HOME!!!

We're in Utah!!

The day we left Berlin Justin arrived home from his roadtrip at about 3 AM. It had been a long four days without him and I'm so happy he was able to come with us to the airport and send us on our way. 

Our last family picture in our apartment. 

These two were such angels (and were definitely being helped by angels) during our flights. Flight #1 to Amsterdam went smoothly. When we arrived however, I found out days earlier a new rule was made that banned carseats and strollers in the airport. I wasn't going to have Emery's car seat with us on our 10-hour flight to SLC. 

I was so discouraged and began the long trek with these two and our backpacks to our gate without the stroller to carry it all.

As we were boarding, I began to feel so sick. The first three hours of the flight were miserable and I texted Justin and my parents telling them I truly didn't know how I was going to do seven more hours. 

I got a text back saying everyone was kneeling down and praying for me. More texts came in from friends who were also praying. After those prayers I felt a little better. 

I also had the impression to ask someone for a blessing. I prayed that I would be able to find a member of our church on the flight who could help me. 

About 15 minutes later, I was in the small airplane bathroom with a nice couple from North Ogden. As his hands were on my head and he was giving me the blessing, I felt a peace wash over me and the nausea and anxiety went away. I was healed by God's priesthood power and the remainder of the flight went smoothly. 

During those first three hours, Logan didn't ask for anything. I was too sick to even look over at him. He was such an angel boy and watched his show and didn't mind as I was out of my seat often. 

Emery was also such a good baby as she was passed to the flight attendant many times. 

After a 16-hour travel day, we landed in SLC and I was so relieved and grateful to be on UT ground!

And I was so emotional when I saw these faces waiting for us through the international arrival sliding doors. Everything was worth it for that moment to be together... and to finally meet Hadley!! He and Courtlyn got engaged two days earlier.

Logan was excited to sleep in his big boy bed. 

& first thing in the morning, these cousins got to meet!! 

It was a pretty big week with lots packed in. The main event being Natalie going to the Provo MTC. One of her last requests was a Zupas lunch date. 

Logan is in HEAVEN with all of these fun toys and family at Gigi and Grandpa's house.

We were able to attend an endowment session at the temple with Sister Rowley too. That was pretty special. I hadn't been to the temple since November. I had missed it. <3

Wednesday we had lunch together and drove below the Provo temple to say our goodbyes. 

You got this, Sister Rowley!!!!! I am so, so proud of her. 

Logan finally got to go on Grandpa's big blue boat. The weather and water at Yuba were great. It was such a fun afternoon being together on the lake. 

Sara and Joe, our friends from Berlin who now live in North Dakota, were in Utah for the weekend!! They were so nice to come to Santaquin & we got to catch up over s'mores in the backyard. I love them.

The best, best week. Just missing our Justin... who is doing amazing in the finals! Let's go, Alba!

So thankful to be home for the summer. 

Alba Berlin Fans Forever

Last night was perfect, in a bittersweet, special way. We have a lot of unknowns in our life right now. What will this fall look like? Will we be in Utah, Berlin, or somewhere else in Europe? Sometimes the uncertainty brings a cloud that makes it hard to be present. 

Thankfully, the cloud was gone for my last Alba Berlin game of the season. I was present and enjoyed being with the people I've come to love.

Paulina, Emmi, Claire, Talyn

This is what our life has looked like the last three years!! Tears came to my eyes a few times as I wondered if this was Logan's last time watching his dad play basketball. Logan lives for these games. He sits on his seat watching the players, whispering "bounce, shoot, swish, and slam dunk" to himself.

When Alba is on defense, Logan's arms are raised and shaking until the opponent shoots. Last night, after a missed shot, Logan went crazy clapping then was focused and back in the game. He loves basketball more than any other two-year-old I know. 

We sat between two of the best families, the Bridgefords and Narayans.

Anneliese brought two cute stuffed animals for Logan and Emery. Logan named them Finn McMissle and Holly. Still in his Cars 2 era.

Missing a few girls in this picture. It's been my favorite season out of the three & these ladies have made it so fun. They're the ones who can truly relate to the basketball wife life. 

Then is was time to say goodbyes. This one was the hardest of the last two weeks. There are only a handful of people outside of our family who Logan feels comfortable with consistently. Norman, Birgit, and Annelise are on that list. 

