The Happiest Place on Earth

Our dear friends, Brad and Rachel, were in town last week! We miss them so much and were so happy to spend three days with them while they were visiting this month. One of those days was spent at Disney World! We are lucky to have amazing friends who spoil us so much. Between Norb and Brad, we were all able to get in without purchasing any tickets! It was probably the hottest day of the year so far, but it was totally worth it. Between water and sunscreen, we survived just fine.

Landon, Grayson, Miriam, Papa K, and Ethan ready for a fun day at the Magic Kingdom.

Some of the best parts of the day are the fun things to do in line while you wait to go on rides. Honestly, it was not nearly as busy as I've seen it in the past. We waited less than 10 minutes to ride most things. The longest we waited was for the Jungle Cruise at 35 minutes.

A Disney trip is not a Disney trip without a Mickey Bar! 

Someone was super excited to be at Disney! 

We took the monorail to Epcot for dinner and fun at Innoventions and The Seas!

The Seas Pavillion was great! We saw the coolest marine life including these sharks, stingrays, moray eels, lionfish, seahorses, starfish, and multiple types of reef fish. Definitley a highlight.

 At this point, Miriam was a little delirious since she hadn't napped all day. She was enthralled by the sea life. I did my best to get some of her exuberance on camera. She was making us laugh so hard.

Last photo of Rae Rae and Ethan as we rode the tram back to the van. It was a great day! We love you Brad and Rae Rae. 

Back to School

Well, summer came to close as we headed back to school last week. I was looking forward to getting back into a routine and the boys were excited to meet new friends. Ethan started us off on Monday. He is in Mrs. Rivera's First Grade Class. He is so excited!

Grayson was so excited, I couldn't get a shot that wasn't blurry! He is in Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) with Mrs. Fisher. We are familiar with Mrs. Fisher because Ethan had her two years ago. She is a great teacher and we are excited he will be in her class. Grayson is most excited that he gets to eat lunch at school.

Landon is a little lost without his older brothers. The greatest part is that now he has time to play with Miriam. She was so excited to have his attention and eat lunch at the big kids table.

 We have about a half hour to kill after Ethan goes to school and before Grayson goes to school. It isn't enough time to come home, so we have been playing on the school playground. Here's a sweet shot of Miriam one morning. It is kind of crazy for me to think that in the two years since Ethan started VPK, she was born and is now such a little lady.

Stop Yelling Challenge

I am posting about this because I need accountability to achieve my goals. I'm officially holding myself accountable to my three loyal readers and cyberspace. I have taken on the Stop Yelling Challenge.
Overall, I think I'm a pretty good mom. I do fun things with my children, they are well cared for and I love them so much it hurts. However, I also find that my frustration often leads to anger and anger leads to yelling. I don't yell a lot, but I do yell more than I'm comfortable with. I'd like to be at zero on the scale. No yelling. It sounds almost impossible, but Amanda over at Dirtandboogers.com has inspired me to make my goal a reality and stop yelling at my children. Anyone want to join me?

Seminary

On my drive home from St. Augustine last week, I received a phone call from an old friend. It was a surprise and an honor when I found out the reason for his call. David has been called to be seminary teacher for our church in Montana where he lives. For those that don't know, seminary is a religion course for high school age students in the LDS Church. In places like Utah where a high percentage of high schoolers are Mormons, seminary is a class they can take in their regularly scheduled school day. Everywhere else it is early in the morning before school.
David reached out to me because of my seminary experience. I attended three years of seminary. One of those years was prior to my baptism in the LDS Church. He wanted permission to share my story with his seminary students as a testimony to the lifelong blessing seminary can be in their lives.  He asked a few questions, so I decided to record my answers for my own posterity here on my blog.

Why did you attend seminary?

At the age of 14 I made my Confirmation in the Catholic church. I was raised Catholic and have had a great love for my Heavenly Father my entire life. I have always loved the scriptures and learning more about God and what He wants for my life. After making my Confirmation, organized religious training provided by my church ended. This was a huge disappointment for me. I was discussing this with my dear friend, Gena, and she invited me to attend seminary at her church. She said it was before school and they would be studying the Old Testament. Immediately I knew this is what I wanted to do. I counseled with my parents and they agreed to help me keep this commitment as I was only 15 and could not drive myself. My dad spent the next school year getting me to seminary before the sun came up.

What do you remember about seminary?

I remember it not always being easy to get up and get to seminary. However, my parents were raising me to keep my commitments and on sleepy mornings my dad helped drag me out of bed. I also remember that despite being tired some mornings, seminary helped set the tone for the remainder of my day. I felt as if seminary helped me don the armor of God and prepare to be in the world, but not of the world.
Camaraderie with my fellow seminary students is also a wonderful memory. We all went to the same high school and would often hang out together between seminary and school. I think what I remember most is the feelings associated with seminary: love, hope, comfort, confidence, peace.

