Caption please ~ Repost

You guys are good. I loved the captions you came up with for this great picture. They were all
 fabulous, but I have to say that the Harry Potter references were my favorites because of
this past Halloween at our house and how much I thought Cam looked like a certain Mr. Potter.

Oh, and in case you were just dying to hear what I would label this photo, here you go.

This is how my mom looks when our house is a mess.

And for all you who are laughing, you are obviously not one of my children.
Poor things. My children, not you.

For me?

I know a certain person would not want me to make a big deal about what they did,
but I just had to thank them for being so kind and sweet to me. Thank you for the flowers 
you sent me  today, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named! (Wait. No. Lord Voldemort did not
send me flowers. Someone just as cool and popular in my opinion though. And way
 less evil.) When I read the card I laughed. And then I cried. They are beautiful. 
And every time I look at them,  which is often, I am grateful for you.

Miscellaneous, to say the least

My March Madness bracket could not be in worse shape if I had picked Morgan State and CS Northridge to duel it out in the championship.

We have some seriously funny friends. And having them stop over to entertain us last night, made my evening. Big time.

Nine-year-old boys say the funniest things. Especially the super cute one that lives at our house.

My handsome husband is SO incredibly good to me.

I need to 'Saturday clean' the house and give the boys haircuts. All four of them. Both of those thoughts are daunting to my exhausted self right now, but will make me incredibly happy come nightfall.

I love looking at good photography. Love it.

My five-year old has a mental block when it comes to the fact that he should not climb over, on top and around our couch. No matter how many times he is told. He is one darling boy though and I guess we just keep trying.

Speaking of our couch, like the economy, it is in a recession. Can you say uncomfortable...squared?

Because she had a 'late nighter' last night, my darling Annie stayed up almost as late as I did. And she is handling it much better than I am.

I love spring.

Pretending to sneeze over and over again, while making my baby laugh hysterically, makes my mother's heart happy.

Crazy

A few weeks ago, my darling friend, Rachel, let me in on a helpful secret.
And I wanted to share it with all of you in case you are in need of valuable advice.

"You can't defend yourself against crazy."

Indeed. Very wise. Very funny. Very true.

I love smart people. I especially love smart people that make me laugh.

Awesome

On our way out the door to the school bus this morning, Cam noticed
our first flower in bloom and pointed it out to Annie girl.

"Awesome!" Annie said and then turned to continue walking to the bus stop. A few steps

past the driveway I heard her mumble to herself, "Why do I say that word so much?

I'm even annoying myself!"

Too much?

Yeah, I didn't think so either.

Caption please

Every six months

Our good friend, Bill, came to stay with us for a couple of days. He was in our neck of the woods for work-related fun and stopped by to visit, talk, laugh, watch college basketball and play the Wii. I'm not not convinced he actually had business out here, I just think he wanted to observe first hand how crazy I get watching March Madness. And he heard there was a Wii at our house and that just sweetened the deal. No matter his reasons, we were thrilled to have him.

And we will be waiting for his next visit in six months. Remember when he and his darling wife, Ruth, were our first visitors here in Boston? The trend appears to be every six months and we are holding them to it. We cannot wait.

Oh, and just because I don't post without a picture, I had to torture Bill by taking pictures of his first Wii-playing experience. All I have to say is awesome. Just awesome.

Thanks for coming Bill! We'll see you and Ruth in a few months. Please don't let us down.

And I just couldn't publish this post without commenting on the doll in the background of the first picture.

I am not a doll fan in general (that is a whole other post in itself), but that particular doll looks like she is from 

Watcher in the Woods or something. My spine is tingling. And not from excitement. Creepola.

A small administrative fee applies

A little background on this post. Some of you might know that I am the Relief Society president in the ward we live in (which means I am in charge of the spiritual and temporal needs of the women that live within our church boundaries and are members of our church) . It has been a great blessing in my life. It has also been an amusing blessing in my life. Because as the saying goes, "You can't please everyone." And while most of the wonderful people that I get to interact with are kind and good, there have been times that people have been frustrated and annoyed with something I have done or a decision I have made. And they have opted not to hide that fact. And I receive phone calls and emails letting me know about their feelings. And it has been good for both of us.

