Elder Holland says it BEST!

I have always loved Elder Holland and the messages he shares.  This is one of my all time favorites.  It was given at a time when I had lots of changes in my life and was hoping and wondering if it would all work out.  It's true.  Trust in God and believe and good things will come.  Sometimes our prayers are answered in messengers.  This was one of those times.  

Thank you Elder Holland for knowing exactly how to put it.

General Priesthood Meeting

Twice a year I kind of wish I had a daughter.  Wayne and all the boys go out to meet up with his dad and attend the General Priesthood Meeting.  They always have dinner after and so from about 5:00 - 9:30 I have the house to myself.  I have gone to dinner with friends before with other moms of all boys and it's fun.  But this year I decided to just hang  out with myself.  And to be honest, it wasn't too bad.  I went and washed my car, picked up a pizza at Robintino's and then home to finish my work.  After I decided to watch a movie, Les Miserables.  It was a perfect night.  One day I'm sure I'll have daughters to share this evening with and start new traditions, but until then, I'm really not complaining.

He's Home!!!

He's home!!!  I'll document all the details later, but for now here's the pictures.  Truly an experience you can't even put into words.  I'm certain this is how heaven is when we greet our loved ones and are greeted.  Tears flow freely every time I see these pictures.  So glad we are a family again, at least for a little while.

The Last Email...

I sat here at the computer tonight and wrote my last email to Bridger. Tomorrow is his last pday as he will return home on Saturday. I could not hold back the tears as I thought of how badly I want him home and yet it breaks my heart to know that a big piece of his heart will remain there in Honduras and I don't want it to be over for him. For two years he has known exactly what to do each day and now things will change. I knew that this young boy that we sent out into the world would change, I just didn't realize just how much I would grow throughout this whole journey. I have learned so much about faith and exercising what I have believed my entire life. I know that I could not possibly send a boy to a far away land, which is not the safest place in the world without knowing that someone who had a perfect visual of him would watch over and protect him and us every step of the way. There's a video that has surfaced on the internet of a mom that doesn't make it to the airport on time. It's is very touching and made me realize my turn is almost here. I can hardly wait until I see him step into my view. Will I run, will I freeze, will I know exactly what to do. All I can tell you is that I can hardly wait to wrap my arms around him and give him a hug.  A hug I have waited to do for exactly two years ago from the day we left him at the MTC to start this adventure.  March 16, 2011 was the last time I hugged that boy, who is now a man. Stay tuned...

 Love him so much, and thank heavens I think he really does love his mom!

He loves his area, Roatan.  Seriously, how could you not?

Another Called to Serve...

Well, it is official. Stetson has been called to serve in the Mexico Monterrey West Mission.  He enters the Provo MTC on June 12.  Am I ready to send another so soon...



He couldn't be happier.  He now has a blog, too.  Go ahead and check it out.  Many more pictures and the post here:  www.elderclaytoninmexico.blogspot.com

It's been a wonderful month.  Valentines brought me a wonderful surprise of a dozen red roses.  People say that flowers are a waste of money, but I would have to differ.  I love them.  Nothing like a fresh bouquet to remind you of the finer things of life and that someone cares about you.  Even though they don't last the reason and the message sent with them, do.

I have felt truly blessed this month in particular and can see the hand of a loving Father in Heaven in my life and those that I love.

 Celebrating with Abby, Stetson's long time best friend

 Gotta love, Costco chocolate cake

 A surprise package from Bridger, and it all arrived safely.

 Birthday dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  I think this is our seating arrangement everytime...ha-ha.

Talking to Bridger in Spanish.  Permission was given and it was fun to hear his voice, even if it was only for a few minutes.  Pretty soon we will hear it often as he returns in 20 days!!!

Life is good.  And if I didn't have such a firm testimony and faith and in all that I believe it would be harder than it already is.  But, it is an honor to send these boys out into the world to testify of our Savior and the promises given to all.  Just wish it went faster sometimes.  Love my boys so much, I guess that's why tears flow freely and all too often.  

Another Year Older & Wiser Too...Perhaps...

