Braxton My Son is 27

I think about this middle child of mine and the word that pops in my head is "FUN".  Braxton has always been a child that makes fun happen.  He is adventurous and isn't afraid to try anything which has caused me concern a few times over the years. Braxton makes me laugh out loud a lot and I like that.  Braxton plays hard but Braxton also works hard.  Braxton is such a hard worker and just like playing will try anything.  He's not afraid to try new things or figure something out.  Braxton is one of the first ones called if Gramps needs help.  Braxton is dependable.  Braxton is also a sensitive soul.  He is so caring and kind.  Braxton truly cares about those around him.  Braxton has grown up well and I couldn't be more proud of him.

Braxton is a loving husband and a very involved daddy to Sadie.  I smile that my kids are doing so much better than we were doing at their age or stage of life and I think we did okay.  I adore this child of mine and I'm glad that it was I that had to remind him to put things away.  I'm glad I was the one that had to constantly buy him new socks because he would run around without his shoes.  I'm thankful that he forgave me for head thumping him with my head when my hormones were unbalanced.  I'm thankful that he is happy and confident in spite of Larry and I constantly getting after him for one thing or another.

Braxton has always been a fun and enjoyable kid.  He is positioned perfectly in our family to be a friend and an example to all of his siblings!   I'm glad I am that one that calls him my son!  Love Him!

Rainy Wednesday

I love our Temples!  I love going every Wednesday to do Sealings.  I was wondering and even praying if I should go with the group since some of us are sitting during the hour we spend there.  I wondered if I should be doing something else instead.  I had a wonderful experience and I am where I need to be.  Even if I just sit and wait for my turn at the alter again I am feeling the spirit and receiving inspiration.  It's a wonderful feeling being in the Temple no matter what we are doing.  I know that the sealing ordination is very important and a very big deal, the Spirit told me that again today.  I felt others attending today and even though I believe they are always there I will honestly say I don't always feel them.  I love starting my Wednesdays at the Temple.

It's a rainy, spring day and I couldn't help but sing "I love the Rainy Days".  I love the rain in the spring.  When it rains I feel like reading a book or watching a movie.  I decided to take Kimleighel to see Saturday's Warrior.  It's a good story and "Heaven" was filmed at our very own Union Station.  I thought that was weird but it didn't take away from the story or spirit of the movie.  There were a few funny "mormon" things.  At the airport we heard over the loud speaker a call for Captain Uchtdorf.  Then when Julie was making a promise to her missionary to wait for him she said that even if Donny Osmond proposed to her she would wait.  It's a bit corny as far as acting but I still enjoyed it.

Fun Bunch Lunch

It's Ogden Restaurant Week and so the fun bunch decided to take advantage of a few great specials.  We met at the Prairie Schooner today and had a great time. Jodi thought it'd be fun to dress up like cowgirls which of course is kind of hard to do if you don't own horses. I am just glad that I live by the Hodson's who have lots of girls that Rodeo.  I borrowed some cute boots, a belt with bling and a few hats.  (I had enough for everyone)  I think we looked pretty cute! ☺

Of course with this group we look for Kodak moments and found a few today.  We really do have a great time together.  I'm so glad that we take the time to have fun together every month.  I love hanging with these gals.    Yee Haw!

The specials are really good, two courses for $10.  I got a salad and salmon and it was so yummy.  The company is the best part though.  It's fun learning more about each other.  Chris told us about all the wonderful places she is going to travel to this summer.  Patti just got a job at Jet Blue and so she will be able to fly around some fun places too.  She also told us about a cool invention her hubby invented.  It's a head band for people that have to wear oxygen all the time.  It holds the oxygen tubes so they are more comfortable on the face and ears.  Jodi shared how loved her cute hubby is.  He's a looker and some women from his ward and stake really like him.  I know it's also because he is such a wonderful leader.  There are perks for Jodi though because of it....plus she is really easy to love too!  Kathy puts on a happy face and makes fun happen even though her health concerns her.  Then there's me....just happy to be!

Awesome Sunday

Today could have been stressful.  I was asked earlier this week to teach the Gospel Doctrine Class in our Ward.  I declined the invitation (haha) since I didn't feel like I would have the time I needed to prepare.  (it was a busy week)  Then I was asked again while we were at the Eskelson's celebrating with them (around 9:00;pm) if I could teach a Sunday school class for the 15 year olds.  I was thankful that another text was sent saying never mind.  I was exhausted and didn't want to prepare a lesson.  Good News is I was able to enjoy my meetings.  The teacher that did teach the Gospel Doctrine Class was excellent and didn't seem nervous at all. I was so glad it was Lori instead of me and the lesson was much better than I would have done.

