Thanks and Cruisin'

Sunday night, we went to my parent's house for Thanksgiving dinner. It was very, very nummy! It was a pirate-themed Thanksgiving dinner because they announced that we are going on a family cruise in January! All of the adults already knew about it, because there has been lots of planning going on. Jackson also knew. But the rest of the kiddos found out on Sunday. It was so fun to watch their reaction and to hear them planning what their activities will be. Amanda is not allowing Brooklyn to go with us so tears and sobs were a part of the party. But Papa and Grandma promised to take Brooklyn on an amazing one-on-one before we go cruising. She loves Papa and Grandma! She wanted Papa to hold her and he got lots of cuddles out of him. I'm pretty sure he lives for that. I do too. So, off to the Bahamas and St. Marten we go in January!

Chicken Noodle Soup

Several years ago, when we were in our ward in West Jordan, a sweet, sweet lady brought us dinner every single Monday night... because she wanted to. My kids loved her. I loved her more. She was my solace, my safety, my calm in the storm. Every time I had surgery, she brought her homemade chicken noodle soup. It was like nothing I have ever had. It was perfect. It was amazing! I love to make homemade chicken noodle soup. My kids love to eat it. I do too. Last week, I was really sick. I asked my sweet friend, Martha (Heidi W.), to make me some of her homemade chicken noodle soup. She did and I haven't stopped eating it since. It is so yummy! There is something about chicken noodle soup that warms the body and the soul, at least mine. It seriously makes me feel loved. And, I love it right back!

This quote, which happens to be my very favorite, also makes me feel loved. And, I love it right back! I can always hear Elder Holland's voice saying it. It reminds me that this is such a small part of our immortality. We need not give up. We need not quit. We need not stop trying. There is always help and happiness ahead. Always.

My Kiddos

Sunday was our ward's primary program. My kiddos (the ones in my class) were really nervous. They all wanted to sit right next to me, like half way on my lap. There are 9 of them! They are 8! They all did great! No one threw up or fell or wet their pants. I consider that success! I was extremely sick all week last week. Therefore, no lesson was planned. Therefore, they got to teach! I gave them chalk, erasers, crayons, paper, and my lesson manual. I told them the topic, which was, "Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy." They broke into two groups: boys and girls (duh!). They ROCKED it! I love the way 8 year olds think! Some of the "don'ts" included "Don't do drugs on Sundays," "Don't drink alcohol on Sundays," "Don't lie on Sundays," "Don't watch movies that have swearing in them on Sundays," "Don't play with friends on Sundays unless Mom says it's okay." They also came up with games to play and talked about what we SHOULD do on Sundays: "Go to church," "Listen," "Be nice," "Say a prayer," "Read." I love these kids. They seriously have it together! I often think how valiant and prepared these kids are for what is upon us now, and what is to come. They have a lot to teach us!

Pumpkin Carving

Saturday night, after Black Island Farms, I made dinner and Josh took the kids outside to the deck to carve pumpkins. The kids had a blast. I made hot chocolate for everyone and that's how we ended the night!

First Times

Last night, Kaydon, Braxton, and Jackson went to do baptisms at the Ogden Temple. It was Kaydon's first time. I took Kaydon to get his recommend on Tuesday night. He was SO nervous, but he came out and said, "I PASSED!" So cute. Braxton and Jackson didn't want to go. They were tired and worn out and grumpy. I forced them. I don't force my children to do very many things. But, I actually used the word "force" with them. Then, Josh stepped in, told them to get their dress clothes on pronto and drove them to the church. I told them I loved them, even though they were mad and not looking at me. I also told them that they wouldn't regret it. I knew they wouldn't regret it. I knew that their excuse that "I'll just go next time," wasn't good enough. I knew that they needed to go last night. They were all SO glad they went. Kaydon said to me, "Mom, it was amazing. It was so amazing." I knew it would be. I knew it! Jackson and Braxton were all smiles when they got home. They needed to be there. I know that we always need to respect agency, but last night I put my foot down... and it worked out okay.

