Date night

The fact that I get to go on a date with this guy, on a regular basis,
makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Maybe because I am.

Tonight

"As we draw closer to God, the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ

will come into our lives. And, as with the disciples on the way to Emmaus,

we will find that the Savior has been nearby all along."

~ Elder Dale G. Renlund

Court of Honor night

Matthew boy has been busy the last five months. I'm so very proud of him.
And so thankful for programs that give my children good things to accomplish
with their time. As well as fabulous leaders who always go the extra mile.

And Jacob of course. He is such an amazing and deliberate dad.
Who constantly pushes our children toward goodness.

August phone pics

 Gracie came up to me with this hat on earlier in the month and asked
me if this was an "actuary hat." Um, come again? Zootopia anyone?

 This particular Sunday I had the three youngest home sick. So we had our own gospel study
and I just loved it. I really missed taking the sacrament, but it was still a really sweet afternoon.
What a blessing to take some quiet time to teach my youngests about Jesus Christ.

 This is cute Grandma Dawn. She is really wonderful. She had some health issues this
past month and I felt so grateful to be able to spend a couple of days with her and help
where I could. We are so thankful the surgery she ended up having appears so successful.

 My kind, kind husband gave me some time to myself (multiple days) and I was in heaven
using the time to organize and deep clean every corner and inch of our house. I loved it.

 Just a beautiful sky one evening.

 This boy loves scouts. I'm so grateful.

 I bought some locally grown peaches a few days back and could not get
enough of them. The day I took this picture, I shared on Instagram,

I was pretty positive that peaches this crazy huge and this incredibly delicious
were reserved only for heaven. If I'm dead, please don't resuscitate.

This boy decided to run a business of selling delicious cookies and some toys/treasures
for kids. He worked on the plan for weeks. This past Monday was finally the day.
And good grief, he did well. Thanks to overly kind neighbors and a lot of hard work.

Today I had the fun chance to go and read a book to Ben's third grade class. I so loved being in
the classroom again. It has been seventeen years since I was a public school teacher and
I always forget how much I enjoy being in front of a group of students, even for a short time.

Last Saturday's rodeo

Lovely lavendar

In my most loving mom moment to date, I watched Campbell walk up to the car
with his new soccer rec jersey and started laughing hysterically and haven't stopped.
This is a boy who is secure with anything, but this team uniform is just too much.
And while I definitely can't blame him, I also can't stop laughing.


(I've suggested several team names to him.
But he doesn't seem to appreciate them for some reason.)

A memorable afternoon

Guess who we ran into at the kids' gymnastics class?
And guess who shares a birthday with Gracie?
He is one of the nicest people I've ever met, was so sweet
to both of our kids and is just an all around cool guy.

Seventeen years later...

I used to own cowboy boots. Until I started having children and my shoe size increased.
Multiple times. I'm done having children. And lookee what the delivery guy brought my way
today. {Small squeal of glee} Rodeo to break them in happening soon. Yee to the Haw.

(I will be observing a rodeo. Not participating. Don't get so excited folks.)

Another first day of school

The olders headed off to eleventh, ninth, seventh and third grade.

And two littles with their momma at home.

Beautiful skies and goofball parents

I snapped this beauty as Jacob and I went out for a walk tonight. Gorgeous sky and
perfect company for sure. A while later, we rounded the corner to home and saw a car
without its lights on in what had become a lot of darkness. Jacob got their attention and
pointed it out to them through their closed windows. Less than two minutes later our
doorbell rang and the second it did, I busted up, realizing what we had done.

Sorry cute girl who was answering my son about his invite to Homecoming.
There might have been a reason you had your lights off on our street.

Oh good grief. We are dorks. But at least Campbell's darling friend didn't change
her answer. And for the record, Cam thought it was hilarious. Gratefully.

Keep loving, keep trying, keep trusting

Tonight I gave a back-to-school devotional for our kids on Elder Holland's most recent
conference address. I love this talk to the deepest part of my being. Whether you are a
member of the same church I attend or not, I would highly recommend listening to it.
It will make you happy and hopeful and willing to keep going. I love it so. And know
that God loves His children. Even more than I do the six He has entrusted me with.
A thought I can scarcely imagine. But feel so overwhelmingly grateful is true.

