Bentley in my bed...

A couple weeks ago, it was about 4am and I woke up to the pitter patter of little running feet. Because Eden has always been hooked up with her trach machines, she has never wondered out of her bed. Until very recently, we have never had a child roaming around the house in the night, or coming into our room first thing in the morning. Many parents I know have complained about having a child waking them up, or climbing into their bed. Because I couldn't have it, I always imagined it to be such a sweet experience, one I knew that I wouldn't take for granted.

So because Eden is still basically connected to her bed, I knew the sound of those little feet had to be Bentley's. I stayed very still, acting as if I was still asleep to see what he would do. He quietly walked over to my side of the bed and stood beside me whispering so quietly, "Oh, mommy's still sleeping. I'll be quiet, mommy's still sleeping." He then proceeded to lay on the floor by my bed for a minute, rolling around as if he was trying to get comfortable. A couple minutes later I heard him walking away and then there was tugging on the blanket from the other side of the bed as he was trying to climb up on Brad's side. Brad was out of town for work and Bentley must have seen that there was a big empty space in the bed. So while still mumbling very quietly to himself, he climbed on into the bed and started arranging the pillows and getting comfortable. While still whispering and basically narrating everything he was doing, he worked his way under the covers. As he was getting under the blanket, it pulled down off of me so he began pulling it back up over my shoulders and whispering, "mommy's sleeping. Here's the blanket. Shhhh... be quiet. etc." At this point, it was incredibly hard to keep still and quiet. I was trying not to laugh, and also loving this little moment more than I can describe. It was taking every ounce of self control I could muster to not grab him and start smothering him in hugs and kisses.

After he got daddy's pillows all arranged, and both of us tucked under the blanket, he snuggled right up next to me and I put my arm around him and pulled him close. He said, "I love you mommy, night night" and we both went back to sleep incredibly happy and feeling so blessed. I love this boy so much and these precious moments that I have to reflect just how amazing my life is.

Family Time

Playing "Don't Eat Pete" with grandma. This game stresses Eden out so bad.

Mud Pit! It's pretty obvious why all the kids love to go to grandma and grandpa's house.

Eden was very happy about being tall enough to peek in at the baby birds.

It was very sad saying goodbye to Michael, Jesse and their kids when they moved to Utah. Eden especially was really sad that Kadence and Sophie moved away. They were so cute saying their goodbyes though.

We love living near family! It's the best.

NMFN Top 100

Brad's a stud. He sent me these picture messages while he was in Milwaukee for annual meeting, just casually telling me that his name is on both lists. Top 100 for attaining new clients, and top 100 for writing life insurance policies.

He works incredibly hard, he studies hard, he is passionate about what he does, he loves helping people achieve their financial goals and he is darn good at it. His hard work is definitely paying off and he deserves huge applause. I love you Brad and am so proud of you.

Warm Summer Rain

It's monsoon season right now so we have been getting some pretty decent rain storms lately. The kids love playing out there and splashing in the big puddles.

Brad, Olivia and I open the front windows and sit there on the couch enjoying the storms too and watching them play without having to get wet. It's lots of fun.

Bentley's first time at the dentist

Bentley got his first cleaning at the dentist and he did awesome! The hygienist had lots of fun with him and was able to do a complete cleaning - spinning toothbrush, water squirter and all. He was so cooperative and adorable.

And Eden, as usual, was a champ as well. She actually really looks forward to going to the dentist and talks regularly about wanting her teeth to fall out quickly so the tooth fairy will come.

Turtles! We now have 6

Because our turtle pet collection is increasing rapidly, we thought it would be fun (and necessary) to start marking them so we can tell them apart. Nail polish is the branding tool of choice.

Check out the arch of his neck! He is trying desperately to eat our flesh. This one is named Grumpy, and yes - he was given that name because he completely deserves it. Watch out!

So we now have Beauty, Beast, Anna, Kristoff, Grumpy and Snow White.

Olivia - Ears Pierced and her first tooth!!

Say what??!! My four month old baby has a tooth already?! Yes, it was quite a shocking discovery. She always has her hands or fingers in her mouth, and she loved taking mine to her mouth and gnawing on them too. The thought of teething crossed my mind, but I figured she was still way too young, but apparently not! She has one little tooth that has completely broken through on the bottom. It looks like a second one might not be too far away. Crazy!

She also got some fancy new earrings. I debated for months whether or not I'd do it, and the kids and I were at the mall play place when I just decided at the last minute to get it done. She literally cried for about two seconds (way less than getting shots) and I hadn't even finished getting out of the booth and back to my stroller and stuff before she was already smiling and chatting again. She got little flowers, just like Eden when her's were pierced. She's a beauty!