Little sweetheart

She woke up feeling super crummy for the second time in two and a half weeks.
But she can't help but be adorable and sweet, so all is well.

VIP breakfast with my boys

We just finished the VIP breakfast at the elementary school. Can't you tell?

I'm such a cheater. And yet, breakfast at Kneader's (rather than a muffin in
a crowded gymnasium at the school) is kind of the best. We love our tradition.

Inspiration, beauty and heartache

I do not have words for the privilege it was to be with these two incredible people tonight.
Jacob and I were so touched that they would take an evening to be with us and we loved it.
We laughed and laughed and then laughed some more. They inspire me beyond what I could
ever convey. I have learned so much from their heartbreakingly, beautiful journey and will
carry these lessons with me my entire life. I adore them to the deepest part of my heart.

Thank you Rebecca and Tyler! Sure love you both and am so grateful for
our friendship. And Tyler, I'm not kidding, unless your tongue is turning to lava,
I don't want to hear any complaining coming from you, my friend.

Note: If you want to laugh and cry and be inspired beyond words, visit Rebecca's IG account.

Pictures of my boy

My darling oldest had his senior pictures taken last night. By the best of the best.
I don't have words for how much I adore Dan Page and his incredible photography skills.
Click on over to his website and his work will blow you away. I audibly squeal each time
I think about seeing the final products. It was a happy, happy night for this momma. 

And yes, I did just post seven pictures of a photographer taking pictures of my son.
We can all act surprised, but I think the only surprising part is that I didn't post double that.

Preschool field trip to the fire station

At the field trip this morning, I snapped this picture of Grace and her cute friend. They are absolutely
hilarious together and I love that these two firecrackers found each other. It was a good morning.

Metal of the mouth

 

This super stud got braces today. He handled it like a champ
and now he looks a little too old for my liking.

Speedster

Matt's first time running track. I had forgotten how much I love watching a
good track meet. Especially when it involves this handsome boy of mine.

Travel

In the last 14 days, Jacob has had four trips. He has been home one day for about 24 hours and then a separate day for about 16 hours. I'm beginning to forget what he looks like. I'm kidding, he's too handsome to forget.

But he comes home tonight. And we are pretty excited because while things can always change, it appears he will be home for several days before another trip.

I'm often asked how I can handle him gone so much and I don't really have an answer for it. First, I just do it. I'm used to it. And second, he isn't off playing or golfing or betting on horses (I don't think, maybe I should check into that). He is taking care of our family. And he does it so well. He is extraordinary at his job and does incredible good in the world and I'm so thankful for that.

And besides, as the wife of Billy Graham once said, and I'm totally paraphrasing here, "I'd rather have 10% of his time than 90% of someone else's time." And that is how I feel about Jacob Allen. I adore him to the deepest part of my heart and if seeing him less so that he can help others so profoundly and provide for our family so well is what we choose to do, I'll do it.

Annie's play

After a small break for a mission call, I'm back to sharing about Annie's play
this last weekend. She did so very well (they all did) and it was truly just
wonderful to watch her perform. I adore that Annie girl of ours and love
the talents she has and the things she excels at. She is amazing in every way. 

Campbell's mission call

Saturday, Jacob returned from a trip out of town. Originally, Campbell had planned
to open his mission call with family and friends last night, after his dad arrived back
home. But a few days ago, Cam mentioned that he had thought about it and he had
decided he wanted to open it together, just as our little family, first. And then to
have all of his friends and our neighbors over so he could share it with them.

 And so that is what we did.

And without sharing things that are just meant for my own heart, I will say
those few minutes, together just as our little family, will be some of my greatest
memories of this earth life. From our kneeling to pray as we began, to watching
our boy open his call, to processing everything about his going to Brazil...it was
just perfect. Beautiful and good and full of so many tears from each of us.

And then to see the support and goodness of his friends and our neighbors who came

Saturday night and cheered and hugged and laughed and cried, was just incredible.

It was a day beyond anything I ever could have imagined. I spent the entire
Sabbath yesterday wondering how I could be so blessed and thanking my
Father in Heaven for the privilege of all that being a missionary momma includes.