Weekend Shenanigans

Summer weekends make my heart so full and happy.  The bright mornings, long warm days and cool nights are just perfect.  Add in family, church, friends and food and it's even more of a perfect combination.  This weekend was just that, a perfect combination.  Dance on Saturday morning, dinner with family Saturday night, breakfast out before church Sunday morning, Sunday school, Church then beach and a cookout with friends. 

I pray that this summer is full of  having a house full of family and friends, sweaty, filthy, sticky kids from playing hard and eating too much watermelon and too many popsicles, piles of dishes, chats with friends, playing catch and easy bedtimes.

Beaulieu Family Bucket List - Summer 2013

I've always considered Memorial Day weekend the official kick-off to summer (even though New England weather isn't quite cooperating) and now that it's behind us it's time to start checking things off of our Beaulieu Family Bucket List - Summer 2013.

Beavertail State Park, Jamestown RI - Gorgeous ocean views, the salty breeze, the cliffs to climb down into the shallow water pools along the oceans edge.  Beavertail is seriously one of the most beautiful places in Rhode Island.  I can't wait to pack a picnic lunch, teach Olivia how to fly a kite and relax by the ocean. 

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Canobie Lake Park, Salem NH - I grew up visiting Canobie Lake every single summer, it was my birthday tradition and I can't wait to share this with Olivia.  She's going to love riding the rides, going on the train and ferry, eating the pizza and playing in the splash park.  So much fun in just one day!

 

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New England Aquarium, Boston MA - We've taken Olivia here before and she loved it.  One of the perks of my job is free admission to the aquarium and we definitely don't go as often as we should.  This summer we're definitely going to take advantage of it and visit a few times.  

 

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Boston Children's Museum, Boston MA - Like the aquarium, we've been here before and Olivia loves it, we also get in for free with our work badge which is a bonus!  Right in the heart of the city we can visit the museum and see some sights all in one day. 

 

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Boston Duck Tour, Boston MA - I've lived in Rhode Island my whole live, been to Boston countless times and I've never once been on the Duck Tour.  It's a bus/boat that drives in the street and also goes right into the harbor and gives you a tour of the city both on land and in the water.  Pretty cool I think!  I can't wait to check it out.



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Boston Marathon Memorial, Boston MA - to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon Bombing I want to make it a point to visit the memorial that's set up on Boylston Street where the tragedy took place.  Boston Strong!

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Host a BBQ - We had friends and family over for a Memorial Day BBQ and it was so.much.fun!  I can't wait to do it all over again.  I'm thinking smores, fireworks, lawn chairs, sprinklers and late nights outside. Perfection.



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4th of July Fireworks - every year we go to the fireworks show at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket - home of the Pawtucket Paw Sox.  They always have the best show and we know exactly where we like to sit!  I can't wait to see Olivia's face!



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Celebrate my 30th Birthday - Turning the big 3 - 0 this year and I want to do it with a bang.  Not quite sure what we'll do yet but it will be perfect as long as I have my family by my side.

 



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Beach Days - Olivia loves the beach and asks to go all the time.  We have so many great state beaches locally that we'll have to make it a point to visit each one!  Sandcastles, sandy sandwiches, wet hair and red cheeks!  I can't wait.



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Drive-in movie - Now that Olivia is old enough to sit through a movie, the drive-in is a must.  You pay by the car load, bring chairs and camp outside of your car while watching a movie.  It's so fun! 



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Day 23 - What life has taught me.

While I've totally let this 'blog every day in May' challenge go out the window but I'm back for day 23...

Things I've learned that school won't teach me.

Where should I start. I could probably go on for days and days...

I'll highlight the more important few today.

~ Love yourself. When you have no one to turn to, you should be able to turn inside and feel comforted, feel confident with the person you are.

~ Don’t be so hard on yourself, we all make mistakes, fail, fall and get back up time and time again.

That's part of living life and the beauty in tomorrow’s.

~ You’re a good Mom. Regardless of the bad day, the yelling, the time-outs, poor manners, frustrations, you're still a good Mom. That love you feel inside for your child is like nothing else in the world.

