An afternoon spent riding bikes

El Día de los Muertos

I think I will rename March 11th (at least at our house) The Day of the Dead. Or El Día de los Muertos for those of you prefer cool names in Spanish. That is seriously how I feel. Exhausted seems too kind of a word for my current state. Do you want to hear why? Thanks. I thought so. (Oh and for those with real problems, please don't read this post, it will only annoy you.)

Our six months of craziness is over. March 11th is a very significant day to me. Because between September 14th and March 10th our family has a thing or two happening. Six birthdays, our anniversary, every major holiday and that blasted idea of winter (now that we left paradise) all come at us during this time. And because we felt it too calm with only that much going on these past six months, we threw in a move across the country, a new job, a new home, a new school, a new ward, a day or two or hundred of loneliness, a couple of significant callings, a couple of medical stresses...and then everyday life just for fun.

And while all of these have been super exciting (could have skipped on the loneliness, but even that has brought more blessings than I could realize), I am tired. To the core of my being. And part of it is because I have a problem. I love holidays and birthdays. There are a big deal at our house. I really try to go all out. Not in the sense of money, but just time and effort. Decorations and excitement and special meals and birthday kids staying up late and finding the birthday child for a hug (wherever they might be) at exactly the time they were born, etc. And while it is worth every second of what I put into each holiday and birthday, I am thoroughly exhausted. Thoroughly. Exhausted.

But do you know the good news? Guess what happens exactly eight days from today? If you said March Madness you would be correct. And that is my reward for the past six months. From the day the madness begins until the second they play that shiny song, my heart feels joy. You know that feeling you get when you wake up in the morning and you know something is making you happy, but it takes you a few minutes to figure it out? Yup, that is what March Madness does to me. Apparently it doesn't take much my friends.

So just a warning that from this exact moment until the last buzzer rings at the championship game (or actually I guess when I get emotional watching One Shining Moment), I will be focusing on my sweet family and that sport with a round hoop and an orange ball. But for those that do have favors or requests or complaints or criticisms, I have not forgotten you. Please send them to ireallycouldcarelessaboutwhatyouhavetosay@gmail.com and there they will wait until I check them. And if I don't get back to you, please don't take it personally. I will be equally unresponsive to everyone.

Okay, off to see if I can find a pillow with my name on it. Yeah right, don't I wish? I'm actually off to get two cute boys lunch, take one to preschool, make dinner for a darling friend, make sure and get to the bus stop on time because today is early out at the elementary school, write a few Relief Society emails, tidy up the after birthday mess, drive ninety minutes (round trip) to deliver dinner, make sure homework gets done, make our own family dinner, get the kids to bed and wait for Jacob to get home about 10pm tonight (it just happens to be his late night of working on the dissertation).

Did I say I was taking a hiatus starting today? I meant tomorrow. Or Friday. Okay, Wednesday for sure. Because Thursday morning, you will find me standing in front of my television counting the seconds down. And I have to be rested by then because the NCAA Tournament takes a lot out of me. I have been known to cheer and yell and jump up and down and scream (there is a vicious rumor going around that I have even made a baby or two or four cry because of the volume of my voice at very tense moments). And I have a strong feeling that this year is going to be a good one. Full of excitement and upsets. Hopefully for the teams I am cheering against and not myself. Bring it on. Bring it on.

So in summary...exhaustion, birthdays, holidays, life changes, round hoops, old ladies screaming, fake email addresses, pillow envy, inflated orange ball, crying babies, decorations, shiny songs, joy. That's about it folks.

Good grief. Did I really just write this post?

Our Matthew

Happy Birthday darling boy! We love you SO very much!

To Whom it May Concern

Dear Daylight Savings Creator,

How do I say this respectfully? Have you lost your ever livin' mind? In all of my thirty-two long years of life, I have never been a fan of Daylight Savings. But just when I think something is sufficiently terrible, you go and pull a little thing like moving up the date that Daylight Savings starts and moving back the date when it ends. Do you understand how many of us feel deep irritation toward you right now? Does it even matter to you? I'm not sure it does.

