Christmas Traditions

I love love love Christmas Traditions with our family. This year we even added a new one to the mix, which I can't wait to start doing every year! Sorry in advance if this post is a little long, but I couldn't leave a tradition out! :)

Tree Decorating

Every year we pick up our tree from a local store, that brings in trees from many local farmers. We love picking out our tree together. While David and the men load it on the car, I always take Tensley inside to pick out an ornament, this year we got to pick out 2 baby ornaments for Everley. Can't wait till next year she picks out an ornament on her own!

Tensley's ornament 2015

Breakfast with Santa
This is a new tradition for us this year. My God-Mama Amy invites us every year, but for some reason this was the first year we could go. She use to take Trent when he was younger, I love that she wanted to include me and the girls in the fun. Breakfast is held every year at the Hotel Roanoke. All morning Tensley kept talking about how fancy this was and how she felt just like Fancy Nancy! :)

Christmas Lights
Every year we put our pajamas on, grab snacks, and hot chocolate then we drive around down to look at Christmas Lights. This year was extra special because Everley got to join in on the fun, but David actually wore pajamas this year for the FIRST TIME! Small victories people. Next year we are hoping we can all go in Starbucks for a real treat. ;)

Christmas Movies
I love sitting downstairs, by the fire watching multiple Christmas Movies as a family. We typically always watch Elf multiple times (it's Tensley's favorite). Then its like pulling teeth to get David to sit down to watch White Christmas with us. I think he just enjoys giving me a hard time about that being my favorite movie. I was so thrilled to introduce Everley to the best movie this year. She seemed to really enjoy it..okay for all of like 10 minutes before it was bedtime.

Seeing the Christmas Trees
This is probably my favorite tradition we have and I feel like this year we rushed through it. I'm so bummed. The Hotel Roanoke and many local business sponsor put up multiple Christmas Trees throughout the Hotel. All decorated differently and different themes. It was fun watching Everley see the Trees for the first time, but I highly don't recommend taking a stroller inside to walk around the hotel. Also make sure your 4yr won't be hungry before you go or else she may beg, whine, and beg some more to eat at the Hotel Restaurant.

She loves picking her sister up!

The year of Star Wars #neverseenit

With squirmy babies, sometimes this is the best picture you can get!

I truly love this photo and this season though!

Does anyone else feel like this December flew by? I mean I know that I say that every year, but this Christmas season I feel like I just blinked at Christmas was over. 

Pink Glasses

We took Everley in for her 4 month check up back near the end of October, we had been noticing that one of her eyes (typically her left eye) would turn it. However David and I didn't think much of it at first, we figured it would straighten itself out soon enough. She was just so little.
One of the sweet lady's at our church ask us about her eye when we picked her up after church, it was then that we knew it must be a problem so we needed to get it checked out.

Dr. C wanted us to get it checked out by a Pediatric Ophthalmologist, the doctor he originally wanted us to see was booked solid until March. So Dr. C scheduled us an appointment with a different local doctor.
When I took Everley to the appointment, I didn't love her. It was so hard to watch her interact with Everley (knowing that friends of us just love her), I felt that she didn't describe Everley's condition well or give us any hope that she would one day grow out of her glasses. Instead she told us to go pick out glasses for Everley and schedule a follow up appointment.

Of course after I already order her glasses and got home I started to have second thoughts. Isn't that when Mother's truly get to think about their days, when we get home. Then we reflect on everything and say "Oh maybe I should have waited to do X,Y, and Z"


We took Everley too see another Eye Doctor, I'm so thankful David was able to get off for part of the day to go with me for the appointment. We truly loved the new doctor, but he wasn't a true pediatric Ophthalmologist, BOO! He did agree with diagnose that the originally doctor gave Everley. He agreed to have her continue to wear the glasses to help correct her lazy eye.
  He even made a phone call to the other Pediatric Ophthalmologist (yes, the booked up one!), sure enough Dr. F call me a few days later to set up an appointment.

Tensley glasses are fake, can be found here. 

T: Shirt  E: Shirt & Pants

We recently went back to see Dr. F. He gave Everley a GREAT report! Her glasses are doing what they are supposed to be doing, straightening out her glasses. At this point he doesn't see a need to patch her because neither one of her eyes seem to be extremely weak compared to the other. So thankful to hear that the glasses are working, that patching or even surgery is not something we are even considering now! We are praying that God continues to allow the glasses to work for our sweet Everley.


We are even getting use to seeing her in them ourselves, couldn't matching our little girl without her pink specs!

Pretending she doesn't need them anymore! Silly girl. HaHa

E: Her shirt is one of Tensley's, but here is a similar one. 