In addition, I have some people that are quite close to me (not in my ward) that have recently let me know how horrible I am. And exactly how they feel about me in no uncertain terms. And quite honestly, I have been glad to know it. Well, not so much glad to know I am horrible, but glad to know how they feel. Much easier to deal with people when they share their true feelings, in my opinion.

Okay, necessary background, but now I'm done.

So not long ago, Jacob's brother wrote a very kind email about Jacob and I and specifically one of our kids. (Thank you Justin!) And it happened to arrive on a day when the masses (okay maybe two people) were letting me know about how lovely I was in their eyes. And in writing back to thank him, I jokingly told him something to the effect of "How did you know I just happened to need an email from someone who didn't hate me today? Thanks for being that person." And this is what he wrote in return:

Thanks Linn! You are the best. Glad I can be among the many in the “We don’t hate Linn” club.

PS: If you are getting emails from people in an “I hate Linn” club, please let me know. I can’t imagine that a club like that would ever exist, but if it does, it’s diametrically opposed to my club’s founding beliefs. We are founded upon the principle that “We don’t hate Linn.” Those of us who are most liberal in the club (including me) actually subscribe to the belief that “we really really like Linn.” (Note: some even use the word “love” to describe our relationship to Linn. However, most of us who use that word (including me) use it under the Greek definition of “philia” which connotes a dispassionate virtuous love or for love between family and friends rather than “eros,” which definition I won’t provide at this time). Given our preponderance towards “not hating Linn,” we are ready to fight, bicker, debate, hit, scratch, and hair-pull anyone who would subscribe to an “I hate Linn” club. It is our duty to destroy such vile creatures. Please notify me if you encounter any such evil and I will hit them with my club.

PPS: Feel free to notify your steady stream of blog readers about my “We don’t hate Linn” club. I think it would really increase my membership (and I only charge a small administrative fee of $2.76 for annual membership).

And I might have laughed for ten minutes straight when I read his email. And I might still be laughing as I just read it over again. Talk about someone making your day month year!

Thanks again Justin! Such a relief to know that such a club exists (if only in your kind mind).
My self-confidence needed that. And my pride wasn't too sad about it either.

You might be March Madness crazy if...

...you woke up this morning with a smile on your face and it took a few seconds to remember why.

...you made up a March Madness song to sing to the kids and they went out the door to school complaining it was "stuck in their head."

...you purchased a cheesy basketball trophy off of Ebay and had them engrave "Allen Family March Madness Tournament Champion" on it.

...above-mentioned trophy sits in the family room waiting to be awarded to the family member with the best bracket sense.

...family members wander around the house coveting cheap trophy, hoping they will be the first to house it in their room for all to admire and be jealous of.

...the entire extended Allen family (brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, unborn babies) have all filled out brackets and multiple email exchanges have taken place—only a tad bit of competition in this family.

...you have looked at the clock twenty times this morning and can't figure out why noon is still so far away.

...you spent too much time at a church activity last night explaining March Madness to one of the fabulous women in the ward, who happens to be from Scotland.

...she told you she had never pegged you as one of those "sporty girls." (A crazy funny statement when said with a Scottish accent, for the record).

...you have laughed over that thought approximately 462 times already.

Make that 463.

This boy makes my heart happy

Happy St. Patrick's Day

From Mr. O'Matthew, our favorite leprechaun.

The "real" leprechauns made it to our house last night. The kids were thrilled. The leprechauns
gathered all of the green they could find and heaped it together on the kitchen table. Then they
took a picture of it with the camera I accidentally left out. Unfortunately, it wasn't a great
picture because if you didn't know, leprechauns are not very tall and their viewpoint is
a little different than ours. But they did leave a note, written in very small letters,
and a little green treat for the kids. We sure love St. Patrick's Day at our house!

