A Morales Minute

 I went to the temple today to do an endowment session with my Aunt Laurel who is visiting and staying at my parents for a few days. Mom and Dad were leading the session so it was fun for all four of us to be in there. It was a very full session of women. There were 31 women and 8 men! 39 of the 40 seats were full. I've been in sessions and lead sessions that had 42-46 people (folding chairs were brought in to accommodate after 40). But never have had this many sisters.  I used to have such anxiety going to the temple. So nervous about remembering what I was supposed to do and say. Being a temple worker definitely has helped ease that now that I know what to do and say more easily. It makes it so that I can focus on the words more and not stress about what's next. After I crossed into the Celestial room I had the overwhelming feeling of how happy I felt. The thought came to my mind, "Being prepared makes such a difference." I thought yes it does! I felt better prepare...

Breakfast for Jaime. Banana pancakes, bacon, hash browns and OJ.  Aidan and Tyler wanted to make cookies with Jaime for Father's Day. I thought it was such a sweet gesture. Olivia was a bit bummed she couldn't be here for it as she feels it's been a thing for her and Jaime to make chocolate chip cookies together. I told her she's here in spirit. The kids all called Jaime to wish him a Happy Father's Day. We need to enjoy these last few years of having kids home for these smaller holidays. Before I know it we won't have any of them here for them.  P.S. Can't believe I didn't get a picture of Jaime with the boys! 

This year I don't think Aidan has changed much physically. lol He's really enjoyed his sophomore year though. He loved his history class and stem classes.  Aidan will be starting Running Start at CBC this year. He's going to be done with high school before I know it! If there's anyone I can think of who will do as you ask, it's Aidan. He's always so willing and responsible to get something done if I need him to. He's seriously the most chill kid I have. Always respectful and loving.  Tyler has grown and matured and learned a lot this year. He LOVED football of course but turns out he really enjoys DECA. He's the life of the party. One of the DECA advisors told Jaime how Tyler just lights are the room, or van, for any DECA meeting or trip. He loved going to a Mariners and Trailblazers game. Competing at DECA state in Seattle was a big learning experience for him. He's eager to improve and go again next year.  Last day of his Freshman year. Tyler is go...

It's that time of year where we're gone several evenings or weekend afternoons attending different high school graduation parties/open houses. Since Jaime is the principal he gets quite a few and then we always get invites to attend those of kids in our ward or stake.  Jaime completed another school year and conducted his fourth high school graduation. Their timing is incredible. Having the largest school in the state and Jaime keeps graduation to 60 minutes. There are schools so much smaller where graduation is a couple hours! Even the graduates don't want to be there that long. It was nice for me to be able to watch it from home this time.  Once graduation is done, Jaime always feels the stress of that event lift off his shoulders. I only wish he could have the evening to rest and recover but unfortunately, he's at the senior class party now. He definitely needs the next day to recover.   

Isaac, Lindsey, Olivia, and Emma came home for Memorial Day weekend! I loved having them here. We had fun playing games.  Aidan was at a friends house for game night so we wasn't here this time. But Makayla came and joined in the fun! She comes over so that Olivia can have time with her and family. I love it! But he was here when we played guess the song. It was a fun game. Everyone enjoyed trying to guess it first. Depending on the topic some were pretty easy to guess (Disney) and some were pretty hard, like from movies that were pretty old.  I glad they want to come home. I hope they always know they're welcome and will want to come often. We like having special nights like this where everyone just laughs and enjoys being together.   

Only Aidan can get Koda to sit in any position. The silly dog doesn't squirm to get out either!  

Jaime and boys brought me breakfast in bed this morning. French toast is still a favorite.  I love my boys. I feel so blessed to be a mom. Missing my girls but that's another part of my blessing as a mother, I have children to miss when they're gone! We had Mom and Dad over for dinner. It was nice to be able to visit with them and show mom a little Mother's Day love.  The other three hooligans Facetimed me! I it made my day they thought of me today and wanted to spend some time talking with me. Gosh I miss them all so much! I will admit that having them all together does help ease my heart some. They do a great job of taking care of one another.   

another day at the temple! Holding to our monthly temple trips with the boys. Every time we go someone comments on our wonderful boys. Such great young men.   

Sometimes I wonder if the kids will get bored of doing this every year but they don't! They all look forward to it.  May the 4th be with you! The boys set up the Star Wars decor and helped label the food items.  Nothing like a good light saber fight.  Such a fun and tasty tradition celebrating! I'm not sure anyone can decide if they like May the 4th or Cinco de Mayo dinner better. Family traditions are the best!  

