Stalker Radar and the Dodgers

 I'm so excited for tonight!!! 

Clint has been gone to Texas since Monday and I miss him so much! I love having him and his happy self around our family all the time, and we miss that when he is gone...

Him and two other employees traveled there for radar training from Stalker Radar...(just another new avenue that his business is taking on this year!) 

~ And lucky for him, at the end of BOTH days of training, the 3 of them got to go to the Texas Rangers baseball stadium where they were playing the Dodgers BOTH nights!!!

This was a tender mercy to me because Clint has worked SO hard, and for him to be able to sit down and rest his mind and body just for a few minutes and enjoy doing something that he loves...

well, to me THAT is priceless!

 When he found out how inexpensive the tickets were, he jumped at the chance! But little did he know that the tickets he bought were also in a "suite" with an all inclusive deluxe all you can eat menu!!!

Way to score at the Texas/Dodger game Clint!!!

AND...the Dodgers won both nights! Miracles never cease people!!! :)

I love you baby! Can't wait to kiss your cute face tonight!!!

XOXOXOXOXOX!!!! :)

Fun With Friends

This has been a fun friend week for Kesslyn! She has gotten to have a play date EVERYDAY!!!

Puzzles with Greta...

Coloring in the play house with Adelynn and Gabbers...

 ...and picnic lunches every single day!

I can't think of a better way to welcome the week of Kesslyn's birthday!

Fun! Fun! Fun!  :)

Always Time

Yesterday Kesslyn (and Greta) and I went to lunch with Clint since he had to fly out to Texas yesterday for work and we won't get to see him again until Friday.  ;(

He is SO busy at work, but it never fails...no matter HOW busy he gets, he ALWAYS makes time for his favorite people and I LOVE IT!!!

(I hate sleeping alone though...can't wait to have you back sweetie!!!)

I love these giant, beautiful smiles and the people behind them.

How ever did I get so lucky???????????

Stand Out. Be Different. Be a Light!

 This is the face of a sad and concerned little girl...

After her little fall at the playground last week I ended up taking her to the Instacare for X Rays just to make sure everything was OK, and it was. She didn't really want to walk on her foot and I figured it was better to be safe than sorry, right?

After we saw that everything was fine and she had been a brave little girl, I asked her what she wanted for a treat and she replied, "Donuts!"

Can you guess what we went and got after we left the Dr.'s office?? Yep! Donuts. :)

 She is doing much better today and only hobbles a little when she walks,so I'm glad it's getting better!

 Also, on our way out the door on Friday night, Clint and I both looked over and noticed the sky full of grey clouds with this ONE beautiful white cloud just shining bright and standing out in the dark...

 That was a very bold visual lesson to both of us and a reminder to "Stand out. Be Different. Be a Light." as our dear prophet President Russell M. Nelson said...

 I think the light of the full moon was reflecting on the cloud or something because it was just so so bright and I loved everything about what I was seeing. What a beautiful reminder of Heavenly Father's love for us and how great is His majesty! 

Happy Monday everyone!

And don't forget...Stand out, be different, and be a light!!!

Mom Days...

Yesterday was a fun-filled busy mom day...

It started at 4:45 a.m.

I was out on a run by 5,

Took Dallin to seminary at 5:45, 

Was back home and ready for the day by 6:30, 

Got Gavin off to school by 7:20, 

Helped the girls get ready and were out the door to pick up our elementary car pool by 8:15, 

(Annika, Mia, Mya, Elsa, Greta, Kambriella, and Kesslyn!)

Had those cute girls to school by 8:30, 

Went and picked up Gabriella Brown and dropped her and Kesslyn off to preschool by 9, 

and headed straight over to the High School by 9:05 to watch Dallin in his Welcome Assembly!

The energy and enthusiasm was thick in the room and I felt a great sense of pride and accomplishment for all of these amazing teenagers and the good things that they were all excited to jump into this year.

As I watched Dallin in the video they made I laughed and grinned and thought..."He is perfect for this."

