Farwell, 2022

 22 Simple Joys of 2022

* talking to my missionary girl every week
* watching my baby girl dance from her heart
* listening to my boys play the piano
* watching my oldest fall in love
* seeing my boy adjust to college life & do hard things
* kissing jacob
* weekly family calls
* sacred time in the temple
* reading any book, ever
* sunshine on my face
* any moment spent with my dad
* home renovations, after the fact
* boating with those I love, a lot
* driving with the music up and the windows down
* taking any photo, ever
* sunsets and sunsets and sunsets
* just so much laughing
* birthdays and holidays and traditions and fun
* cheering for my teams at a forever-too-loud volume
* loving my seven, imperfectly and fiercely
* just so many miracles
* learning to trust my Savior, more and more and more

Here’s to a beautiful new year and all
of the joy that is surely ahead!

Four Scottish sisters

A couple of months ago, my darling Dad asked if I was available to do the temple baptisms and confirmations for four Scottish sisters from our family history. And I jumped at the chance. When those were over, I had the opportunity to take all four names and act as a proxy, to complete their initiatories (the next individual ordinance at the temple) and it was such a sweet experience.

And then today, thanks to Jacob being willing to take care of everything and everyone, I was able to do the endowments (you guessed it, another incredible ordinance) for all four of these wonderful women in my family. It was long day, yes, but it was also so very beautiful. I don’t really have the ability to share in words what it meant to me, so I’ll just say I love the temple, I love my Savior and I love that heaven is so very real. And closer than we can possibly imagine.

Many an hour later, and after seeing my Dad at the temple and giving him a hug, I walked outside…to rain. My favorite.

It was a good, good day.

I’m so very blessed.

The best dad

He’s truly just the best. Always loving, serving, playing, working, adventuring, caring, providing,

laughing and making us all smarter, kinder, better and so much happier. Oh I love Jacob Allen.

Christmas morning joy

This Christmas Day and always

Everything that truly matters to me, this Christmas Day and always,
I have because my Savior came. I’m so honored to celebrate Him today.

Four down

After and before for this handsome stud (who got his braces removed
two months early because he’s such an overachiever). Four down, two to go.

Twenty and four

Twenty-four years. So many happy memories—of this day and especially,
of this beautiful life we have together. Oh I love Jacob Allen.

Eight weeks

Just eight weeks left for our beautiful girl. I just feel like I could burst with excitement. And pride.

She’s doing it. And it isn’t easy. She loves it so much, but man, if anything, it often seems
to be getting more difficult (mostly because she’s been an hermana leader for a while
and there are some pretty, uh, interesting things to deal with on a regular basis).
But she just laughs and does and loves and serves and trusts and lets God guide it all.

I just adore and admire her more than I could ever convey in words. She’s truly something else.

{And that last photo folks. All of her dreams have now come true. This girl of mine has been
obsessed with capybaras from the time she was only nine. So meeting Rosy the capybara—
hanging out in a field behind someone’s house—was kind of a big deal. Oh, she’s the best.}

Holiday piano recital

Christmas recital for these darling boys last night. They both played incredibly
well. We were sure grateful to have their grandparents there to support both
of them and their fabulous cousin, Caleb (who also did an amazing job).

And their tremendous piano teacher…we couldn’t love her more.
She’s not only the best piano teacher in all of forever, but truly just
one of my favorite people I’ve ever, ever known.

It was just a really happy night.

Just the usual

Just two guys watching yesterday’s World Cup game at 1:56am. As one does.

On their way

And these two darlings are off on their early morning flight to be with
Kelsey’s family for a few days. They are just the best. And I adore them like crazy.

A pretty fabulous ski day

Ski day today for Jacob, the boys and cute Edie. I heard it was the best, with all the snow we’ve had
the last several days. A very good reason to skip school on this fine Thursday—at least at our house.

They really are the coolest

These two are the best. I mean seriously, wanting to build a giant igloo in the snow with the two youngest.
I’m always a fan of Matt and Edie, but am often blown away by how kind they always choose to be.

Ben and his fabulous friends

It was such a fun night with my Benjamin and his three friends, taking them
out to dinner and to a Jazz game. These four couldn’t be any more hilarious,
grateful, kind or more fun to be around. I’m just so thankful Ben has such
tremendous friends and that they let this old lady hang out with them tonight.

Darling Gracie girl

 

Cutest little dog walker, errr runner, in all the land.

Who isn't looking so little any longer.

Denali girl

Celebrating this little love’s eleventh birthday today. She really is the sweetest
and the best and we adore her. She’s been ours for almost five years and we
honestly feel like we got the very best doggo. Probably because we did.

You people and your incredible goodness!

I promised an update on your donations to Mary's Meals earlier this week and oh friends,
I’m truly just so overwhelmed by your generous and amazing hearts. Without any more of
my mushiness (but believe me, I have plenty more in my heart), here are the numbers:

In just a few days, you incredible, incredible people had sent a total of $1636 my way.
Holy bananas, the sweetness.

Jacob and I were able to match that and I jumped on to donate $3272.

That amount was again matched, by an anonymous donor, for a grand total of $6544.

You guys, next year there will be 311 children in developing countries, who will be fed a daily meal
in their place of education, because of you. Because of the kindness and goodness of so many of you.

Thank you each, more than I could put into words.

It is just such a privilege to know you.