Nate's 5th Birthday

Happy Birthday to my incredible Nate! Five years ago, in another place and what
feels like a different life, this sweet guy joined our family. He is good and kind
and hilarious and sensitive and brilliant. It isn't possible for me to thank
my Heavenly Father enough for the privilege of being this boy's mom.

The removal of some wisdom teeth

Oh the disappointment. This boy had zero reaction to anesthesia except for being tired.
I was so excited to video his loopyness that I feel a little let down.

All kidding aside, I am so grateful this morning is over. I don't care if your baby is
17 weeks or 17 years (we've done both, plus two other ages as well), walking out of
the room as they go under anesthesia does something to your mother's heart. Grateful
to have him home and that it all went extremely well. I love this guy something crazy.

Halloween Dance

Jacob and I were in Boston when Campbell went to the Halloween Dance with a darling girl
who asked him several weeks ago. I was sad to miss it, so I was so thankful to receive the pictures
you see below, from a cute girl in the group. Her mom took the pictures and they made my day.

One year

One year. I can't believe it. I still miss her to the deepest part of my heart.
The two greatest gifts she gave me were her love that never wavered or changed.
And living a life that left absolutely no question where she went after she left
this earth and moved on to her eternal reward. Every single day, I wake up
with a desire to live in a way that would make her proud of me.

A trip to Boston

Jacob and I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting Boston this past week. He had a business
conference there and my wonderful in-laws made it possible for me to fly out and meet him for
four days. We took a lot of pictures. Which I will share, but I won't explain. Because it is enough
that our family knows what each picture means to us and represents in our life. It was an incredible
trip. I came home changed. And grateful for the five wonderful, hard, happy and heartbreaking years
we had on the East Coast. Sometimes I miss how much that time made me rely on the Lord. And the
people. Oh we miss the people that became like family to us. I always feel blessed, but this trip
made me feel blessed in a way that I can't explain. But the Lord knows. I'm so grateful.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from these hilarious darlings to you!

November phone pics

I have no idea why, but I always seem to have the most difficult weeks leading up to attending
the baptisms of the darling kids in our Primary. I don't even put it together or remember it
happened last month, until the week is almost over and I am exhausted from the hard of it.
But then I watch these sweet children choose Jesus Christ and my heart remembers what
truly matters and things seem brighter and less difficult. The Lord is so kind to me.

As I wrote on Instagram about this sudden hail storm
out of the sunny blue, "Well, that was weird."

On this particular morning, I said to this cheese wad, "Gracie, go get dressed for the day
and you can listen to your scriptures." To which she replied, "You mean go to Kneaders?"

Yeah. That is exactly what I meant to say.
*Shakes head*

Just a doctor's appointment, earlier in this month, for some unexplained hip pain.
This poor guy is tough. And hilarious. When the doctor walked in, he was a little confused
why Matt and I were laughing like loons. And it wasn't even over this picture. I love this kid.

Fall break meant extra long walks listening to the Book of Mormon and conference
talks. It makes for a fabulous morning. Followed by time with my six chicklets.
I'm so blessed to be their mom. No matter how loud my house is on days off of school.

And it is loud. Every single second.

Halloween carnival

These two crazies are on their way to help at the church Halloween carnival.
Oh man, they make me laugh. And don't even ask about Matt's costume. I have no idea.

Annie and her friends

A few days ago, Annie asked me to take some photos of her and some friends. Which I was more

than glad to do. I took way too many, as usual. The girls were just too darling. You are welcome

for not sharing them all. But here are just a couple of Annie, and one with all three of the girls,

that I loved. I'm so grateful my kids have good friends. It means so much to this mom.

What I like

I just really like fall and our chickens (who would have thought?)
and windy days and afternoons with nowhere to be.

And my life. I really like my life.

The littles

 This boy still loves preschool. And I still love him.

And this girl is just wild and crazy and sweet. Oh I love her.

Fall soccer ~ Benjamin style