Thankful! - Mommy Martha

When we moved into the West Point First Ward, I remember seeing this beauty from across the chapel and thinking how beautiful she was. We became friends after she started cutting my kids hair. I realized that her heart was even more beautiful than her face, and that is saying something!

Heidi is an amazing mommy and wife. She is an amazing homemaker. She is super creative and so fun. Everyone who meets her loves her.

She has listened to me vent and listened to me weep. She was the one I called right after Josh told me that he and his girlfriend were having a baby. She came right over and just held me and let me cry. She comforted Jackson who couldn't control his emotions. She was there when the Priesthood arrived to give us blessings. She was always there.

I feel so unbelievably blessed to call this girl my sister from another mister. I love her more than she knows!

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.

Sixth Grade Graduation

Colton's sixth grade graduation was this morning. I was a little nervous with the chaos and number of people and different sounds that he might not do too good, but he did great! I am so proud of him for making it through this year! I am SO hoping that junior high school is a far better experience for all of us!

I cannot believe that he is my last one to ever be in elementary school! That seems so odd to me.

As always, Mommy Martha was right there to support our Colton. Most of the time, she is a far better mommy to him than I am. I am so grateful that she loves him and is such a support to me and all of the boys. We sure love her!

Dear Mr. Mommy Martha

Dear Mr. Mommy Martha-

Thanks for letting Braxton hang out with you for a few minutes last night while the others got hair cuts. He really enjoyed it, and probably needed it too. My boys think that your new semi truck is pretty much the coolest thing of all time. Braxton was explaining all kinds of things to me about it last night as I was tucking myself in. He said that you are worried that it might be the biggest mistake of your life. But, my boys have seen some pretty big mistakes be made in their short lives. They think it's rather awesome that you took a chance on your dream and made it come true.

I think that it's rather awesome that you are a good, loyal, and faithful husband to Mommy Martha. I also think it's rather awesome that you are a good daddy to those four blessings you have in your home. I also think it's awesome that you let us invade your home when we come to get hair cuts once a month. So, thank you for everything!

Sincerely,

The Other Heidi

Our Trial and Triumph - Normalcy & Gifts

Wednesday night, I rushed home from work to pick up the squad. We headed to Mommy Martha's for hair cuts. Jackson was already there because he had to get to work. His hair got colored this time! So handsome! The others got their hair cut while we loved on the baby and played with the kids. My kids feel so loved and at home at Mommy Martha's. I am so thankful. After hair cuts, I ran the boys to mutual, then back to her house to pick up some goodies she had for me. She refilled with freezer with veges and jams and made me a loaf of the yummiest banana bread. I'm not sure what I would do without her. Seriously.

I headed home. At night. By myself. To an empty and quiet house. That was tough for me. I was nervous to go in the house, knowing it would just be me. Thankfully, my Ernie texted me right as I walked in and reminded me that I could do it and that it would be okay. And I was. I got the house cleaned up and then got things ready for the next day. In the midst of it all, the doorbell rang. I went downstairs and noticed the front door was covered in hearts. As I opened the door, there was a plate of cookies and a card for Braxton. It was from two of his best friends - Paityn and Sydnee. I cried happy tears. Happy tears feel so good! He was so happy when he came home from mutual to see what his friends had done for him.

I can't wait to blog about all of our angels - earthly and heavenly. We are just enveloped in love and support and I would not be able to do any of this without that.

Mommy Martha Time

We usually go to Mommy Martha's for haircuts. We did that last night. Well, Jackson and I did. I took Jackson for a haircut. While I held and kissed Baby Brooklyn, he talked to Mommy Martha about life and girls and dumb girls. She asked him about school and everything else. They talked and I loved on the baby. When they were done, he went in the other room and laid on her couch and looked at his phone. I asked him if he was ready to go and he said, "Not yet." So, I put the baby on the air hockey table and loved on her some more. Then he was ready to go. He just needed Mommy Martha time, I realized. And, I did too.