Weekend Getaway to St. Louey Missouri!

We have wanted to visit Jon's brother, Dan and his awesome wifey Alicia for a long time. We are extremely happy we were finally able to get out there for a weekend getaway! This mini vacate was everything we hoped for and more.

Mama's little Travel Bug has successfully flown 7 times now!

She only got a little restless on the first flight to Denver.  

But as always, she is such an angel and does really well overall.

Travel tips that have proven successful:

I am overly prepared on snacks that she loves, her paci, and her water bottle to prevent the ear pressure from hurting her ears. Or I just nurse her, because I haven't weaned her from that yet. I also have to be really strict about making sure she gets a great nap the day we take flight, and I bring her favorite little toys, a few books, and her favorite blanket to keep her distracted. These are key ingredients for a happy baby and mama on our journey, and they have proven very helpful.

Before it gets too late, I always put Amberly in her jammies so she can travel as comfortably as possible. I changed her real quick during our layover in Denver. This way, she always falls asleep if the flight interferes with bedtime, which is really nice and helps the time go by!

We lucked out again and had an empty seat by us from Denver to St. Louis! 

Someone loves loves loves buttons.

It looks like she's contemplating something very important. 

And we made it to St. Louis!

So excited to see some of our very favorite people!

Gifts for Baby Boy Ditto coming February 2015!

We explored their city for the majority of Saturday.

St. Louis has a lot of really cool things to see. Like the Botanical Gardens..

Because who wouldn't want to sit in a big red chair surrounded by pumpkins?

So serene, isn't it?

 Entertained by the fatty fat carp and all the ducks.

 Amberly loved spending time with her Uncle Dan and Aunt Alicia. It didn't take long for her to warm up to them! So so cute.

And she was such a happy girl all weekend. We're blaming it on hanging out with such cool people for 48 + hours.

Daddy's Little Parrot

On Saturday she was much too excited to take her nap. It was tricky, but Mama won that battle in the end. 

Proof that Alicia and I married excellent men, right here. The English gardens we saw earlier that day reminded us all of Pride and Prejudice, so we had to watch it.

And then we got our Gangsta on, and saw this 5-mile long wall of graffiti downtown. 

Did I wonder if we'd get shot? Maybe only twice. Notice, we only got out once to take a quick pic.

 I mean, how could we not?

Don't worry Mom, we aren't  too close to the St. Louis riots. And it's not dark yet...

Seriously though, watch out for the baby thug, she's the toughest of all.

 

UM. Still laughing at this. My favorite picture of the weekend FOR SURE!

 We also saw the breathtaking Forest Park with this happy girl. 

                                      

And this looked even more like Mr. Darcy's estate. 

Oh and Dan figured out that we have the panoramic photo option on our phone, since Jon and I are so tech savvy and had no idea this entire time. So that's kinda cool. 

Sunday in St. Louis was so fun. Jon and I almost lived in Ohio once upon a time, and we are certain that we would have loved the spirit of missionary work that is more palpable outside of Utah. Their ward is in the heart of St. Louis so needless to say, it's awesome and very different from what we're used to. We attended a missionary fireside that evening for ward members to bring friends who are investigating the church. And I met a new friend with a powerful, rich, soulful singing voice. I am determined to get her to audition for one of my favorite TV shows, "The Voice."

On Monday while Dan and Alicia worked, we braved the rain and went to the phenomenal St. Louis zoo!

Another winner photo, compliments of my expressive little daughter.

"Uh...Mom? Really?"

We probably only saw 1/5 of this massive zoo due to the rain, but we were impressed with the quality, the animals, and the fact that it's FREE.

What a man. I was drenched, so it was Jon's duty to wear the babe.

Major highlight of the trip: OUR FLIGHT WAS DELAYED and we had to have one more slumber party and fly out early the next morning instead! It was the best news ever. I prayed over our first meal together that our time together wouldn't go by fast, and Daniel prayed later that we could "stay FOREVER" so God compromised and met us in the middle. 

Which meant more rounds of Rummikub!! 

I only won once, but let it be known that I beat everyone at Settlers of Catan! So you may now call me Duchess. (Yes we're nerds, but not too nerdy)

It also meant more Ted Drewe's, delicious frozen custard! 

Yes we indulged in creamy dreamlands of ice cream TWICE, and yes I was too afraid to go running by myself in even the "safer" streets of St. Louis. And yes I am so pleasantly surprised I didn't gain weight on this trip after so much amazing food! Alicia spoiled us with coconut shrimp curry, homemade wheat and pumpkin bread, homemade tomato soup, pancakes, french toast, etc. It was all delicious. 

