Boys' First Day of 2015-16

Jackson started tenth grade at Layton High.

Kaydon started seventh grade at West Point Junior.

Braxton started eighth grade at West Point Junior.

Colton started sixth grade at West Point Elementary.

Mommy started crying as soon as I dropped the last one off.

The end.

Mommy Martha Haircuts

Mommy Martha cut hair on Monday night. We were there for quite some time because we have a lot of kids! Even daddy got in on the action and got the middle of his goatee bleached. The kids thought that was hilarious!

I am so grateful for Martha. She is a good second mommy to my kiddos. They love her and they know that she loves them!

Back to School Dinner & Theme

We had our back to school dinner last night. Brooklyn started school last Monday and the boys all start next Monday. Josh grilled steaks and I made rice pilaf, green salad, and corn bread. Dessert was our favorite - Christensen Diabetes. It's an ice cream sandwich dessert that is amazing!

Our theme comes from Elder Boyd K. Packer. It is: "If you stumble, rise up, go on." I read from the talk that Elder Packer gave. It talks about keeping your body and your mind clean. It also talks about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and how because of that we can always rise up and go on.

I explained to our kids that we are not on Earth to be perfect. We are here to make mistakes. Stumbling is okay - as long as we get back up and go on in the right direction. I told them that they are going to have times during this school year when they stumble. I told them that there will be bad days. I told them that they will struggle, but that because of the Atonement, they can get back up and move forward.

This year, we will have a tenth grader, eighth grader, seventh grader, sixth grader, and first grader. I am beyond grateful to be their mother. I am so proud of them and the choices they have made thus far. I am also eternally grateful for Josh, who by all accounts is the greatest patriarch our family could have. His focus is always on those kids.

Kaydon Turns 13!!

Kaydon turns 13 today! This boys, as I've said before, is a miracle. So many operations, so many hospital stays, so much home-health and therapy. He is strong and feisty. He loves science and history. He loves, loves, loves movies. He loves Legos. He loves animals. He is still a mama's boy. Not a day goes by that he does not say, "Mom, you're so beautiful!"

This morning, I emailed his gastroenterologist, Dr. Mizell. I sent him a picture of Kaydon, who is strong and healthy. I thanked him for his tireless efforts on Kaydon's behalf. I thanked him for the mornings he would come in to our hospital room and tell me to go take a break, to go eat. I would come back to the room and find Dr. Mizell rocking Kaydon and talking to him softly. This man saved Kaydon's life, and comforted me in the process.

Kaydon starts 7th grade in a week and I can't wait to see what he can accomplish!

This Boy

This boy has our hearts. Gus is calm, obedient, smart, and loving. He is a mama's boy through and through and I kind of love it! When he sees daddy, it is a barking war, a tickle war, a tug-of-war or just rough-housing and he knows it! He loves the kids! And, they love him so much. This was a good decision for our family. We needed Gus and he needed us.

Brooklyn met him on Monday and he had her laughing so hard that it was a rolling, loud laugh from her. She is in bliss. In between trying to catch her breath from laughing, she would say, "Gus, I love you so much Gus Gus." It melted my heart.

Around 7:30 every night, he knows it's calm-down time. He comes into our room and waits for someone to get him up onto our bed. Then he lays there, chews on his bone and falls asleep. Daddy puts him to bed and the night is over. It's heaven.

Gus Christensen

Meet Gus Christensen. Gus Gus. Gusolopolaus. GUS!!

Gus is a Maltese / Russell Terrier mix. He was born January 21. He is a daddy's boy so far (not even 24 hours old). Welcome Gus Gus.

Colton is 12

I am so sad that this is the only picture I got of the amazing birthday cake that Martha made for Colton! By the time I realized it was a blurry mess, it was half gone! Martha is so great! She made Colton the yummiest, cutest birthday cake EVER! I am so thankful that she loves my boy!

Colton is 12 years old today! Apparently this morning, he called everyone he knew to remind them that it is his birthday! Awesome. That's one of the many things I love about Autism! He felt like everyone should be wide awake, celebrating with him!

We are so thankful to have this little guy in our family. His life is full of adventure, love, and light. He lives in a happy world where everyone is full of goodness and love. Happy birthday, Boogie!