Baseball and Books

We did it again...we went away and left our Maddie O. behind.  It was much easier this time leaving her.  I think because we were only going to be gone for one night and of course the comfort of knowing that she was in great hands.  This isn't something I want to get used to, leaving Maddie behind.  I don't like doing it at all, not one bit.  Team Bethel isn't complete when we don't have our Maddie Cakes. 

Ryan's birthday was in August.  His gift from Maddie and I was tickets to a Cincinnati Red's game.  Initially I planned on Maddie going with us but Ryan helped me realize that attending a baseball game is not a 10 month old's idea of fun.  I have to admit that while we were at the game I pictured what it would be like if Maddie was with us and concluded that Ryan was right. 

Ryan and I had a great time.  Just the two of us.





I enjoyed our conversations and acting goofy with my hubby.  It was just like old times when we would go to a bar, sit for a while, have a drink and just talk. 

Game time was approaching so we took this boat....



from here.....



to here.....



How cool is that? 



Along the way we saw this....



There ain't no way I would ever park my car this close to the water, while on an incline.

Quack.



A few weeks prior to the game we learned that the Reds and Major League Baseball decided to honor Pete Rose for his record breaking 4,192nd hit of his baseball career.  This made the game even that more exciting for Ryan.





Way to go Pete!



We enjoyed the game, our dogs and the beer.  It was a great night.







Isn't that the truth?

After picking Maddie up, her and I took a walk to the library.





Out of all the books at the library the one Maddie was in love with was a board book, with lift up flaps, written in Spanish.  It was cute.  Had no idea what it was about but it was cute.  So, I improvised and made up my own story.  She loved it all the same.



I couldn't believe the play area in our library.  There were puppets, puzzles, rocking horses, play houses, a train table and books. 





There were several other kids enjoying the play area as well.  Maddie crawled over to a brother and a sister as they were playing with the house.  I was thinking awe how cute Maddie is going to make some friends.  Then the brother pulled his sister away and told her that they needed to play "over here" because "that baby" was messing up their house.  Maddie then crawled over to the train table where two boys were playing.  Before she even made it to the table he stated to me "She can't play here because there aren't enough trains."  Geesh!  The kids in this town are jerks.  It's appalling to me that the moms of these mean heads just sat and watched.  Maddie was just trying to spread her love.  She didn't mind though that no one wanted to play with her because she had a puppet show to put on.



I love this girl!

A Post of Many Pictures

I know it's been awhile but we're still here rockin' and rollin'. I thought I would share pictures and a video that I have watched numerous times and can't get enough of. These were all taken over the past couple of weeks. Enjoy!

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This gal is so in love with her Daddy. It's quite cute to watch. So, I will set the scene for the video. Maddie and I are in the kitchen. I'm making dinner and she is playing. Maddie realizes that she can see Ryan mowing the yard out the window. Check it out....



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We made a second trip to the Children's Museum. We love this place! Madison was all over the place and couldn't get enough of what was around her.



The water table was her favorite this time. We both walked away wet since she realized how fun it is to splash with both hands, palms open.





Maddie's not really a fan of Barbie. I came to this conclusion after she tossed her aside like yesterday's lunch.



Giddy up!



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Our curious little gal is trying to see her mommy behind the camera. This makes picture taking a bit more difficult but it is oh so funny.





There was one question that didn't even cross my mind when we were looking at furniture for Maddie's room. I never thought to ask "Is the paint on this bed non-toxic?" Now I realize that this is a very good question since our child is eating her bed.



So, if the question ever arises and someone asks Maddie "Did you eat paint chips as a kid?" The answer is yes. Yes, she ate paint chips. We are working on a solution to keep our little monster from munching on her bed.

Yes, she has now gained the nickname little monster. Here is a little idea of what we are dealing with now.



It's so hard not to laugh when we see her standing next to the toilet with an "Oops" face. So, we are also working on our parenting skills.

Bye for now!

A Blessed Weekend

Family has always been an important part of our lives. With family there is comfort knowing you have a built in support system, people in which to share laughs and tears. Someone to call when you just need to talk or email when you have some exciting news to share. Or someone to text when you don't really have anything else to do. I realized this weekend how much we need our family in our lives.