I have this weird feeling that you have moved to some remote island in the ocean where time means nothing to you. I bet you don't even own a clock. But that you do own large flat screen where you watch the rest of us walk around in our completely sleep-deprived state trying to go to work. Or tend our children. Or worse, waking up our entire family at what was 5am the day before to get to early church meetings. You must be having the time of your life. You and your clockless little life.

And just so you know, the rebellious part of my soul is about seven seconds away from changing my clocks back to what time it should be and dealing with the ramifications. Having my husband late for work, my children late for school and the entire family late for church doesn't seem like such a bad idea...as long as I am late and rested. Do you know how many people read my blog? Tens of people everyday. It's true. (And don't even try to pretend you are not impressed.) I feel confident I could convince three or more to follow me. Take that I say.

In conclusion, you are killing me. You really are. And I thought moving from San Diego to Boston was bad. That was a little picnic in the park compared to your ridiculous let's-have-Daylight-Savings-for-nine-months-of-the-year idea. Not good. Not good at all. And if I were not so utterly tired to the bone, I would continue this little rant. Lucky for you, oh wait, because of you, I'm too bushed to continue. Just know I'm on to you. Yes indeed. You might want to watch your little watchless self.

With exhaustion and weariness,
Linn

PS. Now that I think about it, I am betting money you are also the creator of the Snuggie. I mean really. A blanket with sleeves? Normal people don't come up with that. Only someone with an infinite amount of time. Say someone without a clock? Hmm, I thought so.

Dads are the best

Funny

I just wanted to share some funny things the kids said this week. There are many more than this, but here were some of my favorites.

Coming back inside after taking out the garbage Annie told me, "Mom, when I was taking out the garbage, my favorite color changed."

Cam was telling me something about his day at school when I suddenly pulled a crazy face at him and then immediately acted normal again. Without skipping a beat, Cam said, "Well. That was awkward."

During dinner, Campbell asked me if I was able to do something. (I can't remember what right now, just some kind of task.)

Trying to be funny, I said, "Cam, your mom can do anything."

To which Matt replied, "You can't turn yourself into a carrot."

Happy Birthday Love!

Thirty-two years ago today, the greatest event of my lifetime happened. And I am
 grateful every single day for it. So in honor of Jacob’s birthday, thirty-two
reasons why I love my incredible husband. (In no particular order.)

1. He is one handsome man.
2. He is the kindest person I know.
3. He claims he has “two tone eyebrows” and that his “ears are uneven.”
4. He loves his kids fiercely.
5. He always provides for us.
6. He thinks before he speaks.
7. He has asked me every day of our marriage, “What can I do for you?”
8. He is just plain good.
9. His kids love him more than me and they don’t even try to hide it.
10. He married me in the temple. Which I am so grateful for because this life
is definitely not enough time to be married to Jacob Allen.
11. He loves the Lord.

12. He still opens the door for me and always has me go first.
Even if we are only going up the stairs to bed.
13. He has never said an unkind word about anyone.
14. He is an amazing athlete.
15. He is crazy disciplined.
16. He spends one-on-one time with each of his kids every Sunday night.
17. He always holds my hand whenever we are praying. Either as a couple
or as a family or in church or anywhere.
18. He still has me cut his hair. Even when I messed up
eight years ago and shaved a huge bald spot into it.
19. He makes me so happy, I feel overwhelmed at times.
20. He is smart. Super smart.
21. He is always grateful for anything I do for him.
22. He kisses me goodbye whenever he leaves. Every time.
23. He thinks I’m funny. Or at least pretends to.
24. He winks at me.
25. He knows and loves the scriptures.

26. He cleans bathrooms better than anyone I know.
27. He loves playing with the kids.
And he lasts way longer than I do.
28. He has amazing blue eyes.
29. He reads books with graphs. When he doesn’t have to.
30. He makes me laugh. Hard.
31. He always holds my hand.
32. He is the greatest thing that ever happened to me.

Happy Birthday Jacob! I love you more than I could ever show.

Love,
L

Create

I absolutely love this video produced by the church.

Improve. Beautify. Extend. Smile. Develop. Cultivate.

 CREATE.

