If only this were a game of tag

This face about sums up our last week.
And it seems to be carrying over into this week.

I shared about Matt and his ER visit and upcoming surgery.
Well, last night, Ben took a big old fall on his bike. 

And took off skin on six different places on the right side of his body.
He's pretty beat up. Unfortunately, he also fell on the wrist he broke
last fall. And after a couple of hours, the pain and swelling made
us think we should probably get him an x-ray.

Gratefully, it is only a bad sprain. But Ben is the proud new
owner of a wrist brace for a week or two. Lucky duck.

This sweet boy, he handled all of it tremendously well, even when
the pain was a lot. Man, I love our Benjamin and his brave heart.

And then this sweet boy. On Friday night, he told me his ear was killing
him and I assumed he had some water in there from swimming earlier in
the day. We tried everything we could to get the water out and he finally
just fell asleep on that side, hoping it would drain out in the night.

Unfortunately, the next morning, he came in to me to let me know that
blood was coming out of his ear. I've been a mother for almost 21 years
and have never experienced this particular issue, but somehow,
I knew immediately his eardrum had ruptured.

A visit to InstaCare on Saturday morning confirmed my suspicion,
but even with the prescribed treatment, Nate was not getting better
and has been in so much pain, multiple times a day, the last 48 hours.
Plus, it didn't seem normal that his ear has continued to bleed the entire time.

So this morning, I took him in to see his regular pediatrician, to see if we
were missing something, and he discovered that there was some mix-up and
the InstaCare doctor prescribed only half the antibiotic Nate should be taking.
He also forgot to prescribe some powerful ear drops that are needed
to heal him completely and make sure his hearing doesn't suffer.

Oh man, I can't tell you how grateful I am feeling to finally have the right
amount of medication, plus the right number of medications, for this little
sweetheart to start healing properly. Darling Nate just kept thanking me
for taking him to our pediatrician and telling me how excited he was to start
feeling better. It was so pathetically sweet to see how relieved he
was after our visit. I love this amazing boy so much.

Well okay then, I'd say that's just about enough for a week's time.
I'm so thankful that all of our issues are relatively minor, yet I'm apparently
still pretty done with it all, as evidenced by the gigantic cold sore I've had
growing for the past two days. So while it's been fun, and makes for plenty
for this mother to do with her days and nights, as they say in tag...

Not it.

This incredible man

He's everything that is good and kind and patient and loving. He cares deeply and serves
endlessly. His loyalty to the Lord is not just in word, but also in action. Because of who
he chooses to be, he fills our life with security and laughter and happiness and hope.
Happy Father's Day Jacob Ethan! You mean the world to these six chicklets and their mom.

Fatherhood and goodness

Just so much gratitude for these incredible men and how profoundly they have influenced
my life. Most of them have finished their time on earth and are with our Father in Heaven--
who I have felt so humbly thankful for and prayed to, with my overwhelming gratitude,
many times today. I'm so thankful to be His daughter. His love for me sustains me
constantly and perfectly. And I'm so grateful he let these men be my fathers and
grandfathers. Their influence has changed me for good. And I'm so very blessed.

Tubing, stitches and unevenly worn shoes

This last Monday night, Matt was with some friends tubing, when he accidentally cut his foot. Bad.

A visit to the ER with a few tests and several stitches and he was the proud new owner of a large black boot. And I don't mean the cowboy kind.

We were told to follow up with an orthopedic surgeon to make sure he didn't damage any of the three tendons in his foot. The ER doctor didn't think it was a problem, but the cut was deep enough, it was important to be safe.

Well, yesterday morning was that second appointment and guess who is having surgery on Tuesday because one of the tendons in his foot was completely cut in half?

It's Matt. The answer is Matt.

Bless his handsome heart.

After several weeks of a post-surgery cast, followed by more time in a boot (still not the cowboy variety), followed by some physical therapy, Matt will be as good as new.

But in the meantime, his summer plans are not so fun and his shoes of the right foot are going to get extra worn.

Matt is handing it incredibly well. I'm pretty brokenhearted for him, but am just so impressed with his amazing attitude and his choice to deal with the situation as it is.

I love that boy of mine something fierce. And am just so grateful for him. No matter how unevenly all of his shoes are going to wear in the next three months.

Campbell's mission report

This morning, this incredible boy gave his mission report at church, on our first day back in more than three months. And it was sincerely one of the sweetest moments I have ever experienced, in my more than two decades of being a mother. I don't have words. All I know is that I don't deserve to be Campbell Allen's mom. But God let me be anyway. And I will be grateful for all of eternity for that blessing.

I would give a whole lot if those we love the most could have heard what we did this morning, but we were asked not to advertise it and to only invite grandparents. Which is as it should be during this time. And exactly what we did.

But I never want to forget the feeling in the chapel this morning, as around three dozen people listened to a returned missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And knew what he was saying was true. Because the Spirit was so strong, it felt like I could actually reach out and touch it.

Everything that Campbell shared touched my heart in a way I don't know how to explain. But I will NEVER, as long as I live, forget my boy's words as he closed his talk. "I will forever be grateful that for twenty months, I had the opportunity to stand beside God. And watch as He performed miracles in the lives of the people in Brasil."

Indeed, "God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son." And for the growth, beauty, hardship, miracles and life-changing experiences He gave to my son, more than five thousand miles from home, but never more than an arm's reach away from his Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Stay on the path and ring the bell

My sweet Aunt Shanna. 

I just returned from a trip to be at her funeral and it was beautiful and good 

and heartbreaking and perfect. The heavenly group of those that I love and 

that have impacted my life profoundly, seems to be growing more than my 

selfish heart feels like it can handle. But I just try to focus on how happy

 I am for them. Especially for her. I can imagine the glory of heaven is 

still so new and breathtaking and beyond belief and familiar. 

