The REAL Me

Now I'm not even sure where to begin with this post. All I know is that I have felt this impression for the past few years to post about my life, not just the good things or funny things, but the bad, hard and frustrating things as well. I'm not sure if this is for me or someone else ( though I'm not really expecting anyone to read this). So why and I writing this? Im making a promise to you and myself that anything I post will be 100% true and honest. To show proof I've added a few pictures. Now most bloggers will post the best pictures of their lives and of themselves. I mean who wouldn't? Best foot face forward right? 

So just to show how REAL I can be here are some awesome photos of me: the good the bad and the ugly

Of course one of me at my best (I look super cute right?) 

And one at my not so best ( don't worry I've looked worse I just couldn't find any photos where I intentionally wanted a photo taken of me in my hideous state).

And just had to add this wonderful snapshot from this summer that my wonderful husband thought would be hilarious to capture. 

   The whole point to this to show that even in this world of putting our lives on the computer  BEST version of our lives on the computer for everyone to see, there are still NORMAL and REAL people, families and women out there. I have read and seen too many blogs and pictures and what perfect lives look like and I come away feeling more empty than happy. Not to say that the object of is to make me feel less superior, but that I was found wanting and feeling that my life was not as glamorous  as my computer screen was showing me. (SIDE NOTE: I LOVE that when other post awesome things in their life and I am in no way trying to be negative or a poor sport when others lives are going great) All I'm doing is showing that their are two sides to every coin through my own life; and that is my kind of PERFECT. Now some more pictures:

These are my boys. And what they look like on a daily basis; pajamas or just diaper all day long.  Every once in a while I will get them dressed. :) They can also be VERY crabby and whiney but they show me how adorable they can be every so often. ( also note the blurry and crying baby)

This is my house normally. Things and toys EVERYWHERE.  I try to keep it organized, but does any one just hate cleaning up toys everyday? I do. I've tired the "only one toy at a time thing," but its just exhausting arguing with my 3 year old to pick up everything. The next time it gets cleaned I'll take a picture and show you what the floor looks like.

SO... wether you like this or don't like this, I will try not to care if you don't, but I'm being honest and it will probably hurt me even though Im trying to be more thick skinned and think who cares and the heck with ya! So this is me the REAL me. And stay tuned for some more REAL life to come.

NOW

trying smiling for one minute straight and when its over life will be better.

TRUST ME.

the world always looks better from behind a smile.

-Jessica

SNOW DAY!!!!

On Wednesday the weather forcasted SEVERE WEATHER STORM. So much to my surprise they canceled everything. My office was closed and David's school was canceled. It snowed ALL DAY LONG. and by the evening it looked like this:

 

We have officially experienced our first storm in Boston. We gout about 18'' of snow and its a good thing we didn't go anywhere that day. But we had fun watching people throughout the day struggling to dig out their cars and in the cold and us just spying on them from our warm apartment. Overall it was a great day until we had to dig out our car. David was kind enough to dig me out so I could go to work the next day. And i just watched. :)

Last 2 Weeks of 2010 and on to 2011!

 

Before we left for Cali we had to get into the Christmas Spirit! Our apartment with the few decorations we came up with. And the Best part is that we found that awesome tree and ornaments for FREE! we LOVE craigslist!

Christmas break in California was GREAT! I was so much fun to spend time with family and be in California. We spent the first week with the Paxman clan. We had Bakers, we played Catan, we went to Gma and Gpa's house who knows how many times, we got pedicures and of course you cannot forget the RAIN. "Look its still RAINING!" as Mamma Paxman would say... about three times a day. :) It was a good excuse to stay inside to keep warm, cuddle and watch Christmas MOVIES (the cheesy Halmark ones included. They are my favorite. ) But luckily it did not rain on Christmas day. It was a Christmas miracle! It was beautiful and sunny and bright. Just what we wanted when coming to California from cold wintery Boston. 