I'm so very old

Today this boy of the face full of freckles and handsomeness had his 7th grade orientation.
I'm seriously so excited for him. It is going to be a good year. Oh man, I adore this boy.

Moving day

Our seven chickalettas are officially in their coop for good. I kind of love having

them out of the garage. And am surprised at how much I still really enjoy them.

Even in their ugly teenager stage.

So inspiring

Oh my word, I just watched that interview with David Boudia and Steele Johnson and
it is, without question, my favorite Olympic interview in my old lady life. I couldn't be
more impressed if I tried. To see those two win a silver medal, yet be more concerned
with making sure they share that their identity lies in Christ...I absolutely loved it!

Heartbreaking and hilarious

This is the face of a high fever and double ear infection. Poor little sweetheart. When I find
the half-so-sad-for-her-half-cracking-up-over-her-degree-of-pathetic emoji, I'll be sure and post it.

Ankle brace time

After tearing the ligaments in high school, surgery five years later to fix it, all the ligaments torn
again just six months later, I try to feel grateful I don't have more problems with my ankle on a
regular basis. Until nights like tonight, when I remember that reinjuring it hurts like the dickens.

Grumpy lady, party of one.

Oh look. There's my raised hand.

Girls camp

Remember how I love groups of youth gathered in church parking lots before heading
on some grand adventure? I sure do. So this morning was a happy one.

Especially as darling Annie was so ridiculously excited for YW camp,
she could hardly stand it. I love this girl. It is going to be a good week.

July phone pics

I snapped this picture at the beginning of the month, to remind myself how much I love
having a project to work on. And this particular project is editing our family movies.
I diligently edited and put together our home movies for the first 8 or 9 years of our
marriage. But then our camera broke and it has taken me until now to borrow a camera
from my darling sister-in-law and figure out how to go about downloading old cassettes
on a new computer. But I've figured it out. And am loving getting caught up with all of
our family videos. It is going to be a long project, but oh so worth it. No question.

Jacob and Annie helped me, early one Saturday morning, to put up chairs for a baptism
that was happening later that morning. Afterwards, the two of them ran home, which was
multiple miles. As you can see, I drove home, which was also multiple miles. I'm so
grateful for the relationship these two have and the good things they choose to do.

This darling boy is getting less and less of his crazy hives. I'm just so thankful for the
doctor we were led to that is slowly eliminating his allergies. But as we get him closer
to all better, he still gets a few now and again and a fan helps to cool and calm
them. I caught him tonight hanging out just cooling down the hives on his foot.
I love this boy so much. And can't believe how cute he is, even upside down.

 We've had some sleep issues with this little one. And because I'm not a mother
who is okay with getting up with a two-year-old multiple times a night, just so
she can wander around/party during sleeping hours, we had to find a solution
to her waking issues. She worked as hard as can be and is now a champion
sleeper once again. I'm so grateful. And so proud of her.

And look at this...another hammock swinger in the family.
My life just keeps getting better and better.

Allen family fun

We spent a good part of each of the last several days with Jacob's parents, his siblings
and their families. And we had a lot of fun. We missed the five members of the
family that couldn't make it, but were grateful that all of the rest were there.

It really was a wonderful few days. We are exhausted, but it is a good kind
of exhausted. The kind that tells you that you had a really fabulous time.

Allen family reunion

Tonight we got together with the extended Allen family and had such a
wonderful time. I truly adore each person in this photo and am so grateful for
the fact that they are our family and our friends. It was a good night.

 And these six people are pretty fabulous. I know for a fact that

Grandpa Wally and Grandma Alice are so proud of each of them.

Fifty years

Celebrating the upcoming 50th anniversary of my parents tonight, with seven of my eight siblings
and several of our spouses, was wonderful. The memories and legacy my parents have given me,
fills me with gratitude. I'm so blessed. And feel so deeply thankful for such amazing parents.

Back together again...

...for the first time in more than two years. Hanging out with these good people
and their spouses tonight was fabulous. I just really like each one of them. 

See, I told you they were pretty great.