Awesomeness!!

Exhausted.....but oh so happy. These past few weeks have been some of the best I have ever had. The times just seem to keep getting better. I was really tired and worn out, but a gracious husband let us stay home this weekend to recover and rest a little bit. I am so glad - but the adventure continues soon.  It is hard to believe that in the past month I have been in Nebraska, Utah, Nevada and California - all different hotels and different fun times.  It is hard to put into words the happiness and joy that I have right now.  Our lives are ever changing and hopefully the roller coaster ride will continue to be fun and adventurous.

I have high school graduate number three in my home now.  I still can't believe we have that hurdle out of way for another child.  Four more years and then they will all be done.....that thought makes me very sad.  Anyway, Boyd's graduation was great.  My parents came down to spend a week with us to be here for him and that was wonderful too. My mom seemed to be doing better and was happier. I was glad they were here with Cortnie too as my little girls seems kinds of lost.  She is adjusting better now but it took a few days.  Graduation day for Boyd was also junior high promotion day for Skyler.  They did nothing wonderful for the junior high kids which was kind of sad since my son was the valedictorian of his class.  We all know it so I guess that is enough.  He graduated with straight highs for all three years. hopefully it will continue in high school.  I was so proud of him. He has really grown up this year and started to look like a teenager and not my baby anymore.  Another sad moment....

That night we headed to high school graduation for Boyd.  Boyd has this habit of storing his sun glasses on his head backwards when he is not wearing them.  I told him he was not allowed to wear them that way at graduation but he proved me wrong. They get to pick the order that they march in so they can march with their friends.  Of course, my son and his friends picked the end of the line.  We waited and waited to see him come down the aisle. We were lucky enough to be right along the edge where they come down.  As he rounded the corner, I noticed he was not wearing his sunglasses - on his head anyway. They were on the front part of his cap!!  What a character.  He laughed when he saw me and that was all I could do too. I was able to give him a high five as he walked by and that was way cool. The ceremony was okay - lots of laughs and excited students. Finally it was time for them to walk across the stage and get their diploma.  My little boy was going to be a high school graduate.  I was still in awe but so proud of him.  We fought for good grades the last semester but it all paid off.  He was done and was now onto the next stage of his life. 

We headed to Vegas next a couple of days later for Boyd to go through the temple to take out his endowments.  We went up the night before so it would not be as hard on  mom.  Rob's parents were supposed to come also but were not able to make it at the last minute.  I know he really wanted them there but it was okay.  We spent the night before talking with Boyd about his big step and what would happen the next day as well as what it would mean. He was making a promise with our Heavenly Father that should never be broken.  As we were walking into the temple the next morning, I asked him if he felt strange and he said that he did.  He was excited but nervous too.  The same thing we all are when we go.  My mother was also very nervous as she had not been to the temple for quite a few years.  It was like her going for the first time all over again and she was afraid she would be a challenge to everyone.  It was special having her as well as Rick and Tina there too.  Of course, Cortnie was there which was great. I thought maybe Brittnie would have decided to go but she chose not too so she was outside with the kiddos.  The ceremony was pretty cool.  I kept glancing over at Boyd to see how he was doing and he was all smiles.  You could tell he was trying to take it all in and learn as much as he could.  When we were able to meet in the celestial room, my heart was once again full of pride as my little boy was now endowed from on high.  He looked so angelic all dressed in white and glowed with a happiness from inside.  I wish we could have taken pictures of him that way, but we did not.  We did take some outside the temple all dressed in his church clothes though and that was great.  We then headed home for the adventure of the next day - Cortnie's "homecoming" in church. 

