Josh's wedding

My sweet Josh got married to Amber. We love her. 

Lisa did an amazing job on the luncheon and open house. It was just amazing. I also loved the take home cookie bar. There were take out containers to take a box home. 

There were many more minds of cookies after I took this picture. I also really need to get a picture of the bride and groom. 

We loved being in the temple when they were sealed. I'm reminded of my,wedding day and when Thomas and I knelt across the alter from one another  it was a beautiful day that I cherish. 

I am so grateful that Thomas and I were married for time and all eternity not just death do us part. I want to be Thomas' wife and eternal companion forever. I'm so grateful he is mine. I love him dearly. 

The reception was fun with so many loved ones there. 

Hayden made a sign and gathered all the supplies to decorate the car which he loved doing. Of course he had Chad's, Tyler's and his cousins' help. 

It was a great day. I'm so happy for Josh and Amber and wish them all the happiness in the world. 

My mornings

My mornings consist of Hayden walking in and saying "itchy back" for me to rub it.  We ll if I am rubbing Hayden, both Max and Maya think I should be petting them. So I take turns with the one not getting attention fussing or growling. 

I do have three kids. It's just 2 are fur babies. But they are my babies. 

And oh how I love them all. I love and adore my boy and love that he will still let me scratch I

His back and I adore my little attention hounds, Max and Maya. They along with their dad, are my world. 

This is my happy place. My perfect place. My place of joy. My bed surrounded with family. Nothing in life is better. 

Father and son

I cherish that way that Hayden looks at his dad. He loves and adores him. He cherishes him. He is his idol, hero and very best friend. They have so much fun together. 

Hayden is becoming more and more like his dad. Thoughtful, kind,caring, compassionate, serving, helpful and selfless. 

Thomas has been the best example of what a husband and father should be. I'm forever grateful for them both. I love their sweet relationship. Hayden will choose doing something with his dad almost over anyone. 

Neighbors in need

Las Saturday, the sun went down, clouds rolled in and the degrees dropped. Perfect time for me to get a few items for Cali. 

We go to leave and Thomas sees the neighbor working in the yard. He asked if they needed help and said no. We made it another two houses down and Thomas asked was that a tree down or was he trimming. I told him I wasn't paying attention. He circled around and went back to help. 

He asked me to go get Hayden and Chad. I was so impressed and I went inside and stopped the boys from playing and told them to grab shoes that Thomas and the neighbor needed help. With smiles they ran outside to help. 

The neighbor commented later that the boys were happy and helping. Smiling and happy. Not upset over working but grateful and just great to help. 

I smiled. I. So grateful for a husband that taught Hayden helping others is good. And for Chad that is always willing to jump in for whatever we need. 

I couldn't be prouder of them and who they are. So,blessed they are mine. 

Fathers day

For Father's Day, Hayden and I wanted to make it extra special for Thomas, our hero. 

So we choose superheroes to decorate the house in. 

I made a super dad banner. And Hayden helped design, pick the words and heroes and found. Pictures for the poster. 

My Dad is....  

Stronger than hulk

Smarter than Iron Man

Braver than Superman

tougher than wolverine

Faster than flash

More amazing than spiderman

And my Hero!

Love, your sidekick, Hayden

Of course, Thomas loved it. We also had other posters and quotes around. And super dad cake toppers. 

For his gifts he got a batman keychain that says "my dad is a Superhero" and a mouse pad and a new hat. He loved it. 

We are so lucky this guy is ours. So very very lucky. Happy Father's Day, Thomas. We love you. You are definitely the best!!!

Minor procedure- painful foot

Last Thursday I had minor cortisone and steroid injections into my foot along with a few clippings of nerves. It hurt but I survived without pain meds. Yeah me. 

Walking out was hilarious. I could not walk. They wheeled me to Julie and I tried walking. I couldn't feel my foot. I couldn't do anything. I definitely did not want to be touched. 

