Memorial Day evening with the Morse family

For dinner we went over to the Morse' house. Adeline LOVES AnnaMatthias (Anna and Matthias). When we pulled into the drive Adeline was the first one out the door ready to see her friends who had run out to greet her. After dinner the guys took the kids (minus Eli) fishing. We brought Addy's bike so she could ride with Anna and Matthias.

Apparently the girls wanted to keep their helmets on while fishing.

This was Adeline's first fishing experience. No fish were officially caught by the kids but Adeline really enjoyed herself.

Memorial Day

We have not seen Aunt Erin in what seems like forever so when we heard she was coming with Grandma and Grandpa we were very excited. They arrived early evening on Sunday and stayed until early evening Monday. It was a nice visit filled with lots of time outside, a walk (bike ride for Addy) for ice cream, food, and a Sunday nap.

Adeline took a special trip with Grandpa to the "Grape" store (Plums) as Adeline calls it for donuts.
A reenactment of Addy and Aunt Erin sleeping. Adeline was so excited to have her Aunt Erin over for a sleep over.

Couldn't keep the kids still for a picture but it was nice to see Andrew giving more attention to Grandma...normally all he cares about is Grandpa.

Daddy and Grandpa went sailing in the morning and the kids were a little sad about seeing them leave.

It was overcast and a bit chilly for playing in the pool but both girls had fun sticking their feet in the water.

Up in the little house. Addy loves her Aunt Erin. We are looking forward to another visit soon once school is out :-)

My first race

Well I did it...I ran a 10k. I had been wanting to run a race for a long time now but haven't actually done it. My girlfriend told me that this Saturday there would be a race and they have both a 5k and 10k. I normally run 4-5 miles five times a week but never 6 so I thought it would be a challenge. I wasn't sure what to expect and I never really trained for this or the many hills it was going to have.

I remember starting the run and making it to mile 2 and thinking "really this is only the 2nd mile I should have done the 5k". But then once I hit the 3rd mile and they called out my time I realized I was at a little under 9 minute miles. I was encouraged and that gave me the endurance to continue. I normally run 8.45-8.30 on a treadmill so I was happy to be running close to 9 minutes considering all of the hills. I also remember this little woman passing me and thinking "I just have to pass her before the race is over; she is obviously older than me so I can do it"....nope...didn't happen.

As I approached the finish line I saw my wonderful husband and beautiful kids cheering me on. I don't have my official time but it was around 54-55 minutes, 9 minute mile pace. I was very proud of myself. Maybe I could do a 15k? It might be worth it considering I'm having ACL surgery in early July and at that point I will hardly be walking.

And on a positive note: For all you who know me and my running history...I didn't poop my pants :-)

The short beach

Last year we didn't make it to the beach as much as I would have liked. With Andrew only four months and nursing the thought of feeding him on the beach with the sand and sun just didn't excite me. So if we did have a beach day it was only for a short time in between his feedings. This year being all done nursing and having a toddler we are out every day, all day. It has been so much fun.

We went to what is called the short beach. It is a portion of Marquette beach but is close to parking and the water. The nice thing is that once you park your car you just step down the ledge and you are instantly on the beach. The ledge also prevents any little Andrew's from going into the road.

We dug a big hole, built sand castles, ate lunch, kicked balls, did somersaults, made mud pies, and enjoyed the beautiful weather. This is the first of many days to come.

We all have gas right??

I would say that Adeline started to truly get her sense of smell around 3 to 3 1/2. What I mean by this is that she started commenting on smells as she recognized them like skunks, food, flowers, ect.. Many times as Adeline has grown up she has been in the bathroom while I go #2 (everyone goes....get over it) and she hasn't talked about the smell (besides the story of her smell going in the fan).
So the other day after Addy woke up from her nap and came downstairs I went to get her a drink while we snuggled on the couch. I came back and "accidentally" passed some gas (silent)...I proceeded to sit down and when I did Adeline put both fingers in her nose to plug it up and said "what is that stink I smell". I laughed and laughed and laughed. Do you know how many times I have done that and she never said a word or recognized the nasty smell? Well not any more I am going to have to start to be a little more private with my gas passing from now on.

Planting flowers

Adeline and I were able to plant flowers the other night. When we went to the store to pick some out she was all about us getting work gloves too. They are way too big for her hands but she didn't complain. I just got back from a run which is why I am dressed in work out clothes.
Addy doing some of the digging

Mommy and Addy and our final project. It doesn't look like much from behind but soon they will bloom into beautiful begonias.

Adeline officially rides her bike

All it took was a little confidence and a raised seat. Adeline was all around the neighborhood. We even took a rewarding ride to Frosty O's for ice cream. We are very proud.

Adeline's first theatre movie

We took Adeline to see Shrek 4. She loved it. It was great because we decided to take Andrew with us since it was during nap time and he fell asleep for most of the movie. Addy would snuggle up against me a lot during the movie and I would suggest that she just sit in my lap but she insisted she stay in her own seat. After the movie Addy rode on the merry-go-round. We took some video but you just get dizzy watching it. It was a great family afternoon.

Friday night

The Morse family came over for dinner and a movie. We had to get all the kids down before we could start the movie or at least laying in their beds. We pulled out Addy's extra mattress under her bed just for Matthias and Addy and Anna were in her bed. Anna fell asleep but Addy and Matthias kept talking and laughing. It's always hard to fall asleep somewhere else....at one point Phil went up and told the kids that if they weren't quiet they would have to go home and very quickly the kids responded with "I want to go home". James came down laughing thinking about how Phil was going to get himself out of that.