It's surreal.

~ You can do hard things. Challenge yourself Laura, really. Push yourself to be great, to go outside of your comfort zone, to try new things. Just do it.

~ It's ok to not have the last word in an argument. It's ok to be the one to walk away and bow out of a fight. You’re actually the stronger person when you’re the one to swallow your pride and apologize first. Pride is ugly.

ps - next week I have a guest post planned by a really great friend of mine discussing a very real and raw topic about motherhood. You don’t want to miss her story.

Day 9: A moment in my day.

Finally the warmer weather is here.  The sun is shining and the days are longer.  This has to be my favorite time of year.

My sweet Olivia and I have developed quite a fun little tradition - nightly Popsicle's on our front bench.  Every night after dinner we clear the table and it never fails, she heads right to the freezer and asks for a 'pa-zikle'. 

I scoop her up and let her choose her color, most of the time it's red!  Once we get to the front bench she scoots up next to me as I open her little snack.  We talk about our day and sometimes she holds my hand.  

When she's done, typically she surprises me by picking some flowers and finding some rocks and she loves when I get so excited about my presents!

I cherish these moments.

Day 7 - My biggest FEAR.

I can already tell, this is going to be a tough one for me to write.  Something about feeling it and then putting this down, pen to paper, is a lot to take in.    Today's prompt - my biggest fear.    My biggest fear.   As a mother I have so many worries, fears and concerns but this is supposed to just be about the biggest one, so here goes.  

  My biggest fear is dying.    Now, I dont mean dying after living a long fulfilled life at the ripe old age of 99, I mean dying young.  Leaving my husband without a wife and even more importantly my daughter without a mother.    Just typing that makes me tear up.  Thinking about my daughter having to go through this life, in such a scary place without security and love from me, her mother, makes my stomach turn.    I just can't let my mind go there for very long.    I can't imagine someone else taking my place.  I can't imagine my husband marrying someone else.  I can't imagine not being the one to teach my daughter all the important life lessons.  Teaching her how to be a good girl, a respectable woman, a Godly woman.    Teaching her about love, life, faith.   I can't imagine missing her first day of school, the father/daughter dances, seeing her off on her first date, helping her choose a wedding dress, just being there for everything.   I can't imagine missing out on the late night talks about life where I share with her about me and my life, my experiences, my mistakes.  I can't imagine her learning about me from someone else - as just a memory.   No one would ever do as good of a job raising her, teaching her, loving her as I will.   I can't imagine the sense of loss she would feel if I weren't around.  

I can't imagine missing all the good stuff that's to come.  I even can't imagine missing the bad stuff.      

Day 6: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, "what do you do?"

I Mom.

  The greatest gift and "job" all rolled into one.  I've been so blessed to become a mother and it's my number 1 priority day in and day out.  Since Olivia was born our lives have changed.  I parent constantly.  Teaching her about the world, manners, love, Jesus, everything. There's no down time.  Every single decision I make revolves around Olivia and her best interest.     

  Since becoming a mother, the world has become both a more beautiful and scarier place.  I see things new through the eyes of a child.  The wonder and excitement she exudes at the simple pleasures that we tend to take for granted - a singing bird, a train going by, an airplane taking off, bugs, singing "super higher"... the list goes on and on.  

    On the contrary, the tragedy and evil in the world seems to weigh so heavily on my shoulders.  Mama Bear has to protect her child.  The desire to keep her close at all times but give her independence and teach her who to trust.  The fear of having to slowly let go and let her be exposed to this world.  It's all so overwhelming.   So, what do I do?  I Mom.  I take care of the greatest gift God has ever given me.  I provide, teach, play with, love, love, love, discipline, pray for, pray with and raise my baby girl.  

