Our darling, happy boy

What in the world could cause this darling baby boy to be so happy?

And to laugh so much?

His mother, of course!

Okay, so maybe everyone at the table was clapping and making him laugh, but who is in the
picture with him? You got it. Documentation my friends. The caption under this picture in
our scrapbook will read, There never was a mother quite as wonderful as she. Thank you,
thank you. And before you ask, yes, I'm available for speaking engagements.

My sweet boy

Goodness, I love this boy. A lot. Just over a week ago, our pediatrician found that Matt had a heart murmur. And apparently they are incredible common in children. But she said it did not have a normal sound to it and she recommended that we see a pediatric cardiologist. And while I know that a week is not long to wait for answers, it seemed long to me. It was a strange week for sure. I honestly knew that everything would be okay in the end (no matter the diagnosis), but I felt extremely uneasy about it. But we just kept praying for our Matt and were able to fast for him on Sunday.

Just a few hours ago, the cardiologist told us he is absolutely fine. Just a minor heart murmur that will go away with time. Absolutely no worries, no activity restrictions, nothing. I feel grateful beyond belief. As with all things, I do not think I realized how worried I was about it all. Tonight, I feel physically and emotionally drained. But oh so thankful. Goodness, I love this boy. A lot.

'Twas the night before Christmas...

Tonight we sat together as a family to read some Christmas stories. The lights of the Christmas tree were shining, there was snow on the ground and hot chocolate was waiting for us in the kitchen. Jacob told each of the kids they could choose one Christmas story. Matt picked the Christmas classic you see to the left. I loved the feeling in our home as Jacob began. And then he got to these words, "When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash."

And immediately, from sweet little Annie, "Threw up the sash? Gross!" Nice. I think the Christmas spirit just took itself next door. Apparently we missed the memo where we were supposed to teach our children the definition of a sash. Don't worry though, Jacob jumped in and told them it was a special Christmas Eve dish. Double nice. I think the Christmas spirit just took a permanent vacation from our home. So until we can beg it to come back...

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

How much do I love this picture?

The first snow of the season

You can just feel the excitement can't you?
Even my anti-snow heart was thrilled for them.

Integrity and kindness

Have you read this article? Oh my. A whole page in the New York Times.
What incredible integrity and absolute kindness. Wow. Thank you kind people.

Big brothers

Oh my mother's heart is melting

Roses are red. Vilits are blue.
Nobody had a mother like you!

For pity's sake

From a four year old on his way to bed, who was apparently tired of living in a
house with two floors and who didn't realize his dad could overhear him.

"For pity's sake. This is like the hundredth time I went up these stairs today."

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

It is a strange feeling to have a heart filled with sadness and joy at the same time.
When I received the news of Elder Wirthlin's passing from my mom, I immediately
wanted to cry. Because he had such a huge impact on my life. But I can't.
Because I keep thinking of his reunion with his sweet wife and those he loved.

I think my favorite talk that Elder Wirthlin gave was this one.
His Sunday has come. I am so very, very happy for him.

O Tannenbaum

The house is decorated for Christmas. Christmas music plays almost constantly.
The red-and white-striped basket full of books and movies has been set out. Each of
our yearly ornaments has been hung on the tree. Six stockings are ready to be filled
Our simple nativity sits on the bay window ledge. I love it. I absolutely love it.

Missionaries and pie

Yesterday I spent the entire day pretending I could bake. And I cannot think of
anything I would have rather done on the day after Thanksgiving. Because last
night, the four missionaries who are serving in our ward came over for pie.

I had invited them several weeks ago, but did not tell them that I would be making each of
them a special pie of their own. (Or in one case, two pies of his own, as one final product did
not end up how I wanted it.) I contacted each of their parents and asked for their favorite
pie recipe and then proceeded to spend the day doing my best give them a little something
special from home. And they were so sweet and grateful for them. Can you tell?

We are so grateful for our association with these young men. They are doing amazing
things here in Massachusetts. Things that have changed the lives of those around them,
as well as their own. And things that have changed our little family. When you have
the opportunity to consistently be exposed to goodness, you become a better person.
That is why spending a few hours making pies was worth every second. Because four
 young men in white shirts and ties came to our home. They ate pie and they taught us
about the gospel and they brought goodness to our home. And for that, we are grateful.

