District Math and Science Olympiad

Oh man, what a fun morning. Nate was chosen to participate in the elementary Olympiad for
our school district--one of just six kids from his school competing in Krypto. So when they
announced that he and his partner had taken first place, for the fourth grade, out of all the
schools, it was pretty exciting! The smile on my Nate’s face might’ve made me a little teary.

And seeing Nate’s cousin there too, was the best. Especially when she came running up to
Nate after he came out of his round to see how he did. Oh that girl is truly the sweetest ever.

And I just had to include that fourth photo of how Nate plays his game. Always standing, always
with his head cocked to the side, looking at the cards and figuring out the answer as quickly as
possible. He’s seriously the cutest and I couldn’t quit watching that brilliant brain of his go to work.

And last, I wanted to make sure and add that fifth picture to remember when I pulled up to
the junior high where the event was being held. Before I could find Nate's group, I remember
having the thought, "Oh I hope Nate is running around with friends doing something fun before
his turn." And he was. I interrupted he and his partner to take this photo because I wanted to
remember something my mom taught me years ago, that I’ve never forgotten. When kids push
themselves extremely hard mentally, they need an outlet in another area. Often doing something
physical will be that outlet and help them to perform better. I hadn't thought about this in a very
long time, but it all came back to me in the moment I drove up. And somehow my heart knew,
even though It hadn’t been on my mind and I hadn’t voiced it to Nate, if my sweet boy
would play hard physically, it would help him perform better during the competition.

And apparently it worked.

Just like my mom said it would.

A field trip with our Grace

Second grade zoo field trip yesterday with this little love and her friends. And the best
second grade teacher and her darling daughter. And then as if that wasn't enough, I got to
share a group with one of my favorite people. I would most definitely call that a good day.

Oh I love her

Nine months today for my beautiful missionary girl.

Spring piano recital

Our darling Benjamin played in his piano recital today. He did absolutely amazing. I wish you all
could have been there because it was just so ridiculously beautiful. And that gorgeous lady on the
right who teaches our boys piano...I truly don't have words. We love her something crazy. Times ten.

And not just because she wanted to take that second picture you see to represent missing our sweet Nate
this morning. Our cute boy, who had practiced his recital song for weeks and weeks, and had it down
perfectly, came down with strep yesterday. And had to miss the recital. But that photo Emily had me
take brought the biggest smile to his face and I was so very thankful. Did I mention she's the best?

And then the picture of Ben with his two cousins who also take from Emily (and who recommended
her when we needed a piano teacher and I will forever be grateful). They are pretty much
the best and I wish every person alive could have heard them both play today. Unreal.

And last, but certainly not least, the picture of Ben and Emily (that I couldn't resist finding)
from his very first recital. I truly cannot handle that much cuteness.

Piano lessons, recitals and incredible teachers forever and ever.

Last night

When a last minute elementary school activity (well, less last minute, more yours truly didn't
read the newsletter with the information) makes it so you need to reschedule your morning
temple appointment for the evening. And then you get there, and having not even realized what
day it is (yes, I'm winning at life of late), your dad is the sealer at the session you scheduled.

I can't even express how much last night meant to me or how much
I needed to be in the temple with my dad.

And then to make it all the better, as I was leaving, two recently-returned missionaries
were waiting to do sealings. But no one who had made an appointment for the last session
of the day had shown up. So they couldn't participate without someone else. Which means
I was able to stay for another hour and join these tremendous young men in their temple
work. And it made me cry a little because well, missionaries and how much I love them.

It was a good night. And to think when I woke up yesterday morning,
not a second of it was on my radar. God is so kind to me. I'm so grateful.

Lunch fun

Lunch on the lawn today at the elementary school with these little darlings and their friends.

Pretty much the coolest

This boy of the incredible skills (athletically, mentally, spiritually,
socially, emotionally) finished two AP tests in the last two days.
Hard ones at that. And so, rather than posting a picture of him
standing and smiling, I wanted to share something a lot more Matt.

Oh this guy is something else. And the fact that he graduates from
high school in exactly two weeks is just crazy cakes. Time could
have an ounce of sympathy and slow down a tad, you know.

Love this boy of ours and his amazing heart, brilliant mind, hilarious
one-liners and his ability to ski like a pro. He's pretty much the coolest.

Today

So profoundly humbled to be their momma. 

 
So much missing my missionary girl.

 

So deeply longing to be with my mom again—even for just a minute.  

 

It’s not my favorite day of the year (and not for the reasons you
might think), but what it represents means everything to me.

So grateful for a God that allows someone so undeserving to be a mother.
For my sweet husband who never stops building me up in this role that matters
nearly above all. And my six chicklets for changing who I am for the better.

Every single day.

His holy house

If you’ve been here for very many days, you likely know that I love the temple. As in a lot. It’s one of my favorite places and I’ve had some truly beautiful and life-changing experiences there. Over and over again.

This morning I went to the temple. And it wasn’t my favorite experience. It wasn’t bad, it just had an unexpected layer to it and I didn’t come out changed or greatly edified or even that happy.

And it mattered to me to share that is okay too. I’ve had seasons when attending the temple is extremely hard for me for a variety of reasons. Today wasn’t one of those times. But it was unexpectedly difficult. And I guess I wanted to be clear that is also very normal for me. Because I’m human. And so is everyone else. And I can love the temple with all my heart and still not have it always be wonderful or even enjoyable.

And I guess I just wanted to say that today.

I'm so grateful for a God who is okay with that. More than okay. And still shows His love and appreciation when I try. My heart tells me that means as much to Him, and sometimes more, as when I go and it is beautiful and right and rewarding and fills me up.

Oh I love Him. And His holy house.

Running and funning

Elementary fun run this morning for these two loves. They each got fifty laps and it made
my morning to go and watch and cheer for them. Man I love these youngests of mine.

