Fathers and sons marathon

Hayden had one of the best weekends of his life. It started on Thursday evening when he and his dad went to the Iron-man 3 premiere. To say he was excited was a complete understatement. From the second he got home from school, he was jumping up and down and waiting outside for his dad to come home from work.

According to Hayden, Ironman 3 was AWESOME!!!

Since they arrived home so late during the night, I let him have a ditch day from school. He was in heaven. Thomas took a half day and picked him up a little after noon to head out for Fathers and Sons camp out up in Pine, Arizona.

Boy was a huge smile stretched across Hayden's face. He was giggly and hyper and a happy boy as he rode off in the car headed for the camp out with his dad.



Unfortunately, we packed based on past fathers and sons outings and failed to look at the current weather conditions. Oops. The boys were so cold. They enjoyed spending time with all, the men and boys in our ward. The boys ran around and played games while the men sat around the campfire and talked.

Hayden was so funny relaying some of the funny moments. My favorite was him talking about the sword fights they had. He said that one of the boys took the Nerf Axe and chucked it at his head. After having a swollen lip, he gathered the swords and with his witty little sarcasm said, "And on that note, I think we are done playing with swords. I'll have to remember that for the future. Nerf axes and father and sons camp outs do not mix." I laughed so hard as I think those words have come out of my mouth.

As the night went on, the colder the guys became. Luckily they chose to sleep in the car with a lot of blanket layers. They were so cold by morning that Hayden wouldn't get out of the car. Instead of hanging around they decided to do their own thing. They headed down the mountain and went out to breakfast in Payson.

On the way home, Thomas drove Hayden to Golfland so he could attend Gunter's birthday party. He had a blast partying with his friends.

Needless to say, when Thomas picked him up on Saturday evening, my boy was exhausted. Happy, full of life and stories but so tired.

He is such a great boy and deserved a great weekend! Hayden is so fun to be around. He is enthusiastic and loves life.

Thomas said the best part of the entire weekend was when Hayden whispered, "Dad, I am glad we are buds. I have a lot of fun when we are together." I sure hope they always enjoy each other and have a lot of weekend adventures together.

Davis gang

Thomas came to pick me up from Jodi's after priesthood session of conference. Brigham ran up to Thomas, hugged him and begged him to go pick up the nerf guns that Hayden was giving to him. Brigham was being so cute that Thomas had to say yes.

Talmage heard Brigham was going to our house and ran to the car. Brooklyn quickly followed. It is not often that Thomas and I have all Jodi's kiddos without Hayden and so we decided a quick run thru McDonalds for ice cream comes was in order. Jodi heard the plan to celebrate Thomas' birthday and jumped in the car with us. After a quick stop by our house to pick up the bag of hand me down toys for Brigham, we were off for yummy ice cream cones.

The kids were so cute and so excited. As Brigham pulled toy after toy and nerf gun out of the bag, the bigger his smile grew and he was so excited. Talmage loved the goggles and immediately put them on. Thomas and I relished in these precious moments spent with the cute Davis munchkins.

We hadn't told the kids where we were going, so when we pulled up to McDonalds for ice cream cones, they were ecstatic! We laughed, chatted and had the best time.

It was a very short outing. Maybe 20 minutes tops in the car, if that. But it was so much fun. It was a memory I will always cherish. I loved getting out, listening to the excitement in the kids voices and seeing the excitement that a bag of hand me down toys and ice cream cones brought to these cute kids lives that I love. It was a perfect way to celebrate Thomas' birthday!

Celebrating a Great Man

I am so lucky to be married to such an amazing man.

He has so many great and wonderful qualities.

He is my strength, my rock, my support, my confidant, my safety net, my best friend and love of my life.

He is all that is right and good in the world.

He loves with all of his heart.

He spends each day trying to make my life and Hayden's better.

He serves, sacrifices, gives, loves and is constantly doing for others.

He honors his priesthood. He lives each day with the knowledge that he is a son of God. 