Tensley is 4!

October 21, 2011

7:20pm

One of my favorite Dates and Time! The day our sweet Tensley Grace came into the world and made us parents to one of the most beautiful little girls I had ever seen.

This year for Tensley's birthday party she finally agreed to have it at our house. After going back and forth for a month to having an all girl party at a local girl party boutique. Tensley knew she couldn't leave her best guy friends out from the celebration and fun!

So a backyard movie night is what she requested!
The youth at our church has a projector and a screen, David and I are so thankful that Pastor Brett allowed us to borrow them both for the party! Tensley is already asking when we can borrow them again to have another movie night. :)

  

Tensley requested pizza, chips, soda (aka sprite) and her favorite movie: Ella Enchanted!
The weather was perfect in October, especially since we had to push back the date due to death in the family.



Some of Tensley's Favorite Things.
Color: Blue & Pink
TV Show: Strawberry Shortcake
Drink: Sprite
Food: Roman Noodles (like her cousin Bekah)
Bible Story: Samson & Delilah
Loves to Play: Babies, Mother/Sister, Makeover, Shopping, Cooking, and Princesses.
When I grow up I want to be a: Ballerina Teacher
Best Friends: Eisley, Presley, Kaylee, Lucas, and Kolton.

Sweet Tensley,
We love you so and we're so thankful for these past 4 years with you. You are the perfect amount of girly and tomboy for your daddy and me. Your sweet and sensitive, but can be a bit overdramatic and feisty at times too. You have taken on your role as big sister beautifully, it's such a joy to watch you love, play, and mother over Everley.
xxoo 

Thank You!

Friends,


Thank you so much for praying for me and my family in August, even since then.
I took the time off from blogging to spend the time with our family, but to also spend visiting with friends. It is so important to see those that you love, hug them often, and talk to the regularly.

I will be honest I really missed you all and the blogging family. I feel that I have so much to catch you all up on, especially if you haven't been following along on our instagram account (@larboswell).

So this week I will be playing catch up. Each day I will share a condensed post about whats been going on with the Boswell's.

I can't wait to be blogging on a regular basis in 2016! I have a few blog series in mind, that I can't wait to share with you all and I hope that you'll link-up and join!

Favorite Memories of You, Adam!

Today's Favorite Friday link up with Andrea and Friends is all about 

my amazing friend Adam Ward. 

Last night I sat down with David and started recording all of my memories with Adam. Our mutual friends and I have been sharing moments together via text for the past 48 hours. 

We remember his selflessness, his funniness, his contagious smile, boom voice, his laugh, his love for others, his joyful outlook on life, and a true gentlemen. 

1. Driving to High School Together. 

I met you in our high school photojournalism class, he was a senior and I was a sophomore. He took me home one day after a Saturday work day when I wasn't feel well. I can remember telling my mom "Yeah its safe to be in a car with him, he is Mr. Ward's son. His dad works for the school, its perfectly fine." :) 

When you learned my mom was a single mom, full time student at Redford and I didn't have my license. He offered to pick me up in the morning to take me to school, so I wouldn't have to leave so early with my mom. Those mornings were always so special! You would listen to my dumb sophomore girl drama like it really mattered (when it actually didn't), allowed me to changed the radio station to K92 instead of the sports center highlights, and some days just because would surprise me with a coffee when you picked me up. 

2. Prom

I am thankful we were able to attend 2 proms together. I went as your date for your senior prom and you came as my date for my junior prom. 

I was so nervous during senior prom that I ate dinner before you picked me up, we went to take pictures with all of your friends before heading over to 419 West. I wasn't hungry and still really to nervous to eat. So we split a pizza and both ordered water. Our entire bill was $11. You told people you had hit Prom Date Gold! I remember telling me how upset your dad was until you told him it was my idea to split a pizza and I wasn't hungry. 

His Senior Year Prom. 

Junior year I was more relaxed, we took pictures with my friends and headed up to Carlos' for dinner. 

I'll never forget while we were taking photos at Roanoke College with Rachel and Preston. That moment my mom realized our age difference. I was 17 and you were 20. The look on our faces from this photo and that moment were priceless. 

 My Junior Prom. 

3. The Worst Night of My Life

The night that my mom died you were there for me. You were the first person I called. I stood at the end of the walkway, crying to you that she died and I kept apologizing for ruining your date with Lauren U. You told me you were on your way. I found out later that you called your dad on your way asking him to grab me something to eat (McDonalds of course!) and to be with me until you could get there. You knew your dad could be with me before you could. 

