Alana Graduates 3rd Grade!

Thank God.

So proud of this little bugger. I can still remember when she got me fat as a cow when I was preg with her, and I can still remember being called to the school when she did something "not fitting a Christian school." Oh for the love. We're normal-not perfect. But I do love her school-it's a good balance of faith, learning, and manners. Our job as parents are to tell her she doesn't have to live to a certain standard of living that the school may put out there-and that it is SO OKAY to be different. And also if someone ever hits her it's ok to kick him or her in the kidneys or balls (if applicable) as hard as she can. Don't judge. But just make sure that you pray before bedtime and talk to Jesus alot. That's what I call (in this fam) a well rounded individual. She also get's me a beer out of the fridge-AND EVEN will take the bottlecap off-and AND use the bottle opener if it's not a twist off. That's what I call a good kid. She also can read really friggin well. Proof:

See? We're not all beer and kidney punching. We do teach our kids, as well as making sure Alana has excellent grades, and excels in her faith.
Also-we are passing down the gift of physical fitness-more proof she is made of amazesauce:

The award I am MOST PROUD of. Dont' judge.

And last BUT certaintly not least: She gets the best award ever. MOST SOCIAL. Because we all know the extroverts are the most successfull in life. Ok I just made that up. But whatever. I like that she ain't scared to talk to anyone (that's not crazy), and will stand up for herself. And she has the loudest voice known to man, with an attitude to match.

What's even more hilarious-Jason had to leave early to go to court. For a speeding ticket. SMH.

Alana, you are my heartsong. I know I will write about you until the day I leave this earth. Until then, be strong, be confident, and be brave. Stay strong in your faith. And in your abilities that you know how to fight. And soon I get to show you how to shoot a gun. Watch out boys.

demi

OK!

Ya'll have been ON MY A$$ to blog so here you go. Almost worse than Norton reminding me every 30 seconds that I need to renew my virus protection. Geez.

I don't even know.

1) I've graduated the Asylum. No it's not a nuthouse. You know, the fitness program I've been boring into your brain for the last month. I posted my stats on my FB "like" page. I'm too lazy to copy and paste here so just go to the facebook page listed on this blog, and you can see the results there in the notes. Not a picture yet though. I got my period the last day of the Asylum (thanks universe) so I'm bloaty and I REFUSE to capture that as my "after" pic. I plan to do the Asylum/P90X hybrid next. So then I will talk about that all the time. Riveting I know.

2) We had a pretty dramatic moment at the Bean household. Isabel (just turned 3) has been 99.99999% potty trained for a good while now. BUT she would wear pullups when we'd go out, or when no one felt like taking her to the potty. (parents of the year over here). Then we decided that enough was enough. We put all the pressure on Alana (our 9 year old) so Isabel wouldn't hate us (the lazy parents), and told her to throw out all the pullups VISIBLY so Isabel could "see" that they were going "bye bye" forever. Talk about a kid going crazy. She threw her flailing body on the floor screaming "NOOOOOOOOO!!! NOT MY PULLUPS!!! PLEASE NO NO NO!!!" And I had to hold that monster back while she kicked me trying to make a bee line for Alana to kill her for throwing out her precious pullups. But, guess what? IT WORKED. We ARE GOOD PARENTS. She wears her Dora panties and loves it and doesn't pee anywhere, not even at night! Whatwhat!! :)

Aaaaaaaaand I had a dream that I was flashmobbed to a Michael Jackson song for my birthday. It was ridiculously awesome. (hint hint J).

moonwalkers,roundup!-Demi

What I do all day...

In case you were dying to know! LOL

630am-wake up, get Alana ready for school, Jason gives Isa her first bottle
7am-drink my herbal tea, followed by my breakfast=Shakeology.
715am-wave Jason and Alana off-they won't be back until much later.
715-845-play time with Isabel
850-9am-2nd bottle for Isabel
9-930-Isabel takes her first nap, usually 2-3 hours
10-11am-I workout while she sleeps, then catch up on emails, and do household cleaning, and/or laundry.
12pm-Isabel's up-she eats lunch
1230pm-put her down on floor to play so momma can eat lunch too.
1-3pm-Play time again, the park, pool, or a stroller ride. Maybe run some errands, or meet up with friends and network. Sometimes we just stay inside if the weather is bad, and I'll network from home while she plays with her toys.
315pm-Alana is back from school.
320pm-Alana gets a snack, and I set her up to do her homework.
330-430pm-Isabel goes down for second nap while Alana goes outside to play.
430-5pm-Isabel wakes up.
530pm-Jason comes home!
530-6pm-Jason plays with Isa and Alana, then does 10 minute trainer, then takes a shower while I watch the kids.
6-7pm-Make and serve dinner
7-8pm-Play time as family
8pm-Alana gets tucked in and goes to bed.
8-9pm-Isabel winds down for the night, has her last bottle.
9-915pm-Isabel goes to bed
915-10pm-Mommy and Daddy time/then bed.

