Content

I was talking to a friend today about feeling content. I haven't felt this content, consistently for a long time. Obviously, life has different seasons and there are still difficult things happening right now. But I feel very content and happy. I love my little family and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

This last weekend was General Conference. Twice a year, the leaders of our church share messages of hope and Jesus Christ during a worldwide broadcast to the 18+ million members of our church and anyone else who wants to listen. 

These are phrases that stuck out to me from last weekend: 

- Don't let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.

- Every time we go to the temple, the Atonement of Jesus Christ changes us.

- Be not afraid nor dismayed; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

- When we are in the midst of a storm, Jesus Christ is not the umbrella, blocking the rain from hitting us. He is the rock we stand on to face the storm. 

    Life is hard for everyone. No one is exempt from trials. But Jesus Christ offers his love, peace, and power to all who are willing to accept Him and keep His commandments, allowing that peace and power to flow into their lives.

- Have an eternal perspective and remember your blessings! Don't get stuck on the cold oatmeal. (Don't sweat the small stuff. and it's all small stuff). 

I know there are 100 more things that will stick with me over the next six months as I study these messages and prepare for the next General Conference. I love my Savior. I know that because our Heavenly Father loves us, he has called a prophet and apostles to lead and guide us while we are here on the earth, just like He has always done.

So... back to being content. Now that sweet Emery is old enough to sleep through the night and I'm not postpartum, I have had energy to do things that fill my cup. I've been able to connect more during the week with friends & make new ones! I'm so thankful. 

& grateful as always for my Justin. He is so supportive and aware of my and my needs/wants in every phase of life we've lived together. I love him. 

Here's some of my content happenings over the last few weeks. <3 

Waking up early for workout classes with my friends!!! I don't know why it took me three years to do this but it's been the biggest change and has made all the difference with my mental health. One of the best parts of my week!

Meeting cute Nola <3 Emery is obsessed with her and giggles whenever she sees her.

Doing new things with friends who love my kids probably as much as I do. :')

First roadtrip of the season done. Justin left me notes about motherhood & Jesus Christ around the apartment. I love him. 

This boy. <3 I love everything he does. 

Logan loves his new buddy, JJ. & I'm so thankful to have a new friend who can relate pretty much to everything I'm going through. (JJ's mom, not JJ ;)

Lots and lots of baking!! This granola has especially been a highlight. Pumpkin bars, pumpkin snickerdoodles, bundt cakes, chocolate chip cookies, monkey bread... you name it, we're making it!

The Berlin Marathon!! & supporting Ana!! It was the most beautiful day and I said "congrats!" to everyone on the Ubahn who were proudly wearing their medals.

Dinners, playdates, and General Conference breakfasts.

Traditions. This was the fourth year going to this little pumpkin festival. So grateful to have these two moms and their kids to join us this year!!

My sweet, smiley Emery girl. She is everything bright, content, and happy. I love her.

Fall walks in pretty places.

Birthday dinners celebrated far from home. <3 

A Boy and His Bike

One thing I knew I wanted to buy upon arrival was a bike for Logan. & he has LOVED it. I've loved it too. We've gone on so many fun walks since being back with this new bike. 

He loves his Lightning McQueen bike. 

& Emery is the best little sister ever as she's always along for the ride. <3

Best Day Ever, Ever, Ever

We had the best off-day!! There is a cute pumpkin festival I have wanted to go to for YEARS and this week, we made it happen. 

It was an overcast Monday morning in Berlin. We loaded up everyone and everything in the car (including two pairs of clothes for Logan and his new little potty), and drove to Klaistow. 

It was pretty rainy on the way to the festival and I was questioning how the day would go. But we got there, bundled up, and pretty soon the sun came out! 

This place was built for Logan. Big slides, fire trucks, tractors, ice cream, and fun movie characters made out of pumpkins.

We enjoyed the break from the loud, busy city. It was quiet, not crowded, and we simply had the best day together as a family. We can't wait to go back in a few weeks when Mema and Papa are here!

Leaving Home to Come Home

I dread the end of summer when it creeps up. We always have the best summers home with our families. 

One of my favorite things to do in Santaquin is sit on the front porch steps before bed and talk with my mom. We sit in the dark on the top step where no one can see us and look at the all of the cars and lights spread out through the Utah valley. Lots of good talks on those steps. Lots of fun trips planned on those steps! I love my parents. 

Leaving home didn't feel so sad this time around. It's the fourth time we've done this. We've had lots of practice being away, making FaceTime calls, and giving really good goodbye hugs. <3 

But it doesn't mean I miss my family any less. There have been lots of times in the last two weeks I have missed my mom and missed Santaquin. I love my home!!

But it was time to come back to our other home. We know we're supposed to be in Berlin right now & I'm grateful for that assurance. 

So... what do you do the day before you leave America??? You have your first McDonald's Happy Meal with your Gigi. xoxo

It was also a tiny bit easier leaving because Dad was there with me every step and flight of the way back to Germany. He knew how hard it was for me to travel alone in June & immediately offered to help me fly back when I asked. I love my Dad. 

We left Santaquin early in the morning with the sunrise. 

Logan and Emery are two lucky kids to grow up with a grandpa like their Grandpa Rowley. I felt no stress and was totally calm during the travel itinerary because I knew my dad was two seats away from me. He helped feed the kids, get out snacks, change diapers, and twice, Emery fell asleep in his arms. Super-Grandpa.

Once in Berlin & reunited with Justin, we set out to the Nike store to find Andrew a birthday present. Logan was so happy to be back in Berlin. He missed Justin. & he was so excited to be there with Grandpa.

Justin had his first preseason game near the Charlottenburg Palace. We walked the gardens beforehand and that has been one of my favorite memories since we've been back. Good conversation and feeling lots of gratitude that my Dad was there with me for my first days back in Berlin.

After we got settled and the kids gave us a run for our money with jet lag, he packed his carryon and was back on a flight to Utah. <3 

Reading Books, Making Cookies, Running in the Sprinklers...

Whitney and I took the boys to Bridal Veil Falls. It was the best morning! So nostalgic being there. Logan was in heaven, splashing with Wesley and showing me all of his cool rocks. When we got in the car to drive home he said, "That was so fun." We love summer cousin time!!!

I got to see my high school girls, Hailey and Katie. It had been two years! But felt like no time had passed. I love, love, love them.

Our days have been filled with reading books, making cookies, running in the sprinklers, trampoline time, playing basketball, and of course, visiting Grandpa's farm.