Olivia and Emma are ready to start their Spring semester. It'll be Emma's first time at BYUI. She finished high school before the end of her Sr. year so came to start her college education in April. Olivia and Emma are roommates even and just be happenstance! I think it'll be a good thing because Emma already has helped Olivia out since she has her arm in a sling. 😄  

Koda is just so cute! I love him so much. And I love that I'm his person. 💚 I missed him so much. If I could take him on all my trips I would. :)  

I flew to Vegas to be with Olivia for her shoulder surgery. She was so nervous. She was extremely nervous about the nerve block that she would be getting.  Sugery was April 8th. I couldn't go back with her but they let her keep her phone so that she could keep herself occupied while waiting. She would text me updates. She was so happy when she found out that they would be putting her to sleep before administering the nerve block! After she was going in for the procedure I left the clinic to walk around and kill time. I went to Bath and Body Works to get her a bottle of her favorite lotion. When I got the call she was done and they'd be out to get me in a few minutes I headed right back to the clinic.  It was good to get back to her and see her. She came out well. The surgery went well. She had scar tissue that they removed and her labrum was frayed so the doctor cleaned that up. He said that was probably from the injury being dropped on her shoulder that caused all the pain. T...

We got back from Idaho and I got right in to making cinnamon rolls for us to enjoy during general conference. Sometimes they turn out better than others. This time, they were perfection! Everyone loved them. It's just a fun treat to have that my family looks forward to conference.   

We headed to Rexburg for Spring Break to spend some time with Lindsey and Isaac. We brought Koda along for the ride. He travels so well.  We attended church in Lindsey's ward. They have a giant church building! It's a double chapel. It's amazing how big Rexburg has grown in the last 25 years. So many members live here and not just students. They've already broken ground on a second temple in Rexburg! It felt so good to be with Lindsey and have her sit next to me in church. I miss her so much.  We spent time with Lindsey and Isaac at their place watching movies, going shopping, and trying some new places to eat.  On April 1st we went to the Rexburg Temple. Isaac had to work so he wasn't able to go. We did baptisms. Afterwards Jaime and the boys were so good to wait so that I could take Lindsey to do initiatory. She hasn't been back for that since she went to the temple for herself. I know it can be a bit nerve wracking to go by yourself so I wanted to go to help ...

One of our family goals with the boys was to attend the temple each month this year. The Columbia River Temple is closed this month so we went to the Moses Lake Temple. Tyler has really been wanting to go to the Moses Lake temple so this month worked out perfect for us to go. Before we changed for baptisms the temple president visited with us and asked if we've seen their laundry facilities. Because he knows that the laundry room is so tiny in the Columbia River temple. So he took us to see theirs. It was pretty cool. They have a really nice space. It was neat that he wanted to take the time to show us around some.  It's so special to see the boys each perform baptisms as well as be baptized. I love it when they're in the font together. Generally one of them will baptize either Jaime or I, then each other, and then either Jaime or I. When the boys were both in the font together, one of the temple workers came up to me and said the font just lit up while they were in there. ...

Even Koda was happy to have us home. He was extra cuddly and not a one of us minded it. He misses us when we're gone and I'll admit, I miss him. It's nice to have a little one that needs some care... but not constant care. 😄  

We drove back to Brian's house on the 23rd.  Everyone was happy to be able to sit and relax. Brian made some yummy Pizookies for dessert. The kids enjoyed a day to sit around together before we all flew home early the next morning.   

I feel like I've hit the jackpot of treasure troves. Brian and I love to be together and I feel so blessed that he's wanted me to be with him and his family at Disneyland every time they go. We both really love the place and the magic it makes for us! 2020 was the first time I went with them. We went just before COVID-19 shut everything down.  Disneyland was still closed in 2021 due to COVID-19 but when 2022 came around Brian wanted to go again to help the family look forward to something fun after losing Esther in 2021. Summer was still struggling with the weight of everything so Brian asked me to go to help with the kids. We still had to wear masks while inside buildings but we were able to have a good time.  Jaime was able to come for the second day of the fun! When 2023 rolled around Brian wanted my entire family to come so Jaime and I and the kids made it in 2023. Both our families wore matching Disney Star Wars shirts.  Brian really wanted me to go with them again i...