Goblin Valley ~ Part one

Several of these gorgeous photos were taken by my sisters-in-law. They are the best and we loved
being with their families and receiving these amazing reminders afterwards of our time together.

Easter joy

Because of Him, I can always feel hope. Because of Him, I know God loves me.
Because of Him, I can repent. Because of Him, I know heaven is real. Because of Him,
I can be with my family forever. Because of Him, I know where to turn for peace.

Because of Him.

I know it

To the deepest part of my heart, I know Russell M. Nelson
is the prophet of God on the earth today. I know it.

I know it.

I just love him

"Mom, did you see on my certificate it says 2017 and 2018?
Apparently I've been a problem solver for two whole years!"

I'm so incredibly blessed

Campbell meets with our stake president in just over an hour.
Before this day ends, his mission papers will likely be submitted to
Church Headquarters. I could shout for joy and sob at the same time.

This darling boy

Oh good grief, I love this boy. And he apparently loves when I ask him to let me take a picture.
But I couldn't help it. He came home yesterday with a letter sharing that he was selected as
one of only twelve students in the elementary school who qualified to participate in the annual
school district decathlon. He's amazing and I can't wait to watch him compete in a few weeks.

Bonus story: The three youngest keep their toothbrushes in the upstairs bathroom closet.
And when they finish brushing, they walk down the hall and use one of the flossers we have in
our master bath. Two nights ago, I was in my room talking to Campbell and Ben came in and
asked, "Is it okay if I floss?" I told him "yes" and he proceeded to do a perfect version of The Floss
(as in the dance). And maybe you had to be there, but it was hilarious and I laughed long and hard.

Working on our rec room

The drywall has arrived. Wa to the hoo.

Called to serve

Last night, Campbell took the final form needed to be considered as a missionary for our church, to our bishop (the leader of our local congregation). Now he waits to hear from our stake president (the local leader of multiple congregations) about when he should meet with him. It could be a few days, it could be a week or two. When that is finished, Campbell's paperwork will be sent to the headquarters of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Once there, his paperwork and this picture attached to his forms, will be brought up on a computer by one of the Twelve Apostles of the Lord. I know with every part of my heart that they are indeed Special Witnesses of Jesus Christ who help to lead and guide His church on the earth. Through prayer and inspiration, that Apostle will call my son as a missionary of the Lord, Jesus Christ and assign him to a specific mission somewhere in the world. It could literally be almost anywhere. There are more than 400 missions in our church.

After I took this picture of Campbell and uploaded it to the computer to make sure it was the right size and looked appropriate for his missionary application, I started to sob. The thought that an Apostle of the Lord will very soon see this exact photo and know where the Savior wants my boy to be and which group of people He wants him to serve, completely overwhelmed me. I will miss him more than I could ever express. But I am so proud of the man he has become, for how he chooses to live his life and Who he has the desire to serve. I do not know of a greater privilege then being this boy's mom and having a front-row seat to his greatness and the blessings the Lord pours out on him. I'm so proud of my soon-to-be missionary boy. And pray everyday for the faith to trust my Heavenly Father and my Savior as I turn him over to Them for the next two years.

I'm raising juvenile deliquents

I just went outside to grab the mail and this sign greeted me on my way back in the front
door. For the record, our doorbell isn't broken. I'll give you one guess as to which of my
children thought this one up. Oh, and now we can add lying to our list of offenses.

Pinewood Derby

It was the Pinewood Derby for this darling boy tonight.
Sure love him and his happy heart and how much he enjoys life.

Books with graphs

One of my favorite things to tease my husband about, is that he reads books with graphs when
it is no longer required of him. But just a few minutes ago, I started a new book and when I turned
the page, I realized I'm starting to become Jacob Allen. Next thing you know, I'll be kind, giving
and wake up early in the morning to exercise. And we can't have that happening now can we?

After all, no one would even recognize me.

