Character Award

Hayden won the Character Award at school today! I am so proud of him. He is amazing. He befriends everyone, makes sure everyone is included and honestly likes all the students in his class. He gets along great with others and is an absolute joy to be around. Nothing makes me prouder than for him than when he is good to other people and is a true example of our Savior. I am so proud of you, Hayden! Way to go!

Julie

Hayden was a lucky guy and had a playdate with Julie on Monday. She came over Sunday night and asked him what his dream day would be. He wanted to go to the Science Center. She asked if he had ever been on the light rail and he got all excited since he as wanted to ride it and has never been.

So, the date was planned. Hayden and Julie rode the lightrail to the Science Center. They watched Sharks on IMAX, built robots, played at the Science Center. For lunch, they went to Chase Field and ate at Front Row. He absolutely LOVED his day!


He loved the robots!
Thought it was so cool that he could lay on a bed of nails. (Although, he told Julie that she probably shouldn't tell me because it would freak me out)

Julie said that as they walked up to the glass in the restaurant and he saw Chase Field laid out below him. He got this most incredibly excited look on his face and whispered, "Awesome," to himself. He loved eating inside Chase Field.

He met a friend on the light rail, got a new build your own dinosaur robot toy and loved spending time with Julie.

He is looking forward to their next outing, although I don't know how she will ever be able to top it. He keeps talking about how much fun he had with her. And, I didn't feel guilty having to work on MLK day knowing he was having the time of his life. Thanks, Julie! Hayden is such a lucky little boy to have so many people that love him!

Rilla

Rilla came over and spent the night Saturday night. We hadn't seen her since Hayden's baptism and it was great catching up with her. Hayden always drags out the playdough and games. She is great and gives in to his every little whim.

She gave him $25 rolled up and he loved them! He asked me if he could use 1/2 of the money to buy himself something and use the other half to buy toys for the toy drive. He is so amazing to me that he is always thinking of others. What a good kid.

Zoo

Thomas found out late on Friday that he didn't need to work on Saturday. I was so excited to have a family day together and wanted to make the most out of it. We decided to get up early Saturday morning, surprise Hayden and go to the zoo.

We arrived at the zoo early, before it opened. Hayden was so excited! He played with the Geico guy and even got a free ticket inside. I sure love his enthusiasm for life! Once inside, we went straight to the Monkey encounter. He loves monkeys and we spent over a half of an hour playing with the monkeys. He asked the zoo workers more questions than I could have thought of.

Then, he was off to ride a camel with his dad. He wasn't sure when he got there because he said they smelled. But, he sure was glad he did it.

We actually had the opportunity to feed the giraffes. Amazing experience! He loved it! I loved it.



I couldn't believe how close we were to the giraffes or how much time we actually got to spend with them. Definitely a must do again! One of the highlights of our day!

After walking the entire zoo, riding the tram, petting the goats, and eating churros, we ended the day at the Stingray Bay.


Hayden has been swimming with the stingrays so I didn't know if he would be all that interested. Boy, was I wrong. We spent over an hour at this exhibit alone.


Hayden had a stingray that kept coming up to him and looked like it was giving him a high five everytime around the tank. So fun! Hayden loved it!

Then, one of the workers came out. Hayden asked her a million questions. They discussed sharks that were friends of stingrays, their natural enemies and how curious the stingrays were. She was quite taken with Hayden and impressed with his knowledge of sea life and animals.

The best was when I looked over and Hayden is going head first into the water with the stingrays. He tried reaching a little too far in and he was soaked. Thomas scooped him up, right as his head hit the water. Too funny! I love how many expressions Hayden has. He was explaining what he was thinking as he was going in.

It was such a great day! There is nothing I love more than spending time together as a family!

Disney on Ice

Brooklyn, Hayden, Jodi and Suzi got Disney on Ice tickets for Christmas. I absolutely love going.