By the time we got home, the heaviness of the foot/leg increased. I called Hayden to help me. I basically laid on his back and he dragged me to my bed. Boy how I wish they would have captured that on film. Too funny. Hayden was a great sport and hauled me to bed and covered me up. He's a great kid. Julie stayed to help keep the dogs at bay. 

Suzi came over that night. Right as she walked in, Max jumped on the injection site. Oh how I screamed. Then Hayden backed into me. Ouchie!!!! Suzi said, let's go and grabbed Hayden, Max and Maya and left for a slumber party at her house. Fun. I was grateful. I needed to relax with no one climbing on me. 

The next day my sweet relief society presidency came to see me and eat lunch with me. They brought yummy Thai food. Delicious. We ate and talked. I love each of these sweet ladies. Linae McCoy, Dinnie Tayrien, Natalie Tayrien, Holly Jackson and Michelle Holland. Alrhought Michele was sick and didn't get to come. 

We talked and laughed. Oh how they can lift my spirits. So grateful for them. So very grateful. It was a great time. 

I then slept all afternoon in a quiet house. I slept so well. It was so good for me. I'm so lucky to be surrounded by such goodness and love. I am truly very blessed. 

Meet Olivia

We welcomed sweet little Olivia to the family almost two weeks ago. Ok. So technically she is not ours, but Suzi's little puppy. Suzi adopted this little 2.1 pound, jet black, itty bitty fur ball. She is absolutely adorable and so so tiny. She is soft and so darn cute. 

Miss Olivia is about as opinionated as I have seen, she is only 2 pounds but every ounce is crammed with determination and feistiness. She is cuddly and sweet yet energetic and playful so cute. We love and adore her. 

We are so lucky to get to watch her some. Hayden worked the best part time job out of watching her. Suzi spends the night on Mondays night so she can leave Miss Olivia with Hayden while she volunteers at the temple and goes to class. Then on Wednesdaynwe get her in the evening while Suzi attends more classes. Then, we beg for her, of course. We are thrilled to watch her anytime and anywhere. 

Hayden thinks she is the greatest and I think she bonded with him first out of anyone. Hayden walks in the room and Olivia is his. But, she wants to kiss him and then right back to playing. 

Max and Maya love her and teach her new tricks. Maya looks huge and is becoming a little mama to Olivia. They couldn't have adapted better to her. They adore her. 

Thomas and I love the little fur ball. We put her on our bed and she found a pillow she loves to cuddle up on. She is already a huge fan of Thomas' back rubs and cuddles with me and plays so much. She is so much fun. We just utterly love and adore her. 

Welcome to the family, Olivia. We love you!

Trials

My friend posted this on Instagram and my heart beat out of control as I read these precious words of truth. "We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear he greatest trials." 

Always in life, those who have stood for the Savior have received greater trials and have had to overcome great things. 

I'm not sure where the thought came about that it we are doing what is right, our lives should be easy because we will be blessed. It simply is not true. Satan's plan was the easy one not our Savior's. We were not sent here to earth to find temporary and fleeting happiness. We were sent here to prove ourselves worthy to return with our loving Father in Heaven. We were sent here to be tested with all things to see if we would remain worthy. We were sent here to gain the necessary characteristics that will seal our hearts to our Savior and help us to put Him first over all else. To see if we would remain faithful and endure to the end. 

Those words, the doing words, are so key in these requirements. Prove, gain, tested, tried, remain, return, and endure are not simply bystander words. They require action and hard work on our part. It requires us to gain key understanding and figure out how to do what is needed to return again to Him. 

We are sitting in college here. We are learning. We are growing. We are expanding our minds and helping to enlighten our minds to grasp and capture greater understanding. We are to sacrifice what we think we want in the moment for long term deep joy. 

Hayden, as you walk thru life. If you are battling and fighting and youmfeed like your road is an uphill battle, then my dear boy, you are doing it right! Doing what is right will never keep us from trials and heartache in all things but it WILL give you the ability to overcome whatever is in front of you. The task may seem unbearable but it can be done. 

