It's Been a Year!

Justin has a new calling

Justin has been called to be the 2nd Counselor in his Ward Bishopric.  I was leaving for Reno with my friends early in the morning but put it off until after Justin's setting apart.  I am so glad that Julie was very willing to wait for me.  There was no way I was going to miss witnessing my son being ordained to a High Priest.....those kind of things don't happen every day and when they do it's only once.  I also went to his ward so that I could see him being called to that position. It was an awesome experience and I love his Testimony that he shared.  One of the things he said was...if we allow God to guide us and lead us HE will.

Mya was also giving a talk in Primary and so I stayed for that so I could hear her.  I'm not lying when I say I have very cute and smart grands.  Oh my heck they make me smile.  Mya reminds me of a few of my kids when they were little. (each of the grands do)  Tell Mya the talk once or twice and she knows it.  She's such a cutie.  I loved watching as she lift her eyes and looked at me to make sure I was watching her.  What a wonderful, spiritual day!

All our kids were there when Larry ordained Justin to a High Priest....it was awesome!  I love that our family loves and supports each other.  We are truly blessed!

Larry's Games

Some times it's nice that Larry competes in the Senior Games.  Because some times it's nice just to get away.  It's really nice that Jerry & Darinda have a home that they don't mind sharing with us.  We love staying in there home.  This was the first Meet of the Year.  Larry met the goals he had for himself and now will work on improving at the upcoming events.

The weather was great.  I remember last year it was freezing and Jerry even wore his old snowmobiling suit.  This year we had to put on sunscreen. (much better)

Kimi invited Genni to come with us and I need to remember that bringing friends might not be a good idea.  Genni was pleasant as ever but Kimi seems to grow an attitude when her friends are with her and I don't really care for it. (I even gave her mouth a little slap.......stinker)

Larry received a medal in the events he signed up for.  So he did well.  I think one of the funny things about these events is watching Larry & Jerry complete and razz each other.  It makes us all laugh.

I know Larry is glad that Jerry encouraged him years ago to come and compete.  Larry loves it and it keeps him active.

After the events Jerry took Larry and the kids on a four wheelin ride.  I thought it was too hot already and so I didn't want to go.  I knew Darinda wouldn't mind staying back either.  We had a really nice visit while the others were gone.  The time flew and we didn't even end up leaving their home until after 8:00 pm....we got  home around 1:00.  It was a quick but fun get a way!

Graduation

 WooHoo for Kevin and Justin!  They both Graduated today from Weber State!  Kevin walked but Justin decided to work since college has already cost him so much.  I am very proud of my son's for working hard and getting their degree's.

The kids have mostly done it on their own.  We have helped very little and for that I am even prouder and they hopefully are too.  I have awesome kids and I'm very proud of each one of them.  They all work really hard and haven't given up. (the two younger ones think about giving up but hopefully they will look up at their older siblings and hang on)

It was a happy day for us all.  I'm so proud of the love and support we all have for each other.  Even though this month has had it's challenges it has also had many blessings.  Today was a huge blessing!

I'm so thankful for the strength of my kids and their will to press forward!  I hope and pray they will always be blessed for their efforts.  Oh.....I.....Love.....Them!

Yes I Am....

I can't help but puff my chest out just a little today with all that my kids have and are accomplishing.  Justin and Kevin each graduate today. WooHoo!!!  They have worked so hard and I am just really proud of them.  Trichelle continues on her path to graduation and since she shares with me more than the boys I know how much she has loved all the things she has learned on her journey.  I love having her share her love of learning with me....makes me smile.  Jaydan is just about done with his schooling in Massage Therapy and has loved it.  He gets such good grades because of his interest in what he is doing.  I love having me share his success with me.  These are some of the rewards of being a mom.  Kimleighel and Jared are both at a hard time in life......adolescence....but they are pushing through and are great kids.

I love being a mom and I love watching my kids succeed.  These 7 people that call me mom make my heart smile.....HUGE!  I love them all so much and they have each made my dreams come true.
(maybe a few nightmares too.....reality!)

It's Real

Boy...the things I keep learning!  The learning and experiences never seem to end and I suppose that is good.  I think everyone gets to experience some form of depression at least a few times in their life.  I know I have and at one time after all my kids were here I realized I couldn't beat it on my own.  I had to get some help from the Doctor.  At the time I just thought I had the "baby blues" and maybe so but it was a huge case of it.  I knew I needed help when I head thumped my kid with my head....went right in and called the Doc. (mom's shouldn't be head thumping their kids....it's just not right)  Actually at that time I was on some meds but had quit using them and realized I wasn't ready to be off them quite yet.

