Our St. George trip ~ Day 2

Swimming, relaxing, talking to our missionary boy, mountain biking, driving and
playing in the sand and The Little Mermaid at Tuacahn. It was a good day.

Our St. George trip ~ Day 1

The drive to St. George today was actually quite lovely. Older children that
behave well in the car, incredibly interesting podcasts for this driver (I prefer
to drive on long rides, as much as possible, so I don't get sick) and being able
to talk with Jacob about things that matter to us, made for a nice five hours.

I am a bit sad this trip is so short and I won't be able to see any of my family
members who live here. But I'm pretty thrilled to be spending this time with my six
favorite people in the world. And hopefully hearing from my other favorite person.

I have a good life. I'm so grateful.

Ten months a missionary

Not being able to mail packages to Brasil means it has taken me months to figure out
how to send clothes that fit to our rapidly-shrinking-missionary boy. But they finally
arrived and this first picture he sent of himself in properly-sized clothing blew me away.

Oh I love this boy something fierce.

He is doing so well, working so hard, choosing happiness and most importantly, bringing others
to Christ and making sure that every single day, each one of his brothers and sisters he comes
in contact with, feel God's love for them. I'm so blessed to know him and to love him.

Campbell ended his letter this week by exclaiming,
"God loves you so much!! Just turn to Him and let Him guide you!!"

Last day of school

This handsome guy is so excited to be done with first grade and moving on to
second. He is just so sweet and good and happy and full of light. Oh I love him.

And I absolutely love this picture I took that shows his joy after
getting off the bus on this last day of school. What a stud.

And sweet chicken, these boys are officially 6th graders. Oh my craziness. 

Our darling Ben has such great friends and I'm so thankful. But how they all managed
to grow up this quickly is just ridiculous. Love this boy of mine and his good heart,
his hilarious sense of humor and his happy self. I'm most definitely his biggest fan.

Annie's Young Womanhood Recognition

Our darling Annie was awarded her Young Womanhood Recognition award tonight by these two incredible women. (Such amazing and kind women that are so good to our girl--I absolutely adore them.) This is the highest award you can receive as a young woman in our church. It takes hours and hours and hours of discipline to earn and Jacob and I are beyond proud of this amazing girl of ours.

In addition and alongside this recognition, she earned two honor bees. These are optional awards that require 40 service hours and reading the entire Book of Mormon to secure. And by that I mean that each one requires that amount of work.

Annie isn't perfect, and she doesn't have to be. Gratefully, that isn't asked of any of us. But oh she is good. And kind and caring and desires to do what is right. She deeply loves her Heavenly Father and her Savior, Jesus Christ and it shows in her actions and in the light in her eyes. I'm so honored to be her mom.

9th grade recognition night

Ninth grade recognition tonight for this cool son of ours. He was awarded the
Presidential Outstanding Excellence Award (gold edition) while his proud parents clapped.
And while the hundreds of attending students and parents enjoyed his large school picture
up on the enormous screen in the gym, reminder of that fabulous photo directly above.
Yeah that one. Except it was in color. And much larger than life. Kind of like this boy.

Grace's spring recital

 

This sweet little miss had a dance recital last night and oh the cuteness.
She absolutely loved it and did so well. And was beyond thrilled to win
the special crown for her hard work. Love this little darling so much.

wear blue: run to remember

So grateful this Memorial Day for so many that have made the ultimate sacrifice.
I feel emotional thinking how much has been given for the life I get to live.
I'm especially mindful of a sweet friend I met for the first time a few days ago,
whose husband was killed in Afghanistan almost ten years ago, when their
three children were just tiny. I just can't even. And yet, out of her heartache
and pain, she created the organization @wearblue: run to remember.

This morning, Jacob ran with this "running community that honors the service
and sacrifice of the American military." What a privilege and honor. And what a
touching day to remember those who should never be very far from our thoughts.

Nothing doubting

"With faith in God, His prophets, His church, and ourselves--with faith in our own divine
creation--may we be peaceful and let go of our cares and troubles over so many things.
May we believe, nothing doubting, in the light that shines, even in a dark place."

~ Sister Patricia Holland

My rose bush

Last fall, one of my dearest high school friends sent me an
email and let me know that she had purchased a rose bush for me,
in honor of my mom, and that it would be delivered in the spring.

Just the thought alone, made me cry. This friend has always
been so thoughtful and generous, so I wasn't surprised,
but I was so very touched. My mom loved roses,
absolutely loved them. It was such a meaningful gift.

