new credentials

Lately, I really feel like I deserve these two initials following my name; RN.  That's right I'm {pretty much} a Registered Nurse.  You see, I never signed up for any classes nor have I ever, for even one second of my life, had the desire to become a nurse.  I hate needles.  I hate blood.  I hate hurting people.  I'm sorry, but that's what I believe nurses do.

However, since becoming an RN, I've realized that nurses really are necessary to help people, not just hurt them.  For some reason, Heavenly Father decided that I needed to have this experience.  Maybe to really appreciate what nurses do?  Believe me, I appreciate them, but I just don't want to have anything to do with them when they have needles in their hands.

I digress, maybe it's not nurses; maybe it's just needles.  One of my favorite stories is the time when my Mom was doing daily "injections" {that's the preferred word at our house}.  My Dad was out of town and he usually gave my Mom her shot "injection."  My Mom casually informed me that I had to give her this "injection."  She told me it was so easy.  Then she pulled out a huge needle and told me to just quickly shove it into her arm.  What?  Are you kidding me?  No way!  Never!  Seriously, Never!  You can't make me do this!  All of these comments were made while I was bawling my eyes out.  I've never been so terrified.  I tried to practice on an orange for hours.  She begged me.  I'm sure she offered me a million dollars, but I still refused.  Every single time that needle barely touched her skin I freaked out.  I could not penetrate skin with a needle.  Too cruel!  I never did.  My Mom had to call a neighbor to come over and give her the shot.

Now fast forward 14 years, I've just been informed that I must give my son daily shots "injections."  I am not afraid.  I am not scared.  I can do this because I am his Mother.  Being an RN is part of the job description.  I must become a nurse; my most dreaded occupation ever.  I now have new credentials.  I must do what I need to do to help my son.  I'm sorry Mom, but the job description of a daughter is soooo not the same.  I still love you just as much though!

I'm still bawling my eyes out after I put away my needles, but for totally different reasons.  14 years ago I was mad that my Mom was trying to get me to hurt her.  I was scared for me, not her {sad, huh?}  My Mom was brave.  I knew she could handle anything, but I couldn't.

Now, I'm sad for my son.  I'm scared about the side effects, the future and the unknown.  I'm sad that I can't take this pain away from him.  Like my Mom, I am brave now.  I had to become a Mother myself for that bravery to be manifest.  She has taught me to be a warrior.  She has also passed that trait on to Parker.  He is the toughest little kid I know.  I would have never been that brave at 5-years-old, but Parker is brave.  In fact, Parker gets his own special credentials.

Super Brave {SB}.

{Seriously, have you ever seen a kid posing with a shot in their hand and looking so happy just minutes before getting poked by a needle?}

{Check out all our RN supplies}

 {Brittany Jones, RN and Parker Jones, SB}

P.S.  I must mention that Tim also deserves the RN title as well.  He has administered a shot himself and he dislikes needles more than I do.  He also dislikes getting his eyes dilated, watching someone recover from surgery and having a wart frozen off {so much so that he will actually pass out}.  Which is why inserting a needle into someone's body is a super big deal for him.  I think he can have both the RN and SB titles.

P.P.S.  I know we are total wimps.  I also know that we are so blessed.  They are many much, much, much worse things we could be dealing with right now.  I have to always mention how grateful we are for the trials we have.  Although, we would not like anymore nor would we like to trade with anyone else, we do consider ourselves extremely blessed!

krista's wedding

{the dinner}

Willis's family did an incredible job with the wedding dinner.  I loved that the setting was casual and totally fit the two love birds and their style.  The food was delicious and the company was great.  Willis and Krista are so lucky to have great families and friends who love them so much!

{Krista & Willis}

{Delicious}

{Tim & Parker trying to be serious?!}

{Uncle Les, Erika & Grandma Chesnut...and Tim}

{Clint, Becca & Sweet Sophia}

{Cooper & Me}

{Brian & Erika}

{Poor Sick Baby Harper}

{Craig & Camille}

{Krista, Sophia, Harper & Erika}

{Dad, Kenny, Karen, Grandpa, Ann, Craig & Krista}

{the ceremony}

This sealing was one of the most amazing temple sealings that I've ever been too.  First, because my incredible Grandpa performed the ceremony and said the most beautiful things.  Second, because it was my sweet sister getting married.  Third, because the spirit was so strong.  It was incredible!  Isn't my sister gorgeous?  Willis is pretty cute, too!  I just love them both so much and could not be happier for them.