If you rememeber these two simple rules when facing trials,or hard things in your life. 1) if you have faith and stay faithful to our Savior, He will strengthen you, guide us and help you through life's storms. 2) When eating an elephant or conquering problems, you do it one bite at a time, a piece here and a bite there. You focus on the goals at hand while keeping in mind you main objectives. And possibly a third. Your mom loves you always. You are my precious boy. I will always be near to guide you, support you, be your soft place to fall and love you to the moon and back a million times over. 

Life - trials and blessings

My sweet friend, Jenna, came and visited me the other day. I loved having her here. She got me thinking. She is so young and just starting out on her journey. She and her husband have their lives ahead. They have their first foster son. They are trying to figure out how to be first time parents and dealing with emotions of not knowing if this precious boy that they love and adore and call son will be theirs for much longer. It breaks their hearts to think about giving him back. He has stolen their hearts and they love and adore him. 

We talked of the joy and pain. We talked of the hope and the future. We talked of trials and overcoming adversity. We talked of listening to the spirit. We talked of coming closer to our Savior. Of trusting. And remembering the bigger picture.

Life shouldn't be measured starting at birth and ending at death. This life is just part of the plan. One stage. We lived before we came to earth with our Savior. We learned at His feet. We walked with Him. We were taught by. Him. The truths we so desperately need to navigate this earth life, we learned before we came here. As we discover truths and learn about our Savior, we remember what we already knew. And death doesn't stop our progression. We move on to the next phase or again living with our precious Savior. What we do with our time here matters. 

As. Jenna and I talked and cried and laughed. I'm grateful for all those that walk in my door and sit and visit with me. I am grateful for the reminder that we are here to navigate this life and come closer to Christ. Whether we are just starting out on our journey or whether we have come close to the end of this life. Each of us learns different things at different times and to differing degrees. We need to be more patient, more kind, more understanding and more forgiving. We need to rememeber we are each here trying to do the best we can in differing circumstances. We each are trying to work our our own eternal salvation. 

As each friend and loved one or new acquaintance enters my home, I love the Spirit that comes, the learning, the enlightenment of minds and the sweet encouragement of friends. 

A lot of my life lessons come from my sweet son. He has taught me so much. He has brought me closer to my Savior. He has helped me to discover important gospel truths. 

I relayed to my friend a conversation that I had with Hayden. Sometimes the greatest learning comes from where we least expect it. After Hayden and I had discussed the possibility of me being taken from this earth,  Hayden wisely offered me these words, "we came here to get a body, to choose to follow the Savior and then to follow Him with all of our hearts.  Once we learn to do that, we are available to go back home to live with the Savior." 

Jenna and I talked about it. When you break life down to the simplest of terms and then place your adversity or struggles back into view with an eternal perspective, it makes them easier to handle. Not that the weight of the trials changed but our perspective adjusts and we see things more clearly. It's easier to try to figure it out when we clearly see the eternal perspective. 

Sure. We have to live in the here and now. We have to navigate this life while remembering our eternal goal. One of my favorite quotes is, "some blessings come now. Some blessings come late. And some don't come until the next life. But the blessings. DO come."

Trials are inevitable and as the apostles said, "If the road seems all uphill, you are on the right track". 

Following the Savior isn't always easy. It is sometimes difficult to walk the way we need to. But in overcoming hard times and in conquering our trials, we become more Christlike. We truly become His. 

As  Jenna and I talked, I was taken back to being in my early years, trying to navigate life and trials. And now, I am trying to coach someone else thru the trials they face. Looking back, it seems so clear. What I was being taught and what I was doing and how I was helped. 

