Guatemala in pictures

High adventure

Such a tremendous group of boys and men! I'm so grateful for those willing to serve and love my boy
and give him experiences that are fun and exciting, as well as sweet moments to feel the Spirit.

Two things...

Who looks this good (I'm talking about Jacob Ethan here) after twelve miles straight up
a mountain? Sweet tulip fields, this man. Actually, now that I think about it, I guess I
might look this good. Because after my imminent death, the mortician would work some
makeup magic. And let's be honest here, even a mortician is better at makeup than I am.

And to add insult to injury, why can my dog take better selfies than I can? Good grief,
I give up. And I won't blame Jacob in the future if he only takes selfies with Denali.
After all, their cuteness is off the charts. Mortician makeup not even necessary.

Lettering fun

Cousins visiting and afternoons spent lettering.
These girls are the sweetest. I'm so grateful they get to be friends and family.

Holiday celebrations

Dinner and fireworks with the Davises the night before the 4th. It was with just three
of my siblings and their families, and of course my sweet Dad, and it was such a nice
night. We talked and laughed and ate great food. I'm grateful we were a part of it. 

Lunch and cherry pit spitting with the Allens on the afternoon of the 4th. All four
siblings in the area were there, along with another brother and his family from Illinois.
It was such a fun few hours of talking and laughing and playing and being together.

Sacrifice and gratitude

What a sacred day to really think about what we have and why we have it. I feel gratitude to the deepest part of my heart for my God, who has truly blessed America. For the defenders of this nation and their continual and constant sacrifice. And to far too many who have paid the ultimate price for my freedom. I am so humbled by what they have given, in order to make my life possible.

The things of eternity

Today, Jacob and I had the chance to attend the temple together. And not only did we get to be there at the same time (which doesn't happen as often as we would want), but we were able to be there to perform sealings, with my sweet Dad acting as the sealer.

A sealing is an ordinance performed in the temple eternally uniting a husband and wife, or children and their parents. And a sealer is one who has the authority to perform that ordinance. Being a part of this work, in behalf of those who have passed on, so that they have the privilege of being with their family forever if they desire, is unlike anything I do in mortality. I love it so.

And having the opportunity of participating in that ordinance with my incredible Dad is one of the sweetest things I do on a regular basis. But having Jacob with me yesterday made everything even more wonderful and right.

It is interesting to me that when I am dealing with the things of eternity, time seems to stand still. Everything feels more clear and more sacred and what is important seems tremendously important. And everything else just falls away, because it just doesn't matter. My Father in Heaven is so kind to give me that reminder whenever I choose to seek Him and so often, when I need it most. Today was one of those times.

Fearless

Don't let this serene smile fool you. This girl has no fear and today she displayed it by doing
a front flip off the diving board. Twice. After my heart settled down, I asked her how she knew
she could do a flip into the pool. She responded, "I didn't. I just wondered if I could, so I tried it."

He's home!

He's home from AFY, as of yesterday, and everything feels right again. He really loved
the week and took some pictures I will share soon. I'm so happy when our kids do good
things with their time, especially when they do it independently and enjoy it so much.

Baseball and friends

Our wonderful neighbors invited Ben to join them at fun minor league baseball game.
He really enjoyed it and we are so grateful for kind people and good friends.

Fun with cousins

Time with family is truly the best. It meant so much to us that Jacob's sister, Angela, would
come with her darling kids and spend a few days with us. I love getting to know our nieces
and nephews, especially those that live far away, better. It was such a fun and happy time.

She's home!

Hip, hip hooray, it's such a fabulous day!

Her day

She absolutely loved tassels and flowers and especially her birthday.
Today was one of the harder days I've experienced in the last nine months.

Happy Birthday Mom. I still miss you so much.

Adventure for Youth

This morning I dropped off these two guys in Provo, to begin their week of AFY
(Adventure for Youth). They made their way on buses to Moab and will be there until
Saturday, when the camp is over. Some of the activities include river rafting, spiritual
growth, mountain biking, canyoneering, climbing and repelling and personal development.
It should be a week unlike any other Matt has experienced and I am beyond excited for
him and his good friend, Noah. I cannot wait to hear about it when our boy gets home.

American Fork Canyon Half Marathon

They are the coolest. Thirteen point one miles in under a seven-minute pace. Holy. Incredible.

Rooftop photography

When I saw the sky through the window tonight, I ran outside to get a photo.
And quickly discovered that I've apparently passed on my love-of-taking-pictures-
of-the-sky gene to my posterity. My adventurous, not-afraid-of-heights posterity.

Bright

Missing this girl of the incredible light today, but absolutely love how happy she is in Guatemala
and how much this trip is affecting her for good. I love this picture her sweet friend took of her,
as it's not only gorgeous, but it so represents my amazing Annie and how she always shines so bright.

Susannas

Sometimes it makes me so sad to think that my little Grace Susanna will never know her grandma,
Linda Susanna, in this life. Which then makes me so incredibly grateful for my sure knowledge
of life after death and of families having the potential to be together forever. God is so kind.

Blessed beyond measure

He is the most adventurous, most exciting, most hard working, most kind,
most sacrificing, most well-rounded, most well-read, most patient, most humble,
most brilliant, most athletic, most loving person I have ever known.

So the fact that all of that pales in comparison to the husband, father and disciple
of Jesus Christ he chooses to be, makes each of us in our little family feel
grateful and blessed beyond measure. We love him something FIERCE!

Happiest Father's Day Jacob Ethan! We are so grateful to be yours.
(And wish you weren't halfway across the world from us today.
Next Sunday is most definitely your day, my love.)

She made it

Our Annes landed in Guatemala City last night and spent the night in a hotel there,
before heading on to the village her group will be serving in for the next two weeks.
She likely won't be able to contact us until she is headed back our way, but yesterday
she had a tiny spot of Wi-Fi and was able to text a hello and send this picture she
took from the plane. Seriously, could I love it more? Or love her more? Doubtful.

Guatemala bound

She is off. Only happiness and excitement for and from her this morning.

Enjoy every second my darling girl, you are so very loved.

Guatemala, hoodies and talented girls

Speaking of Guatemala (we totally still were), this girl designed the hoodies for
her Youthlinc group and they are seriously the cutest. She's amazing. That's all.

Two more days

This getting ready for Guatemala is serious business.

(I'm dying. She is the cutest ever.)

Our six-year streak has come to an end

Rather than entertain the idea that we are moronic for tempting the odds by living six years
with only one key to our minivan, I prefer to think we are pretty fantastic for making
it six years without losing (or locking it inside for that matter) the single key we were
given when we purchased our van. I mean really, do you know anyone cooler than us? 

And at this moment, we are now the proud new owners of not one, but two keys
to our minivan. Seriously. How do people live with this much abundance?

I just love her so much