Our Mexico trip ~ Day 1

Jacob and I spent the week in Mexico and while vacation in general is usually
wonderful and fabulous, this one was truly glorious! It seemed like no matter what
we did or where we were, it went perfectly. It was kind of unreal. And mostly, spending
a week with just Jacob was amazing. Spending a week with just Jacob in a place
that is beyond gorgeous and warm and near the ocean was a bit out of this world.

Our first day was mostly getting to Mexico, mixed with a few pictures at the end 

of our drive to our condo. Oh man, did I mention I loved our time away so much?

February phone pics

I've said it before and I will most definitely say it again, everyone needs an Annie in their life.
She saves me on a very regular basis. And is creative beyond belief. Need an ark for sharing time
on Sunday? Annie will draw it for you. Perfectly, I might add. Need dozens of animal pairs
cut out? Annie will cut out more than half of them for you. Oh man, I might adore her. 

Guess what arrived in the mail the first week of February? Sweet waffles,
I was excited! Because I could officially join my handsome husband on a
trip away to celebrate our becoming chronologically challenged this year.

I've mentioned before how much I love attending the baptisms of the sweet children I get to be
with in Primary, but this particular morning felt extra special to me. The son of one of my best
friends of almost 30 years (good grief, I'm old) chose to follow Jesus Christ this morning and
it was such a privilege to be there. I love this gospel. I love incredible friends. I love my Savior. 

I went on a walk on the evening of my birthday. I just really love the sky.

The flag at the barn where the kids ride horses.
I'm so privileged to live in this country.

My exercise on this particular afternoon began with sunglasses and walking.
And ended with running and a snow storm. It was awesome.

Being in the temple this February evening was exactly what I needed.
I love how it so quickly reminds me what truly matters and what truly doesn't.

Park fun

A windy morning with the park all to ourselves.
Yeah for sunshine and slides and being with my cute chicklets.

I might love these littles a bit like a crazy person.

NJHS

A couple of National Junior Honor Society members being inducted

into this smarty pants group tonight. There were loads of fabulous

kids receiving this cool honor. But these two were my very favorites.

Chickalettas

It appears we aren't the only household members that are pretty thrilled to see the grass.

Another visit

Well, this handsome young man that I've mentioned before is home from his mission.
And attending college. And was in our area earlier today and wanted to come by and be
with us, which meant so much to our family. We adore this guy, because he is just awesome
and also because he is a reminder of all of our friends we miss so much in Boston.

Thanks for coming Samir. We sure think you are the fabulous!

Valentine's Day

Our Valentine's Day was fun, but to be honest, a bit lame. Which was my fault.
I wasn't feeling well, so while I tried, it was a bit blah. Poor kids and especially, poor Jacob.

 This sweet boy had help from his brother and his dad to make a very cool Valentine's box to 

collect cards from his classmates. He wanted to make sure we all knew this was just the 

White House. Not a celebration of who is currently in the White House. Thumbs up my Ben.

 This little one wanted to take valentines to some friends and neighbors.
Pretty cute if I do say so myself.

Our darling kids resurrected our Valentine's yarn ball tradition. If you can't tell.

Oh, and overheard by a certain small girl who was about ninety-seven

unwraps behind everyone, "Don't worry candy, I know what I'm doing!"

Hope your Valentine's Day was a good one.
And a little less lame than ours.

Grace these days

Anyone else with a cheese wad Princess Leia
wandering around their house? Just us? Weird.

Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.
Well you. And bedtime.

I've never taken a photo during Primary before, but I felt that the world
might be a better place if I shared this little "clock watcher" with all of you.

Good grief, this child of mine. That isn't even the chair she should be
sitting on, nor the direction she should be facing. Obviously. Her mother
being the Primary president makes for an interesting two hours.

For the record, she can't even tell time.

Sweethearts Dance

That boy on the left, I really love him. And that girl on the right, well, I pretty much adore her also.
I love seeing good friends go to dances together. And might have been extra excited that this
beautiful girl we know well asked Campbell to Sweethearts. They make me happy.

Today

I truly don't have the ability to convey what today has meant to me. I didn't know it was possible for someone to feel so loved. Between this amazingly sweet book my husband made me, to phone calls and texts and crazy amounts of gifts on our doorstep, to my kids wishing me happy birthday 87 times each, always with a hug...I am just overcome.

I spent nearly two hours reading so many entries from so many of you in this incredibly treasured book (and I am not a slow reader). And just laughed and cried and cried some more. You are the greatest friends a girl could have and I thank you so very much.

And my incredible husband, where to even start? I told him I felt ridiculous even celebrating today, because he has been celebrating this fun milestone of mine for days and days. He is the greatest blessing I have ever been given and I love him something fierce.

From the deepest part of my heart, thank you dear friends. Just when I think I could not feel any more overwhelmed with all that the Lord has blessed me with, something like today happens. And I am humbled to the depth of my core to be surrounded, supported and loved by so many.

Forty is already looking pretty fabulous. Count me in.

xoxoxo

Hike 2 of 17

I went on another hike today, but this time alone. Because I am married to the kindest person
in the universe and he took the kids to his parents last night, to play and have fun and let me
have time at home to relax and rest. The hike was fabulous, the weather was amazing and
the fresh air did something to my soul. I have such a great life. And the best husband ever.

