday Favorites - Dances

Both of the boys asked girls to Homecoming on Monday - before school started. How cute is this? "Please be a SMARTIE. Go to Homecoming with this Dum-Dum?"

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!

More Swimming

Saturday, I told Colton that I would take him swimming. Before I knew it, there were six other kids who jumped in to the back of the truck. I had so many children and so many tubes and only so many bottles of water and so many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Everyone was sprayed with sun screen. Everyone swam for three hours. No one was injured. Everyone went home tired. Success!!

And, don't mind the ice in my "cleavage." It was flipping hot!!!!

Our Fourth

Braxton, Cam, Kaydon, Colton and I headed down to Nana and Pop's house for brunch. Cam is super good with Colton. She played the ABC game with him all the way to Sandy. We had a yummy brunch (none of which I could eat because of this dang challenge) and then watched a movie. Brandon and Carrie brought the boys for an hour, so they were loved on like crazy! Kaydon is a hoot with these boys!! When we got home, I worked out and the two boys chilled. Colton and I played "garbage" for a while. What a fun game! I've never played it before! That Colton is a smarty pants!

We missed Jackson. It's hard for me to have less and less of my babies around for days like this. I am feeling myself being a little sad lately. Time to cheer myself up!

One of The Best Days So Far

It is so, extremely, rare for all five of us to be at church. In fact, I can't remember the last time that happened. With the two oldest working and me helping with the babies, it hasn't happened for a while. But it happened yesterday! I love watching my boys prepare the Sacrament. I love hearing Jackson bless it. I love watching my boys pass it. Colton slept soundly on my lap for most of the hour, but that's okay. I love sitting in the pew with my boys. There is something complete about that feeling.

After church, we went home and I made dinner. We sat and ate as a family... again, pretty rare these days. Jackson sat with us, but didn't eat. He was fasting. After dinner, Jackson and I headed to the Stake Patriarch's home. Jackson had decided to receive his patriarchal blessing. It was one of the most, if not THE most, spiritually powerful experiences of my life. There is something about hearing our Father speak to our children that is like nothing I have ever experienced. The blessing was beautiful, articulate, powerful... amazing. Simply amazing. Both of us cried. We wept, in fact. I have always known that Jackson is a special young man. But, hearing our Father speak to him through the Patriarch... it was like nothing I have ever felt before.

This boy of mine is so spectacular. He has been foreordained to do so much, to be so much.. and he is loved beyond earthly words. And, I get to be his mom. ME. I get to be his mom. Oh, the blessings.

Friday Favorites / Autism / Friends / Joy

Last night, I got home from work. I told Jamari to go ask his mom if he could go to Fizz with us and if he could ride in the back of the matchbox with Kaydon and Colton. He was VERY excited. His mom said, "yes." So, the three boys loaded up and we went to Fizz. Mari had never been there and was a bit overwhelmed with the choices. He selected a vanilla italian ice with whipped cream and sprinkles.

Jamari is quite a bit younger than Colton, but he is oh, so patient with Colton. They love to play video games, play outside, and just be boys. Wednesday, the three boys went swimming. Mari has slept over at our house the last two nights... boys asleep on the family room floor each morning I leave for work. I love that Mari is so good with Colton and sees him as just one of the boys. I love that Colton has a friend who sees him for him and accepts him. I love that Kaydon is an unbelievable brother who helps him along. I love that summer time is a time to relax and do things that we don't normally get to do. I love joy.