You drove me to my Godparents house that night and stayed until I was okay enough to go to bed. 

The next morning you met me at the funeral home with my aunts and god families. You held my hand as I made ever decision, looked at you for guidance, and prayed over me. 

I am entirely grateful for how you took care of me that night. 

You truly were my big brother that I never knew I needed! 

4. Star Gazing

After my moms death, I would spent a lot of time with you in Blacksburg. 

Our sweet friend Lauren U. reminded me of this memory. You had set up the back porch of the house you and the guys were living in with blankets and chairs so that we could all watch the meteor shower that night. You made sure Lauren and I had everything we needed and that we were warm. We all sat together watching those stars for hours and just talking. 

5. The Best Day 

Tensley was born on a Friday evening, I remember texting you minutes after she was born to tell you she had arrived, she was beautiful, and she was healthy. 

You couldn't wait to met her. 

That next day, Saturday, there was a Hokie home game in Blacksburg. You were on your way to go tailgate with everyone and cheer on your beloved Hokies. 

However you made a detour to the hospital to met her. The moment you walked in the door your face filled with such joy, excitement and pride to met her. You had tears in your eyes. 

6. The Truck

I remember when you bought your truck. You were so excited about it. You purchased it right after you signed with WDBJ7 Full Time. You brought it to the house to show me. You wanted me to know there was room in the back for Tensley, that it had the hooks to buckle in a carseat, and it was extremely safe. You began to ask me about carseats, brands, safety ratings, etc. You wanted your own carseat for Tensley. I convinced you not to buy one, that you could borrow mine at any time. 

                       

                    "Getin ready for a ride in the truck" -Adam          "Whats the one thing that can clean up the language of the            

                                                                                                               ward household on football saturday? 

                                                                                                                        A ONE YEAR OLD!" -Adam

                                                             Photos Courtesy of Adam Ward's Facebook. 

7. "What Would You Do" City High

Whenever I hear this song I instantly think of 2 moments with you. 

The first was in the car, you were driving me home from a game. I was upset about something and your voice was horse, you could barely talk. This song came on the radio and you started belting it out, loud and proud just to get me to smile and laugh. I laughed until I cried in the car. 

The second was during your freshman year of college you send me a video of you signing this song with Allen, Lauren C. and Sara. It wasn't the version of the song you were use to, the look on your face and Allen's when it changed was absolutely priceless all while hearing Lauren and Sara laugh and say "Oh gosh" in the background. 

8. Hokie Games

We went to our fare share of Hokie Games together. I remember going with you and Will S. during your freshman year. Sitting at the top of the south end zone cheering on the Hokies. 

I remember the one Thursday night game I attended with you and Allen in the student section. It was freezing cold that night and a really close game. You were so concerned about me and how cold it was, since my finger tips had turn ghostly white. I assured you I was fine. Once the game was over, we went straight back to the house and I couldn't leave until my hands were warmed up and looked normal again. 

9.One of the Last Senior Basketball Game

During high school I went to a basketball game with you, it was one of the last ones of the season. Salem was playing William Byrd at WB. I remember when the game was over, you were overcome with emotions about how quickly High School was coming to an end. You told me to enjoy every day, to soak all of high school in, take advantage of being with my friends everyday, love the sporting events, and to be united with my classmates. You told me how quick it all goes. That even though that night I was just a sophomore, before I knew it I would blink and I'd be halfway through my Senior Year. 

10. One of the Funniest Moments

David found this picture of you the other night in Tensley's crib. 

We busted out laughing. I remember you came over that evening before bedtime, we were talking and joking around. I had just told you how the a few nights before I had gotten into the crib with Tensley to lay with her and to see if I would actually fit. You instantly wanted to see if you would fit. 

You climbed in that crib with her, she was very unsure about you being her bed. Tensley did not like it one bit, but we laughed, oh how we laughed. 

Our family loves you, Adam. We are blessed that God put you in our lives. 

Thankful for the many memories we have of you. 

You will always be apart of our family and known as Uncle Adam. 

We miss you. 

We look forward to the day we are rejoicing with you in Heaven. 

xoxox

Whats Up Wednesday

Wahoo, I sure do love these link up days. It so fun to get a glimpse into others bloggers life and getting to virtually meet knew friends. Today I'm linking up Shay and Shaeffer in What's Up Wednesday. 

1. What we're eating this week

With this week be our first full week of back to school for Tensley and David's nice classes, dinner has been an eat what you can. Monday may be the only night I'll cook all week. 

Monday -Almond Crusted Chicken

Tuesday -leftovers

Wednesday -leftovers?