Start over next day!

That's a typical Monday through Friday routine for the Bean Household, variations do occur occasionally, because that's life! I love it!

Week 6 of the +

Well today was the awesome Upper + and abs/core workout-which I absolutely love! Today was different though...I was able to UP the weight almost on every move, it totally shocked me, I was using my 20 lb dumbbells for almost everything, and barely using an assist on the bar (except for the L's and the 7 point pull-up..that thing is CRAZY!). I am definitely noticing a difference in my arms, and especially my back and legs. Pretty much everything! That's what I love about this program. It just SCREAMS results! And let's face it-if you're not getting results-you are not going to stick to a goal or program. The programs with BeachBody are DIFFERENT, so if you are looking to really make a change in yourself, in your health, and maybe financially...then let me know. I LOVE this business, and I can tell you that they really take care of their "peeps." :)

In Him and Health-Demi

P.S. Isabel is ROCKING an awesome sleep routine! She's finally really back into the groove, sleeping from 830ish until 630ish, and taking 2 naps again, finally! And sometimes the naps are 2 hours! Crazy. I gotta say-I am loving this age, she is just so darn funny and cute, and every day she surprises us with something new. She still can't say "mama", but can pretty much say every other consonant, and even says "lana" for Alana of course. All day long, I'm like, "MOMMMMMA!" HAHA.

Alana has gotten an "E" (for behaviour, stands for "excellent") every day this month at school, and we are SO proud of her. She had some bad marks in the past month for talking during class, so she got all that straightened out. She told me she wants to get an E every day until she graduates! Go ahead girl! She is just growing up so quickly, and sometimes she teaches me new things. It's amazing. She loves Jesus so much too, genuinely, which makes us even prouder as parents that we were able to bring her up that way. We went to Barnes and Noble to get a more age appropriate bible for her, and she loves it! She reads to us now, every night, instead of us reading to her. We are truly blessed with our children and our family. Jason is such a good teacher and father, and I thank God for them every day!

Upper Plus..then tonight Abs/Core +..Home

What a great workout! I love this one, it moves quick, gets the job done, and I even had time to shower before Isabel woke up from her nap! I'll have to do core later in the evening when the hubs gets home, but hey, as long as it gets done, it's done!

Homelife is great so far in our townhome!! Everything is FINALLY done and we are already on our new routine, which is so refreshing. I think Isabel is diggin' the beige carpet because it's easy on her crawling little knees! :)

Alana LOVES her new place, her new room, and she has been the BEST helper! She has her own dedicated spot for her homework, and she loves doing it, which is wonderful!

So all in all-Home Life is going great so far! I will def post some pics soon :)

-Love Demi

Getting famous on in the internet...

Well, not really. But I got an email from a video I posted on Youtube, saying that the video has spread to all these other sights, and has almost 300 hits, which isn't alot on youtube, but I was looking at the other sights that this video was on and there was 90 comments on it about how funny it was! I thought it was funny at the time, but apparantly people think it's HALARIOUS. So, in honor of that, here is that short vid again..

Happy Birthday to my little Alana Bean!!!

I remember 7 whole years ago when you were born, such a blessing in my life-you are such a joy, and you bring joy to everyone around you. Mommy and Daddy love you so much!!

P.S. To my friends-a reminder that her birthday party is on Tuesday. We'll send out a text :)

Alana at her first Cheering Game...

Look at her, she's awesome!

I tried to upload the video, but it takes soooo long! Soon my patience will come through this week..:)

Bleeeehh this morning

But waking up to this makes it all worth it!

And a short run won't hurt either in a couple minutes :)

There's a new pic of Alana and Isabel on the right side too if you wanna see.

So last night I had a horrible night of sleep. Every now and then it happens. It was just very surprising because I was so tired when I went to bed. Oh well, maybe a nap later will be in store for us..and then we can start our errands for the day :).

LOVE my job. :)

Last Blog for at least 3 days or so...

Because we will be moving!! Closer to all our friends, so THAT is what I'm so excited about. Expect to see alot more of us, woot woot! LOL.

Here are some pics to tide you over until I'm back online..from Christmas morning. Isabel and Alana were happy as clams. Isabel loved all the gifts from her Nana and Aunt Tanya (thank you! :)) and of course mommy and daddy, gramma and poopa, and her Great Pappy (He got them 2008 MATCHING Christmas Barbies!-I don't know who loved them more, me or the kiddos-haha). Isabel had an especially joyful time ripping off paper than trying to chew on it. I didn't let her do this longer than 2 seconds, for which she got VERY mad at me. The toys were a nice distraction.

Till I write again...Happy New Year! And here is to a great 2009!

Rock Climbing-Alana style

It was her first time! She was so brave. She got up about 6 feet, with ALOT of encouragement from the peanut gallery (us!). Good times.

