April phone pics

Little girl at a soccer game in her brother's hoodie. 

A boy and his dad. 

This handsome guy competed in the Psychology bowl on this particular Saturday
morning. His school took third. He loves his AP Psych class a lot, which makes his
mother all sorts of happy because I loved all of my psychology classes in college.
By the way, his shirt had me laughing all day. Now that is funny stuff.

As always, our Annie blows me away with her creativity and artistic ability. Everything she
makes is just amazing. Like this prayer rock, she made as an assignment for her Seminary class. 

I call this photo Breakfast with My Darling Boy. Or I Bribe My Children with Breakfast
Out So I Don't Have to Eat a Muffin with the Entire Elementary School and Their Parents. 

Well, the excitement at the beginning of this Jazz game was a bit more than the excitement at the
end. Ugh. But the kindness of one of Jacob's coworkers inviting us to watch the game from a
rather lovely suite was pretty awesome in spite of the outcome. Kind people are the best.

And the Jazz had one more game to win the series, which they did. Phew.

I can't for the life of me figure out where our children learned the
art of throwing a chicken so high it has PTSD when it finally lands.

Goal times three

This stud scored a hat-trick tonight during his game. But it was so bitter cold,
I didn't take out my camera for fear my hands would disown me for life. So once
we got home, I had him reenact each of his goals for your viewing pleasure. 

Nailed it. It was like watching an instant replay.

Saving something

Yesterday I was at our local nursery trying to pick up some things to attempt to save our raspberries,
just recently transplanted from a kind neighbor and still very much precarious. I was texting Jacob
about how his meetings were going (he has been out of town all week in a couple of different states).
He responded about a particular meeting, "Doing well, thanks. It was good. Interesting. They asked
me if I would go to Geneva for a couple days to help train and work with the first lady of Namibia
and her staff on their efforts to help improve the country." Well. Then. Okay. So I am attempting to
save our raspberries and Jacob is attempting to save Namibia. It is like we are the same person.

Only my eyes are green.

Junior week assembly

It was a strange feeling this morning to sit in the auditorium of the high school I attended myself,
ready to watch my boy put on an assembly that he and the junior committee had been planning for
a very long time. When I realized the last time I had attended a junior week assembly in this place
was 22 years ago, I felt crazy old. But boy did I love watching Campbell put on a great show with
his friends. And loved seeing him introduce his darling friend, McKaylee, as this year's Prom
queen to the entire school. It was just a fun hour for sure and I felt so grateful to be a part of it.

This incredible boy of ours

Oh this boy. In just over a month, he will officially have one year of high school left
and I could not be any more proud or any more emotional at the thought. He just
found out yesterday that he was elected as a senior class officer and it has humbled
me to the core to witness Campbell's consistent bravery, the incredible kindness of
his peers and our Heavenly Father's overwhelming goodness to one of His sons.

Love this boy so much. But I am so old. How could the years fly by so fast?

This boy

Earlier today, Nate was trying to solve a problem and came up with a solution
and let me know. When I told him I thought it was a great idea, he replied,
"Wait, are you just trying to be nice to me or do you actually think it's a good idea?"

Is this kid for real? Oh, I love him.

Easter Sunday

Without doubt, and to the deepest part of my heart, I know Jesus Christ lives. I know it. He is the
reason I have joy. The reason I have hope. The reason I get to keep trying. And the reason I want to.
His Atonement is enough for anything I face in this life. He is why I get to be with my husband and
children both now and forever. And why being a wife and mother mean more to me than anything
the world could offer. He is my Savior, my Redeemer and my King. He means everything to me.
How I want to live so that others know that. And mostly so that He knows that. Jesus Christ lives.
And His love for me, and for each one of us, is beautiful and powerful and enabling and for eternity.

I know it. I absolutely know it.

He Lives! All Glory to His Name!

Radio shows

Alfred Hitchcock was a weird dude to be sure. But these darlings of mine made
his one act radio shows beyond fabulous the past few nights. I love the theater
group they are in, love their director and the incredible friends they have
made and love watching them perform so ridiculously much. 

One more performance of Sabotage and The 39 Steps to go.

I love these kids of mine so much.

Matt's Life rank

Our amazing Matt received his Life rank in scouts tonight.
Next stop...Eagle. I'm so crazy proud of this boy and all of his hard work.

(That look on his face is so Matt. Oh man, I love this boy a lot.)

And so grateful for his wonderful leaders and incredible dad

who have helped him to work so hard, to earn something so great.

Spring hail

Well, that was unexpected.

Having fun with the chickens

"Don't throw them too high," I said.

Conference with the four oldest

We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet

I don't think I remember a time in my life when I needed General Conference
more than I do right now. I feel so blessed to have heard what has been
said and for what is to come. I know God loves His children. I know it.

Annie's professional photos

All photos taken by Sara of Skylight Studio.

March photo pics

Grace and I joined Nate for his preschool field trip on this fun day. Afterwards, his teachers
invited Grace to stay for the last hour of school. To say she was in heaven would be an big
time understatement. She might be a little excited for her own preschool experience next fall.

He was on his second bracket in a half hour.
I have no idea where he gets his obsession with the NCAA tournament. 

This girl loves horses almost as much as her sister. 

Just a picture from a morning walk with Miss Hyper. Honestly, Maya is a dream dog and
for a puppy, she is unreal darling and sweet and obedient. Mostly though, she sleeps eight
to nine hours at night (cue loud, glorious singing). But after those lovely nighttime hours,
she is high as a kite for about 30 minutes, needing to burn off a whole lot of energy.
So when you see me with Miss Crazy on an early walk, you'll understand why
I am shaking my head and she is dancing around like a dog on drugs.

Just a little walk in the rain to take something to a neighbor. That became a little
more downpour than I planned on. The kids were rescued by an awesome big brother
who ubered them home (without payment unfortunately). The dog and I are soaked
to the point of pathetic. Great idea Linn Allen. High five on that brilliance. 

I live in such a beautiful area, it doesn't need a filter.

You can call him Benjamin. Benjamin Franklin that is.
At least for the hour he spent participating in the third grade wax museum this week.