My baby boy

Allowing only white hangers since 1998

What is wrong with this picture of my closet? If you said my clothes should not be organized by color, you are incorrect, on more than one account. Look closely please.

A little background. As you know, Jacob's mom came to visit us for a week. (We miss you Nancy!) Last night as the kids were getting ready for bed, Annie ran downstairs to let me know that Nana, who had been staying in Annie's room, had forgotten one of her hangers. I told her that I was sure Nana was okay without it and that it didn't need to be returned.

So last night, Jacob and I headed upstairs to get ready for bed. As I opened my closet to get out my pajamas, this is what greeted me. As I started to mumble to myself, "Seriously Annie girl, why would you?..." I had the feeling I was being watched. I looked over at Jacob and he had that look on his face. The one where he is trying really hard not to smile. And then I realized it was not Annie that put the hanger in my closet.

"I just wanted to see your face," he defended himself. "And it was definitely worth it."

And so I ask...what does that say about me when the best joke my husband can think to pull on me is to put a colored hanger in my closet? I think I've changed my mind about the hanger being returned to its owner. We can't have things like that hanging around our house. Being used for evil and all.

He's home

Two

Another significant number. Thanks for all your comments on my first post.
Just a few months left. Not annoying at all right?

A welcome visitor

While Jacob is out of town on a business trip, his mom came to visit. Hurray! We love having her.
She flew into town yesterday and will be staying with us for a week. It has been so nice to have
her and the kids are in heaven having their Nana here. She is so sweet to play with them
constantly and I definitely enjoy visiting and laughing with her. The only problem will
be on Monday when she heads home. Until then, happy day at our house for sure.

I'm so glad of that

Sitting at the computer to request a book at our local library, I hear Matt humming to himself in the other room. Annie brought home a packet of worksheets to do for fun and let Matt work on several of them. And then the humming stops. And I hear these words, sung to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell,"

Another connect the dots.

Another connect the dots.

I'm so glad of that,

Another connect the dots!

I hate it...

...when the nightstand on his side of the bed is empty.

Caption please ~ Repost

Okay, you people continue to be way funny. I loved every single comment I received when I posted this picture a few days back. I really didn't have a title in mind when I posted it the first time, so I will spare you from my coming up with something just for the sake of coming up with something. And although I loved them all, I do have to say "electric youth" made me laugh hard.

(If I were to make a comment on this photo, it would have to be the fact that if you look closely, you can see Ben laying on the floor in the background. Nothing unusual for a one year old, but kind of funny considering Annie looks like she has been struck by lightning, while Ben lays flattened in the background. If it were not for the fact that it all takes place in the living room, it might even make me laugh. Not as hard as your captions, but maybe just a little.)

The name game

Remember when we were the best bird sitters ever? Well, those fun few days has turned into a change in living arrangements. For the birds, not us.

When we returned the birds to our friends, we made the mistake of telling them how much we had loved having them. And they have spent the last month and a half begging us to take them home. But I felt like a nerd taking someone's birds away, so we kept telling them no. And they kept insisting that no one in the house really even liked them. And just to increase the guilt factor, my friend told me more than once, "I can only keep seven breathing things alive at once. So either you take the birds or two of my kids might not make it."

So when I showed up to a little birthday celebration on my behalf, I truly didn't expect any gifts. But I especially didn't expect a black cage with one yellow parakeet and one blue parakeet. But I have to be truthful and say that I love them. They are so fun to have and the kids think it is the greatest. Even Jacob seems happy to have them back.

Okay, there is my cool story. But I'm not done. Because I need your help. The birds were named by my friend's darling daughter. Oh man, I love that girl! She named them Heather and Derrick. Beautiful names, don't you think? And yet, I am weird and have a hard time calling birds by names that I feel were invented for humans. So with permission of my cute friend, I am going to rename these cute birthday birds of mine. Here is where you come in. Help me out friends. I am positive I will know them when I see them. Okay. You're up. Comment away.

The yarn ball tradition

Remember this tradition? Well two days ago it happened again. The yarn balls were a little smaller
than most years, but the kids had a great time anyway. Super fun at the Allen household.