I am so grateful for the relationship I have with my beloved Savior. And although the path thru life hasn't always been sure and the climb has been rocky and difficult and there are times I have only held on by my fingertips as I have climbed my own mountain, the view from the top....so worth the rocky and thought terrain of getting here. I realize that I am just a peak. I can look back and admire the view and be grateful for,the things I have gained on my climb. I realize that I need to turn and take the first step onto my next mountain and continue up. But where I am. And where I am going. Is exactly where I want to be. 

The climb has taught me who I am. It has refined me. It has polished me. It has made me strong. It has helped me to grow and become more like my Savior. I have learned patience and diligence, while being ever grateful for repentance and forgiveness. I've grown to know my Savior in a very personal and loving way. He has been my strength, my rock, the hand that has helped pull me to higher ground, the one who has caught me when I fell and the one cheering me on up the climb. He has stayed with me and never left me. He has placed key individuals next to me to help balance me and steady me. He has given me cherished loved ones to enjoy the journey with. 

I now can say I am grateful for my trials and adversity. It shaped me. I am who I am because of them not in spite of them. Every challenge made me stronger. Each rough patch strengthened me. Each fiery time molded me and I see the wisdom in it all. My patriarchal blessing promises stepping stones instead of stumbling blocks. Oh how that was such a gift from my loving. Father in Heaven. He lovingly placed stepping stones along my path to teach me to climb higher. 

As. Jenna left, I said a prayer of gratitude. Gratitude for my life. Gratitude for the knowledge I have gained. Gratitude for the wonderful moments along the way. And a deep gratitude for the loving people that help me each and every day. My life has been good. Really good. The blessings greater than the trials and way too numerous to even count. I've had a great life. And I am grateful for those that come over to talk that help me remember just how blessed I am. 

Darce- my friend

My sweet friend came and visited me on Saturday. Darce and I have known each other and been dear friends our entire lives. Our dads were mission companions. Our parents were friends at BYU. By chance, or design, they ended up both moving around the corner from one another in Arizona, after BYU and my parents living in Florida for 2 years. So we grew up in the same ward and in the same preschool class and in sunbeams together. We were at each other's baptisms and the births of our younger siblings. We were at birthday parties and recitals and family events. We spent the night together and attended classes together and more. We held high school parties together saw each other at BYU. We both went on missions at the same time and got married within a month of one another. We have always been friends. She knows my entire story. 

I love her entire family. She loves mine. We care about each other's lives and each other's children and siblings and parents. 

Darce is a cherished and beloved friend. I am so grateful to have been blessed to walk this path in life with her by my side. Our roads may have been rocky and traveled apart but they always eventually reconnected and our paths come back together. If either one of us needed the other, we are there. 

It is so wonderful to have a lifelong friend. I love Darce and am so grateful for her friendship in my life. I'm a better person because of her. 

Thanks, Darce for coming and seeing me and spending time with me. I loved our chat. I am so thankful for you. It was a wonderful couple of hours catching up. Time flew by as we talked and laughed and cried. What a friend. What a joy! What a true gift in my life!

My scout returns

My boy had a GReAt TiMe at ScOUt CaMP!!!

He SURVIVED an entire week! He had so much FUN!!! He made new FriEnDS! He gained a stronger TeStiMoNY! He gained so much cOnFiDEnCE! He came back more MaTUrE! He LeARnEd so much!!!

I AM SO PROUD OF MY BOY....MY PRECIOUS SON!

He hiked all of the hikes. He hiked over 15 miles in one day. He repelled. He was lowered into a river. He ratted. He jumped off a cliff. He slept in a tent alone. He made new friends. He cooked. He earned more merit badges. He gained strength. He gained confidence. He learned to rely on the Savior. He made stronger friendships. He got to know e leaders better. He came home so much more grown up than when he left. 

He was all smiles when we picked him up. He was stinky and filthy dirty but happy. So very happy. 

Brother Turley and he other leaders cakes Hayden the miracle scout. All week. They said he was their miracle. He overcame so much and kept up with his peers. He did what he didn't think would ever be possible. He was in awe of himself. He is a wonderful boy. He is a light. A joy. A strength. A sunshine. A beacon of light and hope and love. 

