Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from these hilarious darlings to you!

November phone pics

I have no idea why, but I always seem to have the most difficult weeks leading up to attending
the baptisms of the darling kids in our Primary. I don't even put it together or remember it
happened last month, until the week is almost over and I am exhausted from the hard of it.
But then I watch these sweet children choose Jesus Christ and my heart remembers what
truly matters and things seem brighter and less difficult. The Lord is so kind to me.

As I wrote on Instagram about this sudden hail storm
out of the sunny blue, "Well, that was weird."

On this particular morning, I said to this cheese wad, "Gracie, go get dressed for the day
and you can listen to your scriptures." To which she replied, "You mean go to Kneaders?"

Yeah. That is exactly what I meant to say.
*Shakes head*

Just a doctor's appointment, earlier in this month, for some unexplained hip pain.
This poor guy is tough. And hilarious. When the doctor walked in, he was a little confused
why Matt and I were laughing like loons. And it wasn't even over this picture. I love this kid.

Fall break meant extra long walks listening to the Book of Mormon and conference
talks. It makes for a fabulous morning. Followed by time with my six chicklets.
I'm so blessed to be their mom. No matter how loud my house is on days off of school.

And it is loud. Every single second.

Halloween carnival

These two crazies are on their way to help at the church Halloween carnival.
Oh man, they make me laugh. And don't even ask about Matt's costume. I have no idea.

Annie and her friends

A few days ago, Annie asked me to take some photos of her and some friends. Which I was more

than glad to do. I took way too many, as usual. The girls were just too darling. You are welcome

for not sharing them all. But here are just a couple of Annie, and one with all three of the girls,

that I loved. I'm so grateful my kids have good friends. It means so much to this mom.

What I like

I just really like fall and our chickens (who would have thought?)
and windy days and afternoons with nowhere to be.

And my life. I really like my life.

The littles

 This boy still loves preschool. And I still love him.

And this girl is just wild and crazy and sweet. Oh I love her.

Fall soccer ~ Benjamin style

Fall soccer ~ Matthew style

Fall soccer ~ Campbell style

Our Sunday

Today we attended a church meeting where Jacob's wonderful dad was sustained and
set apart as a member of the stake presidency where he lives. The privilege of listening to
his testimony of the Savior touched my heart deeply. One reason I love this church and the
gospel of Jesus Christ is because we are asked to do things we wouldn't normally do, in order
to bless the lives of others and to become better people for the Lord. Another reason is because
families truly can be together forever. Both of those truths bless my life every single day.

On our way home, we drove down a lane where our sweet prophet has a home
in the area. It was absolutely breathtaking. I felt so grateful for our beautiful
world, for our dear prophet and for the incredible goodness of God.

One year

One year ago today, I received a phone call that changed my life. Quickly followed by multiple
trips to spend time with my Gram, more tears than I thought possible, decisions I never thought
I would personally be asked to make and some of the most sacred hours of my life. God has
steadied my heart in the last many months, so I have been unprepared for the intensity of my
feelings leading up to this year mark. But between time spent in prayer, a priesthood blessing
from my sweet husband and an undeserved and increased amount of kindness and strength
from my Heavenly Father and Savior, I woke up with the strongest desire I have ever felt
to trust the Lord, to focus on finding joy and to more deeply learn to love myself and
those around me. Because I know that is what my Gram would want. I'm so blessed.

But oh I miss her so much. And yet, I am full of hope.
Because I know exactly where she is at.
And how close she still is to me.

Annie's 15th Birthday

Happy Birthday to our sweet Annie! I woke up this morning both shaking my head
that she could be fifteen and filled with such gratitude that this girl is ours. She is good
and kind and beautiful and brilliant and creative to the core. I absolutely adore
her and am blessed beyond measure because I get to be her mom.

My favorite season

The colors of nature absolutely blow me away.

Grandma Cammy's birthday celebration

This year, our little family has been celebrating the lives of the four sets of grandparents that
Jacob and I have. It has been such an sweet experience. Tonight, we were able to celebrate
the life of Jacob's grandma and felt so blessed to have her here with us. It was such a
wonderful night. I don't even have words for how much I adore Grandma Cammy.

Because this boy was named after his darling grandma.

Does she seem remotely like she could be 92? Not in any way. It blows me away.

The amount of sweetness in this one darling lady is pretty amazing.

And this picture right before Grandma left. I just love it.

I just really love him

Two pretty cool soccer pictures

I just really love the awesomeness of the sky.
And love watching Matt play soccer even more.

My morning walk

This morning I listened to my last talk from this past April general conference.
And I was surprised to feel a bit sad. Even though I am excited that the most recent
conference is now available and look forward to my mornings listening to those talks,
I've come to love the words of our prophets from the last six months. I've listened to
each talk close to ten times and they have changed me. I feel a bit like I'm losing an old
friend that has seen me through some happy and hard times. I really love this gospel

Our conference weekend