Some darling visitors

These two darlings came to visit over the general conference weekend and we loved
having them for a couple of days. They are just so good, funny, kind and some of
our favorites ever. I loved catching up and just wish the trip could have been longer.

And their generosity was over the top. They had extra tickets to conference
so that Jacob and the three youngest could join them Saturday afternoon and
Annie and Allie could join them Saturday evening. So much kindness.

Sure love you guys and are so grateful for that time with you both.
Come back soon Andrew and Livvy! And bring the rest of our Illinois
favorites with you next time, please and thanks.

Our sweet Denali girl

 

I’ve been putting off this post for almost two months, I think I just don’t want it to be real.
But it’s also a big part of our family history and this is where I document that,
 so I do know I want it to be here. Even if it’s hard.

We learned several weeks ago that our sweet Denali has a brain tumor. Ugh. I hate typing that.

Telling our kids, especially Matt, was the worst. I cried for hours after I brought her home
from the vet. And Jacob and I still talk about it in disbelief, like we truly don’t think it could
 actually be real. Even as we watch Denali girl have symptoms now on a regular basis.

We don’t know how much longer we will have her with us, but we do know that as hard as it is,
the one thing we won’t let her do is suffer. As of right now, she is still happy and doing okay, far more
often than she is not. She’s still completely obsessed with Jacob and never leaves his side, even for a
single second, when he is home. And she still looks wildly disappointed every dang time
I walk through the door and she realizes I’m not her very favorite human.

So she’s still our Denali to be sure.

And we will take it as long as we get it. And continue to be grateful for her every single day.

Another magical performance

And since photography is my love language (both for myself and to others), I wanted to share
some favorites from the three nights I spent doing the photography for Illume Dance Company's
 production of Narnia. It's my fourth year in a row of capturing the magic in picture form and
 I love it so. And Illume and the owners and instructors and mission even more. 

Grace, Narnia and the White Witch's army

This little beauty did the most incredible job, being a part of the White Witch’s army, at the
opening night of Narnia last night. Oh our girl is something else. And her dance company puts on
 the most magical shows. It was a really good night watching our talented dancer on stage.

And her final performance last night—I love these pictures so crazy much. And they
also make me highly uncomfortable. Because boy can this darling girl dance and act.
 And she’s also one of the kindest people I have ever known. So seeing this “wicked”
version of her makes me simultaneously proud and a bit unnerved.

I’m just so thankful for how many people came to support Grace during her three shows.
Nothing means more to me than people who are kind to my children. And there was so much kindness.

Goodness it was a wonderful few days. I’m so thankful to have a record of it.

Homecoming

Our handsome Ben and his beautiful homecoming date, Camille.

 Have I mentioned how much I love taking our kids’ dance pictures? Because being around
these teenagers who are outrageously hilarious and extraordinarily good, all while capturing
their darlingness, just does something to my heart. Ack, they are the best.

 Especially this boy of ours. I’m so grateful I get to be his photographer and his mom.
 He’s just tremendous.

Jacob in Scotland

Jacob spent several days in Scotland this week, for a Mary's Meals meeting for the international board
 members. And it was wonderful and good and productive and a privilege. I’m so thankful for so many
 good women and men that take time out of their busy lives to try to better serve God’s children.

And Scotland. The only place I’ve ever traveled to that felt like I had come home.
Its beauty does something else to my heart.

And if all of that wasn’t tremendous enough, Jacob took a last minute opportunity to buy a ticket to
a Celtic soccer game on the last evening he was there. And as any international soccer game he has
been to has been, it was unreal. Scottish soccer fans are not messing around. I’m so glad he could go.

We have a really good life. And a really good God who blesses each of us
far more than we ever deserve. I’m so deeply grateful for both.

Campbell's day

This tremendous guy, who made me a mom, is truly one in a million. He is so good, so kind,
so hilarious, so hardworking and such an incredible disciple of Christ. The way he loves Kelsey
and how they make their family work so well, is honestly inspiring. There isn’t a way for me to be
around Campbell, without it making me happier and lighter. He just does that to people and it is
a true gift. And the inspiration to name him after my grandpa was as it should be—they are so,
so similar, in a dozen wonderful ways, it is unreal. I cannot believe that twenty-five years
ago today, God let me be this boy’s mom. I’ll never stop being grateful for it.

Happiest Birthday Campbell Jacob! We love you like crazy and are the luckiest ever
 to have you in our family to make everything about us better and brighter.

My sweet mom

Six years closer. Miss you so much Mom.

The craziest picture I took of the lightning tonight

This morning

Any morning in the temple is a good morning. But when your dad is unexpectedly the sealer in
your session, it is a very good morning. I just love the House of the Lord and my darling dad so much.

Yesterday

Grace's day

This little love is officially eleven and boy is it a happy day at our house. There’s something so
joyful and amazing about Grace and she has this wonderful mixture of being incredibly mature
and yet, still being innocent and young. She is one of the kindest people I have ever been around
and gives compliments out (to friends and strangers equally) like others give out a hello. She tells
me daily how much she loves her teacher and school and spends her time there, constantly and
quietly reaching out to help and love others—it’s just something else to watch and hear about.
She loves to dance, as much as she loves to breathe, and every single day, she lets me know how
many more hours until she gets to go to her next class. I truly can’t believe that I am
the one that God let be her mom and I’m thankful every single day for the privilege.

Happy Birthday Gracie girl! We love you more than we can say and are
 so much happier and full of goodness because you are ours.

This amazing boy

This sweetest boy took second in his age division (well, I guess technically
he was playing a year up) at the Mayor’s Cup tournament that took place
the last few days—as a guest player with a team that asked him to join them.

Oh, he’s something else.

He’s been through so much lately that has required him to be ridiculously brave and
do hard things. And he’s done it so, so well. Over and over. And then over again.
And not just with soccer, although that has definitely been a part of it.

I’m just so proud of his incredible heart and the amazing choices he makes. He’s just such a good boy.

And his dad. Goodness, he makes me emotional with gratitude.

Over and over and over again, he chooses our kids. Giving a tremendous amount of time, energy,
love, teaching—he just never stops. And loves them each with a fierceness that is unreal to watch.
And he doesn’t just say the words, he follows them with actual actions and constant sacrifices.

Oh I love Jacob Allen.

And our Nathan Grant.

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