Full Circle with Easter

Our time here in New York is wrapping up (you'll probably hear me say this repeatedly, as I grow increasingly sentimental). Last year when we came here Aaron was just a small little thing that hardly said a word, look at him last Easter:

And now... he is the spitting image of his older brother whom he emulates in EVERY way:) 

This week was a bit of a blur, but by Saturday we were all in the Easter spirit. After cleaning the church, we took Maddix over to our Bishop's home where he had his first ever playdate with their son, Jano. Aaron did NOT understand why Buddy was leaving him and he could go to. 

So we took him out and enjoyed the city while running Easter Errands. 

We Are Going To Miss This City

(Such a change of mind from last year)

Just this week our neighbor across the alley gave the boys little bubble guns and a bag of treats for Nala. Another of our neighbors was coming back from the corner market and brought the boys ice cream sandwiches, just because. Our landlord came over while we were out back and gave the boys each an easter basket, all the while our little Italian neighbor noticed, so she brought out bananas and dropped them into their baskets. 

Today one of the several gentlemen who walks through our alley on his lunch break smiled at the boys who were chasing each other with guns when they decided to start shooting him. He laughed and through his arms up, while pretending to be hit. Each time we pass the barber he gives the boys a wave. 

And our ward. *Sniffle* Our ward. The most AMAZING ward we've ever known. We have members from Taiwan, Hawaii, the Philippines, Ireland, Born and raised New Yorkers, Italy, Peru, etc. And each member has so so much to offer. And I love being in a ward full of converts. I feel honored to learn from their revelations and experiences. And I'll just say, this Easter Sunday I had the honor to teach R.S. on Pres. Monson's talk "Be and Example and a Light..." Let's just say the Spirit took over and it was a wonderful meeting. 

We are TRULY grateful for our time here in New York and all the people we've come to know. We have had experiences that have SERIOUSLY caused us to grow and test how strong we really are. 

"If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere!" <-- That's our motto, and we made it ;) 

But it's funny, now that we know we are moving to Iowa I find my taste in movies is shifting. This past year I love all movies set in New York, really. I love them. But now, all of a sudden movies about someone moving from the Big City and relocating to the country/a small town really appeal; funny how that works (i.e. Finding Normal, and Funny Farm). 

The boys scored BIG from the Easter Bunny this year! 

He has had his eye on buddy's bike
for YEARS! And now it's all his!

SOOOooo excited for a bike his size! 

Turned out so mangy this year! Warts and clubbed
feet ha ha ha... not cute! 

Elder Carson and Elder Ramos joined us for dinner. 

And seriously, look how cute these two lovies of mine are?! I was not sad one bit when Aaron, for the first time EVER, didn't feel like going to the nursery. He clung his little arms around my neck severely tight and just sat still on my lap. Unmoving. For almost an hour. I will cherish that hour forever. My boys don't cuddle. And they NEVER cuddle when healthy. So yesterday was a rare treat. And he even went back to Nursery just in time for me to give my lesson; it was perfect. Anyway, Happy Easter! Remember to that God gave us this life to live it, not just make a living! Going to be our motto as me move from civilization to the sticks;)

Melt my Heart

A RolleRcoasteR WeEk

This Week was full of absolute up's,
and absolute downs.
First of all, we have had this week built up in our minds for so long as the End alL bE alL week for our family; we had such high expectations that I don't think we ever could have met them!
On Monday, we matched! This was the culminating point of all the hard work and sacrifice we've been putting in for years. YEARS. And we were THRILLED!
Then the week had some downs. We just had a little gloom cloud hanging over our heads, so I think we weren't surprised when Friday came, we opened our Match, and found out we were going to Iowa. We got our 2nd pick. And we ARE grateful...
It just seemed so definite that we'd be going to Arizona...but once again we were reminded that God has a specific plan for us, and we're not supposed to go to Arizona; how else do you explain away that they basically told us we'd be going there and we're not. No clue.
 Overall, the BIGGEST blessing is knowing we matched. We'll be working. And Travis will be starting his first EVER REAL JOB!

Reasons for ranking Iowa 2nd over others: 
1. Travis loved the program while he was there, and enjoyed the residents.
2. Lower cost of living (i.e. rent, food, gas, no tolls, etc).
3. Still close enough to make it back to Utah.
4. Higher Pay
5. WAY more vacation days
6. Less hours in his work week.
7. Can live somewhere with LOTS of property and space for the boys.
8. Better schools for the boys.
9. Slower pace of life.
10. Opportunities to see new places (i.e. Navoo, Mount Rushmore, The Mall of America, etc)
11. Felt prompted to make it our #2 and not move it.

Obviously #11 is the biggest reason and we prayed, fasted, went to the temple, everything to make sure our rank list was how it should be. And I'm confident it was. So we just have to remember that  while coming up with new ideas to get excited over:)

So that's our Match week. Not what we hoped, but still a blessing. Life is still a blessing, even when you can't plan it or control what happens to you.
(Also we had a pretty AWESOME St. Patty's Day, so that was one of the "up" days!)

Sunday- Walked around coney island pier for our family walk. 
Monday- "Black Monday"  (match) celebration
Tues- Trav took the boys to the park while I ran errands
Wed- cleaned, don't remember
Thurs- St. Patty's total Celebration!!!
Fri- Match day surprise, dinner at Panera Bread
Sat- R.S Party and nintendo day for the boys
Sun- The start of a new Week headed into our new life. 

We Matched! 

Celebrate

St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Pancakes

Bring on the Spring!

This week we essentially stayed outside as much as we could because who can pass up the first few days of Spring?! And it's not even officially Spring. I know we had such incredibly mild winter, and we're grateful, but that doesn't stop us from being so excited about the upcoming season! We had a wonderful week of park days, a beach day, two nights in a row of oreo shakes and all of us snuggled together for family movies (The Good Dinosaur, and Hotel Transylvania 2)... and Travis had a FOUR DAY WEEKEND! 

And might I add how excited we are for tomorrow to be here?! Travis has zero worries that we will match because statistically we are 98% likely to match; for me, I always know that things should go according to plan, but easily cannot, so I just will be happy to get the email tomorrow and know one way or the other where we go from here. AND as long as we hear we match tomorrow, FRIDAY WILL BE THE BIG DAY!