Not that he is perfect by any means, but he is doing what he loves and has always wanted to do. He has found his nitch and fits perfectly in it. All of my other kids have found something that they each love and a sport they were good at...Dallin's happens to be "people" and helping to make them smile, laugh, and feel happy. That is what he does best! And that was what I saw him doing! It was so fun. :)

After the assembly was over, and they turned the lights back on, I stayed around for a minute with my eyes peeled to see if I could see him to say "hello."

Sure enough, when my eyes spotted the blonde boy in the white SBO sweater...it was Dallin...in the middle of a circle of ...girls. Yep. Didn't surprise me at all! I smiled to my self and then took a picture. Or two. :)

Ok, maybe it was three, I can't remember... :)  :)  :)

 At first I was curious what they were all looking at...and then I realized they were examining all of the different super heroes on his shoes! I knew those shoes would be a hit!

 I wished I was invisible because I was loving watching the interactions of friends with Dallin and I wanted to keep watching for a long time...

 ...but then I felt like a creeper so I decided that I should stop watching from a distance and go up close to see Dallin too. ;) So I did.

 Immediately when he saw me he came right up to me and said, "Mom!" and gave me the biggest hug!

I was so happy that he was happy to see me, and not the least bit embarrassed that his mom was there! We talked only for a few seconds before his teacher called him over and so I snapped a few more pictures of him and then I was off...

 I love that Dallin is still Dallin, even when he is in the spotlight. He is kind, funny, obedient, and HAPPY.

He is making a great leader...both at school AND at home. I LOVE that ALL of my kids love each other, watch out for each other, they are best friends, and they are teaching each other by their examples.

They are such good kids and I am such a lucky lucky mom.

 When I left from the assembly it was about 10:00 and I headed straight over to my friend Kisty's house. She has had a few complications from having her baby and we discussed ways that we can help her. 

 I fell in love with the perfect little features of her little baby boy Brantley.

Also, her little girl Gwen is a year and a half old and we will be taking her everyday for a play day for the next few weeks while Kisty's body heals. She can't even lift anything over 10 pounds (which includes both of her kids) so her mom is there at her house to help with the baby, and the women in our neighborhood are taking turns with Gwen. It is just what she needs. Ministering at it's finest. :)

 At 11:15 I left Kisty's house and had a ministeing interview with another friend, then delivered a "Coke and a Smile" to my friend Traci Day. She wasn't  home , but I knew that when she saw it she would get the "smile." :)

 At 12 O'clock noon it was time to pick up Gabriella (Gabbers is her nickname) and Kesslyn from preschool. I drove over and picked them up, and drove Gabbers home. When I got her out of the car and walked her to the front door, her mom (my friend Kelli) was there with an invitation, "Can Kesslyn stay and play with Gabbers for a while??" Well...I actually was going to go to a lunch date with all the car pool mom's to finalize our plans for the school year...so YES! Kesslyn had a play date with Gabbers while I went to lunch with my friends! It was soooo nice!!!! I was happy with the thought of taking Kesslyn with me on my lunch date, and everyone just kind of expects her to be my little sidekick, but I know that she had waaayyy more fun having a play date than sitting and listening to a bunch of moms "talk."

We met at Cubby's over by the District where I had a tri-tip steak salad and the most delicious sweet potatoe fries! We talked and ate, and ate and talked about our kids and high school, middle school, elementary school, and all of the good and bad and everything in between...

 We even took a few selfies as proof that we were all actually sitting down at the same time together!!! (Such a RARE thing!) I think the last time we did this was when all of our kids went to kindergarten together!!!

By 2 O'lock it was time to go and get Kesslyn. We said our goodbyes with our schedule figured out for the year...I will drive the girls to school every other week in the mornings and never have to pick them up. It is going to be so great and save me so much time!

I got home and began sending one million texts about needs for relief society (including the arrangements of the schedule for helping with Gwen) and then sat down and made my notes for my presidency meeting that was later on that night.

I had Gavin and Kambriella take Kesslyn on a walk over to the playground for me while I headed off to a 20 minute meeting at the elementary school for Back to School night too. Just as I pulled up to the school my phone rang and Gavin said, "Bad news mom. Kesslyn got hurt."

