Mr. Oram

That guy on the left is one of my most favorite people on earth. I don't say that lightly. I have
known him for most of my life and he has been a teacher, a bishop and a friend. He was my
favorite high school teacher and this year, he taught my oldest, who absolutely adores him.

Tonight, we attended a surprise party to celebrate his upcoming retirement.
And I felt so privileged to be there. The Lord has always blessed me by surrounding
me with incredibly good people. And Kelly Oram is at the top of that list.

Laughing in the rain

The calm after the storm. 

Oh my word, I just walked three and a half miles with a darling friend. When we started, the weather was perfect. About a mile in, things started to change and we spent the last two miles or so in a complete downpour with lightning so close, it kept taking our vision away for a few seconds when it struck.

Children, your mother is a bad example and if you ever do something like what I just described, I will have your head.

And yet, my friend and I could not quit laughing. Water was gushing off of our clothes, we were sure our children were about to be motherless in the next seven seconds, our feet were mobile puddles and we were hysterical. We looked drunk. Drunk and dunked.

But my favorite part had to be that every time lightning struck very close, I ducked. I couldn't help it. Over and over it struck and over and over I ducked. Like it was going to *just* miss me if my head went down. Which only made us laugh harder.

I seriously loved it. Minus the part where it was terribly dangerous and I felt shame for my poor decision. But otherwise, absolutely hilarious.

Mom and muffins

Moms and muffins this morning at preschool. Grace thought all would appreciate the loveliness
of our pulling a silly face. Sure love this little sweetheart and am grateful everyday she is ours.

Senior prom

My darling boy. He is off to his last prom. I love him so much and these lasts that keep
coming are both wonderful and heartbreaking to me. I feel like tears are constantly just
below the surface and I'm fighting to keep them there. Until July 23rd and then all
bets are off. Sure love this incredible oldest of mine. I can't believe I am the
one with the amazing blessing of being his mom. He's tremendous.

 And this darling picture taken by this beautiful girl's mom. I'm so grateful to have it.
For the first time ever, I didn't either take pictures of Campbell's group or join the

picture taking to get my own photos (I was hesitant to interfere with their plans).
And as of right now, this is the only photo I have of the two of these darlings.
I'm so grateful for it and am so thankful for the amazing friends Campbell has,
for their good hearts and for the wonderful time he had with this darling girl.

Runner and jumper extraordinaire

This kid is seriously cool. As in, I wish I were more like him. He will try
every good thing, no hesitation, no worry about failing. He just does it.

Just a week ago, he decided to try hurdles. He did amazingly well and yesterday at the meet,
he came in first in his heat and sixth overall. And I love this hurdle picture so much.

Then day before yesterday, he thought high jump would be fun to try. And he qualified
to compete. And these high jump pictures of him going for it make me so happy.

Matt is tremendous. I have learned a lot from him about just giving something a try
and not worrying about the outcome. Plus he runs and jumps like an all star, so there's that.

Nate's Kindergarten program

This darling boy had his Kindergarten program this morning. I seriously love him.
He is truly the sweetest guy and I am so grateful to be his mom.

And oh his Kindergarten teacher, I don't even know how to share how much I adore her.
She has made this a perfect year for our Nathan. And I will be forever thankful to her for that.

Spring

Little sweetheart

She woke up feeling super crummy for the second time in two and a half weeks.
But she can't help but be adorable and sweet, so all is well.

VIP breakfast with my boys

We just finished the VIP breakfast at the elementary school. Can't you tell?

I'm such a cheater. And yet, breakfast at Kneader's (rather than a muffin in
a crowded gymnasium at the school) is kind of the best. We love our tradition.

Inspiration, beauty and heartache

I do not have words for the privilege it was to be with these two incredible people tonight.
Jacob and I were so touched that they would take an evening to be with us and we loved it.
We laughed and laughed and then laughed some more. They inspire me beyond what I could
ever convey. I have learned so much from their heartbreakingly, beautiful journey and will
carry these lessons with me my entire life. I adore them to the deepest part of my heart.

Thank you Rebecca and Tyler! Sure love you both and am so grateful for
our friendship. And Tyler, I'm not kidding, unless your tongue is turning to lava,
I don't want to hear any complaining coming from you, my friend.

Note: If you want to laugh and cry and be inspired beyond words, visit Rebecca's IG account.

Pictures of my boy

My darling oldest had his senior pictures taken last night. By the best of the best.
I don't have words for how much I adore Dan Page and his incredible photography skills.
Click on over to his website and his work will blow you away. I audibly squeal each time
I think about seeing the final products. It was a happy, happy night for this momma. 

And yes, I did just post seven pictures of a photographer taking pictures of my son.
We can all act surprised, but I think the only surprising part is that I didn't post double that.

Preschool field trip to the fire station

At the field trip this morning, I snapped this picture of Grace and her cute friend. They are absolutely
hilarious together and I love that these two firecrackers found each other. It was a good morning.

Metal of the mouth

 

This super stud got braces today. He handled it like a champ
and now he looks a little too old for my liking.

Speedster

Matt's first time running track. I had forgotten how much I love watching a
good track meet. Especially when it involves this handsome boy of mine.

Travel

In the last 14 days, Jacob has had four trips. He has been home one day for about 24 hours and then a separate day for about 16 hours. I'm beginning to forget what he looks like. I'm kidding, he's too handsome to forget.

But he comes home tonight. And we are pretty excited because while things can always change, it appears he will be home for several days before another trip.

I'm often asked how I can handle him gone so much and I don't really have an answer for it. First, I just do it. I'm used to it. And second, he isn't off playing or golfing or betting on horses (I don't think, maybe I should check into that). He is taking care of our family. And he does it so well. He is extraordinary at his job and does incredible good in the world and I'm so thankful for that.

And besides, as the wife of Billy Graham once said, and I'm totally paraphrasing here, "I'd rather have 10% of his time than 90% of someone else's time." And that is how I feel about Jacob Allen. I adore him to the deepest part of my heart and if seeing him less so that he can help others so profoundly and provide for our family so well is what we choose to do, I'll do it.

Annie's play

After a small break for a mission call, I'm back to sharing about Annie's play
this last weekend. She did so very well (they all did) and it was truly just
wonderful to watch her perform. I adore that Annie girl of ours and love
the talents she has and the things she excels at. She is amazing in every way.