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!

Update on Boogie

Colton is 16 1/2.

He is a sophomore.

Homeschool for this boy has been a challenge!

Normally, he is a very routine kiddo.

When you combine his diagnosis', routine is imperative.

He does have some main-stream classes, but he also has special ed classes and two "lab" classes, where he has the chance to do his work with an advisor and the special ed director.

Without that, he is struggling.

He also misses the social aspects of school.

I think a lot of kids feel this way.

The move has been such a blessing for him.

He has a backyard to go out and play in.

Mike bought some outdoor toys which he plays each day.

He also has his own room, which he keeps very tidy.

He has his own TV, too, so he can go in there and have Colton time.

He has been AMAZING with the dogs.

He is our biggest helper with Izzy and Gus, and is SO excited for Kaya to join our family today.

Our upcoming goals for Colton are to let him test for his driver's permit when things calm down, and to get him a job when things calm down.

He wants both of these things very much.

Colton is such a blessing to our family.

He is pure joy!!!

PURE JOY.

We sure love you Colt-a-bolt!

Update on Buddha

Kaydon is 17 1/2.

He is a junior in this crazy world.

He has his own car and takes SUCH good care of it.

He works at Cold Stone Ice Cream.

That sometimes makes him my favorite.

Kaydon is a hard worker.

He is the least social of my kids.

If he isn't at work, he likes to go hiking or just be at home.

Kaydon LOVES movies.

He is my fashionisto.

This kid and his clothes and shoes and jewelry is all a bit - well, a bit perfectly Kaydon.

He is very particular.

About everything.

Kaydon is a very emotional kiddo.

He is also extremely spiritual.

The shut down has been tough for him.

He was going to the temple every week before this.

Kaydon is my miracle boy.

He was not expected to live when in infancy and as a toddler.

He has surpassed everything the doctors ever thought he'd do.

Kaydon is thinking he wants to go into architecture or finance, or a combination of both.

He is the most responsible with this money out of all of us.

And, he loves to build.

I sure do love my Buddha boy!