Our St. George trip ~ Day 4

Some time spent at the St. George temple, the drive home and reunited
with this sweet pup. It was a good vacation. And it is good to be home.

Our St. George trip ~ Day 3

A day spent driving, exploring and playing in the sand.

Our St. George trip ~ Day 2

Swimming, relaxing, talking to our missionary boy, mountain biking, driving and
playing in the sand and The Little Mermaid at Tuacahn. It was a good day.

Our St. George trip ~ Day 1

The drive to St. George today was actually quite lovely. Older children that
behave well in the car, incredibly interesting podcasts for this driver (I prefer
to drive on long rides, as much as possible, so I don't get sick) and being able
to talk with Jacob about things that matter to us, made for a nice five hours.

I am a bit sad this trip is so short and I won't be able to see any of my family
members who live here. But I'm pretty thrilled to be spending this time with my six
favorite people in the world. And hopefully hearing from my other favorite person.

I have a good life. I'm so grateful.

Ten months a missionary

Not being able to mail packages to Brasil means it has taken me months to figure out
how to send clothes that fit to our rapidly-shrinking-missionary boy. But they finally
arrived and this first picture he sent of himself in properly-sized clothing blew me away.

Oh I love this boy something fierce.

He is doing so well, working so hard, choosing happiness and most importantly, bringing others
to Christ and making sure that every single day, each one of his brothers and sisters he comes
in contact with, feel God's love for them. I'm so blessed to know him and to love him.

Campbell ended his letter this week by exclaiming,
"God loves you so much!! Just turn to Him and let Him guide you!!"

Last day of school

This handsome guy is so excited to be done with first grade and moving on to
second. He is just so sweet and good and happy and full of light. Oh I love him.

And I absolutely love this picture I took that shows his joy after
getting off the bus on this last day of school. What a stud.

And sweet chicken, these boys are officially 6th graders. Oh my craziness. 

Our darling Ben has such great friends and I'm so thankful. But how they all managed
to grow up this quickly is just ridiculous. Love this boy of mine and his good heart,
his hilarious sense of humor and his happy self. I'm most definitely his biggest fan.

Annie's Young Womanhood Recognition

Our darling Annie was awarded her Young Womanhood Recognition award tonight by these two incredible women. (Such amazing and kind women that are so good to our girl--I absolutely adore them.) This is the highest award you can receive as a young woman in our church. It takes hours and hours and hours of discipline to earn and Jacob and I are beyond proud of this amazing girl of ours.

In addition and alongside this recognition, she earned two honor bees. These are optional awards that require 40 service hours and reading the entire Book of Mormon to secure. And by that I mean that each one requires that amount of work.

Annie isn't perfect, and she doesn't have to be. Gratefully, that isn't asked of any of us. But oh she is good. And kind and caring and desires to do what is right. She deeply loves her Heavenly Father and her Savior, Jesus Christ and it shows in her actions and in the light in her eyes. I'm so honored to be her mom.

9th grade recognition night

Ninth grade recognition tonight for this cool son of ours. He was awarded the
Presidential Outstanding Excellence Award (gold edition) while his proud parents clapped.
And while the hundreds of attending students and parents enjoyed his large school picture
up on the enormous screen in the gym, reminder of that fabulous photo directly above.
Yeah that one. Except it was in color. And much larger than life. Kind of like this boy.

Grace's spring recital

 

This sweet little miss had a dance recital last night and oh the cuteness.
She absolutely loved it and did so well. And was beyond thrilled to win
the special crown for her hard work. Love this little darling so much.

wear blue: run to remember

So grateful this Memorial Day for so many that have made the ultimate sacrifice.
I feel emotional thinking how much has been given for the life I get to live.
I'm especially mindful of a sweet friend I met for the first time a few days ago,
whose husband was killed in Afghanistan almost ten years ago, when their
three children were just tiny. I just can't even. And yet, out of her heartache
and pain, she created the organization @wearblue: run to remember.

This morning, Jacob ran with this "running community that honors the service
and sacrifice of the American military." What a privilege and honor. And what a
touching day to remember those who should never be very far from our thoughts.

Nothing doubting

"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."

~ Sister Patricia Holland

My rose bush

Last fall, one of my dearest high school friends sent me an
email and let me know that she had purchased a rose bush for me,
in honor of my mom, and that it would be delivered in the spring.

Just the thought alone, made me cry. This friend has always
been so thoughtful and generous, so I wasn't surprised,
but I was so very touched. My mom loved roses,
absolutely loved them. It was such a meaningful gift.

And when it arrived, just a couple of weeks ago, I knew exactly
where it should go. And that is where it is planted, growing
and thriving and reminding me of my darling mom and
my sweet friend every single time I look at it. I love it so.

Preschool grad

Preschool graduation for this little sweetheart today.
So grateful for her amazing teachers and her preschool
experience and how she has been taught to love learning.