I know my kids have struggled at times in their lives too and could see it when they were.  Problem is that sometimes we as people do just think that we need to just "buck up" and get over whatever is getting us down.  Depression is real and I'm so thankful that our family has gotten through ours for the most part.  However, we or at least I have had my eyes opened at how serious depression can be and how it needs to be addressed and handled when you notice it.  I had to be kicked in the gut to notice the severity of it with Jared.  I'm thankful for that "kick"....much better than what could have happened.

I am thankful for a friend that made me a list of things to do and even people to contact.  Even though not everything panned out on the list it got me going and led me to the help we have needed.  This is what has happened so far:
*We got Jared on some vitamins right away. (the friend that made the list gave us some vitamins to get us started)  I don't really agree with Medication since I feel like a lot of the time meds just mask the outer problem.  I would rather go more natural and heal the "core" of the problem and I like what we have done. (will tell in a minute)
*We informed each of our kids about what was happening so that we can all be more sensitive, loving and caring.
*I've talked to Jared over and over about how we all have problems.  He is not alone but in his mind he believes he is the only one that makes mistakes. I have even shared some of my weaknesses with him so that he will realize none of us are perfect and we all make mistakes.  I also have stressed that life is a big test and we will always make mistakes but because of those mistakes we grow and can handle what will come next.  Even though things are frustrating and hard we need them to become better.
*I talked to the school and got a support team going for Jared.  I messaged his teachers a few times asking them to encourage Jared and to just acknowledge his presence.
*I called and talked to a nurse that gave me numbers and places to go for help. (was on my list given to me by my friend)
*I called counseling places and was ready to give up on that until I talked to some of my friends.  Places are so worried about how you are going to pay for treatment and since our insurance stinks and the places I talked to don't even take our insurance they didn't want to help me.  But after talking with my friends I knew I needed to call Social Services and do whatever I had to do to get Jared in to talk with a counselor.  We got in quick and Jared looks forward to going again.
*I am taking Jared to a chiropractor that does "energy" work.  I remembered about him because of different things said and meeting with others.  Dr. Gauruder muscle tests Jared to see if we are giving him the right things.  The "spirit" knows what the body needs. (subconsciousness)  With this doctor many areas are addressed and worked on.  I know many might think this way is Hocus Pocus   but it "feels" right to me.  I love watching as the body and spirit heal....I can see it happen.  After the first visit even I felt better.....like a heavy load had been lifted from me....I felt happier.  The next visit was more with emotions and broke my heart just a little but I was glad that those things can be addressed and healed.  It's a process and will take more visits and more time and money but I feel blessed to be going here.
*I am able to get Jared in for professional testing so that he can get a 504 that will help him succeed the rest of his school years.  I'm actually looking forward to the test since I just thought Jared had ADD but had no idea he really had something wrong with his memory.  There might be more that we aren't aware of and if not at least we will know what my son needs.
*I talked to his Church leaders so that they will be more mindful of my son.  This is real and hiding this problem isn't a way to help with it.  I know that most people keep these things "private" because they are embarrassing and for some reason we take them so personal like we must be doing something wrong if we or our family has depression.  I don't say it around Jared but still feel like others that work with him need to know.  That is even why I am putting it here.  It's real and Jared isn't the first to experience it and he won't be the last and I was thankful for a list to help me know how to start.

Forever Friends....no matter where we live

We use to all be neighbors while we were raising our families. (I'm still raising mine but I was even when they were) Now we have all moved but that doesn't matter because we will always be friends no matter where we live.  I moved first to Hooper, then Denise moved to North Ogden and then Lorrilee built a house in Clinton.  It's funny how friendships can and do last forever.  When you bond to some people there is nothing that will change that.  I admire these two beautiful ladies.  They are so strong in my eyes.  They endure many trials and their faith remains strong and great.  I love them with all my heart and I will pray that they will make it through their trials that they each have right now.  Crud it seems like everyone I know has things right now....at least no one can feel picked on.  Or maybe we should all feel picked on? Just kidding we all know we are blessed!

I realize I say it all the time but I am so thankful for my friends.....each and every one of them!