Missing my friend

Just a few hours ago my cell phone rang and I didn't recognize the number. But I had the immediate feeling that I needed to answer it. It was the sister of one of the women in my ward. After I said hello, she identified herself and then told me quietly, that this sweet woman in my ward, that I had loved so much, had just passed away. I was devastated. I still am.

This woman, Kathy, was the best. She was gruff and slightly grumpy...and it was all an act. She had been baptized into the church about a year ago. She had only been to church once since we moved to Boston and I became Relief Society president. I picked her up myself and introduced her to the sisters during Relief Society. And it made me emotional when I did because I already loved her so much.

We talked almost weekly. She was going through a lot. Especially for someone that was not yet fifty. She had many health problems and yet she just kept going. She loved her two grandchildren fiercely. She tended them every day, all day.

Almost weekly I would call her. Our conversation always started the same. Every single time.

Me: "Hi Kathy! It's your best friend!"

Kathy, in her grumpiest voice: "Hi Linn."

And then I would proceed to talk and talk, while she gave one-or two-word answers. And after six or seven or ten calls, she started giving me five-word answers. And then ten. And when she would greet me at the beginning of our phone calls her "Hi Linn" was still said in her grumpy voice, but I could tell she was trying not to smile.

About two weeks ago, she stopped answering her phone. I couldn't figure it out and wondered if I had done something to offend her. I even called on her birthday, but had to leave a message. The missionaries from our church dropped by several times and she was never home.

And then on Saturday, the missionaries called with word that Kathy was in the hospital. She had collapsed the day before and was in the ICU. I couldn't go to visit her because I was not immediate family. But I was able to get the phone number of her sister and I called her Sunday afternoon and again today to see how Kathy was doing. She wasn't doing well, but they had hope that things would work out.

And they did. At least for Kathy. But for those two sweet grandchildren that spent every waking moment with her, that adored her and that will have a hard time understanding where she has gone, I'm sure it doesn't exactly feel like it has worked out. And it doesn't seem that way for me right now. Because my selfish self wants to call her to make sure she knows I am her best friend and I love her and that I think of her.

So for tonight I'm just going to be sad. Sad that someone that meant so much to me is gone. Sad that her sweet little ones are missing their grandma so much. Sad that someone I didn't know six months ago has left a hole in my heart. Tomorrow I'll be better. But for tonight, I'm swearing off letting myself get close to any more of these amazing women. Blast. I love them too much. And then the hurt seems like too much to handle. But I know in time it will get better.

I'm telling you though, there had better be a large number of my wonderful friends and family waiting to greet me when I get to heaven (many, many, many years from now). Because I miss them like crazy. And that reunion in heaven is the only way my heart can be completely whole again. And yet, there are nights like tonight when that doesn't seem possible.

But deep inside my broken heart, I know it is.

One of my greatest blessings

The recent media attention around The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their temples has made me wonder how to write my feelings about the privilege and blessing of having the temple a part of my own life. And because I am neither eloquent or insightful, I want to share with you what I do consider both of these things. And if you are not a member of my church and are reading this, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming to a believer for the information, instead of someone who professes to know about something that it is not possible for them to know about—no matter how much research they have done.

Here is a wonderful video that the church put out about why we build temples. It is beautiful and well worth the few minutes it takes to view it.

Here is an official article written by the church about how it is our goal to conduct ourselves with "dignity and thoughtfulness" and not unkindness or defensiveness.

All I can say in addition is that it is a wonderful blessing to have good and right and holy and sacred things in our lives. And I am eternally grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And to have the privilege and opportunity to go to the temple. It has changed my life. And I am thankful everyday for it.

An afternoon spent riding bikes

El Día de los Muertos

I think I will rename March 11th (at least at our house) The Day of the Dead. Or El Día de los Muertos for those of you prefer cool names in Spanish. That is seriously how I feel. Exhausted seems too kind of a word for my current state. Do you want to hear why? Thanks. I thought so. (Oh and for those with real problems, please don't read this post, it will only annoy you.)

