Sun Valley ski trip...again

A second year (I believe that makes it a tradition folks) of Jacob and the boys going on
a weekend trip to Sun Valley with friends. It's kind of the best I hear. Sure looks like it.

Siempre, siempre, siempre

I love our new flag out front. And especially the girl that inspires it.

Just a few days ago, right after she wasn't able to fly to Uruguay as initially planned,
she wrote the following in her weekly email. And I can't quit thinking about it.

"As for a spiritual thought, I've had a ton of people ask me if I'm okay, which has made me think.
Because of course I'm okay! Some people never get to their original assignments, some people have
to wait more than a year. Some people have like, I dunno, actual hard things in life. And if the Lord
needed me to be spending this week in Uruguay, I'd be there. Of course I'm a little sad, mostly because
I was literally traveling to summer and I had to come back and put a coat on, BUT the song "I'll go
where you want me to go" has never hit so hard as this week. That song is a banger. Because if I'm still
here, there has got to be a reason for it, someone's life I need to touch. So I might as well reach out to
every single person I can this week. I guess in short, my spiritual thought is that everything happens for
a reason. God is in control. And not the whip snapping drill sargeant kind of control, the fatherly parent
kind of control. The one where He gives you everything He possibly can in order for you to succeed.
The kind of control where sometimes you don't learn everything, because that thing could be too hard
or too heavy or you just don't need to know it right now. The kind of control where you are given gifts
because you worked for them, and gifts just because He loves you. The kind of control that you can
lean on and put your trust in, siempre siempre siempre. Because no matter how faithful you are to Him,
He always is faithful to you. He's always been pretty dang faithful to me, so why would I doubt Him now?"

Her goodness and light and testimony just overwhelm me.
How I love our missionary girl. Siempre, siempre, siempre.

Sweethearts Dance

Sweethearts dance for these two darlings last night. Oh my word, I adore Matt’s girlfriend, Edie.
She’s honestly amazing in every way. Just like my Matthew. I’m so, so grateful he’s ours.

This darling girl

While the boys were gone on a ski trip for a couple of days, Grace and I had some fun.
Dinner out, pedicures and finally a new Xbox game she had asked me about several
weeks ago. It’s literally a game where you unpack boxes and organize the items in
different rooms throughout your house. And if that last picture is any indication, she
kind of loves it a lot. Good grief, raising mini Linn is quite an adventure. Love her so.

A truly wonderful day

My baby girl.

I’ve spent the entire day just so happy and excited for her, that she was finally going to be able
to go to Uruguay. It just felt like the best news. And then tonight, as her final flight took off for
Montevideo, I was unexpectedly overwhelmed with emotion. I just started to cry and couldn’t stop.

It made no sense to me. Until I realized that it felt like she was leaving us again.
I already miss her enough, having her even further away just felt hard in that moment.

But then an understanding friend validated my feelings and
I guess that’s all I needed. The happiness and excitement came back.

Six more hours and my darling girl is officially a missionary in Uruguay.
I’m so proud of her. Even if my mother’s heart is having a hard time with the fact
that this picture was definitely taken about three weeks ago. Four at the most.

My amazing Annie.

My Hermana Allen.

My baby girl.

One amazing boy...and his incredible dad

Our amazing Nate has been so tremendous to get up each morning, in well-below freezing weather, to practice his soccer. He was talking to his dad about how he could improve and this was one of the solutions they came up with and of course, our boy went all in.

On this particular morning, after our Nate had been out there about 10 or 15 minutes, I looked out back and saw that his sweet dad, who was on a call that he just needed to listen to, stepped outside to take some time with his boy.

Love these two like crazy. So grateful for Jacob and the amazing dad he chooses to be. And for my Nathan and his incredible heart and powerful drive.

Even if it causes him to wear shorts outside when the weather is approximately 21°.

Good gravy.

Ben's special day

 

Our darling Benjamin was ordained to the office of a teacher within the Aaronic Priesthood
yesterday. It meant so much to have my dad and Jacob’s parents there. And for Campbell
to come from Provo. I’m so grateful for Jacob and the beautiful words he shared with
our boy during the ordination. And for Ben and his amazing, kind, good, worthy heart.

That last picture of my three oldest boys. I couldn’t love it more. Or them
more. An elder, a priest and a teacher. So unique, so individual, so exactly
how I would want each of them to be. I’m so honored to be their mom.

It was just a really wonderful morning. I’m so very blessed.