When did you get the most out of seminary?

I got the most out of seminary when I was well-rested and was up to date on my personal scripture study. Getting enough rest was quite difficult because in addition to seminary and schooling, I was very involved in dance, cheerleading, choir, and other after-school clubs. The Lord truly did bless me though, because as I put Him first all my other obligations fell into place. I managed to keep my grades up and had enough energy for all that I wanted to do. Reading my scriptures always helped me get more out of seminary. I was able to participate more in class and invite the Spirit into my own home.

How has seminary blessed your life and the life of your family?

Seminary has blessed my life in so many ways. I think the most important thing to come from my seminary experience is my conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ and baptism into the LDS Church. It has changed the entire course of my life. I think I would have been a good person because I was born of goodly parents and raised well. However, joining the LDS Church has opened up a life that I love: filled with a joy beyond measure. 
In seminary I developed a love for the scriptures. I LOVE the scriptures. More importantly, I know that if I ever lack wisdom or need counsel that the scriptures will provide the answers. As a mom of four, I now am sharing my love of the scriptures with my young children. We read every morning during breakfast.  Our oldest is 6 and he is learning to read. He reads a couple verses on his own each morning and doing so has even helped him improve his reading skills.
Seminary also helped me to set goals and create self-confidence as I accomplished each goal, i.e. memorizing scripture mastery verses, reading an entire volume of scripture, etc. I continue to use strategies from seminary days in setting goals as an adult.
Because of the testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ that I created and nourished during my seminary years, I have gone on to graduate from BYU, marry in the temple, and serve diligently in my many roles as a woman in the church. I rely on my testimony every day. It is a part of me and living without it would be miserable. My faith and ability to follow the Holy Spirit helps me bless my family daily. Especially as I teach my children correct principles and counsel with my sweet husband.

What would you say to seminary students today who are attending seminary?

I think that high school students might think I'm an old, out of touch mom. Maybe I am, but I'd like to think that I'm not. I would encourage seminary students to stick with it. I know that it is hard to get up early every morning and keep up with studies, extracurriculars, and a social life. I know because it was hard for me too. I also know that because I made Heavenly Father and seminary a priority in my life, everything always fell into place. I had enough time to do everything I needed and wanted to do. I still find that to be true. 
I'd also encourage you to read your scriptures. Really immerse yourselves and learn to "liken the scriptures unto yourself" as Nephi counsels. You will find immeasurable joy and comfort and wisdom from "feasting upon the Word."
One last thing I'd encourage is to become friends with those other sleepy people sitting next to you. Good friends will be a boon for you throughout your life. Your teacher is an example of that. Miles have separated our friendship for many years, but it hasn't quelled the love I have for him.

Please share your testimony about seminary.

I view a testimony as something I KNOW. Not something I think or feel. It is something that I know is true without doubt. My simple testimony of seminary is that I know without it, I wouldn't have a testimony of any gospel principles. Immersing myself in the scriptures through seminary helped me to plant seeds of faith that grew through nourishment and years of action on my part. Seminary helped me lay the foundation for my life. That may sound dramatic, but I know that for me, this is true. Seminary opened the door to my testimony. A testimony that I continue to build upon to this day. That's the great thing about testimonies: they are always growing.

Those are the questions I answered for David. There is a follow up to this story. Two days after David asked me to answer these questions, my dear husband was asked to serve as a seminary teacher in our area! I am so excited for Jared and for David. They have been given a great task in helping the youth begin building their own testimonies. What an amazing opportunity for both of them! I'll admit, I'm a little jealous.
I have one more thing to share. When Jared was released from serving as the Young Men's President at church today, I just started weeping. It was totally unexpected because I was so excited about his new opportunity and I knew it meant a release from his previous calling. I was just overwhelmed with God's love for me and for our family. Jared served as Young Men's President for three years. During that time, we had two newborns (Landon and Miriam), he had two new jobs, and we had countless blessings. I am grateful for a husband that is willing to serve the Lord and our family. I am grateful for a Heavenly Father that loves me and always has my back.

Last Week of Summer

We survived the last week of summer despite pneumonia!

Monday the boys spent the day with a friend from church and I napped and finished season 7 of Psych with Miriam.

Tuesday I made Tapioca and reminisced about BYU.

 

 

Wednesday we spent the day at JoAnn's house and ate ice cream for lunch.

 

Thursday we attended two different meet the teacher events.  Grayson has Mrs. Fisher for VPK and he's super excited.

 

 

Ethan has Mrs. Rivera for first grade and I didn't get a picture.