Church the next morning was very nice.  I still am in awe at the testimony of my daughter. She amazes me at how much she has come to love our Savior and learned to apply the atonement in her life. I am still waiting for her to teach me how to apply it better in mine.  Skyler and Brittnie also spoke that day and their testimonies are so strong also. I will say that I have been very lucky in the fact that my children have come to grasp the gospel and have stayed strong in it.  I just pray that the always will. My eyes were wet that day as I listened to them speak.  Cortnie and I sang a duet together also which was neat. I have missed singing with her and after we got started, it sounded really good. We did a song called the "Greatest Gift" and it talks about the greatest gifts we have received and can receive. She took the liberty to change the words in the last verse to say that she  has had her chance to show Him, the gratitude she feels by spreading the word with all she knows. It also talks about the angels that helped her along the way.  I looked at Rob during the song and their were tears spilling from his eyes as he was so proud of her and glad she is home.  I felt the same way - but I could not cry and sing at the same time.  It was a very touching meeting. We had some of her friends over after church for a BBQ and that was fun too. One of them came to church and even took a Book of Mormon. The last time they saw each other was when she left so it was fun to hear them back together.  Now if I could just get her to adjust back to life and be happy.   I am so afraid she is going to slip into her old ways and do nothing but computers, books and TV. She lost so much weight I hate to see her gain that back too.  I just keep praying all will be well....you never stop worrying about your kids.

My parents decided to stay an extra day so that was fun to have them here for one more day even though I had to work.  I felt bad not spending time with them that night, but I had to pack us for our next adventure.  We were off to Disneyland!  Cortnie made us promise we would not go there and when we gave the kids their choice of a vacation, that is what they all wanted. We stayed in one of Tina's nice condo again so that helped with food since we could cook there. There were even pools on the roof that you could watch the fireworks from.  What can I say about Disneyland? It is just so much fun. We all have our favorite rides but mine was closed for repairs - Space Mountain. The lines were long but they went by pretty fast.  It was fun to see the changes they have made since we were there last.  It is exhausting to walk around all day, but yet it is so much fun. They have added a new place to their park and it is Cars Land.  It was soooo cool.  It looks just like the movie Cars - especially at night.  Instead of characters coming out to greet you, the vehicles do.  There are only three rides there but two of them are no amongst our favorites.  We watched parades and fireworks and got sore feet. We went when the park opened and stayed until the closed. It was tiring but so worth it.  One day we took the kids to the beach and just hung out there for the day.  It was fun to see them in the water (not for me) and riding the waves.  It was just really great to be away from work and from life and just relax and do what we wanted.  I so could use time like that once a month.  However, all too soon our five days were over and it was back to the real world.  I came home, washed clothes, worked a couple of days and packed again......

This mini trip was not planned at the beginning of the year but was thrown in when Coby called to say he was taking his family to the temple to be sealed.  There was not way I was going to miss that.  I am not sure where they came from (hidden blessings), but we had even flight points to fly everyone for free. My kind boss even allowed me an extra day off of work that I really should not have been able to take but he knew how important it was for me.  We fly up after I got off work at noon in time to be at the temple by 8:00 that night.  We cut it pretty close but were able to sit in the temple for about 10 minutes before going to the session.  It was neat having Boyd and Cortnie there with us.  I kept watching my brother knowing he is the type that takes pride in what he wears and how he looks - wondering how he would react.  He has changed and seems more spiritual.  It was neat to be there with them while they took out their endowments. The next day we spent getting family pictures taken up the canyon and I am excited to see those.  We went bowling and to a movie - and just sat around to visit.  It was relaxing too. The highlight though was when we went back to the temple on Saturday for the sealing. Oh my goodness - talk about spiritual and tears.  We have waited for this day for 18 years and it was finally here.  Coby and Candace were sealed together first.  It was so neat to listen to their sealer - he was meant just for Coby cause he was funny and enjoyable to listen too.  After they were sealed, the kids were brought in.  They were all dressed in white - so beautiful and peaceful.  As they all knelt around the alter and placed their hands on their parents, the tears would not stop.  They were finally an eternal family.  Their oldest daughter Taylor is almost 18 - she has waited for so long.  She cried more than anyone I think.  It was so special and not a dry eye in the room.  This is what the plan is all about - becoming eternal so we can all live together again some day. 

I long for the day when I can take my daughters as brides to the temple to see them sealed to their husbands.  It hurts me that they do not date - they have no social life. I love having them here in my home - but I worry for them.  They need someone to steal them away and then give my grandbabies.  My heart aches for them  - but all will happen in due time. 

I am so blessed - this month has been one I really can't put into words.  I pray the memories will be in my head forever and the feelings in my heart.  We have a couple weeks off before we do it all again - off to Utah for Skyler to go to EFY and shop for a mission.  In just six weeks we do it all again - I am so not ready and the tears have started to come when I think about it just like with Cortnie.  I will miss my little man - but I know the blessings for us as well as others await at the door.