When June came, Matthew finally got some paid time off! We have been waiting and waiting for some extra time with him, or even a Saturday, so we were all so excited! Of course, the first day he had off, I had a dentist appointment. He watched the boys and I drove down to Highlands Ranch. The dentist numbed me for a crown and started to dig through the crack in my tooth. He was shocked to find it wasn't very deep and determined he could fill it like a cavity and we could avoid the crown! It was a miracle! It could have been over $1k, but he chose to change course and it was only a couple hundred. I felt very blessed! I celebrated my savings by treating myself to a smoothie because I needed some protein and calories, but was so numb I couldn't eat anything. And, right next to the smoothie shop was a donut shop. I got Matthew and I some specialty donuts that were really yummy!
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| Donuts - soooo yummy! |
June 3rd was Blaylock Germany Day! It's a self-determined holiday based on the day we went to Germany in 2024. Matthew had the day off and we had a great time! We did start the day with a lot of cleaning, which isn't how we spent our time in Germany. We didn't have to clean because hotel housekeeping mostly took care of that. We had German pancakes for breakfast, then went swimming at the rec center. It was a cold, rainy day, which helped us really feel like we were in Germany again. The boys LOVED swimming! Jay wanted to explore everywhere and had such a fun time on the lilypads with Matthew. Hugh loved the water table and the little slide. We had bratwurst for dinner with pommes (aka fries). We still have a few chocolate bars we've been saving, so we opened a couple of those up after dinner while we played Harry Potter. It was the one game we played while we were in Germany and it was fun to pull out again! We spent the day reminiscing and thinking about how one year ago we walked into the tiniest apartment I thought existed for a family of four and we had no idea where to shop or how we'd feed our little family. If someone had offered me a flight back that night after we arrived, I think I would have been tempted to take it! However, it was a beautiful, unforgettable, and amazing experience! I am glad I didn't get offered a flight back, and I am so glad we got the summer together as a family! Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures, which is a total bummer!
After Matthew went back to work, we had Katey, Kade, Abby, and Hope over for a sleepover and playtime. The big girls were at camp, so the littles got to come "camp" at my house! We spent our time at parks and playing and enjoying being with each other. Jay still had his therapies and the other kids did really well recognizing Jay was working on certain skills while they were here.
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| Kade, Abby, Jay, Hope, and Hugh all checking out the water |
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| Kade showing Jay some fun creation! |
On Sunday, June 8th, I spoke in Stake Conference General Session. We were later than we hoped, so we were sitting in the gym. I started to get nervous that I'd have to make a dash for the podium when they called my name, so I made my way up during the opening hymn. I was certain I'd be speaking in the first half, as President Leavitt and I discussed I'd probably need to help Matthew with the boys. We are blessed to have the Dahls, so eager and willing to help us. They sat by Matthew, and it was a good thing! I ended up not speaking until right before the Stake President at the end of the session. It was a nice way to experience Stake Conference, with no kiddos to worry about and in a soft seat. I spoke on Asking, Seeking, and Knocking, or revelation. I will share my main analogy here as it's what most people commented on.
When I walk up to an unknown (or even known) house, this is how our family usually reacts…Sometimes we ding dong ditch, so we ring and run. Me, I’ll knock once, then likely leave. Matthew, he’ll knock and ring the doorbell and wait twice as long as me. My boys, they will knock and ring and even try the handle before giving up.
What does it mean to spiritually knock?
Elder Camargo, “To knock is to act in faith. When we actively follow Him, the Lord opens the way before us. There is a beautiful hymn that teaches us to “wake up and do something more than dream of [our] mansion above. Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure, a blessing of duty and love.”
When you knock spiritually…are you ringing and running, knocking and leaving, ringing and knocking and waiting a little bit, or are you staying at that door, knocking and ringing and trying the handle until someone answers! The beautiful promise is that God will ALWAYS answer, He is ALWAYS there. We may have to wait a lonnnnngg time, but He will always answer.
I was grateful to have my talk over, and had to immediately jump into lesson prep for the following Sunday's lesson.
It seems we've always got some sort of doctor appointment lined up, and June was Audiology testing for Jay. Due to speech delays, they wanted to make sure he wasn't missing any sounds. He did very well with the test, but his attention didn't quite last as long as they needed. They are still missing a couple sounds to verify he can hear them, but overall they are unconcerned. I was relieved to know everything seems good, and we'll go back in a couple months to hopefully get those final sounds checked. I was grateful for Breeanne who watched Hugh so I could take Jay alone.
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| Jay was in a sound-proof room, and I watched from out here. He did so well! |
Summer feels more like summer when you can hit the splashpad with sisters. Katey and Lindsay and I went to a splashpad in Longmont and Jay had a great time! Having Shelby there saved me, and allowed me to actually have the chance to sit and visit while my kids played. This NEVER has happened to me before and it was a beautiful gift. Shelby came with us again to a new splashpad in Berthoud where Lindsay joined us and we had another awesome day together!
