Un-Friday Favorites - My Boys are Growing UP

People.

Jackson is going on a mission this Fall. I have been mentally preparing myself for a year for this. I think that denial is my best asset right now. Don't judge. #stroke

Yesterday, he received his acceptance letter to Dixie State University in St. George. That is a four hour drive. He will start there when he gets back from his mission... which will most likely not be taking place in Layton, Utah.

I might have cried. I did.

People, I am so damn proud of this kid. He is mature far beyond his years. He has always put himself in the man-of-the-house position. His brothers and I have found great comfort in that, although I have always begged him to just be him... to be a kid. His role has been much different and our Father in Heaven has given him all of the talents and skills he needs to fulfill this role.

My bubba. My baby boy. My little man. My sidekick. My protector... always. My comforter way too often. My grown-up mission-going, college-going young man.

Tender Mercies and Breathing Treatments

Jackson has had a cough since November. It has not let up and it's beginning to cause irritation to everyone in our home. Plus, Jacks started fevering and just overall feeling yucky. When I got home from work on Tuesday, he asked me to take him to Instacare. My boys are so independent and so I LOVE when they still need their mama!

The doctors are stumped. They've ruled out virus, pneumonia, collapsed lungs, acid reflux, and tumors. For real. They have tried nasal sprays, inhalers, cough meds, cough drops... Nothing has helped him. So, they put a pretty strong concoction into a breathing treatment and left him to be. He felt like it helped quite a bit. They have also put him on an extremely strong steroid for a week. Because my kids are my kids, as we left the doctor and were driving out of the parking lot, Jackson says, "Man, I hope it doesn't make my privates smaller!!" I was snorting. My kids are so stinking hilarious.

As we were walking back to the room, I recognized his nurse from pictures Braxton took on December 10th. She was my nurse at Instacare on that day. I said, "I only recognize you from pictures... I was here on December 10th..." She stopped me and said, "You're the one who we thought was having the stroke!" I said, "Yes. And I did. And thank you for calling the paramedics so quickly to get me to the hospital fast. You may have saved my life." She was elated. She told us that Instacare hardly ever sees people as critical as I was, but when they do they never hear the outcome. She said that they still talked about me and wondered how I was. It was a tender mercy. I was so grateful that I was able to share my gratitude with her and my love for the team that saved my life that day.

Single Mom Gig - Auntie Time & Siblings

I am beyond blessed with two amazing brothers, the greatest brother-in-law and the most awesome sauce sister-in-law. These four are enormous influences in my life. They love me enough to tell me when I'm dumb. They love me enough to give me advice. They love me enough to tell me they love me. They support us financially, emotionally, and spiritually. No one on this planet send funnier Insta messages than Logan. No one!! They will make you snort up the food in your mouth through your nose -- they are that funny! They love my boys and make sure they know it!

And these nephews of mine...

Love. Joy. Bliss. More joy. They are extra-ordinary and my love for them grows daily.

Friday was a bit of a rough one! I texted Brandon and Carrie and asked if I could go love on babies. I drove over and just gave kisses and snuggles and loves. They are both becoming mama's boys which is so sweet to watch! Asher is so dang busy... he only has time for you if you're going to flip him in the air. Auntie does it as many times as he wants! Anson had a bit of a cold and wasn't happy about snot running down his face, but that smile makes everything in life bearable. He wants to do everything Brother is doing and gets super frustrated when he can't.

I love these boys so much! They have healed hearts and minds. They have amazing parents and are so dang loved by everyone!

More Prom Pictures and Nachos!!

Braxton sent me the rest of the pictures from Junior Prom. Isn't he so handsome?! Isn't she so beautiful?! I'm telling you.. I am a bit partial to these girls who choose to look extraordinary in modest dresses! They all look beautiful!

I made homemade nachos on Saturday night. It's a thing that I love to do... mostly because I love to eat them! I am slightly obsessed with nachos. I LOVE them. If I am at a sporting event, I NEED nachos. It's a thing. My boys all like different things on their nachos. I always do a spread of nacho cheese (duh!), olives, sausage, ground beef, homemade guac, sour cream, beans, salsa... and if R is eating then I cut up some fresh jalapenos. They are never not a hit!!

Friday Favorites - Customized Tumblers

You guys!!!

Seriously, look at these. My sweet friend, Amy, makes these! Can you imagine the talent?!

They start at $25. You can buy a plain one at Ross for more than that. For real.

Email her and place your order!! lov2dohair2005@yahoo.com

Getting My Float On!

Yesterday, I took the train down to American Fork... where T picked me up. We drove to Provo and found our float spot. It's a lovely place right near Provo Canyon. The girl was very nice and the place was extra, extra clean and zen-like. We watched a video about how the filter could suck us in if we don't get out soon enough... then the fake animated character laughed about it. I was not laughing! We took a tour of the spot and she introduced us to our capsules -- our floatation spot for 60 minutes.

I was a bit nervous, mostly because I had never done it before and I didn't know what to expect. I think T was more interested in my facial expressions as things were explained to us!

Then, we each went to our own personal rooms. I stripped down to nothin' and then showered in the in-room shower. Seriously, People... BEST shower head EVER!!!!

Then, in to the capsule I went. It's approximately 10 inches of salt water. The water temperature adjusts to our skin temperature. I got in... did NOT close the lid to the capsule... and began to float. I immediately went in to my meditation and I'm telling you - my brain shut off and I floated for 60 minutes. It was so relaxing. My brain got its nap for the week and my body was just able to be. For the first time since December 10th, all parts of my body felt EQUALLY strong. It was almost emotional for me.

I strongly recommend this place! I believe there is a different company located in Roy. I just might check them out. T bought our tickets through Groupon for an extra good deal.. hint hint.

Single Mom Gig - Supporting Mama

If you haven't heard, I'm a Younique Presenter now. I am selling this amazing makeup and skin care in order to pay my medical bills from the stroke.

My boys have been my biggest supporters... seriously. Both Jackson and Braxton are having virtual Facebook parties at the moment. Obviously, they aren't doing it to earn makeup. They are doing it because they support me and they love me and they want to help me succeed with whatever it is I'm doing.

They help me set up for Facebook Lives. They help me set up parties. They help me with computer stuff. They help me to organize and get work done.

They encourage me and laugh at me when I have masks all over my face. They love me and they are my biggest cheerleaders. I am so grateful that I am so blessed in my single mom gig.