Goblin Valley ~ Day 1

Miracle of miracles, we finally did something exciting for spring break. Thanks to Jacob's
awesome brother Justin and his family. They have a tradition of visiting Goblin Valley and
invited us to join them. As someone who really doesn't believe in camping, I was surprisingly
game to give it a try. And shocked Jacob to death when I told him we should definitely go.
It was a fun, fun, fun three days. We love Emily and Justin and their kids and being with
them was just a whole lot of fun. I might even go again if someone asked me. Can you even?

 As we drove up to Goblin Valley, we were pretty excited. Desert camping is really cool.

Everyone pitched in and got the campsite set up first thing.

And then the climbing, exploring and dirt pounding began.

This boy was so brave and climbed to crazy heights.

And apparently this girl can find anything resembling a saddle, no matter where she is at.

Cousins and climbing. And dabbing.

And finally it was cold enough to start a fire. Matt was in heaven. So was Jacob quite honestly.

Dinnertime.

And an after dinner climb that included the handsome guy I married.

You cannot imagine how high up they were. The pictures don't do it justice.

And then they started jumping down the mountain. And my stomach started feeling sick.

Especially when Jacob told me to get a picture and I did. This one. But didn't
realize that he was planning to follow this huge jump down the mountain with
a front flip down the mountain. Um, yeah. If you see him around, ask to see the
video Matt took. It was awesome. And about scared me into an early death.

Like father, like son. Naturally.

More climbing fun by the littles.

This boy just loved everything about it...so, so much.

I love that Annie has a darling cousin her age and that they are wonderful friends.

My boy. Looking much more like a man these days.

Apparently camping makes this girl feel like dancing.

And now both dads joined the climbing crazies.

And Jacob decided he had not given me enough of a heart attack, so he would try again.

Finally, the sun set.

And we sat by the fire until bedtime. It was a good day.

...Stay tuned for more fun...

What I know

I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. I know it. I don't believe it or hope it,
but as deeply as I know anything, I know it. And am grateful every day for that knowledge.
I love him, I honor him, I sustain him and am so thankful for the person he challenges
me to become. The person I promised my Heavenly Father I would become.

A good night

This handsome boy attended his first general conference priesthood session
with his dad, brother and granddad tonight. What a good night.

(And on a side note, headed into the NCAA basketball championship on Monday night, his bracket
is in the top 1700 of the 13 million people who filled out a bracket on ESPN. Um, awesome.)

Home again

And...we're home! After an incredibly fun camping trip the last three days.
(And this coming from a lady that doesn't believe camping should even be a thing.)
Within one hour, every single thing we took was put away and the mounds of wash
were organized in our library-turned-laundry-sorting room and ready to be de smoked

Oh and fear not, you are correct in assuming pictures are a coming.

March phone pics

A morning at the park, in early March, with some really cool kids and their dad. I like my life.

Driving the getaway car for Campbell to ask a darling girl to prom made for a fun night. And having
the help of his cute friends made it all the better. The car ride there and back almost made me feel
young again. Almost. But then I realized it was 8:32 and my exhaustion was becoming embarrassing.

39 going on 93 anyone?

Driving up to the barn to pick up Annie from some extra time with her horse a few
weeks ago, I was greeted by this sight. I'm not sure why, but from the time I was little,
this has been my own personal and constant reminder of my Heavenly Father's
love for me as His daughter. It does something to my heart every time.

I was out on a walk with the two youngest a few days ago and this is what the sky looked like.

But turn your head slightly to the left and this is what the sky looked like. So crazy.

This is where I receive important answers to my prayers. This is where
I feel God's overwhelming love for me. This is where peace fills and
calms my heart. I love the temple. And was so grateful for this night.

On the first day of the basketball games, I might have checked three kids out several hours
early to come home and watch them. And when I had to give a reason on the early checkout
at the elementary, I may or may not have typed in "March Madness." (And why yes, this is
Matt naturally posing in a photo I took of us watching the games, thanks for asking.)

Our annual St. Patrick's Day Good Luck Dinner was a success. And while the
busyness of the day meant we didn't have time to decorate the bags with shamrocks
and rainbows, it was still ridiculously fun. I really love this family tradition of ours.

Two weeks ago, after Annie's 4H Iesson, her instructor had her take Gracie girl on a
ride around the arena several times. To say Grace was in heaven would be a gigantic
understatement. Later, she cried when we drove up to our home because she wanted
"to go back to the barn." I think we have another horse lover on our hands.

On the day of the temple dedication, Annie and I held a little Primary class for the two who
were too young to attend. Honestly, the sweetness of both of them and how excited they were
to have their own little church class melted my heart. I love these little darlings so very much.

