Lunchtime happiness

Beauty

One of our greatest blessings

Oh where to start, where to start? My heart is absolutely overwhelmed with so many blessings that I have and one in particular is just constantly filling my thoughts today.

Years ago, while working in Boston, Jacob was privileged to consult for an organization that feeds children who are living in the poorest communities in the world, a meal each day. And the way they go about it is inspired and beautiful. (I'm not going to explain it in the hopes you will take a look at their wonderful concept.)

Both Jacob and I learned to love this non-profit organization so deeply, we couldn't express it in words.

Well fast forward to a few months after we moved to Utah, when Jacob received a call from the founder of Mary's Meals and was asked to be on the International Board of Directors. I truly can't explain how privileged he felt to be asked and how humbled and honored we felt to be a part of something that we loved so much. Serving on the board for the past two years has truly been one of the greatest blessings Jacob has ever been given.

A couple of weeks ago, Jacob received a package from Mary's Meals and in it, one of the first copies of the book that their founder and CEO (and good friend of Jacob's) wrote. I have begun reading it and it makes me emotional just thinking about what I have learned and felt in the first few pages. (I'm intentionally reading it very slowly so that I don't miss a single sentence or story.)

Combine that with Jacob sharing their new website design with me and then coming across the page that shared about each of their board directors and I just sit here overwhelmed with the blessing of being a small part of this group of incredible goodness.

And to make the whole thing just kind of blow my mind, just yesterday, their founder and CEO, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world for 2015.

It just feels like too much and too beautiful.

Oh, by the way, the name of the book? The Shed That Fed a Million Children. Mary's Meals currently feeds 989,791 children every single day. Just typing that made me cry. They are so close to blessing a million children's lives on a daily basis. I just can't get over it.

Thanks for letting me share. I only did so because my heart feels so overwhelmed with what people are capable of doing with God's help and assistance and direction to guide their lives. And to let you know that there is SO MUCH GOOD in this world. There just is. And I can't get over the fact that the Lord lets us be such a tiny part of it and then blesses us immensely when we do.

It defies logic.

And I'm so very grateful.

Happy Tax Day!

Made me smile

With new carpet going down in the entire house, it has been a little chaotic yesterday

and today. All of our furniture is snugly combined into two rooms and meals, 

homework and just everyday living has been interesting for sure. But we feel so

grateful to be replacing carpet that has needed to be gone for quite a while now.

And then, last night, after a truly crazy day, I came around a stack 

of furniture in the kitchen and saw this sweetness in front of me.

 

What a cute girl. What a darling dad.

What a good life I have.

Anything exciting happening at your house today?

These two

This picture cracks me up. Apparently Grace refuses to be seen in a photo with Mr. Cheesemonger.

(And just for the record, I used that term correctly.
Because someone up above definitely specializes in cheese.)

We call this game...

Hidey, Hidey... 

...Boo!

Our new friends

This past Friday and Sunday, we had one of the most amazing experiences we have ever had
as a family. We have some darling and incredible friends, Patty and John, who we have
known since our time in San Diego. Although we have never lived by each other since
our time there, we have kept in touch and we treasure their friendship so very much.

This past July, Patty and John returned from an LDS mission they served in Botswana and
South Africa. They brought home a love of the people that I don't know if I have ever seen
equaled. And because of that incredible love, they found a way to make it possible for a few of
those wonderful African Saints to come to Utah for a few days, to experience conference,
the Salt Lake temple, Zion National Park and many, many other amazing experiences.

Two particular experiences are what our family is selfishly most grateful for.

The first was when Jacob, Campbell and Annie joined their three incredible youth at the Salt Lake
temple to perform temple baptisms for those that have passed on. Not only did Jacob and the kids
tell me it was one of the sweetest experiences that they have been a part of, but just minutes before
they went into the baptistry, Elder Nelson arrived to drop off several of his own family names
to be used for the baptism. And Annie and Campbell were able to perform the temple work
for those names (the darling African youth had brought their own family names to do).