Our Thanksgiving day

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving! Our darling friends had us over for
Thanksgiving dinner and it was so much fun. The food was incredible, the company
was amazing and the laughter was constant. A few pictures of our happy day.

Raise your hand if you're ready to eat...

These kids love being together.

The whole Thanksgiving crew.

Thanks Bryan and Rachel! We are so thankful for your friendship.

And your food isn't bad either.

Standing on his own

Look at that concentration on his face!

Steady, steady...

So proud of himself!

Morning

This morning I walked out the door with the two oldest, on our way to the bus stop. The ground was covered with frost and the air smelled like winter. As we rounded the corner of our street, we saw that the bus was coming. The kids had to run the last few feet to make it. I stayed where I was to watch them get on the bus and to wave as they drove by. As the bus neared where I stood, the bus driver slowed to a stop. She then opened the doors, and said with a smile, "Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family." I told her thank you so much and the same to her. And as she drove away, I stood there with tears in my eyes. Because she had no idea how much her small gesture meant to me.

Being here is still hard for me. Extremely hard. I thought I would be past it by now. But I'm not. Some days are better than others, but most are difficult. I think it is because the loneliness is intense. Without going into the reasons, we are just in a situation that is so beyond different than any other place we have been. And although we have each other, and that is enough most of the time, it is hard for everyone to feel so lonely.

So when the bus driver took the time to be so kind to me, it left me teary. Because standing by the side of the street, I suddenly felt better about things than I have in a long time. I stood there for a few seconds, focusing on how I felt and taking in the amazing feeling of seasons changing. Both outdoors, and hopefully, in my heart.

One of the favorite talks from this past general conference was by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. Come What May, and Love It. I am trying hard to do that. Because I know that the Lord knows how I feel. And that this is hard for me. And I know that He can heal my heart when the time is right. But that it is up to me to be in a position to let Him. And this morning, I felt like I just might be getting a little closer.

A picture-taking guide

First, dress your children in their pajamas and put them on your bed
(especially if your room has horrible lighting and makes everyone look quite gray).
Nothing screams classy like pajamas in a photograph.

Next, take a picture similar to this one. Not bad for a beginning shot, but not quite there yet.

Now in your confidence that you got a decent shot, try another pose. Yeah, something
like this one. Wow. Now that is a photograph to give to grandparents. Nice.

If you are really lucky, the photo session will end like this one. The baby-will-
need-therapy-haphazard-pile shot. We really like this one at our house.

You're welcome. Happy shooting.

Our backyard after a day of rain

Come on over for a dip in our pool. Oh yeah, it is definitely heated.

Oh, but how wonderful is this yard? Even with the addition of our new swimming area.

Our Boston Temple

Today I was able to go to the Boston Temple for the first time. It is a beautiful temple,
inside and out. It felt wonderful to be in the temple and especially nice to be in our temple for
 the first time. Jacob took the kids on a field trip to the Minuteman National Historical Park.
They loved it and learned a lot. It was such a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Jointless

Tonight at dinner we were playing a game. Each person had a turn to act out (think charades) something new they learned or did that day. Cam went first and his turn lasted quite a while. After many minutes we finally guessed that he had learned about people being double-jointed. We were close. He had actually learned that he was double-jointed. At least his jaw and his right thumb were that way. (How did I never know that? Seriously, what kind of a mother...) After being surprised by the news, I asked the other two kids, "Are either one of you double-jointed?" Annie tested her thumb and announced she was not. Without looking up from his dinner Matt replied, "I'm no jointed." Well okay, he is mighty agile for a person without joints, but I guess he would know.

Giving thanks

Next week is Thanksgiving. I am so excited! Honestly, I think that Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, or possibly even my favorite. At least it was growing up. I remember waking up on Thanksgiving morning and how the entire house just smelled happy. My dad had been up for hours and was already working on the big meal. And until you have tasted my dad's cooking, you do not realize how big of a treat it is to eat a huge meal prepared by him. And until you have eaten that meal on a table decorated by my mom, I'm not sure you have completely seen beauty. Anyway, I just remember being with family that day and how everything felt happy and comfortable and calm.

