When we moved to St. Louis, I made a bucket list of things I wanted to do during our 2.5-year stay and one of the items was picking produce on Eckert’s farm. It’s about a 40-minute drive away from the city. I invited a few friends to join and we made a fun morning picking (and eating) right off the tree!

We arrived right at opening time and boy we were glad we did because by the time we were done it had started to get hot and humid and the line for the tractor was so long. I felt right at home in lines of orchards and crops and it was fun experiencing it with my friends who grew up in cities and had never picked fresh produce before. Eckert’s is open year-round so I’m excited to come here again and enjoy all of their other activities in fall and spring.

Hazel had a blast, although once it hit 2 hours after being awake, she was ready for a nap. Luckily I had my Solly Baby wrap on hand and she slept away while I picked blackberries. While picking delicious blackberries, wearing my sleeping babe, conversing with new and old friends, and feeling so close to home in the beautiful orchards, I felt so much gratitude for my life. We have so many blessings and I was truly and sincerely happy in that moment.

After feeling a bit discontent with life, transitioning into a new city and home, and trying to figure out work and mom balance, I decided to delete my Instagram app and I feel this has really helped me enjoy my life and not compare it to others. And when I attend fun activities like these I’m not just taking photos to post on Instagram but I’m taking them because I really want to capture these moments and what a fun stage Hazel is in. I also enjoy improving my photography skills.

So excited for these next few years and all the fun things we get to do while we are here in St. Louis! Any of you been to St. Louis? What do you recommend I have on my bucket list?

Of this be sure: you do not find the happy life, you make it.

Thomas S. Monson