A Blanket and Some Legoes

As promised:

Last night when I got home from work, I saw Colton and some neighbor kids outside our front door on the grass. As always, he began to squeal with delight and yell, "Mama!" That is one of the gifts of autism... my 13 year old may never stop being excited to see his mama, with no shame in expressing it!

As I got closer, I noticed that he had pulled one of our blankets out to the grass along with the Legoes Uncle Ernie got him. He had then invited kids (his own age!!!!) to come sit on the blanket and play with him. AND THEY DID.

Do any of them look unhappy to you? Me either.

Last night, it was Autism, humanity, humility, and gratitude for the win.

Time

On days when I am not working at my part-time job, I head home from my full-time job around 5. When I arrive, I immediately go to the kitchen - pick up what dishes are in the sink, make dinner, set the table, feed my children, vacuum, sweep, or start laundry, talk to my children about what homework they have and what projects are upcoming so that I can make sure they have what they need for them... Then I clean up dinner, finish the dishes, run whatever errands are needed that night, get the boys to take garbage out, get the boys to clean up, set their clothes out for the next day, have Colton take his nighttime pills and get in the shower. Then I get myself ready for bed and close my eyes.

Last night, as I was in the kitchen getting dinner ready and dishes loaded and the floor swept I looked up to realize that all of my boys were at the table with their electronic devices. Usually I would get really upset with them for that, but I took a second last night and realized how blessed I am. I hadn't called them to the table for dinner yet. But they were all sitting there, in our tiny kitchen, close to me. All of my boys. No one was talking to each other and I didn't care. They were there.

On days when I work both jobs, I go right from the FT job to the PT job and don't get home until 11. I am so thankful for the nights when I do have time with them. My boys are awesome sauce.

Seminary Peer Tutor

I got this text from Jackson this morning. He told me that he is a peer tutor in Seminary now... and that he only cried a couple of times. He said that they are just so sweet, and it's in Seminary. Good golly, I love my boys. Seriously.

Saturday was just one of those days for me. I cried - out loud, ugly sobbing - for a few hours. It was emotionally and mentally and physically exhausting. Then, I put on my big girl pants and told Heavenly Father that I was all done crying. Before I went to work on Sunday night, I took a four hour nap. Then, I was all better again. Until the next time I need to cry for hours.

Braxton is 15!

Oh this Peanut!

Braxton was THE easiest baby. He was happy all the time. He loved, loved, loved his upside down binkie and his blankie that he carried around like Liunus. I used to squeeze his cheeks until they were red because I just wanted to eat him up. He has grown into quite the young man. He is so easy to love - and the girls do! He is creative, inventive, and sensitive.

He is SO excited to get his permit. I'm concerned about what the heck I'm going to do for car insurance!!!!

I love you, Peanut. Happy, happy birthday!

Winner Winner!!

Wednesday was our annual City picnic for all employees. My guys were in charge of the games. We had blindfolded golf cart racing, lawn mower racing, volleyball, horseshoes, and a pitching wedge hole-in-one contest. My guys are so awesome, so creative, and are always up for a challenge! I was in charge of the pitching wedge contest, along with one of my guys. The closest pitch was 22 inches from the hole. The picnic was winding down, so as I was cleaning up, my guy (Colten) started pitching all of the balls up to the hole. As he was shagging his balls, I decided to take a shot. TWO INCHES from the hole! The look on Colten's face was priceless. I started screaming my boss's name from across the entire park. Of course, he looked over at me like, "What is Ray doing now??" When he got there and Colten had the tape measure up, he was like, "Give me your camera Ray!"

I was jumping up and down, screaming, clapping, and standing there in complete shock. I was a winner!!!!!

The best part is how happy my guys are for me. Everyone had to come up and look. They are oh, so good to me!

Jackson is 17!

My first born, my first love, my first little buddy... My Jackson is 17 today. 17. Are you kidding me?!

This boy is wise beyond his years, probably because he has had to adult way more than any kid should ever have to. He is sensitive, hard-working, driven, and makes friends so easily. He is up for trying anything. He is kind and always cares about the people around him.

I cannot believe he is a junior in high school. I am so blessed to be his mama. Happy, happy birthday Bubba!

First Day of School 2016-17

The boys started school yesterday! Uncle Brandon came over Tuesday night to give the boys Priesthood blessings before they began the school year. I was so thankful for that moment. I am so thankful that Uncle Brandon and Aunt Carrie have good relationships with my boys.

Jackson started 11th grade at Layton High School.

Braxton started 9th grade at Fairfield Junior High School.

Kaydon started 8th grade at Fairfield Junior High School.

Colton started 7th grade at Fairfield Junior High School.

This year, I am able to drop the three youngest off in the morning. We load up in the Matchbox and head to school. Braxton and Kaydon get Colton to his classroom, then head to their locker and to their classes. Jackson picks them up in the afternoon, unless he's working. I haven't figured out a plan yet for when he is working.

I was so happy to hear that Braxton and Kaydon ate lunch together yesterday. Colton has a different lunch. But he told me that he was by himself and sweet Lia Katoa (who is in our ward) came up to him and asked if he was lonely. Then, she sat and ate with him. Pretty soon, the other girls in the ward joined them.

Blessed.