Futsal fun

A season of futsal for these two studs. They really are the coolest in all the land.

A really good day

A whole day of snowmobiling, just the two of us. It was the best.

My beautiful girl

My beautiful, beautiful girl. Three weeks from today, she will walk off
the plane and into my arms. And I cry every time I think about it.

She’s done something so good, so brave, so life-changing, so dang hard and so
very right. And what she wrote about it this week in her letter just about did me in.
I can’t stop thinking about it. Here is the link to it, if you don’t receive her emails.

I promise you, it’s worth your two minutes.

My beautiful, beautiful girl. She’s coming home.

My favorite books of 2022

I read exactly fifty books in 2022. Not nearly as many as last year, but almost one a week. And yet, I can honestly say, I only had two I really liked a lot (alongside The Book of Mormon which will always be my favorite). The others were quite good and I mostly recommend them, but it was a weird year of reading books, where I just felt less satisfied than usual in my literary choices. Hopefully I'll have more I love when this reading year is over.

So starting off, my three very favorites--followed by a few others I liked pretty well.

The Book of Mormon
Always my favorite, always the book I make time to read from each day, even for just a few minutes. I was able to get through it three times this year and am a better person because of it. I've written a lot about it on our family blog, so feel free to go back to read any of those posts. I've linked just three here (one, two and three) for those interested. I love The Book of Mormon to the deepest part of my heart.

The Downstairs Girl
This book is a historical fiction and social drama that is set in the New South. I absolutely loved it. It was both enlightening (had no idea about this time in Atlanta in the 1890s in regards to people who had moved here from China) and at times, absolutely hilarious. It actually made me laugh out loud over and over. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and the Audible version was especially fantastic.

Atomic Habits
You likely have already heard of this book, but if you haven't read it, it is worth the time. At least in my opinion. I'm so fascinated by non-fiction that has science and studies behind it (actual, real studies for the record) and this book about how to build good habits and leave old, unhelpful ones was just fabulous. I think everyone would benefit from what it shares.

Dream of Flight and Ask Him Why
I'm a huge fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde and many of her books. And one of the reasons I love them is because they are about ordinary life. But the way that she writes about the human mind and situations we all can relate to is just beautiful to me. I don't know, I wish I could explain it better. But she is a brilliant writer and many of her insights (written through fiction, of course) keep me thinking for days after I read them. Especially as I subscribe to the idea that not everything is as it seems and you need to approach life and situations without already pre-deciding (totally a word) the facts. It was a good reminder for me to work on that.

Cross Fire
So this is a Christian suspense book that has four books within the series. This is book two (and now I'm trying to remember if I've read both of the other two or just the third). I liked it quite a bit. It is cheesy at times for sure, but also extremely clean and kept me reading with suspense (and sometimes annoyance because I would think you would be much more careful in your daily life and activities if your actual life was in danger, but that's a tangent for another day). Anyway, it's a hard topic at times, so keep that in mind, but it definitely wasn't graphic, which makes me a fan.

If We Break
This is the book by Hunter Biden's ex-wife and I really went back and forth about if I wanted to read it. I'm not into gossip or just sensationalizing things (not saying I thought it would be this way, I just didn't know), but I do appreciate a good memoir and what I learn from them. I don't know, it was something that stayed with me for a long time. I didn't feel like Ms. Buhle was trying to just get out her grievances about what her ex-husband had done to her (although I couldn't blame it if she wanted to quite frankly--all things, even outside of this book, point to some really horrific choices and treatment by him toward her), but more how there are often two sides and what she learned through it all and could have done better. I wasn't sure about recommending this one (apparently I'm still not), but for certain people, I think it would be good to read. (And I love that this is the book I am most unsure of on this list and I wrote the longest paragraph about it. Ha to the ha.)

The Pecan Man
I really enjoyed the Audible version of this book. It is a book set in the deep South in the 60s or 70s and good grief, I just can't stand how humans often treated humans, especially during that time. And yet, this Pecan Man, Eddie, was just so endearing and good. And even though it felt difficult to read at times, for me, it just really matters to be uncomfortable about things that are just plain wrong--especially by reading books that choose not to include unnecessary details and junk. And this book definitely did that for me.

