Our Costa Rica vacation ~ Day 2

We spent our second day at Corcovado National Park, hiking, watching animals, birds and
insects and enjoying waterfalls. The boat ride to and from was also incredible. It was a long,
but really neat day. (Note: If you look closely at both the three-toed sloth and the second squirrel
monkey photo, you will see two darling babies peeking out/holding onto their mommas.)

Our Costa Rica vacation ~ Day 1

Our first day in Costa Rica was filled with landing in that beautiful country, having breakfast in
a small town along the road during our the four-hour drive to our hotel, seeing beautiful colors and
amazing beaches along the coast, enjoying the views from our hotel, iguanas on the deck, delicious
fruit juice combinations, picking up a few things at a local mercado where the lights went out and
no one skipped a beat (just turned on their phone flashlights and kept moving), a tip jar that was my
favorite, a handsome husband that is my favorite and gorgeous, gorgeous sunsets. It was a good day.

Tom Sawyer

Last night was closing night for Tom Sawyer and Annie's performance with this
particular theatre group. I love watching my girl on stage, she is truly amazing!
I'm so grateful for her tremendous friends and those that have taught her so well.

The sweetness of this boy is off the charts

Little sickie

I came home to this little sickie and her sweet dad taking great care of her. An upset stomach,
an eye infection, an ear infection and a ridiculously high fever just really stink. But since our
kids don't often have to take medication, they usually respond to it quickly. Here is to hoping.

I don't love when my chicklets are sick, but oh how I love the reminder that they need
their mom when they don't feel well. It is such a privilege to be the one (along with
their dad) that cares for them and comforts them. Being a mom is the greatest.

Beauty and gratitude

This was the sunset on my way back home from Idaho tonight. There are no words for how this
drive felt to me. My heart and mind were literally filled with so much joy and gratitude, I felt like
I could burst. If you have a chance to go to a workshop by 3 in 30 Podcast, run your way there.
Don't hesitate, just run. Because it will change everything about motherhood to you. No matter
where you are in your journey, it will speak to you personally and perfectly. I exaggerate not.

And the podcast Rachel recommended we listen to after the workshop was completely
life-changing to me. I don't say that lightly. It answered a prayer I didn't even know how to
formulate in words. I felt like I was holding my breath the entire time I was listening and now
everything feels different to me. I have not felt this excited or hopeful for a very long time.

So. Much. Joy.

The Lord has been trying to teach me something profound the last several days.
And how it culminated in this incredible workshop and this beautiful podcast
has me overwhelmed with gratitude to my core of my being.

I'm so happy. I'm so blessed.

Beauty and kindness

This may look like a regular Utah sunset posted by a lady who loves the sky but it isn't. It is a on-
my-way-to-Idaho sunset. Can you see the difference now? No. Try seeing the my-husband-is-
seriously-the-best-and-also-the-kindest-person-I-know-and-is-sending-me-to-a-motherhood-
workshop-this-weekend-as-a-surprise-for-my-birthday sunset. See it now? Nice. Pretty eh?

Forty and two

I'm just so incredibly grateful for the support and love of friends and family. I've been
more emotional than usual on a birthday, with it being the first I've experienced
without my Mom here. But while some of the emotion is from missing her, so much
more is being overwhelmed with those that choose to be a part of my life.

I sincerely did not go 20 minutes, from the time I woke up until this second, without some kind
soul acknowledging me and making me feel loved. I don't take that lightly. I am so blessed
when it comes to those that surround me and make my life better with their love and friendship.

Thank you wonderful people! Especially my sweet Dad for time at lunch and the beautiful
books that belonged to my Mom, that were gifted to me this afternoon. We both shed some
tears when he gave them to me, tied with a gold bow, exactly like she would have done.

And especially, especially the seven people I love most in this world. What they did to make me
feel loved today would fill up fourteen more posts. At least. All I will say is that several times today,
I prayed to my Heavenly Father to thank Him for allowing me to live one more year with the greatest
blessings I have ever been given. They go by the names of Jacob, Campbell, Annie, Matthew,
Benjamin, Nathan and Grace. And they mean everything to me. And getting old is kind of the best.
Because it means I'm still alongside them. And if mortality is the price I have to pay to be a wife
and mother to these glorious souls, count me in. For many, many, many years to come.

I'm so very blessed. Thank you kind friends, from the bottom of my heart.

Sweet girl

When a slight fever keeps you from church and being around people,
but not from an exciting game of Candy Land. I lost. As always.

Robotics and darling boys

This stud had a robotics competition today. And one of his best friends was his partner,
which was awesome. They headed into the championship, ranked 7th out of 51 teams.
But due to a mixup, they had to share their turns with other teams, so they didn't get
to compete in the final round. But 7th place isn't too shabby in this mom's opinion.

It was a day that was both fun and long. So I'm super thrilled for these
two incredible boys and equally thrilled that my back is no longer
yelling at me for sitting on junior high bleachers for hours on end.

Lunar eclipse

Jacob took these incredible photos a few nights ago during the lunar eclipse. I loveth.