I stayed calm but HATE those kind of phone calls. I turned right around and headed straight home. My friend Bobbi happened to be walking past the play ground and saw Kesslyn crying so she scooped her up and took her to her house to wait for me to get back. When I got there Kesslyn finally let her emotions go and started bawling. Bobbi said she was fine the entire time until I showed up, and was only complaining that the bottom of her left foot was hurting. Honestly I thought it was kind of sweet because it made me feel needed. Every child needs their mom when they are hurt, and I don't care how old they are!

I couldn't really tell with Kesslyn how "hurt" she was because she is quite an emotional child anyways, so I took her home, gave her a popsicle and a bath, and then she was so tired she fell asleep by 7:30, which was honestly the best thing for her and I just figured that we would assess the situation in the morning when she woke up. 

I fed the others kids dinner while Clint went straight from work to his Elders Quorum presidency meeting, and then I gave them all instructions for showers and bed as I headed out the door to my relief society presidency meeting! It was 8:00 and I sat with my counselors outside at the pavilion because the evening air just felt so good. We talked and finished up things by 9:30 and then headed home for the night.

It was then that I got to see my sweetie for the first time in almost 16 hours, so I hugged him and kissed him, said a prayer and crawled into bed for the night.

What a full day of people and love and the important work of mothering and ministering. If I got paid to be a mom I think I would be a bajillionaire because my work is so busy...but the pay that I get comes in the form of blessings and eternal promises, and there is just no way to measure that!!!

All I know is that I'm one rich momma in the blessings department...to eternity and beyond! ;)

They Are Mine

As I dropped Dallin off at seminary this morning I felt a surge of love and appreciation for him and for all of my children rush over my body. It was the Holy Ghost filling my soul with a deep reassurance that we are doing what is right, and that there will be no greater reward in this life than to see my family together and happy eternally. All of the hard work, sacrifice, late nights, and early  mornings are all so so very worth it.

I will do anything in this world for my children. Anything. They are so so good. And they are mine.

2018-2019 School Is In!

The 2018-2019 school year has officially begun!

It all started yesterday morning when Dallin headed off to his first day of early morning seminary at 5:45 am!~Then it was off to Riverton High School where he is a 10th grade Student Class Officer. He has already been at the school everyday for a couple of weeks now and is used to the new school. He is so excited for all of the adventures that he will have this year! Especially with the Student Government and MDT classes that he is in! It will be a busy one, but also a fun one! I hope we can all keep up! 

(Ok, I know Dallin can, I just hope I can! ;)

 Gavin started his first day of junior high at Oquirrh Hills Middle School yesterday! All of the 7th graders got to go to a half day yesterday just to get used to how things run in middle school. So far he said he's excited about his teachers and the lunch was great! He's also super excited about the college careers class that he gets to take where they get to cook and sew and fun stuff like that. :) He is also thinking he wants to run for 7th grade class officer like his big brother Dallin, so, we shall see!

 Entering middle school with Gavin are also all of his neighborhood friends...Ashton, Parker, Natalee, and Alex!

 You got it!!! The Fantastic 5!!! :)

 Their bus stop is right outside of our house and they were all pretty excited to jump on that bus!

 And lucky for me, they weren't too embarrassed that all of us moms were out there taking pictures of them actually getting on the bus! :)

 These kids have GOT to STOP growing up!!! See!? Even the bus driver is telling them too! ;)

 Then there is this little Princess! She started her first day of preschool with Miss April again yesterday too!

She is in the 3 year old Panda class and every time I tell her she is a "Panda" now, she gets upset at me and tells me, "No I not a panda! I'm Tetten!"

 Kambriella was doing her best to help Kesslyn "strike a pose" for the camera! These girls crack me up...

 ...and then again they melt my heart!! Kambriella is such a good big sister to Kesslyn always helping her and encouraging her, just like Kierra always did for her...I love it. :)

 After Gavin got off of the bus from his half day and Kesslyn finished her preschool, I took these 3 kiddos to the Movie "Pandas!" It was kind of in celebration of our little Panda Kesslyn, but mostly just to celebrate the 1st day of back to school!

 Kambriella was the only one that didn't start school yesterday, so she enjoyed a little one on one time with mom while the kids were all gone. We went shopping and also made paper mice. :) Gotta love these kids!

 Then this morning it was Kambriella's turn for her first day! 