I'm so proud of Hayden. He did it! He accomplished his goals. And I couldn't be more proud. I love you, Bubba! Always. Forever and no matter what. Always rememeber. You can do anything. You have the ability within you to continue to learn and grow and stretch your limits. You can achieve anything with the help of our Savior. He will always be with you. Whether you are at home or on a mission or at scout camp or whoever you may wander. You can do amazing things. Absolutely amazing things. I love you!

Weeks family

Oh how I love and adore the Weeks family. I remember the first time I met Jordan and Sarah. They spoke in church and I had the strongest impression come over me. "Get to know them. You are supposed to be friends." Really. What am I supposed to say? What do we have in common? They were so young. However, I walked up and introduced myself. 

Soon thereafter, we were all out in as ward missionaries together. We grew to just adore them. They were struggling with adoption and struggling to start a family. We talked and talked. We became dear friends. 

We helped each other thru failed adoptions and illness and heartache and insurmountable joy. We saw births and struggles and good days and bad and everything in between.  I was there when each of these sweet children entered their home. I know their stories. The good and the bad. They know ours. 

Incredible friends. Friends that become family... Don't come into our lives every day. I am so grateful for the impression I felt in the chapel that day. Because I listened, I have found lifelong incredible friends. 

I have missed them so much since they moved to Utah. These sweet children have grown up so much. But they all remembered me. And I loved that so much. 

Rex and Zee and my cute twins Jet and Rudy. So precious. So sweet. So wonderful. I loved every single minute with them. I loved the hugs. I loved the sweet spirit while they were with us. Those smiles. Those eyes. Oh how I love and adore them. 

And although I didn't get pictures of their sweet parents, I love Sarah and Jordan. They are family we chose. I'm so grateful for the gospel and all of the close relationships I have gained thru the gospel. Oh these sweet faces. I miss them already. 

Spinal tap and more

Tuesday I went in for a spinal tap, biopsies and blood work. Oh fun. 

Since it was a clean room of sorts, so Thomas couldn't go back in with me. Just the tech nurse and head nurse/procedure specialist and me. The tech started to explain what needed to be done after another nurse asked me if I would participate in a blind clinical trial to further research on my rare disease. All of a sudden, my head started to spin. The room started to wave. I turned gray. The heat started to build in my head and neck and out and down I went. Luckily I was on the table. 

As I came to I was so embarrassed. I felt so stupid. Really...we have only discussed the procedure and I go down. The head nurse walked in and decided to start with the biopsies laying down. We started talking and I was fine. Absolutely fine. No problem. As soon as she started to do the measurements, the lightheadedness and grayness came back. As I went into the attack and passed out again, the nurse explained what was happening and that indeed I have absolutely NO control over it. It is a damaged autonomic response uncontrollable by me. I asked multiple questions. But she continued to start on the biopsies. It stung but wasn't as horrible as I imagined. The ankle biospy stung more than the hip and thighs. However, when I went to sit up....boom. Back out. I was so embarrassed.

She decided to take my blood laying down. After 5 tries of getting needles into veins and the blood disappearing or clotting, I went out again. I had to sit up in the chair with rice heating pads on my arms. And ice packs on my head and neck. They finally got some blood and then it happened again. First the room, then the stomach and I turned gray. They caught me as I went down. Last thing I heard was something about the blood squirting and grab another tube. They helped me back on the table. 

The nurse asked if the doctor realized how sick I truly was. If I had explained how bad the passing out and complete vasovagul response dysfunction. I said I had tried. 

We then attempted the spinal tap. After the numbing agent was put in, I was headed back out. It was about 15 seconds after she pulled the needle out and about 30 seconds to a minute before the spinal tap needle went in. I was so lucky that passing out occurred during that time. I could have been in serious trouble. After that last time, the nurse packed me in ice packs and we finished the spinal tap. I blacked out afterwards but I had survived. 