Our six months of craziness is over. March 11th is a very significant day to me. Because between September 14th and March 10th our family has a thing or two happening. Six birthdays, our anniversary, every major holiday and that blasted idea of winter (now that we left paradise) all come at us during this time. And because we felt it too calm with only that much going on these past six months, we threw in a move across the country, a new job, a new home, a new school, a new ward, a day or two or hundred of loneliness, a couple of significant callings, a couple of medical stresses...and then everyday life just for fun.

And while all of these have been super exciting (could have skipped on the loneliness, but even that has brought more blessings than I could realize), I am tired. To the core of my being. And part of it is because I have a problem. I love holidays and birthdays. There are a big deal at our house. I really try to go all out. Not in the sense of money, but just time and effort. Decorations and excitement and special meals and birthday kids staying up late and finding the birthday child for a hug (wherever they might be) at exactly the time they were born, etc. And while it is worth every second of what I put into each holiday and birthday, I am thoroughly exhausted. Thoroughly. Exhausted.

But do you know the good news? Guess what happens exactly eight days from today? If you said March Madness you would be correct. And that is my reward for the past six months. From the day the madness begins until the second they play that shiny song, my heart feels joy. You know that feeling you get when you wake up in the morning and you know something is making you happy, but it takes you a few minutes to figure it out? Yup, that is what March Madness does to me. Apparently it doesn't take much my friends.

So just a warning that from this exact moment until the last buzzer rings at the championship game (or actually I guess when I get emotional watching One Shining Moment), I will be focusing on my sweet family and that sport with a round hoop and an orange ball. But for those that do have favors or requests or complaints or criticisms, I have not forgotten you. Please send them to ireallycouldcarelessaboutwhatyouhavetosay@gmail.com and there they will wait until I check them. And if I don't get back to you, please don't take it personally. I will be equally unresponsive to everyone.

Okay, off to see if I can find a pillow with my name on it. Yeah right, don't I wish? I'm actually off to get two cute boys lunch, take one to preschool, make dinner for a darling friend, make sure and get to the bus stop on time because today is early out at the elementary school, write a few Relief Society emails, tidy up the after birthday mess, drive ninety minutes (round trip) to deliver dinner, make sure homework gets done, make our own family dinner, get the kids to bed and wait for Jacob to get home about 10pm tonight (it just happens to be his late night of working on the dissertation).

Did I say I was taking a hiatus starting today? I meant tomorrow. Or Friday. Okay, Wednesday for sure. Because Thursday morning, you will find me standing in front of my television counting the seconds down. And I have to be rested by then because the NCAA Tournament takes a lot out of me. I have been known to cheer and yell and jump up and down and scream (there is a vicious rumor going around that I have even made a baby or two or four cry because of the volume of my voice at very tense moments). And I have a strong feeling that this year is going to be a good one. Full of excitement and upsets. Hopefully for the teams I am cheering against and not myself. Bring it on. Bring it on.

So in summary...exhaustion, birthdays, holidays, life changes, round hoops, old ladies screaming, fake email addresses, pillow envy, inflated orange ball, crying babies, decorations, shiny songs, joy. That's about it folks.

Good grief. Did I really just write this post?

Our Matthew

Happy Birthday darling boy! We love you SO very much!

To Whom it May Concern

Dear Daylight Savings Creator,

How do I say this respectfully? Have you lost your ever livin' mind? In all of my thirty-two long years of life, I have never been a fan of Daylight Savings. But just when I think something is sufficiently terrible, you go and pull a little thing like moving up the date that Daylight Savings starts and moving back the date when it ends. Do you understand how many of us feel deep irritation toward you right now? Does it even matter to you? I'm not sure it does.

I have this weird feeling that you have moved to some remote island in the ocean where time means nothing to you. I bet you don't even own a clock. But that you do own large flat screen where you watch the rest of us walk around in our completely sleep-deprived state trying to go to work. Or tend our children. Or worse, waking up our entire family at what was 5am the day before to get to early church meetings. You must be having the time of your life. You and your clockless little life.

