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!

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.

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.

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!