Jon had a dream day on Saturday. Woke up to play flag football with his brother who is one of his best friends, came home to homemade pancakes, went sightseeing, ate St. Louis barbecue and Ted Drewe's frozen custard, had all day with his girls, and even got a movie in. 

Amberly loves loves loves to "E.T." her Uncle Daniel.

Dan acting like the Michelangelo sculpture...ha ha

Another highlight was how sweetly Amberly Faith said goodbye to her Aunt Alicia and Uncle Daniel. She rarely cuddles and gives kisses like she did to them. It was as though someone above told her, "Please give my Mom and Dad an extra hug when you get there." So special and so tender.

We love Dan and Alicia. This weekend getaway was just what we needed, and we are counting down the days until we get to play with them again! 

Pick Me Up Monday

General Conference was wonderful. There were a few particular topics I was looking for that were poignantly addressed. What a blessing to be led by Christ's prophets and apostles today! I love this church.

Also, I cannot stop listening to this song, Glorious, by David Archuleta.
If you need a little pick me up, or even if you don't, listen to it! I have it on repeat. I love the lyrics, the melody, the piano, the message, everything. It's for the new film that is about to come out called "Meet the Mormons."

Click here for a recap of General Conference October 2014

Thoughts Regarding Motherhood and Feminism

An angel just fell asleep in my arms.
And so I felt inspired to share a few thoughts.

I used to worry about being a mother.
When I nannied a few years back, I was particularly concerned. My job as a nanny gave me anxiety, rarely fulfillment. I wondered if I could survive each day staying at home with my own children. I look back at those thoughts and just chuckle to myself now.

The experience is completely different when the child is your own, belongs to you, of your own making. Amberly is such a part of me, I truly cannot imagine not spending this many hours of my days, weeks, and life with her.

Time is so fleeting as it is.
This nearly one year old baby has already changed so drastically. The thought of me working during the week, rather than nurturing her every day and being there for each milestone moment, seems impossible to me.

Perspective.

It is so crystal clear, so deeply obvious that I am exactly where I need to be each day as Jon leaves for work and I get Amberly from her crib to nurse her and cuddle her. I find it very interesting that the world tried to convince me otherwise, and that I was so worried at one point about being a stay-at-home mom.

Every day, I find fulfillment. No, not in doing laundry or dishes or dirty diapers or all the mundane things. But knowing I am here with my daughter, doing the best I can to mother her. I am not perfect, but I am learning. And I am so full of gratitude that this is my role, to keep things running on the home front, so that Jon and I can have a Christ-centered home and a stable family to build together.

I know many mothers may not have the financial stability to be able to stay at home with their children. But Jon and I are so grateful that I can. And neither of us find my role demeaning in any way. I am not apologetic when asked what I do - I stay at home to nurture and raise my child.

My Amberly Faith who is my entire universe. It is the best job I have ever had.

I know there are a lot of questions regarding women and the Priesthood. And I understand that many of the questions raised are valid questions, that many women are hurting because they do not feel their roles in the church or in the temple are equal to those of men. Many questions in this life may not be answered until we meet with God Himself. I have a feeling that many concerns we deal with in mortality will dissipate in that eternal moment.

And this I do know: I have never felt belittled or less of a person because I do not hold the Priesthood. As a woman in the Mormon church, I have always felt validated and important. I have found myself in various leadership positions in the wards I have served in, and every bishop I have ever encountered has asked for and sustained my opinion and leadership on church matters. When I am not serving in leadership positions in the ward I reside, I find joy in magnifying whatever calling I do have and building God's kingdom as much as I possibly can. We can expend our energy to building Zion in our homes, our wards, our communities. We can focus on service. I am currently an Activity Days leader, and I feel guided each day on how to magnify this calling and please my Heavenly Father as I reach out to these young girls who are about to enter the Young Womens Program.

And finally, I know that when I surround myself with sources of truth, rather than confused opinions or worldly perspectives, I am happier. I am full of light. I am confident, and I feel closer to my Father in Heaven. I have chosen to refrain from reading certain blogs and articles that were filling my soul with doubt and uncertainty. And in so doing I have found light and truth and ultimately, my true self again. I feel closer to my Father in Heaven when I engulf myself in the Book of Mormon and General Conference talks - sources of scripture, of truth. My spirit soars and I feel a confirmation from the Holy Ghost that our modern day prophet and his apostles are men of God, righteous men who lead Christ's church on the earth today.
These are the things I know. And this is why I have joy every day.

 

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.                                Matthew 7

By turning to the correct sources, I have found that good fruit, and I rejoice in it.
This post is not to stir the pot or to be controversial. It is to state what I know and how I live, because I feel that my Heavenly Father would like me to use my voice from time to time.

And that's all I have to say on the matter for now.