We traveled to Atlanta, Georgia for Ryan's cousin's wedding.
Just Ryan and I.
No Maddie.

Oh man, it was tough leaving our little sugar booger behind. It still makes me well up just remembering how hard it was to leave her. I felt as if I was cutting off my right arm and leaving it behind. Yep, it was that hard.

When we first planned this trip we didn't have to think about who would keep our little Maddie O. The choice was simple, my sister would keep our little munchkin. I was going to miss my Maddie O. but I knew that she would be in great hands and was going to be with our family that loves her to pieces.

So, what does a sad Mama do prior to boarding a plane that is taking her away from her daughter. Ummm...she buys $17 worth of candy. Yeah, not on purpose but I guess we should have known that everything is outrageously overpriced in an airport.



That candy sure was tasty though. Oh, and after spending that much on candy we didn't even buy gum for the flight. We were on a sugar high with ears a popping.

Thank goodness for our family and thank goodness for picture phones. My sister kept us posted with our Maddie with numerous text messages and photos. This is what kept us going.....



The weekend was very busy with luncheons, dinners and golf.



We even took a helicopter ride to get an aerial view of the area.



Just kidding this was a miniature diagram set up in the lobby of the Ritz. Looks like were in a plane though, right? Alright, not really.

Moving on to the main event....





The wedding took place at the Ritz Carlton on Reynold's Plantation, which is located about an hour and a half outside of Atlanta. For you country music lovers, this is the same location that Carrie Underwood wed her hockey honey a few weeks ago. To mildly put it the place is freaking gorgeous.





Hmmm, whatcha' thinking about Brent?  171?  Just a guess.

Ryan's Cousin Sean and Aunt Sue entered the ceremony and Aunt Sue was beaming.



The most climatic moment of a wedding is the entrance of the bride. The beginning of the best yet to come from a marriage of two friends.



I love that Jennifer stopped. Her emotions got the best of her and rightfully so because mine got me too. She stopped with her proud Poppa, took a moment, composed herself and continued on to begin her journey.



And the best part of any wedding, the face of the groom once he lays eyes on his bride. Oh, if that doesn't jerk a tear from you, you must be made of stone.





Proof that I'm not the only one who loves to take pictures.



Can I get a copy of that one Charlie?

Then two become one.



We spent a lot of time catching up with Ryan's family that we don't see too often. I enjoyed seeing them again and sharing stories about Madison.



They made us feel so welcomed and loved.





Congratulations Jennifer and Andy! We are so blessed that we were able to spend this day with you. May your marriage be joyous and happy. The best is yet to come.

Lots of love!
-K

Goodbye Friend

There is no way to say this other then simply stating, Marvin is gone.  Yes, you read it correctly, Marvin is gone.  Tears are streaming down my face as I type.  I'm like the little girl who lost her first puppy sitting on the front porch crying.  Only, I'm not little, I'm an adult, Marvin isn't a puppy, he's an adult too and I'm on the couch.  So, maybe it isn't like that at all.  Anyway, we are no longer pet owners.



I acquired Marvin from the breeder when I moved back to Indiana from Florida.  I wanted a pet because I lived on my own and I had never had a pet before.  I told Ryan I was going to get a cat.  He said no cats are stupid.  I guess I would kind of have to agree with him there.  That is when I found my first puppy, Marvin.



I didn't have the first clue as to how to raise a puppy or care for one but I figured it out.  Marvin quickly grew into a loving dog.  He was the best cuddle pup around.  He loved taking naps and we were always impressed by his ability at finding the most comfortable spot in the house. 





The tough decision to get rid of Marvin was made because Marvin shed.  He shed a lot.  This had always been a problem for me.  Had I known anything about dogs I wouldn't have gotten a dog that shed so profusely.  However, I did and I fell in love with a shedder.  I put up with it for 6 1/2 years because Marvin was my baby.  Only now my other baby is crawling and is acquiring fur when she should not have fur.  We wanted Maddie to be able to crawl around in her own home.  The decision was tough and took many months for us to finally act on it but it is for the best.



Marvin was my first dog and I'm really going to miss.  We are all going to miss him.  Goodbye friend.  I love you!