These darling siblings

These two darlings went to see Jonah Kagen in concert tonight. I can think of almost nothing that means more to me
in this life than the relationship my chicklets have with each other. There really never was a girl as blessed as I am.

I told you she was pure sunshine

Man, I love this girl.

Our Mexico vacation

Grateful for time away with Jacob’s coworkers and their wonderful spouses. Snorkeling, beach time, sailing on
the ocean, dinners visiting and laughing, church in the language of Jacob’s heart—all made for a really beautiful
few days. I’m so thankful for our darling older kids for making it possible for us to go and especially for Jacob.
 Of all the people in all the world, I often can’t believe that I’m the one that gets to be his wife. Just forever the luckiest.

Matt's 20th birthday trip

For Matt's 20th birthday, he decided to take a trip to Joshua Tree to go rock climbing with a group
of friends. So that is where he spent several days last week and into this one. I love these pictures he
shared with me and am so grateful he has such fabulous memories of a really cool birthday adventure.

Celebrating this tremendous guy

Twenty years ago this very day, our family became infinitely more happy, exciting, hilarious and
good because our Matthew was born. He is one of the most genuine and thoughtful people I have
ever known. Not to mention brilliant, handsome and athletic. And kind. Matt is so deeply kind.
Oh, and did I mention absolutely hilarious? Plus one of the most clever and quick thinkers in all
of forever. The combination of which makes for truly hysterical one-liners on a regular basis (all
said with an absolutely straight face, of course). I just can't get over my Father in Heaven loving
 me enough to allow me to be Matt Allen's mom--a privilege I will never stop thanking Him for.

Happy Birthday my amazing Matt! We love you something crazy.

This guy we just really love

Happiest Birthday to the man that makes everything about my life better, brighter, happier
and more full of adventure! Who he chooses to be as a husband, a father and a son of God,
still blows me away. Even after all these years. I guess most especially after all these years.

The world is full of more kindness and love and brilliance and goodness because Jacob Allen is in it.
He works hard, plays hard, serves hard and loves the hardest, because that is just who he is as a person and
a disciple of Christ. He goes about doing good. And when he is done, he goes about doing good again.

Happy Birthday Jacob Ethan! Thanks for being born and thanks for being mine. I’ll never stop
thanking God that both have given me a life that has exceeded every expectation I never knew to have.

A pretty fantastic (and cold) afternoon for Ben

We’re not really going to talk about the absolute insanity of today’s Real Salt Lake
soccer game or the long delays or the crazycakes weather or the fact that I’m just
barely beginning to truly warm up (we’ve been home for more than three hours).

And instead, we are going to talk about Benjamin and about how he and his
comp soccer team were one of the teams honored during half time because of
how well they did in a big tournament in January. Pretty cool stuff for sure.

Love our Ben so much, so deeply proud of the unreal work he’s done behind
the scenes to be such a tremendous soccer player and mostly, just so amazed by who
he chooses to be as a person and a son of God. It is something incredible to watch.

Grateful

Oh March, you are my very favorite. Because you include a certain Jacob Allen’s birthday
(plus one of my darling chicklet’s day of birth), spring starts showing up more often
 than not and mostly, March Madness. March Madness folks. Oh the happy!

But I’m grateful for a good February, where the Lord insisted I rest more than I almost
ever have in my life (in a not so subtle way of getting my full attention) and I was just
able to be with the ones I love most in the world. And watch with wonder as God
performed miracles in the lives of people that are some of my dearest friends.

It’s a good life I have. I’m so very grateful for it.

Indoor soccer and incredible dads

Friday night, just almost exactly an hour before Campbell had an indoor soccer game in Provo,
Jacob came to me and said he wanted to take some of the kids and start driving, to see if he could
make it to Campbell’s game in time. I wasn’t able to go myself, due to some health issues
right now, and Jacob had originally thought it wouldn’t work with all he had on his plate.
But decided at the last minute to do whatever he needed to make it happen.

That is the kind of dad he chooses to be. And I’m so grateful.

Sure love that incredible boy of the blue shirt, his beautiful wife, his darling siblings
and especially his handsome dad. Goodness, I’m one lucky girl.

7th grade

The most handsome of boys officially registering for seventh grade.

Good gravy, time is the thiefiest thief I know.

Forever my valentine

Forever the luckiest.

Valentine boxes and incredible big sisters

Tomorrow these kids will walk out the door with the most darling valentine boxes you have ever
seen. Thanks to their big sister and her hours of help. She's honestly the best. I don't know how to
say that strongly enough. I'm going to need her to quit college and come raise these children for
me. She's just pure sunshine in human form and makes so much about my life happier and better.

Grace and Nate were just so excited and grateful. And so was their mother. So IS their mother.
 Everyone should have an Annie Allen in their life. 12/10 would recommend.

The best ever

One year ago this month, these darlings had their engagement pictures taken. And I often think about
how much I love these photos. And even more frequently, about how much I love Campbell and Kelsey.

They are so good and fabulous, so hilarious and hard working. They are just plain amazing together and watching
the life they are building together is inspiring and beautiful. It's such an honor to know them and to love them.

