Sunday Snapshot

Yesterday was a pretty great day to have a pretty great day!

Braxton ordained Colton a Priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Kaydon was set apart as the First Assistant to the Bishop.

Our loved ones were there, except for Jackson and Grandma.

Oh, how I love these boys of mine!

I look at these boys in wonder and in awe.

I know that this is not my doing!
I know that Heavenly Father's hand has been in every little detail of these boys.

I am so honored to be their mama.

Sunday night, Kaydon got 14 more merit badges.

He has two more merit badges to go and then his Eagle project.

I am proud of him and his determination to get this award.

He was also presented with his Life last night.

He loves every minutes of it!

And... I did spy with my little eye this plaque with my boy on it in the hallway next to the Bishop's Office.

It made me smile and cry all at one time.

I miss him more than words.

I am so proud of him!

Jackson's Ordination

Yesterday, my Jackson was ordained to the Melchezidek Priesthood, and office of an Elder in the LDS Church. It was beautiful. Our family was there, as they always are, to support him.

Jackson and Kaydon both spoke in Sacrament Meeting... which is always awesome. My kids are so good at public speaking. They talked about their Trek experiences. I love listening to their talks because I learn far more about their experiences when they have to write it out and REALLY talk about it!

After Sacrament Meeting, we all gathered in Bishop's office. We were waiting on Pops and Nana, so Brother Randall asked that we go around the room and bear our testimonies. I was the first one... of course. Then Kaydon, Colton, Grandma, Papa, Brandon, Bishop, Brother Randall, Tina (Grandma Tina), Randy, Braxton, then Jackson. It was beautiful. The Spirit was strong. Jackson is so loved. Pops and Nana came. Nana bore her testimony. Then, the men in the room who hold the higher priesthood surround Jackson with their hands on his head while Pops ordained him and gave him a blessing. It was extraordinary.

I am so thankful for the men who surrounded Jackson. They are the men who have molded him and taught him and trained him and loved him. We are so blessed to be surrounded by love. Oh, this boy of mine! We finally have the Melchezidek Priesthood in our home. What an incredible blessing!

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.

One of The Best Days Yet

Yesterday was one of the best days so far. My husband stood in a circle with the most important men in my life (except Logan and Skip). He ordained Jackson to the office of a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was beautiful. Jackson then stood in that same circle as my dad ordained Braxton to the office of a Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Finally, Colton sat in the same chair as Josh laid his hands on his head to bestow upon him the Aaronic Priesthood and ordain him to the office of a Deacon.

My dad, my mom's husband, my sweet Grandpa Nef, my brother (Brandon), Bishop Cottle, Brother Nebeker (YM President), and Brother Laws all stood in that circle. They are all honorable Priesthood holders. They have, and will continue to, have a great influence on my boys' lives. The Spirit was strong. The words were beautiful. The feeling was of immense gratitude and humility.

The journey on this Earth so far has been full of trials and struggles. My boys have strength like nothing I've ever seen. My boys have courage like nothing I've ever seen. My boys have hope like nothing I've ever seen. My boys are valiant and stalwart. My boys are compassionate and empathetic. My boys are kind and forgiving. None of these attributes are because of me. Rather, they are because of our Heavenly Father who knows us and loves us. They are due to the people who have been along our path all the way. They are because of the struggles that we have been through, and the ability that our Savior has given us to overcome and keep pushing forward.

Last night, I had a long talk with Jackson. He asked me to pray with him. There is no better mommy moment than when our children ask me to pray with them. I know that they have faith that those prayers are heard and answered. I know that they have faith that they are known. I know that they have faith that their mom has faith. I prayed, as I always do, that our Father would hold him in the hollow of His hands.

I am grateful for the Gospel and for the knowledge that we are not just here, in this crazy world to struggle, to face sadness, to face fear, to face anger, and to fail for no reason at all. I am grateful for my knowledge that there is a plan. There is a reason for all of this. There is a next step after this life. I am grateful for prayers. I am grateful for the Priesthood. I have five Priesthood holders in my home now. What a gift! What a blessing!

I am so grateful.