The reason I keep posting

Another round of teacher conferences. I couldn't be more proud and they couldn't
be more silly about the picture I asked them to take.

I'm fully aware that this isn't anything big to document, but if some day my kids read through
this blog and know that their mom was absolutely crazy about them and that being a mom
during the big and little moments of their lives was the greatest gift God ever gave me (along
with being married to their handsome dad), then silly pictures in elementary hallways it will be.

I really love being a mom. And just in case my kids ever forget that, check out Instagram and
our family blog my cute chicklets. Forget the way I go crazy about the house being clean and
drive you nuts about your homework and make you put your shoes in the right place and take
care of the chickens and pick up your socks and hug your siblings while awkwardly singing
a song to them when you forget to be kind. And please just focus on IG and our blog.

Thanks my six darlings. Your mother loves you. And I'll let you in on a little secret, I love you
completely and solely because you are mine. Nothing will ever change that and the rest is actually
just a whole lot of hogwash. But nonetheless, I will still keep making you clean your rooms. And
posting on Instagram and here. And thanking my Heavely Father everyday that He gave me you.

Closing night

Closing night last night for this incredible boy of mine. Oh, to actually know my way
around a camera so that pictures on stage don't do me in. But great pictures or not,
I love our Campbell so crazy much. He is amazing and I'm so grateful to be his mom.

A Presidential Scholarship to where?

When you receive a Presidential Scholarship that will pay for your entire
undergraduate degree. Only it is to a school you didn't even apply to. 

Our oldest lives a charmed life. It is crazy how often these things
happen to him. But it doesn't hurt that he is brilliant and amazing.
And I especially like that the school is my alma mater. Go Wildcats!

Choosing to be still

Our Gracie girl doesn't go a day without giving me at least one, usually several,

of her original drawings. I love it so. But yesterday's artwork, slid under

my bedroom door while I was getting ready, made me cry.

Without sharing things that were meant for my own heart, life has been intensely rough the

last many days. And the Lord has used that time to remind me again and again of what

would help and how I could find relief, and yes, even peace. But I hadn't shared it aloud

and definitely didn't know my little four-year-old would see that exact message on a card

in our office and copy the words. And the drawing that accompanied it is just the sweetest.

I feel so thankful for so much tonight. And when I do things my Heavenly Father's way, I am

reminded of that on a deeper level and in a way that leaves more of an imprint on my heart.

My darling {and talented} Campbell

One Acts for this awesome guy tonight. He did a tremendous job and
I just really love watching him perform. I'm a huge fan of this boy of mine.

I'm so grateful to be a mom and to be there for these fun events in my kids' lives.

As in the very best

She is the best big sister.

Preschool field trip

As you can tell, Grace clearly enjoyed her preschool field trip to Smith's this morning.
All I can say is the gentleman who showed the kids around, should do it professionally.
Or come and be my nanny. Because I now aspire to be Wade from Smith's Marketplace.
Right after I take a nap. Because I'm worn out just from watching him.

Darling boy

I'm not sure there is anything more darling than the excitement of losing a first tooth. This sweet boy
is counting the seconds until he can put it under his pillow tonight. If only his tooth fairy wasn't so
old and forgetful. Anyone have a youthful and reliable fairy of teeth we could adopt as our own?

Today was a hard day

So many tears today while saying goodbye to these two sweethearts. Don't get
me wrong, I'm beyond thrilled their dad is home and they are all together, but that
wonderful event means I don't get to be with Indie each Sunday any longer. She will
forever hold a special place in my heart and I am so grateful for the last many
months and what I learned from her and how she has changed me as a person.

So much goodness in one tiny body. Oh I adore her. And her darling sister.

Our darling Annes

The variety show was a sixteen out of ten tonight. All of the performers did so well,
especially our Annie girl. I don't have words for how much I love watching
her on stage. She is darling and talented and hilarious and poised and just
gorgeous, both inside and out. I'm her biggest fan, on the stage and in life.

Darling boys and amazing acrobats

These cool guys got to go to the Peking Acrobats performance at BYU last night, thanks to
Jacob's kind parents who bought tickets for many of the cousins to attend this event with
their grandparents as a Christmas gift. Just days after buying the tickets, Jacob's parents
were called to serve a mission in Ghana for two years and left before they could use the
tickets with their grandkids. So we went instead. And missed them a whole lot.

Our theater girl

Variety show opening night and seriously, is she the cutest ever
or is it just me? Not just me, that's what I thought. I adore this girl
like crazy. And am so excited to see her perform on Saturday night.

The new First Presidency

President Oaks, President Nelson, President Eyring.

I sustain, honor and adore these three men with every part of my heart.
I'm so grateful for their willingness to serve and to help the rest
of us feel Heavenly Father's great love on a regular basis.

What an incredible time to be alive!

My prophet

God's love

They are officially on their way. And while I am still sad, I can't quit thinking about the difference
they are going to make in thousands of lives in Ghana. And how much they will love and be loved
by all they serve. I know it will be one of their greatest blessings on this earth to be with so many
wonderful young men and women in the MTC and help them to feel God's love for them.

The Lord really is so kind. Especially to let us feel peace, even in the midst of heartache.
That, to me, is just one more reason I know God loves His children.

Saying goodbye

Tonight, after dinner and many hours of visiting and laughing, the kids and I said
goodbye to Jacob's parents. (Jacob will be taking them to the airport with his
two brothers tomorrow.) The farewell was pretty terrible and I'm still emotional.
And watching my kids have to hug their grandparents goodbye about broke my heart.

