Family Pictures 2014

For a person who is obsessed with pictures, I am embarrassed to say that it's been over a year since we actually had our family pictures taken. The last time was for Blake's first birthday. Luckily we were able to fix that this past week! Our photographer (yes, I feel fancy saying that) was able to fit us in for a family photo shoot at Joyner Park.

Let me preface the sneak peak pictures by saying, it is incredibly difficult to do a photo shoot with an energetic two year old! Whew! Blake was all smiles and happy, but he was also non stop. We hardly got him to sit still. Luckily, Patricia's camera can handle that and she was able to grab some awesome shots! Here are a few several of my favorites so far...

Seeing these pictures just makes my heart beam.  She was able to not only get some good family pictures, but she was also able to get our personalities. Yes, we goof off. Yes, we play around. Yes, the boys usually wrestle while I sit there and sigh or laugh. That's just us!! And these pictures reflect our family life perfectly.  We can't wait to get all of the pictures back so that we can share more!!

Oh yeah, crazy story... While Patricia was positioning us for a picture on the bridge, a snake literally jumped out of the rocks and tried to bite her!! Luckily her reflexes are top notch and she leaped out of the way. She also snapped a picture of him (from far away) so that she could see what type of snake it was. Very scary!!! Needless to say we got several other bridge pictures and we quickly moved on to the next picture spot. Haha.

Mothers Day

Oh boy, I LOVE Mother's Day Weekend!!! Motherhood is something that I think is SO sacred. It has honestly become my passion and it is a calling that I put as a priority in my life. Perhaps I do this because of the strong maternal examples in my own life.

Growing up, I was raised partly by a mom and grandmothers who were very much involved in my life. I'm talking hugs, love, comfort, encouragement, talks, and more. They were all there for every accomplishment in my life. They were the ones who took care of me when I was sick. They were the ones to comfort me, but also make me be tough. I can honestly say, I have some STRONG women as an example. To be honest... not a day goes by that I don't talk to or see one of them. I am very close with all of them. I also think I am the mother I am today as a result of them! There is a sense of gratitude that I don't feel I will ever be able to fully express.

When I became a mommy to Blake Ryan Larsen, all of my dreams came true. Me being a mom used to actually be a joke with my family and also Ryan. Before having Blake, I was the one who was very awkward around babies and kids. I just never had that maternal aspect. In fact, when Ryan and I got married (and even when I was pregnant) HE was always better with babies than I was. Awkward...I was just awkward. I often panicked about being a mom myself. I thought I was just going to be awful at it.

When Blake was born, something magical kicked in. I turned into someone I never knew I could be. I had this maternal sense that just kicked in. Somehow baby Blake just knew me and I knew him and we just clicked. Ever since then I have LOVED being a mom more than anything. It is the hardest thing I have ever done, but I am the happiest while doing it. That little boy can make me feel like a million dollars! I love being his mom!

Luckily I am also married to a wonderful guy who appreciates the maternal role. Ryan always tells me how fantastic of a mother I am. Which is nice because lets face it.. we mothers doubt ourselves a lot! He always trusts in my judgements for Blake. He will move aside and let me take charge when it comes to Blake. He also reassures me anytime there is a rough or emotional mommy moment.

Ryan and Blake showed their appreciation to me several times this weekend. The went and got me breakfast on Saturday morning - my favorite bacon, egg, and cheese bagel. Ryan gave me some time this week to do things away from Blake... like shopping. Remember that?!? They gave me a BEAUTIFUL necklace that is dedicated to Blake's birth, and they let me pick our family activities for Sunday. I picked to go to the park and just play with Blake. :)

Motherhood is the best job in the world. And right now I am looking forward to summer time so that I can be a full time mommy for a few months!!

Weekend Excursions

Wow, we have had a blast this weekend with lots of fun things. Let me assure you... our weekends are not normally this packed, but I guess we just have Spring fever!!

On Saturday we went to the annual Meet in the Street in Wake Forest. This has been going on since I was a little girl. Basically they shut down main street in Wake Forest and they have vendors, activities, food, and music for people to mingle around and see. I remember my dance group performing in Meet in the Street when I was little. A lot has changed between then and now but it still has the same fun atmosphere. Blake really enjoyed walking around and this was Ryan's first time going. We walked around and also ate lunch at Shorty's. Fun times!

Sunday we were able to spend most of the afternoon outside. It was just one of those days. Ryan and I ate lunch together on the porch while Blake was napping. It was so nice to just step away from the technology, and just enjoy the fresh air and talking. When Blake woke up we continued playing on the porch and relaxing. We also got my dad's little paddle boat and we took Blake for a little ride on the pond. This was Blake's first time on the boat and we were a little unsure how he would handle it all, but we were plesently surprised. He loved it! He actually was very calm and relaxed as we paddled around. :)

We are so ready for summer! Days like this just don't get old. I only have about 30ish more school days left before Summer vacation. Bring it on!!!

Strawberry Pickin'

Time for our annual strawberry picking!!! Last year we were a little late to the game. We waited until the last week and Ryan was out of town, so he couldn't go with us. This year we planned ahead and we were there on opening day!!! The strawberries were actually a little bit late this year because of all the rain and cold weather, but they were some of the prettiest ones I have ever seen.

Blake remembered exactly what to do. He strutted his stuff right out there and he gobbled down the first strawberry that he could find. :) Although he was covered in red juice, I have to admit that he actually did more picking than eating this year.

The best part about our strawberry adventure was when we went to check out. You see, this farm is run by a good ole country family. Actually they know my grandmother very well. Ryan and Blake walked to the Jeep to wipe Blake's face and hands. I went to go ahead and get our strawberries weighed and paid for. The guy who owns the farm said, "Is your husband in the military?" I responded with a proud yes and I told him what branch. He then dumped our strawberries in the cardboard box without ringing them up and said, "Thank him for his service. These strawberries are on us." WOW! It totally took me back a little bit. I was shocked. You just don't see that anymore. He had apparently noticed the patches on Ryan's motorcycle jacket (he rode the motorcycle there). Ryan came up with Blake and talked to him for a second. Those guys could've talked to Ryan forever. They were so nice! What a great way to end our wonderful afternoon. Just goes to show you that there is still good in the world. So nice to see and we plan to pay it forward!!! :)