Thursday, February 11, 2021

My Tokyo Boys!


Feb 10, 2020: 
We will likely move from Japan this year. These Tokyo born boys won't remember their birth place and theses first years of life here-- but I will never forget it. Bringing them into the world, experiencing a new culture together has changed me. Just want to document as much as I can before we leave. We made these sweaters together with their names with iron-ons. These pictures make me so happy. 
















Neighborhood Strolls Japan

This face makes me laugh so good.
A few pictures from our walk to get groceries and a nearby park.



I normally max out the stroller with grocery bags and then have Luke on the bike next to me. This is our way of getting around lately. It use to make me so nervous to have Luke biking these tiny streets without sidewalks, he has gotten really good at stopping and listening and watching for cars.


"Luke, stop & watch out for that grandma! "
Also, notice his pants! I'm convinced they fit when I put them on in the morning-- stop growing! 



Tokyo 2020 Olympics. . . 

Clay LOVED playing on these things, he was all smiles. 
So yay-- pictures :) 



I love you, I love you, I love you.

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Rooftop Ferris Wheel

Feb 3, 2020: We had a great playdate with Nichole Andrus and the kids. We went to kamata and on top of the mall they had this mini-amusement park. The kids had a great time, I especially loved the little ferris wheel. We love having the Andrus family in Tokyo again!  

Ellie, Coco, Milo, Luke








"the wanpaku line" = mischievous train 
Coco & Clay . . . that has a good ring to it :) 
nap time for Clay. . . 

Monday, February 1, 2021

Pray Always

Feb 2nd 2021: 
It is official, our America trip was epic! I feel like I will never be caught up on journaling all the great memories we made. So decided to start with the current and work my way back instead. This week I listened to Elder Bednar's talk "Pray Always" and have been really been making an effort with my prayers. I loved these words:

"The patterns used by God in creating the earth are instructive in helping us understand how to make prayer meaningful. In the third chapter of the book of Moses we learn that all things were created spiritually before they were naturally upon the earth.

“And now, behold, I say unto you, that these are the generations of the heaven and of the earth, when they were created, in the day that I, the Lord God, made the heaven and the earth,

“And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew. For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth” (Moses 3:4–5).

We learn from these verses that the spiritual creation preceded the temporal creation. In a similar way, meaningful morning prayer is an important element in the spiritual creation of each day—and precedes the temporal creation or the actual execution of the day. Just as the temporal creation was linked to and a continuation of the spiritual creation, so meaningful morning and evening prayers are linked to and are a continuation of each other. "

I loved the comparison to the creation and prayer and starting day and planning it and finishing it and reflecting. Just something I have been thinking about and loving this week. 

Here is a few gems of the day:


It is impossible to get a focused picture of these two both looking and smiling, but these are close ha