Sneaky Break

Last Sunday as I was laying out all the clothes and getting things ready for Bristol and preschool the next morning I was feeling quite ahead of myself and pleased to be so prepared. I got into bed and chatted with Matt what I had gotten done in preparation for tomorrow. He listened and when I was done said - " Good job - really prepared since B doesn't go back to school till NEXT Monday." 

Whhhaaa??? 

Oh right February break. 

Totally forgot. 

So I scrambled to set up playdates and try to think of things for us to do during this long week ahead. 

We have taken turns having the stomach bug, Brooklyn is teething once again, and Matt is working 14 hour days. 

Happy Weekend!

The Trip That Wasn't.

On Christmas Matt surprised me with the reservations to a 4 day vacation to Cancun in February. 

This was our first vacation since our honeymoon almost 5 years ago. 

To say we were excited would be an understatement. 

He had talked to our Moms and planned for the kids to be taken care of. 

He had booked and arranged everything. 

Then the winter that has seemed to not give us break decided it had better plans. 

The night before we were supposed to fly out, a giant snowstorm hit New England.

I cried myself to sleep in frustration and disappointment. 

The next day - determined to make something out of nothing- Matt suggested we try New York City. Either of us had only been once with an " ok" experience or being 10 and not really remembering it.

I wasn't so sure but Matt's determination to remain positive and take a vacation helped reassure me. 

So to NYC we went.

It was great. 

We made it up as we went along and had a wonderful time. 

Both of us left excited to visit again. 

We ate at great restaurants, saw amazing monuments and historical sites, and stayed in a beautiful hotel. 

All on a whim. 

It was great to talk, remember we liked each other, and start to heal from a year of heartbreak.

The company is what is important - not the place. 

Not Yet.

"Drop the rock. Let go of judgments. Extend Grace. God isn't finished with them yet."

A childhood friend posted this a while back and I loved it. 

So often I need to be reminded its not my job to police everyone and their actions. 

Its my job to love and wait. 

Kindess matters. 

So many people are hurting with things that no one knows. 

I had a close friend tell me a while ago 

" I am so stressed I could shoot myself in the face." 

It felt like she slapped me. 

I know she didn't know what she was saying at the time. 

( Later she apologized.) 

Instantly I wanted to say a 1000 things I knew about her and would hurt her. 

Put her in her place and let her know how words can hurt. 

Instead ( mostly out of shock - not self control) I said nothing. 

After her apology I am glad I said nothing. 

What good would it have done to wound her with words as she had done me?

Would my pain and sadness go away? 

No, no it wouldn't. 

Many times I have needed grace from those around me. 

Mornings when Im late and cranky. 

Afternoons when Im staring at a "to-do" list a mile long. 

Evening when Im exhausted and short with those I love most. 

We all need it and need to extend it. 

Happy Valentines!

This year B wrote all her friends names and worked hard to make her Valentines. 

She was so proud of her letters and not needing any help from me. 

Happy Valentines to you and yours! 

The Early Years.

This September Matt and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. 

Coming up we have our first vacation together minus kids. 

I was thinking today how odd its going to be to actually finish a sentence, not have to look down and make sure their are 3 littles still with us, and oh yeah- SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT. 

Im excited but also nervous leaving the kids and being so far away. I know they are in good hands but its still nerve wracking for my worrisome nature. 

I was also thinking back to the people Matt and I were when we met and how we have changed. 

Time and babies can do that I guess. 

It makes me smile and makes me proud how we can work together ( and fight ) but always are on each others side. 

Saco Trip.

Our first picture together - awww. 

First time at Stratham Fair... I should have recognized Matts unhealthy love of fairs. 

One of my favorite pictures of Matt at camp.

Tubing on Matts boat. Why am I wearing tons of jewelry?? 

Mt Washington Hotel! Trip through the White Mountains. 

That was such a long day trip in the car haha. 

The coast. We used this picture as the RSVP postcard for our wedding.

Camp. 

On our Honeymoon to St Thomas.

 A " selfie" before they were called selfies - on our last trip to Boston before having Bristol. It was a special day for both of us.

Painting Bristol's room in our apartment that we probably weren't supposed to be painting ha. 

Im sure the next tenants were thrilled with bubblegum pink walls.

^ 6 months pregnant with B!

Bristol's first Christmas. 

Her first holiday season she cried constantly. Colicy girl. :(

Oh a few more gems...

One of my favorite of our engagement pictures... we should have known - rain. 

Wing Wah! Favorite Chinese Food Place on the way to camp. 

An out take from our maternity pictures with B. Im not impressed. 

Remember that time we took our baby to a bowling ally dressed in way too much leopard?? 

Yeah me either.

We'll catch up when we are back from our trip! 

This Week!

Our Week In Pictures...

Coming home from running errands one evening. 

Snuggling with B watching Aladdin

Fell asleep watching the Olympics. 

When I asked her what she was doing down there ..." Oh just Bristol things" 

Oh ok. 

Sometimes you just have to sew something.

Getting a Valentines Box with the " best stickers ever!" 

( Frozen of course) 

Everyone wants some of Daddy's attention when we see him for an hour during 12 weekend shifts. 

Boden - not crying. Note to self... we need to get him out of Pjs more haha. 

Brooklyn checking out the weather report from Wednesdays snow storm. 

On to next week...