Embrace Simplicity

2.12.2015

On Sleep.

A real question I ask myself daily..

Do other people spend 7-14 Hours a week putting their children to sleep?

I'm not complaining..

Maybe I am.

Truth is, I am tired. Possibly exhausted, with our bedtime routine.

Every night is a 1 to 2 hour routine.

I am positive we try everything.

Abe hates sleep. He's tired, but he doesn't want to miss a beat!

He hides yawns!

Yep, hides them. I thought only adults did that.

Nope.. he is almost a year and a half old and he hides yawns.

We try baths before bed… We always read stories before bed.

We rock, We stand, We bounce, We hum, We sing, We pray..

I have gotten so desperate for sleep that I have crawled in his crib before..

Ben usually has an easier time than I do putting him to bed.

For example, this past weekend.. it took him 10 minutes and Abe is out.

I need encouragement.. Also patience. So often I forget to be patient with bedtime.

I know this is a "season"… and someday he won't need me to rock him to sleep..

I want so badly to live in the moment… To embrace all these snuggles and cuddles I get.

But instead of EMBRACING, I am letting it frustrate me.

What are your bedtime routines? What works best in your house? And what doesn't work?

Leave your responses below or on my Facebook post!

Thanks to all.

--Momma Bee

1.28.2015

A home away from home.

It's tough living a far distance from my parents.

We have such a bond with each other. A great connection.

Which in my personal opinion -- having this awesome relationship with them makes it even harder to be apart from each other.

Plenty of people live in a different state than their parents.

It still doesn't make it any easier for ME.

I call my mom daily, and FaceTime with my dad often as well.

They tell me what their plans are for the day or the week..

Driving here, Dinner there, picking the kids (younger cousins) up from the bus, having a get together with my aunts, uncles, cousins… etc.

I get jealous. Not just a little.

A lot.

Why are they there? I want them to be here.

With me. With Abe. Watching him grow.

Having dinner with me.

I miss them so much that my heart aches just typing this.

Then I re-read a letter my mom wrote me when I left their house a couple weeks ago..

They are there for a purpose..

Although we may not know the purpose yet, God does.

And I just have to trust that.

For now we will just enjoy every second that we DO get to spend together.

Every visit, here or there.

Every phone call.

Every single FaceTime.

I love them. And they love me.

I cannot wait to be reunited again.. this summer!!

1.26.2015

The Ring

He said.. I wanna spend the rest of forever with you.

Hallelu.

Newly engaged. Feels great. Everything feels new. Honestly I didn't think it would feel different,

dating vs. engagement.

But it is.

We were already a team. (A parenting team // Bf Gf Team).

But now we have both decided to make a commitment to each other and our family.

I feel like I look at him differently. A new kind of respect.

We're still our normal selves.. there is just something exciting in the air.

So I guess it's normal for everyone to ask "When are you getting married?" and "Am I invited"…

But really? I have no clue. Neither does Ben.

I could say next year, and of course you're invited ..

but realistically I am unsure.

I do not know when we are getting married. I do not know if you are invited. I do not have the dress picked out. Nor do I know if we are getting married here.

And that is okay. We are going to enjoy this exciting time.

This year we will focus on each other. We will focus on Abe. We will focus on our families. We will enjoy concerts together this year. We will enjoy at least one vacation together this year. And We will enjoy using the word fiancé.

{Okay.. maybe just I will.}

But the point is, we will not be focusing on planning a wedding this year.

Just us.

We were first friends.

Then lovers.

Gave ourselves the official "titles".

Made a beautiful love child.

Became best friends.

And now we are ENGAGED.

Thank you all for your well wishes and loving support.

We love and appreciate you all.

11.12.2014

Blogging to Blog

I have refrained from frequent blogging. (Obviously. I have a total of 8 posts.)

I just do not want to become one of those "Blogging to Blog" People.

In other words: [[My everyday life is not of importance to everyone I know]]

I want this to be an outlet, however..

So i have decided… 1-3 blogs a month would work well for me.

With tons of photos of course, because I take thousands.

I want to have this to share with Abe someday, to share with my friends, family, and mommy friends. Especially those who I do not get to connect with weekly// monthly.

A "catch up"// "update".

SO.. It is already November.

November.

Wow. And snow is currently on the ground.

Barf.

Don't get me wrong, I love snow.. Just feel like it is a month too early!

Abram is almost 14 months old.

Pretty sure he just turned One year old 2 hours ago..

Oh My Heart.

ALOT of Recap// Catch up from SEPT-Now..

Abram had his first real illness.

Possibly HFM, or a Strain of Strep..

Poor buddy was miserable for over a week.

Mom and Dad were too.

Lots of snuggles and kisses were had.

Glad to be done with that one…

Mommas out there with sickie babes.. I feel ya! Sleep is coming your way soon, just remember PATIENCE! It's tough stuff, but always remember-- they are babies and RELY on us for comfort/ support/ love.

If you're feeling frustrated/ annoyed/ sleep deprived- jump in the shower, have a cup of coffee, and get your CRAP together. ;)

Sickie. Momma Snuggles.

Abe a week later. Praise Jesus!

Gerard made a last minute trip up to see us for a weekend last month. I love every second I get to spend with this guy. Can't believe he is a Junior in college. Or how amazing of a person he is // continues to become. There are no words for the love I have for you bud.

No words.

Uncle Lovin'.

My long-time BFF/ Sister visited MN last month.

We are all spoiled because we get to see her multiple times a year since her move to LA.

We love being blessed with your presence Chelsey girl.

Can you taste the chaos is this pix?!? Out. Of. Control.

While Chelsey was here we had "Girl's night out"

I think I have gone out to Bar twice since I had Abe. (Which is PLENTY for me!)

We all had quite the fun evening- as our night ended with a Taxi, Tacos, and Netflix.

The month of PUMPKINS!

Abe, Ben, and I went to Sekapp's Orchard this year for our pumpkin picking.

We snapped a few photos but mainly we were chasing Abe around.

He wanted to touch/ climb/ eat every single pumpkin we saw.

Typical Toddler. (Did I just say Toddler?!)

My Lovey Babe.

Daddy and Abe. OMH

Abe: "Over it.. No more photos mom."

Speaking of Pumpkins ..

We went to The Bowman's Annual Pumpkin Party again this year.

We had a blast. And Abe is now ready for his own tractor!!

I did say there was ALOT of Recap, right?

Ben and I went to two concerts in October. We went with our good friends, Aric and Tresa. Had so much fun!! First was Pearl Jam. WOW. They were amazing live! Full House// Sold out Crowd! Definitely a highlight of this fall season!

Second concert was The Black Keys. They were awesome to see live as well!

Ben, Aric, Tresa, and I all went to the Soap Factory Haunted basement before hand.. Kind of Creepy!! But not nearly as bad as Tresa and I built it up to be.

Fun times with great friends!