Bergen turns ONE!

For Bergen's one year birthday party we decided to do a pink and gold theme. A few weeks before I did a cake smash session where I made her a cake to "smash" and eat so we could get some cute pictures. Then for her birthday, I made a big confetti cake for everyone and bought a mini cupcake for her to just eat. We had decorations, food, and some fun games. For food we did watermelon, brownie bites and princess popcorn (popcorn and candy melts). The activities were homemade bubbles and creating your own tote bag. I bought some plain canvas tote bags from amazon and each kid got to decorate their own bag with a sharpie. I loved seeing all their different designs. The next day at church a lot of the kids were using their bags to hold different things! :) The kids also were able to blow bubbles through string/straws and pipe cleaners with this homemade bubbles mix I made. It was a fun party and a beautiful day. I just like throwing parties so friends can get together and have a good time! We did it on the grass at the Nature Playground. It was a long walk (1.5 miles) and we took EVERYTHING up there. Our stroller was packed. I had to pack most of it in a laundry basket and then we took our small black stroller as well to put Bergen in. We also had a foldable table that we set on top of the BOB stroller. We got a good picture of everything we brought! It was a total "city-life" moment where you just accept where you live and what you have to do to live here! And we love it! I don't think I will buy bubble mix again.. this homemade stuff was really easy! It's just dawn dish soap, water and karro syrup!

the Temple

I love going to the temple. Each time I am there I feel I gain and learn something new. I always try to look for something new that was said or view it in a different way. Memorial Day I had the opportunity to attend a session. This was very odd since it was a Monday and the Temple isn't open on Mondays and because it was a holiday. I guess they were opening it up for workers at the temple and Spencer's friend had told him about it. I had been meaning to go for the month of May (I am trying to go every month) and so I left the kids with Spencer and went after my run Monday morning.

It was a beautiful day and I just love that temple so much! Two things that I took away from my experience there. I love how when it is talking about our covenants that we make and it says we need to use our time, talents and everything else for the building up of the Lord's church. This hit me hard this time for a few reasons. I was recently called to be the Primary President. I absolutely love being in Primary but since Spencer and I have been married (almost 5 years) that is the only place I have been. I have always served in the Primary. When our former President was released I was kind of  expecting them to call me, but in my mind I was maybe hoping to not be called. A few Sundays ago, after being called and talking with the Bishop I was a little grumpy that day. I was having a super bad attitude about being called and feeling like I just wanted to be in Relief Society. Thankfully for Spencer, my grumpiness didn't last long. We were talking and I was telling him how I felt, but he reminded me about our beautiful new apartments that we miraculously were able to move into. He reminded me of our beautiful children and this wonderful life that we live. Our Heavenly Father has blessed our life so much! I realized I needed to be grateful for all the blessings that I have had in my life and realize where much is given, much is required. I think Heavenly Father has blessed us so that we are able to stay here in New York and help the strengthen our church out here. After talking with him, the next few days I received some beautiful confirmations that I really was supposed to stay in Primary. I went on a run and the thoughts, "why not you?" came to my mind. If I had declined that calling, who else would have/could have filled it where I would have been satisfied with my girls in Primary. I would want someone as caring, compassionate, soft and loving as myself down there, so why not me? Why did I want to be in Relief Society so bad when my heart is with the children? Then just on Sunday we sang two songs that lifted my spirits. The first, "Because I have been given much" and the second, "Have I done any good in the world today". Both these songs have a powerful message and I realized, just like on my run and while at the temple, that our purpose here on earth isn't to sit back and enjoy the ride. It is to help others, help Heavenly Father, help those around us. I know I can help these Primary kids so much in my actions and love towards them.

The second thing I took away from the temple was a beautiful picture in my mind. I often think about my brother-in-law Jim and that day was no different. As I was in the temple, listening to the words that were spoken, it talks about meeting Angels to give our signs to. I imagined Jim meeting with an ancestor, maybe Grandfather or Grandmother, and being able to give his signs for him to pass through the veil. This is not doctrine and maybe I am completely off my rocker, but it was a beautiful picture in my head.

I am grateful for growth. I am grateful for the Spirit that I feel. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who hears me and loves me.

Botanical Gardens and more!

I am trying to catch up with my blogging and pictures! We went to the Botanical Gardens when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom! They are beautiful and it was fun that Spencer could join us! He actually just walked to his office from the gardens after we were done. This is one of my favorite traditions in New York. I love going to see the beautiful cherry blossoms and take pictures with all the pretty colors behind us! 

Here are a few more random pictures. We met up in Central Park one day with my good friend, Laura and her boys. They moved to Manhattan a few months ago but we still get together every so often because Charley and James and such good buds. They always pick up where they left off. They talk to each other and I have no clue what they are saying! It really is the sweetest thing to watch them together. We both went to a birthday party a while ago and these two had so much fun together laughing and talking. I took a video of them because it was the cutest! They are best friends! 

Charley is using those chopsticks like a boss. 

I also had to document Charley and her scooter riding days. She LOVES the scooter and will ride it anytime we are outside. She is really good to stop at the cross walk and turn around to give me a thumbs up! She is really good to stop at the intersections so I will let her go ahead of me and zoom down the sidewalk to the next intersections. It's cute to watch her! 

We surprised Daddy at work one day! He was on a call when we got there so him and Charley were silent dancing at each other until he got off :) 

I threw a Mexican Fiesta one night for Spencer. He is such a hard worker and does so much to provide for our family. We were actually going to go to Mexico because he earned it through work for Presidents Club but it was the exact week that my Brother-in-Law passed away. We were sad to not be able to go but knew it just wasn't the right timing with everything else going on. So instead, I surprised him with bringing Mexico to our apartment. I ordered some yummy Mexican food and we danced to Mexican food in our bathing suits! :) 

This is a little TMI but I got my IUD removed a few weeks ago. It just wasn't gelling with my body so I wanted to remove it (not to get pregnant for those wondering).. just to not have the extra hormones in my body. Well I guess it was pretty snug inside me and it took 2 doctors and an ultrasound later to get it out. It HURT SOOOOO bad! The Doctor was cute afterward and handed me this prescription note to give to Spencer. She said, they (guys) want these things in us and then want them out and then want them in again.. MEN! haha it was pretty funny. It is a prescription for dinner, wine and a gift. 

My sister Rachelle is so kind to give me some of her daughters clothes that don't fit her anymore. I loved finding this picture of cute Sydney wearing the same dress that Charley now has! :)