Klondike derby

This is how this boy came home, after being gone for about ten hours today:

It was his third year of competing in the Klondike derby and while he wasn't loving
the thought when his alarm went off early this morning, he was a tad more excited
when he arrived home. Excited, but absolutely exhausted. But the exhaustion was pretty
worth it, in his opinion, since his troop took first place in the race. Awesomeness for sure.

And it appears we have two more Klondike competitors in the house. At least in their minds.
Campbell's younger brothers idolize him. And to be honest, I don't blame them one bit.

And a third spelling B-E-E

Annie had her turn.
Cam had his turn.

And now it was our Matt's turn to compete in our town wide spelling bee. (Okay, they technically
don't give the kids that participate a turn, they qualify by being great spellers, but in our family
it has felt like turns the past three years.) And while his team, like those of his siblings, did not win,
he had a good time and it was great fun to watch. Matthew is so funny and sweet and there is
nothing better as a mom than watching your darling boy do something that makes him
feel slightly nervous and succeed. I was a fan, for sure.

We definitely think Mr. Matt is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

 

 

 

Ben's birthday outtakes

When I downloaded Ben's birthday photos, I could not quit laughing at
these photos of our boy. Man, he makes our life happy.

 

 

 

And this is obviously not an outtake, but good grief, how could I not share it?
I almost can't stand the cuteness.

Our beautiful girl

My favorite books of 2012

So, last year I posted about my favorite books in 2011 and decided to do it again this year. Because I love having a record of those kind of things and because I love sharing when it comes to books because oh man, I love to read!

(And as a reminder, this are my opinions and these are books that I enjoyed this past year. You don't have to like them and you don't have to read them because I suggested them. Truly. Please don't be annoyed with me if you don't like something. Just chalk it up to preferences and move on. Thanks.)

And so, once again, here is my list in random order, except the first one of course.

The Book of Mormon
This book will be at the top of any book list forever. Once again, my great love for it caused me to read it twice. Which is more than any other book this year. Here are my thoughts on it again, if anyone is interested.

Ida B:...and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World 
I loveth this book. So very much. But listen carefully, it is very important if you want to give this book a try, that you don't read it. But instead listen to it. I am telling you, I am usually one who thinks that reading a book is far better then listening, but in this case (and a couple of others), I will make an exception. I could go on and on, but I will just say, go check out the audio version from your library and listen to it. With your kids if applicable. Loved loved loved it.

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall
And here again, my friend Julie Klassen made another appearance. Good grief, I like her writing. It makes me happy. That is all. Oh, except I heard she has another book out this month. Can you say giddy?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Yes folks, I officially finished the Harry Potter series. Just sixteen years late. And many people told me I wouldn't like how the last book ended, because I want everything perfectly happy and wrapped up without any sadness, but, surprisingly, they were wrong. I loved it. It ended just as it should in my opinion. Well played, J.K. Rowling, well played.

Kisses from Katie
I do not even know how to talk about this book except to say please read it. It changed me quite a bit and I am so grateful. I am so inspired by the faith of others and how they choose to change the world. And Katie Davis is changing this world of ours. Big time. What an inspiration.

Divergent
This book won't change you or the world, but boy howdy, I liked it. It may not be for everyone, but sometimes I just love reading something entertaining and enthralling and that I don't have to think too hard about. I liked it mucho.

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother
Alrighty, it took me a while to get up the guts to read this book. I was worried I would just be annoyed the whole time I read it (because of what others had said about it), but to be honest, I wasn't. I was really grateful I read it. First, it was interesting. And second, it made me realize that there are areas where I am lacking and I can require more of my children and that there are other areas where I can take a big-old-settle-down pill.

The Walk
Many years back, I read several books by Richard Paul Evans. And then haven't read another of his books for a long time. So I decided to pick up a few and this book stood out to me. It was just really interesting to me and has made me think quite a bit. I would be lying to say I absolutely loved it, but I did enjoy it. And I finished the second in the series today and liked it even more. So, it may be worth your time.

The Happiness Project
Gretchen Rubin makes me laugh. She has a dry humor that appeals to me and this book was so incredibly interesting to me. Oddly, I loved how she approached finding happiness. I'm not saying it is how I would do it, but it was fascinating to me and it has made me think a lot about happiness and about my choice to be happy. And has influenced some of my thoughts and resolutions for 2013.

Heaven is Here
I, along with a whole lot of people, read this book by plane crash survivor, Stephanie Nielson. I laughed a lot and I cried a lot and I felt intensely grateful for the privilege of being a mother and a wife. And my lack of challenges surrounding that great honor. Every time I think of this book, I try to remember that. And for that, I will always be grateful.