When we got home we got a visitor.  Sarah came to spend some time with us.  We had planned on having her over for dinner but there was some miscommunication and so we had her over for lunch instead.  It was nice visiting with her.  We even played cards.  Sarah loves playing games.  We enjoyed her for about three hours before she left so she could see some more of her favorite Hooperites.  Kelsi (Sister Hansen) surprised us later in the evening.  I was in my night gown and my makeup was removed and contacts out when she popped in.  We kind of got close to these two when they served here in Hooper.  

We enjoyed most of our family today.  Trichelle's family didn't make it today and I think they were doing something fun for spring break.  After eating and visiting for awhile Kevin and Julie invited everyone to play at the new playground that has just been put in at Busy Bee Day Care.  Julie's sister Jen decided to have a few people over to try out the new playground before their grand opening next week. (Jen runs the daycare)  Everyone had a blast including my big kids!  It's such a nice playground and there were different sections for different age groups.  Super Duper Nice!

We came home and played some cards with Jared.  That has become a Sunday tradition.  Games with our kids after everyone leaves and before we head to bed.  I enjoy playing games together so much more than watching TV.

The Eskelson's Sealing

We have had the privilege of getting to know Shelly and Randy Eskelson better this past year.  We knew Shelly from years ago but have really gotten to know her this last year.  Shelly tells her story of when she was praying to Heavenly Father to help her.  She had promised Him that she would do anything He asked if He would answer her prayer and help her.  Before desperately praying Shelly had gone to many different churches in hopes of finding one that wasn't so time consuming that would still help her be close to God.  However, just shortly after her sincere and heart pleading prayer one day there was a knock at her door.  There stood the Sister Missionaries.  Shelly said she looked up to God and said something like No..Not the Mormons.  But there was no denying that her prayer was being answered.  Shelly fell in love with Sister Hansen and Sister Frazier and they fell in love with her.  It wasn't long and Shelly was entering the Temple for herself.  Her commitment to the Lord is incredible.  She spoke at Sister Hansen's farewell testimony meeting in Logan and even had the opportunity to speak in our Stake Conference at our Saturday session.  That is not something she ever wanted to do but did because she had promised the Lord she would do anything he asked of her.  After speaking in our conference her hubby continued to attend church even on the weeks Shelly was out of town.  His spirit was strengthened and last night Randy went through the Temple to receive his endowments.  Today Shelly and Randy were sealed for Time and All Eternity.  Larry and I had the privilege of being there with them.  The Angel Sister Missionaries both flew in to be with them as well.  It was so wonderful to spend time with Kelsi and Sarah (Sister Hansen and Sister Frazier).  Today was a payday for all the time they spent and for being in tune and being where they were suppose to be.  It was a glorious day.  We ended up at the Eskelson's enjoying their friends with them the rest of the night.

Sleepover

Every Conference we have a sleepover with the grands.  It all started when we would go out to dinner after the Priesthood Session on Saturday night and the grands would ask if they could sleep over.  We let them but since it was so late already they really just came home with us and went to bed.  A few years ago I decided to have them over on a Friday when they all could come so they could enjoy each other longer.  It's a lot more fun having more time together.  I told the kids they could come at 4:00.  I was sure I would be home from book club by then and they could have 5 hours to play before having to go to bed.  They all got to my house before I did.....I think they were excited.  It was a nice weekend and so they had a great time playing together.

This was Macie and Jordyn's first time joining the big kids.  We decided that once the grands were old enough to realize they were missing out then they were old enough to join us.  It was fun having the two little girls but I will say that they don't understand what it means to be rewarded for going to sleep quickly. ☺

Before I forgot we took a few pictures together.  All the grands were much more interested in playing so we hurried and then they were off.

The older girls like playing house and school.  They all really enjoyed the big boxes we had from our new chairs and made homes out of them.  It's fun for me to watch them be creative and use their imaginations.  The boys had a box of their own and had a good time poking, cutting, taping and decorating it. They also enjoyed playing the Wii until Parker lost his remote into the TV.  He was playing baseball and his "bat" flew right out of his hand and into the TV.  I was standing right behind him and saw the whole thing and couldn't figure out where the broken glass was that I heard.  It turned out the the glass was broken inside the TV, behind the screen.  Oopsie!  I reassured Parker that it was an accident and no one was in trouble.  It was nice having the TV off the rest of the night 

actually. 

