September 30th

Twenty-one years ago this very day, Jacob Allen got down on one knee and asked me to
marry him. Spoiler alert: I said yes. Then on our drive back down the mountain, our song
came on. So he pulled over on the dirt road, stepped out of the car and asked me to dance.
Dancing on the side of that mountain, with the love of my life (this one and the next)
in the dark, is one of the happiest memories of my entire mortal journey. 

(This picture is from a few night's later. I didn't have time to take a photo that momentous night. I was too busy being in love.)

Homecoming

I still love taking pictures for high school dance groups. Especially when the boys are technically
in charge and they still ask if I can take pictures of Annie's whole group. These kids are
tremendous and I adore them. Especially that beautiful girl of ours. She really is something
else. What a fun night for the Homecoming dance and what a darling date for our Annes. 

Mountain fire

I've been meaning to post these photos Matt took of the fire that happened in our area
about ten days ago. It was kind of crazy, to say the least, and I hated seeing our mountain
on fire. But Matt's pictures are pretty incredible and I love his photography skills.

Unicorns with capes

Just coloring alongside Violet, the super unicorn. As you do.

Homecoming assembly

I can't even with this child and her darlingness and her acting skills. I love seeing
her on stage, even if it is only for a school assembly. I'll take any time I can get it.

One of Matt's many gifts

Matt's long-awaited school photo is finally here. You are welcome.

Unfortunately, a decision by the administration to have the sophomores' pictures
taken on the very first day of school limited what Matt could do as far as
outlandish goes, but his photo still made me snort with laughter when I asked
to see it today. He has a gift for sure. And may it always remain with him.

{Freshman picture here, for those wanting a reminder}

Quiet and calm

Looks like my day just turned quiet and calm with lots of rest for this little darling.
I really am so grateful to be a mom, especially when my kids need me the most. Still, if someone
could quickly work on eradicating the stomach flu, that would be swell. Thanks in advance.

Sweet Nali girl

She's continues to be the sweetest pup that ever existed. Yet somehow, in this photo, her face
seems to be saying, "How did a nice girl like me end up in a crazy house like this?" Good thing
Jacob Allen makes everything right in her world. I really should record her reaction the next time
he comes home from a business trip. It is the cutest, most ridiculous thing, you have ever seen.

Someone has a cool new arm accessory

Broken wrists and one incredible boy

And our second family broken bone goes to...the person who got our first family broken bone.
Bless his heart. Neither one of them were remotely his fault and he handled yesterday's 

distal radius fracture like a champ. I seriously couldn't believe how calm he was the entire
time. Now to wait and find out if they want to cast him once the swelling goes down.

There is never a dull moment at our home. Especially, and for some reason always,
when Jacob is out of town for several days. I'm so glad yesterday wasn't boring.
That would have been the worst. So thanks soccer, and the boy on the other team that
was a bit on the aggressive side, for making our Saturday more exciting than usual.

It has made me appreciate this mellow Sunday, filled with helping my 11-year-old
button his church shirt and put on his socks. And realize that with four boys,
I still don't know how to tie a tie. Thank goodness for brothers.

Campbell Jacob

Happy Birthday my incredible boy! You are so, so loved. 

{TWENTY}

One year

One year ago today. It doesn't seem possible.

My mom often shared the quote, "Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened."
I know that is what she would want me to focus on, especially today. But to be honest, it has felt
a little hard to smile on this day that holds so many memories and unanswered questions. But I'll
get back there again. If there is anything I know, it is that my Savior's peace always prevails.

I miss you Mom. Heaven is so blessed to have you. Because mortality just
isn't the same without you. One year closer to being with you again.

In Christ alone

"In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand."

"No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand."

Never forget

"People across the United States rediscovered the need for God and turned to Him for solace
and understanding. Comfortable times were shattered. We felt the great unsteadiness of life
and reached for the great steadiness of our Father in Heaven. And, as ever, we found it."

~Thomas S. Monson

Yesterday

Grace Susanna

Happy Birthday baby girl! You are so very loved.

{SIX}

My missionary son

Missing this boy extra much today. What a stud.

I miss you Mom...a lot

I can't quit smiling over BYU's win tonight. But not because I think they can keep it up.
(Sorry, just being honest here. Even if I love them, they kind of stink most of the time.)
But because this coming week is a year since my Mom passed on to our heavenly home.
And last year, right after we lost her, BYU beat Wisconsin in an unbelievable game.

And I posted that night that I had never imagined there was a college football committee
in heaven, but apparently I was wrong and it appeared that my Mom had quickly secured
her spot on the board. I added that Michigan should also be thanking my Mom for
their incredible win that night. (She sure loved the Cougars and the Wolverines.)

And then today. Michigan took their big W in double overtime, followed
by BYU taking down Tennessee in their own double overtime.

Me thinks my Mom likes to celebrate her graduation day
from mortality by helping her teams show off.

Okay, fine. Maybe there isn't a college committee in heaven. 

But then again, maybe there is.

The Light of the world is the best light of all

I feel like I'm just repeating myself when I share about this boy, but that is
probably because I am. His sweetness just blows me away on a regular basis.

He is so good and funny and thoughtful and kind.

Like yesterday, he came home from school and wanted to quietly show me
something in his backpack. When he pulled out a pink stuffed puppy, I knew
immediately he got it for his sister's upcoming birthday. And after a couple
of questions, I quickly realized he used his classroom money, for good
behavior, to get something for her, instead of himself. So much sweetness.

