Fifteen years

And the thrill has never gone away.

At least for one of us.

Kidding, kidding. Jacob is thrilled. He just hides it like a normal human being.

Love you Jacob Ethan. Thank you for being mine.

Adoration

But really, who can blame them? Not me for sure. After all, I'm the president of the club.

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

15 years, 6 children, 4 states, 12 homes and far too many blessings to count...

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Speaking of meaningful ornaments...

I couldn't resist purchasing this one a few days ago.

I thought last fall was bad. You know, when Jacob had 18 business trips in 22 weeks. 

Well, the day before Grace turned two weeks old, Jacob left on a business trip. And has

traveled every single week (except the week of Thanksgiving) for the last 13 weeks.

He has one more trip next week and than has a break for a little bit. I thought this
ornament was pretty appropriate for this past year. Wouldn't you agree?

Another first

Our Christmas tree is decorated with meaningful ornaments we have collected over the years.

They represent many places lived, many happy memories and many firsts. This year, I purchased a

new ornament. Another first. Sometimes I can't believe how blessed I am to have this wonderful home.

This baby girl

Sometimes Often I can't stand her cuteness.

A small glimpse of the smile she is constantly using to charm all of us.

She always looks like she knows a whole lot more than she should.

And my new favorite picture of our Grace.

My sister told me I would regret it...

...if I didn't let her take this picture. 

She was right. 

No, it is not a gorgeous picture of yours truly (my baby though, absolutely). It is just that the love

coming from this picture makes me so grateful to be a mom. Love our Gracie girl so much.

Thanks so much Mari! I'm so glad you didn't listen to me.

Third time lucky

Everyone should move three times in one year. Actually no one should move three times

in one year. But that is exactly what we are doing. And it will so completely be worth it.

But in the meantime, help me Rhonda. I'm kind of done. But here we go nonetheless.

Do you like moving central? Yes, we could really use a garage with the winter weather

happening right now. But my sanity needs the use of the garage even more than my

freezing self does. Because the home we are renting does not have any extra space

and organizing a move doesn't work without a bit of empty space. At least to this

lady with a touch of OCD. I can do this for one week right? Just one more week.

Déjà vu anyone?

 Sigh.

Ours

It is official. We own our first home. It is ridiculous how blessed I am.

Reading, how I've missed you

Guess how many books I read from January to August of this year? You don't care?
Well then, I'll tell you. Forty. Not my record, but definitely not a wimpy number.

Guess how many books I read from September until this moment?
You still don't care? Well then, I'll tell you. Two. Just 2.

(For the record, I have been reading my favorite book, the Book of Mormon, regularly
this whole time and will finish it for the second time this year by the end of December,
but since I haven't technically finished it yet, it does not count. So two it is.)

Anyone want to guess what happened in September. Grace girl happened. And apparently
newborns and reading don't go together. At least to this to this particular mother.

I miss reading. A lot. I have several books taunting me from their shelf. I also have a
library card to get as soon as we move into our new home and I finally break down and
change my driver's license to this fine state I've lived in for a day or two. But until then,
I'll hug my Gracie and know that she is beyond worth it. No contest. And yet, I imagine
in a few weeks, I will get both. I guess I'm greedy because I am all for both in this case.
I'm going to sit in our new house and read a little more than I have and just be happy.

And grateful.

I cannot wait.

November phone pics

Jacob's parents gave this to Nate for his birthday. And it was easiest to order it and
have it shipped to our house. So I decided to set it up before Jacob's mom arrived
to surprise Nate on his birthday. And when I actually got it set up, I texted Jacob
this photo so he could be impressed. Seriously people, I am not so much smart
when it comes to putting anything together. Be impressed. Be very impressed.

This is Ben boy waiting for his first indoor soccer practice to start.

He was so excited he didn't know what to do with himself. I sure love this boy.

I was taking a picture of Ben's cool indoor shoes and Matt joined it.