He walks his life with this knowledge and responsibility. He is the most Christlike man I have ever known. 

I am so thankful this amazing man is my husband.

I. Am. The. Luckiest. Gal. Ever. 

 Happy Birthday, Babe!

Thank you IPhone

Life via iPhone is a crazy thing. Random moments are captured that would have usually passed with the moment. I love the little things in life. They are the moments that a life is made up of. The ordinary day to day moments that are interrupted with holidays and big events. The little moments, for me, is where the sweet joy of life is captured.

Someday I will look back on this time in my life and be so grateful for all the lessons learned and experiences gained. I will remember the big moments that entailed healing, priesthood blessings, hospital stays, little miracles, tender mercies, love shown, family moments and prayers answered. But because of our little iPhone, I will be able to laugh that a wet rag wrapped on my head kept me from passing out. I look lovely all the time with this beauty on my head but it makes life much more tolerable. And I am positive when I look back on this picture, I will laugh and be grateful that this time in my life has past. Okay, who are we kidding, we are getting a good kick out of this picture now. Life is too serious to be taken seriously.

My sweet little niece Brooklyn had to list her favorite activities of the year for her activity day recognition. Her very favorite activity was Cupcakes for a Cure. Brooklyn and Kiley went door to door selling cupcakes and raising money for my medical bills. She melts my heart. I love her dearly. What a sweet girl to willingly serve me and then to last it as her favorite moment of the year. She is such a precious daughter of God. She has such a deep desire to serve and give and love. She is a sweetheart. I adore her. I love her. I cherish her. I am so grateful that this little sweetheart is apart of my life. I always tell her that she is my girl. If I had been blessed with a daughter, she is exactly the one I would have dreamed of. She is a light and joy. I love you, Missy Brooklyn!

Talmage loves his Papa Thomas. He squeals with excitement each time Thomas walks in the door. The other night, Talmage ran to the freezer, grabbed two ice cream sandwiches, and came and jumped on Thomas' lap. I had to capture the moment. Love their sweet relationship.

Last Friday, Thomas had the day off. For some crazy reason Hayden had school. We decided to let him have a ditch day. He wanted so badly to go have a play day. He wanted to have a normal day like we used to. I was miserable but determined to do something. I dragged myself out of bed, grabbed a hat and got in the car. We went to a new restaurant we hadn't tried before. Hayden's delight was evident when Apple Dumpling Cafe brought out a huge cheeseburger. He grinned ear to ear. He enjoyed every single moment we were at the cafe. I realized how much that meant to him. Us doing something normal, like we used to brought him so much joy. He felt like life was back on track. A huge hamburger, a few French fries and a family eating together, talking and laughing was the best medicine for all of us.

He didn't even care that I came home and fell asleep on the couch right when we got home. Nope. His life was back to normal, if only for an hour, but it was enough. Simple but perfect.

To the makers of the iPhone, thanks for putting on a camera, I'm so glad these sweet and precious moments are captured.

Boys boys and more boys

Saturday night the Weeks and Suzi's gang came over to hang out. Talmage was over and when he heard Rex was coming over, he refused to leave. He kept saying, "Rex is my friend. I want to play with him."

With boys ranging from 11, 10, 8, 3, 2 , 9 months and 4 months, our house was a zoo. Toy cars, motorcycles, blocks and tools covered he floor. With each passing moment, the noise decibels seemed to increase. The laughter was contagious. The air was exhilarating.

I loved sitting and talking with Sarah and cuddling with baby Ace and T.J. I loved that Rex tells me he loves me. I loved that Talmage came over while I was holding the babies and tried climbing on my lap. I asked what he was doing and he said, "I'm not a big boy anymore. I am a little baby. Wah. Wah. I am your baby boy. You need to put that baby down and hold YOUR baby boy. Me!"

I died laughing. Talmage usually wants to be big. He keeps up with the older ones just great. But, I guess Aunt Jer holding other babies was just not ok. I love that I am that important to him.

