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(Sighing) Why does my little boy have to grow up so fast! As much as I try to keep up, and remember the things he says that make us laugh I can't help but to just lock those moments in my brain rather than kill my brain to remember them so I can write them down! He continues to make me laugh, and smile, and sometimes even cry good tears because he's about the sweetest boy I've ever met! I'm so crazy about him, and I'm hanging on to every moment we spend alone together. Winter almost had me with the crazy weather we were having, but once spring creeped in with those tulips, and blossoms, and with Noah in my life reminded me that seasons change, and dreary weather doesn't last forever.
Love spring, and Noah's musings have been nothing but amusing! I racked my brain as to remember some of the silly things he said so here they are:
While running errands on an empty stomach, and because Princeton has fabulous restaurants wanted to grab a bite to eat, and noah says to me, "mom, you should have eaten something at home." He totally mocked what I tell him when he wants to go get something to eat!
The day we attended Aiden's baptism we decided to stop by the temple on our way home. We didn't get to go inside the temple this time, but we did visit the visitors center, and as always captured a lot of photos on the temple grounds. I sure hope y'all aren't getting sick of my spring photos, and posts, but spring in D.C. is always worth documenting especially when the tulips, and blossoms are in bloom. Oh, and let's not forget kids who like having their picture taken!
Ever since we took a trip to Maine 12 years ago, and discovered the lighthouse in Cape Neddick I automatically fell in love with lighthouses. And when I first stepped foot inside a lighthouse I was amazed at the history as to how they are built, and to look at the ocean from atop of a lighthouse is absolutely amazing! Growing up near the gulf in Texas really made me a beach girl, and for that I will always be grateful! I'm a beach girl through and through, and love venturing out to the beach no matter what season it is. This past spring break brought us so many small adventures, and the fact that we kept it low key, and close to home are the best trips ever! ya yeet.
I don't know how long they're going to last because I forget every year how beautiful and how quickly spring comes to an end, but these blossoms are absolutely dreamy, and for the first time since moving here I have been totally taking advantage of the outdoors to experience spring. These blossoms are everywhere! There's a cherry tree in front of my house, there are blossom trees in front of Noah's school, our church, and they are literally all over my neighborhood, and all over the Princeton area! The garden state truly is a beauty in the spring, and regardless of April being dreary at times because of the rain seeing these blossoms up, and blooming bring nothing but joy. And when the sun is shining makes it even more beautiful, and my heart more grateful!
So yesterday Noah decided to play a bit of hookey from school. Well, not really because the other night he developed allergies that turned into a bit of a cold that turned into a slight fever, and even though his fever broke in the middle of the night he woke up a bit groggy from the medicine and so I kept him home. But that didn't last long. Soon enough he jumped out of bed, went downstairs, and asked if he can watch the movie Sing. I wanted him to relax, and rest and he did just that throughout the entire movie. So after doing my motherly duties such as cleaning up from breakfast, and putting a load of laundry in (which is endless by the way) I rolled up the windows, and there it was...sunshine!!
Easter this year like all our past years was simple, and fun! "Aunt" Maggie joined in on our celebration, and attending her little church branch in East Orange felt like home. Everyone was so warm, and as always it was so nice meeting more of our "brothers and sisters."
Attending a baptism, no matter what age, at my church are a reminder of my own, and last Saturday we had the opportunity to share in the joy of witnessing our friends son's baptism. Aiden turned eight on the same day as his baptism so celebrating was a double whammy for him. I was so, so happy to have been a part of it, and in all honesty didn't want to leave Virginia! I absolutely have grown fond of this place (which is why we travel here) with all my friends who live in this neck of the woods. It was so nice to have seen this wonderful family again, and to have seen some familiar faces from my old area in Jersey (Hey Suzie, hi Jade!) I also need to stop saying "old area" already!
I really, really hope my beautiful niece doesn't mind these old photos, and sending her birthday wishes via my blog. It's been a few years since I've seen her in person, and can't even begin to tell you how excited I was when we finally made contact with each other! She is a lovely young lady with a big heart, and I am so proud of the life she is living. I love her dearly, and want her to know how much I've always loved her. I can't believe she is 28 today! Time certainly flies once these kids reach their teens, and before we know it they are on their own, and making a wonderful life for themselves! I will always remember her as a young girl. Every time we would visit Texas we'd always pick her up, and spend time with her. Those are the fondest memories I will always cherish of her, and I have the pictures to prove it!