Read on cute friends, read on!

Benjamin Jay

FIVE words to describe this darling boy:

• Hilarious • Loving • Joyful • Sensitive • Smart •

Happy Birthday our sweet Ben! You are so very loved.

Our 2012

I feel a little emotional tonight. This year has been a year that I could not describe if I wanted to.
Definitely one of the hardest I have experienced and when I look back at the past twelve months,
the difficulty of much of it makes me cry a little. And yet, as we have been promised, those difficult
times are so completely and totally worth it because of who they help us to become and Who they
help us to rely on. Don't get me wrong, there have been so many, many moments of joy, but I would
be lying to say that I am not grateful to have a fresh start with 2013. We are calling it "Lucky 13"
at our house, because my heart tells me that is what it is going to be. Happy and joyful and gentle
and good. Not perfect or pain free, but a little bit easier than this past year. And even if it is not,
I have the six people you see below to call mine, so really, it doesn't matter either way.

These I love. So very, very much.

And our year in review:

January: Our Ben turned four. That boy melts my heart, plain and simple.
February: Annie played an orphan in the school play Annie. How I loved it.
March: Our Matt turned eight. What an incredible privilege to be his mom. 

April: Matthew made the decision to be baptized and confirmed a member of our church.
May: I spent my Mother's Day with these five darlings. And their dad. I'm so blessed.
June: This handsome man celebrated Father's Day. He is truly the greatest father I know.
July: Boating, swimming and family time in Maine. One of our best vacations ever.
August: And a few more days in Maine, enjoying beautiful views like this one.

September: Our Cam turned thirteen. This boy gets better with age--and that is saying something.
October: Our Annie turned eleven. I cannot imagine what I ever did to deserve this girl.

November: Our baby turned a year old. How we needed this sweet boy to be a part of our family.

December: A family vacation to Florida ended our year just right.

Goodbye 2012.
Hello 2013.

Lucky 13 indeed.

The sunshine state

The day after Christmas we returned from a family vacation.
A ten-day family vacation to be exact. Any guesses where?

And no need to worry, there will definitely be several blog posts coming.

But I'll need a little while to delete, sort, organize and get the photos ready to post.
In the meantime, plenty of thrilling posts that don't have to do with our vacation
will be coming. Seriously, how do you stand all of this excitement?

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Silent night, holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth;
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

xoxo, The Allens

Handsome

Jacob has literally not had a new pair of glasses in almost twenty years.  And that number is not an exaggeration. If you could see the pair of glasses he will wear in the middle of the night in case of an emergency, you would smile. A lot. The first time Annie saw him (just about a year ago or so), she asked him why he was wearing that pair of "gigantic glasses." (I honestly just cracked up writing that sentence. It makes me laugh like a goof every time I think about it.)

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, I finally convinced my darling husband that a new pair of glasses, that he could actually wear in public, was a good idea. And boy howdy does he look handsome in them.

He wore them to church on Sunday and received many a compliment. (Maybe he should wear his old ones this coming Sunday and compare the number of compliments.)

That night, Matt (who almost always just wears his glasses at school) put his on, just to be like his dad.  Which is why I grabbed the above photo. Pretty cute, yes?

(I would have included Campbell in the photo, as he technically has glasses, but first, he was busy.  And second, none of us remember the last time he wore his glasses. He doesn't need them much, which means he doesn't wear them at all.)

So...yeah for not giving up on pestering Jacob into getting glasses. And yeah for so many handsome boys at our house.  Glasses or no glasses, they are incredibly darling.

Under our Christmas tree

We don't do things quite like normal here at the Allen house and that, my friends, is why if you look under our Christmas tree right now, you would see something like the above photo.

A couple of years ago, the kids wanted to write a letter or draw a picture to each member of our family. And so they did. And put those envelopes under the tree until the tree skirt was covered in white envelopes. And last year, the same thing.  And ditto on this year, as you can see.

I love this tradition so much.  I love walking by the living room and seeing only white envelopes under our tree.  And I love how each of the kids take some time during the Christmas season to think of each other and do something simple and kind for everyone in the family.  I have no idea why I didn't join them the past two years, but this year I will most definitely be a part of it.

Now to see if we have any envelopes left in the house...

Christmas decorations ~ Part IV

Our Christmas tree filled with so many ornaments that are meaningful to our family,
a few more close ups of some of those ornaments, our Christmas basket of books,
a gorgeous wooden nativity ornament from my parents, our kitchen chalkboard
with a message for the season and our BELIEVE sign that definitely isn't referring
to Santa Claus (even if I do love the magic and wonder of jolly Saint Nicholas).