Thursday- sandwiches?

Friday - ugh... sandwiches?

Clearly I need some go-to recipes, can you share some of your favorites with me! 

2. What I'm reminiscing about

Summer with both of my girls. It was such a fun and fast summer. I can't believe it's already over. 

I know that Tensley enjoys the time with her friends at school and I need the mini break (though I do still have Everley) so it has been good for both of us. Though I do miss staying up late and sleeping in with that girl! 

3. What I'm loving

8:00pm Bedtime. I know this my be a crazy one. 

I just love having both girls in bed and asleep (for the most part) at 8:00pm. The house is quiet and peaceful and it's AWESOME! 

From 8-9 David and I typically work on different home projects or quick cleanup. Then from 9-10 we either sit down and talk, watch friends together, or discuss our dreams for our future. 

I pray this always continues, these little mini-dates with my hubby feel my soul so much! 

4. What we've been up to

Coming up with ways to ensure our house truly feels like home. I trying my hardest 

to be okay with living in our house (okay, I still cry, melt down, or freak out like once a week..) So I'm eager to start slowly picking up pieces from TJ.Maxx. Homegoods. Marshals. Kirkland. Tuesday Mornings. to help make this our home and less of my moms. 

5. What I'm dreading

Moving Everley into her room this weekend! Boo! Lets all take a quick minute to sob over the fact she is old enough to sleep in her own bed, in her own room. 

Okay now that we have all composed ourselves (I'm still a hot mess over here) lets continue. The original plan was to wait until Everley was sleeping through the night almost ever night. However that is not the case, she still wakes up around 2-3 to eat. However this is the same age that we moved Tensley to her room when she was a baby. Plus Everley is so BIG that she is, well out growing her bassinet. I mean she twist and turns all night longs, makes noises, and KEEPS MAMA UP! #nooneishappyifmamaainthappy 

So we are investing into our new video monitor Friday and putting the girl into her room. 

Please pray for this transition. I'll list a few specific prayers that we will really need. 

1. That I won't allow my emotions, feelings or thoughts of that room scare me from allowing my daughter to sleep in that room. {If your new to the blog, Everley's nursery is the room my mother passed away in, you can read that story here and my most recent closer here } I have been mentally and prayerfully preparing for this moment, now that it's here I'm becoming nervous, overwhelm, and anxious. 

2. Pray for David, that he will continue to sleep through the night when she wakes up. 

3. Pray that I won't make David get up to go get Everley and run up and down the stairs multiple times

4. Pray that neither David nor I trip over anything in the middle of the night when we head downstairs to her room. {Dear David's work boots I'm looking at you!}

6. What I'm working on

We are working on making Tensley a little command center to hang all her coats, lunchbox and umbrella. Plus a space for us to write her little notes on the chalkboard in the morning. Slowly but surely my mother's house is becoming our home. 

{I can't wait for this space to be completed so I can share with y'all!!}

7. What I'm watching/reading

We are still watching Friends all the way through. Its fun unwinding with David in the evenings with a few funny episodes of Friends before bed. We have been quoting that show non-stop lately. 

I'm excited to grab some new books from the library or amazon this week. Now that I know what to expect from the carpool line at school, I know I can knock out some good reading while I wait to pick up Tensley! :) 

1. I have such good reviews on Bringing up Bébé that I can't wait to read it! If my girls only learn one thing from the French please let it be their table etiquette.
2. Bringing up Girls, my in-laws recently purchased this book for David and I. I'm so thrilled to read this with him and discuss how we will parent little girls in today's sex crazy, sexual orientation and gender questioning world. Lord we pray you keep us strong and help us raise our girls to know and love you, to have no desire of what the world offers and only what you offer for their lives.
3. Nobody's Cuter Than You is a MUST READ! I ordered this book right before Everley was born and I would stay up after nursing her to keep reading. It's that good y'all! Buy it Now, Read it Now, and then call your Best Friend because she needs this book. I'm going to start re-reading it soon. Want a book to help you realize how important you friends are, THIS IS IT! (Also I hear the other books Melanie has written are awesome as well, I plan to put those on my birthday list as well!) 

8. What i'm listening to

                            

One of our favorite local stations, Spirit FM and Q99. I typically play Q99 on our kitchen radio so that it can be somewhat heard throughout the entire house during the day. Just to give us something in the background that isn't the television. Plus when our favorite jams come on we are totally ready to bust out in a dance party! Raise your hands for T.Swift!! 