Story time

We always do story time before the kids afternoon nap and night time. These past two days Andrew has been so tired he has fallen asleep on the couch during the stories. He stayed awake for Thomas the Train but was out by time we finished Tinker Bell.

Eight Years

Over the past few days my mind has been flooded with memories of James and I. Fourteen years ago (according to James) we met for the first time. I actually remember going to a basketball game with my sister when I was in eighth grade to watch a boy she liked and afterwards we went out for pizza and the boys friend was James. I remember so well because James said that he thought I was in high school when I was really only in junior high.

Then three years later with my cool varsity jacket I visited Family Bible for the first time. It was there that we would have long conversations about Christ and our beliefs. I came from a very legalistic background and it was hard for me to understand that there were so many other Christians even if they didn't go to our church or believe everything that I did. For two years I would talk to this guy named James on the phone and we would spend countless hours having our "vault" conversations. I remember working at the Mancinos right next door to Little Ceasers where he worked. After our shifts James and normally a buddy Jerry or Joel would come over to my house. My mom worked nights so they normally stayed until one or two in the morning. I remember always falling asleep because unlike them I had school in the morning.

I remember meeting James' sisters for the first time and thinking that Betsey was a friend of Erin's because she looked nothing like the other Bean kids. I remember meeting the family for the first time out to dinner and it being so awkward I don't think I said anything until I was asked. I remember James taking me on a walk when my girlfriends and I were at their house and he told me that he had feelings for me. I wasn't sure how I felt at the time so I said something lame like "I don't know if I want a boyfriend right now". Then as we continued hanging out I remember sitting on the couch next to him and grabbing his hand as if to say ok...lets try this. We would then have our first date the week after I graduated high school...where we would also have our first kiss. After he kissed me on my dad's porch I once again said something lame like "aren't you glad you got that over with". And then four years later we were married. I really could just go on and on about all of the things we have shared and how we have grown together.

I think about our marriage and how we seem to grow closer and closer each day. I think about how James knows me more than anyone. He knows if my nostrils flare I'm really mad, he knows if I bite my lip like my mom little babies better watch out because I am about to squeeze them. He knows that my love language's are quality time and physical touch. He knows that it takes me awhile to warm up to people, that it is hard for me to hide my emotions (what you see is what you get). He knows that I lack confidence as a Wife and Mother and ALWAYS compliments or lifts me up with encouraging words.

Raising kids with James has been so fulfilling (and they are only 3 1/2 and 1). James has his priorities right. He has been such a good helper and encourager...a teammate. Changing diapers, giving me rest when I need it. The last year as many of you know has been really hard on our family financially. With James loosing two jobs it has been an up and down roller coaster. Each step of the way I never saw James waiver or loose faith. He has always provided for us and made sure his family is taken care of. One of the many things I love about James is how when it comes to family there is no question about time or money. Because in the end it won't matter. So to make that trip when there is no money to pay for gas, to take a vacation (time away) to build memories James will always choose time together. And you know what...God has always provided. I am so thankful for the memories we have and for the memories we are building with our kids. I am thankful for these eight years and the amazing man I have shared them with.

Thank you James for loving me, accepting me, and protecting me. Thank you for making me feel like the only girl in the room. You are my love.

Popcorn in the Fort

Many days during the week we build our fort that takes up most of the living room. We even build a doorway to come in and out as you can see. Sometimes it is hard for Mommy to fit through so I sneak in under a wall. Today we enjoyed popcorn as a snack....it ended up all over the floor. But then Andrew and I were able to vacuum it up.

Time to clean

Andrew has always been fascinated with the vacuum. For his birthday he got a gift card to Toys R Us from the Rudds so we picked this up. Whenever I start to clean he comes and grabs his vacuum and starts to clean himself. He even has the whole forward backward motion down too. Hopefully this will continue because I know any woman would love a man who can clean.

Tasty Twist

Adeline got a very special ice cream cone made by Uncle John himself. John took over ownership of the Ice Cream Shop in downtown Charlotte. I am very proud of this guy and all of his accomplishments. I am also looking forward to free ice cream...if only we didn't have to drive 2 hours to get it.

My Mother's Day

I think that this Mother's Day was probably my best since I have been a Mother. Of course as many of you have read I did get a van...which I love. It was very hard to say good bye to the Jeep but the van is just nice. Now what made this Mother's day so nice was not so much the van but it was being able to spend the entire day with my Mom and sister. We went to church in the morning and then spent the afternoon back at Moms house. James was absolutely wonderful taking care of the kids and giving me time to talk with my family. Mom picked up my Grandma and Aunt Missy (from Arizona) and Candy came over later in the afternoon.
I am thankful for my Mom. In the past few years our relationship has really grown and it feels nice. She is my friend...and I love her.

Here come a bunch of poses. Here we are with Aunt Missy.
Our wonderful sister-in-law Candy

With our Mama!

and her Mama!

Four Generations

My sister an incredibly strong and loving mom

Do you think they look alike?

I love this shot. Candy has been such a great addition we are very blessed to have her in our family.

Cousins

Addy and Michael have a special bond. I love when we/she get to spend time with him. He is such a sweet boy. He is full of energy and has quite the imagination. Thank you for being such a good big cousin Michael....we love you.