Talking 'Bout My Generation

I came across this article this morning and thought that it was very interesting. It is about the Millennial Generation, those born after 1980, and how we might actually be able to accomplish something in the future! Which is refreshing since I'm used to hearing how lazy, unmotivated we are since we all live in our parents basements... or something like that.

The author write about how open-minded we are as a generation and that while our parents may have said they embraced diversity, we are even more so. That we form bonds and friendships with those how are "different" from us naturally and don't generally associate ourselves with one identifier like black or Jewish or Israeli.

One point that I wish she had made, but I guess wouldn't really have fit into the article, is about why we are lazy, unmotivated, etc. as some people claim. For many in our generation those qualities may ring true. But how did we become that way? I don't think that for most of us it was all our own doing. Those complaining about how we're lazy and unmotivated are the ones who bought us every toy/movie/video game we wanted. They're the people who told us we were special and amazing and did a great job even when we completely bombed. Yes we are partially to blame, but I always feel as if those who are complaining about our generation's bad habits are probably the ones who gave them to us, our parents. Now I'm not singling out any specific parents and I think that mine did an excellent job if I do say so myself. But I think that those pointing the fingers at their "lazy" offspring should look at what they did to raise them that way. We are definitely a product of our upbringing.

*gets off soapbox*

A day in the life

My day is best summed up in two quotes.

"You never write the date down wrong... I can't believe you wrote the date down wrong."

"Is this real life?"

I am Grateful for... my niece

Sorry this post is a little late, I spent the weekend visiting the best little niece in the world. I am so so so very grateful for her. She truly is a beautiful blessing from God!!

This weekend was her dedication at Big Sis and BIL's church. So Momma, Daddy and I went out for a visit. It was a very short trip, but it was so good to see them again!! Lil E is getting soooooooooooo big!

We spent Saturday morning holding Lil E, staring at her, watching her sleep. Passing her around between Momma, Daddy and I. :) I got to hold her for about 40 minutes while she napped and Momma and Daddy checked into the hotel. It was so peaceful. I could watch her sleep for hours. I always thought that was weird when parents said they did that, but I totally could!! I love when after I hold Lil E, my arms smell like that beautiful, clean baby smell. :) I also never got when people talked about baby smell, but it is so yummy and sweet :)

That afternoon BIL's dad and step-mom came into town and we had to share Lil E cuddle time with them, but that was OK. We all went to dinner, which was delicious. When Lil E started getting fussy, when I held her she quieted right down and fell asleep. I am definitely the Emma whisperer :) The same thing happened after church today. She started getting fussy. Grandma (Momma) held her and she was still fussing, but when I held her she quieted right down. Too bad for Big Sis I'm not around more often :)

The ceremony today was really nice and very personal. It was basically a ceremony saying that Big Sis and BIL will raise Lil E as a Christian and that they have dedicated her life to God. Afterwards we took a bunch of pictures and then we had to hit the road :( It was sad to say good-bye cause we're not sure when we'll see them next... But we got lots of good pics and memories.

The Day I Got A Brother

One year ago today, Big Sis and BIL got married. It was such an exciting happy day for our family. I remember not being able to keep a huge smile off my face throughout the entire ceremony. It was such a beautiful and exciting day. Big Sis looked beautiful!!! And we were so glad to add a brother to our family. Here are some of my fav. pics of the day.

Bridesmaids' bouquets. The Bride carried the couple's Bible with a calla lily tied on with a ribbon.

Lil Sis and I. Aka the best bridesmaids ever!

My sister is gorgeous!!

The bride and our cousin, the Ring Bearer. So cute!

And his sister, the adorable flower girl!!

Big Sis and Momma. Beautiful!

Sisters!!

Me walkin' down the aisle.

My cutie pie cousins, who moments before (unbeknownst to us at the time) were having a shoving match as the bridesmaids walked down the aisle :)

The Beautiful Bride walking down the aisle with Daddy.

The wedding party during the ceremony.

Evidence that I was smiling big all day. (Click on the pic to make it bigger) Look at the other Bridesmaids' faces, look at mine (you can see my teeth ;) while I try to awkwardly hold two bouquets... because that's the kind of bridesmaid I am.

Such a beautiful, happy couple!

Mr. and Mrs. R!!

Lil Sis and I always share everything, even a groomsman!

Momma's side of the family... it's hard to get this many people to smile at once...

My absolute favorite picture of the day!!!

The whole Bean Family!

Tables at the reception.

Lil Sis and her boyfriend.

I brought my lil cousin/the flower girl up to the head table to eat cake with me :) She was so excited!



Daddy and I.

Most of Daddy's side of the family minus all the cousins.

Doing the Macarena!!! Good Times.

Uncle K and I dancing to "Out of my League," then, my very favorite slow song.

Happy Anniversary Big Sis and Bro in Law!!!!

P.S. None of these are pics taken by their wedding photographer. These are mostly taken by Uncle K and a few by Momma and Lil Sis.

Hunger Games the Movie

I've been trying to compile my dream casting of the Hunger Games movie. Here's what I've come up with so far, and it is highly subject to change...

Katniss- Emma Stone, I haven't seen her as anyone's choice, but when I was thinking of who I saw as Katniss, she popped into my mind. And in this picture I think she looks perfectly Katniss. She's in the upcoming Easy A and she was in The House Bunny. Also on her imdb page it lists her as staring as Laurie Partridge in a new edition of the Partridge Family, I love the Partridge Family!! Plus I think she's pretty, but not drop dead gorgeous, which I don't think Katniss should be. Plus she looks like she could hold her own.

