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. :)

Staff Sergeant Larsen

We are finally proud to officially announce that Ryan has been promoted to Staff Sergeant (E6)! He will now be in charge of his own squad (within the next few months). This is something that has been patiently in the works for awhile now. He was in line for promotion at the beginning of the year and was put on "the list". His Company was very impressed with him and has worked hard to rearrange things so that he remains a part of B Company and I know that means a lot to him.

Since I have known Ryan, he has always talked very highly of his leaders in Italy and on his deployment. He has always referred to them as an example of what he wants to be as a leader. In fact, that was one of his main disappointments in Louisiana - they saw leadership differently. I am so proud that he has held onto his morals and the true leadership qualities that were shown to him. He has never strayed from those characteristics. I am SO proud that he has people in command over him now that can appreciate and encourage those qualities.

He will always be our favorite soldier!!!

Terrific/Terrible Two's

Blake being two is probably our favorite age. He is a trip, that's for sure! Every day he challenges us and makes us laugh all at the same time. Most people call this phase the "terrible two's" and I think we can agree with that on a few levels. However, I also call this phase the "terrific two's" because he is doing so many awesome things.

"Terrible Two's"

• Blake vents his opinion...frequently!
• He whines/cries/yells if he has to do something he doesn't like
• Oh, he is stubborn!
• A favorite phrase is "NO, _________" He will fill in the blank with almost anything. :) 
• He hates to leave the park!
• We have only had to put him in time out maybe 2-3 times.
• He tests our patience as parents.

"Terrific Two's"

• He makes us laugh on a daily basis
• He is so active and encourages us to play all the time!
• Dancing can always put us in a good mood!
• He is all about putting on his own shoes 
• We had no problems getting rid of his pacifier. Whew!
• He is finally starting to get used to his new bed.
• He has a very active imagination. Probably my favorite thing about him right now.
• He loves being outside. He loves ANYTHING outside. :) 
• He is fascinated by learning new things.
• At night he has the habit of saying "Love you Mommy and Daddy" over and over again. :)
• Ryan and Blake love to "wrestle"
• He helps me cook.
• He will play independently while I get ready.
• He has discovered his favorite Disney movies...and watches them!
• He does better on trips.
• He helps around the house... toddler chores! Feeding the dog, sweeping, letting Roxie in and out, picking up toys, etc. 
• He has had no actual temper tantrums, public fits, or anything of that nature. 
• No hitting or biting.

I think Blake has FAR MORE terrific moments and these pictures prove it. We love our little man!!!

Spring Break: Pilot Mountain

Our Spring Break continues! Sadly Ryan has had a VERY long week at work (actually several long weeks), so Blake and I decided to make a quick trip to Pilot Mtn to see my grandparents. Since it's hard for them to travel now, we decided that we should probably visit them while we had the chance.

They have lot's of family land that belonged to my great-grandmother. Now it is in the hands of my grandmother and her siblings. They still keep the farm working with horses, cows, and a new sawmill. Papa was thrilled to take Blake to see it all. I think we might have a little farm boy on our hands. :)

(PS- I am terrified at the thought that this picture will actually become real one day in about 14 years. Yikes!! Hopefully I am still smiling when he is actually in the drivers seat.)

When we weren't on the farm, we were relaxing at Granny and Papa's house. Blake drew some pictures on the sidewalk with Papa and he enjoyed some porch swing time with Granny. Blake is just adored in Pilot Mtn. :)

Cute side story... Blake is starting to get the hang of saying his prayers. Normally he will fold his arms during nighttime prayers and mumble an "amen" every now and then. Well, before eating lunch at Granny and Papas he all of a sudden felt like he needed to pray. HAHA! He had us all folding our arms and he mumbled a little prayer. Then he made us do it again. Cutest thing ever. I think he was "sparked" into praying because Papa sits with his arms folded a lot. I guess Blake saw that and associated the folded arms with prayer. :) It's those simple little things that makes a parent see that they are doing some good things each day and that those little lessons are being learned. Winning!!!! :)