This guy

Dinner tonight with this stud (and his handsome dad) was pretty much the best. He's my
favorite oldest son in all of forever. And he's hilarious beyond what should be possible for
any human being. I'm just really glad our Father in Heaven let Campbell Allen be my son.

My favorite books of 2021

The number of books I read last year was a little crazycakes. And I can guarantee will not be duplicated again. For comparison, at this time last year, I had already read twelve books. As of today, I have read two books in 2022. Oh there I am, back to my normal self.

That high number of books last year is the reason that I have thirteen favorites to share with you in this post. I narrowed it down a lot for the record, but thirteen was as low as I was willing to go. So without further ado and as always, here they are...in no particular order. Except the first one of course. Forever and always my favorite.

The Book of Mormon
It seems appropriate that I read my favorite book three times this past year. I truly just love it so much. Just a few weeks ago, I shared my thoughts on it and I still feel the same way. Oh I'm grateful for this inspired and life-changing book.

Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law
I listened to this book and I highly recommend it that way. Oh my word, I don't have the ability to share how amazing and inspiring this woman is to me. My life is really easy. Just for the record.

Your Blue Flame
Another audiobook and another recommendation to listen to it. This author truly makes me laugh out loud, which is always a favorite, but honestly, this book was just so very inspiring and helpful in how to find and do what you truly love. It left a huge impression on me.

Find Me Unafraid
This book is a true story of two people and their love for Africa and what they chose to do with that love. And how it brought them together. Oh my passion for Africa runs deep, as does my obsession with reading true stories. This is a good one.

Becoming
I've heard for years that Michelle Obama's book is a good one and I finally listened to it last year. I really love biographies. And this one was no exception. I've read many biographies of first ladies and I'm adding this one to the list of those I really enjoyed.

The Ladies Room
Oh this book makes me so happy to have on this list. Because Jacob's grandma recommended it to me and I finished it just a couple of months before she passed away. It was so light and funny and clean and just enjoyable. Nothing big or noteworthy, but I will always love it because she did.

Heaven Adjacent
I truly love this author. I've shared more than once on my Goodreads account that many of her books are like free therapy. My word she has insights into human behavior and one-liners that just stop me in my tracks. I highly recommend listening to this one. I don't know, there is just something about ordinary stories that don't try to tidy up the messy parts of life that speak to me.

The Inheritance Games
Another recommendation to listen to this particular book. (Can you tell I am an Audible fan?) It is just fun. And addicting. And clever and engaging and witty. And way out there as far as things that could actually happen. But did I care? No, no I did not. I was too busy enjoying it.

The Orphan Keeper
I struggled whether to put this book on my list or not, because with all due respect, not my favorite writing. But I still thought it was interesting and good and a bit different than most books I would normally read. And it made me think. So I included it. The end.

Spy the Lie
Another audiobook, another fascinating listen. This guy knows his stuff about deception and I just thought it was riveting beyond words. I'm now a better liar. Wait, was that the point of this book? I'm kidding. I think.

The Moonlight Child
Just a book to read that you won't be able to put down. It was sad (but not tremendously so) and interesting (but not tremendously so) and I included it because I liked it. And thought some of you might also.

The Book of Lost Names
What do I say about this book? Just listen to it. Pretty please. Or you can read it if you would like. Just make sure you don't miss it. I loved it a lot. Beautiful writing, haunting story, highly recommended.

What Happened To You?
If it were within my power to make sure ever human being listened to this book, I would do it. There are no words. I plan to listen to it again soon. For anyone who has dealt with trauma, loves someone who has been through trauma or knows that there is trauma in the world, they should give it a listen. I can't say enough good about it, Jacob listened and felt the same...I'd love if all of you did also. It's outstanding.

Okay then. That was a lot. And I'm grateful to have it over. But mostly grateful to have read all of the above books and the dozens of others I did last year. Oh reading is just the best. I'm so thankful it is a huge part of my life. 

Thanks for caring friends. Carry on. Actually, more like read on.

I know I will.

PS. For anyone looking for my book favorites from previous years, here is a link that will take you to them.
It is in random order, but they are all there. As are several other posts below them you can ignore. You're welcome.

This boy

 
Less than 24 hours after being crowned tournament champion, this darling boy and I were at the
temple participating in baptisms. I just adore him something fierce and loved that time with him in
my favorite place. He’s so amazing and has the best heart. And oh, the side-by-side below…I loveth.