And when it arrived, just a couple of weeks ago, I knew exactly
where it should go. And that is where it is planted, growing
and thriving and reminding me of my darling mom and
my sweet friend every single time I look at it. I love it so.

Preschool grad

Preschool graduation for this little sweetheart today.
So grateful for her amazing teachers and her preschool
experience and how she has been taught to love learning.

Ben and the district decathlon (again)

This stud of the fifth grade variety competed in the school district
decathlon today and I just love watching this boy do most anything.
His athleticism still blows me away, even after all these years.

The long jump, speed cup stacking, the 200 meter dash and a shuttle
run were just a few of the events. (Note: The picture of Ben laying on
the ground after the dash was just a reminder to me that he carries genes
from both of his parents. Jacob's genes make him a speedster, my genes
make him collapse when he is finished. You're welcome son.) 

I'm so thankful for fun events that also make my kids work hard.
I absolutely adore Ben's PE teacher and her willingness to prepare
these kids for this fun day once a year. It was a good morning. 

Oh, and how darling are those two cheerer oners I hired
for the day? Money well spent I assure you.

These two men

This picture taken yesterday after stake conference makes me cry,
I love it so much. The two men I love most in the world.

That man on the right. He loves and supports and serves and makes us laugh and teaches us
faith and goodness by his amazing example. He has always been a hero of mine, but it seems
that he becomes more sweet and good and gentle and kind as the years go by. Who he has
become, through my mom's last days and recent death, makes me sob when I think about it. 

I love you Daddy. I'm so grateful to be your daughter.

The man on the left. The greatest gift, next to the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His
gospel, I have ever been given. Today he was sustained and set apart as a high councilor
in our stake. I can't think of anyone who will do a better job. He is kind and patient
and hard working and thoughtful and a masterful teacher. He keeps trying and caring
and wanting to be better and more holy. He is nothing short of incredible to me. 

I love you Jacob Ethan. It is such a privilege to be your wife.

I'm so thankful for this picture to remember this day, when my dad made time
to come and hear our children speak in stake conference and support Jacob as
he was set apart in his new calling. I love it so. And these men even more.

I'm so blessed

All five of these lovelies spoke in stake conference today. (Stake conference is our meeting
twice a year when several of our church congregations meet together. So two or three
thousand people attend, sometimes more.) I was ridiculously proud of them. They made
me laugh and cry and feel such gratitude that I was chosen to be their mom.

As well as they did, and they did, it was hard for me not to be able to stand up and
let everyone know that yes, my kids are amazing and wonderful and I am so
proud of who they choose to be and how well they did. BUT, we are also a
high-temperatured mess. Just like everyone else who graces this earth.

I could cite dozens of examples from this week of their grumpy and impatient mother.
My favorite probably being yelling at one of them for spilling yogurt on their church
clothes right before we had to leave this morning. (Good job adulting Linn Allen,
that will help the situation, glad your maturity prevailed.) I can also cite many instances
this week of me trying my best and doing well at motherhood. All of it is mixed in
and messy and happy and frustrating and hilarious and just as it should be.

We're doing the best we can folks. Just like the rest of you. I love being a mother
to the depths of my soul. And sometimes yearn to run away because it is so hard.
God is okay with all of it. He told me that Himself. That is why He sent His Son.

I am so thankful I get to keep trying. With these five darlings, their incredible older
brother and their sweet dad by my side. Life is good. Stake conference talks,
yogurt-stained church clothes and mothers who make you take a sibling picture
when you've already given a talk to several thousand people included.

I'm so blessed.

Timp Trail Half Marathon

This incredible man ran a 13.1 mile race today. And not just any race. It addition to being rainy and
windy and cold, he pretty much climbed a mountain in those miles. And came in third in his age
group and eleventh overall. He is incredible to me. I'm so grateful to his wife and biggest cheerleader.

So exciting!

Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards and our girl's school took best ensemble
in the state! Oh the happy. And as you might remember from a post or seventeen from me,
Annie was a part of that Newsies ensemble. So proud of all of these incredible kids and
so thrilled that their hard work and talent was recognized in such a significant way.

This is in my sarcastic font, if you can't tell

My follow-up appointment today went swimmingly today, thanks for asking.

Matt of the amazing speed

District track meet for our incredible Matthew today. And all of my pictures turned out
mediocre slash lame, so a medal on the table fotografía for your viewing pleasure.

Matt man took 5th place in the 4x100 and 9th place in the 110 hurdles. He rocks.
And I am super proud of him. And feel so grateful my Dad could join us to support him.