Spring has sprung!

Every time I feel like I'm adding more positive pep in my blog, something crazy happens. And let me just tell you: the way I'm feeling right now is BEYOND better than how I was feeling a week ago. All the preparation for the MIT officer's huge memorial service right outside our window (literally), made it extremely hard to move forward, try to forget the tragedy, and have some normalcy back. May he rest in peace. We will truly never forget his bravery.

So, changing the subject: spring/Andrew's birthday. I seriously feel like my blog turns into my personal diary sometimes, which is actually helpful for me; however, now that we are going to be staying in Massachusetts (yes...I said it again!) for quite a while longer, I need to post more about my 2 darling babies. :) I have saved a draft of Abby's Texas birthday on my phone, but the pics are on Todd's laptop. I haven't had a computer in over a year now, and Todd has been very preoccupied with his....so I basically blog from my phone. So, I vow to keep up with blogging when I finally get a computer that works decently. ;)

We have had so much going on lately and 2 of my favorite things have been Andrew's birthday celebration and the incredible transformation that spring has brought!! I mean...this place is something you see in a magazine. I don't know if it's because I never really appreciated the blooming flowers/trees in Texas because winter was nothing compared to what we got here, but man....I seriously get teary-eyed when I see all the people out enjoying this fantastic weather/scenery! It's almost fun to count how many people you over hear saying, "wow, it's such a nice day!" I will say I have missed the annual blue bonnet-covered fields, but you can't beat seeing every possible color of tulip and the most incredible colors all over every tree. Ahhh...bliss. :)

Some of my favorite things going on with the kids: they are turning into such good buds. We now bathe them together and they have an absolute blast playing in the bath! :) Abby loves the "duhs" (ducks), "bubbas" (bubbles), and laughing at her silly brother. :) Playing outside is also a blast for them together! And Abby is such a brave little thing! I don't remember Andrew getting on half the equipment Abby does (then again, we didn't have a playground right outside our house). She climbs up stairs, slides, and attempts pretty much everything she can! Both my kids definitely have their dad's ability to try something without fear. :)

So with all the playing must come a little sibling fighting. I am always so impressed by the way Andrew treats his sister. He is usually very willing to share and never hits. Now...my daughter on the other hand...she is pretty feisty!! The other day she whacked Andrew in the head with a train...multiple times. He kept kinda whining about something, but I figured he was frustrated with a toy. Nope. Sister was hitting him. Hard. So, mommy put Abby in timeout. AND we NEVER heard the end of it for the rest of the day. "Abby hit Andrew and wine to time out!" :) It was so funny. Even today he said, "Abby, be nice! Go to time out!" Oh...crack me up! Andrew really is a sweetheart and doesn't like anyone to be upset. I just love seeing them change so much everyday.

Boston Marathon

A moment in time that changes everything...for better or worse is the question. A day that quickly transforms from jubilance, excitement, accomplishment into terror, vulnerability, sadness, and shock. That moment you realize it could have been worse...way worse. And it was for so many innocent people. And THAT is hard to wrap my head around. What I do know is God was there that day. Even though sick, malicious people terrorized an iconic event and shattered people's lives, there were also angels there that day. So many heros were right there: firefighters, police officers, FBI agents, paramedics, medical professionals...that was God's work. With all the witnesses there to help console, give the shirt off their back to help the wounded, carry people away from the horror: that was God's work. All the people pulling together to help each other move on, replace the hurt with goodness, and try our hardest to NOT let it shake us or change us for the worse: that is God's work.

Even though my whole family was there on marathon Monday: my 1 year old daughter and I so close to where the 2nd explosion occurred; my husband and son talking with the firefighters moments before terror broke loose: we will NOT remain shaken.

Even though simply writing my return address on an envelope might bring sadness: wondering if others will recognize the very street where an innocent MIT officer had his life taken in such a heinous way. The building his life was taken being where Todd had his first MIT classes in August. We will NOT let this bring fear in us.

