Elementary School Shooting

I have so so so many blog posts to catch up on.  I plan to do that over our Christmas break when every minute of the day is not taken up by work and our crazy life.  But for now, I just had to document the happenings of today.

Today there was a shooting at an Elementary School of all places in Connecticut.  20 kids and 6 adults were shot and killed.  Horrifying. Absolutely horrifying.  There have been way too many shootings in general lately, including one at a mall just over the river here in Portland a few days ago.  It is scary the world we live in today. So much good, but also so so much evil surrounds us.  This shooting was by far one of the worst.  The gunman, a 20 year old man, went into the school and shot and killed the principal, the school psychologist, then went into the kindergarten and first grade rooms and killed a few teachers and 20 children. 26 victims in all.  He also shot and killed his mother at their home before hand, and killed himself at the school. Jackson is in kindergarten right now.  I have been so heart broken and emotional over this today, as I'm sure many parents and anyone with a heart has been over the past few hours.  I watched the news in horror and in tears and counted down the minutes until Jackson got home so I could hold him and Baron and Morgan tight.  I cannot even imagine the pain and shock the parents of the victims are going through.  It is 10 days before Christmas.  There will be way too many unopened presents under those families trees and a huge void in their lives during the holidays.

The boys had a Dr. appointment today for their 4 and 6 year old checkups.  I have been feeling extremely overwhelmed lately with all of Baron's food allergy issues.  It has increased our monthly expenses drastically with all the special and expensive cheeses, milks, GF bread and special vitamins and pro-biotics.  There are days where I am just at a loss on how to keep up on it all with such a busy life.  After the shootings today though, I feel so blessed to have my children still here with me, that I will gladly take on any challenge they may come with! We were at Costco this afternoon and there was a kind lady we kept bumping into around the store and checked out right behind.  Then as we got to our car, we noticed she was parked right next to us as well! I laughed and made a funny remark about her not being able to get rid of us.  She responded that it was a pleasure to see such a happy cute little family.  She told me how good the boys seemed to be and how happy of a mom I was around them.  She then offered to take my cart back and we exchanged Holiday Greetings.  I am usually so sensitive about how others perceive me as a mom because of my age.  I get tired of the whole, "Who's kids are those?  Yours?? But you look so young!"  It was such a joy to have this women, a mother of a now 24 year old, share her insight to what we really looked like together.  She never once mentioned my age or questioned my ability therefore to be in charge of these 3 young kids. What she saw was our happiness and that we have it together just fine.  I needed that today.  It reminded me how blessed I am to be a mother and how much joy it brings me each and everyday to learn and grow and be together.

I am so grateful for all that I have! I know I hugged my whole family tight tonight as I am sure many others around the country have as well.  May the Lord comfort and bless those families affected by the shootings today. I hope they can find peace and feel of the Lord's love for their sweet children and loved ones.  And may all these crazy shootings stop.  I want my children to feel safe in this world!!


Cannot get enough of this little blue eyed bug

Or this smoothie mustache/bearded face

And this excited big boy

 who drew me this the other day, of which I am going to frame

And can't forget this good looking guy who's been working his buns off for us!

LOVE THEM ALL!!

First Soccer Team

This Fall I officially became a soccer mom!  Jackson's had his first real soccer season.  He's done a few of the classes at the local parks and rec department previously, but since he is now school-age, we decided to sign him up for the real deal!  It was a short (due to a few rained out games) but fun season! Jackson has always been a sports guy, just like his mom and dad, so he was in heaven.  He gets so into the games and absolutely loves every minute.  We think he is going to be a good goalie or defensive player.  He had some pretty sweet goal blocks and played some intense defense the whole season long.  He will be the perfect goalie with his big, but fast hands and height.  We are looking foward to the next season already!

 Jackson was #8, just like his Uncle Colby.  His team was the Aloha Dragons.

Jackson and his buddy Brayden

The cheer squad on the sidelines:

Baron and his buddy Asher

Our First Kindergartener!!!

I can't believe we have a kindergartener! I feel like Jackson was just born a few years ago- not enough time for him to now be in school, but it has really happened.  My first born has begun his school years and BOY is he excited!! He had absolutely no fears or qualms about starting school.  In fact, he was bummed it was only going to be 2 1/2 hours long each day.  As his parents, we were just as excited for him to go! Of course we had some reservations about all the new exposure to the world that we wouldn't be able to control as easily, but I am not one to blubber and cry that my baby is growing up.  I didn't think I would cry at all since he would only be gone a few hours each day and I did NOT break down crying his first day of school.  What got to me was when John gave him his first father's blessing the night before.  That's when it hit me how fast this kid is growing.  I have truly enjoyed having him with me almost 24/7 as a helper and buddy for the past 5 years.  I know that he is going to do great things with his life though and will excel in school with his love for learning and always trying to be older than he is =)

Multnomah Falls with The Baron Clan

Later Sunday afternoon/early evening of Morgan's blessing day, after taking some much needed naps, we decided to take advantage of the rest of the beautiful day it was outside and headed over to the Portland temple grounds to walk around and also check out the new visitor's center that just opened this year.  The boys especially had a great time seeing the temple and walking around. 

The next day, Labor day, we decided, after taking Nick to the airport (thanks for coming nick! It was so good to have you here!!), to head out to do some site seeing along the columbia gorge.  We stopped along the way and took in the beautiful view and ended up at the always gorgeous, Multnomah Falls.  

The next morning we made a quick pit stop at Voodoo doughnuts before taking my family to the airport.  We were so sad to see them go, but we had such a fun filled packed week with them! We are so glad they came and that we got to do so much thanks to the beautiful weather and timing!!  Can't wait to see them all and the rest of the fam at Christmas time!

Morgan's Blessing

We were so blessed to have a wonderful blessing day for Morgan.  We had so many of our family and closest friends make it out to come support us and it was truly a beautiful day!!  Miss Morgan Jane got to wear the blessing dress that I wore when I was blessed and that my mom made herself! It is a BEAUTIFUL dress- my mom is so talented and it was really special to carry on the tradition.  John gave her a beautiful blessing. Some of things said included that she would follow after her namesake and be kind and generous, always helping those in need and a comfort to those around her. There was a lot more said too, but I wrote it all down in her baby book and in her journal that her Grammie bought for her. 

She had been crying right up to about 10 minutes before her blessing and fell asleep and slept through it and woke up and started crying again just a few minutes after! I'm so glad she didn't cry during it!! She was a little grumpy the rest of the day (which was totally normal for her at the time.  We are so grateful she is growing out of her colic stage!!), but we did get in some good pictures in her dress and as a family. 

After church we had a delicious luncheon and enjoyed being with everyone and catching up with all the family from out of town. It truly was a wonderful day! Thanks to all who came from near and far to support us!

 Cafe Rio Pork Tacos and Salads and pretzl jello salad and desserts! The food was so good! Thanks in huge part to my mom for helping me make and serve it all! She worked her buns off and it was all a big hit!!

 In her post blessing sunday dress :)  (Don't worry, it's a hand-me-down, but I just thought it was so darn cute on her!)