{the reception}

The reception was just as fabulous as the rest of the wedding events.  I was so happy with the way all the colors, outfits, decorations and flowers turned out.  I was a little nervous since I helped pick everything out, but I think it was all beautiful.  Most importantly, I was so impressed with how many people came out to support Krista and Willis.  They are loved!  All the little nephews {my boys} and nieces looked so dang cute I could hardly stand it.  The ice cream buffet was a huge hit.  Those waffle bowls were so yummy!  We had a great time and I can hardly believe that this is my last sibling getting married.  I'm glad it all went so well!

All the professional pictures {it's obvious which ones are his and which are mine} were taken by their friend, David.  You can see all their wedding pictures here. 

payton's last day of school

Today is Payton's last day of second grade and I'm feeling so nostalgic.  Payton has loved every single bit of second grade.  This past year has been dreamy for both of us.  I have zero complaints and so much gratitude for Payton's second grade experience.  One of my favorite memories of this past school year has been our morning routine.  Every morning Payton would wake up no later {usually no earlier} than 7:30 on the dot.  He'd pick out his own clothes, make his bed, get his back pack and come tell me that he was ready for breakfast.

While I made him pancakes, waffles, eggs, toast or muffins; he'd ask me what the weather was going to be like that day.  I'd tell him that it would be pretty nice or pretty cold, but that wasn't good enough.  He wanted to know the exact temperature and if the forecast called for rain, snow or sun.  Then he would determine if he needed to change his clothes or grab a jacket.  He would eat his breakfast while he pretended not to watch Dora the Explorer.  Then he would notice the clock and jump out of his chair and rush to get his hair done, brush his teeth and then he would inform me if I needed to make him home lunch or not.  {Have I mentioned how much I love this ridiculously responsible boy?}  

After Payton was all ready, he'd start pacing around the house and telling Tim that it was "time to go."  He was always wanting to get to the bus stop at least 10 minutes before the bus arrived.  We would gather in the family room around Cooper, who was watching Dora, and we'd turn the tv off for a moment so we could say our morning prayers together.  We'd discuss who's turn it was, say a prayer and then I would kiss Payton goodbye and tell him to have a good day. 

When Tim was in town he would walk Payton to the bus stop, but if Tim was gone then I got to do it.  I'd leave Parker & Cooper in the family room watching Dora and quickly follow behind Payton.

When I caught up to him and tried to small talk, this is what he would do...ignore me.  Payton didn't want us talking to him or even standing by him.  However, he insisted that we walk him to the school bus every single morning.  And we did.  He never wanted me to walk up to the bus stop after school and meet him, but we never missed a morning.  Love.  That.  Kid. 

Something else I've loved about second grade is Payton's teacher, Ms. Mehler.  She is an incredible teacher.  I can't say enough good things about her.  Payton adored her and so did I.  Do you blame us...  Isn't she darling?  She is just as darling on the inside as she is on the outside.  We've loved her! 

These two silly boys have had the time of their life.  They have been best buddies in class all year long.  In fact, I'm not sure they even knew anyone else existed in their class this year.  These two were inseparable at school.  This is a picture of them taken at the fun "dance festival" they had the last week of school.  Payton dancing was definitely a highlight of second grade for me!  

Seriously though, these two boys have been in the same class since Kindergarten.  All three years of school together; attached at the hip.  {Yes, Chase has always been twice Payton's size.}  However, next year things are changing!  {No, we won't be slipping Payton any of Parker's HGH.}  For the first time, these boys won't be in the same class.

I've loved second grade so much that I just hate to see it end.  I know that Payton is growing up and ready to move onto third grade, but you just hate to see something that is so good come to an end.  I can only hope that third grade will be just as good to this boy as second grade has been!

this kid...

Is really needing some serious attention right now!  I feel like I've been blogging so much about {and doing so much for} Payton and Parker that this little one has been neglected.  Don't get me wrong...he definitely makes sure he's not neglected and makes sure that he is the center of attention at all times.

Hmmm, is the marker on his face {and arms, and belly, and legs} the giveaway?  No!  

Or is it how he plopped himself down in the middle of the floor at cub scouts?  No!

Or was it the fact that he demanded to be in this swing when we got it out for baby Harper?  No!

It's just the way that he looks at me with those baby blue eyes and says, "Mommy, hold me!" or "Mommy, read to me!"  or "Mommy, milk please!"  or "Mommy, love you!"  This kid needs my attention and he can have it any day!

We love this boy so dang much!  He is talking up a storm right now.  He says anything and everything.  He absolutely loves following his brother's around and doing everything with them.  He insists on getting into his car seat himself, putting on his shoes himself, getting out of the shower himself, drying off himself, doing his own hair and basically anything at all...by himself.  He is still obsessed with balls.  He is constantly throwing things.  His new game is to try to throw toys on top of the {super high} ledges in our bedrooms.  I can't wait to dust up there and see what I find.  He is a busy, wild and crazy boy that keeps us on our toes all the time!