Okay, that is more than enough from me. Happy reading folks!

{And just because this year wasn't my best year for favorites,
I'm linking previous years at the bottom of this post, for anyone interested.}

 

2011     2012     2013     2014     2015     2016     2017     2018     2019     2020     2021

Round four at our house

 
Learner’s permit for this stud (who passed the test on his first try). Here we go again.

Darling Nate and the temple

First time at the temple this morning for this incredible boy—definitely one of those
beautiful experiences in mortality. So thankful for Jacob who took time this morning
to join us. And especially for this Nathan of ours. He’s just the sweetest and the best.

My favorite fifth grader

Fifth grade field trip yesterday with my favorite fifth grader.
Love this Nathan boy so much I can hardly stand it.

Here we go again

Another fifteen year old, another chance to give driving a try.
On his birthday. In the church parking lot. He was actually really good
at it and enjoyed it quite a bit. Learner’s permit, here we come.

Almost home

My beautiful girl! We just received her itinerary and she will be home exactly five weeks from Friday.
 I could honestly burst with excitement at the idea of having her home and hugging her again.

In the meantime, she was transferred yesterday. She is right in the middle of Montevideo, and is so
happy, she can hardly stand it. She is right on the edge of a very dangerous area, where they only allow
elders to go. And her only lament is that she doesn’t get to go there and see if it is an adventure to get
robbed. Honestly, this child of mine. Her new companion, that she gets to train, is from Brazil and it is
such a fun connection to her big brother and the land of his heart. It is going to be a good six weeks.

This incredible Hermana Allen. We are just so proud of her and who she has become
and how much she loves the Lord. What an absolute honor it is to be her mom.

Nate's special day

This sweet Nathan boy had the privilege of receiving the Aaronic Priesthood
today. It was one of those days when heaven felt near and every sacrifice
I’ve ever made to be a disciple of Jesus Christ feels worth it…times a million.

When I saw our incredible boy, surrounded by his dad, his brothers and his grandpas
(and deeply supported by Kelsey, Grace and his Nana), I just cried. It felt like
time stopped and all felt completely right in the world for those few moments.

How grateful I am for my Savior, my Father in Heaven, my family, the Priesthood of God
and my darling Nate. And days like today that make mortality really wonderful and good.

So much happiness!

 Truly one of the happiest days of my life yesterday! I couldn’t love these two more
and know that Heavenly Father intended them for each other, even before we came
to earth. They are just all that is right and good and hilarious and beautiful and
light-filled in this world. Just so much joy, I feel like I could burst!

A happy day, indeed

If there is a sweeter person on earth, I’m not aware of them.

I absolutely loved seeing my darling dad this morning, after the temple, to give him a hug and
wish him the happiest of birthdays. He’s honestly the best and I’m just so deeply grateful for him.

And I loved doing temple baptisms this morning (with my wonderful husband who made it
possible) because well, first, my dad loves the temple and taught me to love it too. And second,
because the family temple card he gave me the other day, of a female relative, had a very
significant birthday on it. And my dad may not have noticed, but I sure did. And loved being in
the baptistry this morning to celebrate the birthday of my tremendous dad and Mary Dudley.

January 6th. It’s a good day, indeed.

Yesterday

This incredible birthday boy

Happiest Birthday my amazing boy! Everything about our family is happier and better because you are in it.

Five things I love about Ben right now:

1. He's truly hilarious. He makes me laugh constantly and his humor is not only funny, but so very clever. He has the most hilarious take on events and on life and his one-liners are honestly hysterical. I laugh a lot with this boy around.

2. His athleticism is beyond, beyond. Whether he is playing soccer (and putting in that PK to take his team into a championship), snow skiing, wakeboarding, surfing, running, playing basketball or any other thing that requires coordination and skill, he does it at a level that is absolutely something else to watch.

3. He has a relationship with his Heavenly Father and his Savior that is pure and sweet and good. He is extremely consistent about praying and reading his scriptures and each day he has seminary (his religion class at the school), he comes home and wants to talk about it. But he doesn't just talk about being a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, he acts on it. Every single day.

