Beeler Family Photos

We took these pictures of my husband's side of the family almost a week ago. I didn't think to post them because I had agreed to give them to the family on CD's, so I knew they didn't need to review them online. But I thought I might like to have them on here and that you might like to take a gander... 

(some photos courtesy of Kathy Weiwel)

Need Your Help

Okay, I'm not dead set but I'm pretty dead set that I love this birthday outfit (with a #1 or an N on it)!


















I DID NOT think I'd be this mom...this party planning birthday bash mom. I mean I (secretly) made a little bit of fun of my sister when she went all out for birthday parties.
But gee, she's only going to be 1 once. I totally get it now.

Anyhow, I don't know who's worse--me or her dad. I thought this outfit was a little high priced ($40) but it is custom made. However, I'm tight as bark on a tree so paying that much for any outfit (including for myself) is something I've never done. Mike said, "that's high?" Shoulda just charged it before he was any the wiser!

But then I think about my princess prancing (okay, toddling) around in it on her first birthday and my heart melts. And I think, $40? What's $40? (and I remember it's 2 cases of diapers...maybe I should tell her she can have the outfit if she potty trains by her birthday!)

So IF I decide to get it here's the next dilemma--I have all of these fabric choices to choose from (click link below). AHHH!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/noodlesandmilk/sets/72157618502704528/

So, please...help a woman out and take a gander at these sweet fabric choices. If you click on the small picture of one that you like it'll give you the fabric number. Comment and tell me your pick.

Or better yet...make me an offer. I'll pay you $20 to make it and let you use my baby as your model for your new in home business. Come on, you know you want to...

Do You Know What This Is?

THIS is not just a plate of cookies.

THIS is a plate of love discovered in my diaper bag on Thursday evening.
Made by our new DEAR baby sitter, because she "loves and appreciates our family."

Have I told you the baby sitter saga? About how we had to switch sitters because ours unexpectedly moved? How 1 week before school started we still hadn't found anyone? And how I spent hours on my knees begging God to show me a way to be a stay at home mom? Only to have Him send us Lora Jean...because, as always, He knows best. And how He sent me back to work but blessed our lives tremendously in the form of this woman and her husband...

A woman who sings Jesus Loves Me to our little girl when she's not quite tired yet.
A woman who does little things like buy a swing and hang it from a tree and then take our sweetie out almost everyday to "breathe in some fresh air."
A woman who gives us a bushel of pears because "she had too many" so now we have canned pears at our house too.
A woman who deals with my neurotic, overprotective mommy behavior daily--who didn't laugh in my face when I gave her the not 5 but 6 pages of notes on the first day she kept Natalee, including a full page of almost 20 emergency contact numbers and a print-out for baby CPR. Instead she said, "I bet I'll find this very handy in the next few days," and over the weekend she read it cover to cover.
A woman who has let us invade her house with jumping toys, a pack-n-play, blankies, bibs, bottles, and the like.
A woman who keeps a back-and-forth journal and writes what Natalee eats, how long she naps, and fun things she did throughout the day so I don't feel like such a horrible mommy for working full time.
A woman who has led her husband to fall in love with the blue-eyed blond baby who invades his home weekly...which has resulted in Natalee getting a mid-morning play-mate of Mr. Dean after breakfast and before his chores.
A woman who asked me first, out of consideration of my feelings, if it would be okay to take in another baby girl part-time.
A woman who feeds our girl down home cooking--everyday, twice a day.
A woman who doesn't try to take the place of anyone--she doesn't try to be a mommy, an auntie, or a grandma to Natalee...she doesn't try to invade "my" territory. She loves her position in Natalee's life and thanks us (can you believe it?...thanks she thanks us) for getting the opportunity to share in Natalee's growth!
A woman so humble, so full of Christ, so full of love...

And so, even through a rough and tumble week, we thank you, Lord, for bringing us our Lora Jean. We pray that you will wrap your arms around her and Dean and bless them as they have blessed us. And Lord God, we thank you that you have put our hearts at peace while we are away during the day striving to work for You & turn our jobs into our ministries--providing for more of your children.

Circus Shmircus

So the circus came to town. Crazy huh? Who would have thought that our tiny town of 700 would attract a circus? But they did, and I love the circus so we decided to go. Teachers and their kids got in free so we just had to pay for Mike. $14 to support an attraction that actually cared to come to our town...we thought it was worth it!

Andrea & the kids came to eat with us so we all drove to the bank, parked, and walked over because we didn't know how parking would be. We got in, got settled...Natalee was a little fussy but took her paci and was content to look around.

I just knew she'd love the lights and sparkles---the whole magical atmosphere.



WRONG-O.

This was probably one of the most frustrating nights of my short 10 months of parenting (I know...more frustrating nights to come). She didn't just fuss...she screamed. We were there for probably 30 minutes and for 20 of it she whined which turned into a blown out full tantrum. Now, I'm of the "we're here, we're staying" mindset but how do you interrupt everyone around you & their good time? It was the loud clapping and cheering that set her off and it spiraled from there. I can't even make excuses for her because she's not tired/hungry/sick. She's happy as a clam playing on the living room floor.

