Everything

Very often, I go to the temple and I’m happy I went and that is enough. Other times, I have a sweet
and beautiful experience and I just feel overwhelmed with gratitude. But every once in forty-six years,
I go and what God allows me to witness, truly changes everything. And I just can’t believe we have a
 Father who could be so loving, so kind, so mighty, so deeply good to us. To me. And I needed to testify
of that today. And include this picture I took with wispy sunbeams that remind me of heaven and angels
 and a veil between mortality and eternity that is so much thinner than we could ever imagine.

A good Thursday

A day filled with time in the temple for several in the family, Nate’s team winning the championship
of the 3v3 indoor soccer tournament they entered and all things Christmas being packed up and put
away. Which resulted in this new fiddle leaf fig joining the front room. It was a good Thursday.

Merriest Christmas!

A Merry, Merry Christmas to each of you, from our little family! Some of our very happiest and most
magical memories came from this past year and I’m just so deeply grateful. Mostly, I’m just so privileged
to know and love Christ, the newborn King born in Bethlehem. He means everything to me. And being
His disciple and friend is the absolute greatest honor of my life. Oh, come let us adore Him, indeed.

Over and done

Someone passed his driver’s test today. Which means he will be getting his license on his actual
sixteenth birthday in less than two weeks. I’m not sure if I am more thrilled for him or for his mother.

25 years of us

When I was younger and would dream about the man I would someday marry, it never occurred to me to
dream as amazing as Jacob Allen. Our love story has exceeded every expectation I didn’t even know to have.

Exactly 25 years ago this day, I walked into the Bern Switzerland Temple alongside the man I loved with every
part of my heart. And walked out his wife, sealed together for this life and the next. Forever and for always.

I’m just so grateful. I’m just so honored. I’m just so overwhelmed with the extraordinary gift God has given
me of being married to Jacob these last many years. The life we have built, the children that are ours,
 the incredible highs, the horrific lows, the so very much in between. I’m thankful for every bit of it.

Because as long as Jacob Allen is by my side. I’ll take it all.

Happy Anniversary baby! Thank you for being mine and for letting me be yours. I’m so deeply
grateful for the last twenty-five years. And can’t wait for the next twenty-five. And then
forever after. I love you Jacob Ethan. With all that I am and all that I ever hope to be.


{For anyone interested, a short anniversary video I put together of us--where you can watch us age dramatically in just mere minutes.}

An absolutely amazing accomplishment

 
That boy on the left sure has a reason to be dancing. Because, as of about three hours ago,
he is officially finished with his bachelor’s degree in communications from BYU. I honestly am so
 happy for him I could burst! Actually, I’m happy for both of these incredible darlings. They are doing
truly amazing things and I’m just so honored to have a front row seat and watch them soar.

So proud of you my Campbell! For how hard you work, for what you accomplish
and mostly, for who you choose to be. It’s such a privilege to be your mom.
I just can’t believe God would give me such an extraordinary gift.

Grace's first piano recital

These four darling kids performed in their Christmas piano recital tonight—with it being Grace's very
first piano recital. All of them were absolutely amazing. I so love that these cousins all take from the best
teacher in all  the land—which means they are becoming really incredible pianists. It was a happy night
for sure. Especially because my sweet dad came to support our kids. He’s honestly the best.

6th grade dance

This most darling boy headed to his 80s themed 6th grade dance today.
I just love him so much. He’s truly amazing.

My favorite place and my new career

Tuesdays are my favorite. Because the Lord is always far too kind to me.

And also, because I apparently have a new career. Group photographer at the temple.
I actually don’t remember the last time I went to my weekly temple appointment
and didn’t end up being asked to take a photo for a group afterwards.

It’s kind of my favorite though. So I’m definitely not complaining.

Yeah. The temple is pretty much best.

Darling Grace and beautiful ballet

The Nutcracker this afternoon with this little sweetheart (as the first half of the reward she

earned this summer with a whole lot of hard work). She’s just so sweet and good. And I love

spending time with her, especially watching something she just so absolutely adores.

Another gorgeous photo by Matt

The morning after Thanksgiving, Matt went with Edie's family on a quick trip to Arches National Park. And took
this absolutely gorgeous photo. I'm so thankful for Edie and her darling family who love our boy so well.
Mostly, I'm just so grateful for Matt. Being his mom is truly one of the greatest honors God has ever given me.

Denali's 12th birthday

She's still the sweetest pup in all of forever.
And we're still the very luckiest because she is ours.

Seems pretty appropriate...

...for the first day of December I'd say.