Couldn't help it. . .

I couldn't help looking at my blog post from yesterday over and over.

Seeing all the pictures brought back so many memories from that weekend.

I am flooded with emotion all over again.

But I noticed something, something that I loved.

I noticed I had a picture of my Husband with all three of the boys separately and it made me reflect on something.

As special as it was to watch my boys each receive a priesthood ordinance, it was even more special to watch my husband perform each priesthood ordinance.

President Monson gave a conference talk in 2008 and in that talk he said,

"We who have been ordained to the priesthood of God can make a difference. When we qualify fo rthe help of the Lord, we can build boys, we can mend men, we can accomplish miracles in His holy service."

He goes on to say,

"My brethren, I reiterate that, as holders of the priesthood of God, it is our duty to live our lives in such a way that we may be examples of righteousness for others to follow"

My boys are incredibly lucky to have a father who not only holds the priesthood 

but honors that priesthood.

And I am incredibly lucky to be married to him.

I am also reminded of the talk by Sister Dalton where she was talking to fathers about daughters, but I think the same can be said for sons,

"How can a father raise a happy well adjusted son in today's increasingly toxic world? It is a simple answer and it is true - the most important thing a father can do for his (sons) is to

  love their mother."

I am truly blessed.

Our 3 Sons, 3 Priesthood Ordinances

If you would have told me when I started having children, that they would all be 4 years apart I would not have believed it, and for awhile I started focusing on the negative aspect of having your children spread so far apart, especially when I realized I would have 16 years of continuous early morning seminary ahead. . .

But then this weekend started to play out and I realized I couldn't have planned it better!

We started the weekend out with Kristopher making the decision to be baptized.

No one had a bigger smile on their face that day than he did!

We were so lucky to have Grandpa Mangelson here for the Weekend!

 Sunday was another special day.

Kale was ordained in Sacrament Meeting as a deacon, and recited the 12th Article of Faith flawlessly!

Kristopher was recognized as the newest member of the ward!

It was also the Blessing of Kody Dalan Jibson!

 Later that night we all gathered for Kale's ordination where he received the Aaronic Priesthood.

He loved having some of the members of his new Deacons Quorum there!

As a mother, it was so special to see all three of my boys receive priesthood ordinances all together. 

To witness it and be a part of it is something I will cherish. 

I am so proud of each of them.

I love that they are brothers.

They have such a special bond and loved being able to share this weekend with each other.

I am proud to be their Mother.

Kristopher Mark Jibson - Baptized on April 28, 2012

Kody Dalan Jibson - Blessed on April 29, 2012

Kale Kennan Jibson - Received the Aaronic Priesthood on April 29, 2012

Mothers Day

I love how Mothers Day is celebrated all week!

I got to watch this cute girl give a whole "Mothers Day Program" at preschool!

At Kristopher's Baseball Game on Saturday the coach had flowers for each of the boys to hand out to their mothers (and the mothers of the opposing team)! LOVE THAT!!!!

But actual Mothers Day was the BEST!

I got to hang out with these 4!

Kale made me a hand written card and it said the most perfect thing. . .

I believe in love at first sight, because I've been loving you ever since I opened my eyes.

When I asked him if he wrote that himself he replied, "nope. gotta love google."

Kris made me a bookmark at school all about what he loves about me and he signed it,

Lover, Kris!

Karalyn made me special flowers and each one had something she loves about me. . .

"I love it when she takes me to the pool"

"I love it when she takes me to Sunsplash"

"I love it when she takes me to Disneyland"

And Kody gave me hugs and snuggles all day!

Happy Mother's Day!

 12 Years Old. . .

and A Birthday To Remember!

He woke up on his birthday to find 12 blue star balloons, each with a reason why Kale is a Super Star!

They led downstairs to the Birthday Loot!

 Kale complains to me regularly that he doesn't have "junk" in his lunches and everyone else does. . . so for his birthday he got the biggest bag of "junk" I could find!

He also got the last things he needed to complete his backpacking equipment!

A camp stove and a water purifier!

(Sounds boring - but it's what he wanted)

He loved Kris's big birthday card so I surprised him with one of his own. . .

Only to have him say. . .

"Wow! That's a lot of writing!"

(It's a big card! I had to fill it!)

So excited to have Grandpa here to celebrate turning 12!

Kale shared his 12th birthday with the day his brother got Baptized.

Anyone else may have felt a little pang of jealousy. . .

Not Kale. He's amazing!

We celebrated before the baptism by going out to breakfast!

Kale's first experience with biscuits and gravy!

YUM!

 And after the Baptism the boys in the family all went the Rivercats Game for Little League Day!

Kale's birthday cake this year. . .

A Dinger Dog!

(I sent candles but somehow they didn't make it on the DOG!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KALE!

(You better enjoy being 12 cause I'm boycotting your next birthday! You'll be 12 for a long time if I have any say in it!)

It's Been 11 Years...

My mom passed away 11 years ago today.

This day was hard for me the first few years. . .

Then as the years went by, though the day never got easier, thinking about the day got easier.

This year has made me reflect more than most back to that day 11 years ago.

See, these are the memories I have of my mom that last year.

I'm lucky.

I have memories of my mom with my child.

Some of her happiest times that last year was when Kale was in her arms.

So when I think of my mom I always think of my oldest as a baby. . .

That baby of mine received the Aaronic Priesthood this weekend.

It put it in perspective to me just how many years have gone by since my mom was able to hold that little boy.

And so I think I'm missing her just a little more this year than most.

I know she is a very proud Grandma!

And though I cannot help but think of my mom every time I look at Kale and remember her with him,

I write this post with a sleeping baby in my arms I know she had a hand in preparing 3 more beautiful babies to join our family.