Jodi and I were so amazed at Brooklyn's love for ice skating. Brooklyn was mesmerized and loved the actual skating. It was fun to have her oh and ah at all the jumps! I am guessing ice skating is in her future!

Hayden's favorite character is Mickey, like his mom! He most enjoyed when Mickey and Goofy were out on the ice joking around.

And, of course, with Suzi there, the kids got light up snow cones, coloring books and treats! No wonder they love her best!

I was excited to get to spend some one on one time with my little niece. I love Brooklyn! I tell Jodi that since I didn't have a girl, we get to share her. I loved having her there with me and loved talking to her during the ice skating. This was one of my favorite Brooklyn memories.

So, I hear they are coming again in April. I guess I best be getting tickets. :) I know one thing for sure, Brooklyn, Hayden and I will be there, anyone else want to go?

Sweet Prayer

Hayden offered the sweetest prayer this morning that still has me with a prayer in my heart. I love watching his sweet little spirit evolve and understand prayer and the gospel on a deeper, more meaningful level.

His sweet little words spoken with love will touch me forever. Today was a prayer for his mom. Just that Heavenly Father would help me to have a good day. And, that I would feel good today. Very touching. Very Sweet! Helps me feel very thankful!!!

Dinner with a friend

I went this past week to dinner with a dear friend, Julie. We were so close when I was young. She helped me get thru my mom's death and help me to move on and cope with my life. She is always there for me when I need her. She was a life saver when Hayden was born and basically lived at the hospital with me. She took family pictures before surgery, held my hand thru some of his procedures, brought up treats and goodies for the doctors and nurses and basically did anything that was needed.

We went to dinner last week and five hours later, Thomas was calling to check up on me and making sure that I was still alive. I can't believe that we chatted that long. I sure enjoyed talking to her and catching up. She has been such an influence for good in my life. I am so thankful for her.

Sickies

We have had a bunch of sickness here since the beginning of the year. Okay, maybe I have been sick since the beginning of the year. Not fun, but we are coping. I sure have felt loved by all of the support, phone calls and sweet words that people have sent.

I am going in for some surgery the day after we get back from Costa Rica. I am so excited to hopefully get out of pain and move on with a more functioning life. I am hoping that the D&C, operative hysterectomy and biopsy's go well. Mostly, I will be glad for the unpleasant and aching endometriosis to be gone. Until then, I am relying on my pain killers  to get me thru. Hence, not a lot of blogging, etc.

To top it off, Sunday I went to urgent care because I kept getting dizzy over the past couple of days and falling. Thomas saw me do it and freaked out and took me to urgent care. I was relieved when they said it was an inner ear infection that was causing the pain, dizzy spells and falling. They hooked me up to iv's and gave me a cocktail of antibiotics, steroids, zofran and valium. I was pretty much wiped out. Thomas said I fell asleep right when the meds hit.

I am still home and in bed today but am hoping that these antibiotics and medicines kick in REAL soon. I am done being so tired and achy.

So far January has been a little long and painful. Hopefully we will get it over with in January and the rest of the year will be pleasant and sickness free.

Haydenisms

I picked Hayden up from school this past week and he says,"Mom, Abby has a church book like us." I said, "Really, which one?" He said, "You know, the Ark book". I am stumped and don't know what he is talking about. He gets frustrated with me and says, "You know, mom, the one with the story of the Ark and all the animals." Oh Hayden, Noah's ark. What a crack up!

Hayden wanted Suzi to be his substitute for his primary class on Sunday. I asked why and he said, "She is way less embarrasing than you mom. She doesn't make me answer any questions. But, that does mean that she can't sit by us during Sacrament meeting." When did we start becomig an embarrassment?

Thomas, Suzi and I were talking about excursions to go on in Costa Rica. Hayden added, "Mom, I don't want you to do anything dangerous there. I want you to come back in one piece!" I guess he still likes his mom.

Hayden is so funny lately. I wish I could remember all he has to say.