Day 4: Favorite quote and why you love it

Today's topic - easy peasy.  This verse - where do I start?  What don't I love about it. Since accepting the Lord last year this is one verse that has really stood out to me in every single aspect of my life.    "She is clothed in strength and dignity..."   As a woman of God, a wife and a mother I always pray that God gives me the strength to be dignified and strong in all situations.  I pray to not falter.  I want my husband and daughter to see me as a strong Godly woman who always held herself in the highest regard even during difficult situations.    "...and laughs without fear of the future."  I spent so much time before worrying about what would, could or might happen.  Doing that never left much time to enjoy.  My focus was on the what if's.    Well, knowing Jesus now I know that He's got it.  He is in control and my worrying isn't doing any one any good.    Now, don't get me wrong.    Do I still worry?  Yes Do I still dwell on things sometimes? Yes Do things still bother me?  Yes   ...but ultimately, He is in control. 
 

Day 2 - Educate on something you know a lot about.

Today's prompt - Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic).

This one threw me for a loop.  Hmm, there's a lot of things I know a little bit about but for some reason why couldn't pinpoint something I know a lot about.  I really don't give myself much credit I guess.

One thing, er, person I know a lot about is myself.  Over this past year alone I've learned more about me than ever before and I'm pretty sure it has to do with the Big Guy upstairs.  He makes me think. 

So, here's my list of things I know about me. 

Quirks, likes, dislikes, frustrations - you name it.

~ I'm terrible at saying "I'm sorry".  My husband can attest to that.  I'm working on it.

~ I'm a good mom.  I try my very best all the time.  Nowhere near perfect, but definitely good.

~ I'm great at making excuses for myself.

~ I could be a better wife.  My husband is awesome and we definitely are still learning how to do this marriage thing 3 years in so being a better wife is always something I'll strive towards.

~ I'm a good friend.  I love my friends so much and always try to be there for them.

~ I'm a good cook.  I make a mean lasagna, chicken and baked fish.

~ The sun shining makes me happy.  Automatic mood enhancer.

~ Praying makes me humbled.

~ Hearing my daughter pray makes me cry.

~ I drive too fast sometimes.  I've gotten better though.

~ I look best with dark hair.  I've tried to go lighter with highlights many times and it never, ever works.

~ I don’t do bangs well.  Also not a good hair idea.

~ I have big feet and I hate them.

~ I'm trying to be better about taking pictures and learning how to use my Nikon.

~ I have to wear mascara every day, specifically 2 kinds.  It gets the best results.

~ I feel prettiest when I wear black.

~ I always have and always will struggle with my weight.

~ Poor grammar makes me cringe.

~ I'll always consider myself "in progress".

~ I love my family more than anything.

~ I'm a proud child of God.

So - there you have it.  A bunch of tid-bits on information about myself.  Growing up and getting wiser to me means really taking the time to learn more about yourself.  This past year has definitely been a huge learning experience for me.  I've dug deep and remained thoughtful.  If you have any questions feel free to ask, I love sharing about myself. 

Now go link up!

 

Day 3: Things that make me uncomfortable.

This little blog challenge has really gotten my wheels turning.  Today's topic is things that make me uncomfortable.... I could talk about this for days, weeks even.  So, let's jump right in, shall we? ~ Being home alone.  Don't like it, never have and never will.  Not to be confused with alone time, that I enjoy, I just rather there be someone home and in another room. ~ Empty public bathroom, you pick a stall and then someone comes in and chooses the stall right next to me when there are 8 other options.  Why? ~ Car problems.  ugh.  My husbands car started making this mysterious noise literally a week ago and what do you know, $4,000.00 worth of repairs on a 2002 isn't happening. ~ Medical problems.  Enough said. ~ When you lend someone money with the promise to be paid back and they never pay you back.  It's awkward to ask and frustrating to be owed.  Not good. ~ Having a conversation with someone who has a different political/religious view than I do and knowing it's going the wrong way and fast.  I'm all for a friendly debate but when the person is a butthead and can't ever see another side to the story those conversations make me want to run for the nearest exit. ~ The gynocologist, cuz that's always fun. ~ The blow test at the eye doctors.  I'm an eye doctors worst nightmare.  I hate having anything close to my eyes so I pretty much freak out the entire time and refuse all the tests.

