Making Memories

Every family has their own traditions that they do. Some are handed down from when they were younger as with others are created and made in hopes to carry on.

This past weekend was Vermont Maple Open House Weekend. Last year was the first year we took part in this. I picked three sugar houses that we would try. I vowed last year that we would continue this as a new tradition for our family. This year we actually hit 5! Chase wasn't into it as much as I would have liked but he is still young. It wasn't until the third Sugar House that he gave in to having some syrup and then was hooked!


I want my children to grow up and look back on some of our memories and not only love that we did these things, yet also do them with their own family some day. 

We took the late morning and afternoon and drove from Colchester, to Williston and finished in Shelburne.  These people are so proud of what they do. And they should be! There is a lot of  work that goes into making maple syrup. I also want my children to know this. I want them to respect how hard people work to do what they love.

Poor Farm Sugar Works, Colchester, VT

Let's not forget the yummy factor! The best part is tasting samples. We had samples of syrup, maple cake, whoopie pies, donuts and cotton candy! Sugar does help to make life a little sweeter. We didn't get enough, I had to make breakfast for dinner last night, blueberry pancakes with Vermont Maple Syrup of coarse!

Two Words

Ten years ago I lived in Massachusetts. As Vermont is my home, Massachusetts will always be home as well. I moved there right before I was 21. I finished college and wanted to move somewhere else to start my "new life". It was far enough away to spread my wings, yet close enough that if I needed to get home I could. I loved it there. My friends became my new family. Many of those people are still in my life today. I am beyond fortunate to have these amazing friends. It doesn't feel like that long ago I was there. I had left here at 20 saying I would never come back. Here I am, almost 15 years later back in Vermont.

I saw something the other day and it got me thinking. I will share it with you and ask you to answer the question for yourself as well.

My answer came quickly, easily. My Two words: Be Patient.

I think of many instances throughout the years that if I would have listened to these words maybe my heart wouldn't have been broken. There may have been less tears, more laughter. I would have made better choices. I would have counted my blessings instead of wishing for more.

Don't get me wrong, I am a true believer in that everything happens for a reason. That even our mistakes help to shape and mold us. Each moment becomes of us what we choose it to be. I wouldn't  change one thing I did. Not even the ugliest of mistakes. I am not perfect. I never will be. What is perfection anyhow?! I believe in being the very best you can be. Live life with honesty, kindness and love and it will all fall into place. Those little things we feel guilty about can be forgiven.

Be Patient.

The definition of Patience : the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance/anger in a negative way; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. Patience is the level of endurance one can take before negativity.

Patience is something I work on everyday. Some days it being much harder than others. Many days praying I had more and hoping the next day it will come easier to me. I envy those people that make patience look so easy. I consider myself to be optimistic. I do my best to try to find the good in every situation and person.

Patience has taught me to be thankful. I am blessed. I have everything I need within my home and heart. I may not have known 10 years ago that life would turn out as it has, there wasn't that little voice whispering to be patient. I am not sure what the next 10 years will offer me. What I do know is I will do my best, I will try to be patient and always be thankful.

The Y Chromosome

I was blessed with two boys. No girls in this house besides me. Oh, and the dogs! They count right?

I always wanted three boys. Why three boys? Not sure but I think some of it may have had to do with the fact I use to babysit these three boys when I was a teenager.  Having boys seemed fitting to me. I enjoy sports and was always playing with the boys growing up (Get your head out of the gutter! I meant GI Joes and Matchbox cars!) I was good at burning beetles with a magnifying glass in the driveway and my barbies didn't mind a little dirt on them.

Now I sit here and look at my two boys. (One is actually on my lap as I try to type with one hand). Did it turn out the way I thought? I did get 2 out of 3! Maybe not as I thought, but truly how it was suppose to be.

Photo taken by Wild Clover Photography

When I was pregnant with Chase I had in my head he was a girl. At his ultrasound it was revealed that indeed he was not! I was thrilled that my first born was going to be a boy. Then we got pregnant with Wesley. This time around I had decided not  to find out what I was having. It didn't matter. It was my baby and I would be given what God intended on me having.  I had this strong feeling throughout my entire pregnancy that I was having a boy. I just knew I was carrying another boy. I joked that Jay didn't know how to make a girl. I was right!

Do I wish I had a girl?  No! There were moments when I was pregnant that a piece of me would have been thrilled with a girl. Gosh, I drool over all those cute outfits and ruffles. The pinks and purples! Yet when I look at my boys I feel that this is exactly how it was always suppose to be. I wouldn't trade any of it. I am happy to have a beautiful niece and be an honorary "auntie" to my girlfriends children. I can live vicariously through them. 

I am the mommy to two incredible little BOYS! I get to take them to their first Red Sox game. I can sit on the couch with them and we can fill our faces as we watch super bowl games together. I get to watch them grow into young men and hopefully help teach them how to be gentle and kind. Teach them how a man should always treat a woman.

There is something special between a mama and her boys. I am grateful for that Y chromosome that has given me these amazing little creatures. Maybe someday they will give me little girls when they have children of their own...40 years from now of coarse!

This is how we do it!

My sister in law Kara, has a blog and wanted to put together a few different ways mommy's find time to get their workout in. She asked myself and our friend Liz of Because Mama Needs a Hobby to collaborate with her!  Go on over and check it out at The Daily Whisk!

Happy Monday!!!