 

Highly recommend

 

Still at it. Even if I haven’t shared a lot about it. I just started my third semester toward my criminal justice degree and this semester I’m focused on my child and family studies minor. I love it all so much. Even if it isn’t the easiest and I have plenty on my plate without it. I still am so grateful I get to do it.

Now if I can keep my grades where I’d like them. I’m pretty proud that my old lady self has a 4.0 so far, but this may be the semester that breaks me. Because this class I’m taking has a thirty page syllabus. (Bless my professor’s detailed/particular heart.) Oh well, I get to learn and grow and do something hard for me, so ideal grade or not, I’m a fan.

Ahhh, going back for a bonus degree in your forties. Highly recommend.

Tournament champions

Our darling Ben was invited to participate in a premier soccer tournament in
Mesquite, this last weekend, and the team ended up winning the entire thing.

It was pretty much the best!

So excited for our boy and so grateful for Jacob and his willingness
(can’t pretend he didn’t love it) to spend five days making this possible
for Ben. He’s such a tremendous dad and I love that he and Ben had
this time together and also that the final game turned out so fabulously.

One of our happiest memories of late for sure. We kind of love soccer
at our house, if you can’t tell. And our Benjamin a whole lot more.

These darlings of mine

Nothing better than these few minutes with my two oldest together. Oh I love them.
And their darling, hilarious selves. I’m just a huge fan of Monday.

This girl

My beautiful missionary girl had a chance to see the DC sites (yay for weekly preparation days)
before she leaves for Uruguay in just over three weeks. Oh she is something else. I’m so grateful for her.

So much joy

Just thinking about the excitement of our girl getting to go to her original
mission {call} and can’t stop smiling. I’m so thrilled for her. And the people
of Uruguay. Looks like I have a flag to switch out in the not so distant future.

The temple, special days and my hero

On a regular basis, my sweet dad sends me temple names to do. Because my mom can no longer
help him with the work of his female ancestors here on earth, I get to. And I’m so incredibly grateful.

Today I completed a few names he sent me, including this one from a woman born in 1595. For right
close to four hundred years, she has been waiting for her temple work for be done. It was such a sweet
experience to be a part of that today. And then to go on and do the work for two family members from
Scotland (land of my ancestors and my heart) that I brought myself. It was just a really wonderful day.

One of my favorite days of the entire year actually.

Happy Birthday Daddy! It’s such an honor to be your daughter. Thanks for teaching me to love
the temple. Next to having you as my dad, it’s one of the greatest blessings I’ve ever been given.

Yesterday

Benjamin Jay ~ This is fourteen

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

Our Hermana Allen

Three things...

1. Our girl. While we were talking to her today. I'm just a huge fan of Mondays. 

2. Hermana Allen is officially going to Uruguay! She received notice yesterday and we are so thrilled for her, we could burst. Just the happiest news ever. She will definitely miss Maryland, but cannot wait to fly to Montevideo at the beginning of February. 

 3. And this thought from her email today, "Guys. Spanish is AWESOME. I'm literally not even in a Spanish area and I'm obsessed with the language. In reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish, you learn so many more concepts and the Lord teaches you so much. My favorite thing is that in Spanish, the words "to adore" and "to worship" are the exact same word. How incredible is that? What if we went to church to adore God? What if we prayed to adore Him more? What if we sang songs in adoration of Him? What if we read the scriptures and learned more about Him so we could adore Him even more? HOW COOL IS THAT?? Anyway, let's all adore God a little more this week."

I just love her so much. It is such an honor to be her mom.

They’re truly the best and I’m forever the luckiest

A new year

Happiest New Year dear friends. So grateful for the promise of new beginnings, continued friendship, time with those we love most and a God who is anxiously waiting to give us every good thing.

I’ve been emotional the last few days as this new year approached, knowing this would be the year when I wouldn’t see or hug my sweet Annie in person. I miss her fiercely. But I also know she is where she wants to be, where she is supposed to be, and I’m grateful for that knowledge.

Thank you for what you mean to our little family. We could never thank you enough for being a part of the greatest miracle our Father in Heaven has ever given us. For that reason alone, we will never forget 2021. But the unfathomable fear and grief we also experienced makes this new year an extremely welcome one.

I’m so thankful for my incredible husband, my darling chicklets, my testimony of my Savior and His beautiful gospel and my Heavenly Father’s love and protective care. And for miracles. So many miracles.

Oh mortality is something else.

But so is our God.

