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!!! :)

Blake's First Fish

Since we live at the family "Pond" it is only natural that Blake learns how to fish here... and traditionally by GDaddy. :) Blake went fishing for the first time AND he caught his first fish! I wish we could say this was a planned event but it was all very spontaneous.

Blake saw GDaddy outside next door at "The Pond" and he wanted to go say hi. So, we went over there and Gdaddy just happened to have his fishing gear out there. He hooked a worm and let Blake sit with him as he threw a line into the water. He explained to Blake how you have to keep your eye on the cork. Surprisingly, Blake caught on pretty quickly. When the cork started to go under Blake let us know! However, I don't think Blake really understood why the cork went under. He was more than surprised when he all of a sudden saw a fish coming out of the water. In fact, Blake just stood there and started shaking. HAHA! I'm pretty sure he was terrified. He was able to see the fish and he was very curious as to what it looked like, but he wouldn't have it get anywhere near him. We took the fish off the hook and showed Blake how we put it back in the water. Blake said bye-bye to the little fish! :) Another little stepping stone for our little boy!!

First Time 5K

We were able to check the 5K off our 2014 Bucket List! Today, Ryan and I ran in the Run For Our Heroes 5K. It was a race dedicated to the eight fallen officers from the Raleigh Police Dept. It was a great cause and a great event.

Ryan runs all the time sometimes now due to the military. He is used to pacing himself, breathing the right way, running for long distances, and running in a formation. It really is nothing for him to run 3.2 miles. He has also run in 5K's before.

I, on the other hand, am not used to running and I have never run a 5K before! Don't let appearances fool you. Just because I am on the skinny side does not mean that I am in shape and a good runner! In fact, my posture is awful, I don't breathe correctly (more like sucking air), and I am not good with long distances (anything over 1/2 mile). That is one of the main reasons that I put this on our 2014 bucket list. I wanted a challenge and to feel like I accomplished something.

The run was great... for the first 3/4 of a mile. HAHA! Then I started to get tired. They say running is a mental game and I believe that. My mind starts to tell my body too many negative things. "I'm tired... This hurts... There is so much left to go... You are out of breath... I feel like I might pass out" My mind always works against me! Luckily I had a good distraction this time. Ryan stayed by my side the whole time, even though he could have finished about 15-20 minutes before me! He encouraged me, supported me, and even ran backwards in front of me to make me laugh. :)

I came into the "race" not caring about a time. We finished in 40 minutes and that was good to me!!! I wasn't in it for the competition but instead for completion. I accomplished something I had never done before and it was for a great cause! Lot's of fun!!! Who knows... I might just do another 5K in the future. Like next year. :)

Happy Easter

Happy Easter from the Larsen's!

 

We have had a wonderful Easter weekend! It's weekends like this that make me wish family days would be every day! Easter has the reputation of meaning "New Beginnings" and I couldn't agree more. It makes me so excited for what's ahead. This year, our church released a video that had the theme "Because of Him..." and it went viral! People everywhere were sharing things that they can do because Jesus Christ died for us and was resurrected. For our family, Because of Him, we can learn to love each other more, we can be together and be happy, we can learn to serve our family, we can be confident in our roles within the family, and we can go forward with faith and hope for the future. We are very grateful for our Savior!!

Of course we also did some of the fun Easter traditions. Blake was actually able to enjoy Easter Egg Hunts this year! He went on several! :) He would spot an egg in the distance and yell, "See one!!!" Haha. We loved watching him hunt. We also did an egg craft and we were able to spend time with both sides of my family. Weekend well spent!! 

 

Ryan and I were also able to get our anniversary picture. We have done one every year! I'm hoping that I can keep up with them all. It would be a pretty cool collection to have over the years. 3 years and counting!

 

R&S 3 Years

Ryan and I had our 3 year anniversary yesterday!!! To be honest, it feels like we have been married a lot longer than that. But then again I think we have had a busy 3 years with moving and jobs and a little one.

I wish I could say that it was an easy year, but I think Ryan and I can both agree that this was probably our most challenging year of marriage. The newlywed feeling has worn off, and the baby excitement has now turned into a toddler challenge. Now, let me clarify, it has been another good, successful year of marriage, but lets just say our roles/responsibilities within the marriage have been challenged this year. I think that is VERY normal in any given marriage at certain times. We have each individually struggled with personal stresses in our lives and in turn we have also had to figure out new ways to support each other. Sometimes it was a hit and miss game :) In the end, we both still love love love each other and we agree that we have survived a challenging year together! Many of our other friends haven't been so lucky. So, we mark this one in the books and plan on heading into the next year of marriage as a stronger and happier couple. Lessons learned and we are stronger for that.

Over this past week we have been talking about memories and pictures and things about our wedding. I love how one day can bring back such a flood of memories. It's funny to look back and see what things stood out the most to us... Here are a few...

• Let's get the obvious one out of the way. Yes, a tornado hit our wedding. Well, technically not our wedding but it was a few miles down the road. We did have to take cover for a bit inside. I think that is the most popular thing people say to us on our anniversary. "Remember that tornado?!?!!" Yes, we do! 
• Ryan likes to pick on me about saying our vows. He was looking lovingly into my eyes as any becoming husband should! I on the other hand, was looking over his should at the storm coming in rapidly. I might have had a panic stricken look on my face. Oops.
• My mom reminded me of the morning of our wedding day. I stayed at my parents house that night and I woke up to see that my wedding bouquet had a flower that totally fell lopsided out of it. So the first time they saw me that morning was with my messed up flowers. LOL!
• Oddly enough, people remember NOT coming to my wedding. A few of my close friends decided at the last minute to not come to the event because the news was saying to stay inside and take cover. Oh boy.. So it was funny to hear that people have clear memories of deciding NOT to come to our wedding. They were still there and spirit and they made sure to express their happiness for us!
• I remember not caring about the weather. Normally you would think that a bride would be distraught over the awful weather ruining her reception, but I was the opposite. I was SO happy! It was like Ryan and I were in a little love bubble and nothing was going to mess that up. We took that tornado with stride! 
• This may seem silly, but in all of the pictures the weather made my dress look amazing! You see, I got my dress for like $200. I wasn't all about the huge wedding dress. It was simple and plain, but it was light and airy. Little did I know that the weather made my dress look Ah-Mazing! :)
• I remember not really getting a chance to eat my BBQ. I hated that! By the time we got done with pictures (my main concern after the ceremony) the weather hit hard and he had to leave the tent. The BBQ people took cover and packed up all the food to leave. Sigh... I heard it was good though!
• I loved that Ryan and I showed our personalities. I wore my flip-flops and he wore his skater shoes. We were pretty care free about the whole thing. 
• I cared most about the pictures. Obviously...that's just me! They turned out great and we got them done before a drop of rain hit. Crickett, our photographer, is also in our church ward now. Kind of neat! 
• Ryan was ready to leave the reception. He was having a great time, but lets face it... we were married and he was ready to start that married life! Peace out! 
• Overall, it was one crazy but wonderful day!!! We loved every second of it. Mother Nature has been present at all of our main events. I guess we just have that whirlwind romance/life. :)