The nurse talked to Thomas and I afterwards. She explained the vasovagul response and what was happenign to my body. She explained caffeine is the best way to counteract and that is why my body craves diet coke. It opens things up and helps me stay alert and conscious. I guess that is pretty important. 

I came home to deal with headaches and charley horse cramping in my spine. I ached. I am so grateful Thomas took the day off. I needed him. He calms me. He comforts me. 

It was a long day....but ....grateful for the protection and timing of when I passed out. Things could have been much more serious. I'm grateful a nurse and medical professional finally saw what happens to me. Hopefully that will help figure this out. Now to start feeling better so I can get some sleep and get out of pain. .... But I am grateful for all the miracles that continue to be mine. 

Jodi and gang

My sweet sister came to visit me while Hayden was at scout camp so I wasn't alone. She had girls camp crafts to make and wedding stuff to help Lisa with. Since Troy and Brigham were at lake Powell, Jodi brought Tman and Brooklyn. Since Hayden was gone, she picked up Katelyn and Kiley up. I loved having my nieces here and of course my little buddy. And I love all time with my sister. 

We made crafts. We talked. We played games. We laughed. We cried. We solved he worlds problems and contemplated how to better our lives. 

I'm grateful for so much love. I'm grateful I am surrounded by goodness and wonderful people. I'm wrapped in the arms of love. And I am so very very grateful for the wonderful relationships in my life. I have truly been blessed. 

Date night

I forgot to take a picture but Thomas and I went out on a real date this week. Just the two of us. I can't rememeber the last time we were able to do that. Julie had given Thomas a gift certificate to Ryu for his birthday. It is our favorite place. We both love Japanese food and the fried rice, filet mignon, shrimp, grilled veggies and grilled spinach. Yummy!!!

I had a great time with my sweet husband. We talked. We laughed. We had so much fun. 

The other couple sat at our table must have been important or famous or something. The owner and all the chefs came out to meet them. They brought them complimentary food. And the owner ate dinner with them. So It was just us for dinner. Because of that, we received extra portions and bonus food. Our drinks were refilled immediately and it was so so yummy. 

I love being we my husband. Just talking. He has such great perspective on things. He loves me like no one else. He just gets me. I'm so grateful to have married such a wonderful man who loves me perfectly. No. He isn't perfect but is perfect for me. He is loving and kind and selfless and generous and absolutely Christlike. I love him. Very much. He is my favorite person to be around. He is my best friend. He is my greatest support and most cherished friend. I'm eternally grateful for him. and I'm so grateful we get to be together for eternity. This life is simply not long enough to be with him. I'm grateful our family will be together forever beyond this life.  What a blessing. 

I was so tired after dinner. My sweet husband brought me home right after dinner before he went to get gas and run errands. I went to sleep right away. He is so good to me. So good. So gentle. He thinks of my needs and goes out of his way to make sure I'm taken care of. I am so lucky. And so very grateful!!!

Patriarchal blessing

Hayden received his patriarchal blessing last Sunday. He had worked hard and studied and read and set goals to accomplish before this sacred event. I was so proud of him for understanding the importance and significance of this event in his life. 

Hayden wants to be so prepared. He wants to be ready. He wants to be so perfect. Oh that precious boy. As hard as I try, I can't convince him that perfection will not come in this life. Sure. That is the goal and by trying we come closer but the absolute Christlike perfection will not come in this life. 

The night before the blessing, the sweet boy of mine talked to us about the upcoming blessing. He asked if it would be ok if he fasted. Of course. He also asked about what responsibilities, rights, obligations and blessings come from each tribe. He wanted me to make a chart and teach him about every tribe and all the above things. I told him it may be better to wait until he knew which tribe he was from and then to figure out those things. He told me he just wanted to be prepared. Oh how I love him. 