After wrestling her for several minutes and passing her from Nannie to Mike to I, I grabbed the blanket I had brought & walked outside the tent so I could hear & kinda see but we weren't "in"side. Not good enough. Nope--she screamed until I was 3 blocks away and you couldn't hear any of the noise anymore. Let me describe this scream--it's the choking, gasping, I might throw up or hyperventilate scream. She also does it when we vacuum. When we walked to the circus Mike carried her in the backpack carrier which was great. But I'd walked out without it and wasn't about to go back in so there I was toting a screaming child who is terrified of the circus.

I think the reason I was so frustrated is because I secretly have a fascination for the circus. I love them. I think it's awesome that they came to perform for us no matter how small it was & I wanted us to enjoy it as a family. My bubble world got crushed.

When I pulled the van back around so Mike could come out and load our stuff so he wouldn't have to carry it back later he offered to take Natalee home so I could stay. I know he wouldn't have minded, truly, and he knows how I love a good circus. But I was so frustrated with myself for dragging Natalee and with Natalee for not loving it like I thought she would that I turned him down. After that scenario I wouldn't have enjoyed myself anyways. Dumb to get so upset about a little circus...I know it's a stage & she'll grow out of it...I think it's just when you have your sights set so high and they topple down on you that it's hard and a little embarrassing to swallow.

So there you have it folks. The circus came to town and at least I can say we went. It was lovely from what I saw & all the children around me were having a blast. Natalee did look cute...
but cute looks just sometimes don't swing a good time. I love her...I do...and I'll teach her to love the circus, too!

Happy Wednesday

Don't you try to tell me that you've seen something cuter than a chubby baby in an Old Navy wind suit on a chilly fall morning.

9-29-09

Nope, you can't convince me!
She's the cutest thing I'VE ever seen!

Happy Wednesday folks!

Congratulations, Mr & Mrs Robinson!

What a beautiful weekend for a wedding! My oldest, dearest friend got married this weekend and I was privileged to stand beside her and be her matron of honor. It was a beautiful wedding & I could probably write pages about the whole weekend but we all know that pictures are more priceless than words. My pictures aren't the best quality--Mike was back in the sound board running the equipment so he did what little he could. In a couple of weeks the professional photographers will have their pictures uploaded online--if you would like the password to view them let me know and I will pass it along!

The fellas

All the pretty ladies...
Mr & Mrs Robinson

Me & my best gal

dancin' the night away

Sharing the last dance of the evening...

A Review In Pictures (and Video)...

I promise I'm here but golly have we been busy lately! My dearest friend was married this weekend and so the last week has been busy preparation for the big day! Natalee is growing in leaps and bounds and jumps and hops!

She's learned to pull herself up! She can do it quite adeptly in her crib and is getting braver around the house! She's taken a couple of tumbles and mom & dad are learning to let her find her wings a little!

9-20-09

My uncle Henry & aunt Julie (and their boys) gave us their old wooden swingset. We have another swingset that has a broken apendage that we haven't been able to fix so I think we're going to take the clubhouse off of it and attach it to this one to make a double slide swingset! Anyhow, we spend time almost everyday after school swinging--Natalee loves it!
9-22-09


We took some time a couple weekends ago when I took Colby's birthday pictures to take some new trio pictures...
It was a little sunny outside but cute nonetheless! I'll admit that Natalee was in full stinker mode during these pictures! She was bribed with cheerios in between shots!

9-19-09


This week we are recovering from the wedding weekend. Natalee spent her first night away from mama--she stayed with Grandma Cindy & Papa Curtis Saturday night. They assured me she was wonderful & well behaved. I'm positive she was spoiled rotten and loved on lots! Thanks to all the family who pitched in with our little miser this weekend so that we could cater to the bride & groom! I'm so thankful she has so many people who love her!

9-28-09

wedding pictures to come...

A Boy Called Colby

I had the privilege of taking some pictures for my nephew's birthday this weekend...

I'd forgotten how fun and sweet he can be!

Here's a taste...

For the rest go HERE!

Okay family...pick your poison! I'm ready to order Natalee's 9 month pictures!

This One's for the Girls!

Natalee's has 2 aunties that can't come home to visit her this weekend so here are some pictures to get you both through! I take a picture of her every morning before we leave the house for the day, because I'm neurotic like that! Here are just a few from the last three days...

Wednesday

Thursday

And this morning!
She's the proud owner of a new 5TH tooth that she got yesterday.
On top in the middle on the left as you are looking at her.

Natalee had a nine month wellness check-up this week & I talked to the doctor about the fact that when she stands she always turns her right foot out. In fact her whole leg is turned to the right. So for now, to help her correct it, we're trying high-topped shoes. Hard to find in this day and age--I mean, it's not the '80s anymore. I had the pink hiking boots and they work pretty well. Last night I bought the UGLIEST shoes Wal-Mart had because they were the highest topped but they still don't come up over her ankle like I'd like so we're still on a hunt. Might be heading out to look this weekend and see what we can come up with! Anyhow, that's why she's wearing socks & shoes in all these pictures even though it's been 80 degrees out and she hasn't worn them all summer. She doesn't really seem to mind & likes the loud clunk they make at home when she kicks her legs on the hardwood floors!
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Love you Aunt Kea & Aunt Lorn Lorn!