I loved watching Thomas and Jordan wrestle with all the boys on the ground. I love that when they wrestle, all the boys together gang up on the dads. I love hearing giggling and laughter in our home. I love hearing Hayden's cry of "Dad, Dad, I surrender." For Thomas to let go and stop tickling him and Hayden jumping right back in for more.

I love the smiles. I love the joy. I love having dear dear friends that feel welcome in our home and come to visit.

And I absolutely LOVE having cute little babies to hold and cuddle. I love when they smile up at me and their eyes sparkle. I love it all.

Who could resist any of these cute little faces. Too precious!

Yard work

Best part of doing yard work for my Bubba....finding worms.

When Hayden arrived home from scout camp, Thomas was out working in the yard. It was in need of quite a bit of tender loving care. So many plants had died over the winter. The HOA was not happy with our dead plants. Thomas spent most of the day pulling up dead plants and planting lantana into the missing spots. Love lantana... It is inexpensive, has flowers, spreads out quickly and is easy to maintain and hard to kill.

Thomas told Hayden to drop his bags in the garage and he needed his help.

Hayden told us stories while he helped his dad.

I loved watching the two of them in the yard working together, talking, laughing and telling stories. Hayden relayed the events of the weekend while Thomas told Hayden stories of his day at camp. As Thomas told stories, Hayden became more and more excited for upcoming trips and adventures. They collected worms while they worked and laughed as they threw them on one another and relocated them to the uprooted ground that was just replanted.

As they both came in, they were excited for me to go see the yard and the fruits of their labors.

I watched my sweet husband as he worked with Hayden, teaching him, helping him and listening to him. It's these moments that I am reminded at how great my life is. I'm married to a good man that loves me and Hayden and wants to help us. He wanted me to feel good when I lay in the grass or sit on the rocker outside, seeing that the yard is maintained and beautiful flowers beautify our yard. He loves Hayden and is willing to take the time to help him learn important skills. He is willing to work hard for our family. What a gift to me and a great example to Hayden.

Crabby Pants

Hayden is rarely in a bad mood. He is generally a happy boy. Every once in a while, he has an out of sorts kind of morning. Friday morning he was just grouchy. He had gone to bed so late and woken up before the crack of dawn coughing.

Everything that Thomas and I said to him caused tears or a melt down. We knew if we didn't help him break out of this mood, it would be a rough day for all of us.

I love how Thomas handles Hayden's crankiness. He tries not to yell or scold him as this just intensifies the situation. Instead, Thomas holds him down and "kisses the grumpies away". All the while Hayden is a hollering and yelling for his dad to stop. Hayden starts laughing after a while and when Thomas and I laugh, he may get grouchy for a minute but after about 3 minutes, Hayden is laughing and giggling right along with us.

I love that "kissing the grumpies away" still works and has us all laughing.

It worked! Hayden had a great day at school and came home in a wonderful mood!

Plus, I love these pictures. I love that our unconventional parenting methods sometimes work better than disciplining. And I love the sound of laughter within the walls of our home!

Like father like son

Hayden walked in the other day and had this look on his face. I laughed hysterically and Thomas asked why. Of course, because he did his dads expression perfectly. Thomas said that he didn't make that face. Mmmm. Thinking Hayden is just like his dad.

On Saturday, Thomas and I were talking about bearing our testimonies in church on Sunday. Hayden said he wanted to bear his testimony, too. He was scared to do it in sacrament meeting but wanted to get up in primary.

Terrified, he stood for the first time in church, in front of all the primary kids and bore his testimony of the Savior. It was simple but powerful. He said he knew that I was alive because of the miracles of Jesus.

My heart melted. I was so proud of him. Joy filled my heart. I know how hard it was for him to stand in front of all. But, with faith that the Savior would help him, he stood.

I looked back to this picture of him and his dad. He watches us so much. He hears what we say, sees what we do and learns from our example.

I'm glad he was listening when we were talking of why we wanted to express our testimonies was to let others know that a miracle was preformed on our behalf in our lives. He wanted to let the other children know that they could pray and their prayers would be heard too.

