Stressed

I have been extremely stressed out the past week, or so.

SO stressed out.

It is so bad for my stroke symptoms.

It is the reason for my stroke symptoms most of the time.

Work is an enormous stressor for me.

Last Friday, Keith brought Xavier and I a dozen donuts.

Jason brought me a whole lot of Diet Coke.

I do my best to turn off lights, turn off the radio, turn down the phone...

But the people...

I can't turn them off.

Sunday, I went to walk on the treadmill for an hour.

C came in.

He got on the treadmill next to me.

I was watching football.

He said, "Mama, I'm going to sleep. Tap my on the arm if you need me."

Sure thing, C!

Next thing I know, he's got his eyes closed and he is zoned OUT.

I did tap him on the arm now and then to tell him the scores of games.

Besides that, he took a little snooze whilst walking at a full incline and like 3.2 speed.

How?

I don't even want to know!

Missionary Letter to His Mama

Jackson hasn't sent a group email for two weeks. But, he did send his mama an email yesterday. I thought I would share it so that there is some kind of update:

The pictures are from a zone conference that they had last week. The mission has a blog, which is super helpful because we get to see pictures of my boy!

Hey ma! Sorry for the late email, we are traveling once again today so that is why i am a little late. 

Good week this week, sorta. I got sick with a form of strep throat and that sucked. We had to call a doctor and he was awesome. Sent me a prescription the day of and I was good after that. but other than that it was a really good week. Productive and efficient. The funniest thing that happened this week was a member was walking by with his mom ( hes a 40 year old man) and said hi to us while raising his beer in the air like it was some kind of victors trophy. Why he did that, no idea but hey we do what we can do sometimes I guess. Something that I am just kind of through with is how we are treated as missionaries. The mission is tough stuff, a lot of people go home because they aren't comfortable with how we are treated. They say we are representatives of Jesus Christ, then why does everyone, including members, treat us like we are just messing around all the time and that we don't know what we are doing? I'm not sure but I find myself angry a lot because would they treat Jesus Christ like that? I'm not saying I'm Jesus but I share the same thing that Jesus offers and it kind of sucks sometimes to be treated like dirt every once in a while.

My two favorite parts of the week were my companion and I organized an activity for the ward and we watched the new Aladdin! Pretty emotional stuff, almost cried like a baby..but that's not important. Carry on.

The second favorite part of the week was yesterday actually. I was talking to a return missionary and we basically had a mini testimony meeting inside the office and just about everyone started tearing up or crying but it was really powerful to hear what goes on during a mission. The sister lost her mom while she was on the mission and now she just has her siblings but it was really tough for her and now she is getting married in December to a guy that she met in the mission and she said that miracles happen but we are the ones that have to be worthy to recieve the miracles. Really an awesome time!

Love ya tons ma, I'm not going to be able to call today but ill try for next week. 

Elder Jorgensen

Jumping

I took Colton and Je'Mari to a trampoline park on Saturday.

They met up with Kade.

These boys jumped for HOURS.

HOURS.

I would have been sick and injured within a few minutes, guaranteed.

I was able to sit and just watch them for a bit.

Those boys have more energy than I will ever have in my life!

Gymming

The gym has always been my place to go and take care of me.

I go. 

I lift.

I walk.

I stretch.

I do yoga.

And I go home.

I spend more time there on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays because I can.

But, it is my time to get my head and my body strong and in a good place.

Now, Colton wants to come with me and I LOVE that!

But, it's putting me into a different mindset.

I have to be honest - I was a wee bit frustrated.

I am used to my routine and doing things my way. 

Now, I need to switch it up and do things to work around Colton and his needs.

I love that he is so into getting healthy and being strong. 

I love that he wants to spend time with Mama.

I just need to work out a little differently now.

And that's okay!

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!

Front Page of the Newspaper

On Sunday, we had family dinner at my mom's house.

Kaydon and Colton drove down right after church.

Braxton waited for me.

I went to the gym, made our dessert, then we headed down.

On the way down, Braxton said to me, "So, Ma. I was on the front page of the paper."

Huh?

When?
"Couple weeks ago."
Braxton! 

At what point did you not find it important to tell me this?

"It's just a newspaper. I thought you'd know."

How would I know if you didn't tell me?

"Everyone at school knew."

Rolling of the eyes number 9372630940.

For real.

Here it is:

Braxton, and his team at school, built this killer lemonade stand.

The newspaper interviewed him.

His quotes are what is on the front page of the paper.

This kid has got so much talent, it's unreal!

Oh, and just another little thing he never shares with me:

His archery skills are on point!