Almost a month....

...has gone by with out a post. To those of you who anxiously await a new post daily I apologize. Soon I will post a plethora of pictures covering the entire month. But for now I just have the laptop without the external hard drive, which carries every picture.

The month of October has been pretty eventful. Adeline and I decided not to go back to Ft. Wayne with James during his last ten day stretch. After returning home from three weeks of a hotel bed/pack-n-play, and living out of suitcases we realized that we really liked our own bed/crib, and the idea of a whole house to run around in. It felt good to be home. This was the longest James and I have been apart in our entire marriage. By day eight it was too much, so we drove to Ft. Wayne, sneaked into the hotel and surprised him when he returned from work. James is a very neat and orderly man so when I walked into the hotel I expected to see everything organized and clean with dishes in the dishwasher. But to my surprise it was a complete disaster. Not only were all of the dirty dishes covering the dishwasher but the dishwasher cleaner was still in the packet inside the dishwasher. James had gone eight days without washing any dishes. How? Well then I looked to the floor and saw bags with every name from Applebees to Burger King on them. Papers were scattered everywhere and dirty clothes were all over the floor. Then I thought while I cleaned "is James really as orderly and organized as I thought or do I really do all of this for him at home?". Since he has been home he puts the dishes in the dishwasher, and puts his dirty clothes in the hamper. I think he was just taking advantage of housekeeping(which obviously hadn't come that day).

Besides that visit Adeline and I kept ourselves pretty busy. We had visits from friends, visited friends, made a trip to Hastings to see Nana, Papa, and Uncle John, made a trip to Charlotte to see Great Grandpa and Grandma Forte, Grandpa Forte, and Uncle John again. Another trip to see Grandpa and Grandma Bean. There were a few visits to Norton Pines where Adeline really enjoys the childcare (this is a big step and it makes working out much more enjoyable for me), and many walks to the park to swing. It was a great mother-daughter time. One that I will always treasure. It was also a great time for me to reconnect spiritually. I decided to read the Bible cover to cover. So far so good. I am really enjoying it.

When James came home Wednesday night he didn't have to go to work until Monday morning. So for the first two days we didn't do anything but spend time together. James didn't even unpack his car until Friday night. I came to realize how much I really missed just his presence, his smell, his laugh, his eyes, his help, and his body. What I mean by his body is being able to completely lose myself when he wraps his arms around me. I feel secure and protected. He is a wonderful Husband, Father and a great provider. Adeline and I are very blessed.

Saturday we had to face the outside world and went to my cousin's wedding in Lansing. It was nice to see family and Adeline really enjoyed playing with her cousin Michael. He fed her goldfish and they fought over who got Papa's attention. It was a great time.

Sunday we went to church, Renovate Church that is now every Sunday morning at Mona Shores High School @10:30 a.m. (just in case you wanted to visit). Adeline got the award for playing with the most toys, she really enjoyed it especially because Brian and Corrie Welsh were the adult helpers and she loves both of them.

Monday was James first day at Dick's Sporting Goods and he is enjoying it. Tuesday was my first night back at Norton Pines and it felt good to be working again. James and I use the Mall Play land as our meeting place for days when he works until five and I have to be to work at five thirty. Adeline loves it. Loves it. I can't believe she is a toddler. She walks/runs around making new friends, giggling as they chase each other. She is fun, amazing, beautiful, and one pretty special gift from God.

Sometimes I wish time would stand still.....but then reality hits...and once again we are on the road heading back home. This time for a BIG 80th Birthday party for Great Grandpa Bean. Most all family will be back except Aunt Betsey so we(Adeline and I) plan to go visit her in November.

Well, that's what are last couple weeks have been like. Thanks for reading. Pictures coming soon....