And just so you know, the rebellious part of my soul is about seven seconds away from changing my clocks back to what time it should be and dealing with the ramifications. Having my husband late for work, my children late for school and the entire family late for church doesn't seem like such a bad idea...as long as I am late and rested. Do you know how many people read my blog? Tens of people everyday. It's true. (And don't even try to pretend you are not impressed.) I feel confident I could convince three or more to follow me. Take that I say.

In conclusion, you are killing me. You really are. And I thought moving from San Diego to Boston was bad. That was a little picnic in the park compared to your ridiculous let's-have-Daylight-Savings-for-nine-months-of-the-year idea. Not good. Not good at all. And if I were not so utterly tired to the bone, I would continue this little rant. Lucky for you, oh wait, because of you, I'm too bushed to continue. Just know I'm on to you. Yes indeed. You might want to watch your little watchless self.

With exhaustion and weariness,
Linn

PS. Now that I think about it, I am betting money you are also the creator of the Snuggie. I mean really. A blanket with sleeves? Normal people don't come up with that. Only someone with an infinite amount of time. Say someone without a clock? Hmm, I thought so.

Dads are the best

Funny

I just wanted to share some funny things the kids said this week. There are many more than this, but here were some of my favorites.

Coming back inside after taking out the garbage Annie told me, "Mom, when I was taking out the garbage, my favorite color changed."

Cam was telling me something about his day at school when I suddenly pulled a crazy face at him and then immediately acted normal again. Without skipping a beat, Cam said, "Well. That was awkward."

During dinner, Campbell asked me if I was able to do something. (I can't remember what right now, just some kind of task.)

Trying to be funny, I said, "Cam, your mom can do anything."

To which Matt replied, "You can't turn yourself into a carrot."

Happy Birthday Love!

Thirty-two years ago today, the greatest event of my lifetime happened. And I am
 grateful every single day for it. So in honor of Jacob’s birthday, thirty-two
reasons why I love my incredible husband. (In no particular order.)

1. He is one handsome man.
2. He is the kindest person I know.
3. He claims he has “two tone eyebrows” and that his “ears are uneven.”
4. He loves his kids fiercely.
5. He always provides for us.
6. He thinks before he speaks.
7. He has asked me every day of our marriage, “What can I do for you?”
8. He is just plain good.
9. His kids love him more than me and they don’t even try to hide it.
10. He married me in the temple. Which I am so grateful for because this life
is definitely not enough time to be married to Jacob Allen.
11. He loves the Lord.

12. He still opens the door for me and always has me go first.
Even if we are only going up the stairs to bed.
13. He has never said an unkind word about anyone.
14. He is an amazing athlete.
15. He is crazy disciplined.
16. He spends one-on-one time with each of his kids every Sunday night.
17. He always holds my hand whenever we are praying. Either as a couple
or as a family or in church or anywhere.
18. He still has me cut his hair. Even when I messed up
eight years ago and shaved a huge bald spot into it.
19. He makes me so happy, I feel overwhelmed at times.
20. He is smart. Super smart.
21. He is always grateful for anything I do for him.
22. He kisses me goodbye whenever he leaves. Every time.
23. He thinks I’m funny. Or at least pretends to.
24. He winks at me.
25. He knows and loves the scriptures.

26. He cleans bathrooms better than anyone I know.
27. He loves playing with the kids.
And he lasts way longer than I do.
28. He has amazing blue eyes.
29. He reads books with graphs. When he doesn’t have to.
30. He makes me laugh. Hard.
31. He always holds my hand.
32. He is the greatest thing that ever happened to me.

Happy Birthday Jacob! I love you more than I could ever show.

Love,
L

Create

I absolutely love this video produced by the church.

Improve. Beautify. Extend. Smile. Develop. Cultivate.

 CREATE.

My baby boy

Allowing only white hangers since 1998

What is wrong with this picture of my closet? If you said my clothes should not be organized by color, you are incorrect, on more than one account. Look closely please.

