My Little Adult

Meet the newest adult.

My Jackson.

21 years old.

You guys, I seriously don't know how that happened.

This boy is my first born.

He is funny, sensitive, self-aware, smart, hard-working, goal-oriented, loyal and handsome.

He has always been the very best big brother to his siblings.

And, the just the very best to his mama.

Jackson was a hard baby.

Colick for months and months and months.

It was so trying, and something I really thought he'd never grow out of.

He didn't sleep well.

He cried all the darn time.

Then, he just kind of grew out of it all.

He struggled a lot with several issues until he was about 10.

Then, he just showed how resilient he is.

Jackson has a strong testimony.

He loves the people of Chile who he served.

He has goals to go into psychology and work with people to help them.

I can't wait to see what he accomplishes!

Love you so big, Jacks.

 

Shooting

Yesterday morning, Michael and the four youngest awoke VERY early to head to the West Dessert.

They had a plan of shooting guns.

Kaydon had wanted to do this last week, before he goes back to school.

He and Colton had the BEST time.

The guns were a little too big for the littles.

Dang it.

I'm so grateful that the boys are able to do these fun activities that I never did with them!!

Eagle

Kaydon's Court of Honor was Saturday night.

It was perfect.

It was held in the Krum's backyard which is #goals!

There were three other boys getting their Eagle Scout Award as well.

When the program began, a man came out with the most beautiful Bald Eagle.

They were standing about five feet away from us.

It was spectacular.

When Liberty would flap her wings, she would fan us!

Did you know that eagles can see rabbits from three miles away??
I swear, whenever Liberty looked at me, she was staring through my soul!

She was amazing!

It just so happened that they also gave Jackson his missionary plaque.

These two, though!

Mike gave Kaydon a knife as a gift for getting his Eagle.

It was such a great night.

I am so proud of my KK!

Peanut

I will not ever not love this picture of Braxton.

THIS is a perfect illustration of Braxton as a baby.

He had a bald head, big ears, and the best little smile.

He was the sweetest, most easy-going baby.

Of all my boys, he was my "easiest" baby and toddler.

And those cheeks...

Oh, how I miss kissing my all of my baby's cheeks!

Braxton and Mia are darling.

We love having her at our house.

National Besties Day

Last night I got a message from T.

Usually around that time of the evening, our messages back and forth are about exhaustion, poop or dad jokes that are not funny.

Instead, she was telling me that it was National Best Friends Day.

I hit the jackpot with this one.

She is beautiful.

Smart.

Organized.

Funny AF.

Logical.

Loving.

Empathetic.

Hopeful.

Loyal.

She is a great mama and a fantastic wifey.

Everyone needs a sister and a daughter like T.

She is committed fiercely to her family.

This girl saved my life.

When things got real... and real bad... this girl was right there, just as she always has been.

She became my sponsor.

She became the person I was accountable to on the daily.

She became a go-betweener.

She has been deeply involved in my treatment.

While being a wife, mommy, business owner, and employee.

This is love and life.

I love her to the moon and back infinity and I am so grateful she is in my life!

Braxton Dean Graduates

We headed to Mountain High School yesterday for Braxton's best day yet!

Kaydon was feeling good about himself in his outfit!

This kid is life!

Brax arrived in style, too!

My boys are so sharp!

Every single member of the staff and faculty adore him!

They just love him so much and it shows.

We all voted and it was unanimous.

BEST GRADUATION EVER.

Seriously.

No speakers.

The only name you hear announced is the one you want to hear!

It was so quick and so great!

Notice: Peanut has two ropes around his neck.

This kid nailed it!

Our Mia, Braxton's girlfriend, had the time slot right after his.

So,we were able to celebrate her as well!

I LOVE that she was wearing sneakers with her beautiful dress!

Love these two!

Brandon, Carrie, Asher and Anson came too!

Brandon and Carrie were HUGE in encouraging and motivating Braxton to not give up on his high school diploma.

P.S.

Anson says, "Auntie!!"

It's actually, "Bantie."

But I'll take it!

Greg, the Principal, pulled Brax aside and told him that he'd been awarded a $500 scholarship!

For those of you who know the actual miracle it is that Braxton graduated period, the bonus have being awarded a scholarship was amazing.

He worked SO hard.

He did everything in his power to control his extreme anxiety.

The administration and faculty were so supportive and he did it!

Tracy, the Counselor...

There are no words for our love for this woman.

She believes so strongly in these kids and pushes them and nurtures them and believes in them far more than they believe in themselves.

Two down... four to go!

We are SO proud of you, Peanut!

Ma

If you've never heard Braxton call to me, it's too bad.

Because it's epic.

He says it with a Boston accent and sounds like his Uncle David!

"Maa!"

It's kind of the best.

He's done it for years.

Mike laughs every time he hears it!

Yesterday, Peanut came to spend time with his Ma.

He and five of his friends are looking at houses to move into - six guys in one house.

I asked him why in the actual heck he is moving out when Jackson's already gone.

"Maa! I'm going to be 19!"

You guys!

They're leaving the nest like it's cool or something!

In other news, I love when he randomly shows up at my office just to see his Ma.

Love this boy so big!