Soccer Girl

So this isn't a very good picture (none of them came out very good) but I wanted to post Gabby's latest interest. She tried ballet last spring and talked about soccer all fall so when an opportunity came up through her preschool, we couldn't pass up the opportunity. Every Saturday morning, until March, Gabby is participating in lessons in soccer fundmentals. For the first 30 minutes they are learning all the skills to soccer and then they scrimage for the last half hour. This has been something that Brad has taken an active part in getting her prepared with shoes, socks, shin guards, etc....it's been fun to watch them get ready for it. When we went to Dick's Sporting Goods to get her stuff a couple of weeks ago, we were all getting out of the car to go in and I was informed, by Gabby, that this was something that just her and daddy were going to do. Carson and I weren't even allowed to enter the store so we trudged off to the pet store and then on the furniture store to kill time. When we met back up, she was so proud of her pink shin guards and was pumped to get started. Gabby has very much enjoyed playing soccer and it gives us a chance to see some of the kids that she attends preschool with as well as meet their parents. I must say, mommy an daddy are so proud of her!

First Haircut

I took some training last fall from Brad's stepmom (she is a hair stylist) in how to cut Brad's hair in order for us to save some money. Just before Christmas, I was cutting Brad's hair and Carson thought he should partake in the fun. I was not overly excited about this as I knew a haircut would make him look older but he insisted on sitting in the chair and having the cape put on so I fulfilled his desires and pretended as if I was cutting his hair. Well, he outsmarted me and somehow knew I had not actually used the scissors so I went through with it and trimmed his cute little locks in the back ever so slightly. It was so funny because he thought he was so cool to have had his hair cut. He just had his hair trimmed again this weekend as his curls had had gone straight due to all the weight on them. This time, he wasn't quite so willing to cooperate but we all survived!

A different kind of Bond!

After one gets married, it seems as if the "wooing" stops and then you are "newly weds." While this is fun, one thing eventually leads to another and you start having children. (If anyone needs an explanation of this, please ask Brad!) When you enter children into your lives, it is as if your life is suddenly lived on fast forward and the only time you ever get to see or talk to each other is after the kids are in bed and that's ONLY if you have the energy and you have all other responsibilities taken care of. Then, there comes a day when you suddenly realize that you live in the same house and hardly ever speak because you become so desperate for your own "me" time and that may consist of simply going to bed, blogging or watching sports...if you're Brad. The uninterrupted silence is just irresistable!

So by now you're wondering where I am going with all of this.....well, here it comes! Brad got a Wii for Christmas and I must say, I think I have enjoyed playing just as much if not more than he does! That's right! When the kids go to bed, it's Wii time for mommy and daddy! I think there have been 2 nights since Christmas that we have not played. My favorite is Mariokart. For the A.U. girls of Park Avenue or friends of us, I have many a time been reminded of my college days in that house when we could walk in the door and almost always find someone playing Mariokart. We would drop our bags at the door and wait for our turn.

Brad and I have also enjoyed playing bowling and tennis! It's been a lot of fun as we have found a way to start interacting again and it sometimes leads to really good discussion about something that may have happened during the day or things we hope to accomplish in the future. So for all you ladies out there telling your husbands, "NO WII!" Go for it, you may just find that you like it too!

Happy Birthday to the World's Best

Yesterday was Brad's birthday. While it wasn't a "big" milestone birthday, it was still a day to celebrate him coming into the world and the wonderful man he is to me as well as his children and the rest of the family. I surprised Brad by showing up at his work with a Subway party tray for us and his coworkers and a cake. Now, you must realize, if Brad senses anything may be up, he will "nose" his way around until he finds out what's going on. The other disadvantage is that there have been times that I have told on myself so I had to be very careful not to ruin the surprise. On top of this, I had to make sure MY MOM didn't squeal. Sorry mom, but you know I'm right! I wanted to get him good! So this meant even though I made a zillion trips to the store for things during Christmas, I couldn't get anything for his birthday because he would have found out. So the kids and I packed up in the car at 10:15 and made the trek 50 minutes north in order to pick up food and supplies and be at the office in time for lunch at noon. I giggled to myself as I drove because I knew I had done good at keeping the secret and I couldn't wait to see his face.