Gotta love videos.

These make me giggle, and give me warm fuzzies on the insides. Enjoy.


fiiiiive candles briiiight, LOL!
Go tell it on the mountain!!

So much to share

TOP NEWS....

-Isabel is on the healing road! She still has a UTI but nothing shows that it has spread. She still has to get some nasty testing done, but we are faithful that nothing new will show up. Just some (a little!) discomfort.

-Plyometrics totally kicked my ass today. I got up super early at 545 to get the workout done before my daughters' christmas program at her school..well I felt super energetic and I put ALOT of effort into it. I felt good. Then came 2 hours later. I feel so flipping sore..it's very comparible to when I ran the marathon. UUUGH.

-Alana had her 1st Grade Christmas Program today!! It was AWESOME! She did so good, she was wearing her little crown, and she sang her heart out. There is a video (a couple actually) that I am posting. In the one video there is a brief, HALARIOUS solo done by one of Alana's friends. Not knocking on her or anything, but it was funny!

The above photos are from this morning at the show. Poopah came along for the ride too. We had a great time!

Memories...

I found this picture of Alana and I just melted. This was taken at Mosaic when it was just beginning in Charlotte, NC. No one told her to do this..she just felt she should during worship..LOVE HER! Child like faith is such a beautiful thing. I think she was 4 in this photo. Time goes by so quickly!

*you can see Candice and Gil in the background sANging with some intensity there..they're awesome.

Blast from the not so distant past..

From last Halloween. I had to share because we both look really good! We are confident girls! :)

*thanks again for the costume Jess, I promise I will return it! :)

Pics are always fun!

plumbers butt!
beauty
That smile gets me every time
early morning cuteness
The fam rockin' out

Dailies

Today is a pretty "blah" day..overcast skies (though it's not cold at all), and quietness for me in this house since Isabel is taking her nap. Her nap schedule has been all over the place recently. It's gotta be a growth spurt or something. We've recently upped her formula to 7 ounces every 4 hours, with 2 "solid" meals on most days. Some days it's all milk for her, and she doesn't mind it one bit. But gosh, the napping situation, aah! For the most part she will take 2 naps. 1 in the morning, 1 in the afternoon; ranging from 1-2 hours each. Now, it's more like 1 2 hour nap in the am'ish, and then a catnap of like, 20 minutes in the pm. I guess I will just have to adjust to her new schedule, because how are going to force a baby to sleep anyways?? If she's awake and brighteyed, it's out of the crib for her. She sleeps great at night though, which I think is more important anyways, at least for the family! She is an early riser though (5am'ish) so that's a bit exhausting. We've tried to get her to stay up a bit later, but as soon as 7pm rolls around-she's out. No matter where she's at. She can be in her bouncer, and it's like someone hit a switch and just put her to sleep. So, that's just how we roll right now with the infant.

Alana is doing wonderful btw! She is such a great reader now, and she's finally nailing down alphabetical order (that was her weakness-BIGTIME). She always gets in trouble though for talking and "socializing" (as her teacher said), and this doesn't surprise me one bit. She's a social butterfly and is chock full of street smarts. Everyone in her class LOVES her so I know she's the "cool" one in class, and at least I know she's not getting picked on. I was always getting picked on in school when I was her age, and it is not a fun thing to go through. My prayer for Alana ever since she's started school has included "Lord, Please don't let anyone pick on her, ever!" So I guess He is faithful in that promise for me. :)

So enough of the kids and back to P90X! Ha. Today was a rest day, but I did kenpo in the am. I just loooove it. So much fun, I feel like Jennifer Garner kicking someone's ass and who wouldn't like feeling like that. Anyone comes at me, better watch out, you will get a jab, hook, uppercut, and a swift kick to you! HA!

I'm having a hard time with something else..

My parents are taking care of the kiddos today.

Both of them.

That means little 7 month Isabel is going to be gone for 2 DAYS! She's never left my side since she's been born.

I'm used to Alana being gone, I mean, she's almost 7 years old. So it's a bit different. But the baby...God help me today. This weekend I can't let this lose my focus..which is to spend lots of quality time with my hubby. And sleeping in! It will be healthy, and we'll have lots of fun, I know it.

But I'm missing my kids terribly and they just left 15 minutes ago! aaah!

I guess we're doing OK as parents

Today was the last day of school before Alana's Thanksgiving break. Her teacher told her to write down what she was thankful for, and it could be absolutely anything. This is what she wrote (in her spelling, just in case you can't see in photo):

"Thankfulness
I am thankful for Jesus becas he tacs kaer of us and I love Him.
He loves me.
He tacs kaer of the wherld.
I whunt to meet God."

So simple. So pure. She is my little angel!

And of course, a turkey is included!

Thanks

I am thankful for my sweet daughter Alana today. She is so loving, and has the sweetest heart.