Which made the picture all the better. Cute Matt and both of the boys'

indoor shoes...I like. These boys (and Cam) love indoor a whole lot.

Are you impressed by my mothering? I thought you would be.

Three boys obsessed with a FIFA soccer game. Good times.

If you haven't figured it out by now, I'm pretty infatuated with the sky. I'm always

pointing it out to the kids and could stare at it for way too long. I loved how

low the clouds were this day and how the mountains peaked out above them.

It has been six weeks since Annie had her ears pierced. She was so excited

to change out her earrings. And insisted that the first ones she put in were

the pearl earrings that my mom gave to her. So sweet. Of both of them.

Our little cookie monster. Cookies included. Love this boy so much.

The other night at the grocery store I saw that someone had constructed

reindeer out of soda boxes. And it made me laugh. So I took a picture. I need

to get out more. Or quit shopping at 11:30pm, so I'm not so easily entertained.

 My only photo of Thanksgiving. But seriously, what represents giving thanks more than
this handsome pilgrim with his fancy mustache? Nothing I say. Nothing for sure.
Because I'm telling you, I give thanks for him--and his siblings and father--every single day.

Our baby girl

This baby girl of ours is truly the sweetest little thing. Honestly, we can't get over how calm she

is and what a joy she is to have. She sleeps through the night now (she has for a couple of weeks
now, but I didn't want to jinx it by saying anything), she smiles and coos and loves anyone who
will talk to her or especially, anyone who will sing to her. She truly completes our family in a
way that I never could have imagined and feel so grateful for. We sure love her a whole lot.

At the top of my grateful list

Did I mention?...take two

Remember this post from a few months ago?

Go ahead. I'll wait until you refresh your memory.

Done?

Okay then.

Please ignore that post.

And before you call me a liar, that post was absolutely truthful. At the time. But is no longer the case.

Instead, feast your eyes on this:

This, my friends, is our new home. Well, in less than two weeks it will officially be our new home. But we have entered into a contract with the current owners, the inspection has happened, the loan is approved and ready to go, the appraisal came back positively and we have a closing date. Followed closely by some keys being handed to us. And the feelings I feel in my heart make me shake my head in awe and make me a bit emotional with gratitude.

We planned to build a house. Everything was in place and we were ready to go. And then the company we were working with didn't start our house during the promised month. And didn't start it the following month. And didn't start it the following month. And didn't even start it the following month. And through prayer and fasting and some common sense on our part, we decided to step away from our contract and take our money to use elsewhere. And gratefully, because some of the steps that were supposed to happen with the house we were building didn't happen, we could walk away without any ramifications.

We knew that this was the right step for us, but it was hard. We had put a lot of time and thought and hope into building a home and now it was not going to happen. But even with the hard, both of us knew deep down that this was absolutely and without question the right step.

So we started looking at existing homes. (Well, mostly I started looking at homes because Jacob works during the day and was traveling out of town a good amount.)

And nothing, nothing I repeat, felt right. I honestly don't believe I am that picky of a home buyer, but sweet chicken, there were a lot of homes I looked at and they were not right.

Time was speeding along and we were down to just a couple of months until we needed to be out of our current rental, without another option of where to go. And while there were moments that I felt overwhelmed by all of it, I mostly felt calm and knew it would work out. Jacob especially felt it would all be fine and reassured me of these feelings whenever I wondered how things could possibly fall into place.

And then at the end of October, I walked into the above home. And it wasn't the fanciest and it wasn't even the style of home I thought I wanted and there was a lot of wallpaper. Really a lot of wallpaper.

And yet, it was warm and welcoming and light and I knew it was right. I knew it was where we needed to raise our children for the next few years. I knew the neighborhood and the ward was where our family should be. I knew it was ours. And so, even when negotiations didn't go smoothly and things took a bit of time, we were quite calm.

And through small miracles (small to those looking in, huge to us), the Lord gave us this home.