He really is like his father. I'm so glad he has such a great role model to follow.

Fast & Testimony Meeting

The first Sunday of each month is set aside for us to fast and then attend a special Sacrament meeting where all are invited to stand and share their testimonies of the Savior and the experiences that have led them to their beliefs. To fast is to go without food and drink voluntarily for a certain period of time. Fasting combined with sincere prayer can strengthen us spiritually, bring us closer to God, and help us prepare ourselves and others to receive His blessings.

Last week, our ward members held a special fast for me. It was the combined efforts, fasting and prayers of so many, for my behalf, that opened the windows of heaven and poured blessings down upon me and my family. My gratitude for all those that fasted and prayed for me is inexpressable.

Today was the day set aside that as a ward we gather and in fasting join and share our testimonies.  After the experiences of the last week, I knew that I wanted to get up and thank all those that prayed and fasted and express to them my gratitude and in more detail the miracles that have taken place over the past week.

After the Sacrament was passed and the testimony meeting was about to begin, my heart was beating through my chest and my palms were damp with sweat. My heart knew the stories I needed to tell, but I still get nervous standing up in front of so many and sharing me deepest and most sacred feelings.

As I walked up to the pulpit and looked out over the congregation, my heart swelled inside. Because of the love and support, prayers, fasting and pleas of these people to our Father in Heaven, I had the privilege of standing before them. There are no words to express the deepest gratitude and appreciation of my heart.

I shared my love and broke down the past two weeks and the miracles that had taken place in our lives. I began with two Saturdays ago when Thomas and I were in prayer and the Bishop called to see if the ward could hold a special fast for me. In those precious moments, although so unsure about so much, I felt the love of my Savior and his arms wrapped around me. He knew of my fears and wanted to show me the love placed around me.

Immediately after church that next day, I felt the prayers and my body started overcoming the meningitis. I felt the strength of so many praying for me. I then expressed the details of last Sundays events, what the doctors were saying, and the events that took place throughout the week.

I expressed my great gratitude for being alive to stand in front of them today. I relayed that the blessing assured me that through the combined fasting and prayers of the Desert Mountain ward that the Lord was granting their pleas and sparing my life. Because of these wonderful people that I was surrounded by, I was still here.

I went on to testify of our Savior. I testified of his goodness. I testified of my knowledge that he lives. He loves us. He knows each of us individually. He knows our deepest fears, deepest agonies, greatest desires of our hearts and the very beings that we are. I expressed that no matter how difficult this trial became, the fact was, my Savior stood at my side. He lifted me. He carried me. He shed tears for me. He sent his earthly angels to surround me and buoy me up when I was faint.

I testified that our Savior does indeed still work miracles today, just as when he walked this earth. He continues to bless us. He continues to heal us both spiritually and physically. And, in my case, he has literally spared my life time and time again.

I bore testimony of the great plan of salvation that was prepared for us from the beginning. That even if I would have died, that I would see Thomas and Hayden again and be with them in the next life. I praised our Savior for his love for each of us and our ability to remain as families forever.

I ended with the words to I know that my Redeemer lives, assuring them that I believe, with all my heart that my Redeemer lives. He comforts me when I am faint, he listens to my heartaches, he lifts me, he walks with me and he loves me. I have felt his warm embrace. I have been encircled by his love. I have felt his healing powers. I am a living witness of his miracles and his love.

My love for my Savior is without limits. He knows me. He loves me. He cares for me, just as he does for each of us. Nothing we do can keep him from loving us. His love is perfect and complete.

The Spirit was so strong. I again felt the loving arms of my Savior wrap around me and let me know I am his.

After this incredible experience, my sweet husband stood and humbly, quietly, and with the Spirit bore a beatuiful testimony of turning things over to the Savior. That sometimes it takes all we have to say, "Thy will be done". But, when we do, He wraps us in his love and we are taken care of.

