Double Digits

Tayden, the boy who me me mom first, had a birthday and has officially joined the world of double digits! His day was pretty low key. He wanted to stay home from school, sleep in and play Madden all day. Something that was very doable.

Originally, he wanted to go out to breakfast with his dad and get a McDonalds sausage mcgriddle, but he changed his tune and wanted to grab lunch with both of us instead. He asked to go to Fugi Hibachi Grill and we were happy to oblige. It was really fun to spend a couple of hours with him and not have little brothers to take care of. I often say Tayden is my light at the end of the tunnel. He proves that little kids do in fact grow up.

Notice the glasses? Turns out the kid couldn't see. He had been complaining about it for a couple of months and as soon as our insurance changed we got him in to the eye doctor to confirm what we suspected, hes near sighted. Once diagnosed and frames picked out, waiting for the glasses to arrive was hard. He came home from school every day asking if they had come yet for two weeks. Finally, they came.

The minute he put them on his face, he was all smiles. He was beyond excited to be able to see everything. He kept taking them off and saying,  "I can't believe this used to be my vision!" and then he'd put them back on and say, "Look! That sign says...." and then read the sign. He was in heaven and hasn't stopped loving them. He randomly tells me how much clearer things are or reads things he couldn't see before.

That evening my family came over and we had pizza and cupcakes. Per his request, simple cupcakes. My parents took him on the annual birthday shopping trip and he picked out football cards. He got money from Scott and I and his Grandma and Grandpa Packard and true to form he is saving it for a football helmet.

Tayden is a complete joy to have in our home. He is my right hand man and helps with his brothers everyday. He is funny, smart and loves all things sports related. While he and Scott bump heads from time to time (they are very much the same...its not wonder I love him so much), I maintain a close relationship with him and hardly ever have any discipline issues with him. He is quite simply the best and I love him more than words will ever be able to tell!

The Great Eight

Beckett turned eight today! Its hard to believe, but sure enough, its true.

I put together a small surprise party for his yesterday. I arranged for some friends to come surprise him at the door and took them all to iJump and out for ice cream after. It was really simple, but this kid loved it.

Today, he took the day off from school to hang out with me at home. His one wish was to go to Golds Gym and work out with me. However, gym policy is only kids over 10 can go onto the floor with parents. He was a little bummed, but it wasn't anything a good breakfast date couldn't fix.

We dropped the kids off to school and got Kyle to preschool and then it was just him and me. It was magical. I spent the whole two hours just soaking up his awesomeness and he told me at least 12 times, "Just you and me is so fun!" It was the sweetest and I loved that he appreciated our time together. We got some breakfast and then went to Walmart to look at toys and pick out his cake stuff.

I think I ruined my kids. All the years of putting toys on the cake for decoration has lead to an accidental tradition. As Beckett and I were discussing cakes, he kept turning down all my ideas. Like an eight made of cupcakes, or a basketball cake, or an octopus. He didn't like any of them. He said he wanted a orange and white cake with a Bakugan. When I confronted him and asked if he wanted that so he got an extra toy, he replied, "Well, yeah. Isn't that what we do for our birthdays?" I told him I'd do a toy cake one more year, and if you ask me...I hit out of the park. Exactly what he requested, and orange and white cake with a bakugan. 

We ended the night with singing and gifts. It really was such a great birthday celebration. 

Beckett truly is one of a kind. I have said this for years, but he knows just who he is and is true to himself. I think that is a great trait that I hope he never loses. He sees things in his head and can build them out of anything. He is smart and funny and kind. He is learning to bridle his passions and keep his temper in check. I just can't say enough of the sweet young man he is becoming! 

A Million in One

My blog app on my phone hasn't been working well and I haven't had time to sit down at the computer to upload pictures, so I've been saving lot of pictures and stories. So today, there is going to be a major overload. Enjoy!

BOOKENDS

The other day, Scott and I had the rare oppourtunity to take just Tayden and Ky to the store while their brothers played with friends. Tayden has always had a soft spot for Kyle and Kyle is really really starting to love his oldest brother. The store took forever, but they had fun playing and hanging out together. It was so sweet.