I decided that we would have breakfast for dinner and just have cereal in the morning.  I cooked a bunch of bacon and sliced some oranges and got a bowl of peaches ready while Kimleighel made everyone Captain America Waffles. Kimi is so cute to help out.  The kids all enjoyed their breakfast/dinner!  I enjoyed having the mess on Friday instead of Saturday.  On Saturday's I like to get everything back to order.

My grands like to create and they look forward to me having something for them to do.  I was pretty sure I had lunch sacks in the pantry and so I had them make puppets.  We had paper, pens, crayons, scissors, punches, and glue sticks scattered all over the table and the kids got creative.  They had a really good time and made some really cute puppets.

They were all really good to help clean everything up afterwards.  With everyone helping the mess was cleaned up quickly.  Man, it's nice having older grands that help.

Everyone got ready for bed and then we had a few puppet shows.  They made me laugh.  The girls cut holes in their puppets so they could eat bacon and they all did.  It was pretty clever and funny.  The boys fought with their puppets. ☺  So funny the difference between boys and girls.

I wanted to have the grands in bed by 9:00 since Kamryn had a early soccer game.  We did well and I believe everyone was actually asleep by 9:30.  I reward the kids with books if they go to sleep good.  I have so many books from my kids and this is a fun way to get rid of them.  Kamryn asked me what happened if they didn't go to bed good which made me laugh and caught me off guard.  I just told her she wouldn't get a book.  All the older kids settled right down and were still and quiet.  The two little girls were wiggly.  Macie had her feet up on the couch and Jordy kept situating her babies.  I decided to rub Macie's back to help her settle down and after about 10 minutes she was asleep.  Jordy had been laying down but got back up and so I went over to rub her back and seriously within a minute she was also asleep.  The only one still moving was Mya, who just couldn't get comfortable.  She moved to the couch and I rubbed her back for her.  By the time everyone was asleep Larry got home.

Larry went to the Temple with a friend who was taking out his endowments so he could be sealed to his sweetie. (more on another post)
 
In the morning they all got to choose a book.  They find some good books that I forgot we had.  The one that cracked me up was Macie's.  She chose a Goosebumps book and didn't even consider a cute picture book when we tried a few times to change her mind. haha (she's 2)

I love our Conference Sleepover Tradition.  The kids have so much fun and we are making some fun memories.  I'm so addicted to these little ones.  I always feel a tiny bit of quilt for not letting all the babies stay but remind myself that their time will come and they do get to sleep over at other times.

I enjoy my fun bunch of grands.  They seriously make my heart smile and about burst from all the love it holds for each of them.

Wise Gals Book Club

Susan hosted Book Club this month at her house.  I love her house and it was very relaxing to sit and talk about life and books.  Susan prepared a yummy lunch for us all.  She made homemade pot pies and a yummy salad. (I'm craving more salad.  It was just a green salad but the dressing was so delicious)  We had yogurt parfaits for dessert.  It was all so nice and good!

I actually read three books this month...Why is God Laughing, Searched the World Over for Elie, and one about a guy who ran away with his brother to escape the polygamy life. (forgot the name)  I enjoyed all these books.  Why is God Laughing made me really think about who I am and why we do the things we do.  It helped me realize that we just need to discover ourselves and who God meant for us to be.  We need to try to escape the "molding" we get from the world.  The Searched the World Over for Elie written by the daughter of my mom's friend and is her story of finding her son in the Dominican of Republic of Congo.  It's about her adoption process and the challenges and blessings that she faced.  I really enjoyed it.  The last book is of a young man remembering how he felt when he attended church as a child and wanting that in his life instead of the one he was in.  His dad had chose to take more wives and to leave his original family to have more families.  His mother remained loyal to her husband and worked hard to earn money to give him even though he only stopped by once a month to collect the money.  She moved her kids around to avoid problems that seemed to always find them.  I was proud of David for his courage to do what he knew was right. I enjoyed listening to the other reports and ended up bringing home Mutant Down Under again.  I  really like that book.

Shanna shared some spiritual things with us that gave me chills.  I love that we can share so much with each other.  We missed Kathy again this month.  The hours flew by and soon it was time for me to go home to greet my grands.  (they all beat me there)