To say the morning was amazing and filled with the Spirit would be an understatement.

And then the second was last night, when these same youth, along with
their parents and leaders and John and Patty, came to our home.

It was sincerely one of the most touching nights I have ever experienced in my 38 years of life.
Without sharing anything that should just stay in our hearts, I will just say that these people are so
deeply good to the core, it completely overwhelmed my heart. It made me want to be better, to
remove so many of life's distractions and mostly, to completely trust God and His plan for my life.

The blessing of being with them on Easter Sunday has me thinking about little else since that night.

And the photo below, when I begged them to smile like they were actually happy
and not like I was torturing them with a camera, makes me a bit emotional.

Because this is goodness.
And this is God's love radiating from amazing people here on the earth.

I will never forget this past weekend. 

Of that, I am so grateful.

Our Hope

"Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
'I know that my Redeemer lives!'"

A permit to drive

Yes, I feel insanely old. Thanks for asking.

Presidential Leadership Scholars

When Jacob showed me this wonderful picture that was taken just about a month

ago at Mount Vernon in Virginia, I actually wasn't sure of the name of the gentleman

on the right. And while I wish that wasn't the case, I have since remedied that and have

learned a lot about Bob Gates, former Secretary of Defense for the United States.
I am so impressed with him and my respect for him has grown tremendously.

Now, why is Jacob in Virginia meeting with the country's former Secretary of Defense?

Good question. Because when Jacob received this photo a while back, I realized I have never

shared the details. (Even though this post, as well as this post, hinted at something going on.)

So here you go...

 Jacob was hired by the George W. Bush Presidential Center and the Clinton Foundation 

(along with George Bush Presidential Library Foundation and Lyndon Baines

Johnson Foundation) to consult and evaluate & measure a non-profit project

these organizations have created called Presidential Leadership Scholars.

I do know the details (and love when Jacob shares, as I am so intrigued by it),

but they definitely explain it better than I could. So here you go.

All I can say, in addition, is that it has been such a privilege for Jacob to be associated with

this project. He feels so very blessed to be a part of something so good that appears to be

helping others in such a positive way. He feels grateful, we feel grateful. It is a good thing.

March phone pics

Just about a week ago I drove to St. George to spend some time with my grandma 

and to bring her back up north for some time with family. This was my view for several

 minutes before the sun went down. I love the sky. If I haven't mentioned it before.

The night that I arrived, my cousin had her beautiful baby girl.

I took my grandma to the hospital to hold her newest granddaughter.

The next day, I went with my grandma to church. The church parking lot
touches her back fence and every week she walks with her darling friend, Ruth.

Both of them in their nineties (93 and 96) and they happily walk with each other

to church each week. It touched my heart so much and I had to take a picture.

That evening, before we got on the road to head north, we visited my cute niece

and her adorable little boy. Neither of us had met the baby yet and boy oh boy

is he one gorgeous little guy. I was so glad we got to see them both.

(But so sad I didn't take pictures of several other family members I saw while I was there,

including my other darling niece. Blast, I really dislike being forgetful when it comes to photos.)

And a close up of my great-nephew. (That is two great-nephews 

for me, if you are counting. I think that equals old. Squared.)

Jacob sent me this photo just a few days ago. Finally, our 1999 Honda Accord (that we 

bought years ago after both of his sweet grandparents passed away and left it for a family

member) hit 100,000 miles. Kind of crazy. We love this car. And especially the memories

we have connected with Jacob's grandparents and this car that was theirs.

I mentioned the Pinewood Derby was the other night. Well, this picture I took

on my phone makes me so happy. Not only is our Matt the cutest ever, but he
had a seriously rough night with that car of his and rather than be annoyed or 

sad or anything negative, he was absolutely hilarious. With each race, he had me

laughing harder and harder. Love this boy so much. And his incredible attitude.

The next night, during the family party at our house, Jacob texted me this

picture, saying something like, "I really never imagined I would be having 

dinner at the governor's mansion in Arkansas." Um, yeah, no matter how 

amazing Jacob is, I don't think either one of us saw that coming. Beautiful yes?

