Denali girl

Just feeling grateful for this little sweetheart and for the five years she's been with us. She's starting to
slow down and show some signs of old age and it's harder for me to watch than I ever imagined. But we
will take her for every second we get her and be thankful for every bit of it. She's such a little love.

This incredible boy

This handsome boy gave his very first lesson in his young men class at church today.
And according to Jacob, it was pretty awesome. I'm not surprised in the least.
He's honestly just incredible and amazing and I'm so deeply grateful to be his mom.

Grace's first voice recital

There are few people I admire and adore more than Jacob's sister, Angela.
Who also happens to be Grace's voice teacher. She's been such an incredible
teacher and cheerleader to Grace and we are so thankful for her.

And today, alongside Angela's niece on the other side of the family (some other
people we think are pretty fabulous), Grace performed in her very first voice recital.
At a care center for elderly residents. It was truly just the sweetest and the best.

Grace did an amazing job. She's unusually calm and confident for her age and watching her sing
and perform did something melty to my heart. And I know Jacob and Annie would agree.

Oh talented people are something else to me.
Especially talented, kind, amazing people who bless the lives of our kids. 

And a fun recital seemed like a great excuse to stop for a milkshake on the drive home.
Oh this Gracie girl is something else. We love her so much.

Today

An odd day full of unexpected snow, cancelled district book battles, a long nap to counteract the allergy
medicine I took to calm down a cold sore making its appearance and many hours feeling grateful for
the life well lived of someone I love deeply. Mortality is fragile and strange and beautiful and good.

New glasses and district book battles

This little love not only received her new glasses and looks darling in them, but she also
qualified to be a part of the district book battles this coming Friday afternoon. She read
far more books than were necessary and made it by edging out several other teams
from her school. And if you had seen her face when she burst in the door to tell me...
oh I love being a mom. Her mom in particular. This Gracie girl is something else.

A fun night

That darling stud on the left cashed in on his long-awaited birthday gift tonight--
a Celtics/Jazz game with his handsome dad. It ended up being a super exciting
game that went down to the wire and they both enjoyed it a lot.

Sure grateful for this amazing boy and his incredible dad and the fun night they had together.

One of my favorite photos in all of forever

The happiest of nights

Not sure I could have possibly been happier for my girl when she sent
me that first picture late last night. I mean, are you kidding me?!

This whole post courtesy of beautiful Alexa (in the second photo), who texted me weeks
and weeks ago to see if I knew if Annie had plans on a particular day in March, because
Alexa wanted to surprise her (after Annie came home from her mission) with super fancy
Joshua Bassett tickets. Seriously, that level of kindness pretty much blows my mind.

What a fun night for my girl and her friends. And how I love watching my kids' faces
light up with joy when they are doing things they love. It's pretty much the best.

Our Mexico vacation

Our time in Mexico was really wonderful. We know how spoiled we are to have had the
experience, thanks to Jacob's company and their amazing generosity. And mostly, to spend
time with some truly tremendous people--all while enjoying these incredible views.

We stored up some really happy memories to be sure.

PS. Picture credit to the handsome Jacob Allen for photos number eight and thirteen.

Yesterday (but actually the next Thursday when he was available)

This amazing birthday guy

 

Happy Birthday my incredible boy! We are truly the luckiest because we get you in our family.

Five things I love about Matt right now:

1. He is completely comfortable being himself. He doesn't look for approval from others and feels secure in who he chooses to be. He doesn't over explain or feel the need to justify who he is, how he operates, how he feels--and it is beyond refreshing to be around.

2. He is absolutely brilliant. I don't say that lightly. His ability to comprehend and grasp new concepts is something else to watch. And he is just constantly learning new things, especially through reading articles about every subject imaginable. Just recently, he was having a conversation with my Dad about something pretty obscure (at least to me) and my Dad mentioned to me afterwards that he couldn't believe the deep knowledge Matt had on the subject. He noted that very few people in general, never mention Matt's age, would ever take the time to read and digest that topic like Matt had.

3. He is sincerely one of the funniest people I have ever known. Ever. I don't even know how to properly explain how hysterical his one-liners are or how he teases in good fun, more expertly than anyone I know. I just wish everyone could experience even a small part of Matt's humor because it makes life really, really happy.

4. He is one of the most grateful people I know. He always takes the time to thank Jacob and me (and many others) over anything we do for him--no matter how big or how small. It not only comes incredibly naturally to him, but also comes across as completely sincere and genuine. It's an amazing part of who he chooses to be.

5. He has one of the kindest, most attentive hearts imaginable. He is always looking out for the underdog or doing something for someone who may not have as many friends. I've lost count of the number of times others have quietly let me know about something he has done for them, their child, someone they know, etc. His heart is just so beautifully good.

We love you Matt Allen! So much it is a little ridiculous.

Happy Birthday Jacob Ethan!

Celebrating this handsome man’s birthday today with some of my favorite photos of him from this last
year. He’s just something else—happy, kind, funny, athletic, adventurous, brilliant, hard working, good
looking, faithful, protective, well spoken, optimistic, encouraging and just good to the core of his being.

I’m so honored to be married to him and so grateful to have the life he’s created for our family,
as it has truly exceeded every expectation even my personality could have dreamed up.

Happy Birthday Jacob Ethan! I admire you more than I could say and love you more than I could
ever put into words. Thanks for being born. And for being mine. I’m so wildly thankful for both.

Glasses for Gracie girl

 
A first official eye exam for this little sweetheart who recently failed the school
eye test (a tradition in our family that all but one of our kids has enjoyed being a
part of). She definitely needs glasses, which means she’ll soon be joining most
of our family in their need for eye accoutrements. It’s a fun club to be sure.
At least she thinks so for the time being, so no one tell her any differently eh?