SCOOTING

The boys got new scooters for Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa Packard. They have been dying to ride them, so one afternoon when the sun came out we hit the road. Everyone except Tayden. Because true to himself, he didn't want to get his new scooter slushy and dirty. It is amazing what fresh air can do for the soul. They had so much fun and I had even more fun watching them. We took Luna along. She loves the snow. She runs up ahead, lays down and buries her nose. (She seriously has to understand she is white.) Then as we walk by, she jumps out and surprises us. She does it on our nightly walks as well. Scott always plays along with her and chases her after she jumps up. Shes easy to see in the day, but at night, its a different story.

Snow Cave

Beckett made a snow cave and it was awesome!

House Update

Scott and I are making some home improvements. Its starting with paint, then adding a fireplace and lastly installing new flooring. We didn't antcipate doing it so soon, but when my sister got a steal of a deal on the flooring, we decided to go for it. It probably won't be done for a couple of months, but the paint is almost finished. 

Love Hugs

My kids are the best at giving me random hugs and telling me they love me. I love being their mom.

Becketts Baptism Pictures

I can't believe it, but this boy is going to be eight in just a few short weeks. That means, its time for Baptism pictures. Per usual, Jodie knocked it out of the park. And despite it being cold and super sunny, Beckett was a trooper and smiled like a champ.

Last Sunbeam

Kyle joined the ranks of Primary last Sunday. He was so excited to be a sunbeam and go to big boy primary like his brothers and he had zero problem going to class by himself. I try not to focus on the fact that all of his firsts, are also all my last. Every time he reaches a milestone, its an end of an era for me. Some of those are sad, but I love our new stage of life so so much. And watching this baby of mine grow and blossom is such a privilege.





One quick funny from Ky. The other day we were out driving and past a horse in a field. It was blowing snow and miserable outside. I uttered something like, "poor horse". And he told me, "Yeah, all his friends are at the other farm. The one up the road." I asked how he knew that and he replied, "Oh, well, you know my brain? The one in my head? It makes me think really smart things." He makes me smile.

Twenty Nineteen

Wow! 2019. Just when I was getting the hang of 2018. I have so many thoughts running through my head about changes I've made in the last three months and habits I hope to keep in the upcoming year. So many of my thoughts are directed towards our dear Prophet, President Nelson, and his clear inspiration for the women of the LDS church. 

As I mentioned before, President Nelson gave the challenge to read the Book of Mormon before the years end. And guess what, I DID IT! I am so proud of myself. However, the really amazing part is the habit that it evoked. My morning routine is the same everyday. I wake up at 4:30 and head to the gym. I get home about 5:45 and read my scriptures. Then shower and get ready before the kids wake up. Now that I am done with the Book of Mormon, I dedicate my scripture time to the new church curriculum. President Nelson has changed the three hour Sunday block to a two hour block and has asked that we conduct more learning time at home. The doctrine is now to be, "Home Centered, Church Supported." 

The transisition has been seamless. There is no doubt in my mind that the challenge was given to us by divine revelation. Not only has a habit formed, but a love for learning. My goal for this year is nothing new, but to keep up this habit. I've felt it missing for years, but never quite knew what was missing or how to fix it. But now that I have it in my life, and the blessings of it, I don't want to give it up.

Along those lines is a new goal. To hold family church study every Sunday after dinner. We started off on the right foot and discussed the material this week. It was awesome and the kids actually took part in the lesson. I'm very excited to see how this helps us grow as a family and how it helps my children learn the gospel on a deeper level. 

I also plan to continue monthly temple attendance. Hopefully as school lets out, I'll be able to attend more endowment sessions, but for now I am so pleased with the initiatory work I'm doing.

Maybe its me getting older, or just the truthfulness of the gospel hitting me, or maybe a touch of both. But I feel so strongly that if I keep my spiritual life in order all other things will fall into place. Yes, I want to lose a little weight and gain some muscle. I want to keep my house clean and stay up on laundry. I want to enforce house rules with more consistency and be a better mom. But all of these things come in second to strengthening my spiritual self. I know the biggest gift I can give my kids, it that of a spiritual mother. 

Happy New Years!