Elle's Would-be 9th

The crew after Elle's birthday breakfast 

(forgot to take pics 😆) 

Mia ate, then bolted for Sam's... priorities

Pink ties for Elle on Sunday; 

red is as close to pink as MK gets...

"Mom, take a picture of me... 

I look so cool like this..." 😂

"HAPPY Birthday! Elle! Hope your meeting
princesses and riding unicorns

Love, Cam" 😭

Mahdi brought flowers and water to 
wash off her headstone 💗💕💗💕

Reza looks like a ghost...

And Elle's still sending us her pink sunsets

 

 Our friend, Clint, had an experience while he stayed overnight at our house that let us know 

that Elle's here in our home. 

I'm so happy and relieved that she's close. She's still a part of our family. I'm sure she knows we need 

her and miss her so much.

 

For the last several months our family has changed a lot and has required serious time and energy, but I'm grateful that it has launched me more fully 

into life since her death.  

So, lately the grief catches me off-guard. Lingering for more than a few seconds on a picture of her or seeing a little blondie at the store with her mom or, today, after checking Cam back into school after a lunch date and walking the halls of the elementary school looking to peek in at my other grade schooler and realizing... 

I don't have one. 

All of us moms go through this. Our little kids don't stay little. And I'm glad I miss that time of my life. It means that I loved it, and I loved them.

 What's not to love?

 

Tweening

Check out this tween of ours, 

and when did this happen? 😳

Wears a beanie off the back of his head, tells me stuff like "That's not my style anymore," and he's decided to wean himself off his nightlight 😭

Crazy Hair day. Cam wanted "an ocean wave"

Sang a solo, "Fine by Me" by Andy Grammar for his first performance at COPA. And he sang it like a pop star. SO cute! We were DYING 😂😍😎

He got the RASCAL Award for Honesty at the Elementary School. He was bugged that he hadn't gotten the award the first month of school, like he had every other year of elementary school.... 🙊😇 I was a little bugged that his teacher forgot to let me know so I could go to his award assembly 😳

Bowling in St. George with Dad on their road trip to Vegas for Frank Jackson's Duke game

Aunt Britt and Uncle Craig went, too 

(Craig not pictured 😋)

He's the cutest.

About Mahdi, Fall 2016

14th surgery in 2 years, "I enjoy my pain." 
He's a champ🏆 And eats like one... hospital cheesecake for breakfast, lunch, and dinner 😋🍰 


Strong as the Hulk. Hugs crush you, tickling is torturous, nose tweaking and arm grabbing leaves bruises....

Mischievous 😆

Weapons down, "I'm freakin' done" (that was the 2nd time he said that... and not the last :) 💦 
#nomercy #stolehiscrutches #lockedmyselfinthelaundryroom 🆘 
#gotsoakedanyway 🚿

All about technology

 His "Apple wallet"

Selfies galore

(Such an Elle face I have on!)

Sleeps a ton, but only in the daytime

Likes to cook

 (homemade onion shield)

Loves to be "fashion"

(his all-time favorite picture of himself 👆)

More of his favorites 👆👇

Mahdi had a friend in Iran illustrate this for us. It took my breath away...

And this one of Rob and I took my breath away differently 😂 

Love you, Mahdi!

My Favorite Person

We've had so much fun going on Saturday hikes this summer and fall, just the two of us

He always finds a new trail for us and leads the way

The hikes have been essential for coping with work 

and a couple of our kids.

.

I caught Rob off-guard—this was not a pose...😳

(And check out his fists.)

But he does his best to put on a happy face. 

I love you so much, Rob. 

We can face anything together.