Next month, Jacob and I will celebrate our 15th anniversary. We have never bought a home. Between moving somewhat often for Jacob's school, as well as living around the country for Jacob's work, it just never felt right to buy a house. We started the process a couple of times, with every intention to buy a house, but early on we knew it wasn't the time.

So this is our very first home.

And I cannot get over the fact that it is really happening.

But mostly, I cannot get over the fact that it is perfect for us. (Not perfect in general, of course, did I mention wallpaper? And a fireplace over the stair railing?) We are supposed to live here and it will not just be our house. It will be our home.

I'm so incredibly grateful.

Wallpaper and all.

(Okay, I lied. I'm not grateful for the wallpaper. Which is why it will be removed and the whole house painted, all by professionals, before we even move in.)

Home sweet home.

After fifteen years and eleven homes, that is not just a cute saying.

It represents a blessing from the Lord that fills my heart with total and complete gratitude.

Now to find myself  a "welcome" mat.

Consider yourself invited.

M&G

Keeping it real

This boy has been delightful lately. Three more molars to break through and all will

be well. Poor boy. Poor boy's mother. Sigh. Let's hope we both make it until then.

C&G

The life I was meant to live

This morning I sat holding our Grace. She was perfectly calm and peaceful and as I talked to her, she held my gaze and kept smiling this little sweet smile that melts my heart every time. And as I spent those few minutes with her, I was overwhelmed, for the millionth time, with the privilege it is to be a mom.

Not long before, I had read this post from my darling friend Michelle. It is beautiful and wise and she shared with words what this morning, I could only feel with my heart. The last five years have taught me, very intimately and forcefully, this very lesson. And I do not ever apologize for doing less these days. Because, as I shared with Michelle, my family gets my very best. Everyone else can settle for what is left over or choose to find another option.

I believe with every part of my heart and soul that I, personally, was put on this earth to be a mother and a wife. And while I know what every other mother and wife knows--that it is not always easy and the worry and exhaustion is often extremely real and overwhelming; I also know what I hope every other mother and wife feels--it is the greatest thing I could possibly chose to do. And that is exactly the point. It is my choice. I wouldn't change it for anything and even with the hard, I find over and over again, the overwhelming joy outweighs the difficult. Hands down.

I offer no apologies for focusing all of my time and effort on those that are mine. They mean everything to me and if doing less means they get more of me, then sign me up. Because if each one of them knows that the greatest thing I ever did with this life I have been given, is to be a mother and a wife, then I will have lived the life I was meant to live.

Basketball, jumbotrons and a touch of bitterness

This past Tuesday, Jacob attend an NBA game between the Houston Rockets and the Boston Celtics.
 And since we now live in Utah, you have probably figured out that he didn't attend it in our state.
And no, he doesn't routinely fly long distances to watch basketball games. He happened to be
traveling for work and someone offered him an extra ticket they had. So he sacrificed and said yes.

I texted him to see how good the seats were and he sent this picture to show me.
Not bad. Not bad at all.

But it was the next picture he sent that made me laugh hard. Anyone get why this made me crack up?

The gentleman in the middle used to coach my favorite college basketball team. But now he doesn't.
And I was possibly bitter about the fact when I heard it. But to be honest, I kind of forgot he had gone
 to the Celtics. Funny stuff from my husband to be sure. Even though the Celtics lost. Big time.

Should have stuck with Butler, Coach Stevens.

(Types the bitter lady who doesn't like change. Or people who mess with my March Madness happiness.)

Sicked and ficked

(When I was younger, my mom used to say this when we were not feeling well. It made me smile just

to type it. Did I spell it right Mom? I've never thought about how in the world you would spell that.)

(Update: My mom reminded me of the story behind the name of this post. When my oldest
brother was really little and would say his prayers, he would say, "Pwease bwess the sicked
and ficked." So apparently that has been a part of our family for more than 40 years and
I can never hear the phrase "sick and afflicted" without smiling at our family's version.)

Our Nate isn't feeling so hot. He isn't terribly sick at this point, just a bit coughy and

stuffy. Just enough to cause his whineyness to be pretty constant. Fun times for sure.