...well I'm thinking this is enough for today! Apparently lots of little things grind my gears! Hah!

   

Day 1 - Story of my life

Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less   I was born on August 19, 1983 and am an only child.  I grew up in Rhode Island and lived with my parents with family always close by.  As a child I was always overweight and it's still a struggle today.  When I was 19 years old I met the man I'd marry 7 years later.  May 29, 2010 we married and on October 7, 2010 we had Olivia.  The past 3 years have been amazing, tough, exciting and scary all at the same time.  I've never known a love richer than having your own family unit.   I have a few close friends that are sisters I never had.  We've been through a lot over the years and I love them dearly.     In 2012 my husband and I accepted Jesus as our savior and our lives have changed for the better.  Our main focus is to honor Him every day and raise our daughter according to His will.  We're still sinners and we struggle all the time but we're forgiven and it's beautiful.        

Blog every day in May Challenge

...I just stumbled upon the best link up ever - a "blog every day in May" challenge.  I've been struggling with what to blog about lately and I'm really excited that this will give me topics to think about.   Here's the list of topics that were given.   Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)
Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know alot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)
Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable
Day 4, Saturday: Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it
Day 5, Sunday: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk about a real-life friend or even a family member
Day 6, Monday: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?
Day 7, Tuesday: The thing(s) you're most afraid of
Day 8, Wednesday: A piece of advice you have for others. Anything at all.
Day 9, Thursday: A moment in your day (this can be just a photo or both a photo and words)
Day 10, Friday: Most embarrassing moment (s). Spill. 
Day 11, Saturday: Sell yourself in 10 words or less
Day 12, Sunday: What do you miss? (a person, a thing, a place, a time of your life...)
Day 13, Monday: Issue a public apology. This can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be.
Day 14, Tuesday: Ten things that make you really happy
Day 15, Wednesday: A Day in the life (include photos from throughout your typical day - this could be "a photo an hour" if you'd like)
Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it
Day 17, Friday: A favorite photo of yourself and why
Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.
Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them
Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.
Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives
Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)
Day 23, Thursday: Things you've learned that school won't teach you
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you'd like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. Use Grooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

Getting Personal (Answering The Tough Questions)

Today I'm touching on some deep questions and linking up with Erin from Living in Yellow. (http://www.livinginyellow.com/2013/04/getting-personal-answering-tough.html).   One thing I need to work on personally is getting to know myself better.  For me it's easy to just go about the day to day activities and not really dig deep because as a mother others always tend to take precedense.  So today, I'm answering 10 questions that Erin posted and I'm focusing on me.   1. If you could do one thing differently in your life, what would it be? I would have pursued a career in college and stuck with it.  I went to a local 2 year school but then fell into a good job and dropped out of college.  Granted I'm still with the same company and make a decent salary but I wish I'd pursued a passion and got into a field that I love.   2. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Living in Florida.  We have a 5 year plan and the ball is already rolling.  Olivia will be 7 years old and I'd love to have another child by then.  I'll most likely still be working.  I pray that my faith grows and I am still active in church.  We'll see what God has in store.   3. Do you honestly want kids? Of course.  I never saw my life without them.  Olivia is honestly the best thing that's ever happened to me.  My days are brighter because of her.  I hope to have another child someday too.   4. What has been the best moment of your life so far? By far - giving birth.  Those moments of anticipation right before your baby is born and the first time you get to meet them and hold them outside of your body, it's all just so surreal and amazing and emotional.

  5. What is your life theme song? This is a tough one for me.  I'm not really sure what my life theme song would be since my life is constantly changing but my "life right now" theme song would be Come to the River by The Rhett Walker Band.  It's a Christian band and the song is just so moving.  It's so applicable to my life right now.  Being a fairly new Christian I'm still learning how to rely on God and not myself.  This song talks about going to God all the time, for everything instead of trying to make your own way.  It's really a life lesson that I need to work on.  It also helps that Olivia loves this song and jams out when we have it on in the car!   6. What is one thing you have yet to accomplish that you want to do before you die? Lose weight and keep it off.  My lifelong struggle so far has been my weight and although I'm working on it right now it's still an everyday battle.  I've learned that it will always be an everyday battle for me, it's just my cross to bear.  I want to be successful.  I want to not give up when I have a bad week.  I want to be healthy and be around for my family for a long, long time.   7. If you could choose one thing to be known for, what would it be? I want my legacy to be that I was a great mother.  I love my family more than anything in this entire world and I always want them to know that.  I pray every day for God to guide me down this journey of motherhood.  It's the most important "job" I'll ever have.  Olivia's well being is my top priority.

