Track meets and speedsters

I loved watching Nate run in his track meet a few days ago This boy is crazy fast,
works so very hard and has the most incredible heart. Being his mom is seriously the best.

He did it!

So ridiculously proud of our Matt. Tonight was happy and good and lovely and perfect. At least in my book.
So grateful for this incredible-boy-turned-man and the honor of being his mom. He's truly just tremendous.

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.