Here she goes again...and by she, I mean me

One time, a few years back, I sneezed so hard I chipped my front tooth. And it was so obvious and ridiculous looking, a dentist had to file down the other side to even things out.

A long while ago, I decided during a half a marathon I was running that I was going to get a finish time that I had no business even considering, taking into account my race training. Or lack thereof. But I beat that time. And stress fractured my foot in the process.

A couple of weeks ago, a doctor presented me with these two beautiful braces to wear every night while I slept. For the next month. Because apparently when you spend hours and hours and hours (plus a few more hours) painting for three straight weeks, you win an award. A double-wrist carpal tunnel award. And you are looking at that prestigious prize.

If I’m not a poster child for average, every day and perfectly normal-induced injuries, I’m not sure who is.

Light and joy

I came across the top picture of our Matt recently and it took my breath away
a bit.I love it so and was so grateful he would share it with me. My boy of
the incredible light. Alongside so much joy. I love him something fierce.

It reminded me of another photo I took of him many years ago on the beach in La Jolla.
One of my favorites ever. Joy and light. That is my Matthew. Always and forever.

At his request, I took his senior pictures tonight. He didn’t want a professional photographer,
he asked for me. And that time with him filled me up. But also left me a little emotional.
So many lasts. I just can’t believe we are already here. It’s just unreal. And far too soon.

But when the missing starts early, I choose to remember the joy. And the light.
And that my Father in Heaven has allowed me the privilege of being Matt Allen’s
mom. One of the greatest honors of my life, without question.

Oh my Matthew Davis. He’s truly something else. I’m so deeply grateful for him.

My beautiful girl

My beautiful girl is being transferred this week, further into the countryside.

She will be training a darling missionary that doesn’t speak a word of English.
She was so excited and slightly terrified and couldn’t quit smiling at the
excitement of the adventure ahead. I just love her so much I could burst.

Senior prom

Matt and his friends asked me to take photos for prom last night,
their final school dance, and as always, it was the best.

How I love these teenagers and their goodness and light. Especially my Matt and his
beautiful girlfriend, Edie. But ugh, I can't believe this season is almost over. Which means
nothing will ever be the same. Wonderful and good and how it is meant to be. But not
the same. And three times now, I've felt that to the core of my being. And I don't love it.

But I am most definitely excited to watch my boy soar. He was born for greatness.
I believe that to the deepest part of my heart. And I try my best to just get out of his
way and watch what incredibleness comes from him. Because it just keeps coming.

Ben's amazing soccer coach

 Last night Ben's comp team had their second game of the spring season. And it happened
to be on the same day as their wonderful coach having surgery for cancer. Which is why
these boys wore ribbons on their uniforms during the game. And played their hearts
out for the win. Grateful for soccer, good coaches and this fabulous group of boys.

Some thoughts on this Wednesday morning

 
It feels like a day for random ramblings.

Right this second it is snowing where I live. As in really, really snowing. And usually I would be ticked, but I’m just so grateful for the moisture I can’t stand it. Color me changed. Temporarily.

We are still in the middle of quite a few home renovations. I am so grateful and know how blessed we are and how thankful I feel that we have been able to save for a long time to do this work. Simultaneously, the number of hours, days, weeks it is taking to properly be prepared in the way I would like to be is kind of ludicrous. Much of that is on my personality and how much I want it all to be lovely and fabulous together. And it’s exhausting. But I feel giddy and grateful in my exhaustion and so there’s that.

I shared a post on my Instagram stories that I can’t quit thinking about. I’ve followed the woman who wrote those words, as well as her husband, for quite a few months. I wish I could convey how I feel both about what she wrote and about how profoundly their sweet family inspires me. They are going through the unimaginable and choosing our Savior in spite of it. The Lord must be so deeply proud of them.

This photo is actually from last night. Before the snow really started sticking. I looked out the window and saw this sunset and thought of my girl. She’s been extra on my mind, not even sure how that is possible when it feels like she’s constantly there to begin with. And my prayers are deeper and more often with all that she is going through and who she chooses to be during the hard of it. She is also choosing our Savior. The Lord and her mother are so deeply proud of her.

And the walls came tumbling down…

With a lot of help from the mighty Jacob Allen. And his fabulous kids.

Oh. And I was there too.

My beautiful girl

This incredible oldest of mine

Sometimes I really miss having this oldest of mine around on a regular basis, but love
how happy he is, how well he is doing and the person he is becoming. He’s sincerely one
of the coolest people I have ever known and it is one of my greatest honors to be his mom.

And this fantastic picture...if that’s not a Campbell Allen look, I don’t know what is.

Oh he’s the best.

Miracles and things I know

  I need this picture here, on our family history, to remind myself of an incredible miracle
that God performed for me last Friday morning as I was headed into the temple. I know it
is something that I need to keep in my own heart, but I also don't ever want to forget
my Father's kindness and love and what He was willing to do for me. Especially on a
day that felt pretty numb and difficult. God loves His children. This I absolutely know.

After the temple, I spent some time at my Mom's grave in order to take her some flowers.
I don't go as often as I feel like I should. It is still extremely hard for me to see her name on a
headstone and it isn't where I feel a lot of peace. But because I love her and because honoring
her in this way matters, I still show up when I can. I feel her most when I am in the temple
and for that, I will be forever grateful. As well as for my sure knowledge of where she is at
and how happy and well she is doing. I know I will see her again. I absolutely know it.

Grateful for spring

Not sure there is much that feels better than a long walk on a spring afternoon.

A fun night

 

It was finally this sweet boy's turn to cash in on a Christmas gift.
And he sure loved the Real Salt Lake game with his dad tonight.
Just love these two and their happy obsession with soccer.