  8. If you could do anything you wanted right in this very moment (no consequences, no fear, etc) what would it be? As long as this came with an unending amount of money, I'd probably pack up my family and our most important belongings and move somewhere beautiful.  Somewhere that I could relax and raise my daughter without fear of the real world hurting her.  Keep us all safe and make our own little world away from the world.   9. What has been the most challenging moment of your life? When my Grandmother died.  It was just awful.  I miss her all the time and think about her every day.  I remember every moment like it just happened yesterday.   10. Summarize yourself in one word? This is a tough one for me since I wear so many hats.  I'd have to say "growing".  I'm constantly growing in different areas of my life.  I'm growing in my faith, parenting, learning about myself...and the list goes on and on.    

Finish This Sentence

Once again I'm linking up with Holly and Jake for "Finish This Sentence".

1. I laughed so hard I cried when... I ran over my husband’s foot with my car.  We were still dating at the time and I was joking around and trying to drive away as he got into the car, yeah, big mistake.  I guess I drove away a bit too fast and he moved a bit too slow and his foot got stuck under my rear tire.  It wasn’t broken, thank God, but my laughter was out of sheer panic and laughing at the most inappropriate time of course leads to more laughter which then led to tears because I thought I'd hurt him.

2. My high school... was a 5 year plan.  I failed my junior year.  It sucked big time, I was so upset with myself for messing up and having to stay back but in the end, everything fell into place and I'm glad it happened.

3. It really pisses me off... when I get frustrated with Olivia.  I always step back and think about people who are missing their children or who have lost loved ones and here I am frustrated with my beautiful angel of a daughter.  I always feel disappointed in myself afterwards and apologize.

4. In ten years... I'll be living in Florida, my daughter will be 12 (say what?!?) and I'll hopefully have another child in tow!

5. If I could erase one thing... it would be the hurt I caused to my husband the year before we got married.  We went through a really rough patch which was all my fault.

6. In 1999... I was a junior in high school (the first time) and I'd just gotten my license.  I drove a red 1986 Camaro and thought I was the coolest thing in our whole town.  Driving up and down Mineral Spring Avenue after school with friends was the best part of my day!

7. Honestly... I'm at a place in my faith right now where I can rest knowing that with all the bad in this world and all the devastation, this is not my forever home.  Take this world and give me Jesus.

8. To me, Sushi... is disgusting.  The first time I tried it I was newly pregnant and at a work function.  I had to excuse myself to puke.

9. Someone really needs to invent... what isn’t already invented?  Technology is so amazing.  In my own vanity it would be nice to have a magic make-up machine to make getting ready easier and faster.

10. The first time I drank alcohol... well see, I'm the youngest of my cousins on both sides of my family so I'm sure at some point one of them slipped me something to drink.  The last time I drank is much more interesting.  I was home alone with Olivia, she was about 9 or 10 months old and I'd just put her to bed.  She was sound asleep so I figured a long day deserved a nice glass or two of wine.  Those 2 glasses went down nice and easy and quick and then what do I hear?  Crying over the baby monitor. 

11. The one question I would ask God is... why is there all this hurt in the world?  Why do bad things happen?  Why do children get sick?  That was more than one right?  oops.  Part of me knows the answers to these questions, or at least the rational I've used and learned to make myself understand His ways but it would still be nice to ask the Big Guys upstairs.  I'd also ask him how my Grandmother is doing.  I miss her.

12. Lindsay Lohan... needs to grow up.  It's not cute honey.