Apparently they weren't kidding

So...this arrived today. Um, crazy cakes.

January phone pics

One of Jacob's brothers received a book during our Allen family white elephant
exchange. And decided that it would be funny to add it to a group of our books
before he left for the night. You can't guess which one doesn't belong can you?

Hilarious, Justin. My OCD heart can't quit laughing.

These boys needed haircuts big time. Oh the handsomeness.

Oh our little Grace. She had a few rough weeks when her sleeping vacillated anywhere
from 22 minutes a day to 36 minutes a day. It was great. And didn't make her exhausted
or anything. As evidenced by this temper-tantrum-turned-nap early one morning many days
ago. And since you can't tell, I'll just mention this photo was taken under the office desk.

This bag of chocolates has been sitting in our panty for well over four weeks.
Which seems wrong on so many levels. And definitely isn't related to the fact
that I haven't had a single bit of chocolate in 30 days. How sad is that thought?
Chocolate lasts at our house about 14 minutes in general. Yours truly goes off of it
and it sits in plain site for 30 days and still going strong. Apparently, I might have
some issues and going off chocolate isn't the worse thing I could have decided to do.

This little lady is obsessed with sitting in small containers.

It makes her abnormally happy. Oh the weirdness.

Did I mention that Annie will be competing in 4-H horse shows this spring and summer?
And watching her during her lessons with the other girls is some of my favorite time all week.
Here they are getting ready to do showmanship. Oh man, I have so much to learn with all of this.

Run

Remember when I found out my foot was a little broken? Well, the healing process didn't go quite as smoothly as we had hoped. But since no one cares about the details (including me), I will just say that the five weeks we were hopeful it would take, turned into about nine. And one day. But who is counting?

Last Thursday, I had an MRI ordered by the doctor and the next morning I met with said doctor. Who told me that the scans showed that my foot does not have a single broken bone in it. {Cue the loud rejoicing!} Unfortunately, it apparently does have extra fluid around the bones that is causing pain, but seriously, if it isn't going to make anything worse, who even cares about that?

Not I, says the Linn.

Because I have officially received permission to start running again. Which is exactly what I did this past Tuesday morning during my exercise time.

And again this morning, when I ran two miles. And while that may not seem like much to most people, after almost three months of no running and almost no exercise for a good part of that, I could not be more thrilled! Even when I fully realized how ridiculously out of shape I am (about mile 1.27) and wanted to lay down and eat a doughnut.

But I didn't. Instead I finished those two miles and got a little teary at the end. (Emotionally unstable, aisle 4.)

I love my life.

I haven't transferred my 13.1 over to my new shoes. But when you do finally see it
on these laces, you will know that I am feeling like a runner again. I. Cannot. Wait.

Preschool field trip

The preschool co-op that Nate and I are a part of went on a field trip earlier this 

morning. Between a tour of a local grocery store and a Krispy Kreme excursion, 

we had a pretty wonderful time. I sure love spending time with our sweet boy.
 

Apparently she warms up to the camera quickly

Campbell's Eagle project

Today Campbell completed his Eagle project. Obviously there is still paperwork to do
(and the box of collections to mail off), but our boy is finished. I can't wait to share more
details about his project and how much we all loved it, but just wanted to document his
amazingness on this specific day. When he did something good (with the help of so many
incredible and generous people in our ward) and made his mother so very proud.

Which isn't anything new.

Handsome

Called to serve

Last night and this morning, and because of Jacob's parents currently serving a mission
in Lebanon, we had the privilege of having an incredible young man in our home.
This particular young man will be leaving to go on his mission in just a few days.
And while that is pretty common these days (and yet, still amazing and miraculous
and inspiring), what is not common is the fact that as far as we know, he is the first
missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called of Syrian descent.

I can't stop smiling just thinking about it.

How I wish everyone could sit with this almost-full-time missionary and listen to his story and
feel of his goodness and be overwhelmed with how positive he is about life. He shared so
many things that have been running through my mind all day. But I think the thing he said
that touched me the most was in response to one of us mentioning how incredible his story was
and how it made us realize, once again, how blessed--even spoiled--we are to have what we have.

To which, this amazing young man replied with a humble smile on his face,

"Everyone is blessed. Just not all in the same way."

Homesick

Jacob flew to San Diego earlier this week to defend his dissertation and be that much closer to being
finished with his PhD. (Just a final revision on his dissertation and he is finished. Happy, happy day!)

When he returned, he shared with us some photos he took while he was there. We loved
looking at them, but I was truly not prepared for how they would make me feel.

It has been a very long time since I felt such a deep homesickness. The four years
we spent in San Diego were, without question, some of our happiest. So seeing
those pictures brought back feelings I had tried not to let myself feel for a long time.

When I look back on my blessings the past 16 years (and there are so very, very many),
San Diego is near the top of the list. Even after six and a half years, I still miss it like crazy.

Little wonder though...I left my heart there.

This boy

Love them

Sunbeamer

Oh this sweet boy. He had a pretty exciting day in church yesterday.

 And from past years. One more to go...

Seven

Happy, Happy Birthday Benjamin Jay! You are so very loved.

Allen Family New Year party

The men and the babies.

Speaking of babies, these two little ones were added to the Allen family just

a month ago and born just five days apart. Their sweetness was too much.

And time for white elephant gifts.

Apparently Grace can't handle the suspense.

And it wouldn't be an Allen family gathering without some sort of wrestling taking place.

It was such a happy night. We sure like these people. A lot.

Puzzle time