A Little Encouraging Post To Myself, On My Birthday Weekend.

It's Friday and we are gearing into the weekend in which I know will be spiritually edifying! General women's conference, and my 46th birthday are both this weekend and to be honest I couldn't be more excited. I love attending with my girls, and celebrating my special day with people I love. Nearing my 50's doesn't scare me too much. Maybe it's because I see my sister aging gracefully, and the way she embraces life, and her age is impressive. Same with my momma. She's in her 70's, and looks as if she's in still in her 50's. So grateful she's doing well.

Happy First Day Of Fall!

Fall couldn't have fallen on a perfect day because the kids had no school today thanks to Rosh Hashanah! In spite of my allergies which have been kicking my butt all week long we decided to venture out to Alstede Farms, to look at pumpkins, and buy some vegetables. This farm has become my new favorite farm store, and I love everything this farm has to offer.

An Afternoon At Gantry Plaza State Park!

Living so close to the city definitely has its advantages, and after finding one of the most affordable ways to go into the city  has  definitely spoiled us. One of the reasons I love the city so much is because of the culture, parks, and all the sights to see. Even if it's just by walking around exploring, and looking at all the architecture of the buildings wondering what building is all about.

An Important & Timeless Quote For My Boy.

I want to see you brave 

and manly, and 

I also want to see

 you gentle and tender. 

Be practical as well as 

generous in your 

ideals. 

Keep your eyes your feet on the ground. 

Courage, hard work, 

self mastery, 

and intelligent effort 

are all essential to a successful life. 

Character, in the long run is the decisive

factor in the life of an

individual 

and of nations alike. 

~Theodore Roosevelt

Tennis Season Is Here!

Tennis season has begun and Lexie couldn't be more excited about it. She won her match the other day, and was the only one who won the match on their team. Although it was sad to see her other teammates not winning their matches Lexie was ecstatic when she won! 

Seaglass Carousel At The Battery.

One of my friends asked me the other day that I might as well move to New York since my family and I frequent there often. Although I love the city and can imagine myself living there with a family the desire to live there just isn't in me. I love that we live smack in the middle of Jersey where we have the city close enough to take advantage of the good, but we skip the inconvenience of living in it.  

Back To School Quote-"Just Keep Trying!"

I usually think of a scripture or a quote for the kids as the kids start a new school year, and after Jon gave a fathers blessing to all the kids all I could think of were three simple words from Elder Holland, "just keep trying." It's from this talk he gave this past April. In a world where there is so much chaos, and adversity especially when it comes to our children particularly in their younger years with all of them starting their second year in a new school just seemed fitting for them. Even though they had a great first year in a new school district  doesn't mean their "perfectly ok."

One World Trade Center- Never Forget.

This past weekend we took the ferry from Staten Island into battery park, and walked around the financial district pausing in our steps as we were taking in, and imagine what the city of new York must have been like on the day the terroist attacks took place. As we walked all around the One World Trade Center & the north and south pools where the towers once stood we couldn't help but to stop for a moment and be thankful. Thankful that the city of new York stood strong, and that these attacks didn't stop anyone from entering the city. Their strength, and resilience is what helps them stand strong. Thousands of people come every year to pay their respects, and living closer to the city love gives us the advantage of doing just that. 

A Memory From Sarasota, Florida Along With A Prayer.

This photo was taken back in 2008 when we visited my sister, and cousins in Sarasota, Florida. It was my first time ever going to such a lovely place, and the beaches here are a dream! You'd think your in a different country because the waters are so blue! I would hate this area to be devastated by Irma. My sister no longer lives here, but I have a lot of cousins who do, and they are staying. 

Scenes From Our Day In Cape Neddick, Maine.

I'm finally posting more photos from our Labor Day weekend in New England particularly when we were in Maine. We fell in love with Cape Neddick when we first visited here nine years ago. It's pretty much has been tradition to spend labor day weekend here, and attend the Boston temple with our kids now that they are of age. There have been times when we've come and the days here are super cloudy, and foggy but isn't that how Maine usually is?

Nostalgia On The First Day Of School.

With school starting back again today I was feeling a bit nostalgic so I pulled out the scrapbook from the bins in the basement, and as I was turning the pages I stumbled upon this sweet summer photo of the girls and I at my aunt's pool in Vegas. While living in Utah we'd travel to Vegas every summer to visit. It was tradition, and man do I long for those days. Not only the trips, but for my girls to be little again. Looking at this photo with Chelsea hanging on to my hand brings back soooo many memories, and today I was feeling all the feels as the kids were heading off to school. Especially Chelsea, and Noah. I mean, look at my Chelsea baby! Just hanging on to my hand knowing that she trusts her momma not to fall in the water. Truly bittersweet.