I love fall

 Family outing to Eckert's Farm today. As we were picking pumpkins, riding in the trailer behind the tractor to the apple orchards I realized, like I do every year - I love fall. I love the smells, apples, the beautiful colors, the cooler weather, the beginning of the holidays, the warmer foods, pumpkin flavors, Thanksgiving and harvest.
We are settling in to St Louis more and more each week. Erik's parents just received a mission a call as a medical area advisor - Denver North Mission. They called and said they would fly us home for their farewell so all the family could be together. That call/news came on a day when I was feeling a bit lonely, missing "the old como life", and so part of me feels like the timing of it all was an answer to my prayers that day. It will be refreshing to be with family.
Erik is loving his job and his job (and all who work with him) love Erik. Every day I know we are being watched over by a loving Heavenly Father.

playing house

Took the kids to see Erik at work. Hello Professor!

The home we are renting. It is the perfect next step for us. Small but with just enough wiggle room.

 This guy is a crack up

 Bennett turned 5 this weekend! Lego party of the century!

 Darla is LOVING 1st grade. Learning all the tricks of the trade.

 Lucille is 8 months and growing up much too fast. Crawling, exploring, laughing. She is such a happy girl. All the kids are so cute to her.

adios como life . . . meet me in St Louie

 Women, need women - especially when the women are like the women surrounding me in this photo.

 This is not a large box.

 So many friends. I LOVE these faces!

 Thanks to Erik's band of brothers for all their help. We couldn't have done it without them!!

 Lucille's face? Tate's stomach? Bennett's hand? Darla's shoulder? Great Picture.

Safe arrival, (after having the UHaul guy come and fix our truck before we left. So grateful we didn't have to reload and so grateful we didn't ever break down on the side of the freeway) empty truck.

 St Louis Arch. Gateway to the west - or our new life.

We moved out of COMO Student Cooperative July 3rd. We arrived in St Louis the night of the 4th. Entering the city was incredible because of all the fireworks that were going on all around us. I told the kids it was for them. :) Slept at my cousins house that night and moved our stuff into 833 Lanvale Drive, Webster Groves, MO 63119 - July 5th. Again, I am super grateful for Erik's brothers and all of their help. I love them. We got a little settled for couple days and then climbed back in the car and headed west. That update will come soon. The kids are incredible. They have been brave and such good sports through all the changes.

boxed in

I am sitting in an apartment full of boxes. I am tired. Part of me is excited to load up, and drive away to new places, new spaces, new faces. The other part of me is in denial that this is even happening. I have lived here 6 years. I have birthed 3 babies here. I have been served by SO MANY wonderful people. I have mastered the roads, stores, playgrounds, and surroundings. I am comfortable. I am content. I have grown. My family has grown. A piece of me is sad. Not wanting to leave the playground bench for an unfamiliar one. Not wanting to leave the community that my children feel free to run and explore and I feel comfortable letting them do so.
Even though each of these feelings are different, there is one feeling that spans throughout - comfort. I know that God is leading us. I know he has led us. Our time in Minnesota has been blessed with comfort from on High. Knowing that He is with us. He is mindful. He is kind.
I am comforted that I will love the next journey. I am comforted knowing that I will forever be a better person because of the 6 years spent here. I am comforted that friendship can remain. My soul truly has found "comfort in Christ" (Alma 31:31)

light at the end of the tunnel

 Fabulous visit from the Albano Family. Always a great time with WONDERFUL people.

As of today - Erik turned in his Dissertation to his committee.  He will defend on the 27th of June. WAY TO GO ERIK! He came down the stairs after having emailed it off - and said, "I feel like a giant has just climbed off of my shoulders. I am so glad to be done with this hurdle in my academic career!" HE IS INCREDIBLE!

flying

 East High Graduation

 BYU Graduation

 Masters

 PhD!!

 Lu and I took a quick trip to California for my nieces baptism. It was just what I needed.

Lucille is 5 months old. Why do they grow up SO fast? 

You should see my heart.

Lucille had her first road trip to Fargo for Easter weekend. We had a wonderful time celebrating with the Ohlson family. All I wanted for Easter was a picture of my kids in darling church outfits and smiling/posed perfectly. Of course because this is real life we are talking about the picture of my four kids not looking, sitting on a pile of dead grass is what we got! In a way I like it more than that photo I dreamed up in my head. That is how I have been feeling about life lately. Sometimes I look around my house at the mess, or listen to the chaos of so many little voices and think "This is not what I dreamed it would be", but then other times, more often than not actually, I think, "This is exactly how it should be." My sister-in-law has this fabulous quote hanging in her house  - If you think my hands are full, you should see my heart.
My hands are definitely full, but we are all growing - together.
Erik accepted a post doc/fellowship at St Louis University. We will be moving beginning of July. It is such a bittersweet thing. I am so grateful he got a job and we can move forward without hesitation. God has been so kind to us.

love

"Try, try, try."

We were able to bless Lucille on the 3rd of March. Erik's parents, and two of his brothers (TJ and Jared) were able to be here. It was great to be with family for the weekend. My kids just love being spoiled by time with people that love them (other than Erik and I of course).  Days are flying. Erik and I look at each other and can't believe how fast the weeks go. Erik has an interview in St Louis on April 8th for a post doc opportunity. He is still in the process of applying and figuring out what is the next step. I have to keep reminding myself that God doesn't experience time like we do, it is best to just trust in His hand since all we know are the weeks to come, He knows about the eternities. I find it interesting each Sunday how moved I am by working with the Primary children. Yesterday when they were singing "He Sent His Son" I was touched by the last few lines, "What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say? Have faith, have hope, live like His son, help others on their way. What does He ask? Live like His Son." Being a mother to four children I find myself searching daily for ways to better raise my children in love. Some days are easier to love than others. I get frustrated with myself but then realize that my children are children of God - and I TOO am a child of God learning and growing. Focusing on this helps me realize that I need to be patient. Not only with them, but with myself as we learn and grow nearer to our Father in Heaven together. We are here on Earth for each other so that we might all become something greater than we feel like we are. "So little children, let's you and I, try, try to be like Him. Try, Try, Try." I won't ever stop trying, even in hours when I feel like I am doing it all wrong. I look in their eyes and I see hope, and that is what keeps me going.

today is a good day.

We love to hold and kiss Lucille. She is mellow, happy and 7 weeks old. Four kids is keeping me busy, some days are better than others. Today was a good day. Now I need to go lay by Tate so he will fall asleep. Until next time.