Hayden woke up and fasted and wanted to review the book "understanding your patriarchal blessing". He is so great. We went to church early. Passed the sacrament. Listened to the talks. Went to class. And came home and asked to prepare more. We told him to pray prior to his blessing but he was ready. 

Excitement grew as we drove to the Tayrien's home for patriarch Tayrien to pronounce a patriarchal blessing on Hayden from his Heavenly and Eternal Father. We talked. Hayden asked Brother Tayrien about the tribe and responsibilities. He basically told Hayden the same as us. To wait for his lineage. Hayden answered all questions like a pro. Even explaining to Brother Tayrien that his patriarchal blessing is like a liahona offering direction and guidance. Pointing him in the right direction for his life. And also it is personal scripture from our father in Heaven for him. It is sacred and not to be shared but used as a guide for him in life. 

I was so excited for Hayden and prayed he would be told all he needed to endure and guide him thru this life. As the words were spoken, my heart was warmed. Hayden is special. He did play an important role before he came here. His obedience in the pre-existence carried over to this life. His enthusiasm for the gospel and our loving Savior was something he has always held closest to his heart. I loved that. It is so Hayden. He was promised many great things with health and love and mission and fatherhood and being a husband and servant of God. He was promised so many great things. He is a noble leader. He is precious to God. 

My heart warmed with the spirt. The Holy Ghost bore strong witness of the truthfulness of the words spoke.  I was so proud to be his mother and so humbled by the role I have been blessed with in his life. I was reassured that he was going to be ok. He will make wise choices that take him far in returning to the presence of our Savior. I was in awe of the responsibility I have in being his mother. 

Afterwards, we smiled and Hayden was grinning ear to ear. His heart was full. He understood the importance of such this monumental occasion in his life. We prayed that he would rememeber it always. And that he would go back to his patriarchal blessing time and time again as he seeks council and direction and guidance in his life. 

I am so proud of my boy. He is a joy. A light. A hope. A beacon. He stands for righteousness. He is filled with goodness. He is love. He is a Christlike example of all that is good in the world.  I am so grateful I was chosen to be his mother. 

Scout camp

And he's off.... Hayden left early. Monday morning for a week away at scout camp. He was excited to go. He had a friend, Matthew, come over on Saturday. They went to see. Tomorrow land at  harkins, ate pizza for lunch and played video games until after 6pm. They had a great time. Since. Hayden and Matthew were to be paired up at scout camp, it was a great day for them to become friends doing what boys love...movies, pizza, snacks and video games. I was so happy a new boy moved into our ward and Hayden likes him. Always good to know your camp buddy prior to camp. 

Hayden wanted me to get up and go with his dad to drop him off. Funny boy. I did. But he saw all of his fellow campers and didn't so much as say goodbye before he ran off to be with them. Luckily he gave me lots of hugs early that morning and the night before. 

Hayden had asked Thomas for a priesthood blessing prior to heading away from home to scout camp for the first time. The blessing was beautiful and promised no homesickness, lots of friends and he would gain great relationships and valuable lessons. He was promised his mom(me) would be taken care of and fine. It eased his mind greatly and he was ready for an adventure. 

We have amazing leaders. They texted me Monday night to let me know that Hayden is a great kid and was having a wonderful time. They said they asked him what he thought and his reply was, "best day ever!"  I laughed and told them that is it would be he best day until tomorrow and then tomorrow would be best day ever until the following day. Hayden loves what he is doing and loves to find the good in all things. 

The wonderful scout leaders have also been texting and posting pictures for me. Look how happy this boy looks. I can only imagine his thought process thinking of how many pieces of bacon he could eat. Yum. Yum. 

Whether it's been lashing or hiking or swimming in the water hole, they said. Hayden has been non-stop smiles. Oh how that makes a momma's heart happy. 

And in sure he loved the arts and crafts and building. He was so excited to get to make a spear. What a trip. It is Wednesday night. We are half way. 