Tensley recently got a clock radio in her room as part of her back to school preparation. David and I choose to let her listen to Spirit FM, our local christian station. I love that she gets to her some of the same songs that we hear in church, plus I never have to worry about the DJ's talking about something that isn't age appropriate with her. 

Though it is rather comical to see her dancing to praise and worship music! What can I say the girl loves music. 

9. What I'm wearing

Now that school has started back, I find myself digging into some of my fall pieces even though its still 85-95 degrees most days. So if you see me running around town in shorts, 3/4 sleeve shirt and a scarf its okay and yes I'm probably hot and sweaty but I don't care, I am ready for fall! 

10. What I'm doing this weekend

This weekend seems like a pretty busy one for us, though I know if I think about Sept Weekends I'd think this one was very relaxing. Ha. On Friday evening with have small group (Wahoo, so ready for this to be a typical part of our routine again), Saturday will be full of house work/chores/playing, Sunday we will attend church then that evening a Princess/Prince party for one of Tensley's sweet little friends! 

11. What I'm looking forward to next month

PSL!

PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE! 

lets scream it all together now

PUMPKIN SPICE LATTTEEEEE

I am so excited for this to be back at Starbucks. I just love them! 

However due to expensiveness ($$) and calories (yikes) I only allow myself to get 1 season. 

Gasp. I know I might have just lost some readers there. I'm sorry, I promise I'm a true PSL fan!

I give into my crave just once as a special fall/birthday treat to myself. I try to pick the best fall weather day that is full of relaxing, enjoying the leaves, smell of fall, and of my fall outfit. 

12. What else is new. 

We are getting ready to prepare for Birthday Month! October, Tensley and I are ready for you! 

Bonus Question. Favorite back to school traditions.

I started the tradition last year of taking Tensley to get a mani/pedi at our local nail salon. I feel awful about this because we didn't do it this year. I totally dropped the ball, I think her attending a new school and them started before labor day totally threw me for a loop. Thankfully Tensley didn't remember or realize we didn't do it. So hopefully I will get to squeeze in some one on one girl time with her before the first week is over. 

First Day of School

We did it! We survived the First Day of School! No one shed any tears, nope not even momma. 

This year school year was a little bittersweet for us, Tensley was changing schools. It was a hard decision for us to make to leave our beloved BB Preschool. Though changes were being made and during that time David and I spent a lot of time in prayer about it. We ultimately felt the Lord saying that Tensley needed to be somewhere else. So this year she will be attending Fort Preschool with a ton of her buddies from church! 

I have these moments of parenting to be some of the hardest. Making sometimes big changes like this for your children, even when they can't completely understand or get to express their opinion. Tensley  was very nervous about her new school at first, she kept saying she wanted to be back at BB. Then she would remember her favorite to guys (besides Daddy of course), Kolton & Lucas, would be with her. 

"When I grow up I want to be a Ballerina"

Kaylee & Tensley. Sweetest Friends

When I picked Tensley up from Fort she was all smiles, which I knew was a sign of a GREAT first day! I had asked to you remember 2 things from school so she could tell me when I picked her up. 

     1. What is one thing that you learned today?

             -I don't like the nap time, we had to lay down for an hour! 

       Disclaimer: After snack, the kiddos rest for about 5 minutes with heads on the table. To help with calming down and self control before their next activity. 

     2. How many m&ms did you receive for before? 

             -They didn't do today, they said on the second day we will start this. 

        Disclaimer: They use the m&m system for their behavior chart. Each child starts the day with 5 m&ms, any disobedience means taking away an m&m. Right before it's time to get picked up for the day, the kids are handed out their amount of m&ms they earned for the day. 

I learned some other fun facts about Tensley's day as I continued to ask questions during the day. 

          1. She really enjoyed the playground

           2. She pretty much played with Lucas and Kaylee the entire time. Though I did see 1 photo from her teacher showing her playing with 2 other little girls. She denies that picture. 

          3. She saw her friend Kolton (He is in the 4's class) and he waved at her twice during school. This was pretty much the highlight of her day. {Fun Fact: She wants to marry Kolton when she grows up and prays that this is part of God's plan for her life almost every day!}

         4. She is upset her new school doesn't do lunch. 

         5. She enjoyed painting on her first day

I'm thankful Tensley had a great first day and she is enjoying her new school. I'm looking forward to this new year, her new friends at Fort, and all the new things she will learn.  Everley and I did miss her terribly though. Everley was so upset about it, that she napped the majority of the morning. While I spent some time relaxing. I was afraid to get into anything knowing that I only had 3 hours and how fast it would sneak up on me. Plus I wasn't sure how the carpool line would turn out. Now we are all more prepared and ready for Wednesday.