Witnessing search spotlights from helicopters, continuous sirens, numerous law enforcement agency vehicles racing by our home: a place we have always felt so safe. A place where so many families live.

The gas station we always fill up at being the SAME one those terrible men high jacked an innocent by-stander's car.

Seeing the Target in Watertown: the very one I go to at least once a week because they have Target popcorn and my favorite Greek yogurt. Seeing this very Target on national news as the headquarters of this terrible man's search.

But rather than carrying out my everyday tasks living with fear and remembrance of these frightful events, we will be extra kind to one another and be mindful of what the people of this community have been through. And how they pulled together and showed how kindness out weighs this horror. Remember the photos of the officer delivering milk to a family in lock-down, the numerous flowers honoring those lost, the man who offered to buy a new boat for the people whose home had involuntarily been the final crime/capture scene shown all over the news. The people around the world who recognize and respect what has happened in this community. We will remember how human compassion will always win. Boston Strong: this is how we choose to be affected by this week.

Abby's first FIRST Birthday party!

I know I'm really late posting, but I wanted to share some pictures from BOTH of my little princess' first birthday parties. It actually worked out nicely because we were planning on having a little celebration in our dorm with friends, so I reserved the room, booked her photo session, and ordered some party decor. Well, I kept dreaming about going to Texas and having her birthday at our house (one more party in our house with our Texas friends and family). Then I got an email about the Date Night being rescheduled on the day I was planning Abby's birthday in the dorm (date night was originally scheduled in February when "Snowmagedon" made its grand appearance along with 23 inches of snow). I took this as a sign that we needed to make a trip to Texas for her party.  My grandmother had also been in the hospital since February, so I needed to make a trip to see her as soon as I could. So, we booked a flight to Amarillo, TX, drove to Dumas that night, stayed for 4 nights, and then drove to Dallas (lots of traveling with 2 kids= 20 new grey hairs). ;-)

So on her actual birthday,  we had a party at our play group in Cambridge and ate dinner at Cheesecake Factory. Then a party in Texas. It turned out perfect. Andrew's first and second birthday were huge, so it was only fitting for Abby to have a big party in our house 1 last time (bittersweet).  The other part of this story that makes it even more bittersweet is that we are actually staying in New England for longer than planned (need a whole new blog for that chapter). So, this party in Texas was only necessary.

Because I have so many pictures I want to share, I am going to post another blog with the pictures from Miss Abby's Texas birthday. :) So, here are some of my favorites from her photo shoot and from her birthday in Massachusetts. We are blessed.

Abby at playgroup 

                                             
                                                              Yummy cupcakes

Abby playing with Nina 

Mommy's little girl

Yummy cupcakes

My two babies

Dinner at Cheesecake Factory 

No more whining list ;)

After my experience of being a working mom and a stay at home mom, I have come to realize they both have their difficulties along with their perks. I won't lie. When I was teaching, I always envied stay-at-home mommies. I dreaded the early mornings/commute to work (especially when Andrew was waking in the middle of the night several times), work/home balance was really tough, and no matter how hard I tried, I always had to take work home. I felt I could never be "my best" at either "job." The things I do miss are the friendships I had with those around me. The funny/random conversations and the serious/life-impacting ones. The people that assured me of what a great job I was doing as a teacher. I had everyday adult conversations and a "break" from my home life. I had to work with a team of teachers to problem solve and come up with plans. It's funny because I LOVE being a stay at home mom. But there are days when I wonder if it's a right fit for me. So today I thought of making a list for myself. A list of things that help me be a better mommy because they help me feel happy, healthy, and satisfied with how I CHOOSE to do my job as a mommy. And then I decided to brainstorm how I am in control of making sure those things happen. It might be 5 extra minutes of morning coffee (solution: easier breakfast that morning), or getting more sleep (no brainer solution: go to bed earlier). Let's face it: Mommies are always busy taking care of everyone BUT themselves. And we are the glue that keeps our family together. So make yourself a list. And then make it happen. I have the most important job in the world right now, so I can't forget about taking care of myself as well as my precious babies.