 She got up, made her bed, said her prayers, made her own breakfast and lunch, did her reading, packed her school supplies and things for her teacher, and was SO ready!

 She was warmly welcomed with running hugs and open arms when we got to the school which made me so happy. Every child needs to feel needed and important. I just hope that Kambriella can be that kind of friend to others at school too.

 Did I mention that I need these kids to STOP growing up?? 4th grade!!!

 Kesslyn was so excited for Kambriella until she realized that we were leaving Kambriella at the school and she wasn't coming home with us! When her and I got back to the car to go back home she was very upset at me AND Kambriella! She said, "Why is Kamella not coming?? She's not my friend. Hmm." ...and then abruptly folded her arms. I don't think she understands why all of her favorite people are leaving her all day, but hopefully soon she will. She loves her family and her sissy so much that she can't hardly stand for them to be gone away from her! (Which is so sad and yet so sweet! ;)

Like I said before, these kids just melt my heart. I'm so grateful to have each one of them and that they are all growing, learning, thriving, and becoming spectacular people...the Children of God that they were meant to be!!! It's going to be a great year! Good luck my sweets!!!

Gavin's Middle School Locker

This is the locker of Gavin the Great. :)

We went back to OHMS yesterday so that he could "decorate" his locker with these things that he wanted to put in it, and also to find his way around the school to his classes one more time.

 I thought it was sooo cute. :)

Treats and gum and school supplies, and pictures of the people he loves the most...and him as a baby and the temple. Gavin YOU are awesome!

(I also may or may not have left him a love note on his wipe board. ;) ;)

But hey, every child entering middle school needs to know how much their momma loves them and that they are going to do great!...He will!!! He's Gavin the Great! I love you Buddy!

Priesthood Blessings for Going Back To School

 Priesthood power is one of the things that I am most grateful for...that, and a sweet and handsome husband who is a worthy barer of that power. Each year when the kids get ready to go back to school they each receive a priesthood blessing and I know they feel the importance of it, the help that it gives them, and the love that is coming to them from both their earthly father AND their Heavenly Father. 

I love these special times and how they bring our family even closer together, and the spirit that testifies of truth to them. It is a beautiful thing!

Last Friday we also took some time touring the Middle School where Gavin will be going this year! It was nice to have his big brother Dallin there leading the way and giving Gavin all of the best tips he could think of, and helping him find his way around the school to his different classes.

 His locker is number 3030! It is a little tricky to open because it kind of sticks, but Gavin got it and he's excited!

 I also got to do some ministering this weekend by helping a sister in our ward who is going through some hard times right now ( a possible divorce ;(  move into a new place of her own with her 2 little girls. 

 As hard as it is to see people you love struggle and have to go through hard times, it is still so nice to know and SEE the people who are always so willing to help and that really care. I love my presidency and I love that no matter the challenge that is placed before us, we come together with smiles on our faces and nothing but love in our hearts trying to go and be His hands. I will always call it a Labor of Love because I know that is exactly what it is. And LOVE is what everyone needs.

A Date With Kate and Mommy Daughter Fun

Thursday was such a fun day and we were all lucky enough to get to see Carew's very favorite person in the entire universe...Kate!!! :) 

We met her in between all of our daily chaos for lunch at Chik~fil~A where we visited for a bit and caught up before she heads back to Logan for the next semester of school...she also spoiled our little princess with an early birthday present..."E-punzo" as Kesslyn calls it! Thank you soooo much Kate!!! Kesslyn LOVES her present and she goes everywhere with us!!! (But I wouldn't let her take it to church. ;)

We also got to host the mommy daughter activity in our back yard for the Activity Day girls too! We had a yummy Bbq dinner and chocolate fondue smores for dessert. Kambriella thought that was pretty amazing!. ;)

  I love how pretty much everything for these girls at this age is still pretty amazing...

...and Kambriella, I think YOU are pretty much amazing too!!! :)

 I LOVE your confidence, enthusiasm, and energy for life!

 I LOVE how you believe you can do ANYTHING!!!

 I love your ability to make friends and to BE a good friend...

 ......but most of all I just LOVE that I get to be YOUR mom!!!