No one has to tell me how wonderful their call is or how it is from the Lord and is so very
right. No one needs to explain how serving our God is a privilege and how blessed I am
to have in-laws that are so good and so obedient. No one needs to mention what a blessing
the next two years will be to all of us and how quickly it will go and how they and we will
be taken care of and watched over. I know all of that as deeply as I know anything.

But tonight I'm just really, really sad. I'll see the wonderful in a day or two. But until then, I'm just
pretty devastated to be losing close contact and proximity to two of the best, most kind, most caring
people I know. Never mention, my husband's parents and my children's grandparents. That is a
hard pill to swallow. Even when everything about it is right and will eventually be for our good.

President Thomas S. Monson

Watching the celebration of President Monson's life yesterday was the best thing I did all day.
I can't quit thinking about it. Especially that incredibly touching prayer by Elder Holland at
the end. Which is why I spent quite a bit of time today looking at the beautiful photos people
took during the funeral. And wanted to share these few favorites I found on Desert News.

I love this prophet of ours to the deepest part of my heart. I miss him and feel so privileged
to have witnessed so much goodness and love and selfless service in one person.
The Lord is so kind to have blessed us with Thomas Monson the last ten years.

My favorite books of 2017

Well, it's that time again. Time for me to share my favorite books of 2017. I actually read very little this past year. Much of that having to do with the struggle I went through for much of the year until I finally received an answer to why my brain hated me. I think it was just too hard to focus on reading when my head hurt so much all of the time. But I do love reading and still managed to get in thirty books this past year, so I'm thankful for that. And as always, I wanted to share my favorites of those thirty.

The Book of Mormon
This will always be my favorite, it will always change me as a person and I will always be grateful to the Lord for giving me such an incredible blessing on a daily basis. In searching the blog for a photo to use, I came across this post that I wrote about The Book of Mormon and I was so glad I did. I haven't read it in years and years and it reminded me why I love this book so very much.

And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer
I really loved this book. It is a super fast read. Most people know this author for the book he wrote about a grumpy, wonderful man named Ove. I didn't ever make it through that book (I know, I know, it was amazing, but I couldn't do it), but this book was one of my favorites ever. I don't want to spoil it by sharing anything besides it had me thinking for days and days after I finished it. It was beautiful and thought-provoking and I want to read it again.

I'll Be There
This was a very different kind of book than I usually read, but incredibly interesting and I definitely enjoyed it.

Mirror
I was almost totally through this book before I realized I knew this author. My parents live by her parents and my sister has known her for some time. I don't necessarily know her well, but I know of her. And I will tell you, my opinion of her writing has nothing to do with realizing that I knew this person. She. Is. A. Writer. I loved this first book so much. It was different and unusual and the writing really was exceptional in my opinion. It was just a fun read and I finished the entire series (three books) just last night. (Oh and this book is super clean and great for teens. Annie read the first after I recommended it and then read the other two quickly after.)

An Unseen Angel
This was an extremely difficult book to read. To think of losing a child is more than most parents can handle, but to lose a child in a tragic school shooting is just unimaginable. But I was so glad I read this book. Because while this sweet mother was honest and raw, she was also faithful and hopeful. And the combination did something to my heart and made me grateful I read this wonderful book.

Falling to Heaven
I don't even know what to say about this book. It felt life-changing to me and I don't say that lightly. Just read it.

Real Moms: Making It Up As We Go
I have enjoyed reading blog posts from this author for some time, as well as seeing her on different television shows and commercials (Random Acts on BYUtv and those hilarious Chatbooks commercials). So I really wanted to read this book and I'm glad I did. Their family is going through something extremely difficult, but they are doing it with humor and grace and that is the kind of parenting book I want to read. A book by someone who laughs and cries and realizes we don't have to be perfect moms. But does encourage us all to keep trying because it is worth it.

Okay, enjoy! This is my seventh year of sharing my book favorites. Kind of crazy when I think about it, but I sure hope they have been helpful to someone.

Happy reading friends!  

He is hands down the most fun of all of us

 

 

 

We sure love this Matt boy a whole lot.

This morning

I had the incredible privilege of spending some time in this building this morning. And those
moments spent with Elder Holland, Elder Sitati and Jacob's family will be one of my favorite
memories forever. I do not have words to explain how much I love, admire, respect and just plain
adore Elder Holland. I also don't have words for how much I will miss my in-laws as they head
to Ghana next week to be over the MTC in Accra. It was a sweet and emotional morning.

And I feel so honored to have been there.

Friday evening

We spent Friday evening at the temple and out to dinner with these fabulous people and their
wives. It was really wonderful, but it was a hard reminder just how much I am going to miss
my in-laws. I'm just really grateful to be related to some of my favorite people in the world.

My dad

Happy 80th Birthday to a man I love, admire and respect nearly above all others!
He serves more than anyone I know, loves the temple and Book of Mormon more
than anyone I know and is definitely more witty and hilarious than anyone I know.
I am honored to be his daughter and if I could follow in even just a few of his footsteps,
I would consider my life incredibly successful. Happiest Birthday to my amazing Dad!

Yesterday

Ten

Happy Birthday my amazing boy!
You are so very loved.

Our prophet

For something I knew was coming, I am surprised at how emotional I find myself this morning.
I think because the Lord blessed me with a strong and sure testimony of President Thomas S. Monson
being our prophet. I knew it to the deepest part of my heart. And feel so happy for him and the sweet
reunion with his darling wife I keep picturing. But I'm just so sad for the rest of us that loved this
gentle, good man who changed us with who he was and what he challenged us to do. He shared many
truths that made me a better person, but I will never think of him without remembering my favorite
thing he ever said, "I always want the Lord to know that if He needs an errand run, Tom Monson
will run that errand for Him." He was my hero and my prophet. I'm so grateful for his life.