Davis family together time

Yesterday I took a picture or two. Or three hundred. But who's counting?

And yet, how could I resist when so many of my family members were here
together for a few days. After deleting a whole lot and sending photos off
 to family members who might want them, I kept only seven for myself.

You are welcome.

A five generation picture I was asked to take of my grandma,

 my mom, my sister, my niece and my great-nephew.

A photo I took of my darling dad. I love this picture, and him, so much.

We were missing four of the great-grandchildren (and I was so sad they were not here),
but were able to take this photo of my grandma with all of her greats. That is just the

great-grandchildren of one of her children, my mom. My mom still has four brothers

that each have their own grandchildren. The numbers are pretty amazing for sure.

And this picture honestly about does me in with its cuteness. This is my
nephew, Wilkes. After the picture was taken, all of the kids scattered to get back

to playing, but cute little Wilkie just wanted to stay and hold his grandma's hand.

I couldn't help but take a picture of this adorable little guy and his sweetness.

Our kids and my sweet grandma. I love them all so much.

And our Matt took this picture of my grandma and me together.
It isn't going to win any beauty contests, but I can feel the love between
my grandma and me and that alone makes me so grateful to have it.

Pinewood Derby night

Her future's so bright...

Saturday hike

This past weekend, I was away visiting my grandma and driving her back to our area to be at some
family get-togethers this week. Jacob spent the time with the kids, being a fabulous dad, like always.

Saturday afternoon, he sent me the pictures below.

I love him. I love them. I'm so grateful for my life.

Oh the excitement!

Tomorrow cannot come soon enough!

First talk

This darling boy gave his first talk in Primary today.

And yes, it was pretty much the cutest thing ever.

Sure love this boy and his sweet, simple testimony.

Definitely a record

In the last ten days I have had strep throat, bronchitis, kidney stones,
a giant cold sore and a rather insane sinus infection.

Me thinks my body is trying to tell me something.

Or I'm a sad little hypochondriac that needs a different hobby.

Someone please hand me a sympathy card. Or a comfortable pillow.
Or a large sign that says, "Buck up and pull it together."

Just for the record, I know which one would do me
the most good, but I'll take the pillow anyway.

 Thanks in advance.

Utah Jazz game

Jacob's company had some last-minute basketball tickets that became available at the
beginning of this week. And after checking our calendar, we accepted those tickets gratefully.

Unfortunately, I had not been feeling well for several days, so I decided to stay home with the
majority of the kids and Jacob took the two oldest boys, along with my dad who kindly accepted our
extra ticket. (We had asked my mom also, but too hadn't been feeling well and decided to pass on it.)

The four of them had such a great time and I loved seeing the pictures Jacob texted to me.
Including the photo that showed how close they were to the court. Fun times for sure.

We sure are grateful for time spent with grandparents. After living away from family for

more than a decade, as well as having parents who have served overseas in several callings

and missions for our church, we definitely don't take it for granted. Happy, happy day.

Good old Abe

In the elementary school the boys attend, they have a 5th grade program that we have found out
is a mighty big deal. It focuses on the United States and the plans and preparations and execution
are exciting and big. They not only have the students representing each of the 50 states,
they also have some of the students dress up as important people in our country's history.

Well, Matt was asked to play the part of Abraham Lincoln. And I cannot tell you how grateful
I was because the kids don't chose their own parts, but are responsible for putting together their
costumes. So that fact that Matt had asked to be Abe Lincoln for Halloween two years ago,
sure made me extra grateful the costume was already taken care of.

The night they performed for their parents, we were able to go watch and tape it.
It definitely was a fun program. The 5th graders did great and Matt gave his part perfectly.

No surprise here though. This boy is amazing for sure.

Eleven

Happy, Happy Birthday Matthew Davis! You are loved like crazy.

I'm so grateful these two have each other

Sometimes I label our photos for posterity

Temper Tantrum from Behind

Temper Tantrum from the Front

or

At Least She Isn't a Drama Queen