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My birthday was different this year. Scott was in New Mexico all week for work and we were busy with football, appointments, and other various activities. I really wasn't expecting much, and I was completely fine with that. As you get older, birthdays really start to feel less and less important. Honestly, I don't even know how old I am half the time. I have to do the math from my birthday year to figure out how old I am. 

However, this year was wonderful. My sweet boys made sure I felt special and not forgotten. The minute I walked in from the gym they were offering to make me breakfast and throwing gifts in my direction. A couple of weeks ago, I went school shopping with Beckett. While he was looking for him, I was looking for an oversized, crew neck sweatshirt, but failed to find one. A couple of days later, he was at Target with his friends and he looked in the womens section and found one for me and bought it with his own money. I was so shocked by the kind gesture. He remembered what I had been looking for, went out of his comfort zone with his friends, and used his own money. It was the sweetest thing. He told me, "That was stressful! I didn't know if I got you the right size, or if you would like the color. Or would even like it at all!" I told him to times that by four and that's how I feel every Christmas. However, the sweat shirt is perfect. He did a great job!

Tayden also surprised me with a Fizz Bizz gift card. He asked our friends to take him after his football practice so he could get me a gift. He knows the way to my heart is a 44 oz Meemaw. And he used his own money, too. 

They made me feel so loved and seen. They know me so well and I love our relationship. They are just the best boys and are living proof that I am doing something right. 

 

Ashton

A quick day trip to Ashton and the appearance of a moose. 

 

Friday Night Cuddles

Friday night snuggles with my two sweet little cuddle buddies. 

 

Owens Wheel Chair

Owen got a new wheelchair and it has given him so much more freedom. He's been able to come to our house a lot more and we are all loving it. Cache wheels him over to play and it warms my heart to see these two sweet friends. 

 

Heise Birthday

Beckett has been waiting to have a birthday party in Ashton for over a year. And I failed him, yet again. This summer flew by and we barely made it to Ashton ourselves, so instead, I took a group of his friends swimming at Heise. It was super fun and while it wasn't Ashton, it made him happy. And if Beckett is happy, I'm happy. 

 

Texas Day Seven

Day seven, time to go home. My least favorite day of all. Saying goodbye to family is always hard and this was no different. Coda and Gracie have grown so much and were genuinely fun to be around and talk to. They were amazing with my kids and were just a joy. Saying goodbye to them was the hardest. The flight was easy and the drive home was calm as we all reflected on the wonderful week we just had. I am so grateful for my brother and his family and their willingness to take us and all our crazy in. We had such a memorable time and can't wait to go back!

Texas Day Six

 Day six did not go as planned. It was hot all week and we decided to go swimming on Tuesday. We got a bit of a late start and we weren't too concerned. However, when we finally loaded up and headed out swimming, the clouds started rolling in. It hadn't rained in months and we weren't too worried, so we pressed on. As soon as we took a step out of the car, the thunder started up and canceled our plans. We headed back to Justin and Echos and hung out there until our movie times. 

I took the smaller kids to a children's movie, and Scott took everyone else to a marvel show. Even though we split up, we had lots of fun. The movie had recliners and waiters that brought food to your seat. Our Idaho minds were blown and the kids thought it was the coolest thing. 

Texas Day Four and Five

 Day four landed on Sunday. We went to church, hung around the house, and played games. It was a wonderful and relaxing day. 

Monday was a little harder. Echo's niece passed away earlier in the week and she and Justin left to go to the funeral. It was hard saying goodbye to Echo, as it always is. She is one of my most treasured friends, and I wasn't ready for her to leave. However, on the flip side, we got two whole days with the kids. Scott and I really enjoyed our alone time with Coda and Gracie and spoiling them a bit. We spent hours at Perot Museum, a huge five-floored exhibit, before grabbing some food at one of Scott's favorite dives, Raising Canes. We headed home before deciding to go back out for snow cones and Bahama Bucks. It was a full and tiring day. We all slept great that night, even the older boys who stayed up with Coda until 2:00. 

Texas Day Three

 Day three started nice and slow with a lazy morning at home. My brother loves to feed his guests and he is really good at it. We had delicious breakfast burritos, I'm talking restaurant quality. Then we headed to do a little shopping around town before coming home to take a little rest before the evening festivities. 

That evening, Echo treated everyone to Midevil Times Dinner and it was a blast. We watched a fun horse show with tricks and duals among the knights and ate as they did years ago without utensils. It was an entertaining evening, to say the least!