Brad’s Projects

 Brad and I got to go to the temple this morning. Ryder and Luke came with us and we all went to Costco afterwards. I can’t believe how much they love Costco samples! 

When we got back Brad started into his projects! Preparations for his Christmas lights are underway. He is welding Christmas trees out of rebar. I’m sure they’ll look amazing. 

Kade is taking an AP US history class this year and his teacher lectured the whole hour on the events and history of 9.11. Kade was fascinated. I’m sure it was more than Brad and I have ever really shared with him. Brad, Tenley, Kade and I got to talk about it more tonight as well. It was a good conversation of hope and unity through difficult.

Helpful Friends

 Brad and I had a temple date planned tonight but Ryder also had a football game and Kade had soccer practice so I was having a hard time figuring out how to make everything work! Luckily a friend of mine has a son on Ryder’s team and she was willing to take Ryder to the game and bring him home. I was so thankful!

Brad and I had a great time at the temple. It was such a beautiful night!

The Helena Temple

 Brad and I got to escape to the temple today. It really does feel like an escape from the stress of life and I love it. One year ago this month I committed to make going to the temple a consistent priority in our lives and it has been such a blessing. It’s isn’t easy but it’s so worth it. I hope we continue this habit forever! I love what I heard someone say once, you don’t leave the temple to get back to the real world, you go to the temple to remember the real world. This life is a temporary preparation state for a wonderful eternity.

Kade and Tenley

 Kade and Tenley were able to go to the Helena Temple early this morning with the ward for baptisms for the dead. They left the house at 5:50 am! I was impressed by them! They said they had a great time and were glad they went. The sun was actually shining in Helena. It was cloudy here.

We got a lot of chores done. Brad helped Ryder and Luke learn how to properly clean their bathroom. It looks sparkly and clean now! 

Drives to the Temple

 Brad and I made it to the temple tonight. Our original plan was to go last week but the crazy winter storm changed our plans so we went today. The high wind made it a little difficult but not as bad as the snow and ice would have made it last week. We had a great session doing sealings and we were able to seal all the couple family names that I had brought. I brought 10 not thinking we would get to all of them but there was only one other couple there with two couples to seal so we had plenty of time. 

The kids had a fun pizza party at home together. They always love their kid party nights. I’m grateful they all get along so well!

The Temple at Night

 Kade had the day off from school today. It was the end of the quarter so he had finals all week and then the day off today. He did so well on his finals and he still has a 4.0!

Brad made waffles for us for breakfast. It felt like the old days when all the kids were homeschooled. It was nice.

We drove down to Helena this afternoon to hang out and go to the temple. Our first stop was Maverick because our kids are obsessed with the drinks. Then we went to Costco to do some shopping and have dinner and then we headed to the temple. It was so pretty to see it lit up at night. Our ward’s youth had baptisms planned so Kade and Tenley joined with them and Brad and I went to a session during the same time. Ryder and Luke hung out in the church together and were so good! We got home late but the stars were beautiful to see on the drive home. The sky was clear and they were so bright! Apparently I don’t get out enough at night time! 

Family Temple Day

 We all drove down to the temple as a family today. Brad, Kade, and Tenley went in to do baptisms for the dead and Ryder, Luke, and I hung out in the church together while they did. 

When they were done we went to Costco to do some shopping, taste the samples, and eat lunch. It was a fun day away!

The Drive to the Temple

 I’m still sore from the gum graft but also feeling pretty good! Brad and I were able to make it to the temple this morning. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful drive! I loved the time with him. And we saw some friends there which is always nice!

Kade had a soccer game tonight and we loved cheering him on!

The Temple and Time with the Kids

 Brad and I got to go to the temple early this morning. It was such a beautiful drive and we saw a lot of our friends at the temple which makes it even better. We made a quick stop at Costco and spent the rest of the day with the kids. We saw Kade for a little bit in between soccer practice and a party. He’s definitely enjoying life! The rest of us had a movie night together which I loved!

Volleyball Games

 Tenley had her first volleyball game of the high school season! Brad and I drove down to Helena with her to watch her. Kade had to stay back for two a day soccer trainings and Ryder and Luke stayed back with him to keep him company in between trainings.

Tenley played great! She had an amazing hit. It was so much fun to watch her play. They lost in 5 sets but it was so close.

Afterwards we picked up some things at Costco and then Brad and I went to a temple session together. It was such a great day.

Ryder and Luke

 We are definitely all missing Kade and Tenley but it has been good for us to have this time with Ryder and Luke. Ryder is such a big helper when he’s relied on as the oldest kid. I’ve appreciated him so much. 

We had a long day planned today and the boys were awesome! We left the house at 7am to get to the Helena Temple for a morning session while we towed the boat because we planned to meet some of Brad’s staff members at the lake after the temple. The boys hung out in the waiting room at the church across the street while Brad and I were in the temple and they were still happy when we were done. We made a quick stop at Costco to pick up supplies for boating and dinner and then headed to the lake! Jayden, Brad’s assistant, came with her husband Tylor and her daughter Ramsey. Brad’s hygienist Linsey also came with her little baby Rhyett. Luke loved having Ryhett with us! And Ryder had a lot of fun with Ramsey. They are just a grade apart. The two of them rode on the tube for over 50% of the time we were on the lake until they were thrown off! 