EcoTarium

Yesterday we met Jacob's cousins, Xaidie and Rob, at a cool science center near their home. The kids
loved it and we especially loved being there with cousins. A great way to spend Valentine's morning.

Happy Valentine's Day!

To my darling friends...

Thank you for making me feel so loved. You have no idea how much today meant to me. The lunch
was fabulous, the birthday signs were awesome, the gifts were so generous, the cake was delicious,
the company was the best! Thanks for the birthday party. Man, you fabulous friends are the best!

Once there was a snowman

From the back porch

Conversation around the dinner table tonight

Annie: "Dad, did you know Ben got in trouble today?"

Jacob: "Oh really? What happened?"

Annie: "Ben took a box of cereal out of the cupboard and poured it all over the ground. So Mom picked him up and told him 'No-no Ben.' She made him sit on the kitchen rug while she cleaned up the cereal. And he just sat there crying."

Cam: "And he wouldn't stop crying. Even though Mom kept telling him, 'I sure love you Ben.'"

Annie: "He would actually cry harder every time she said that."

Matt: (spooning food into his mouth and not looking up) "I think because Ben thought she kept saying, 'I don't even love you anymore.'"

Tell me it isn't so!

Okay, so there might be one piece of information that would have been important to know before I started this whole "I'm going private, please email me" thing. Were you all holding out on me? Were you all laughing behind your hands until I realized Blogger has a fun rule? Am I the only one in this vast blogosphere that did not know that you can only invite 100 people to a private blog? Now that would have been a fine piece of information to know before I gathered many more invitation requests than that.

So after the big hurrah, I will be staying public for a while. I know the odds are incredibly slim that anything would happen. And I know that I have only ever received one or two creepy comments. (No invitations here creepy people. I'm expressing gratitude, not asking for your disturbing presence). So, to all you that were hoping that you would have to log onto our blog each time you wanted to look at it, I am sorry to disappoint you. Until I can make quite a large number of people mad at me, I'm afraid we will be staying public. Although, I've had a good year in the making-people-mad-at-me department, so keep your login fingers ready just in case.

Mostly my darling friends, THANK YOU to all of you who requested an invite to our private blog party. It was going to be a good one. But I'll do my best to make the public blog party even better, just so the disappointment isn't too much for anyone to bear.

And last, a big thanks to anyone who links to our blog and has brought so many fabulous readers our way. And an especially big thanks to anyone that links to our blog and has turned off the options to "Add your blog to our listings" and "Let search engines find your blog." Now that was a subtle hint. I know, I know. Another one of my gifts is in the understated-no-one-can-tell-what-I-am-trying-to-hint-at department. My gifts are numerous. Finding out that Blogger only allows 100 readers access to a private blog before I announce to everyone that I am going private...not one of them.

Rebel

A bit of an introduction for those that do not go to the same church that we do. In our church, the kids usually call the adults Brother or Sister So-and-so. (Ha, ha, save your comments about calling everyone in the church by the same name. You know what I mean.)

So a darling friend of mine brought her family by to visit and wish me a happy birthday on Friday night. And while they were here, they sang to me. A few minutes after the song, her daughter walked up to me with this funny smile on her face. She leaned in close and whispered, "Sister Allen, don't tell my mom or dad, but when we were singing Happy Birthday to You, I sang Linn instead of Sister Allen."

That might well have been my greatest feat of self-control. Keeping a straight face on that one near killed me. I felt it my responsibility to mention it to her parents though. A rebellious soul like that can wind up in trouble if not kept in check.

Many thanks

I just wanted to make sure and say thank you so very much for all of your kind birthday wishes! Between the comments on the sweet post my darling husband wrote and the birthday comments on the Facebook post, I definitely feel loved. And the birthday calls and emails only added to my feeling so cared about.

And especially thank you to my incredible husband and wonderful kids. I cannot tell you how perfect they made the day. Just so you all know, Jacob is the most amazing husband in the world! I am so grateful to have him in my life and the privilege of being married to him overwhelms me at times. And I could never be grateful enough to be the mom to the four cutest kids I know. I am now officially thirty-two. And life is good!