While shopping at the Dollar Store, my phone rings. I see it's Brad and ignore the call. I later text him and tell him I'm busy with the kids and will call him soon but instead show up at his office. It went off without a hitch! Sweet Success! I don't know what was better, the look on his face or me knowing I actually pulled it off! It was so much fun!

In closing, I just want to say that I am so lucky to have the husband I have. I am living my dream and have married up! He makes me want to be a better person! Thank you, Brad for being your own person and being the wonderful dad and husband that you are! I love you and am so grateful for January 5, 1978!

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Is it really 2009? Ever since Y2K, I find myself thinking about how crazy that whole year before was. People claiming crazy things and everyone half panicked not really sure why! Too funny!

2008 was not a good year for us as a country but it was a great year for the Beeman Family. We were blessed with good health and not much negative drama. As I look back at the year, I am amazed at what has gone on. Gabby started preschool in September. She absolutely loves it and I thing we're both ready for her to return. She is not just a little girl anymore. She is growing into a person with her own likes/dislikes, interests and passions. She is so compassionate toward not only her daddy and I but also her brother who tries to bite or scratch her on a daily basis. Our latest advice to Gabby is to just bite Carson back. I don't know if that would be considered "intelligent" advice but it's our last resort and I really think it may work but I noticed tonight that as frustrated as she gets with him, she just can't bring herself to bite him back and I think it's because she knows it's going to hurt him if she does. She is the typical "big sister" to him. She can say anything she wants about him but she's also the first to defend him too. I love that about her. I know that she will protect him if I can't.
Gabby took on an interest in Barbie Dolls this past summer and now, thanks to Christmas has an entire family of them including, a house for them and a VW Beatle for them to drive around in. It's been great to watch her use her imagination in playing with them. I feel like I walk down memory lane every time I watch her play with those and her "My Pretty Ponies." She is a smart girl and I think Brad and I are both excited to see what she does as she grows.

Carson of course is almost 2! Wow! My baby is going to be 2 soon! While he's not really talking yet, let me tell you...he gets his point across. He is starting to say a few words and it's fun to watch Gabby interact with him and coax him into trying new words. He is my physical child. There is no point too high for him to reach. He's my climber and not afraid of anything. Most nights, I can find him perched up on my island counter watching me cook. He is no doubt 100% boy! Rougher on toys and louder, although Gabby is more than happy to compete with him when it comes to volume! I don't know what we're going to do when they're both talking. Brad and I joke about getting sound proof glass put in the car so we can just roll up the window on them when we're done listening. While Carson used to be so much of a mama's boy, he is finding that time with daddy is just as precious. There are very few times now that Brad can slip out of the house to run errands without Carson grabbing his shoes and taking them to Brad to have them put on so he can go too! He loves wrestling with Brad and Gabby every night after dinner and he's not afraid to get in the middle of all of it.

Brad has had a great year with his insurance business. While the economy has gone from bad to worse, there were many days in '08 that I thanked God Brad had a job that was secure for him and people depended on what he sold. I heard once that you can't go wrong if you're selling a cosumable product and I believe that's true but insurance is a must too!!! Brad is very hard working and loves what he does. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for us as he expands his business. We dream of one day taking vacations and donating to people in need and it will all soon be a reality....I have all the faith in the world that it will be very soon!

As a mom, we often put everything we have into our families day in and day out! By the end of the day, it's hard to even sit and enjoy the peace and quiet that envelopes you because you're already thinking about what you have to do the next day or worrying about the child that is sick and may need your assistance in the middle of the night. Some days are an absolute blur and you start to wonder if life would be easier if you worked full time and hired everything you do to be done for you. For me, even though I DO have those kinds of days, it's the small voice that I hear praying every night before she is tucked into bed or that same voice that says, "Mommy, I need to tell you something....I love you!" It's also the little boy that grins and runs from me everytime he knows he's in trouble that makes it all worth it. I wouldn't want anyone else to be catching those phrases or smiles and that is why I do what I do.

We have friends, family and people that we know of through friends who have had heartaches this year whether it be loss of jobs, loss of children, illness, the list goes on and on. I found myself coming before God ALOT this past year, asking why and praying for his will to be done but also wanting MY will to be done and not understanding why it wasn't. Although I don't always understand WHAT God's plan is in our lives, I know He has one for each and everyone of us and so if we can take that and have faith that he will guide us, his light will see us through. I look for 2009 to be a great year and hope it's a great year for you as well!