A photo from yesterday

I love these six chicklets, and their dad, something crazy.

Easter Sunday

He is the One I worship and the One that loves me with all of His heart.
The One that makes being with my husband and children forever possible
and the One that made it so that I can see my Gram again. He is the One
that died that I might live and the One that means everything to me.
He is why Easter is the most glorious and hope-filled day ever!

The moon tonight

Provo City Temple Dedication

Today was the dedication for the Provo City temple. I was so grateful that our four oldest could join
us for it, as anyone over eight could be a part of it, so darling Ben was able to go for the first time.

God loves His children. Each and every one. This I know.

Let the Madness begin!

This little darling

A couple of days ago, I went to get this baby girl up from her nap
and when I walked in the room, she looked up, smiled this cute little
smile and said to me, "Oh hi mommy, I been missing you."

And my heart melted into a puddle.

(Oh and yes, those are winter boots you see on Miss G. She loves them.
And will likely be wearing them in upcoming summer pictures if she has her way.)

Matt's special day

Last night felt sweet and wonderful. To be there as our darling Matt was given the Aaronic Priesthood
overwhelmed me with emotion. I am so grateful for Jacob and the person and the dad he chooses to be.
And for my darling parents and our kind bishop for being a part of tonight. It was also so wonderful
that Campbell could participate in an ordination for the first time and I know it meant a lot to Matt
for him to participate. It is moments like these that make being a mom a privilege beyond words.

Yesterday

Yesterday I attended the funeral of a bit of a distant cousin. As I walked in, my heart felt
overwhelmed with the privilege of being in a place that held so many family members. Even if I don't
see these relatives too often, they are still family and it felt like such a blessing to be around them.

Mostly though, it felt like a privilege to celebrate the life of an amazing person. Megan was just a
year older than me and had been through some extremely difficult times. More difficult than I could
ever imagine. And yet, she was happy and bright and continued to keep trying. Mostly, she was
completely and totally filled with love for others. And that was a lesson I needed to be reminded of.

As I walked into the funeral, I saw President Nelson and it touched me deeply. I just couldn't get
over the fact that he would make the time to come to the funeral of Elder Wirthlin's granddaughter,
because he and Elder Wirthlin were so close. That is love. That is goodness. And then, to hear an
Apostle of the Lord testify of life after death and of the Savior's Atonement and what it means,
just filled me completely with gratitude for the gospel and what I have and what I know.

Yesterday I attended the funeral of a bit of a distant cousin. And yesterday I was reminded
of God's love for each of His children, how the Savior's Atonement gives us all peace,
all hope and all joy and of the incredible importance of family. I'm so grateful.

Sadie Hawkins

Another dance. This one is semi-matching shirts.
Fun times to be sure.

Twelve

All day today we celebrated the fact that twelve years ago today (seriously, twelve?!),
our incredible Matt joined our family. And we have been thankful every day since. 

He wanted to start with the sibling toilet paper roll of love. It did not disappoint.

And I meant to have him open up his birthday drone last, but mixed up which
gift bag was which in my mind. Whoops. He might have loved it a lot anyway.

I love that my kids are this happy to receive books for their birthday.

Another book. It was a different kind of subject that took a minute to figure out.

An orange ukulele. Of course.

 

And some assistance in learning to play his brightly, colored ukulele.

He spent the good part of his day flying his drone outside. It is a little camouflaged here.

And my favorite photo of his time spent outside. That thing can certainly fly high.

Oh this handsome boy and his awesome and amazing self.

And finally some cake bites with his twelve candles. He just really makes me happy.

We just love our Matt a whole lot. And are so grateful he is ours

7th grade

Seventh grade registration. Sweet waffles, how are we here already? For the third time.

But in all honesty, I am incredibly excited for Matt. He is going to really enjoy junior high.
And do incredibly well. I can feel it in my bones. Love this boy a whole lot.

Another birthday for this incredible guy

Happy Birthday to the one I love! There is no one that makes me laugh more, try more
or love more than this man. He is the kindest person I know and has the greatest heart
of anyone I have ever met. He loves his kids something crazy and I am often overwhelmed
with gratitude because he picked me. Happy, Happy Birthday Love! Thank you for you.

Saturday afternoons and work proposals

Doesn't this look like a super fun Saturday afternoon? Actually it wasn't bad at all.
Because the hours I spent helping Jacob on this project were totally worth it,
for several reasons. First, because maybe now he will be coming home before 12:30am.
Second, submitting the biggest project proposal he has ever worked on is just a fabulous
accomplishment. And last, I will take any time spent with my husband. I adore him.

Plus, we went out after and got an early start to celebrating his birthday.
It was a good day all around.

An afternoon at the Dinosaur Park