Grace's 8th birthday party

Grace decided that rather than a big birthday party for her eighth birthday, she wanted to take one
friend to lunch and to Build-A-Bear. So that is exactly what we did last week. This darling Kaloni
joined Grace and they had the best time. Kaloni was even able to come over after and play for a
few hours, which made the party all that more perfect. Sure adore all of Grace's cute friends and
this sweet friend in particular. And love Grace's idea for the best eighth birthday party ever!

Oh, and the fact that the party happened right during Hermana Allen's break, so she could
join just made it all the better. Love these two girls of mine so much, I can hardly stand it.

Yesterday (but actually Sunday, when he kindly came home to celebrate)

Campbell Jacob ~ This is twenty-two

Happy, Happy Birthday my amazing boy! You are so incredibly loved.

Three years

"We, buried dreams
Laid them deep into the earth behind us
Said, our goodbyes
At the grave but everything reminds us
God knows, we ache
When He asks us to go on
How do we go on?

So we will sing, to our souls
We won't bury our hope
Where He leads us to go
There's a red sea road
When we can't, see the way
He will part the waves
And we'll never walk alone
Down a red sea road.

Oh help us believe
You are faithful, You're faithful
When our hearts are breaking
You are faithful, You're faithful
Oh grant us eyes to see
You are faithful, You're faithful
Teach us to sing
You are faithful, You're faithful, You're faithful.

And we will sing, to our souls
We won't bury our hope
Where He leads us to go
There's a red sea road
When we can't, see the way
He will part the waves
And we'll never walk alone
Down a red sea road.

No, we'll never, walk alone
Down a red sea road
No, we'll never, walk alone
Down a red sea road."

It's still a day filled with questions and grief and difficult memories. But it's also a day of absolute
knowledge of where she is at and how close she remains to those of us who love her most.

Missing you deeply today Mom. Three years closer.


Song can be found here for those interested.

Pictures from Grace's baptism

Grace's special day

This sweetest little love was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday
by her darling dad. It was, along with five other similar experiences, one of my favorite memories of mortality.

We are so grateful for so many who came, or those who participated through zoom, to support our girl. It meant a lot.

Just love our Gracie girl so much and are so proud of her wonderful decision to follow her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Yesterday

Grace Susanna ~ This is eight

Happiest Birthday baby girl! We love you something ridiculous.

Cutest little tree climber

This man

He's everything I didn't even know I could pray or hope for in this life. The fact that God has given
me him for eternity is just beyond comprehension. I've been his wife for more than two decades
and in that time, he's given me the six greatest gifts I could never deserve. Oh I love Jacob Allen.

Our Hermana Allen

This is getting more and more real. I can't believe she is halfway done with home MTC.
But at least if she has to leave us, she for sure has darling luggage tags to use on her suitcases.
Ones she designed herself and let me order for her. It really is down to the super small things
I can do to show her how loved she is and how incredibly proud of her we feel.

College life, take two

This guy. He's so good. Especially to his mom. I asked for a
first day of school picture and he obliged. What a stud.

He began his second year at BYU on Monday and is really enjoying it, even though
he's as busy as can be. Working 30 hours a week, taking five courses, never mention
homework and as much of a social life as he can fit in--its a lot. He's amazing.

 

I just really adore him.

Our unstoppable God

For those who don't follow me on Instagram, you will likely not know what I am talking about here.
A dear friend, and dance teacher of Grace's, is in critical condition, after severe complications
during the birth of her fourth baby. We haven't quit praying. Cami is an absolute light to the world
and we can't quite wrap our minds around the fact that this is happening to her. But we do know
our God to be a God of mercy, miracles and goodness. We are so grateful for that knowledge.

 

 The last few times I have donated blood, it has given me a terrible rash at the needle
site, that spreads quite far and is extremely agitating for a couple of weeks. I actually
enjoy giving blood, as it feels like something small that truly makes a difference.
But of late, the result makes it hard to work up the will to actually make it happen.

But this morning, I got on the FB page for our sweet friend and Grace's dance teacher,
Cami, and saw that they were requesting blood donations. Not only that, but an anonymous
donor would give $20 to Cami's family for each of the first 100 people who donated.

And immediately, I knew that a couple of weeks of an annoying rash was nothing
compared to what Cami and her family are going through, not to mention the privilege
of helping anyone in a situation desperate enough for a blood transfusion.

Gratefully and miraculously, when I got on to make an appointment, they had one in an hour.

On the way to my appointment, I had my music playing and
from my speakers came these words to a favorite song...

Nothing can stop an unstoppable God.
He's not afraid of impossible odds.
This is the promise that I'm standing on.
Nothing can stop an unstoppable God.

That is indeed the promise I am standing on.
For Cami, for me, for so many I love, for all of us.

I testify that nothing can stop an unstoppable God. The outcome is one
He knows and that can forever be turned to our good. If we only turn to Him.

God is good. Always.

This boy

He does everything with his whole heart. And considering how outstanding his heart is, what he
does is beyond incredible. Especially soccer. How I love having a front row seat to his games and
his life. He's good and hilarious and kind and amazing. Love this boy of mine something fierce.