January phone pics

A happy birthday song by the restaurant staff, a true birthday treat. Sweet Ben was pretty
embarrassed, but was more concerned that he didn't appear impolite or ungrateful by
acting shy. I saw the whole thing play out in his face and loved him even more for it.
Because being sung to at a restaurant is the worst. But this kid is the best.

School starting two hours later than usual? Yes to the please. Now how could I arrange for
all winter school days to be like this one? I kind of loved it. Even if snow is involved.

This darling boy had a lot bit of fun at his preschool snow day.

 This little cutie sure loved tubing with her dad, siblings, grandparents and cousins.

Just walking with several little munchkins to drop a friend off at the bus stop.
I have a really simple, ordinary life and I sure do like it a lot.

"With faith in God, his prophets, his church, and ourselves--with faith in our own divine
creation--may we be peaceful and let go of our cares and troubles over so many things.
May we believe, nothing doubting, in the light that shines, even in a dark place."

~Patricia Holland

"Hey Mom, did you know I'm in first place in points in TTM (Think Through Math) in my whole
school?" No, no I did not. Raising nerds is the best. I should know. I'm a mother to six of them.

Just a little public service announcement this AM. Eating toast with peanut butter and honey
on it while you study your scriptures, may not be in the best interest of your scripture pages.

This studly stud went into a full-blown lope during his lesson today.
It was a proud mom moment for sure. He's kind of awesome, if you didn't know.

Hike 1 of 17

I want to go on (at least) 17 hikes in the year 2017. And Jacob and I finally made it out on our
first one this afternoon. It was a winter hike, which doesn't really seem like me now does it?
But I loved it. It was beautiful and hard and worth every second. I needed those three miles to
climb and feel the sun and be with Jacob and just talk and laugh. I have such a wonderful life.

Wolf rank

This darling boy of ours earned his Wolf rank tonight. So proud of his drive and his desire to

do good things. And I'm so thankful for incredible scout leaders and a tremendous husband

who help our boys learn to love working hard toward something worthwhile and lasting.

Love this sweet boy so much.

Snow fun

March Gladness

Oh my word, people, oh my word. My wonderful in-laws and my incredible husband gave me
one of the most exciting gifts I have ever received. Guess during two days of March Madness?
Sitting through a dozen March Madness games in Salt Lake. Are you kidding me? There are
no words for the excitement I felt after I purchased the tickets. I am so, so, so excited!

In case you couldn't tell.

57 days. Just 57 more days.

My favorite books of 2016

I'm a little late this year with this post, sorry to keep the masses waiting. (Or all three of you.) But it is finally up, so enjoy. Or don't. I'll never know.

As always, in no particular order, except my favorite one always going first, my favorite books of 2016...

The Book of Mormon
I really don't know what to say that I haven't already said. This book has changed my life. It blesses me every single day and I know it is true. I know it. It has helped me to more fully become the person I promised my Heavenly Father I would become. I have so far to go, but am so grateful I have The Book of Mormon to help me try to get there. If you haven't read it, I recommend it more than any other book I have ever read. I love it so.

Where the Wind Leads
This book had me thinking deeply about refugees and the power of the human spirit for days and days after I finished it. It really is an amazing read. (And also happened to be my 600th book I have read since I was about twenty years old. Kind of a crazy thought.)

The Blue Castle
I mentioned this book back in my favorites of 2015, but read it again this year to host a book club. I just love, love, love this book. And loved it even more the second time. It is fun and witty and has so many insightful thoughts and oh, I just adore it. A lot.

Fates and Traitors
This wasn't a top favorite of last year, but it was interesting enough to mention it. In my review on Goodreads, I wrote the following:

I would like all people who are capable of assassinating a president (or anyone for that matter) to have certain characteristics and a personality that would make them easily identifiable and even better, make it simple to prevent such a thing from happening because the general public could see it coming. That was completely not the case with John Wilkes Booth and it still blows my mind the kind of person I imagined he was (just from the very little I had heard of him) vs. the actual person he was in his short life. This was just an incredibly interesting book to me, especially the chapters of the family he grew up in.

My only complaints were that, at times, the amount of detail went on for a few too many pages and it felt laborious to read. In addition, being a historical fiction, I could have used different colors of font, where anything based on history would be easily apparent. If you can't tell, I like things in my life easy to identify and wrapped up in predictable packages. I'm pretty exciting to be around.

Undone
I actually don't know what to share about this book. Only that it is beautiful and profound and really funny. I like that mix a lot.

A Fall of Marigolds
I just thoroughly enjoyed this unexpected story. I love this author and how she writes and how she develops each of her books. This is one of those novels that tells two stories at the same time and the author did it beautifully, in my opinion.

Amazed by Grace
Everyone should read this book. They just should. Because I understand grace so much better and on a much more personal level after finishing this book, then I ever have before. And I feel like that is such a wonderful gift to be given.

Secrets of a Charmed Life
I don't even know where to start. I will just say that this was, without question and next to The Book of Mormon, my favorite book of 2016. And likely in the top five or ten of my favorite books ever.

See How They Run
This is the second book in a really good series. And I enjoyed it as much as the first book, maybe even a little more. The third book just came out and Annie has read it and loved it. I'm anxious to find the time to get it read. This is a fun series for all ages.

Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand
This is the only book I have read by Carla Kelly, but I definitely need to read more. This is just sweet and fun and really enjoyable to read.

Well, there you go, my favorites reads of 2016. Now to find the time to get myself some more options to pick from in 2017.

Happy reading friends!