Christmas decorations ~ Part III

The beginnings of our Christmas card wall (good grief we love you all!), a beautiful music

box from Germany, more of our tree ornaments that mean so much to us, several of the
meaningful angels I put out only during the Christmas season, the kids' nativity (that is getting
plenty of use this year by a certain baby) and my absolute favorite part of our nativity set.

Christmas decorations ~ Part II

More of our ornaments that we love, part of our nativity given to me by my mom as a
Christmas gift many years ago, our wooden manger that Jacob helped the kids make,
the kids' advent calendar that is definitely a yearly tradition, more living room photos
and the small tree that holds all of the ornaments from my wonderful grandma to the kids.

Christmas decorations ~ Part I

A few of our many ornaments we adore, two music boxes from my parents that
I love so very much, a beautiful framed picture from one of my most darling friends,
our table centerpiece, a Christmas trivet passed down to us from Jacob's sweet grandma
and our decorated living room that makes me happy to walk by over and over each day.

New trick

 

 Do you want to see what I can do?

 Pretty cool yes?

Yeah, I thought so.

I even impressed myself.

Oh the sweetness

I cannot believe this was a year ago. My sweet boy.

What I'm doing today...

Mary's Meals

(This has been one of the hardest posts I have written. If I could, I would write a novel with all that we have learned, all that we have felt and how this has changed us--especially Jacob because he has been so close to it--but it isn't possible. Not only because of the time it would take, but because I don't have the ability to share our thoughts and emotions in a way that could actually convey how we deeply and truly feel. But because I at least wanted this recorded on our family blog, I've tried to share a little bit. And oh how it lacks... But in this case, something is actually better than nothing.)

In September, Jacob had the opportunity to travel to Malawi, to learn more about one of the cases he is managing at work. The non-profit that he is consulting for is called Mary's Meals and to say that this organization has grabbed our hearts, would be a huge understatement.

I don't know how many people have the opportunity to really look closely at a group of people that are doing incredible good in the world, that are truly changing lives, but Jacob has had just that privilege. And our family will never be the same because of it.

Mary's Meals is an organization that an amazing, humble, good man from Scotland began in 2002. In short, he set about to find a way to feed children that were going hungry because of poverty. And at the same time, help them to get an education, in order to help them find a way out of their poverty.

In just ten years, this organization has gone from feeding one child, to feeding more than 700,000 children every single day, in some of the world's poorest areas. If you want to see something that will touch you deeply, watch this trailer and see if it does not do something to your heart.

Even after hearing so many of the stories that Jacob shared when he returned from Malawi, I watched the trailer and just cried. I can't handle the thought that children go hungry. That a lot of children go hungry. That a lot of children go hungry day after day after day.

And then Jacob returned from his second trip to Scotland with a DVD that the founder of Mary's Meals had given him. It was the full film that was being shown all over the world, but only at certain times and places. It wasn't being released to the public. And there are no words for how I felt after I saw it. All I know is that few things have affected me or changed me like those thirty minutes did. How I wish everyone could see it.

After viewing it the first time, we sat down with our children and watched it together. (Well, except one part that really is too much for young children.) And then we talked about it.  And how we could help.  And how we are so blessed. And how our being blessed doesn't need to make us feel guilty, it needs to make us feel grateful...grateful enough to do something about it.

Which we are doing.  Even if it is small compared to some, it is still something. Because when you find out that child in Malawi can eat a meal at school, for an entire year, for about as much as you spend on a dinner out for one night, you know you can make a difference--that you have to make a difference.

After all, look at some of these photos Jacob brought back from Malawi. The light in the eyes of those children does something to your heart. At least to this mother's heart.

There are no words for how grateful I am that Jacob was put on this consulting case.
I want to be changed by what is happening in this world. At least as far as what should change me.
With the deep hope that somehow, in some small way, I can change the world right back.

Thankful

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

Cleaning, soccer and memories

Earlier today, we went as a family to spend some time cleaning the church--which was actually really nice. I was so impressed with how hard the kids worked and when we walked away, the church felt clean and right. We loved it.

But before we walked away, yet after all was finished and just as it should be, we treated ourselves to a family indoor soccer game in the gym of our church building. And there are not words for the happiness I felt during it.

I wish I knew how to explain it. There was just something about all of us, after having worked hard, being together, just our family. There was just something about doing something together that we all loved so much. And there was just something about several things that happened that made my heart swell with happiness and made me never want to forget those memories.

