Baltimore, New York, and Washington D.C

Christmas break this year has been amazing!!  We took the boys to Baltimore to spend time with Kendra and Michael.  I convinced most of the family to fly out so that we could spend Christmas together.  We flew in on Sunday afternoon and promptly started the fun.  Kendra and Michael just bought a house so we spent most of Monday helping them unpack.  Their house is huge and amazing!!  My boys loved playing with Bosco, Max, and Trip.

We rented a cabin right on the Chesapeake bay.  It was stunning!  The water was calming and beautiful.  The cabin had three stories and very FIRM beds!  It took a little while to get used to the sounds of a radiator and I eventually just turned it off at night. 

We spent Tuesday in Washington D.C. at the National Air and Space Museum with Craig, Blair, Kendra, and Michael.  Nolen was so excited to see a real space rocket.  We also went up to the top of the old air traffic control tower. After the museum, we went to Farmers and Distillers in Washington D.C.  It was one of my favorite places we ate at on the trip.  We got doughnuts served first, then pizza, and pasta.  They even made their own sodas.  Both boys did great at the restaurant.

 

Wednesday we went to the Dutch Market in Laurel, Maryland. It was DELICIOUS!  I had too many doughnuts.  My no sugar rule completely went out the window! After the Dutch Market, we drove the BWI to pick up Mom and Dad only to realize they flew in to Dulles airport in Washington D.C.  I have to admit, I was not thrilled; however, Kendra made lemonade out of lemons and brought a smile to every occasion.  Kendra, Dad, Stephen, and Michael went to watch the new Star Wars movie while Mom and I took the boys to frozen yogurt.

 Thursday, Kendra and Michael came out to the cabin and made breakfast then we rode the subway back to Washington D.C to see all the sites.  We went to two museums and then took our first Uber ride to the White House.  The weather was perfect for a stroll through the capital.  We stopped and threw leaves at each other while waiting for our reservations at Bobby Vann's.  We walked over to Bobby Vann's and ate more delicious food.  I gained 7 pounds on this amazing food trip!  HA! 

Friday we planned a big trip to New York City.  We woke up early and drove the New Jersey turnpike up to the Staten Island Ferry.  The boys loved riding the ferry into the city.  Once we got in the city, we rode a subway to a small restaurant across from Carnegie deli.  Sadly, she line was around the block for the deli so we ate at Park Cafe.  The food was sub par and expensive.  After we ate, we walked down to Minskoff Theater to watch the Lion King.  The entire group loved walking through Times Square and being real tourists.  My Dad even bought a random cd as we walked through the most crowded city in America! 

I loved watching the Lion King with my family.  I almost started to cry during the "Circle of Life" because this has been a dream of min for a long time.  My boys were so good during the show.  Nolen, especially sat quietly for the two hour show.  My heart was full.  Making this trip a reality was so fun!!  After the show, we took a subway down to the World Trade Center memorial.  We thought it would be faster to Uber to the ferry; however, Craig and Blair's Uber got lost.  We rode the ferry passed the Statue of Liberty on our way home.  Again, tears welled up in my eyes as my boys and Stephen saw this great city from a distance for the first time.  I loved everything about this trip!

On the way home, we had some great adventures.  Dad wasn't feeling well, so we stopped a few times for him.  Then, suddenly as I drove through a toll, he rolled down the window and puked.  I pulled over as fast as I could, however, he lost his glasses while puking out the window.  Stephen got out of the car and hunted for Dad's glasses on the freeway, but we had no luck.  Our trip home ended up taking a lot longer than we planned, but we made it home in one piece.  

Saturday, we went back to the Dutch Market and ate more food!  We spent the rest of the day at Kendra and Michael's home, opening presents, making ginger bread homes, playing games, and eating.  I had the very best time on the east coast.  I love spending time with my family.  They mean the world to me.  I have the very best family.  They sacrifice and give.  Their kindness is inspiring.  

 The moment Bosco tried to bite me!

Sunday, we headed to church then had a quick lunch with the family at Kendra and Michael's home before catching our flight back home on Christmas day.  The flight home took longer than planned, but both boys had a great attitude.  Once we got home, we opened presents and went straight to sleep.   Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Happy Holidays!!

This year has been such a fun year.  My sweet boys are growing up so fast and truly become little gentlemen.  We wanted to spend the holidays with family, so we took a big trip to Baltimore, Maryland.  Kendra and Michael recently moved farther east and I have missed seeing them.  

We are truly blessed to live such an amazing life!  My heart is full of gratitude towards my Heavenly Father.  I have so many things to be grateful for in my life.  My parents are one of a kind.  They are constantly going above and beyond for my family.  I love them.

My husband is the best.  I mean, top notch!  I love him more and more each day.  I had no idea how lucky I was when I married him.  He chose me and we choose each other each and every day.  We make sacrifices for one another.  I love us.

Christ truly is the center of Christmas.  I am grateful for his presence in my life.  

Enjoy this beautiful Christmas Day.

I love you.

Cello Concert

Today, Edward played his first cello concert.  He did so well!  We sat in the front row to cheer him on.  I love that the school provides an amazing music and art program.  Both boys had art displayed at the art show.  My boys have loved learning and growing at the school!

Exhale....

This being perfect stuff is for the birds.  

We play so many different roles in our lives, sometimes it is nearly impossible to keep it all together.  

Woman.

Wife.

Mother. 

Daughter.

Sister. 

Friend.

Singer.

Lover.

Driver.

Teacher.

Coach.

Mentor.

The list goes on and on.

We are asked to fill these roles by society.  By our families.  By our friends. I love to fill these roles and I try to do them to the best of my ability.  Some days, it all gets too hard.  

I have been cracking at the seams lately. 

My world comes crashing down the moment I get sick.  Of course.

I have loved having a lot of personal time during the day.  Six hours does seem to go fast when I fill it up with too many unnecessary things.   I have been getting better and better at cutting things out this year.  My motto, "No more stupid stuff!" has helped me stay grounded.  It is interesting how more things start creeping in to my schedule.  I have had to sort through my priorities weekly and make a decision of what is most important and what isn't important.  

My priorities remain unchanged.

God

Stephen

Edward & Nolen

Family

Exercise & Health

Music

I will not apologize for my priorities.  These are my choices.  Friends are not even in the top ten.  For now, my friends are my family and my amazing husband.  I am so lucky to be best friends with my siblings, my parents, and my spouse.  These relationships are extremely important to me.  These are the people with whom I would like to spend my days, hours, and minutes.  

I love them.  

I will continue to fill the impossible roles of society.  At this point, I do not think this is something we can change.  But I want to do it with out the stigma of being perfect.

Here I sit, perfectly imperfect. 

A Recital

Yesterday, I hosted my first ever studio recital!  It was stressful and fun!! I have been planning this recital for months.  I had thought about every single detail.  My students started rehearsing their pieces three months ago.  Each of them were very well prepared.  I showed up to the church an hour early, so that I could set up and warm up my two voice students to realize the person who was going to let me in had forgotten.  I frantically called around members of the church so that I could get in the building.  I am so grateful for friends who answer the phone and helped me out.  I set up the room a little later than usual, but with some help, I was able to get it all ready.  

My students performed perfectly!!  I feel so happy!  They practiced and worked so hard to be ready for the recital.  I absolutely love teaching!  I love to see the pride in my students eyes when they accomplish big things.  Stephen, videoed each student.  He is seriously the best!!!

After the recital, we took the boys to get a treat and take a few family pictures at old town.  My sweet friend Laurel met me and snapped some AMAZING photos.  We then took our boys to eat a Sinclair's for some sweet semi fine dinning! 
I am truly blessed!