Today was my birthday.  I'm not one to usually post about my own birthday, but today was worth posting.  It was President's Day and so as luck would have it, no work, no school, nothing really going on.  I woke up and headed to the gym, just like any other day.  However, I was able to sleep in a little and it felt nice to be able to go to the gym when the sun was up.  I came home and Caleb made me breakfast with notes attached to the toast and Crispix cereal he brought me.  Then the day just progressed pretty much as normal.  Being that it is Monday means it is Bridger's pday and I anxiously awaited being able to try and catch him online.  About 1:00 his weekly email came in, and this time a bonus email just for me.  I wanted to post this email, not so any who follow this will think I'm such a great mom, but mostly for you to see just how much the little things mean to your kids.  As I read this with tears streaming down my face I realized that I did the best that I knew how and I think just being there was worth more than anything I could have given him.  I love my boys.  All I ever wanted to be in life was a wife and a mom, today was definitely a huge bonus for being a mom.  I couldn't have asked for anything more.  Enjoy...


Mom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I can't believe its already the 18th of February that seems so crazy to me but I wanted to take a minute and write you a letter and tell you how thankful and grateful I am to have you for a mom in my life. You have aways been there for me i was thinking back to the South Davis Jr. High basketball tryouts...(what bull crap right) anyways i just remember i felt like the whole world had fallen down because that was my dream that is what i wanted more than anything i think the best word to describe me that day is...devastated. All i remember after is calling you and you coming fast to pick me up and help me man things so small have changed my life forever. I think about the time my car was stolen and you went  with me at 3 in the morning to the Beverly Hills of salt lake to get it with me. I was ticked honestly i know you know after dropping it in rusco i was mad and you told me everything would be ok. How did you know that i have no idea you definitely saw farther than me that night. And i have thought about these almost two years and how you have been behind me and been my strength when i have needed it most. To go to Internet every Monday and read your emails fills me with a spirit indescribable I love you mom  I really do and i will ALWAYS be there for you too.I have carried a sticker of Winnie the Pooh and the saying with me my whole mission so that you could be here with me as well. I hope we make  it back to Honduras one day that you can meet these wonderful people they are amazing. There are some places we definitely cant go for safety reasons haha but it is all good. I have never really been worried about me in my mission but more than anything you guys at home that you have all the needs and that everything is good. Anyways i love you so much i hope to catch you for a second today and wish you a Happy Birthday i love you and well cant wait to see you and give you a hug. Even though i don't really have the desire to leave Honduras everything will be good i know like they say come what may and love it.

Love Elder Bridger Clayton

We went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and then Stetson bought us a treat at Nielsen's.  I am so blessed and fortunate.  I'm not sure what I ever did to deserve to have all boys but one day they are going to make a few girls in this world very lucky.  I love them all so much, all four of them!  Wayne's pretty awesome, too!

Help, I've Fallen...

The weather here lately is ridiculous.  We have had more snow than we have had in years, and this last week was a crazy frozen rain storm.  I don't remember this ever happening.  It looked like things were just wet, but it was pure ice. Thursday was crazy.  We were encouraged to stay home and to be honest, it was just easier to stay home and enjoy some family time.  It really has been too cold to do anything, and I think I am not alone when i say I'm growing tired of it.  Yesterday I went to do the usual weekly weigh in's at SpankyS for the Biggest Loser competition.  As I got my stuff together and started to head into the deli, I stepped on the sidewalk only to have my feet slip out from under me and I fell.  I landed probably hardest on my elbow and thought I was fine.  As I was weighing people I felt like my elbow was quite sore and I pulled up my sleeve only to find I had a huge hole there. It wasn't really bleeding that badly, but you  could see all the way to my bone.  I finished up and headed over to my friend's house who is a nurse and she tried to liquid bandage it, but after a couple of hours I decided to send a picture to my doctor brother.  When he saw it he said it should most likely be stitched and he'd meet me in his office.  So, despite the fog, another awesome weather issue we are dealing with headed up to his clinic.  He is the best.  He makes it as comfortable as possible and I now have seven stitches.  One on the inside and six on the out.  Who knew just how much you use your elbow until it hurts to bend it, but all is well.  It could have been so much worse.  But, of course here's some awesome pictures for all to see.  Enjoy...

Not sure if I should have it stitched or not

 

 The numbing is the worst part, but he has some magic freezing stuff that makes it not too bad!

 Cleaning the wound

 Me and my awesome brother and Dr.  He truly is the best!

This is how I had to shower this morning, it's awesome.

Hope it heals quickly, I'm not very patient when it comes to this kind of stuff, and I better still be able to go to the gym or I'm really going to be bugged.