4. He is absolutely brilliant. In all areas, but especially when it comes to the world and how things run and how to look at an issue and figure out a solution. And he uses his great mind to learn new things on his own, like video editing, for instance. He is insanely good at that skill which is 100% self-taught.

5. He has one of the kindest and most pure hearts I have ever known. When he was born, and had to spend time in the NICU, I would sit by his bedside and cry. But not out of worry. Instead, out of the absolute privilege it was to be the mom to such a pure and incredible soul. He cares so much about people and being a good person and it isn't unusual for him to text me on a random day and say, "Mom, can you pray for a girl in my school?" That's all. It's enough for him to write only that because he sees someone struggling and knows that prayer will make a difference. I know it makes our Heavenly Father so proud.

We love you Ben Jamin! More than you could ever know.

Farwell, 2022

 22 Simple Joys of 2022

* talking to my missionary girl every week
* watching my baby girl dance from her heart
* listening to my boys play the piano
* watching my oldest fall in love
* seeing my boy adjust to college life & do hard things
* kissing jacob
* weekly family calls
* sacred time in the temple
* reading any book, ever
* sunshine on my face
* any moment spent with my dad
* home renovations, after the fact
* boating with those I love, a lot
* driving with the music up and the windows down
* taking any photo, ever
* sunsets and sunsets and sunsets
* just so much laughing
* birthdays and holidays and traditions and fun
* cheering for my teams at a forever-too-loud volume
* loving my seven, imperfectly and fiercely
* just so many miracles
* learning to trust my Savior, more and more and more

Here’s to a beautiful new year and all
of the joy that is surely ahead!

Four Scottish sisters

A couple of months ago, my darling Dad asked if I was available to do the temple baptisms and confirmations for four Scottish sisters from our family history. And I jumped at the chance. When those were over, I had the opportunity to take all four names and act as a proxy, to complete their initiatories (the next individual ordinance at the temple) and it was such a sweet experience.

And then today, thanks to Jacob being willing to take care of everything and everyone, I was able to do the endowments (you guessed it, another incredible ordinance) for all four of these wonderful women in my family. It was long day, yes, but it was also so very beautiful. I don’t really have the ability to share in words what it meant to me, so I’ll just say I love the temple, I love my Savior and I love that heaven is so very real. And closer than we can possibly imagine.

Many an hour later, and after seeing my Dad at the temple and giving him a hug, I walked outside…to rain. My favorite.

It was a good, good day.

I’m so very blessed.

The best dad

He’s truly just the best. Always loving, serving, playing, working, adventuring, caring, providing,

laughing and making us all smarter, kinder, better and so much happier. Oh I love Jacob Allen.

Christmas morning joy

This Christmas Day and always

Everything that truly matters to me, this Christmas Day and always,
I have because my Savior came. I’m so honored to celebrate Him today.

Four down

After and before for this handsome stud (who got his braces removed
two months early because he’s such an overachiever). Four down, two to go.

Twenty and four

Twenty-four years. So many happy memories—of this day and especially,
of this beautiful life we have together. Oh I love Jacob Allen.

Eight weeks

Just eight weeks left for our beautiful girl. I just feel like I could burst with excitement. And pride.

She’s doing it. And it isn’t easy. She loves it so much, but man, if anything, it often seems
to be getting more difficult (mostly because she’s been an hermana leader for a while
and there are some pretty, uh, interesting things to deal with on a regular basis).
But she just laughs and does and loves and serves and trusts and lets God guide it all.

I just adore and admire her more than I could ever convey in words. She’s truly something else.

{And that last photo folks. All of her dreams have now come true. This girl of mine has been
obsessed with capybaras from the time she was only nine. So meeting Rosy the capybara—
hanging out in a field behind someone’s house—was kind of a big deal. Oh, she’s the best.}

Holiday piano recital

Christmas recital for these darling boys last night. They both played incredibly
well. We were sure grateful to have their grandparents there to support both
of them and their fabulous cousin, Caleb (who also did an amazing job).

And their tremendous piano teacher…we couldn’t love her more.
She’s not only the best piano teacher in all of forever, but truly just
one of my favorite people I’ve ever, ever known.

It was just a really happy night.

Just the usual

Just two guys watching yesterday’s World Cup game at 1:56am. As one does.