Peeta- I've got two options here- First, Alex Pettyfer. He's gorgeous, blond, but also looks serious, sensitive and sweet.

Choice 2- William Moseley- I know he was in Narnia, but I think he could be an excellent Peeta- He's got the hair and the looks and a goodness about him.

Gale- Again, I've got to acceptable choices- 1- Gaspard Ulliel- Very attractive, dark hair, nuff said.

2- Adam Gregory- I've never heard of him, but he looks the part. I always pictured Gale with longish (see the 2nd pic of Gaspard) or Patrick Dempseyish hair, see pic of Adam.

Prim- Elle Fanning- Pretty, innocent, perfectly Prim

Cinna- Again, I've got 2- #1- Matt Dallas of Kyle XY fame. This picture is perfectly Cinna for me.

#2- James McAvoy- Another great Cinna option.

Haymitch- Jack Black- I know lots of people are saying that Haymitch is supposed to be attractive, but I still think he'd be a good, humorous choice. Tell me this wouldn't be a good choice for Haymitch...

Effie- Kristin Chenowith- bubbly, perky, blonde, check, check, check. Plus I loved her on The West Wing, Glee and the Opera version of Candide.

There are my choices. Do you agree?

I am grateful for... the weekend.

I am grateful that after a long, busy week today's Friday.

I'm grateful that I get to relax this weekend.

I'm grateful that I got the opportunity to teach a lot this week.

I'm grateful that after teaching almost all day by myself, I get to chill at home with Momma and Daddy and watch baseball and eat pizza.

I'm grateful to celebrate one of my bffs' birthday tomorrow night, including seeing Easy A, starring Emma Stone, who I think would make an excellent Katniss.

I'm grateful for Fridays!

Field of Dreams = Love

My whole family is absolutely in love with the movie Field of Dreams.(See earlier post) We love Shoeless Joe.

We love James Earl Jones.

We love the great dialogue about baseball, the game we love.
Dr. Archibald "Moonlight" Graham: Well, you know I... I never got to bat in the major leagues. I would have liked to have had that chance. Just once. To stare down a big league pitcher. To stare him down, and just as he goes into his windup, wink. Make him think you know something he doesn't. That's what I wish for. Chance to squint at a sky so blue that it hurts your eyes just to look at it. To feel the tingling in your arm as you connect with the ball. To run the bases - stretch a double into a triple, and flop face-first into third, wrap your arms around the bag. That's my wish, Ray Kinsella. That's my wish. And is there enough magic out there in the moonlight to make this dream come true?

Shoeless Joe Jackson: The first two were high and tight, so where do you think the next one's gonna be?
Archie Graham: Well, either low and away, or in my ear.
Shoeless Joe Jackson: He's not gonna wanna load the bases, so look low and away.
Archie Graham: Right.
Shoeless Joe Jackson: But watch out for in your ear.

John Kinsella: Is this heaven?
Ray Kinsella: It's Iowa.
John Kinsella: Iowa? I could have sworn this was heaven.
[John starts to walk away]
Ray Kinsella: Is there a heaven?
John Kinsella: Oh yeah. It's the place where dreams come true.
[Ray looks around, seeing his wife playing with their daughter on the porch]
Ray Kinsella: Maybe this is heaven.

Ray Kinsella: Hey... Dad?
[John turns]
Ray Kinsella: [choked up] "You wanna have a catch?"

Shoeless Joe Jackson: Getting thrown out of baseball was like having part of me amputated. I've heard that old men wake up and scratch itchy legs that been dust for over fifty years. That was me. I'd wake up at night with the smell of the ball park in my nose, the cool of the grass on my feet... The thrill of the grass.

Shoeless Joe Jackson: Man, I did love this game. I'd have played for food money. It was the game... The sounds, the smells. Did you ever hold a ball or a glove to your face?
Ray Kinsella: Yeah.
Shoeless Joe Jackson: I used to love travelling on the trains from town to town. The hotels... brass spittoons in the lobbies, brass beds in the rooms. It was the crowd, rising to their feet when the ball was hit deep. Shoot, I'd play for nothing!

Dr. Archibald "Moonlight" Graham: You know we just don't recognize the most significant moments of our lives while they're happening. Back then I thought, well, there'll be other days. I didn't realize that that was the only day.


And I could watch this video all day long.

The summer after I graduated high school, my family traveled around the midwest visiting family. While on the trip we made a day trip out to the filming location of Field of Dreams. It was an amaing day, beautiful weather and a wonderful experience. The farm house is the same and the field has been maintained. Complete strangers were playing a pick-up game of baseball on the field. Taking it easy on the younger kids, playing, laughing, enjoying the beautiful day and the wonderful game we love.

We spent time with our feet in the grass in the outfield. Asked Daddy if he wanted to have a catch in the outfield. Sat on the bleachers and pretended to fall off like Karin. We took our swings and the plate and ran the bases. We pretended to disappear into the corn (which was the perfect height). It was one of my favorite days ever. Everything was perfect. In fact it was so great, that we're scared to ever go back in case it isn't as wonderful. When we went we had no idea what to expect, but our day far exceeded our expectations!






















Live the Magic, Have Faith in Simplicity and Always Dare to Dream!