I'm just so thankful to be a mom and to watch with awe as my darling kids make eternal choices that bless
their lives in a way that I could never have imagined could be so wonderful. It's kind of the best ever.

How are we here again already?

The most darling of friends attending the junior high showcase together tonight.
How that handsome boy, just to the left of center, could be old enough for that in
a few months, is beyond me. Love him so much. Just so honored to be his mom.

Jacob in Egypt ~ Bonus experience

 
When we were scheduling Jacob's flights to Cairo, we realized that if we booked a longer
than normal layover in Paris, he could visit his parents who are living there while serving
a mission in the Paris France temple. So that is what he did. And I'm so grateful Jacob had
 that time with his parents. He needed it more than I think he realized and it made me
so grateful it could happen. It was a really happy few hours for all three of them.

Jacob in Egypt ~ Part two

On a Thursday when Jacob was in Egypt (similar to our Saturday in the Middle East),
he had the opportunity to see some sights in Cairo. He was joined by three others who helped
 with the logistics of his evaluating the refugee schools. I wish so much all of you could hear
his thoughts on it all. That Jacob Allen, he's a deep thinker. And a handsome one at that.

Jacob in Egypt ~ Part one

 

Jacob recently returned from a ten day trip to Egypt--where he was asked to evaluate efforts
to help schools teach refugees from other parts of Africa. And without sharing things that were
meant to stay in his heart, it was a beautiful, hard, touching, eye-opening privilege. And made
both of us want to do more and make a greater impact. I'm so grateful for the goodness and light
 of so many around the world who inspire and bless our lives, without even knowing it. And so
thankful for Jacob and who he chooses to be and how he chooses to serve so many who need his
unique talents, all with humility and an amazing heart. I'm truly just so honored to be his wife.

Robotics and darling boys

The most darling of boys at his robotics tournament today. He and his team were brand new to it all,
 so they just planned to do their best and focus on having fun. Which resulted in them taking third
out of twenty-nine teams. Pretty crazy. And fun to watch. I just really love being this boy's mom.

I still really love His house

 

My favorite books of 2023

Another year, another blog post of my book recommendations. For those interested in previous years, here is a link to my favorite books of 2022 and if you scroll to the bottom, you can click on any year since 2011, when I began this yearly tradition.

And now on to last year. I ended up reading sixty books total. Not my record, but not bad, as it is just over one book a week. And I had three or four that really stood out, but am sharing eleven here, because the others were quite good and I don't hesitate recommending them, even if they aren't necessarily five stars in my book. (Pun definitely intended.)

So, without further ado (and in no particular order after the first three)...

The Book of Mormon
Still my favorite book and still what I choose to read every single day. I was able to read it through three times this year and I'm a better person because of it. Forever and always just the greatest book ever.

The In-Between
I really loved this book. As someone who has dealt with hospice and being there with two very close family members when they were graduating from mortality (not to mention someone who knows heaven is real), this book spoke to my heart. I very seldom read books twice, but I would more than love to listen to this book again. I really hope Hadley Vlahos writes many more just like it.

A Girl Called Samson
I liked Amy Harmon's writing quite a lot, but this may be my favorite from her. Such an interesting historical fiction and one I have recommended to several people who have come back to tell me they really enjoyed it.

A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting
I listened to this book last summer and it kept me burst laughing through multiple times mowing our lawn (I'm sure that was quite a scene for our neighbors). It was so hilarious and fun and witty and just a joy to listen to.

A Place to Hang the Moon
Loved this book. A lot. It is a young adult book (maybe even an older children's book) and it was just sweet and happy and frustrating and perfect. I liked it so much I bought it for our kids to read.

Running Barefoot
Another Amy Harmon book. And it was so different than what she normally writes, at least it felt like that to me. It was about two friends in a small town in Utah and I don't know, there was something about it that I just really liked.

The Family I Lost
Definitely mysterious and kind of creepy and a book that I didn't like reading certain parts late at night. (I'm still scared of the dark, if that gives you any indication of my maturity level at the ripe old age of forty-six.) But quite a well-woven mystery and a fast read.

A Different Blue
Okay, another Amy Harmon and now I realize, this lady is just talented beyond belief. I don't think I connected that three of my favorites last year were written by her and they were all so, so different. I don't know what to say about this book except I liked it and it made me think quite a bit.

The Wishing Game
This was a super popular book last year and I liked it. Didn't love it, but it was fun to read and I would recommend it for sure. Maybe it was better than I am saying, I just seldom rave over books that most of the rest of the world does—it is just how I am I guess.

Have you Seen Luis Velez? and Say Goodbye for Now
Even though I separated Amy Harmon's books, I decided to put these both together. I have enjoyed so many of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books the past several years. And these two were not any different. I've said it before and I'll say it again...I just really love everyday stories told in a way that make you think about your life and what you are doing with it. And these two books were not any different. I am a fan.

(And just because I love them so, I need to mention that I read The Blue Castle and The War That Saved My Life again this year and enjoyed them just as much as the previous times. They will always remain some of my very favorite books.)

Well, there we are for another year. My favorite books I read in 2023. Enjoy.
And if you feel inclined, I would love any recommendations you might
have from your recent reading. Because I've got some books to get read.