Uncle Tony also came to visit. He and the boys played hide and seek and after the children were in bed, he and I went to see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It was super fun and we felt like teenagers again.

 

 

Friday we enjoyed our final summer pool day with our friends and got rained out so we came home to watch movies and take naps.

 

Saturday I ran my 5K and we spent a rainy afternoon at Lowes and the library.

 

 

 

Wish I'd gotten a picture of my boys at Lowes. They love it there, especially the lawn mower section. They also informed me that it was a boy's store and I did my best to inform them that girls can do anything boys can do!

 

 





Celebration of Running

At the beginning of the summer, I made a goal to run a 5 K. A week ago, I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia. This definitely interfered with my race. Walking pneumonia is pretty terrible. I would have coughing fits that caused me to lose my breath. I'd become short of breath from doing simple activities such as cooking or changing a diaper. I was extremely tired. I had a cough and symptoms for about a month before I went to the doctor. I really just thought the cough would get better and that I was tired because I have four children! I was wrong. The doctor ordered a round of antibiotics and rest, rest, rest. Thanks to Jared and some beautiful women I attend church with, I was able to get pretty adequate rest. By Thursday, I was feeling decent and decided I wasn't going to miss my race.

 

Laced up my running shoes and enjoyed a quiet house this morning.

 
 
 
 

My friend, Ginger, came and cheered me on. Honestly, I thought Ginger was walking the race. It wasn't until we'd gotten there and she didn't pick up a packet that I realized she wasn't even wearing race clothes. I said, "You're not doing this today, are you?" Ginger replied, "No, kiddo. I'm here to cheer you on!" How cool is that?

She got this shot as I crossed the finish line! The race was a little hard and my cough reappeared during the race. But, I held strong and didn't stop and ran that whole thing! Take that, pneumonia!

 

Here I am showing off my bling! We got a cool medal and an awesome race shirt (not pictured). It was amazing to be a part of this. 3,000 people participated and the course was beautiful and included a live band at the mile mark.

Ginger took me to breakfast at Daybreak Diner where I ate sweet potato home fries. They were amazing. And, after I'd been home about an hour, my dear friend, JoAnn showed up with balloons and a goodie bag to celebrate my achievement.

I am so blessed with great friends and family. Today was great!

I Got Money

My boys have had the opportunity all summer to earn an allowance. I don't typically do an allowance because I think children should participate in family life, including chores, without monetary recompense. However, I wanted to find a way to motivate them to keep up skills, i.e. reading, writing, etc over the summer months. Ethan earned $23 from allowance and losing teeth. Grayson earned $20. Landon earned $6.
After paying their tithing, the boys were promised a trip to the toy store to spend their money. Grayson had been talking about getting a fish for about 6 months, so I planned to go to the pet store if nothing at the toy store enticed him to do otherwise with his funds.


Ethan bought Mixl Monsters. It's a Lego thing.

Landon bought a helicopter.

Grayson bought FishE and all his house and food. I chipped in a little because he was $4 short and had been working so hard to more than 6 months to buy a fish. Plus, I was super impressed that after seeing about 100 things he wanted at the toy store, he held out for the fish.

The Cheese Wheel and Sandwich Board

The Cheese Wheel and Sandwich Board (The Wheel) is a little lunch place in St. Augustine, Florida. It is very busy from 11-2 every day. It is a treasure to the natives of St. Augustine and a fun find for the tourists. To my family and me, it is an extension of home.
Last week my Aunt Antje and Uncle Mike closed their doors to enter a well-deserved retirement. They began running The Wheel in 1986 and sold their business this week. The Wheel will live on for the residents and tourists of St. Augustine, but it really won't be the same for me. When I go, I can't enter through the back door. I won't get to enjoy New Year's Eve pizza with my Hesson family. My children won't leave with the free candy Uncle Mike hides in their pockets.  Aunt Antje won't pull up a chair, complete with apron on and towel over her shoulder, to visit.
Some of my earliest memories are from The Wheel. There used to be a farm adjacent to the restaurant. I use the term farm loosely. They had chickens mostly and a few of our guinea pigs that my mom snuck in when she was tired of taking care of them. I loved going to that farm. For a few months we lived in the neighborhood across the street from The Wheel. It was in walking distance and we went on our own to get lunch and chips and candy. Dad seemed to be fixing the ice machine every few months. I was always impressed how my cousin Monica didn't even need to write our order down. I remember when they still did pizzas and delivery in the evenings. On Fridays we'd go down and have pizza night. I'd sit on the counter and eat cold pepperonis and watch the pizza delivery guy, Louie, draw the special for the next day on the chalkboard. He was in high school when I was a kid and was so cool.
Aunt Antje and Uncle Mike threw one last pizza party over the weekend. Ethan and I drove up to bid adieu to The Wheel.