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| Jay and Hugh loving their towels after playing in the splashpad. |
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| Hugh, Jay, and Shelby |
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| Hugh and Jay climbing at the park in Berthoud, which was right next to the splashpad |
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| Hugh and Roxy riding together! |
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| Roxy taking Hugh for a spin |
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| Now it was Hugh's turn to give Roxy a ride! Surprisingly, he was strong enough to move it! |
Projects are in full swing and I finally finished my dining room table! I love the way it turned out and it's soooooo nice and beautiful. I am grateful I got the bench from the Bracy's table and redid it with my table. I sold the Bracy's table and made back what I spent on my refinishing of my table. It isn't perfect, and it already has new dents and scratches, but I am truly enjoying it! I also fixed our screen on our front door with some really special sewing skills.
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| Reminder of the BEFORE picture of the table |
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| And, AFTER! |
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| Needle and thread, a trick to save hundreds on a new storm door. |
I've been starting to walk with some women in my ward in the morning at 6am. We meet at different houses and walk for about an hour. It's been a great way to start the morning and Jay usually comes along. Matthew's been kind enough to adjust his morning schedule a little bit to allow me to do it. Hugh is usually always still alseep, so it gives Matthew time to himself in the morning if Jay comes along with me. Sometimes, it's still just Jay and I and I love those walks too.
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| Jay and I on our morning walk |
We were able to do a session at the Fort Collins temple, and happened to schedule it the same time as Katey and Jason! It was fun to be in the temple with them and we were so grateful for Betty Jane watching our boys. They loved their time at Jack and Lindsay's house and we weren't worried about them at all while we were gone. The peace from the temple is a gift, and this time I felt the gift of perspective come long with our visit as well. Matthew had to work the rest of the Saturday to make up for it, but it was worth it to be in the House of the Lord.
Father's Day was a wonderful day! I did make crepes for Matthew on Saturday morning, and they were so yummy! I was all ready to go to the temple, woke up early to do crepes before our session, and right as the whipping cream was about done, I lost focus and the beaters came out of the bowl and whipped whipped cream EVERYWHERE! I had to change clothes, wash off counters, appliances, etc. It was a disaster! I should have taken a picture because I can now laugh about it, while in the moment it was only frustrating. Celebrating Matthew was fun and simple, as he is easy to please. We gave him a fun American themed tie and tie organization hangers. I also got him some flip flops, but those were given early as we walked into the house after purchasing them and Hugh immediately told Matthew that we got him sandals! Now I know I cannnot trust Hugh with a secret!
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| Jay learned to use the chopper for strawberries and did an awesome job cutting them! |
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| He was so pleased to help. He is my little helper! |
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| Coloring on Dad's gift for Father's Day |
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| Can you see how much Jay loves his Dad? It's the sweetest thing. |
We didn't get Grandma and Grandpa on Father's Day, but they came up the day afterwards. We loved having them and the boys immediately got them to sit down on the couches and read books and play with them. Grandpa took Jay in his car to get dinner, and Jay loved it! We had delicious In N' Out burgers and enjoyed dinner at home with some extra fruit and delicious cookies from Grandma. Their visits always go too fast, and it was sad to see them go.
One of our last hoorah's of June was the KMPG family picnic. We delayed going to the cabin one day so we could attend the picnic and we are glad we went. The boys got to see some magic tricks and they thought the balloon animals were very fun! They LOVED the playground and could do so much more than the last time we were there. I am amazed at their bravery and it's fun to see how much their skills improve over the years! The best part about this picnic is the raffle. The partners all donate different items and last time we won Broncos tickets. This year, we won tickets to the Broadway production of the Lion King! Woohoo! We are excited and it will probably be our first date after baby boy comes.
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| Hugh and Jay climbing on the huge bug |
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| Jay, mastering the rock wall |
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| Hugh learned to walk across the bridge without his feet going through the holes, impressive. |
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| Hugh loved his mouse! |
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| Jay of course wanted to help the catering company clean up all their tents, and they were kind enough to let him. |
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| Jay's animal was an elephant |
Other random happenings and pictures are below with short synopsis. It's so hard to capture everything, and pictures are more fun anyways!
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| Jay learned how to spy on the neighbors |
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| My peonies are beautiful! |
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| Flynn Nead, Milo Nead, Hugh, and Jay - at our BBQ with the Elders Quorum Presidency |
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| Hugh, Jay, and Shelby pretending at the park |
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| Hugh and Jay driving their cars while eating pizza for dinner |
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| Hugh went through a couple weeks of waking way too early, and this is how he ended lunch! |
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| This was from a small area of carpet I cleaned and a little rug, after Hugh got a blood nose. Crazy how dirty our floors are. |
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| Garden is transplanted and my seeds are sprouting! So exciting! |
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| Jay making a tunnel for Hugh, so sweet. |
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| Our other neighbor was mowing the lawn, the boys wanted to watch and I thought their step stools were quite innovative! |