A little background. As you know, Jacob's mom came to visit us for a week. (We miss you Nancy!) Last night as the kids were getting ready for bed, Annie ran downstairs to let me know that Nana, who had been staying in Annie's room, had forgotten one of her hangers. I told her that I was sure Nana was okay without it and that it didn't need to be returned.

So last night, Jacob and I headed upstairs to get ready for bed. As I opened my closet to get out my pajamas, this is what greeted me. As I started to mumble to myself, "Seriously Annie girl, why would you?..." I had the feeling I was being watched. I looked over at Jacob and he had that look on his face. The one where he is trying really hard not to smile. And then I realized it was not Annie that put the hanger in my closet.

"I just wanted to see your face," he defended himself. "And it was definitely worth it."

And so I ask...what does that say about me when the best joke my husband can think to pull on me is to put a colored hanger in my closet? I think I've changed my mind about the hanger being returned to its owner. We can't have things like that hanging around our house. Being used for evil and all.

He's home

Two

Another significant number. Thanks for all your comments on my first post.
Just a few months left. Not annoying at all right?

A welcome visitor

While Jacob is out of town on a business trip, his mom came to visit. Hurray! We love having her.
She flew into town yesterday and will be staying with us for a week. It has been so nice to have
her and the kids are in heaven having their Nana here. She is so sweet to play with them
constantly and I definitely enjoy visiting and laughing with her. The only problem will
be on Monday when she heads home. Until then, happy day at our house for sure.

I'm so glad of that

Sitting at the computer to request a book at our local library, I hear Matt humming to himself in the other room. Annie brought home a packet of worksheets to do for fun and let Matt work on several of them. And then the humming stops. And I hear these words, sung to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell,"

Another connect the dots.

Another connect the dots.

I'm so glad of that,

Another connect the dots!

I hate it...

...when the nightstand on his side of the bed is empty.

Caption please ~ Repost

Okay, you people continue to be way funny. I loved every single comment I received when I posted this picture a few days back. I really didn't have a title in mind when I posted it the first time, so I will spare you from my coming up with something just for the sake of coming up with something. And although I loved them all, I do have to say "electric youth" made me laugh hard.

(If I were to make a comment on this photo, it would have to be the fact that if you look closely, you can see Ben laying on the floor in the background. Nothing unusual for a one year old, but kind of funny considering Annie looks like she has been struck by lightning, while Ben lays flattened in the background. If it were not for the fact that it all takes place in the living room, it might even make me laugh. Not as hard as your captions, but maybe just a little.)

The name game

Remember when we were the best bird sitters ever? Well, those fun few days has turned into a change in living arrangements. For the birds, not us.

When we returned the birds to our friends, we made the mistake of telling them how much we had loved having them. And they have spent the last month and a half begging us to take them home. But I felt like a nerd taking someone's birds away, so we kept telling them no. And they kept insisting that no one in the house really even liked them. And just to increase the guilt factor, my friend told me more than once, "I can only keep seven breathing things alive at once. So either you take the birds or two of my kids might not make it."

So when I showed up to a little birthday celebration on my behalf, I truly didn't expect any gifts. But I especially didn't expect a black cage with one yellow parakeet and one blue parakeet. But I have to be truthful and say that I love them. They are so fun to have and the kids think it is the greatest. Even Jacob seems happy to have them back.

Okay, there is my cool story. But I'm not done. Because I need your help. The birds were named by my friend's darling daughter. Oh man, I love that girl! She named them Heather and Derrick. Beautiful names, don't you think? And yet, I am weird and have a hard time calling birds by names that I feel were invented for humans. So with permission of my cute friend, I am going to rename these cute birthday birds of mine. Here is where you come in. Help me out friends. I am positive I will know them when I see them. Okay. You're up. Comment away.

The yarn ball tradition

Remember this tradition? Well two days ago it happened again. The yarn balls were a little smaller
than most years, but the kids had a great time anyway. Super fun at the Allen household.

EcoTarium

Yesterday we met Jacob's cousins, Xaidie and Rob, at a cool science center near their home. The kids
loved it and we especially loved being there with cousins. A great way to spend Valentine's morning.

Happy Valentine's Day!