just a small town girl...

This random post, and awkward senior picture of me, is brought to you by 'walking beans'...

Have you ever had someone look at you like you are completely nuts when you pull out the phrase 'walking beans'? I have.

To which my co-worker replied, "there is a brand of beans called walking beans?".

No, there isn't. At least as far as I know. What I referring to was walking the bean fields. Ya know, in the days before all those terrible nasty pesticides and stuff were sprayed all over the crop that would someday become our over preserved food. Back then, weeds were pulled by hand and every summer we dreaded walking beans. 

I actually got fired from this job as a kid. I have thing with plants. They scare the heck out of me. So instead of pulling them I would kick them over, this method works great until the next day when all of weeds are standing tall again, and then someone has to walk my rows again. (oops!)

Just a little lesson to a city girl from a farm girl at work today. It was one of those moments that reminded how lucky I was to grow up on the family farm. I wouldn't have had it any other way.

sleepy boys...

Nate and Cooper are just a tad worn out from all of our weekend excitement. 

My sister, Lisa, cousin, Krista, and her husband, Nick, came to visit us this weekend. I LOVE having our family visit. Creating memories with the people you love and care about can help make a house feel more like a home.

Although we didn't do too much, aka the boys went to the Hall of Fame while us girls got our shop on, it was just perfect. I loved having time to catch up and laugh. 

little man...

What a crazy busy fun weekend. And it all started with pictures of this handsome little man.

Meet my youngest cousin, Oliver. 

And what a handsome little fellow he is.

My heart melts for that smile.

And he just kept getting more and more cute. (Didn't think that was possible.)

Future football player.

I wish I could share them all...

but I want to keep some a surprise for his Mommy and Daddy.

almost normal. whatever that is.

I swear I will be back to post again soon. 

As I am positive you all need a fresh dose of Coopie pictures to brighten your days. And you would probably like to know what we've been up too.

The last few weeks have been crazy busy, but after a few nights of sleeping in my own bed I am finally starting to feel somewhat normal.

Cory, Nate's brother, is doing well. We are all so amazed by the progress he is making.

On a side note, my little brother, Andrew, moves into his dorm today. I paused this morning and thought, wow I did that six years ago. Then I paused again and thought, SIX YEARS AGO! Where does time go?!

thank you

Nate and I would like to take a minute and say thank you.

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.

It truly means the world to us.

Please continue to keep Cory in your thoughts as his journey to recovery begins.

our guard dog...

When we first got our 5 lb bound of joy I never expected him to be a guard dog extraordinaire. But that he is.  Even more so when Nate is not home.

This is what my dear Coop did this morning while I took care of some house work.

 He discovered this lovely perch his first night at the house, and loves to watch anything and everything go by.

Oh, and bark like crazy at anything and everything.

 This is Coopzilla cutting me with his eyes, although you can't see them through his bangs, for even daring to ask him to stop.

 But I won and he gave me the silence I asked for.

 He then proceeded to check the back window. It's always important to keep an eye out from every angle.

And after all of that...he was pretty tired.

coop goes swimming

Two weekends ago Coop went swimming for his first time. He did much better than we thought and even came back for more a couple more laps.

We enjoyed our time at our friend's, Scott and Theresa's, house and hope we can get back up there again sometime soon.

 Getting some good splashes in.

 Go, Cooper, go!

  Drying off.

 I wish I would have gotten more photos but I was too busy enjoying the pool.