Forbuss Falcons

We had kindergarten orientation this afternoon. To say Tayden is excited is an understatement. I don't think he will even bat an eye when we drop him off Monday. Which is hilarious because he used to be such a mommas boy that I joked I'd have to carry him into kindergarten. But here he is, growing up and heading to school. His teacher was great and very nice.  I have high hopes that he is going to love school. Go falcons!! 

Primary

Yesterday morning our ward held a primary activity. Beckett, though still in nursery, really wanted to go with Tayden-- so I called the primary president and asked if B could join. She agreed. I dropped them off at the church and Beckett started to back out. After some encouragement from a friend he decided to stay. 

Melissa was helping with the activity and sent me a few pictures if the boys. 

Tayden, the ultra protective big brother. Melissa said at one point Beckett had to brush Taydens hand off as if to say, " I got this". They are just the best two buddies. 

 

They had a blast. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful ward. 

Big boy birthday

Last week I got a text from a mom in our ward saying it was her sons birthday Wednesday and he got to pick one friend to join their family to celebrate his birthday. Carson chose Tayden. They spent the day playing at the children's museum, then off to the Lego store and out to dinner at cafe rio. Tayden had such a great time. He was a little nervous about spending the whole afternoon with another family, but the minute we dropped him off he was a bundle of excitement. 

His mother on the other hand, was a bit weepy. Okay, not really weepy, but it was some eye opener. This kid is growing up and there is nothing I can do to stop him. I'm excited to share in his new adventures, but wish I could hold him tight a little bit longer. First stop big boy birthdays, next kindergarten. 

Bed making

The boys surprised me today and made my bed. 

Besides the comforter being upside down, they did I pretty dang good job. Moments like these sure make me grateful. I love being their mom. 

Slipping and a sliding

We have an awesome friend in our ward who lives at spring mountain ranch. It's a national park about 20 minutes from our house and her husband works there as a park ranger. This past week they build a huge slip and slide and the boys jumped at the chance to exchange city for fresh air and big open grass. It was a hit. 

Even though it wasn't very fast and Tayden wasn't quite heavy enough to go very far, he still had a blast. 

Beckett went once and then enjoyed the rest of the morning climbing fences. 

I enjoyed the cool shade and cache looked for bugs. No surprise there. 

And the view can't be beat. 

Such a fun morning. 

Samwise

Our good friends, the Turneys, enjoyed their eighth year of marriage this week. They asked us to watch their kids while they went out and celebrated. We were so excited to watch the kids because that meant snuggle time with baby Sammy. We could not have been happier. 

The pictures of the boys holding Samuel were taken before we left for Idaho, I think he was about a week or two old. But they loved him then and they love him now. 

So glad to have friends that are really family. 

Sad news and gratitude

This weekend I was made aware of a tragic accident in chubbuck involving a five year old little girl. She and her parents were visiting some friends and while in another room she was shot and killed by another five year old. My heart sank. Later on in the day, I was surfing the internet and came across the article from the local news. I opened it up and staring back at me was the familiar face of her mother. I know the mom to this sweet angel. I literally gasped in horror and dropped the iPad to the bed. I worked with Stacie, the mother, when Scott and I were first married. We taught preschool together. And she left a lasting impression on me. 

I am 100s of miles away mourning with her. Trying to comprehend what she is going through or feeling after your child is taken in an instant. She still has to be a mother to her other children, she still has to go day to day and she still has to survive. But how? It makes me grateful for my children. Obviously all of them, but especially Tayden. He is the same age sweet Noelle was. They were at the same stage in life. 

Tayden is smart, funny, happy, energetic. After five years of hard parenting, not all hard-- but hard at moments, he is becoming his own person. He tells jokes, makes decisions, senses tension, is aware of different relationships, has a sense of time and his surroundings, loves without end, has a desire to serve, wants to be good. He is about to start kindergarten and his second season of Tball. He is so full of life and a crucial part of our family. I can not imagine their heartache and am moved to tears of gratitude for my son. 

I know families are forever. I know that our savior loves us and watches over us. I know that one day all our trials will make sense and hope and pray I can help ease the pain of others while here on earth. I am eternally grateful for the knowledge of this church and my testimony of it.