16 eyes

Kyle joined the glasses club this week. He is so excited to see! Our poor kids have the worst eyes...

 

Car Rides

 

Sully has learned the joy of car rides. He hasn't quite learned he doesn't get to ride up front, but he's getting the hang of it. We love this puppy. 

Basketball

I've needed to improve at documenting basketball this season. All four boys are playing. 

Tayden is on the school team and doing fantastic. He's really hitting a stride and has been MVP in a couple of games and had multiple coaches shout outs. 

Beckett is doing great as well. The sixth grade had combined a couple of teams to get ready for school ball and he's having a bit of a hard time with one of the coaches. Other than that, he's been doing great. 

Cache is playing this season as well. He was on a super competitive team last year and it really ruined team sports for him. However, he's on a different team this year with a bunch of his friends. They just play for fun and he's having a blast. I'm just so proud of him for trying it again. 

Kyle is playing too. He doesn't really love it but loves hanging out with his friends. Basketball probably won't be his thing. 

 

Blessings of Church

I love being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In particular a member of my ward family. Last week, I witnessed so many acts of love and kindness. It touched my heart and made me realize how blessed we are to be a part of this organization and how divine it is. Last week...

• A missionary returned home early. Instead of coming home to awkward stares and whispers, he came home to open arms and loving neighbors. I watched multiple people approach him with a hug and a "job well done". He was welcomed back to the ward with so much love, it brought tears to my eyes. 
• A member that hasn't come since covid returned, and he was welcomed too was welcomed back. People were happy to see him and shook hands, and put a loving hand on his shoulder. He sat in the middle of the chapel and it was so great having him back. 
•  Beckett got to pass the sacrament for the first time. It's such a blessing watching my kids serve the members of the ward and honor their priesthood. 
• Tayden stood at the doors during the sacrament. He took his job seriously and was so willing to fulfill his priesthood duties. 
• A nonmember came to support her neighbor that was speaking. 
• A sister with dementia was cared for and watched after by loving sisters in the ward. She walks in and people are right there to help her to her seat and make sure she is safe. 
• A man with long hair walked in and participated in the service with us. 
• Every week an elderly couple, Brother and Sister Parker, saves our seats for us. Sister Parker puts her purse down on our bench and it makes me feel so loved. The kids know where to sit and always tell them good morning. 
• A young man that has struggled with his testimony and finding his place spoke. Not only did he do a great job, but you could feel how his testimony has grown. He put a lot of time and effort into his talk. He teaches the Sunbeams, and it was so sweet to see his love for those kids over their age gap. 

I feel so blessed to be a part of this Church. I love it with all my heart and will never be able to thank the Savior enough for allowing me to be a part of it. 

Mom and Kyle

Kyle and I hung out in the car while Scott ran into the store. He wanted to take some funny pictures and I just can't say no to this boy!

 

Tayden Turns 14

 Even though Tayden was technically a teenager last year, it really feels like he is one now. His birthday was last week and I felt like a bit of a failure. I had school, so I couldn't take him out to lunch. He had a basketball game, so he didn't get home until almost 8:00. And we didn't have a gift for him since he wants sandals and I refuse to buy him summer shoes until summer. His feet...and the rest of his body....are growing like crazy. 

Even though his birthday was a bit of a bust, he was such a trooper. He is so relaxed and easy to please. Even though he has outbreaks of teenage emotions from time to time. Tayden is determined and works hard at what he does. He is full of life and energy and we feel so blessed to have him in our family! 

Becketts Turns 12

Beckett turned twelve last week. Sadly, for him, he spent the day not feeling well and stayed home from school with me. We had lunch delivered from Wendys and hung out while we watched TV. Happily, for him (and me), he got a phone! He has been wanting a phone for some time and I am so happy to have my phone back.

Beckett is a great kid. He is still as goofy as ever, has a great sense of humor, and is as witty as they come. He knows his mind and stands up for what he believes in. He is a great big brother, and though he teases his brothers nonstop, he doesn't let anyone else. He is the first to give me hug in the morning and the last one at night. He is a bright spot in our family and we're so grateful for him.