Dad, Uncle Bob, Uncle Mike, and Uncle George. The four brothers who started it all when they purchased The Wheel in 1985.

Tatum, Aunt Antje, Uncle Mike, Monica, and Kelly. Aunt Antje and Uncle Mike took over ownership and management in 1986. They are amazing.

Matt, Jennifer, Lucas, Caden, Jim, Uncle Bob, Aunt Dorothy, Uncle Mike, Aunt Antje, and Kevin. Some of my fondest memories are with these three cousins (Jim, Matt, and Kevin). We are the same ages and spent a lot of time together when the Hesson's got together.

Michael, Brianne, Laurie, Uncle Mike, Aunt Antje, Aunt Alice, Hila, Uncle George, Diane, and George. More family that I love dearly. As a child, Stacey and I would walk to Michael and Laurie's apartment to play board games. They were so cool to put up with us.

Tony, Ethan, Me, Uncle Mike, Aunt Antje, Mom, Dad, Lyla, Logan, Stacey, Joe, and Noah. I love my family!

 

 

 A third generation of Hesson's enjoying pizza! Ethan ate about four slices. Noah thoroughly enjoyed his first slice of pizza.

Dad making a pie.

My family on The Wheel's bench. Many a great conversation happened right here.

All of us out front on Sunday. Aunt Antje finishing up a pizza. The sign that's been up forever, plus a new addition that should have been up forever.

 

Aunt Antje and Uncle Mike thank you for being you and taking such great care of us over the years. I have a lifetime of fond memories because of your generosity and kindness. I am so blessed to be a Hesson. I love you very much. The Wheel may have been an extension of home, but the truth is home is my family. And I'll always have that.

 

Dog Days of Summer

I hope it doesn't make me a bad mom to admit that summer is starting to stink! It is too hot to play outside and when contained in a small space for hours on end my children turn into hooligans. They are irritating one another and in turn, irritating me. It is so fun!
We've been trying our hardest to beat the boredom with outings and friends. Two more weeks until school starts. I think we can make it.

Playing in Phoebe's kennel. Too bad they can lock and unlock it. I really could use a nap. Just kidding...

All the boys outgrew clothing this summer. We passed along hand-me-downs and bought some new things. This meant we had to discard and donate old items. Landon couldn't bear to part with his helicopter shirt. Seriously, when I told him it was being donated he hugged and kissed and expressed his love to the shirt itself. Aunt Myndie suggested we put it on a teddy bear. It was a great idea and now Landon isn't sad.

My boys love frogs! We spotted this guy at Grandma and Papa K's house. He is white to match the light. It is pretty cool.

Sweating and sliding at the park.

Pushing out pizza dough for pizza night. 

Ethan found a Blue Jay feather and wanted a photo.

 

Grayson also wanted a photo, but is grumpy because Ethan took a photo with the feather first. This is what I'm talking about. Hooligans.

Pirates attacking at the park.

Beach volleyball.

Watching the firefighters check the hydrants in the neighborhood.

Lots of Legos this summer. The boys are all becoming master builders.

34

I'm officially in my mid-30's people! Where did my youth go? I still feel like a teenager.

Throwback photo of the day I got my driver's license-age 16 years and one day.

 

I'm definitely smarter and more confident than my teenager self, but energy-wise I feel 16. Also, it is difficult to understand that time has become so fleeting. Years pass in the time it once took weeks to pass. I'm not kidding. The older I get, the faster time travels.

My birthday was incredible this year! The outpouring of love from my friends and family was overwhelming. I was reminded of my blessings as I received dozens of calls, texts, and facebook messages. I hope that I am as good a friend to each of my friends as they are to me.  I am certainly privileged to have each of them in my life.

Sabra got me these amazing onion goggles. No more tears for me when I'm in the kitchen. She also got me this Life is Good shirt. It is so comfy and fun.

 My mom and dad sent me some moola so that I could purchase new running shoes. They are amazing and have really made running more comfortable. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Stacey and her family came to visit for lunch on my birthday. Stacey made and brought lunch for us and for the children. It was delicious and we had a fun visit. I love my sister.

This year we ordered the birthday cake from Charlie's Bakery. Strawberry Shortcake and it was soooooooooooooo delicious!

Dear Brooke never disappoints on my birthday. Her friendship is a gift in and of itself. I love the book she sent me on missionary work and this awesome T-shirt from her family's produce plant.

 

At the pool with the girls from church on Friday, I was surprised with pizza and cupcakes! I go to church with some really amazing women. They are so thoughtful and I felt so special. My official birthday week ended today with an outing with some close girl friends. We had lunch at Qarma Crepes. (Delicious!) Then we went to the Orlando Musuem of Art. It was so fun and I felt fancy and special. I love my people, they're good people.