Kade and Tenley both checked in late tonight and had great days again! We get to see them tomorrow and we can’t wait!

The Temple

 It was a perfect sunny and hot day for the boat, but the kids had a youth temple trip with the ward that they didn’t want to miss so we stayed home from the lake. They had a great time at the temple so I’m glad we stayed. We got a lot of chores done as well; weeding, cleaning, fix it projects for Brad. And then Brad and I went on a date tonight to see “Fiddler on the Roof.” The talent in our little city was impressive! It was a fun night.

The Temple, Soccer as a Family

 Brad and I made it to the temple today for a session. We barely made it. We definitely need to leave earlier next time. But I’m so glad we went. It was so nice and we had fun in Helena afterwards going to Costco and Maverick.

The kids had a party without us at home. They love that. The played games, watched a movie, and played soccer. Brad and I joined them for a soccer game tonight. It was fun trying to score on Kade!

Oh and yes, my lip. I had to have a sketchy lesion removed that could be cancerous. I had it cut out on Tuesday and my lip was swelling like a balloon! It’s a lot better now but still painful and obviously gruesome!

The Temple

 Earlier this week Kade asked if we could go to the temple this weekend. How could I say no to that?! So I made an appointment for Kade and Tenley tonight and we headed down to Helena after Kade got home from school. We picked up a pizza from Costco and Ryder and Luke and I had a picnic at the park across the street from the temple while Brad, Kade, and Tenley served in the Temple. It was a beautiful, sunny evening. The drive to Helena and back from Helena was so gorgeous! Everything is so green right now. I should have taken more pictures!

Ward Temple Trips

 Kade and Tenley were able to go to the Helena Temple today with the ward and Brad was able to be with them. It was Kade’s first opportunity to perform the ordinance of baptism since he is a priest now. He has been looking forward to it and from what I heard he did a great job. Both kids had a great time and enjoyed the trip.

I got to have a little mom’s night out with the ladies I teach at the homeschool co op with. We had fun eating snacks and playing games. And Ryder was my big helper and babysat Luke for a few hours. He was very responsible! 

Big Guns

 The weather was gorgeous today! I would have preferred to sit at a park all day but we had a lot of running around going on. Co op was fun this morning. I got to teach the kids about the five senses and we had fun experimenting with that. We did go to the park with co op friends for a little bit which was so nice to be outside enjoying the weather! Some of the kids brought nerf guns. Luke came up to me and said, “Look at my big guns Mom!”

And then Brad and I got to head down to the temple this afternoon. It was a beautiful drive and it was so nice to feel the peace you only find in the temple.

Party Boys

 Brad, Kade, and Tenley all went to the Helena temple tonight with our ward youth. They enjoyed it but they got home pretty late! Ryder, Luke, and I had a fun party night together. These boys are so happy and care free and it makes me so happy. They were excited to make popcorn and watch a movie. They chose Frozen 2 because they love Olaf so much. I'm so grateful for these silly, funny party boys!

The Temple

We made it to the temple tonight!! It was a busy day and Kade had to leave his basketball practice early but we made it work. It was so nice to be in the temple and we had friends there with us which made it even better!

Walks

The weather was beautiful today! Brad and the big kids along with his Dad left early for our ward temple trip to Helena and then headed on to  Billings for soccer games for Kade. They were gone all day but they enjoyed the drive and Kade’s games.

The rest of us went for a walk to the park in the afternoon, watched a lot of football, and went for another walk this evening. I loved getting out and enjoying the sunshine!

Helena Temple Dedication, Fathers

Today was such an amazing day! The Helena temple was dedicated by Elder Stevenson. Brad and I were able to attend the morning session in the temple. Right as we walked in the temple we were able to shake Elder Stevenson’s hand. He and his wife are so kind. The service was beautiful! I was able to take a handkerchief that my grandma Feveryear had given me when I was young to use for the Hallelujah shout. I was so grateful that I held onto it! I sat next to a reporter from the church news who asked to interview Brad and i when the dedication was over. We needed to get home to the kids to take them to the afternoon session but I’m so glad we had a minute to reflect on the things we heard and the things we felt with the reporter. Here is what he wrote:

“I just felt an incredible amount of peace and joy, and I’m looking forward to bringing my children here and being together as a family,” said Tiffany Hobson of Rivers Edge Ward in the Great Falls Montana Stake.

Added her husband, Brad Hobson, as his voice cracked with emotion: “I felt love from God. I felt gratitude. And I felt like He cares about the Saints here in this region.”

Luckily we did make it home in time for Brad to take the kids to the afternoon session at our church building. They said they enjoyed it.

We spent the rest of the day spoiling Brad as much as we could and calling my Dad and Brad’s Dad. I love the amazing fathers in my life!