Hard Times

Sweet Colton is having an epic hard time right now. Epic. Two weeks ago, he apparently wore a medical boot to school. He told everyone he had a sprained ankle. When it came time for recess, he was healed! When kids questioned why he was lying, he said, "My mom gives me shots and now I'm better!" #1: I don't give my kids shots. #2: There was never a sprained ankle. A couple of days after that, he was bit by a dog. Stitches come out on Thursday. Last week, he asked his teacher if he could use the bathroom. She allowed him to do that. Thirty minutes later, everyone was looking for him. He was just roaming around the halls, peaking his head in every classroom, asking what everyone was doing! Oh, and he went to the principal's office, telling him he doesn't eat breakfast or lunch and he was hungry. The principal got him a roll, then walked him back to class. #1: The kid eats breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 15 snacks in between. #2: The principal is awesome sauce, seriously. Yesterday, I received a phone call... okay several phone calls for the principal, assistant principal, school psychologist, and counselor. Colton was caught on surveillance video stealing a scooter after school. Apparently, he rode it to the ditch, then realized Mom and Dad would be mad, so he dumped it in the ditch and walked the rest of the way home. The parents filed a police report. I sent a $75 check to school today to re-pay the family for the scooter that was not in the ditch the next morning when Colton went looking for it. When I asked Colton why he would do that, he said, "Well, I didn't want to walk home. I put it in the ditch so I could give it back the next day! Am I in trouble?" Ugh. #1: Yup, you're in serious trouble, Kid. #2: Scooters are expensive. #3: It took him a while to grasp what had happened, what the consequences were, and how everyone was being affected by this. The ruling: Colton has ADHD, and it's severe, but we all believe that we are missing another diagnosis. Colton will be seeing a new pediatrician, one closer to our house, on Monday. We will also be getting a referral to a psychologist outside of school for treatment. At school, Colton will be attending groups that will teach him social skills, including how to make and keep friends, telling the truth, not stealing, being respectful, etc. The school psychologist will also be evaluating him and piggy-backing on the independent psychologist's treatment plans. Colton will be working within the special ed area for some resources. This is per his IEP. Colton will be taking his morning meds at school. There are days that he forgets to take them at home. It was explained to me that he is physically unable to remember on some days. It is not even an option to not have that medicine in the mornings. We will be working to train his brain to remember, but until then, they will be giving him his meds. #1: I am SO grateful that we finally have a TEAM to work with. The principal, and everyone else, are amazing!! They are dedicated, kind, supportive, and communicative. Willow Canyon did nothing. #2: Colton is loved. There are a lot of people on this team who have his best interest in mind. #3: We believe that Colton can function at a high level. We believe that he can, and will, succeed in whatever he does. #4: We got this. He will be working very hard to earn the money that we have paid to the young boy whose scooter was stolen. Josh has set him up on a routine after school each day. Oh, how grateful I am for Josh. Within minutes of the first phone call, Josh had emailed the principal, giving him all of his contact information and letting him know that he was his dad and would do whatever we need to do. Josh is SO involved. So, so involved. Especially with school. The kids know that they go to him for school stuff. He is at their parent/teacher conferences, the teachers know who he is, and the kids are well aware that every single night when he gets home, he asks about their school work. Speaking of school work, a couple of weekends ago, they had a math morning on a Saturday. I HATE math, like with a passion. Josh found a game on the computer that is helping Kaydon with his math... and Kaydon loves the thing!

Lunch Date

I got to have lunch with B. Beck and the girlies today! Oh, these girls are getting so big and so beautiful! Janie is in kindergarten and loves it! Lilly is three now, going on about 28! She is a crack up! She wanted me to read her books and I was SO happy to do that! Of course, B. Beck made an amazing lunch. She is pretty much amazing at everything she does! Lilly reminded me that Heavenly Father loves me. She was just what I needed!