BYU disc golf

This is my new favorite picture of Ben. It makes me so happy.

This stud made the BYU disc golf team—one of only sixteen students to do so. I'm seriously so crazy
proud of him. And grateful that one of his teammates took this picture on one of their first days together.  

I'm just really thrilled for the year ahead for Ben and the friendships he will make, the tournaments he will
be a part of it and mostly, that he keeps getting to play his very favorite sport. It's just the best. As is he.

A long time coming

Just shy of seven weeks on, this boy was finally cleared to do what he loves most. It made me teary to
 watch him run onto the field tonight. He is still being a bit careful as expected, but so far, so very good.

We are beyond thankful for so many that made this possible (doctors, physical therapists and
especially Nate's tremendous dad). But mostly, as always, the Lord and His incredible kindness.
He loves our boy so much. I'll never stop being grateful for it.

And our Nate. His attitude and goodness have absolutely blown me away. I don't know how to properly
 convey how incredibly well he has handled something so hard for so many weeks (and it isn't even the injury
I'm referring to, but the constant roller coaster, combined with so few answers, day after day after day). 

Tonight was a really good night. I feel so thankful I was there to have witnessed it.

Our amazing dancer and make up artist

A sixth year of Narnia for this talented girl

Grace's official dance company photos

Oh this darling is something else. And these professional photos from her junior high dance company—
well, they will forever be some of my very favorites. Love this girl and her incredible, talented, beautiful self.

Well then...that was unexpected

Cutest hikers

His peace

Happy Birthday Campbell!

I sincerely know of very few humans on earth that are as positive, kind, happy, hilarious and brilliant

as this handsome guy. I genuinely don't know how to put into words how thankful I am that he made me

a mom and that he is our oldest. He has always been, and continues to be, the most incredible example

to each of his siblings. (And also helped them to become really funny people, which is my favorite.)

He continues to call often, just to ask how I am and what he can do for me. And the way he loves and

takes care of Kelsey is so sweet to watch. He works hard, plays hard and loves hard—especially his

Father in Heaven and his Savior. And there is no one more fun to watch sports with than this son of mine.

Happy Birthday Campbell Jacob, love you forever!

Eight years closer

Miss you Mom.

Golden indeed

I've mentioned before that 99% of the time, when I attend the temple each week, I go to the Bountiful temple. Because my dad is a sealer there and any chance I have to possibly see him, especially in his element, I will take. He's the sweetest and the best.

But another perk of that particular temple is that I am definitely one of the younger ones that attends. And older people are kind of my jam, so it's pretty much the greatest.

I've come to know almost all of the workers there, especially the sealers who are so ridiculously kind to me, as well as many of the patrons. But a few of those who attend the temple each week, especially on the same day I do, have become dear friends. And at the top of that list are three older women, possibly in their 70s or so, that have pretty much adopted me as one of their own.

We've bonded over our spicy personalities, our love of the Lord's House and our temptation to laugh more often than one should in the temple. For months, we just greeted each other whenever we were in the same area and occasionally talked for a minute or two. But many weeks ago, one of them asked for my number and she now texts me their multi-monthly temple schedule to see if I can join their group here and there. And I do. Whenever I can.

Tuesday was one of the those days and it filled my heart with so much happiness to be with them. Never mention the incredible kindness God sent to my heart during the sealing session. I'm so thankful for all of it.

And look forward to the next time we can all meet at the Bountiful temple and enjoy an hour or two together. Because not only will I get to see those three darling, hilarious, kind, good, faithful ladies, but I can also guarantee that when my kids leave for school on that particular Tuesday morning, they will say as they always do, "Hope you and the golden girls have fun in the temple today Mom!"

And we will.

Golden indeed. 

For more than one reason.

So much gratitude

Nate had his two-week follow-up appointment for his foot yesterday and we definitely never imagined we
would be watching him take his medical boot off and put his right shoe back on. Truly, the happiest moment!

For something that could have potentially taken two to three months, and especially because no one was exactly sure of
the issue, the actual appointment combined with the doctor's positivity about how well it was going, made me emotional
with relief. Especially for our boy who has handled this so ridiculously well and with a whole lot of trust and faith.

We still have several days left of slowly incorporating normal walking, then some non-weight bearing exercises,
than slow jogging, then finally some sprinting and soccer drills on his own. But we will take all of that for sure.

I'm just so thankful and so very excited for this stud. He just wants to play soccer again, plain and simple. And it is
looking like we are closer to that goal than we ever could have imagined two weeks ago. I'm so incredibly grateful.

Yesterday

Happy Birthday Grace!

This darling love is truly something incredible. She’s one of the kindest people I have ever
known, always complementing others and making them feel special. Her heart is good and pure
and she also has an amazing balance of maturity beyond her years and sweet innocence, in all
the things that really matter. And boy can this girl dance. She loves her Savior, the temple and
her family and has the sweetest relationship with each one of her siblings and with Jacob and
me. I sincerely consider her one of my closest friends and the fact that God sent her to our
family, makes me emotional with gratitude on a regular basis. But especially on this day,
thirteen years ago exactly, when our little caboose finally arrived and made us complete.

Happy Birthday Grace Susanna, love you something fierce!

Even halfway across the world...

...he's always on our mind and in our heart.

A work trip to Kenya

Jacob spent the last eleven days on a business trip to Kenya, a place he actually hasn't ever been
before. He was traveling again for his work with the LDS church and while it went well, it was also
different from his previous travel for them last fall. And both because of the busyness and the nature
of what he was doing, he didn't get many photos. But he did have the opportunity to go on a safari
near Nairobi on a Saturday when he had a few free hours. And I love these photos he took so much.

Grateful