Thomas testified, as I did, of the miracles of Jesus. The miracles that have been so generously and incredibly placed in our lives. He expressed gratitude that the Lord spared my life. He expressed his deep love for our Savior.

I love my sweet husband that relies on our Savior. That he hears His voice and is willing to submit his will to that of our Savior's. He is a great man. I am so blessed that he is mine.

When Sacrament meeting was over, the love and hugs that were expressed and given were beyond words. I felt so loved. I felt so safe and secure. I felt the loving arms of our Savior wrap around me by all those giving me hugs today. It was an experience I will never forget. The love that I felt, indescribable. As the meetings went on, the hugs, expressions of love and well wishes were endless.

As I sat in Relief Society, surrounded by these amazing daughters of God, my mind escaped to my Savior. As I was being wrapped in the arms of love here, I thought to myself and wondered what if I hadn't made it. A calm encircled me and I felt reassurance. The love that was shown today would have been the same but in a different sphere. Had I gone home to my Father in Heaven, I would have been encircled there in the arms of so many who have gone before and love me. As it was a glorious day at church here, it would have been a glorious reunion in heaven, I am sure.

The gospel is true whether we are walking our lives out on earth or if we go on to the next phase of our progression in the heavens. The relationships and love we share and give is endless and never forgotten.

Our Savior lives. He loves us. I have felt the warm embrace of our Savior as he has walked me through my trials. He has helped me to find the good, see the joy and feel the incredible peace that comes from knowing this is his plan, he is in charge and if I put my trust in my Savior, all the details will work out.

I am grateful for the miracle of my life. I am grateful for my Savior's love. I am grateful for the prayers from each of you, my loved ones and friends. May the Savior watch over and bless your lives, just as he has mine.

Family moments savored

Lately our evenings have consisted of a lot of cuddle time all snuggled up on the bed reading and talking. As I look at these pictures, I am grateful beyond words for my sweet son and precious husband. These two are my world. They are the joy that I carry in my heart each day. They are my happy place. They are my security and unconditional love.

These two are amazing. Words cannot express my love and gratitude for these two amazing guys in my life.

Thomas is the love of my life. He has been my rock during this entire experience.

He has awoken prior to 5am each and every morning. He got ready. He has woken up Hayden and helped him get ready for the day. He has awoken me with my medications and helped me to the couch and has then helped me get ready for the day. After which, he would make me and Hayden breakfast. He'd take care of the dogs, take out the trash, get Hayden ready for school, throw in a load of laundry, ran to Circle K to get me a diet coke and made sure morning prayers were said. He would drop Hayden off at school, go to work all day, run errands at lunch, go back to work and pick me up another diet coke on the way home. He would then make dinner (when the ward hadn't brought it in), completed homework with Hayden, did laundry, cleaned the house, paid bills, figured out a schedule for taking care of me and picking up Hayden for the week. He would make sure scriptures were read, prayers were said, he would rub my feet, put me and Hayden to bed, go grocery shopping, and anything else required of running a household.

Not only that, he would stay up with me at night, when I was having seizures, struggling to breathe and in pain. He would lay is hands upon my head and pronounce a blessing, utilizing his priesthood and calling down the powers of heaven. He would spend all night by my side easing the pain and comforting my heart.

Words do not do justice to the great and loving man he is. He is a valiant servant of our Father in Heaven. He is good and kind and does all in his power to serve our Savior. He loves me and Hayden with all of his heart. I am so lucky he is mine.

Hayden is a joy beyond words. He is tenderhearted. He is kind. He takes good care of his mom. He is my happy place. He is my smile. He is the tender mercy that brings light and joy to my heart. He has a testimony of the Savior and shares his love and reassurance that our Savior is in charge whenever things get rocky or scary. He relies on the Holy Ghost. He knows his Savior. He loves his Savior. He loves with all of his heart. He brings me joy. He brings me happiness. He makes me smile. He is my light each morning and each afternoon. My will and strength to live. My world.

I have a precious family. I have been so blessed. I've been given a great life. Life with these precious sons of God by my side, my life is absolutely priceless!