Updated itinerary

She has a new itinerary that gets her to Montevideo this Friday. I’m so excited for her.
Again. She called a few minutes ago because of a birthday in our family and sounded
so happy and light and hilarious. She’s just incredible. I’m so proud of her.
And excited for another try at Uruguay. Oh this mission thing is quite the ride.

Plot twist

This girl of the incredible blue eyes (just like her dad) was supposed to be on her way to
Uruguay right now. Unfortunately, the mess up of the company that took her COVID test
a few days ago meant they sent her negative confirmation as the flight was leaving. So she
is currently having another test in order to hopefully reschedule her flights to Sunday.

Oh I love her and her resilient and good self. She's dealt with the insanity of today so
very well. I'm so grateful to be her mom. And so excited for her to get to Uruguay.

It's good not to always get just what I want. It helps me to trust God more.
And let His timing be right. Don't get me wrong, I wish my missionary girl was
on her way to Uruguay as planned. But she will be there soon enough, just when
she should be, and this crazy day will all be a part of her wonderful adventure.

Love this Hermana Allen so much I could burst. I'm so honored to be her mom.

She's almost on her way

My beautiful girl. She flies to Uruguay in less than five days. And while I couldn't be more thrilled for her and the
adventure ahead, in something that likely only makes sense in my mother's heart, I'm teary about her going. I don't
know how to explain it, but I feel like I'm saying goodbye to her again. And it makes me unexpectedly emotional.

In her weekly letter today she wrote, "It blows my mind that when I got my mission call, I thought I would be speaking
Spanish, in a foreign country, to old people and their kids, walking to church, in the middle of the hood (or as hoody
as you can get in Uruguay). And somehow I ended up here. In the middle of "Louis Vuitton scarf and Tiffany jewelry"
Maryland, speaking English, to kids my age. And yet somehow, it's all the same. I am SO excited for Uruguay,
but I'm also SO grateful Heavenly Father sent me on this little 5 month pit stop to fall in love with Maryland."

I'm so grateful for a God that would give my sweet girl these last five months. They will forever be etched
on her heart. But mostly, I'm thankful for a Father that would allow Hermana Allen to be ours.

Oh I love her.

Those lovely Uruguyans sure are a lucky bunch.

This guy

Dinner tonight with this stud (and his handsome dad) was pretty much the best. He's my
favorite oldest son in all of forever. And he's hilarious beyond what should be possible for
any human being. I'm just really glad our Father in Heaven let Campbell Allen be my son.

My favorite books of 2021

The number of books I read last year was a little crazycakes. And I can guarantee will not be duplicated again. For comparison, at this time last year, I had already read twelve books. As of today, I have read two books in 2022. Oh there I am, back to my normal self.

That high number of books last year is the reason that I have thirteen favorites to share with you in this post. I narrowed it down a lot for the record, but thirteen was as low as I was willing to go. So without further ado and as always, here they are...in no particular order. Except the first one of course. Forever and always my favorite.

The Book of Mormon
It seems appropriate that I read my favorite book three times this past year. I truly just love it so much. Just a few weeks ago, I shared my thoughts on it and I still feel the same way. Oh I'm grateful for this inspired and life-changing book.

Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law
I listened to this book and I highly recommend it that way. Oh my word, I don't have the ability to share how amazing and inspiring this woman is to me. My life is really easy. Just for the record.

Your Blue Flame
Another audiobook and another recommendation to listen to it. This author truly makes me laugh out loud, which is always a favorite, but honestly, this book was just so very inspiring and helpful in how to find and do what you truly love. It left a huge impression on me.

Find Me Unafraid
This book is a true story of two people and their love for Africa and what they chose to do with that love. And how it brought them together. Oh my passion for Africa runs deep, as does my obsession with reading true stories. This is a good one.

Becoming
I've heard for years that Michelle Obama's book is a good one and I finally listened to it last year. I really love biographies. And this one was no exception. I've read many biographies of first ladies and I'm adding this one to the list of those I really enjoyed.

The Ladies Room
Oh this book makes me so happy to have on this list. Because Jacob's grandma recommended it to me and I finished it just a couple of months before she passed away. It was so light and funny and clean and just enjoyable. Nothing big or noteworthy, but I will always love it because she did.

Heaven Adjacent
I truly love this author. I've shared more than once on my Goodreads account that many of her books are like free therapy. My word she has insights into human behavior and one-liners that just stop me in my tracks. I highly recommend listening to this one. I don't know, there is just something about ordinary stories that don't try to tidy up the messy parts of life that speak to me.