So about an hour before his normal nap, when nothing was right in the world and everything

was wrong (at least to a certain two-year old), I told him it was time for a nap. He looked

at me like I must be kidding and started to object, but then kind of lost the energy to protest.

I gathered him up and took him downstairs to his bed. I laid him down, handed

 him his favorite blanket and a loved-stuffed animal and told him to sleep well. 

He rolled over, hugged his blanket and little puppy and whispered,

"Oh sank you Mommy. Sank you so much."

More darling photos from our Annie girl

Reflections

Several weeks ago, the kids came home from school with a paper telling them about a contest at
their school and an opportunity to participate. Annie and Ben came to me separately and really
wanted to submit something. And good grief, I have to be  honest here. I wanted to talk them out
of it. Grace was still new and I was crazy tired and while they are both super motivated and
would do most of it on their own, I knew it would take quite a bit of help on my part (printing
forms, buying supplies, etc.) and I was exhausted and not feeling like it. But I kept my selfish,
tired thoughts to myself and they both submitted something to the Reflections Contest.

And both of them won an award.

Annie won an honorable mention in the 6th-8th grade category in photography. 

And Ben won a trophy in the Kindergarten-2nd grade category in visual arts.

(His artwork goes on to district, so I don't have a photo of it as they kept it for now.)

Lesson learned for this mom. I'm so proud of both of them, but really, it doesn't matter if

they won an award or not. They tried something hard and something unsure and both of

them felt happy and good about their effort (even before they knew they had received awards).

And it isn't my right to hold them back from that. I love these kids. And I sure love being a mom.

And learning important lessons in the process.

Nate's birthday book

One of the greatest blessings of my life is that our kids are sincerely good to each other.  Are they
perfect or completely patient? Um, no. Do they lose their temper, tease and find joy in singing
a song that is driving their sibling nuts? Oh yeah. But in general, they love each other
and are each others' best friends and for that I am daily thankful.

Several weeks before Nate's birthday, Annie came to me with an idea of what she wanted
to give Nate. We talked about it for a bit, brainstorming how she could do it and
the end result is honestly one of the cutest books I have ever laid eyes on.

Annie took an index card (well, 36 of them to be exact) and spent time creating an amazing
drawing for every letter of the alphabet, as well as the numbers 1-10. She put an incredible
 amount of effort and thought into it and when she was finished, she took the time to back
each card on a larger piece of colored  cardstock. Then she took a small photo book, slipped
each drawing into its own page and put a darling picture of Nate in the square on the front.

When Nate opened it up on the morning of his birthday, he was beyond thrilled.

Love this girl and her remarkable heart.

I call this one Sleepy MJ

Conversation

Who cares if most of these pictures are blurry? I knew the second I started downloading

them that I wanted to have them on our blog to remember this time. I love these two.

They make me exhausted beyond belief and joyful beyond description. 

So Gracie...what do you want to talk about today?

Oh wait, you've got a little something on your cheek. Milk maybe? 

 Nevermind. Keep looking straight ahead and it's invisible. Now where were we?

Gracie, how are we supposed to talk when you keep making me laugh?

Well then. All done talking? Okay. I'll just go back to eating my graham crackers.

Two months

Nathan Grant

TWO words to describe this sweet boy:

• Joyful • Hilarious •

Happy Birthday our darling Nate! You are so very loved.

Grace's blessing day

Today our Grace was given a name and a blessing by her dad. 

It was one of the sweetest days I have ever experienced. Not only was the

blessing beautiful and our girl so very darling, but having family there meant a

lot to us. Living away from family for so many years, we haven't experienced

a day like today for a long time. Grace is so very loved. We are so grateful.

This is the blessing dress that I wore when I was a baby and our Annie wore

on her blessing day. Annie and I loved dressing Grace this morning before we

went to church. I love that each of our children have been blessed in an outfit

that has been around for decades and that is extremely meaningful to us.