 Aly and I on Christmas morning with our new PJs

After all the festivities of that day we woke up early the next morning( which wasn't difficult for David and I because we were still on Boston time- 3 hours earlier) and drove to sunny Santa Barbara. Now that Aunt Karen and Uncle Jim live in Santa Barbara it seems like there is never a dull moment. Who am I kidding is there usually a dull moment with the Manns anyway? We celebrated 3 birthdays that week. Shout out to Katherine Nelson, Denise Mann, and of course the most important of all my dad, Preston Mann- HAPPY BIRTHDAY. And on that wonderful day we decided play tennis. All 30 of us. As we pull up to the courts there are only 2 open and within 10 minutes there were 4. I guess the other people couldn't handle the heat. But in the end we all ended up on one court playing 5 games of around the world and 50 games of death and resurrection. NO one wanted to stop. On our last morning, within hours of us getting on a plane back to Boston, I realized I had not been to the beach at all that week. A few of us got up early and took an hour stroll on Goleta Beach. It was beautiful, and the last touch I needed before heading out East. We spent New Years Eve in the Boston Airport waiting for out luggage... that never came down the baggage claim. Happy New Year to us right? Apparently it never got on the plane from our layover in Georgia. I was not a happy camper, but i was returned to us two days later.

 

 The first thing I did when we got home that night was NOT unpack or rest but read my 3 wonderful letters from my friends on their missions. It was an awesome Christmas present! And made my New Years SO much better!

Now as many of you know, or will know now is that David and I will are expecting a baby BOY in May. We are ecstatic and feel so grateful for this wonderful blessing. The whole time I was in Santa Barbara, I was called mamma, and my little brother Taylor rubbed and shook my belly everyday: he wanted to feel him move so badly (I think he is excited to be an uncle). So this is for Brittany who has been getting my case about putting up pictures and motivation for Andrea to put some up as well. 

Pregnancy Photos:

 18 Weeks

 (This is my good side) and we found out just a couple days earlier that out little baby is a BOY!

 21 Weeks

 Yup I'm getting fatter ( as my family let me know)

We love him so much already!

Boston: Our new Home

David was accepted into Tufts Dental School and so we headed out to Boston, Massachusetts. Which is now our new home. We live a couple of miles out of the city, but a couple of miles means at least a half hour drive. Driving is crazy here! Anyway we packed up our stuff and a week later it showed up in our new home.

All of our stuff had to be packed up and shipped off in this truck

The driver was really nice and tetrised everything in.

So while we waited for our things to arrive we survived on cereal and chips and salsa. When our things did arrive the apartment looked like this for a while. A little crazy of a mess, but we got it sorted out. Just took about a month and we're still working on it. But to everyone you want to see this is the final product of our humble little home. David and I are loving it here.

The Happenings of one Summer

This summer has brought about LOTS of changes and happenings. To start out this memorable summer I moved home to the beautiful Santa Barbara, CA to work and be with my family before I got married. David and I were married in the Redlands LDS Temlpe for all time and eternity on June 18, 2010.
After the ceremony there was not only one but TWO parties.
And of course there was TONS of family and LOTS of dancing and food.


After we were married the whirlwind of summer began. Two months from that day I would be moving across the country to Boston so that David could attend Tufts Dental School. But before that could happen we made sure we had tons of fun before hand. Every weekend somewhere different. From Redlands to Visalia to New Port, Thatcher and Mesa, Az and to Bass Lake and Santa Barbara. After my last day of work we headed to two weeks of family vacation a week in the New Port Coast Villas and then a week in the amazing Bass Lake, California.


Ruby's in New Port with the Paxman's.


Triathalon at Bass Lake. Bekah, Veda, and I were on a team.


David taking Evan and Jack for a ride.

Cuzies getting ice cream at the Pines. Thanks Uncle Lindsey.

After two whole weeks of non stop family fun and adventures you would think it was time for a rest. Well not for us. Jarom and Tara's wedding was the very next weekend! It was beautiful and I am so happy that Jarom found Tara. She i wonderful and amazing and I'm so glad she is my new sister. The Mann family has gained a great friend.

Isn't she a beautiful bride?

The new Mann Family.

The boys at the dance/pool party/ reception.

It's been a crazy summer, but a great one. I loved every moment of it. If there is one thing i have gained from this summer it's that i have an AMAZING family. And that goes for my new family (the Paxmans) as well. I am so blessed to have wonderful people in my life and I love every one of them. To most of you reading this blog you were looking forward to seeing pictures of Boston and you will soon, the place is almost done. Just waiting for the final touches.