Oh, I love them!! I'm excited to see where and when our next encounter will be. It won't be nearly soon enough. <3

I love watching you play, JB34. I have loved sharing this basketball world with our friends and family here the last three years. I love how this career has shaped us and our marriage and family. It has been incredibly hard, stretching, and not as glamorous as it may look on the outside. It's been worth it. 

May: The Little & Big Things

We had the best month. & I feel like I'm always saying that. Lots of things to be grateful for, especially my Justin & Emery & Logan. I'm thankful that whatever life throws at us, we're sealed for eternity. 

May was great!! Here is what I want to remember from our last full month here: <3

I love not having screens on the windows! Every morning, I make my way through all of the rooms and open our windows. It smells like summer mornings. 

We had our Elders over for dinner! Missionaries are incredible. I'm grateful for Christ's church that allows us to serve as missionaries. & I'm grateful for the young adults who choose to give of their time and money to do it. 

We think about these Elders often as Logan prays for each of them by name twice a day. We love you Elders Burton, Grantham, Lucas, & Ellis!

Miracle!!! Logan's whole life, he has has clogged tear ducts. For over two years, we have had cotton balls on hand to wipe the sleep from his eyes. We've said lots of prayers and Logan had a blessing about 8 months ago.

We knew that it would take time and one day, Justin and I looked at each other and realized we hadn't wiped Logan's eyes for about three days. They've been clear since and I'm sooo thankful.

Natalie gave her missionary farewell talk & we got to watch it on YouTube at 10:30 PM. I am SO proud of her. She knows she's supposed to serve her mission and is truly choosing the Lord's will over her own. I can't wait to hug her in just a few days before she heads to the Provo MTC.

It feels like basketball has taken over our life (even more) recently! It's playoff time and we've loved cheering on Justin through the quarterfinals. Go Alba!

Alice, Nyah, & Victor Brobbey

After coordinating a couple of dates for family pictures, the weather warmed up & the sun came out on the morning we had scheduled. I loved our photographer & making those memories with our little family at Museum Island. 

&... as we were driving home from the photoshoot, the sun went away and it started to rain. The good weather earlier was another miracle and answer to prayers. God is so good!

"Mama get in crib with Logan!"

Tabi & Timna came over for a french toast brunch while Justin was on a long roadtrip. My day felt lighter and brighter after they came. I love them!

Park & splash pad for these two. <3 Logan never actually went in the water, but he loved watching everyone else!

My second to last Sunday was our ward's farewell potluck. We have quite a few families that are moving this summer. It was nice to have everyone gather for a group goodbye. This is our amazing Relief Society presidency!! I'm so grateful for the opportunity I had to serve in RS. 

Tiara, Alice, Claire, Naïma, Ejiro

Goodbye to the Farnsworths. Well, not really goodbye. Just a see you later. Darren will be at the Provo MTC the same time as Natalie! He's going to Johannesburg, South Africa. This family made the last 10 months so special. They took us in & ministered to us many times. 

Claire, Logan, Jenny, Claire, Stuart, Darren

A trip to our favorite gelato shop on our street. Logan made sure to eat every last bite of his ice cream and cone. & even some paper. Ha!

Breakfast with Talyn. <3 Thankful for my Alba girls!

Tabi had a birthday & we got to celebrate with dinner! This was the hottest day of the year we've had so far. I forgot most buildings don't have AC. I was ready to find a lake and jump in.  

Last September, Sister Stephens introduced themselves as the new senior missionary couple from Logan, UT. Without even knowing them, it was like having a piece of home here. Now, after getting to know them, they feel like family. 

They must be the most fun grandparents because they're some of Logan's favorite people. We're excited to see them in Cache Valley when we're all back in Utah.

More morning gratitude walks. I love going early enough to beat the morning commuters. Very peaceful & happy.

Alba made it to the semifinals and won game 1!! The Aversas came and I couldn't help glancing over at everyone multiple times during the game. I'm so happy and grateful for these people.

Then, on May 31, we went to church as a family for the last time at our Berlin English Ward. Logan and I went to Rewe the day before to get treats for his nursery teachers and friends, Matteo & Janice. He was so cute giving them their gifts. 

It didn't feel real walking to our car afterwards and pulling out of the parking lot for the last time. Many, many memories in that building. I felt lots of emotions on Sunday, the most frequent one being gratitude. 

I don't have any more words! I just feel so blessed, happy, and thankful for what I experienced this May.