The most gorgeous night

We took a last minute trip to the lake last night and never have I ever witnessed a sky like
I saw this evening. Boy do I have some photos to make sure end up here for our family
history. But in the meantime, here is a quick shot I took that makes me feel warm
and melty and oh so grateful for my incredible life. I'm just so blessed.

Always dancing

Speaking of dance and beautiful girls and another Grace post because this girl
hasn't been featured on my blog for a while, I snapped this shot the other day when
Grace was dancing in the backyard. She just makes me so ridiculously happy.

New and darling

The first day of a new dance year, a new shirt repping our most favorite dance company and
the cutest new glasses for this darling little love. Grace is most definitely living her best life.

The sweetest birthday gift imaginable

A couple of weeks ago, Grace was given the sweetest, early birthday gift by her granddad.
One she had wanted for a very long time, but he didn't even know it. He just saw how much
she adored his two birds when she visited and his darling self wanted to give her something
she loved. Which is how four baby finches joined our household this month.

My dad has had his pair of finches for quite a few years. And every once in a while, he puts
a nest in their cage and the mama lays and hatches eggs. Which is what happened several
weeks ago. And resulted in Grace receiving two little boy and two little girl birds, all her own.

She loves them like crazy, has taken care of them incredibly well and is just so happy to have them
belong to her. My dad is the sweetest. And has made her upcoming tenth birthday beyond special already.

A bittersweet day

Today, that handsome man on the right was released from both of his stake callings. And it was such a bittersweet day.

When our good stake president called us in last week to let Jacob know he would soon be released, I cried. For several reasons, but mostly, because the man I married is just goodness and love and humility and light to the core of his being. And what he has given the last four and a half years to be an outstanding stake young men's president and a high councilor makes me emotional. He just loves God and others so deeply, that he made a tremendous difference to nearly everyone he served. It's been such a sweet experience to have a front row seat to it all. I'm just so in love with Jacob Allen and so thankful for the life we have together.

And this picture I took as we left the stake center last week will forever do something to my heart. There are so many that had a profound impact on Jacob as he served the last many years. But these two men. I just can't put it into words what they mean to Jacob and how they have become some of our closest friends (alongside their incredible wives that I absolutely adore). I call them the three amigos because they have the best hearts, the greatest desires, want more than anything to love and serve God's children. And because they are hilarious and full of trouble (only the most righteous kind) and the stories I've been told of their mischief will make me laugh forever.

Oh I'm grateful for a God that allows us beautiful callings, a chance to serve and the opportunity to love Him better in the process. He's just the greatest and the most mighty--He means everything to me. And He's given me the greatest gift I could ever imagine...being Jacob Allen's wife. I'll never stop thanking Him for the privilege.

A really beautiful night

Ben, Grace and I drove down to Provo tonight to see the older kids and it was kind of
the best. Annie will soon be moving into an apartment that is darling and she is really excited
about. And Kelsey and Campbell have decorated and organized their place just so perfectly.
I loved it all. Ending the evening with dinner and a soccer game together (where I got this fun
rainbow shot), felt really happy. I'm so thankful to be a mom. Just so ridiculously thankful.

Yay, yay, yay!

He's home, he's home, he's home!
I'm so happy.

Another first day of school

First day of school for these three darlings. Oh I love them.

10th, 6th, 4th.

So much happy

Just the happiest of nights watching our Nate score a penalty, with about a minute
left of his soccer game, to win the game for his team. I loved it so much.

Just so much gratitude

The sweetest of nights with our three youngest receiving a priesthood blessing
from their incredible dad, before starting a new school year later this week.

I just cannot get over how much God loves His children. It takes my breath away at times.

Between our kids' earthly father and their Heavenly Father,
I don't know how we could be so very blessed.

But I'll never stop being thankful for it.

Some unexpected stitches

Just a picture of this sweet pup laying in front of Jacob's office door, trying to stay as close to him as possible. As usual.

(Rather than pictures of Jacob's hand with a good-size hole in it from the Instacare waiting room. Yup. You're welcome.)

The darling man I married had to have stitches this morning, thanks to a trail run that caused his hand to connect with a rock hard enough to bust it right open. It was pretty gnarly.

But he's all stitched up and back at his job and just amazing as always.

And while I wish it hadn't happened for sure, there were several wonderful blessings along the way, that made it not as stressful as it might have been otherwise. And I'm pretty sure if nothing else, Jacob will just be happy on any run in the future where he doesn't have to run a couple of miles down a mountain, using one hand and his shirt to put pressure on his other hand that is bleeding like a champ.

So there's that.

C&K · June 17, 2023

And finally. Some pictures that will have my heart forever and for always.
And that will likely always make me gasp when I see them.

Just so many people we love, all in one place. Actually, in my very favorite
of all favorite places. I will never forget it.

I wish I had the space to share about every person in these photos (including the handful who couldn't
stay for the group shot). But I do have to mention my dad. That picture of him with Campbell and
Kelsey will forever be one of my greatest treasures, no ending date. I'm so wildly thankful he was
able to perform their sealing. For so many reasons. But oh my word, to have and feel my parents
in the same room after so many years--it was just the sweetest blessing I could ever imagine.

And yet, even with all of the above.

Those. First. Five. Pictures.

I truly just can't. There aren't enough words available to convey how much they mean to me. Probably
because there aren't enough words available to express how much those eight humans have my heart.

Good grief, there never was a girl as blessed as I am.

I pray I never take it for granted.


Photo credit: The talented Mad Marie Photography.

C&K · June 17, 2023

Skipping ahead to the reception--it was truly just the most magical and beautiful night
ever. And I was so relieved because well, I don't know how to throw a reception.
Yet, it couldn't have turned out more perfectly and I loved every second.

Most especially, the joy I felt watching Kelsey and Campbell dance was beyond, beyond.
That boy was just made to move and they were the absolute cutest together.

But my favorite part of the entire day--besides being in the temple with those I love most
of all the game, watching our son be sealed to the woman of his dreams--was looking out
onto the dance floor, right as the sun was going down. The hanging lights were twinkling
and the music was definitely thumping. And there, right in the middle of it all, were all
seven of my darling chicklets--together in a circle, laughing and busting a move.
I almost couldn't handle how much gratitude and happiness overflowed my heart.

It really was just too much loveliness and melty warmth for one night. And I couldn't be more
thankful to our friends, Kevin and Kelly, for letting us use their gorgeous yard. And for darling
Lexi, for making the reception beautiful from top to bottom, with her own gorgeous wedding
decor that she so sweetly lent us. And to many, many others who loaned and helped and
set up and took down and just made all of the magic, that much more magical.

Mostly, thank you to so many of you who came to support and love on us. I still get
teary when I think of how many we adore most in this world, came and cared and
celebrated alongside us. It meant the world. And I'm so deeply grateful.


Photo credit: The darling Mad Marie Photography.