A few minutes later, I asked him to take everything out of his backpack
and he pulled out what you see in that second photo. Seriously this child.
 

 He sure does something to my heart.

Losing teeth and growing up

Let's pretend you can see the little tooth in this darling's hand shall we? 

Her first lost tooth, quickly followed by a second, in just the last
couple of days. Oh the excitement when you are nearly six. 

And that second picture is just because she is so dang cute.
Especially in her Christmas pajamas. In September. My baby is
growing up, people. Just like her five older and disobedient siblings.
Who obviously don't care a lick about their mother's heart.

God's love

I had one of the sweetest experiences I have ever had in the temple yesterday.
What our Father in Heaven has put in place for our peace and joy in this life,
and for all of eternity, is so gloriously beautiful. God loves His children.
He just does. He doesn't even require each of us to believe that for it
to be true. But my heart tells me He is so grateful when we do.

Six at six

Well, since our littlest chicklet officially started school (and will be six very sooneth),
I was finally able to put together this most recent collage of cuteness.

Previous collages can be found here.

I adore this man

He's the coolest person I know. And the most incredible. And handsome as all get out.
It may seem like I make this man that I married sound greater than he is, but in all
honesty, I could never scratch more than the surface of his goodness and ambition
and hard work and kindness and his love for me and for our kids and for his God.

But I'll keep trying.

Yesterday, Jacob and his brother thought they would have another go at making it up
and back down Kings Peak (the tallest mountain in Utah) in one day. The majority of
people do it in two days, but two years ago, Jacob and Jonathan decided to do it in a
single day. And did just that. And then yesterday, they did it again, pushing themselves
even harder, and taking an hour and a half off their time, finishing in under eight hours.

See, he really is the coolest. And being married to him is the best.

Our Elder Allen

Another month on the mission and he's still happy and hilarious and loves his Savior
and the people of Brasil. Whenever I ask him what we can be praying for, he always
mentions another missionary or a member or an investigator. He loves people deeply and
just so badly wants to serve them well. He mostly wants to serve his Father in Heaven
well. And he is doing just that. Oh I love this boy. And miss him something fierce.

So proud and so grateful

Oh this girl. I'm so happy for her I could burst.

Theatre is an interesting thing to be involved in. Like most extracurricular activities or sports,
it involves a lot of ups and downs. Annie has had her share of both in the many years she has been
a part of acting and singing. My heart has broken over and over again for her in how things have
turned out. And I've also been so thrilled for her, I've jumped up and down and screamed with joy.
But no matter what, she has always been willing to work hard and do her best and keep an
incredible attitude. Even when she was disappointed or discouraged or exhausted beyond belief.

But never (capital NEV capital ER) have I seen her work harder than she has the last many
months. And when she performed her auditions for us, before she officially auditioned for
the high school musical last week, I honestly was stunned into silence. She. Was. Unreal.

And apparently those doing the casting for Matilda this November agreed. Because Annie
received one of the leads. She will be playing the part of Amanda Thripp. (If you have seen
Matilda and that doesn't ring a bell, think of the girl that gets thrown across a field,
by her pigtails, by the terrible headmistress.) And I am so excited to watch her perform.

Sometimes we work our head off and things don't turn out how we wanted. And sometimes
we work our head off and they turn out incredibly well. I feel so thankful this one
ended so happily. And have said many a prayer of gratitude since last Friday night.

Another first day of school

This year's first day of school photo. Except on the sixth day. And after school.
Because I have eighty-seven children going in thirty-two directions at all times and
apparently it takes a while to get my act together. Yay for school. Except sometimes
not. For example, I have child that refers to it as prison. Which makes me laugh.
Every single time. Even though he repeatedly gets a 4.0. Am I rambling? I can't tell. 

12th grade, 10th grade, 6th grade, 2nd grade, Kindergarten.

Our newest Kindergartener

Our little Kindergarten darling. She just really loves school. A lot.

Two decades

Holy junk, weirdest morning ever. Our sweet little caboose started Kindergarten this morning. It didn't make me cry (odd, for a lady that specializes in crying), because Gracie girl was so excited, I couldn't help but just be excited for her. But afterwards, I just sat in my car for quite a while wondering how this could even be happening.

Our oldest turns 20 years old in nineteen days. (Man, I miss that boy.) So for the last two decades, I've had one or fourteen small children with me, at home, at all times. On the one hand, I truly believe I was put on this earth to be a mother and I feel fortunate beyond belief that I get to be one. I love it to the deepest part of my heart. On the other hand, there were plenty of days I would have paid a small fortune for all of them to be in school. I've just been so very tired, for so very long.

But now that the reality is that all of them are in school for at least a part of the day, I can't believe it has happened this fast. I don't know exactly how two decades could fly like they have, but they have. And granted two and a half hours of Kindergarten is about enough time to answer one email and partially prep dinner, but it's more the idea that all of my chicklets are now officially in school and that will be the case for a very long time. Crazy to the nth degree. As is my propensity to write very long blog posts.

Okay then, I think maybe I should be signing off. That was a wise use of the first 21 minutes of all of my children either being in a school classroom or serving the Lord in Brasil. I think instead, I'll go stare at the wall for a while. Just because I can.

Matt's Eagle Court of Honor

Beyond proud of this boy and his accomplishment tonight. Matt decided he wanted
a small and simple award ceremony. So we held it at our home with our family,
my dad and two of the local scout leaders and one of their wives. It was sweet and
perfect and I still can't get over how much I loved it. Kind of like how I feel about
this boy. He is tremendous in a million ways. I feel so honored to be his mom.