Motherhood Lately

I only have 29 more mornings of playing with Logan and Emery in our little Berlin apartment. I just wanted to remember today. Window cracked to clear the "diaper air", music playing on Alexa, Logan's little voice announcing each color as he rolled his dice. 

A pan of thankfully not spilled brownies hanging off the counter that include a missing corner from Logan's fingers.

A small tantrum over a Luigi car.  & then a hug and saying "it's all better". 

Asking me to say the lunch prayer, then interrupting my prayer because "Heavenly Father wants to hear from Logan". 

Dipping chicken nuggets in applesauce for lunch. 

Watching only the beginning of The Lion King before his nap because once Simba is old, the movie is boring. 

Singing, I Love to See the Temple after tucking him in with Ooh Ooh Ah Ah, Horsey, and his brown blanket.

All the while, Emery is her smiley, patient self who can't get enough of her big brother. She loves Logan and when she's sitting up, her eyes are constantly on him and what he's doing. 

I love being their mom! I can't believe they're mine. I love that Logan wears his jersey every day and points out Alba Berlin, the basketball, number 3, and number 4. 

I love that he loves his sunglasses, croissants from Rewe, and knows that this is his home.

Justin was out of town and we really needed groceries. Our elevator was broken so no stroller for that trip! Emery went in the carrier and I had our backpack full of groceries after walking to the store together. It was a fun, happy morning.

Another fun outing to get family picture outfits. 

Logan: Look, sunglasses like Logan! Cheese!

Logan: Ran around the store, falling to the ground acting like he was fouled until we helped him up.

<3 This was the first Sunday in two months we were able to go to church as a family. Grateful Justin could snap this picture. I looooove going to church with Justin. 

I love that Logan loves music. Any time I finish playing the piano, he slips onto the chair and begins playing the singing his favorite church songs.

I love that Emery is so sweet, smiley, and our daughter. I love her!!!

I love that this morning, Logan joined me on my walk and I got to talk to him about all of the delivery trucks, Lightning and Sally cars, buses, and birds while we explored a little bit of our neighborhood.

I've loved being their mom here in Berlin. Our routine includes things that will surely change as we move to a new place. This early season of motherhood has been pretty special in Germany. <3

April Little Things | 2

It's nap time... But Logan and Emery are having a squealing contest from their rooms. Early bedtime tonight. Ha! I love them. Logan's prayers include blessing Heavenly Father, Jesus, and Easter. Emery is nonstop smiles when you say her name and talk to her. 

Today is the last day of April. Wow! Justin had a crazy amount of away games the last two weeks. He's currently on the road for his last away game of the regular season. I'm so proud of him and of us. Almost three German basketball seasons down. 

After this weekend, he won't have to leave until the end of May!

Here's our April little things part two <3 

So grateful when trips to the pediatrician happen to line up with Justin's off days! More shots for Emery this time.

& a promised trip to the big slide for Logan right after. I was happy he only wanted to go down it with me.

More sunny days like these! Logan loves to do big lion passes with the soccer ball. Before this, we were at a park with a small slide. Logan made a little friend and told her, "You can go."every time he finished going down the slide.

Our last Supper Club all together. I love these people so much. Walli is heading to the States next week so we'll be saying goodbye to her soon. It's going to be a very emotional upcoming month with all of the goodbyes and "lasts".

Had to document the cars getting their tummy time in. Thanks, Logan!  

We got to have Hadley, Greta, and Louie over for a morning! Logan was so excited and happy to have them over. & to try out Greta's new cute bike.

We got to have brunch with our Aversas on a Thursday morning. Such a treat! I don't think I could ever get enough time with them. <3

& visit the Neukölln ward to hear Limhi give his homecoming talk! I am so proud of him. Serving a mission is such an accomplishment & I could just feel how much he loves the Savior and Heavenly Father as he shared his testimony in Portuguese.

Lunch at the Bean House with one of my favorites. I love Sister Wardle. She is pure light and goodness and makes you feel like the best person in the world when you're around her. They go home to Carlsbad just one week before us. 

What a month, what a month! I missed Justin lots these last weeks, and wished he could share more of these memories with me... but in the end, I just have so much gratitude for what April looked like and can't wait to see what May and June hold. 

Lots of big and good things to come. 

2 Nephi 4:15-35 - Nephi + the Natural Man, Faith & Trusting in God

My scripture journals are all over the place and I really want to remember this scripture study. 

I'm slowly reading through the Book of Mormon along with the Old Testament for Come Follow Me. Today, I read 2 Nephi 4:15-35. 

Emery still isn't sleeping great yet. Some nights are really good, and others, she's breaking out of her swaddle like crazy. Due to that, I'm usually tired and not super present when it comes to scripture study. 

I'm grateful that today, for whatever reason, these verses stuck out and I was able to relate to Nephi. 

Vs 15-16:

Nephi is writing the things of his soul. I love that wording and that these are truly the most important important impressions he could share with us and his people.

My soul delighteth in the scriptures and the things of the Lord.

My heart pondereth continually the things which I have seen and heard.

Vs 17-19: This is the reality of the natural man. We all live in a fallen world and are subject to sin and temptations. We all make mistakes no matter how hard we are striving to choose the right.

Vs 20-24: But... Nephi comes back and remembers the blessings he's received because of Heavenly Father's love and Jesus Christ's Atonement.

- Filled with His love

- Confounded mine enemies

- Heard my cries

- Given me knowledge and visions

- Angels came down and ministered to me (because of being bold in mighty prayer

Vs 27: Back again to the natural man. Even with all of ^^^ blessings, why do I let Satan take my peace?

"Why am I angry because of my enemy?" really stood out to me. I know many who have anger and hate toward certain people. It's so easy to get sucked into news (that is mostly untruthful) and let it control your thoughts. 

I'm a worrier and let media I intake sometimes have more power over my emotions than I want to admit. 

This is Satan taking my peace away. I'm a covenant daughter of God. I know in Whom I trust, yet I live in a fallen world and sometimes the natural man takes over. The fear rises above my faith.

Vs 28-29: Nephi has his realization of what matters most and regains his eternal perspective. This happens to me usually in the form of talking about my worries with Justin. He listens then reminds me in Whom we need to put our trust in. 

"Give place no more for the enemy (FEAR) of my soul."

Vs 30: Remember the Lord forever. This is what I covenant to do every single week when I take the sacrament. Pray unto & praise him. Don't let this enemy have power over you during the week. The promise for remembering the Lord is having His Spirit with us. 

I've never felt fearful when I'm feeling the Holy Ghost. <3

Vs 32-33: "Walk my path", walk with God. Include Him every day while you walk your path. Using our covenants to call down His power. Asking our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ to escape our enemies (FEAR). This happens through his atoning power.

Vs 34-35: My favorite part. I have and I will trust in thee forever. Constantly thinking of Christ and praying prayers of praise and repentance is the key to overcoming this natural man and forgoing the negative feelings of worry, doubt, and anger that can influence us. 

I loved reading this chapter. I helped me to see Nephi more presently and relate to him. I can be so back and forth with my emotions in situations like this & yesterday, I felt like these verses were written for me. <3 I love the Book of Mormon!