One of Grace's favorite nights--ever

I spent last night watching Broadway's The Lion King in Salt Lake with this little love
and I may have gotten emotional a time or two watching her happiness throughout the show.
It seems that this was one of our girl's favorite birthday gifts in all of ever. I would have to agree.
Because spending time with Grace, especially doing something we both love, is kind of the best.

A third grade program for our girl

This little darling had her third grade program tonight at the elementary school
and I loved it so much. Anything to do with music and singing is Grace's
favorite and it shows in her face. Love this sweetheart something fierce.

He’s such a stud

Oh yes, and subtle cleats always. And forever.

The last few days

A baptism last week (well, three to be exact), an incredibly beautiful letter this week (her attitude and
goodness just bring me to tears) and the official thirteen-month mark hit just days ago (I'm not counting
down the seconds of the last five months or anything). This missionary girl of ours is just so amazing and
full of light, I can't get over it. So proud of who she chooses to be and the deep honor of being her mom.

Yesterday (but actually Friday when he was available)

This incredible birthday guy

Happy Birthday my incredible boy! We are the luckiest ever because we get you in our family.

Five things I love about Campbell right now:

1. He is, and always has been, one of the very funniest people I know. His commentary about pretty much everything makes me snort-laugh constantly and the way he sees the world is honestly hilarious beyond words. If you don’t hang out with him on a regular basis, I’m sorry.

2. He loves people. He has since he was little and the way he cares about them and does everything he can to show them that only gets sweeter and more touching with every year.

3. Because he loves people, he is an outstanding leader. He naturally falls into that role and does it well because he just cares so deeply. He was just called as the executive secretary to the bishopric in his brand new ward and as biased as it may sound (doesn’t mean it isn’t true), that is one lucky bishopric.

4. He is so sweet to his mother, it is ridiculous. He regularly checks in to see how I am doing, to make me laugh, to tell me he loves me. I don’t have words for how much it means to me or how grateful I am for this boy of mine.

5. His voice is truly unreal. He doesn’t know how amazing it is and Jacob and I regularly give each other a look of amazement when when we hear him sing. Even if it is for the hundredth time. And he can mimic any singer’s voice with exactness. It is truly something else and I hope he never stops singing. For the world and for his mother.

We love you Campbell Allen! So much it is a little ridiculous.

Yesterday

This darling birthday girl

Happiest Birthday baby girl! Everything about our family is happier and brighter because you are in it.

Five things I love about our Gracie right now:

1. She is one of the kindness people I know and is always trying to find someone in her class, at lunch, at recess who doesn’t have a friend so she can include, sit, play with them.

2. She loves art and creating and music and dance to the deepest part of her heart. It comes naturally to her and she can spend hours quietly making something amazingly beautiful.

3. She’s extremely comfortable and confident in her own skin. She doesn’t seem affected by how others view her and it makes her incredibly outward-focused and brave in her actions of wrong and right.

4. She loves Jesus. She has a quiet, strong testimony of Him and it especially causes her to know and love the scriptures in a deeper way than someone her age usually would.

5. She has an amazing ability to compliment others genuinely. It doesn’t matter a person’s age or gender or if she knows them or not—I hear her constantly telling others how she likes their shirt, their hair, their shoes, anything that stands out to her. And the sincerity in her comments does something to my heart every single time.

We love you darling Grace! More than you could ever know.

His children

My beautiful missionary girl. Sometimes my Heavenly Father allows me to sense just how proud
He is of how she chooses to love all of His children and it makes me weep. I think it makes Him weep also.