I miss my boy but am so glD he is so happy and having a wonderful time. I miss you bubba. And I love you. I hope you remember that. I love you always forever and no matter what. 

The perfect day

Today was the absolutely perfect day. 

After the worst of days yesterday, I needed to find some joy.  Something to hold on to. I need to find my happy place again. My joy. 

We awoke this morning and Thomas swept me and Hayden away to a breakfast at Joe's farmhouse. It was so so so yummy. I have always wanted to go there. It was fun to go someplace new. The weather was perfect. It was breezy. Almost cold out. We talked, we laughed, we had fun. 

Thomas turned to go home and I wanted to keep going. I knew it would make me tired but I wanted to just be well. I wanted to have a day like I used to...before I was sick. I wanted to just be a mom and wife. Not a sick mom or a disabled wife. Just me with my husband and son having fun because we can. 

Thomas asked where to go? What to do? I told him somewhere fun or to drive. I told Hayden we wanted to give him the perfect day. He wanted to go see the puppies at the puppy store. We drove to Chandler Mall. The puppy store wasn't open so we hit Barnes and Noble and laughed. 

On the way home, we hit the Disney Store, Build a Bear, and Puppy Love. As we walked the Disney Store, Hayden slid up next to me and started playing with a stuffed animal. I swear I looked at him and remembered him being five years old and wanting a new stuffed animal to sleep with. I thought of the hundreds if trips to the Disney Store over the years. I loved the years rolling back and remembering the fun we have had. 

As we walked by build a bear, the new minions caught my eyes. I told Hayden. He grabbed my hand and walked in. I was shocked. He walked over and showed me Toothless the dragon. Toothless has always been our thing. I remembered the first time we watched, "How to Train your Dragon" and laughing. Toothless was our joke, our way of teasing one another. The next thing I knew, Hayden had Toothless in his hand and was in line to get him stuffed. He leaned over and said, "you know I'm doing this for you mom, right?" I gave his hand a squeeze. I thanked him. He was my little boy for one more day. I was his healthy mom....free. Free from all the cares of the world just enjoying the perfectness of the day. 

As we walked out of build a Bear, Thomas slid next to me and took my hand. Held grabbed my other hand. I looked at each of them. My heart was filled and pouring over with love for each of them.  The joy they have brought me, the love, the good days, the smiles, the laughter and oh the love. 

Hayden excitedly entered the pet store. He started talking about the dogs and trying to pick one out for Suzi. We played with the dog in the middle of the store. It loved Hayden. Then we saw a black and white version of Maya. We took an empty room and they brought this precious little girl to us. We laughed and smiled as we played with this new puppy. She was Maya. Playful and spunky and so much fun. Hayden even named her Snickers. We played with her forever. 

On the way home, we grabbed a Frosty from Wendy's. Hayden ate his and asked me if I was done. I gave him the rest of my frosty, and he said, "score! I love that mom doesn't eat much. I get what I want to eat plus at least half or more of yours." What a stinker. He laughed and thought he was so funny. 

As we pulled in home, I was exhausted and so sleepy but so happy. It was a perfect day. We did all the things we used to attend on a perfect day when my boy was younger. I'm so grateful for the way things fell into place and we experienced one of the happiest days of my life. I was exactly what I needed and I believe it was exactly my precious husband and wonderful son needed. A day or normalcy.  I will cherish this day forever. 

Joe's Farm Grille for yummy breakfast where we sat outside on the picnic tables. 

The cute baby puppy we played with aka Snickers.

Toothless sitting on Bubba'a bed. 

Ended the day with a water fight with Suzi. She brought over Outback Steakhouse food for dinner and a key lime mousse pie for dessert. My favorite. As I curled in to bed, I had to climb out once more to tuck in my boy and give him a kiss. Although he was already asleep, I told him thanks for a perfect day.i then thanked my Father in Heaven for a perfect day. He surrounded me in His love. And I couldn't ask for a more perfect feeling than that.