I loved sitting with Nate on the sideline (I did join in for a while, but most of the time, it was best for all if I occupied Nathan away from actual game) and seeing him watch his dad and siblings, you could almost see the awe in his eyes and how much he was into it. You could almost see him hoping and wanting to be a part of it someday. And he will be. I can't wait.

I loved seeing Ben hold his own with the big kids. That boy is good at soccer. As in, really good. He was stopping the ball, redirecting it and even scoring at times. And not because others were being kind to him. That boy doesn't need anyone to take it easy on him anymore. He is officially a part of the big kid group and they all love having him join them.

I loved seeing Matt's energy just spill out of him. At one point, he turned to Cam (who was on the opposite team) and yelled, "Watch this, it is my signature move!" And then proceeded to pull a paper towel out of his pocket that he had drawn all over. (Don't ask, I don't even know.) And wave it in Cam's face to distract him. Maybe you had to be there, but boy howdy, it was beyond hilarious.

I loved watching Annie be herself, but play tough. She is still one of the sweetest, kindest people I have known, and yet, she no longer hesitates or worries about being aggressive when she plays soccer. She is never unkind, but she is tough. And she will take you down if necessary. And then smile and laugh and make sure you are okay.

I loved seeing Cam the man not only play soccer with the same competitiveness he always shows, but listen to his absolutely side-splitting commentary. That boy is funny beyond words and makes us all laugh and laugh. And yet, so thoughtful and kind. When Annie decided to take off the boots she was wearing (bad choice for soccer for sure), it was Cam who suggested we all just play in our socks, like Annie.

And yet, with all of the above that made me so happy and definitely made my mother's heart swell, I'm pretty positive my favorite moment of the afternoon was watching Jacob play soccer with his kids. He just loves soccer so much and his kids even more. And makes everything he does with them so fun. And at one moment during the game, he did something that makes me smile like crazy just thinking about it.

At one point, the ball came toward him and in order for him to control it and kick it the way he wanted to, he did a pretty incredible trick. I haven't seen the likes of it on most young kids, no less a father of five that has a few years behind him. And the second it did it, he immediately looked toward me, to make sure I had seen. He wanted to make sure that I had seen his incredible soccer feat. Not because he cares what people in general think, but because he is mine and I am his and he still sometimes likes to show off for me. I loved that. A lot.

Oh happy memories. I'm so grateful. And so very blessed.

Nana

Like I mentioned in my last post, we were so grateful to have Jacob's mom here.
Which is why it is ridiculous that I didn't take a single picture of her with all of the kids.
Errr. But I did get this one of her with the birthday boy. And gratefully, it is almost
cute enough  to make up for my brain made of mush. Yikes, I'm losing it. 

Thanks for coming Nana! We sure love you.

Time away

Jacob's mom has been here to visit this past week and we have loved having her. And while we have been grateful to have her visit and all she has done for us, Jacob and I are especially thankful because earlier this week, he and I were able to get away for two nights. And while that may not seem like much to some people, it sure was to us and we were so grateful. We had not been away for a very long time and we really needed it.

It was two days of complete relaxation and rest. We just talked and slept and laughed and slept and ate food and slept. Did I mention we caught up on some much needed sleep? It has been a pretty intense few months for us and we were so thankful for the time to get some extra rest. And just be together and talk as much as we wanted without any interruptions.

And of course the kids loved their time with their Nana. They went to the park and played games and just had a grand time. I think they would have been thrilled to give us two, or ten, more days away.

Thank you Nancy! We can't tell you how thankful we are for you spending
this time with us. And thank you for being willing to tend our kids while
we slept and talked to our heart's content. We are so grateful for you!

I'll just pay full price, thanks

Last week, I took Matt out for a little mom and son date and we went by the doughnut place to get some hot chocolate and a doughnut. We placed our order and the young girl at the register punched it in. She then turned around to get us our doughnuts, handed them to us and told us the hot chocolate would be ready soon. She looked up to ask if that was all we wanted to order and then paused and said, "Oh wait, I'll give you your discount."

I was definitely caught off guard, as I wasn't expecting a discount, and I didn't say anything for a second. Then I looked around and noticed that the entire place was empty and I figured (I have no idea why, but it made sense in my mind at the time) she was being nice. I told her thank you and saw that our total went down by about 50 cents.

I paid her and Matt and I went to sit down to talk and wait for our hot chocolate. As I was putting the receipt she gave me away, I noticed the discount line across the middle of it.

Senior discount -$0.54

Um, come again? Seriously, no words. Just bewilderment. And depression.
And a search on Google for the best wrinkle cream.

By the way, does this doughnut make me look old?

More birthday photos

Honestly, the cuteness and sweetness of this baby is too much.
At least to this mom. Love him so much.