Oh my! So many people to love in this photo, and they all gathered together afterwards to remember this special day for two special ladies.
Day four of our spring break was spent in new york city again. I am so grateful that we live so close to a city where we can explore and venture out when time permits, and because Jon, and the kids have had all week off for spring break have taken advantage of the time going to the city as a family! This time we decided to drive to Staten island and take the ferry over to the city, and it was a dream for Noah! He absolutely loves boats, and was so excited to be standing against the railing to see the city. I'm not sure he remembers the first time we took the ferry to Ellis island, but he will definitely remember this ride.
While Lexie spent the day bowling with friends we decided to take the kids to the beach. After all, it's only going to be the four of us venturing out once Lexie graduates from high school. We are not too keen on the fact that another daughter is leaving the nest in about a year and a half, but I am glad she is out making memories with her new peeps, and that we are making the best of our time spent together.
After watching the movie Spiderman with the green goblin numerous times over this past year the thought of going to Roosevelt Island came into my mind. Having a boy who is absolutely hooked on everything Marvel, and being that his favorite character is Spiderman was the perfect solution to spending the day there to have ourselves a little easter egg hunt. Being that he is the only kid in the household who is still young enough to hunt for eggs made it a bit easier to decide where to go for this small adventure. It's bittersweet for sure.
Oh how I wish I would have volunteered more at the girls schools while they were elementary age, but I can't turn back time. All I can do is make up for it with a big heart by helping out at Noah's school as much as I can, and I absolutely love it! I never thought that I could surround myself with so many kids for a certain amount of time because of my patience. It seems that now that I'm older my patience with kids has increased, and for that I am truly grateful! Good thing because of the calling I have at my church!
After having the most awesome company come visit us all the way from Utah the busyness of high school activities returned, and with a vengenance. A musical, a world language induction, watching general conference at our church, and catching up on my blogging filled this past week(end) for me. I didn't mind the endless carpooling to Lexie's high school for the final rundown before the show because the look on her face whilst dropping off dinner in between rehearsals was priceless. She was totally having fun. Having seen her musical two days in a row all weekend long was euphoric, and left me feeling energized to do more, and for things to get back to normal. Well, almost.
Ever since we moved into our new area we have had the missionaries from our church over for dinner more than we have before in previous wards. We have had them over every month since we moved in (except for January because the plague took over the entire family except for Jon) Anyway, having the missionaries over in our home has been such a blessing, and our lives have become more peaceful. Especially after they leave. The more I get to have them over my house the more I truly appreciate their hard work, and effort in what it takes to share the gospel to strangers. Leaving their home life, family, and other important things that they sacrificed to leave their life behind to serve the Lord for two years is admirable, and I am so grateful for their service.
If y'all follow my instagram, or twitter y'all may have seen some of the quotes that i posted which really caught my attention during this season of general conference. As much as I would love to just sit, and listen I can't help but to put pen to paper, or type notes on my phone about my thoughts, and feelings as to how I am taking these words of a prophet, and his leaders in my heart, mind, and soul.
Women's conference is something that i have looked forward to ever since my oldest daughter turned 12, and when they changed the age to attend from 12 to eight four years ago my heart was super happy. I was so glad that I would be able to take my youngest daughter for the first time at a younger age, and it has been a blessing to be taking her, and her sisters ever since. The only difference this year is that I had a one on one daughter date with Chelsea. Sierra is pretty much on her own in Utah, and well, Lexie had her mandatory tech week musical rehearsal late that saturday until 9:30 so Chelsea and I made the best of this special evening together.
It's been almost a week since my dear friend Ceyda, and her sweet daughter flew back to Utah, and even though things around our house are pretty much back to our normal routine I still expect these two to be staying up late, drawing, coloring, watching Trolls two times in a row, and playing board games. I was amazed at the bond they immediately had after meeting each other for the first time three years ago. It was like kismet. As if they knew each other before this life, and even though they've only spent two weeks together in the seven years of their life it seemed as if they've known each other forever.