My sweet Aunt Shanna.

Little darlings

It was our youngests' turn to have professional photos taken for my in-laws'
grandchildren wall today. So I had to snap a couple of my own pictures outside, as we
were leaving. These two are seriously the cutest. And I really love being their mom.

And this last photo...I can't imagine why I am asked, on a very regular basis, if they are twins.

Advanced theatre awards night

 

Last night we hosted an awards night for Annie's advanced theatre class. It was such a fun time
for these kids and the award that Annie's teacher and director gave her was so amazing and
touching and sweet. It was a really wonderful way to end Annie's senior year of theatre.
Well, last night and the fact that Davis High's performance of Matilda won best high school
musical in the state of Utah a couple of weeks ago at the state theatre awards. Yeah, that too.

An afternoon of boating with friends

Last week, we had such a fun afternoon boating with our neighbors and friends. 

It was so kind of them to invite us and believe me, we jumped at the chance.

If you'd like to enjoy these photos even more than usual...you are welcome to pay special
attention to Matt jumping off the boat to surprise tackle Jacob while he was surfing, a few
red tongues brought to you by red licorice, Matt pulling ridiculous faces every single time
I raised the camera to take photos of him tubing and Annie looking absolutely terrified
during her tubing turn with Grace and Ben. Even though she wasn't scared in the least.
Oh my children, they are amusing to be sure. And really fun to be around.
As are our neighbors. They really are the best and we loved the time with them.

Our darling Nate

There are a whole lot of things I love about this photo. But mostly. 

Mostly, this darling boy.

The boys are back together again

Improving the kitchen table decorations...

...one darling drawing at a time.

The sweetest pup

Blackout Tuesday

I used to think that because I am not racist and because diversity and kindness really matter
to me, it was enough. I used to think that because I taught our children to love everyone,
no matter how alike or different they were from them, it was enough. I used to think that
because inequality and violence made me emotional and kept me up at night, it was enough.
But it isn't. It is good and right and a place to start. But there is SO MUCH MORE needed.

I will be the first to say, I understand that I absolutely don't understand. But that
doesn't mean I don't need to be a part of the solution. However that looks and
mostly, however my God asks me to. I believe He wants us to be uncomfortable.
Sometimes really, really uncomfortable. Otherwise we can't change.

And I've never known a time that change--TRUE CHANGE--is needed more.

Shubbery and s'mores

So let's say the bushes at the front of your house looked a tad out of control, so you decided to give them a little trim. But instead of being a professional shrub sculptor, you are more like an amateur. A sad, little, inept rookie. And three-fourths of them ended up looking more like a large marshmallow, sitting on its end.

Would you A) scour the internet for shrubbery rogaine and hope against hope it worked ridiculously fast? Or B) buy some square boards, paint them to resemble graham crackers and anchor them to either side of each bush?

Asking for a neighbor.

Best. In. State.

Two weeks ago tonight, Annie and her theatre friends attended the virtual
Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards. Where they won BEST IN STATE
for their performance of Matilda! I'm so grateful for this photo I was given, 

to remember such an incredible night. And the video I have of me watching 

it from home and screaming in pure excitement. Boy do these kids
and their director deserve it. What a happy, happy, HAPPY night!

Sixth grade graduate

And all week, this incredible guy had me thinking about how times flies. And there really isn't anything
I can do about it. Which is why he is officially a sixth grade graduate. On to junior high for our Ben.

It feels like these two photos (first day of elementary school, last day of elementary school) were taken
about 48 seconds apart. Just pure craziness, I tell you. But oh how I love this boy. Oh so very much.

She did it!

This darling girl officially graduated from high school last night. We watched and cheered and laughed
during her virtual celebration (which was so well done). And then joined our neighborhood as they so
 kindly celebrated all of these amazing graduates. She's amazing, this Annie of ours.

Class of 2020, what a wild ride.

But she did it! I'm so proud, so thrilled, so exhausted. 

It is such a privilege to be Annie Allen's mom.

Dance recitals and cute girls

This little love had her final dance class/recital recording tonight.
Love her darling teachers and and so grateful for the fun year she had,
doing one of her favorite things. As she told me when she was getting
ready tonight, "I want to keep taking dance forever Mom."

Sunday night sky

Weird

The weirdest of weeks. And I'm finishing it by sitting here in the high school parking lot, waiting for Matt to return the last of his books and pick up his yearbook. That boy has worked his head off to finish this year with all As. He is something else. And is now officially a junior.

And in just a couple of hours, Annes will finish her final AP test and summer for all of us will truly begin. Yee to the Haw. So proud of that girl and how hard she chooses to work and the fact that she is officially a high school graduate. Well, technically next week. After the virtual graduation ceremony. But still.

And my other three darlings, turned in their devices and picked up their yearbooks this week. And I took a corona photo of each of them with their teachers. So much weirdness. And so much gratitude for their wonderful teachers.

Also, in related news, I'm officially losing my ever livin' mind. Like for real. Last night we were in the ER for Jacob (he is fine, gratefully--his surgeon was just worried about a high fever and some strange symptoms and just wanted to be sure it wasn't anything serious). And I kind of wanted to just ask if I could stick around and use one of their beds to rest. Yikes, Linn Crazyville Allen.

And then today, I was driving Matt to this exact high school, which is less than 5 minutes from our house. I've only been here approximately 4642 times. But instead of that simple plan, I turned onto the freeway (which I haven't been on in weeks, thanks to quarantine) for absolutely no reason. And then another wrong turn, when I was finally able to get off the freeway. So...completely losing it, party of one.  

Oh look, there I am.