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Wedding Wednesday

Wedding Wednesday: The Food

Tuesday Tell-All

Tell-All Tuesday

Change It Up Challenge, Here's What's Cooking

Rhubarb Makes Me Think Deep Thoughts

Holidays

July 4th Festivities

Blogging

Taking Charge + A Blog Announcement

Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie

Here's What's Cooking, Main Dish, Recipes

Here’s What’s Cooking…Chicken Pot Pie

Hi! I’m Torrie!

Latest Posts

2026 Summer Reading List
39.
Let’s Just Get Through “May-Cember,” Eh? {May 2025 Goals}
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The Great Freezer Clean-Out, Week Three
The Great Freezer Clean-Out, Week Two
The Great Freezer Clean-Out, Week One

Be My Pin Twin

I know I'll miss those smudgy handprints one day 🥺

I know I'll miss those smudgy handprints one day 🥺

We have had to accept that there are people who ha

We have had to accept that there are people who have trouble seeing beyond our daughter's diagnosis. But when we take the time to see the person, we realize that the worth of ALL souls is great in the sight of God.

Naomi, you bring us boundless joy and delight, and the world is a better place because you're in it ❤️❤️❤️

"Jesus specializes in the seemingly impossible. He

"Jesus specializes in the seemingly impossible. He came here to make the impossible possible, the irredeemable redeemable, to heal the unhealable, to right the unrightable, to promise the unpromisable. And He’s really good at it. In fact, He’s perfect at it." - Elder Patrick Kearon

Because of Him, I have hope--today and every day. Because of Him, death is not the end, but rather a goodbye for now. Because of Him, I can do all things that I am called upon to do.

My heart is so filled with gratitude for the unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ in my life.

Happy Easter!

#Helives #hearHim #happyeaster

Just for fun, same outfit -- two sisters, 8 years

Just for fun, same outfit -- two sisters, 8 years apart :)

(Naomi is the first picture, taken last month at 10 months old; Raven is the second, taken at 3 months old. Yep, Naomi's a little peanut!!)

You guys! The construction on the Manti Temple is

You guys! The construction on the Manti Temple is finally complete, and it. is. INCREDIBLE.

The public open house goes from now until April 5, and trust me -- this pioneer-era temple is worth making a trip to come see! (And if you're in the area, make sure you drop by and say hi!)

If you want to know more about why temples are so important in my faith, DM me anytime :)

#churchofjesuschrist #mantitemple

Look who's sitting up all by herself?? 🥰🥰🥰 #ninem

Look who's sitting up all by herself?? 🥰🥰🥰

#ninemonths #downrightperfect #downsyndromebeauty

If you want to see what 52 weeks of family picture

If you want to see what 52 weeks of family pictures looks like and read a recap of the most life-changing year of my life, it's all up on the blog today:

https://www.toloveandtolearn.com/2024/01/01/year-in-review-2023/

To the quick observer, this just seems like a rand

To the quick observer, this just seems like a random picture of my kids reading books.

To me, this is just another example of how much stronger and wider my support system is than I ever dreamed possible.

Several of you already know that we've had a bit of an intense year. Lots of big, life-altering things happened, and even though now, we're feeling even more positive going into our future than we ever have before, there are still new challenges to navigate all the time.

I have been constantly astounded, overwhelmed, and awed by the goodness and generosity we've experienced this year. We have been carried and blessed and served more times than I could ever name, and it's still happening all the time, in ways both seen and unseen.

Today we received a (rather heavy) box on our front porch. I had no idea who it was from, but it looked exciting, so I gathered around Matt and the kids so we could see what was inside.

I was blown away when we opened it up.

We had been gifted the most beautiful children's library from @simplyonpurpose (an account I've loved and followed for many, many years) thanks to someone who nominated our family.

There are no words.

I love that I live in a place where people notice me and my family, and who have stepped forward again and again to show us that we are loved and supported. All the acts of goodness and service we've been on the receiving end of this year have only strengthened my own resolve to pay it forward in whatever ways I can, both through the pay it forward program we already do through our flower farm (@dreamacreflowerfarm), and in other ways through service to family, friends, and neighbors.

I love that I live in a world where people I don't even know are consciously looking for ways to hold up their light, which makes me always look more towards the Source of ALL light.

Thank you so much to Ralphie at @simplyonpurpose and to whomever it was that took the time to nominate our family. We appreciate your goodness more than we could ever say.

Ima gonna just drop this right here because the wo

Ima gonna just drop this right here because the world needs more pictures of babies in hats.

Not sure how Naomi Jean feels about it, though 😁

#babiesinhats #babyitscoldoutside #downsyndromebeauty #downrightperfect #homiewithanextrachromie

The honest truth? I used to be terrified that I'd

The honest truth? I used to be terrified that I'd have a child with special needs. My former self saw only the hard, and I didn't want to sign up for more hard.

But my goodness, has my perspective changed completely with Naomi. She brings me delight and joy every day, and I wish the world could experience her strong yet gentle spirit -- that everyone could experience her obvious zest for life and her total love for people and pets and just experiencing it all to the fullest. Yes, she's still only a baby, but WOW is heaven's presence so strong with this one.

And with all that she's already taught me, I find myself wondering -- what other miraculous things await on the other side of my fear, or on the other side of hard?

If I make "comfort" my top goal, I automatically take myself out of the running for so much more.

#nothingdownaboutit #theluckyfew #downrightperfect

SEVEN MONTHS. Rolls both ways, can sit up briefly

SEVEN MONTHS.

Rolls both ways, can sit up briefly by herself, loves to eat her toes, smiles at everything (but especially Daddy and our dog, Onyx), and thinks that blowing raspberries is hilarious (both by herself and watching others do it back).

This kid, man. 10/10, would recommend. She brings us more joy than we could ever say.

#nothingdownaboutit #downsyndromebeauty #theluckyfew

Because the world needs more pics of Naomi Jean. A

Because the world needs more pics of Naomi Jean. And because I can't believe she's already six months old 😭😭😭

#downsyndromebeauty #theluckyfew #sixmonthsold

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