The last four years, we have spent Thanksgiving in California. I love California. I left part of my heart there. But Thanksgiving in California was not a treat for me. It didn't feel right. The weather wasn't cold enough and extended family wasn't close enough. But we had our friends. And the palm trees. And it was happy.

We are now in a place were extended family is still not close enough, but the weather sure is cooperating. It is cold. I am a wimp. I can barely walk the kids to the bus stop a few houses away. Taking out the garbage makes me think my limbs will freeze off. But come next Thursday, it will feel just like it should. Cold and crisp. If there was snow, my kids would be thrilled beyond belief. I think I would also. At least for that particular day.

I cannot wait for Thanksgiving. I cannot wait to be with friends. And make and then consume delicious food. I cannot wait to watch the big parade in the morning. And the dog show right after. (An odd tradition that we love.) I cannot wait to visit and talk and just be with the ones I love. But mostly I think I love Thanksgiving because it reminds me of what I have. And how so few things in life matter. But what matters, matters a lot. We have everything in life that matters. And for that, I am giving thanks.

Cheerio-yo-yos

That is what I call Cheerios and it drives my kids crazy. Definitely the reason I keep doing it.
Anyway, yesterday Matt and I were making a necklace out of this honey and nut goodness and
decided to make one for Ben. I barely had it over his head before he started going to town, as you 
can tell from the first picture. A few seconds later, he at least paused in his cookie-monster-eating
to smile and chew at the same time. By the third picture, he allowed me to move his hands and let it
hang around his neck. And that smile. Melts my heart. You cannot tell very well from the last picture,
but there are only about three or four cereal pieces left on his necklace. That picture was taken
about two minutes after I put it around his neck. My guess is he liked it. Wouldn't you agree?

Apparently the view is better from here

I have no idea who owns this cat, but it sure likes to sit on our van.

Must be able to see the mice a little better from this height.

My princess

Henry

This is a picture of my new nephew, Henry. He was born across the ocean from his parents,
my sister and her husband. They have known for quite a while that he was waiting for them,
but it took them many months to find him. But they did. And this week they flew to
China to bring him home. He is theirs. Oh happy day.

Congratulations Mari and Darren!

And Henry, I cannot wait to meet you sweet boy.

I hope you know your Aunt Linn loves you already.

My brother, my hero

Today is Veterans Day. And my gratitude runs deep. My gratitude for my many family members who have given so much, some their lives, for my freedom. And for yours also. But my gratitude is not only for family members. It is for so many others. So very many. Who I have never met or talked to or had the chance to thank. I hope my prayers of gratitude and my prayers for their protection are enough. I hope they know that I think of them often. And teach my children what they do and how we should be thankful. Every single day.

But today I feel grateful for a man I do know. A man I look up to and respect and love. My brother. He was in the first group of Marines to enter Iraq on March 20, 2003. He saw things the rest of us could only imagine, but would not want to. He should not be alive today. When a 30,000 pound LAV crushes you, you should not live to talk about it. Or recover. Or be able to walk. Or run triathlons, marathons or fifty-mile ultra-trail runs. But he did and he does. And from the deepest part of my heart, I am grateful.

On Saturday, I called him and we talked. He always makes me laugh. Always. And he is always interested in my life. Always. But mostly he motivates me. He inspires me to want to try harder and to do better. To resist complaining and to try something that is uncomfortable and difficult. As our conversation started to wind down, my brother paused and said, "Linn, I love you. And I miss you." I told him the same, quickly got off the phone and started to cry. Because I needed to hear that from my brother. From a tough Marine who doesn't have to act so tough when he is talking to his little sister.

If I had one wish, it would be that he could know how grateful I am for what he did. I've tried to tell him on occasion. I'll keep trying. Until then, I will just be grateful for his life. And the chance to hear his voice on the phone. Or to occasionally see him in person. Because each time I do, I think of the families who did not have the same outcome we did. Of their sorrow and heartbreak and devastating loss. And I pray they know that I think of them, pray for them and cry for them.

This country holds my heart. So does my brother. I hope he knows how much he means to me. And how grateful I am for his unimaginable sacrifice. I feel grateful everyday, but especially this Veteran's Day.

I love you Kamm. Very much.

Oh yes, God has indeed blessed America.

One happy bride

End of the season