Matt's senior pictures

It's quite a big week for this handsome, hilarious, brilliant, athletic, kind, hard working,
adventurous boy of ours. He's so wonderful and good. And more full of life and genius
information than anyone I know. When I think about this fall, I feel so sad for me.
And so incredibly happy for him. That University of Utah is one lucky school.

I was so thankful to be able to take his senior pictures. And while I partially wish they had
been taken by a professional photographer, I loved this time with my boy. And always want
to do my best to listen to my kids when they express a preference and I can make it happen.

Love this Matthew Davis more than I could ever put into words.
Being his mom (and amateur photographer) is truly the coolest job ever.

Seminary graduation

This fabulous group of kids graduated from seminary last night. They are tremendous
and good, every single one of them. But that guy all the way on the left is my favorite
for sure. I'm so proud of him and this really wonderful accomplishment.

This boy of ours

Ben played his final spring game last night with his comp team. I'm just so thankful
for his fabulous team, his amazing coaches and especially our Benjamin's outstanding
heart and constant hard work. I just really love this incredible boy of ours.

Nate and the district decathlon

Another day, another fun competition for our Nathan boy. This time the district decathlon.

Nate was one of four fourth graders from his school and as the name indicates, they each
competed in ten different events. It was so incredibly fun to watch. Especially for our Grace
who took the morning off of school to cheer for her brother. And take notes about each
event with the hopes she can participate in a couple of years. It was kind of the cutest.

I especially love that Nate is our third child to be chosen for the decathlon--one of our
boys participated twice. So I was feeling like a veteran observer this fourth time.

Another fun morning with our darling boy. He's truly something else that Nathan Grant.

Yesterday

 

 

One year in heaven. I'm so happy for her. And miss her a lot.

She was my last mother figure that I talked to daily, that loved me unconditionally and that completely accepted me for who I am. We spent hundreds of hours together in the last weeks of her life and I'm forever grateful for that time. I'm so thankful for her and smile every time I think of the day I will get to be with her again.

Sure love this sweet grandma of mine, and the other three I had the privilege of knowing and loving in this life. As well as one I didn't, but can't wait to. I've felt all of them at one time or another since they've gone on to heaven. And know without a doubt that their love and protection continues over me and mine.

Heaven is as real to me as this earth life. Sometimes more so. I'm so grateful for that knowledge.
 

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.