The Inheritance Games
Another recommendation to listen to this particular book. (Can you tell I am an Audible fan?) It is just fun. And addicting. And clever and engaging and witty. And way out there as far as things that could actually happen. But did I care? No, no I did not. I was too busy enjoying it.

The Orphan Keeper
I struggled whether to put this book on my list or not, because with all due respect, not my favorite writing. But I still thought it was interesting and good and a bit different than most books I would normally read. And it made me think. So I included it. The end.

Spy the Lie
Another audiobook, another fascinating listen. This guy knows his stuff about deception and I just thought it was riveting beyond words. I'm now a better liar. Wait, was that the point of this book? I'm kidding. I think.

The Moonlight Child
Just a book to read that you won't be able to put down. It was sad (but not tremendously so) and interesting (but not tremendously so) and I included it because I liked it. And thought some of you might also.

The Book of Lost Names
What do I say about this book? Just listen to it. Pretty please. Or you can read it if you would like. Just make sure you don't miss it. I loved it a lot. Beautiful writing, haunting story, highly recommended.

What Happened To You?
If it were within my power to make sure ever human being listened to this book, I would do it. There are no words. I plan to listen to it again soon. For anyone who has dealt with trauma, loves someone who has been through trauma or knows that there is trauma in the world, they should give it a listen. I can't say enough good about it, Jacob listened and felt the same...I'd love if all of you did also. It's outstanding.

Okay then. That was a lot. And I'm grateful to have it over. But mostly grateful to have read all of the above books and the dozens of others I did last year. Oh reading is just the best. I'm so thankful it is a huge part of my life. 

Thanks for caring friends. Carry on. Actually, more like read on.

I know I will.

PS. For anyone looking for my book favorites from previous years, here is a link that will take you to them.
It is in random order, but they are all there. As are several other posts below them you can ignore. You're welcome.

This boy

 
Less than 24 hours after being crowned tournament champion, this darling boy and I were at the
temple participating in baptisms. I just adore him something fierce and loved that time with him in
my favorite place. He’s so amazing and has the best heart. And oh, the side-by-side below…I loveth.

 

Highly recommend

 

Still at it. Even if I haven’t shared a lot about it. I just started my third semester toward my criminal justice degree and this semester I’m focused on my child and family studies minor. I love it all so much. Even if it isn’t the easiest and I have plenty on my plate without it. I still am so grateful I get to do it.

Now if I can keep my grades where I’d like them. I’m pretty proud that my old lady self has a 4.0 so far, but this may be the semester that breaks me. Because this class I’m taking has a thirty page syllabus. (Bless my professor’s detailed/particular heart.) Oh well, I get to learn and grow and do something hard for me, so ideal grade or not, I’m a fan.

Ahhh, going back for a bonus degree in your forties. Highly recommend.

Tournament champions

Our darling Ben was invited to participate in a premier soccer tournament in
Mesquite, this last weekend, and the team ended up winning the entire thing.

It was pretty much the best!

So excited for our boy and so grateful for Jacob and his willingness
(can’t pretend he didn’t love it) to spend five days making this possible
for Ben. He’s such a tremendous dad and I love that he and Ben had
this time together and also that the final game turned out so fabulously.

One of our happiest memories of late for sure. We kind of love soccer
at our house, if you can’t tell. And our Benjamin a whole lot more.

These darlings of mine

Nothing better than these few minutes with my two oldest together. Oh I love them.
And their darling, hilarious selves. I’m just a huge fan of Monday.

This girl

My beautiful missionary girl had a chance to see the DC sites (yay for weekly preparation days)
before she leaves for Uruguay in just over three weeks. Oh she is something else. I’m so grateful for her.

So much joy

Just thinking about the excitement of our girl getting to go to her original
mission {call} and can’t stop smiling. I’m so thrilled for her. And the people
of Uruguay. Looks like I have a flag to switch out in the not so distant future.

The temple, special days and my hero

On a regular basis, my sweet dad sends me temple names to do. Because my mom can no longer
help him with the work of his female ancestors here on earth, I get to. And I’m so incredibly grateful.

Today I completed a few names he sent me, including this one from a woman born in 1595. For right
close to four hundred years, she has been waiting for her temple work for be done. It was such a sweet
experience to be a part of that today. And then to go on and do the work for two family members from
Scotland (land of my ancestors and my heart) that I brought myself. It was just a really wonderful day.

One of my favorite days of the entire year actually.

Happy Birthday Daddy! It’s such an honor to be your daughter. Thanks for teaching me to love
the temple. Next to having you as my dad, it’s one of the greatest blessings I’ve ever been given.

Yesterday