Always my favorite

 

It’s been a highly unusual reading year for me. I read 80 books in 2021. Far more than I have ever been able to read in any given year. (Mostly because I was competing with my young nephew to see who could read 55 books first and I wanted to win and was flying through each novel because I’m nothing if not competitive. But he forgot to mention that he toasted me within just a few weeks of the year beginning, so I just kept going like a crazy person, but I still lost and I’m definitely not bitter. Not even a little.)

And of those dozens of books, my very favorite was and always will be the Book of Mormon. I loved it so much, I read it three times. Finishing it for the third time, just a couple of weeks ago.

I love the Book of Mormon with a fierceness that is hard to describe. I’m a better person and a better disciple of my Savior, Jesus Christ, because it exists. Because our Father in Heaven made sure it was a part of our lives, so that we could be happier and kinder and more loving and confident if we choose to read from it regularly.

The Book of Mormon is true. No matter if we believe it or not, it just is. And no amount of doubt or work on any person’s part to disprove it changes that fact. I will forever trust God in my knowledge of this because He is the One that told me so. He earned my love and trust long ago and that includes His assurance that the Book of Mormon comes from Him to each of us, because of His eternal love for all of His children.

It is another testament of Jesus Christ and if there is even the smallest part of you that wants to know and love your Redeemer more, the Book of Mormon will make that happen. I promise it will. And you will be happier and more peaceful in the meantime.

I’m so touched by a God who has given us such a beautiful, pure, incredible gift. It just humbles me to the core and I’m forever grateful to Him. And for the Book of Mormon. My favorite book I read this year to be sure.

Five stars. Plus an additional five hundred.

Highly recommend.

Healing and love

 

When I need healing, for myself or for those I love most, I go to the temple. As often as I possibly can.

Which is why I feel so privileged to have been within its walls three times since yesterday afternoon.
God is so generous with His goodness, power and love. And never is that more real and beautiful than
in His temple. I know that to the deepest part of my heart. And I need it to the deepest part of my soul.

I just cannot get over how much our Father in Heaven loves each one of us.

This I know

 
Never have I felt a deeper or more overwhelming gratitude on Christmas Day.
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep.” Of that I testify with all of my heart and soul.

This is happiness

 
This is joy.

Christ is born

“Stepping down from Heaven's throne
To show us that we're not alone
The truest love and single light
The Son of God on Christmas night

Someday He'll give His life for me
But now He sleeps so peacefully
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
They all sing ‘praise the King’
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Come adore, Christ is born today”

Twenty-three

For the last twenty-three years (this very day in fact) I've known what a privilege it is to be married to this
tremendous man. But never have I felt it more strongly or emotionally than I have this last week. He’s all
that is good and light and handsome and kind and calm and brave and loving. And being his wife for this
life and the next has surpassed every incredible dream I could ever wish for or want. Oh I love Jacob Allen.

Our sweet Maddie

  

As many of you know, our beautiful niece, Maddie went missing nine days ago. And through the incredible work of law enforcement, the prayers of more people than we could ever count and mostly our Father in Heaven’s miraculous power and overwhelming kindness, was found five days later. We will never stop praising God for the miracle we received. Never.

Of course there is still healing and recovery ahead, but our sweet Maddie is with us to go through that journey and we are eternally grateful. In addition, watching her parents go through this living nightmare has been the most humbling, beautiful, horrific, painful, inspiring experience of my life. There are no words.

Please know two things dear friends.

First, your support and kindness has meant everything to us. You think you have a small idea of how good people are and then you watch as humanity blows that perception out of the water (that especially applies to the law enforcement and what they were willing to do to find Maddie). I’m just so grateful, humbled, honored and blessed to know and interact with each of you. Thank you for caring about our Maddie. It has meant everything to a family numb with pain and grief. And it means everything to God who sees how we treat each other—how we, His children, treat one another—and weeps with gratitude. I believe that to the deepest part of my heart. Thank you for being a part of that and for doing what you have done so incredibly well.

And second, our God is a God of miracles. And YES that miracle includes finding our beautiful girl, but that is not all I am referring to. We have seen intimately and in ways that I could never describe, miracle after miracle after miracle. And I will never forget it. I will never stop trusting my Father in Heaven and my Savior. Far before this experience, but in every second of what our family has been through this last week, They have earned my trust. And my love for Them is for ever and for always. As is Their love for each one of us.

I’m so overwhelmingly grateful.