Ski trip

With the long weekend, due to a teacher prep day, Campbell went with a friend up to Idaho to spend
some time skiing. And had such a great time. It was strange not to have him around the house and
made his upcoming mission feel a little more real for those few days. I'm so grateful for his choice
of fabulous friends and what good examples they are to him and how much fun they have together.

Gracie girl

She's even adorable when she's super sick.

Not a fan

Dear Utah Weather,
You confuse me.

Witnessing history being made

I've been watching March Madness every single year for 30 years (at least that
I can clearly remember, I may have started earlier). But I honestly never thought
I would see the day that I would witness what I did tonight--a number sixteen seed
beating a number one seed. It was one of the most exciting games I've ever watched
and this girl that loves college basketball something crazy will never forget it.

Side note: I do wish it had been a different first place team. I really like Virginia and that
Tony Bennett is a class act. So it made me a little sad. But I still loved it a lot much.

March Gladness

People, people, people, do you realize what begins today?!

(That was in my screaming font.)

E-I-E-I-O

Outside time

Daylight Savings, you stink. Okay fine. Except for those few extra minutes of outside
time before dinner. Those are pretty magical. But the rest of you is the worst.

 Someone is mastering his new Chinese yo-yo quite nicely.

 Oh spring, I adore you.

Matt's special day

Yesterday our darling Matt was ordained to the office of Teacher within the Aaronic Priesthood.
And these four men, who I love with all of my heart, were a part of it. I also felt so grateful for our
good bishop and our kind YM's president who also joined us. The blessing Jacob gave Matt made
me emotional. I'm so thankful for my amazing husband, my incredible son and the Priesthood
that brings so much protection, peace and power into our lives. What a sweet, sweet day.

Yesterday

Fourteen

Happy Birthday my incredible boy!
You are so, so loved.

The life of Jacob Allen

When you're working on the electrical of your unfinished basement one day
and hanging out with former US presidents and their wives the next.

Children's theater

This darling child of mine has had the chance to take children's theater in high school this semester.
She goes to nearby elementary schools and teaches groups of children how to put on a play. It has
been so fun for her and those kids absolutely love her. I don't blame them in the least. I do too.

Speedy fingers

Sweet waffles, I'm so proud of this boy. He was chosen as the one 4th grader from his
school to compete in a district keyboarding challenge. And out of around 50 or 60 kids
from other schools, he typed his way to the top ten. And was only 6 wpm off from the
girl who took third place. He's such a little stud in so many ways and I just love him.

This last picture is my favorite. Jacob's flight was delayed and so he drove
all the way home from work, to surprise Ben and help where he could
at home, before heading back to catch his flight to TX. He's the best.

Birthday guy

I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate this birthday guy,
than with a couple of pictures with his birthday pup.

I'm already overly effusive and partially annoying with how often I praise Jacob,
but if you know him well, you also know it is well-deserved. That being said,
just for his birthday and because he would prefer it this way, I'll keep it brief.

With every part of my heart, I'm grateful Jacob Allen was born 41 years ago today.
The world became a better place with him in it and my life has been wildly
blessed, both now and into eternity, because I have the privilege of being his
wife. He has stood by me through my darkest hours and in my most joy-filled
moments and is the most caring husband, incredible dad, amazing employee
and devoted disciple of Christ I know. And I love him something fierce.

Happy Birthday Jacob Ethan! Thanks for being my happy place
and everything my Heavenly Father knew I needed.

What do you mean? That was totally brief.

Snow and sunsets

Church basketball

I really like all of these pictures, but this blurry picture makes me so happy! This morning,
this group of boys played in the quarter finals of regional church basketball. With three and
a half minutes left, they were down by 19. And with one second left, one of them made a
layup to win the game by a single point. It was pure awesomeness. And I absolutely loved it.

College bound...after his mission

I'm so proud of this boy of mine. Because just he found out he was accepted to BYU,
which means he was admitted to every school he applied to. I can't believe we are
here already. But I guess if we have to be here, it is nice to have such good news.
I'm so thankful for this oldest of ours that makes being a mom pretty tremendous.