November phone pics

I had very few phone pictures this month, but here are three I did take.

On the day that my parents returned from Fiji my sweet husband sent me flowers. It honestly

was so overly thoughtful of him. Although, once I got over the niceness, I have to admit I did

quite a bit of laughing. But only because Jacob had the florist write the perfect message on the

card and I was pretty positive that message was not being read by the florist as a sweet gesture

to someone who has had their parents serving in another country for a long time, but rather, 

as someone celebrating their third wedding anniversary. And it pretty much made my day.

You made it! Three years is a long time.

 I love you, Jacob

At the beginning of November, a darling friend of mine, who I worked with almost

15 years ago, asked if I would be with her when she went through the temple for the first

time. I don't even have words for how much it meant to me that she wanted to include me. 

It was the first time I have been through the Ogden temple since it was dedicated. 

Everything about it was just beautiful. I loved seeing my friend after all these

years and loved the reminder of when I went through the temple for the first time.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your wonderful day, Andrea. I'm so grateful for you.

During the week Jacob was in Scotland, my foot began hurting so badly (even more than

it had in the four weeks previous and that is saying something), I finally broke down and

made an appointment with our sports medicine doctor. When Jacob texted to ask how 

the appointment went, I texted him the above photo and this message, "This well." 

So, I might have broken my foot a little. But only a month ago. And then walked on it until

I literally couldn't walk anymore. For the record, my doctor thinks I am a moron. (He never

said so, but I can read eyes.) Yes, he continues to let me make appointments with him

because someone has got to pay for his kids' Christmas. And why shouldn't it be the 

lady who has to have more intensive treatments on her injuries when she finally makes

herself go to the doctor...you know, about a month or so late? Sigh. I make myself tired.

Chapter 15

Almost three years ago, in what feels like another life and while living on another coast, I received a phone call from a friend. She told me that she felt strongly that there was a book that she was supposed to publish. Sweet waffles, I was thrilled for her! And then she asked me to write a chapter that would be a part of her book. And oddly, the thrill went right out of me.

But after much thought and prayer, I ended up writing that chapter, because that is what you do when your Heavenly Father asks something of you, no matter how terrified it makes you feel. 

Through the Lord’s great kindness, the book you see on the left will be released in February of 2015. We just heard this week who will be writing the foreword and um, yeah, that did something to my heart I am still trying to recover from.

It has been a privilege to be a part of something that has the potential to help others. And that potential is likely, because the other women who have contributed to this book are going to blow your mind with their awesomeness, as they have mine. I often shake my head in disbelief at the honor of being a part of this group of women and of something that so profoundly touches my heart. Good grief, I am so very blessed.

Thanksgiving

We really enjoyed having Thanksgiving dinner with my side of the family this year--good company and amazing food. Seriously, I really don't think there is better food out there, because not to brag, but my family can cook.

The only bad part of the day is that apparently all of the photos I took of actual people were too dark to recognize. I'm not a professional photographer for sure, but that is a rookie mistake I haven't made in a long time. I blame the beautiful windows in my sister's house. So this lovely photo of just a part of what we ate will have to do. At least for this year.

I love Thanksgiving. A lot. And I feel so much gratitude for all of my amazing blessings. Top that off with delicious food (did I mention my family can cook?) and it made for a pretty wonderful day.

Happy, Happy Thanksgiving all!

Mary's Meals

Jacob has been in Scotland this week in order to attend a board meeting for this amazing 

organization. I would be lying to say that I love when Jacob travels, but whenever he is gone

 doing anything that involves helping Mary's Meals to feed nearly 900,000 needy children

 every single day, you won't hear me complain for a second. How could I? It is truly a blessing

 to be a part of what these incredible people choose to do. And to hopefully make a

difference in the lives of these sweet children that need our help. What a privilege.

A holiday work party

Jacob's company held their traditional holiday dinner for all of the employees and their spouses last night. And I just wanted to add it to our blog this year, to remember how good these people are to their employees and their families. They truly go out of their way to show their gratitude to each of us. It is a privilege to work with all of them and we are truly thankful for this good job and the people we interact with because of it.

Happy much?

This girl

I seriously adore her.

Three

Happy, Happy Birthday our Nathan! 

You are the most hilarious, most loving, most joyful three-year old we know. 

We sure love you like crazy!

This girl's hair

Gracie gets comments on the amount of hair she has a lot. I knew she
had plenty of hair, but I never thought about the excessive amount, until
I started looking back at pictures of her just two or three months ago.

I think this one, just after I took out her ponytail for the night, is especially attractive.

And the other day when I thought if one ponytail was good, four was probably better.

Oh this girl. We sure love her. And her crazy, fabulous hair.

They are home!

Three years is a long time. I missed them so very much.
Happy, happy, happy day.

Air

Buddies

The sky tonight