Best News EVER!

Last week we got to go to California and had such a great time. I have a lot of blogging I want to do about our trip but first I wanted to let everyone know some very exciting news. I already told everyone on facebook but I wanted to let everyone know here as well! JARED IS GOING TO PA SCHOOL!!! While we were at Disneyland last Thursday, Jared got a call from AT Still letting him know there was an opening for him and they asked if would like to take it. SERIOUSLY??? OF COURSE HE WOULD LOVE TO TAKE IT!!! Jared has been on their waiting list since at least December and I can't tell you how many times I said that even if there was an opening for him we probably would still put it off a year because of Kyson and his upcoming surgery. Well, all I can say is getting this call was an absolute miracle and the timing was amazing. I can't put all the details here since my blog is not private, but those who know the complete story understand what I'm saying. We have been blessed and I know this is the right path for us at this time. We still have many things to figure out, financial aid and healthcare being the top two, but since I know this is what the Lord wants us to do, I also know that those things will work out.
Ever since that phone call Jared has been working so hard to get everything put together for school. There is so much to do to be ready by next Monday the 14th. Thankfully the school is only about ten minutes away on Recker and Baseline so we don't have to move. Jared's last day at Aerials Express (the company he has worked for the past eight years) will be this Friday. This will be our last weekend together before all the craziness begins. The first year of PA school is INTENSE, but it is only one year so I will try to keep that in perspective when I am feeling like a single parent:) The second year will he do rotations so he will still be very busy, but in a different way. I'm just so grateful that in 2 1/2 years, we will be through with school and Jared can begin his career!
It is so ironic that Jared recieved that phone call while we were at Disneyland. It truly is the Happiest Place on Earth and The Place Where All Your Dreams Come True:)

Swimming season begins!!!

This month we went swimming for the first time this year. I wasn't sure how my boys would do right away but they are loving it! I've decided playing in water is the only way to stay sane in this crazy heat. Here are a few pictures of the fun we've had so far!
Caleb with Uncle Stephen

Kyson and Aunt Katie

Anna's first time swimming

LOVING these pictures of Caleb jumping in. He's got the greatest looks on his face!


This morning I filled up our tiny pool with water and let the boys play for a while. They had so much fun sliding down the slide into the water and jumping in. They would always grab a few cars, watch them slide down and then follow after them.


Gotta love all the cars in Caleb's hands:)

Fathers and Sons

A couple weekends ago Jared took our boys to the fathers and sons campout for our ward. They had a great time together and I had a great time by myself:) I took some cute pictures of them before they headed out that I wanted to share.
I love how Caleb wants to be just like his Daddy here. I asked Jared to squat down so Caleb did too.


Off to have a great time as only boys can!

FHE in the Desert

Last Monday we went out to Lost Dutchman's State Park with Jared's grandparents and family. We couldn't have asked for better weather. It was so beautiful out there! We cooked tin foil dinners and enjoyed visiting while our boys played in the dirt with their cousins. They were so dirty by the time we left but they had a great time! I think we all did:)



Kyson loves wearing sunglasses:)

A weekend in Thatcher

Right after High School I went to college at EAC in Thatcher. That was almost ten years ago! It's so hard to believe that!!! Anyway, I hadn't been back to Thatcher in at least 8 years so I was excited to go. My wonderful friend Karli's parents live there so when our husbands decided to go on a fishing trip together we decided to head to Thatcher together. It was a perfect place to go while our husbands were away. Our boys loved playing outside and going for walks and I loved driving around reminiscing about my young college days. I have some crazy fun memories of that place:)
Here we are getting ready to go for a walk to see some chickens and a cow.


Why walk when you can RUN!

Kyson was just not sure what to think of that cow.

Karli's cute boys


Kyson loves throwing frisbees and wanted to do it all day long!



While we were there the Gila temple was having their open house so we got to take our boys to see the inside of the temple. It was so beautiful!

A weekend to myself!

The last weekend in April I was VERY blessed to be able to attend BYU Women's Conference. It was such an amazing experience filled with a lot of laughter, spiritual upliftment, staying up until 1 or 2 in the morning, shopping, lots and lots of food, and just having a great time! I was lucky enough to be able to stay with Karli's Grandma since she lives right next to BYU. All of Karli's sisters were there along with some cousins and aunts so it was a house FULL of women:)
Ever since the Conference there have been quotes and stories running through my mind. There were so many good talks. Some that made you laugh, some that made you cry, and some that made you do both:) One of my favorite speakers was Jack R. Christensen. I could have listened to him for another hour! Anyway, I thought I would share a few of my favorite quotes from the conference:

1. "When our priorities are out of order, we lose power!" Julie Beck
2. "A distraction does not have to be a evil to be a distraction!" Starr Anderson
3. "Life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured." President Hinckley
4. "Our sorrows enlarge our souls capacity for joy." Erin Holmes

I think that last quote is one that I've thought about the most. I just find it so interesting how we can't truly appreciate and find joy in life without experiencing the good and the bad. It's ok to go through hard things because it teaches us to be more grateful for the good things in life. If we never feel sorrow, I don't think we can truly feel joy either.

Throughout the conference my sweet Kyson seemed to be on my mind so often. This year is not going to be an easy one as he will have a heart cath this summer and then surgery #3 around his 3rd birthday. I couldn't stop thinking about him and all we've been through and how much he has taught me. At the evening concert Dallyn Vail Bayles sang the song, "He Is My Son," and I loved it so much I wanted to include the lyrics here:

I'm down on my knees again tonight
I'm hoping this prayer will turn out right
See there is a boy that needs Your help
I've done all that I can do myself
His mother is tired
I'm sure You can understand
Each night as he sleeps
She goes in to hold his hand
And she tries not to cry
As the tears fill her eyes

CHORUS:
Can You hear me?
Am I getting through tonight?
Can You see him?
Can You make him feel all right?
If You can hear me
Let me take his place somehow
See, he's not just anyone
He's my son

Sometimes late at night I watch him sleep
I dream of the boy he'd like to be
I try to be strong and see him through
But God who he needs right now is You
Let him grow old
Live life without this fear
What would I be
Living without him here
He's so tired and he's scared
Let him know that You're there

CHORUS

Can You hear me?
Can You see him?
Please don't leave him
He's my son

I am so grateful I was able to go to this conference. I want to give a huge thanks to my Mom for watching my kids, to Jared for allowing me to go, and to Karli and her family for letting me join them! It was a weekend I'll never forget!!!

New pictures of my boys

My boys have changed a lot this last year and I wanted to get some updated pictures of them so last Sunday I took them to the temple grounds. I had fun walking around with them. It's always tricky getting pictures of both of them looking at me and smiling but we did our best. I was happy to get one that I really like. Enjoy!