~We Love New York in the Spring~

Yesterday Maddix was lucky enough to have another play date with Jano, the Bishop's son; I'll tell you what, I found myself getting nervous as I watched him run around with the older kids without fear of climbing to new heights... it was good, but as a mom I had to force myself to give him space. While he played we took Aaron to Rosa's for lunch before preparing for our

  *Hipster Family Photo*.  

Funny Story, I found a sweater Travis received from a friend and it is just soOo Hipster that the idea came to life... We have lived in NY this past year, among the hipster colonies, yet we don't dress or conform to their ways, so TRULY we are the REAL Hipsters! I figured rain or not we would all dress up ironically and go out to Long Island City and have John snap pictures for us; bless him for standing in the rain, holding our coats, squinting into the camera (so I could wear his gigantic glasses) to make those pictures happen!

Aside from a fun Saturday we started the week by attending the funeral for my V.T. companion:( It was unexpected and pretty sad; her family decided to hold a Buddhist funeral, so when we thought we were walking into a "viewing" we actually walked into a Buddhist prayer... that lasts for hours. There was incense clouding the room, and monks chanting in the front while the room of people chanted along. That was my first Buddhist funeral and needless to say, it was a very UNIQUE experience!!! The rest of the week was spent cleaning, slowly de-junking and packing, riding bikes, school time, family, cooking, snuggling to movies, and got Aaron his final Barber shop haircut before we move. 

Today we took the family over to the Flushing Meadows park so we could enjoy the warm spring weather, get these PENT up boys out, throw rocks in the water, and see the trees in bloom! Words cannot express how much fun that walk turned out to be! Especially when Aaron hopped up on Travis's shoulders so I took over his scooter and hooked Nala to it! She kept getting behind me, sticking her head through, and pushing me!!! We were dying laughing; eventually she figured out she could make me go faster by.... Pulling me... go figure! Pushing wasn't the most effective, but it sure had us and others laughing. 

We love love love our walks and look forward to what sites and adventures Iowa will have for our Sunday walks; it has a lot to live up to! 

New clothes showed up

"I'm SiNgIn' in the RaIn"

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Mets Stadium

The Gospel in my life

I am who I am because of the Gospel.
     I owe all in my life to my Heavenly Father.

I have the worlds best husband who is a committed father and even better husband to me. He puts my needs and worries first. He is the epitome of everything Opposite the world preaches we should expect from men these days.

I have the best boys. Loving. Hopeful. Playful. Forgiving. Understanding. Imaginative. Faithful.
      When I have short comings these attributes of theirs allow them to love me, forgive, understand my mistakes, faithfully trust in my wisdom, and make me happy by imagining a wonderful day of play.

I have a Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. He is my older brother. Loving. Humble. Meek. Forgiving. Patient. Selfless. Caring. Endless adjectives that all equate to Perfect.
        Because of him, I have everything. I don't have EVERYTHING by worldly standards, but I have EVERYTHING I need for eternal happiness, which is what really matters.

I have a family. I have the knowledge of of the Gospel. I'm even blessed to have extras like a temple near by, financial security, daily adventures, the kindest friends and ward members, the ability to live in a free country--> Yes, the world is in chaos, but it's also a beautiful creation of God that REALLY offers endless opportunities and comforts, despite the way Satan tries to ruin this gift.

I LoVe CoNfErEnCe WeEkEnD

And this weekend is soOo much better than six months ago when 

I was sick and the boys were out of control. 

Yesterday, Saturday: We prepared the house, food, and ourselves for conference. The boys did great during the 1st session with their quiet activities. We went for a family walk after and returned just in time for the 2nd session. Boys were... less quiet this time, but still good. During the second session we decided to FINALLY sew on our patches on our World Travels Quilt Travis's aunt gave us when we got married... it's only taken 8 years (3 down, many to go:) At night we continued sewing and I got to be Trav's Priesthood buddy. 

Maddix snapped this photo

Rock band in-between sessions

Snuggles during conference 

Maddix also took this picture

 Before conference we received some photos in a text stream from our family showing us what they were up to before Conference started.

Trav's dad and uncle were out biking, one in Utah
and one in Cali.

So we took our walk:) 

Today, Sunday: This morning Aaron came in our room early and laid with me until Maddix woke up. All they did was FIGHT. So Trav left the room and shortly after sent Aaron back into me because he was inconsolable. He wrapped his little arms around me and before I knew it, we were both back asleep; this was a once in a life time experience. I lay there, with his arms wrapped around me, and mine around him. The storm was beating on my windows and causing the sun to shine bright, then disappear, leaving the room completely dark. I just stared at him and dozed in and out of sleep while he slept in my arms. I will always cherish those two hours I was gifted. 

All the while another blessing was going on: Travis and Maddix were making my FAVORITE breakfast; could I be the luckiest girl in the world? I don't even know how I deserve them. So after a very late morning sleep in with my beautiful Aaron and a WONDERFUL cold storm causing us so snuggle deep in the blankets, we woke up. Aaron squeezed my neck and said, "I love you so much Mommy." *sniffle. 

Then we came out and "graced everyone with our presence." And travis had the most delicious breakfast dished up! I made some rolls during the 3rd session to take with us to lunch at our friends home, before returning for the 4th session. We had so much fun... even if the boys went crazy and attacked our friend, forcing him to wrestle them on the floor! Now we are currently watching the 4th session (sad, once again, that it's almost over); the boys are quietly playing with legos, Travis is researching Mason City, and I'm blogging. 

I love Conference Weekend. It makes me a little emotionally unstable, and constantly on the brink of tears, but their good tears. Spiritual tears. 

The rest of our week was really nice as well. We got to go to Madison Square Garden with some friends to see BYU play basketball. Several times we went out and rode bikes... one of the days Maddix was hot so he took off his helmet and sweater and decided to scooter... and ate it as soon as he started scootering! Poor guy got banged up and all I had to hold on the ice packs were my hair ribbons! We also played in the rain, and played at the park! 

We were blowing bubbles and NALA
jumped up to eat the bubbles! ha ha. 

Poor Guy

First time really swinging by himself! Work in Progress!