Baby Time!

Friday night, Jackson and Braxton met me at Uncle Brandon and Aunt Carrie's house to babysit the babes. As always, Anson was completely chill. Asher, not so much. Baby Asher was not very happy with the world. Poor little guy. We had to do lots of snuggles and bouncing and walking. Jackson and Anson just chilled and watched Baby Einstein.

Saturday night, we all met Uncle Brandon and Aunt Carrie at Farmington Station to get Baked Bear to celebrate this month of birthdays! The boys loved it!! We loved some more on these babes and laughed and talked. Brandon has been having talks with Jackson and Braxton about what they think they want to do after high school. Braxton is the tough one to get through to. I am so grateful that my boys have amazing uncles who are helping them to become great men.

Birthday Buddies

I always wished that I had my own birthday. Seriously. I didn't even get one birthday all by myself. Brandon went and ruined my big day by being born on my first birthday! But, seriously, I am so grateful he was. I am so grateful for him, his wisdom, his wise-crack personality, his strength, and his example to me. He really is such a fantastic husband, daddy, and provider for his family. He is running a successful chiropractic practice. He is a movie-buff, an MTV Classics addict, a camper, and a great uncle.

My boys absolutely trust him and rely on him. They confide in him when they won't talk to anyone else. I think we have become even closer since these little nuggets of him were born. Last week, I was holding Asher when Brandon came home from work. I was trying to put Asher down for a nap, but he heard his daddy come in and popped right up. Brandon came right over, scooped him up, and talked to him for a bit before he brought him back to me.

Happy 39th birthday to my birthday buddy! I love you, B.

Their Daddy

I spent yesterday at Brandon and Carrie's house to help again with the boys. Sweet Carrie is so tired and is trying so hard to keep routines and schedules in place. Sweet Asher loves his auntie and was such a good boy. We did tummy time and sat in the bumbo. We sang songs and talked and gave lots of kisses. Sweet Anson is having some tummy problems and mostly screamed the entire day.

Brandon made Carrie go lay down in the late afternoon and he dealt with Anson. Asher woke up from a nap, so I sat him next to his daddy while I made his bottle. I love this picture. I told Brandon how proud I am of him and what an amazing job he is doing. He is a fantastic chiropractor, who supports his family willingly and happily. When he is home, he is fully involved. He is hands-on and constantly parenting. He feeds them, changes them, bathes them, dresses them, watches MTV Classics with them. He does the house work and laundry. He cooks meals. He is a very loving and supportive husband and is an amazing dad. I really 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.

Little Sugar with Uncle Brandon & Aunt Carrie

One of the greatest blessings about living in our new digs is that our house is only one mile away from Uncle Brandon's office. Last night, he came to pick up Braxton and Kaydon to help him move a 560 pound table. Afterwards, he texted me to bring Colton so we could go get ice cream. Colton and I were in bed, but you can bet your bootie that we got out of bed to go get ice cream!!

Aunt Carrie came too. We missed Jackson, who was on a date, but I'll eat ice cream anytime!!!!

KK Time

Uncle Brandon picked KK up on Friday afternoon and spent some one-on-one time with him for a couple of days. They went to downtown Salt Lake - visited the Capital and art museums. Kaydon loved it! They went fishing and hung out.

In the midst of trying to keep it all together the last seven months, I have neglected to pay attention to the deteriorating emotions of my boys. Kaydon talked to me Thursday night when I got home. I immediately asked Brandon to come and administer to him, and he did. My boys have been through way too much in their short lives. It's all coming to a head now and it's time that we all get into some counseling. Sweet Kaydon has had some scary thoughts and I can't imagine losing my baby!

I am so thankful that he got some quality time with my sweet brother and sister!

Uncle Brandon & Aunt Carrie Temple Night

Friday night, while Colton and I hung out at the ER, Uncle Brandon and Aunt Carrie took Bubba, Peanut, and Buddha to the Bountiful Temple to do baptisms. Uncle Brandon baptized and confirmed each of them. They then got to go to Nielsen's for frozen custard. JEALOUS!

I am so grateful that my boys have such great examples and such loving aunts and uncles.

Kaydon's One-On-One

Last night, I dropped Kaydon off at Uncle Brandon's office in Layton. Kaydon had his bag packed and was prepared for a sleepover. Kaydon gets some one-on-one time today with Uncle Brandon and Aunt Carrie. Uncle Brandon is working on his shed in the backyard and KK gets to help.

I am so grateful for my family, who loves us and supports us. My kids have been through so, so, so much. It's so good for them to have some one-on-one time with uncles and aunts and grandparents, where they feel loved and can forget about their struggles for a bit. Although, I have to admit that I HATE when my kids are away from home. It's a big problem!

My Other Boys

My Logan is in town to train his staff. I was SO happy that he, Nana, Pops, and Brandon came to our house for dinner on Monday night. I love my other boys - my sweet brothers. They are such good, good men. They are honorable, hardworking, hilarious as all get out (Logan spoke a little about a certain STD when trying to keep Braxton from liking a certain girl), kind, generous, unselfish and handsome! They hold me up when I can no longer stand on my own.

I wish Skipper could have been here too. I miss his face!

Love my other boys! My boys have such amazing examples through their uncles!

Back To School Shopping

Saturday was very fun. Uncle Brandon and Aunt Carrie met us at Farmington Station and took the boys - two by two - to buy school clothes at the shops. Uncle Brandon, Aunt Carrie, Uncle Logan, Uncle Skip, Papa & Grandma, Nana and Pops all donated money to the school clothes fund and the boys were able to get some great clothes for the year!

Brooklyn played on the equipment and Josh and I hung out on the padded benches while they did the hard work! We are so blessed with a supportive family!

Grandma LeAnne bought the boys clothes right before school started and Papa Bruce gave them each money for their birthdays so that they would have spending money. We love our family!