Feliz Cumpleaños

Happy Birthday Linny!!!

Yes, I know you like having everyone (in the world, apparently) know you're one year older. And yes, I know you'd prefer to let this day pass quietly by. But I couldn't resist. I have to enjoy the entire four weeks when you're an entire year older than me.

Okay, maybe that's not the real reason. Much more importantly, I wanted to tell you (and everyone else out there) how much I love and adore you. Most days I can't believe that I'm the one that's lucky enough to spend your birthday and every day with you. You make my life so happy. Thank you for being the best mother, best wife, best friend, and best woman ever. I love you very, very, very much!!! You mean everything to me. I can't wait to spend the next 32 years of your life with you, even if that means I'm getting older as well—as long as it's by your side.

I LOVE YOU!!!

J

Caption please

Talk to me

Please talk to me about Facebook friends. I want to know how many of you are addicted to it. Or how many of you enjoy it, but keep it to a minimum. I have many a friend asking me to join and I just haven't done it. Not because I have any problem with it, or because I think it is bad, but because of me. I know I spend enough time on the computer as it is and I worry it would increase my computer-time too much if I did. So I want all of you Facebook people to tell me honestly how much time you spend on Facebook everyday. And if it is worth it to you. So if you can pull yourself away from Facebook for a few minutes, help me out here please. Thanks much. I appreciate it.

Our little man

I feel like I haven't written about Ben in a while and our little man is definitely growing up. He is thirteen months old today and acts more like a toddler than a baby. He has been walking for almost two months and loves exploring the whole house. He sleeps like a champ. About twelve hours at night and then a morning and afternoon nap. I am astonished at how well he talks and how many words he says. His favorites are mama, dada, Ambel (Campbell), ball, Jesus, biper (diaper), bubble, purple, mo (more), no-no, buh-bye, nana (banana), arf-arf (when asked what the dog says) and sssss (when asked what the snake says). He is such a happy little guy and we are so grateful he is in our family.

Goodness we sure love this little man!

The finale...I hope

Could this whole water pipe disaster really be over?

This is how the front yard look early this morning. But I won't complain too much as
the contractor actually showed up and was working hard. Well at least he appeared
to be working hard, as he was covered with mud from head to foot. Poor guy.
But as the day came to a close, he let me know that he was almost finished.

Near the end of the work day, we had a handful of people to make sure the water pipe was
indeed fixed. It looked like a war zone out there for quite a while, but it all paid off in the end.

And perhaps my favorite picture of this whole experience. The excavator leaving the
 premises. I think I got a little emotional. Okay, not really, but I was really happy.

This is what remains on the front yard. (That and a huge pile of dirt that you cannot see in
this picture. They seemed to have overlooked it when they were leveling out the yard. Errr.
Not hugely happy about that, but the landlord said he would get it taken care of.)
But our water has officially been turned on. And our yard is excavator-free.

Can you hear my sigh of relief coming from Boston?

The gate is closing, the gate is closing...

Okay, so I feel kind of silly even posting this, because there have been SO many respond to this first post. And because we feel so loved. But I can't stand the thought of losing any of you. Not a one. (Well, not a one that doesn't want to be lost of course.)

So I just wanted to remind anyone that wants to continue reading about our darling, crazy family to please email me and ask for an invite.

Just so you know, I would recommend you do it soon. Very soon. That reminds me of an email I received a few days ago from my darling friend, Brenda. It made me laugh. She had not been on our blog for several days and when she finally found the time to get on, she sent me an email and wrote the following:

"...I was just so excited to look at your blog. Well, PHEW! I feel like the last car through the railroad crossing before the gates shut. PLEASE send me an invite."

Did I mention how nice you all are to us? I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined how many of you read our blog or how many of you are crazy enough to continue reading it. I mean seriously. Going private could cause a problem though. Knowing it is not open to everyone may cause me to start weekly installments like "Who was rude to me this week and what they should expect in return." Or "Thank you for telling me that you are appalled at how many children I have, please let me tell you what I would have said had my children not been standing there." Or not. We'll see. Join us and you just might find out.