Accidental beauty

I really love this picture Matt took of the snowy mountains the other day. He wasn't even
trying to get a good photo, just attempting to look up close at the view. That is when you

know you're a good photographer, when many of your amazing pictures are accidental.

Snow

 
I finished my marathon this week (26.4 miles to be exact), but my view
the last two days of the week were a little different than the first four.
Linn Allen exercising in snow. Who would have thought?

Zambia has my heart

 

 

Exactly one year ago yesterday, I stepped onto a plane and traveled to Zambia.
I still have a hard time talking about it, because the experience continues to feel so profound
and life-changing and sacred to me. I so love that incredible country, the beautiful friendships
I made, the wonderful mission and goodness of Mary's Meals (how I came to love it even more
than I already did)--all of it just means so much to me. But the children. These gorgeous
Zambian children. They completely stole my heart. And I'm so much better for it.

Yesterday

Turning nine

Happy, Happy Birthday to my amazing Nate! He is kind and loving and athletic and brilliant and just

plain good. He loves his family and friends and sports and laughing and reading and his Heavenly Father.

It is just an absolute honor to be his mom. Happy Birthday my sweet boy! You are so incredibly loved.

Six days

I completed a marathon this week (plus an additional 8k, give or take).

It just took me six days. I'm clearly lightning fast. Like a cheetah. All joking
aside, I actually have zero desire to run a marathon. At least the kind you
finish in one day. I like my toenails too much. I like my plan much better.

 

November 6, 2020

Today marks the day that I've officially been married to Jacob, longer than
I was single before him. A day to celebrate for sure. I'm so grateful for him.
He is good and kind and loving and everything I could have ever prayed or
hoped for in the man that is my husband and our children's father.
I'm so blessed. Just so, so blessed.

 

(7990 days so far. Here's to 7990 more. Plus eternity. Oh I love Jacob Allen.)

My thoughts on today

"I know that my Redeemer lives,

Triumphant Savior, Son of God,
Victorious over pain and death,
My King, my Leader, and my Lord.

He lives, my one sure rock of faith,
The one bright hope of men on earth,
The beacon to a better way,
The light beyond the veil of death.

Oh, give me thy sweet Spirit still,
The peace that comes alone from thee,
The faith to walk the lonely road
That leads to thine eternity."

~ Gordon B. Hinckley

Five years

Five years today. I can't believe it. Loss and grief warp time and it simultaneously feels
like five decades and five weeks since I last held her hand and sobbed out my final, mortal
goodbye. But God's incredible kindness gifted me with a miracle a few weeks ago and
the light and brilliance and overwhelming love that accompanied this unspeakable and
undeserving offering still linger with me. I'll never forget it, never feel less grateful
for it, never stop praising His name for being so unimaginably good to me.

Oh my sweet Gram, thank you for being who you are and for being such an important
part of my life. I know I will see you again. I can't wait. But I will. Until God has
finished using me here. And then, I'll run so fast and anxiously into your arms,
it will feel like no time has passed. I love you Gram. And miss you so much.

{My darling Dad recently brought me these photos. Little baby Linn with her Gram. I love them so much.}

Happy Halloween!

...from our Tyler Herro and Cowgirl Grace!

Another picture day

Well, it's that time of year again friends. The time when all of you loyal
followers are rewarded for sticking with me on this blog journey.

And so, without further ado, behold I present to you, Matt's junior year photo.

He originally tried to convince me he didn't do anything unusual for his picture. I can't tell you
how disappointed I was when I thought he was serious. But once I saw his photo, I laughed
for a good five minutes and all was right in the world. Even though he told me he didn't have
much to work with (no accessories or additions in this photo), I still think he did a stellar job.

I seriously love this kid. One day I hope to be half as cool as he is at his young age.
Until then, I'll just be so thankful I get to be his mom, I could burst.


(Sophomore school picture here. Freshman school picture here.)

R2R2R

He's sincerely the coolest person I know. And not just because of what I'm about to share, but man, it doesn't hurt.

Jacob and our good friend, Scott, did a little thing yesterday. It's called rim to rim to rim. And it involves traversing the Grand Canyon. Twice. Just over 13 hours of moving time, right close to 50 miles completed and 106,666 steps taken to be exact. Holy squirrels folks, these guys are crazy. And amazing. And I'm so proud of Jacob I could burst.

We prayed a lot yesterday at our house. I knew Jacob could do it. I sincerely didn't question it for a second. But I also knew it would likely be more physically and mentally taxing than anything else he had done previous.

Oh he's amazing. Such an example to me and to our kids. And a lover of life and adventure. He's just so incredible. I really love Jacob Allen.

So much gorgeousness

Next to being really good people and loving their Savior, the two things that bring me
a whole lot of joy when I witness them in my children is their humor and their stellar
photography skills. Oh it is the best. And here is fabulous evidence of the photo talent
that several of them have, taken during their trip last weekend. I love them so much.
The kids and the pictures. First four are Matt's, second four were taken by Annie.

Bryce Canyon

Last weekend, my incredible husband took our kids to Bryce Canyon
for fall break. I had to miss the trip, as the person we had hired to take
care of our Denali girl, cancelled at the last minute. I really missed being
with everyone. But it might have been a small blessing, since the medicine
I take to keep my brain from its overproduction of spinal fluid was not
working  for some reason. And I think the extra rest helped.

Either way, I'm just so thankful for Jacob and for his being willing
and happy to make last weekend fun and memorable for the kids.
He's the best. They're the best. I'm so grateful they're mine.

Stand still

 "Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still,
with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

~ Doctrine and Covenants 123:17

"Look Mom, I made IKEA pants!"

I'm seriously dying. You should HEAR her walk in them.

This child and her Sunday sewing adventures. She's the best.