Little Sis

This little girl LOVES her Mama Heidi.

Every.Single.Time I leave the house, she jumps up from her chair outside and asks where I'm going and if she can come.

98% of the time, the answer is "no."

Then she gets sad eyes and goes and sits back down in her (my) yard chair.

If she's outside when I get home from work, she RUNS to the mail boxes.

That's where I go very first when I pull in.

She sprints to the boxes and jumps right into the passenger side of my car.

She just sits there and waits for me.

Then, she rides with me the 100 yards to my parking spot.

Monday, I had to take Kaydon some dinner and take Mama Tina's crock pot back to her.

It was Sassy's chance to go with Mama Heidi.

AND to get ice cream.

Kaydon even did his trick where he throws it up in the air and catches it in the cup. 

She was SO impressed.

She even gets to sit in the front seat with Mama Heidi.

Oh, I love this girl.

Lake Day

On Saturday, Colton and I were invited to go to Pineview with my friend and his family.

We got there before 8:30 am and it was BEAUTIFUL!

The lake was calm.

There was hardly anyone there.

The water was calm.

And it was just us for a few hours!

Colton LOVES the water.

He could live on the water!

We built sand castles, skipped balls on the water, went on a couple boat rides (Colton got to drive the boat for a minute!), and just relaxed in the sun!

My friend has a nephew, Roman, who is just my favorite.

This baby loves the water and loves the boat.

He shouts, "GO!" constantly.

It was a really peaceful, good day!

And so pretty!

The Birthdays

During this crazy week, two more boys had birthdays.

I have a twenty year old.

20!!!

How on earth did that even happen?

I also have an 18 year old.

A 17 year old.

A 16 year old.

I remember when they were little and people would ask ages...

"1,2,3, and 5."

"5,6,7, and 9"

And so on.

Those seemed like the hardest years ever.

Little did I know these boys would grow up to be the most noble and loyal and funny and resilient and courageous and handsome men and young men.

Oh, how I love being their mama.

School Year 2019-2020

Colton was the only boy I got a picture of this morning.

He has been SO nervous about starting high school.

He is a sophomore.

And just the most badass kid I know.

He put on the shirt Mama bought him and the necklace Auntie Tif made him and he was ready!

Ready to conquer fears. Ready to conquer anxiety. Ready to conquer hard things.

Last night we did our back-to-school feast.

I do these annually. 

I felt bad this year. I didn't even get sparkling cider.

Bad mom moment.

But, I did make amazing creamy chicken enchiladas, spanish rice and brownies.

Kaydon was in charge of the theme for this year.

"Kindness and Patience."
He talked about how you really can't have one without the other.

He is right.

This will be a great theme for our family.

Yesterday, Jackson called Auntie Carrie and I.

He was in the best mood.

He informed me that he will only be sending "big" emails every other week.

I was not happy about this.

I told him that this was unacceptable.

He just laughed.

Then, we did not get an email yesterday.

He's gonna get it!

BUT, he is transferring to a new area tomorrow.

It is north about four hours.

It is in the country, rather than the city.

It is called Salamanca.

He has been called as the District Leader.

His new companion is still training, as well.

His new companion is Mexican.

And, Mama is always glad to be back into a routine!

I'm Back-ish

Oh, was I sick.

I was down and out until Saturday.

I went and walked at the gym Saturday morning and then took my dang self to the pool to sit in the sun for a couple of hours.

Followed by bed.

In the midst of this, Kaydon and Colton were able to go camping with their dad for a night.

They all got sunburned, but the boys said it was really fun!

Braxton and I went to our last baseball game of the season.

It's my happy place.

And, it's really the only time that I get one-on-one time with Peanut.

I love that boy.

I love our conversations.

I love his personality.

I love that he lets me be my baseball self.

And, I love that I felt well enough to do it!!

Preparing for School

Colton starts at the high school this year.

I've never been so nervous about something.

Ever.

But, Big Sis Amia will be there... just as she always is.

Tuesday, Amia, Colton and Mama LaLa went and toured the school.

Amia did a map of the school for Colton so that he knew exactly where he needed to go for each class and how to get there.

He came home feeling MUCH better.

Mama is still very nervous.

Mama LaLa and Colton met his Math teacher and one of the assistant principals, who he was very adequately able to communicate his fears to.

I am so proud of this boy of mine!

He is very capable and works very hard to be extremely independent.

Here's to an amazing sophomore year for this boy of mine!!

These Babies

Sunday, Colton and I went and helped Brandon with the babes.

Carrie was working and Brandon was sick.

We did the basics:

Play outside

Tickles and snuggles

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Play in the dirt

Play in the dirty water

Play with the balls

Learn how to drink Diet Coke!!!