LivingBostonBrave

I've been wanting to start a separate wellness blog for a long time and I finally did it! So check it out if you'd like :) 

Livingbostonbrave.blogspot.com 

No longer in the back seat...

A year. One entire year. It's been a whole year since I gave my attention to this little blog of mine. My lack of effort wasn't purposeful, it just has taken a back seat to my real life- the life that needs to come off the accelerator a bit and slow down. Since there is much too much catching up to do, I will pick up NOT where I left off, but from today.
First off, Little H is no longer my little babe. She is a full blown toddler-walking/running, saying sweet little words like "mama, dada, uh-oh, nigh-nigh, twokey (you can ask my mom about that one ;), shoe, teesss (teeth), etc"  loves climbing, exploring the outdoors, helping me do chores and playing with B.
B loves preschool, swim lessons, riding the T, playground & library hopping around the city, teaching little H the "right way to do things" and learning to write his name (well that part he only loves doing when he can't be outside :)
Ben finally GRADUATED! The end of his education (at least for now) has come to an end and we are ecstatic! So grateful for him and all the hard work he's done getting him where he is today! And as for me, I'm just loving this mamma of two, city life exploring life of mine! And if in the next year life leads me back to grad school, I would be one happy wanna-be-dietician/nutritionist :)
We're back! (well we really never left, just went MIA from the cyber blog world) but this time I hope to keep up with it better. The memories I keep here are those I treasure and getting to live it 3X's (live it, write it, read it) is truly a treat!

Holly came to B-town :)

When Holly comes to Boston it's always a blast!

We LOVE having her here and always look forward to our chance to have her again!

Love you Hols!

Thanks for making the little journey up here to see us!

Found our FAVORITE mascara-these babies sure pump up your eyes :)

Showing off his B-town PRIDE!!

BE STRONG 4ever!

Scrumptious JP Licks delights!!

 Another scoop PLEASE!!!

We LOVE our Auntie Holly! Thanks for visiting with us and for giving us an excuse to have EXTRA fun going on all our little adventures!

One week ago...

It was the PERFECT day!!

Sunny, 65 degrees with a light breeze...

We decided to drive up to the North end for some good eats. We packed up the kids and headed out. Our first stop was Mikes pastry- one of our favorite places in B-town and wanted Holly to partake of the yumminess!

What a SWEET treat!!

After, we drove around the city enjoying the sunshine and seeing the sights. We ended up on commonwealth avenue were we found NO parking. But I really wanted to see part of the race, so Ben suggested we jumped out and he would circle around for a bit and come back to get us after we were done (I have the sweetest hubby :)

 

So, off we went! Bryson, Holly and I (Hallie was fast asleep in the car with Daddy) ran over to the crowd and found a small opening in the masses of spectators where we had a GREAT view of all the runners.

It was EXCITING!

You could feel such a wonderful spirit of encouragement, anxiousness (the finish line was just around the corner) and enthusiasm!!

There is nothing like it! Nothing like I'd ever experienced before :)

Seeing random strangers cheering on others to accomplish their goal was inspiring! There was a true essence of unity! Bryson jumped up on my shoulders and cheered, yelling "lets go run-hers!!" We stayed for a bit, hoping to see one of our old friends who was running the marathon- but decided to leave early so we could get home for Bryson's nap. I was REALLY sad that we had to leave, and almost sent Ben home with the kids so I could stay and watch, but Holly talked me out of it.

THANK GOODNESS she did! It was just an hour later that the two bombs exploded a few blocks from where we were.

 

We were at home eating a bit of lunch when we heard what had happened. We immediately received call/texts from our family and friends reassuring our safety- we had just posted a few pictures of us down at the marathon minutes before the bombs exploded so a few of our friends thought we were down there when it happened.

We were VERY blessed that we were not down there. I count my blessings that my family and I had decided to come home- it would have been life changing to have been there when the horrifying tragedy occurred. All those fellow Bostonians, spectators and runners from around the world that were affected have been in our thoughts and prayers. Our hearts have been very heavy this past week as we have sent our love to everyone involved.

 

The thing that hit me the most about this whole tragedy was not only that we were almost there when it all happened, but how someone could take such a beautiful, exciting, celebratory event and try to demolish it. Although it did destroy the spirit that day, it surely hasn't destroyed the spirit of Boston. That spirit that we felt while we were at the race is now ALL OVER Boston- unity, strength, and encouragement blankets bean town and the surrounding areas :) It really is a special time to be here, and we feel so blessed to be taking part in it :)

Be strong Boston! We love you! 

 

 

Easter 2013

Easter

 this year

 

was GREAT!!

Yummy cupcakes were decorated and devoured by lots of sweet primary kiddos....

 



 and our littles smiled, opened their Easter bunny treasures, played outside and LOTS of sunshine was enjoyed :)

I'd say it was another success!!

Hallie's Blessing Day

Hallie's Blessing Day

3/17/13



 

This day was special.

Family & friends gathered,

tender words were spoken,

sweet moments were captured,

and our darling little angel was blessed.

 

I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am grateful for the priesthood.

I am grateful that my eternal companion is worthy enough to hold this Godly power.

Today was a day that reiterated my faith, my love for my Heavenly Father and Savior and reminded me of how precious this life is and how grateful I am for eternal families.

Hallie has stolen my heart-she is such a sweet spirit :)

I love her so dearly and this day was not only for her to be blessed, but for her to be celebrated.

My heart is swollen with LOVE, celebration and GREAT JOY that she is mine 4ever ;)

 

Ben, Bryson and I are soo blessed to have her join our little family.

We are truly lucky to have the opportunity to get to know her.

I know she will be a great example for me, as I already look up to her in so many ways.

She is so pure, so gentle, so easy going, so loveable.

 

We adore you Hallie Mae!

We celebrate your arrival

and look forward to the future :)

PINK pink PINK

Spending my days with this little gorgeous girlie is wonderful!

I LOVE all the PINK that is involved :)

Don't get me wrong, having Bryson made me a mamma and he really was my dream come true- but if it could get any better, it DID!

Hallie is my little angel!

 She is such an EASY babe :)

 She's my breathe of fresh air! She REALLY is :)

 

 

After she was born Bryson handled everything like a champ! He was such a good sport about all the traveling, family visiting & leaving, pictures, baby, baby, BABY time, and less attention from mommy & daddy. Life was awesome, life was sweet, but life was CRAZY and FULL of lots of changes!! He was great! But recently, after all the gifts were opened, all the balloons were popped, and all the family party time was over- he began to act up!

The last three weeks have been HARD (to say the least). Just getting through another day of his mood swings, tantrums and constant crying feels like conquering a VERY large hurdle.

Any suggestions are welcome :)

I've just been taking one day at a time, taking a LOT of deep breathes and hoping this stage in his life will soon pass :)