May New Years Resolutions

Ok, I can proudly say that I am STILL keeping up with my New Years Resolution!!! Almost half way there!!

My Craft for the month...
I got to do a little porch renovation!!! I put string lights up around the porch and I inherited some new porch furniture. We also got a new sand table for Blake and some little decor to hang around the porch. My goal was to make this a peaceful little spot for our upcoming summer days, and I think I achieved it! Blake and I have already enjoyed some nice afternoons out there! Yay!

My June craft will have something to do with Blake... can't wait to share it!

My book for the month...
I read two books this month! The Autobiography of a Fat Bride was hilarious!!! IT was basically a series of little "episodes" of a woman learning the harsh reality of becoming a married adult. I got some good laughs out of it. The other book is called Savannah Blues. It was a little mystery and chick flick in one. Both were very light reads. It was much needed after reading Gone Girl in April. Still recovering from that one!

Confession: I already have 3 books on the waiting list at the library. Ready to kick up my summer reading!!!!

Up, Up, and Away

One of the things on my life bucket list is to ride in a hot air balloon... I got one step closer the other week. (I know...I am a little behind on posting this one...). Raleigh had it's First Annual Freedom Festival!

I went on a date... more about that later... to see a hot air balloon festival! Thinking about it, I don't think I have ever seen a hot air balloon close up, especially like 12-14! We got to see them set up and then we also got to see a "night glow" as they all would light up the balloons. The colors were amazing and the weather was beautiful. You could tell this was a "first time" event,  but I think they will make lots of awesome changes for next year!

Look Alikes

I have always been known to have a signature "sassy" look... and I think I might have passed down that look to Blake. Check out our photo comparison...

I love seeing how we have some similar features when we were at the same age! Looking like his momma!

Gardening Guru and Happy Gilmore

It isn't officially Summer yet and Blake is already spending LOTS of time outside!

I am pretty sure he has been named the Gardening Guru as he helped GDaddy set up with plants this year. He is trying to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, and maybe some corn. Blake gets really excited when he can water the plants and when he sees a bloom.

Blake has also gotten some practice with his golf clubs. I have a feeling we will be practicing lots of sports this summer. I know this makes two grandpas very happy!

Blake Takes on Preschool

Today was a HUGE step in the life of BLAKE RYAN LARSEN! He started preschool!!!

Kind of a random time to start preschool, but Dawn is moving to Charlotte and we needed to make a transition a little earlier than we had originally planned. Blake will be going to preschool 2 days a week from now through the summer and then he will start full time 5 days a week when I go back to school in August.

Blake has been SO excited about going to preschool. When discussing it with him before, he seemed a little upset about the fact that I might be leaving. That made me so nervous. I knew he was ready and would have such a good time but I didn't want him to cry when I left. So... I made sure to get Blake some cool sheets and a Batman blanket to make him feel special at his Preschool day!

We pulled into the parking lot. He was so giddy that he couldn't stop smiling. Blake held my hand and walked with me into the hall. We went to his little classroom and he met his teacher. He immediately saw a toy he liked and went right over there like he owned the place. I talked to his teacher and he played and met some new friends. Finally it was time for me to leave and he hugged me and said bye. He had no problems letting me go. I even watched him in the parent window and he was just playing away!

I am so proud of my little man! He is gonna learn and grow so much! They have Spanish class on Tuesdays and Splash days on Thursday! So great! :)

Mother's Day for a Single Mom

Ok... let's see how long this post will take me to write. I have a feeling I will have to stop and have a good cry. Que the stop watch!

This Mother's Day is a little different than the others that I have had. This is my first Mother's Day as a single mom. It is also the last "first" that I have to deal with since being separated. Surprisingly this was a tough one and I didn't really expect it to be that way.

First of all, Blake is still little and the concept of Mother's Day doesn't mean much to him yet.

Thankfully my parents helped him make the weekend special for me. It was still hard seeing/hearing about the other moms who were being pampered today. In the world of single moms that just doesn't happen. I still got up bright and early, made breakfast, cleaned and did laundry, played with Blake, did bath time, and everything else. I know that one day my hard work will pay off, it's just hard in the mean time.

Being a single mom this past year has been the hardest year of my life. {get the tissues ready for me, please}. There have been good days. Days that I felt like supermom!!! I could do anything!! I could literally give Mary Poppins a run for her money! However... if we are being brutally honest here... there have also been days that were just hard. I wouldn't have a second to breathe. After putting Blake to bed I would just go to my room and cry. Then wake up, shake it off, and do it all over again.

The crazy part is that I know I am not alone. I join the huge number of women who are currently, or who have in the past been, single moms. You know what I am talking about... you get me! We are usually the silent sufferers. We just smile and keep going and we just know we will make it work. Even when we are swearing at life under our breath.

The funny part is that when I do get a break from "single mommy life" (yes, it happens sometimes), I miss it. It's like I don't know what to do when I am not a single mommy. That is because that child is my life!!! Blake is my world. No matter what happens, he brings me the most joy. When I am sleep deprived (because I'm up late doing stuff around the house and I never can sleep in past 6:30), it's his little smile that I wake up to. When I finally get to sit down after work, it's his little 35 lbs self that climbs in my lap to snuggle. When I feel like I just can't take anymore, it's his little adorable self that says, "I love you, Mommy."

I beat myself up a lot about things I have done or haven't done. I get frustrated with the past year of my life, a giant situation I can't control. I am sure I am doing a lot wrong. But I do know I am getting something right. I am being a good mom. I am not perfect, but I love that child more than anything!!! I selflessly give him everything I can every day. His priorities and happiness will always trump mine. I try to take him to new places and show him new things. Most importantly, I give him love and my time. I even watch all of his little toddler shows and I sing the theme songs and dance with him. That in itself should win me major brownie points!! I have also learned everything there is to know about superheros... just saying!

I pray one day Blake will see that. I hope he knows how much I love him and how much I do for him. We have an amazing bond. I would give anything for that to continue as he gets older. Being his mommy is the best job EVER! It's my life.

Give those moms around you a big hug today. We all have our little battles and we are all doing our best! We are all rockstars and we are all better because of our challenges. We make it by helping each other out and encouraging each other. 

Whew... I made it. Not too bad on the tears, right??!  :) Now I have to go pick off every sprinkle on a cupcake because Blake doesn't like the sprinkles. And yep, he is eating the last two cupcakes. None for Mommy. Happy Mothers Day! Haha!

Boys Will Be Boys

We were so excited to spend time with Tiffany and Tristan this week! They came in from Kansas to visit family and Blake took full advantage of hanging out with his cousin. You know the saying "Boys will be boys"... well it couldn't be more true!!! We proved a few common truths when it comes to little men...

The fastest way to their heart really is with food...specifically cupcakes!!!!

Guys don't sweat the small stuff.... instead they are fascinated by it. Small stuff equals ants, right?!

And finally.... Find the joy in the journey! Or in their case, hold on for dear life when Blake is driving his little jeep with Tristan shotgun! HAHA!!!

It has been such a blast watching these boys play together over the past few days. Love love love them!!!

April Resolutions

For the first time this year, I was able to complete my resolutions early this month!!!

My book this month was Gone Girl. I have to say that it was a crazy page turner with many many twist. I have to admit that I wanted to throw the book several times. I love reading books like that because they really make me think the whole time. There is a movie for Gone girl and my mom, Rita, and I are gonna have a girls night to watch it. I can't wait to compare the book to the movie.


My craft for this month was very new to me. Of course I found it on Pinterest. I think the picture stands for it all.... the is now hanging by my desk at school.