Please

Will someone please tell me what is wrong with this picture!
(Yes, this was today.)

Joe's Birthday and Graduation

Joe's birthday was April 20th. I know this one pictures looks like we didn't do much but I promise it was a lot better than it looks. Joe had been talking a while about wanting to get out for a little but so he didn't have to worry about school. So... I surprised Joe 5 days early. Joe's parents were nice enough for watching Gabe. (THANK YOU!)I took him out to dinner and a movie. Then we stayed the night at a bed and breakfast. I thought he probably suspected something but he really had no idea:) We had never been to one before but we really enjoyed it. It was so nice to just sit and relax and not have Joe worry about his 30 + credits he was taking. The Sunday before his birthday we had a family party with the usual meal of hamburgers, milkshakes and nutty torte.

The day after Joe's Birthday I headed to Nashville for the race. I came back on the 28th. I was talking with Joe on the way home how I really wish he would walk for his graduation. He gave in! He checked on it the next day and was able to! It was good to see him walk. He deserved it! He worked so hard this past year. I know I always say how proud I am of him but I really am. Joe works so hard in everything he does! I really admire that about him. Here are some pictures of the big day and the supporters. Although after going through the pictures I noticed two of them were missing...BRANDI!!!!! (Our sister-in-law-Brandi and their daughter Bailey)

Happy 27th Birthday!

Way to go Joe!

Joe's Parents

Joe with his grandparents

Joe and I

Congrats KissDaddy and Gabe

Dean Boys

Country Music 1/2 Marathon

I went to Tennessee about 2 weeks ago to run the Country Music 1/2 Marathon for the 2nd time. This year it was my brother Nathan, his wife Charity, and me. The race went well! It went better than I could have planned for. The weather for the race was calling for thunderstorms and rain. I was praying so hard that we had neither. When we woke up it was drizzling a bit but when the race started it was so nice. There was no rain and the sun was out for a little bit. We lucked out during the race. The weather was nice and overcast and that was it. IT didn't start raining or storming till after we got into our car. Although it worked out for us, others were not so fortunate. I know a lot of marathoners were directed to do the 1/2 due to the weather.

I can say I felt 100% better than last year running than this year. The weather was not nearly as hot and dreadful as last year and I did a little better preparing for the race this year. I felt a ton better when I crossed that finish line. I even knocked 15 minutes off my time from last year! YEA!! AND no hospital visits this year:) I really enjoyed the race this year. I will have to thank Nathan and Charity for running it with me this year. I don't think I would be able to do it if y'all didn't do it with me! It wouldn't nearly have been as much fun. Thanks Charity for running with me the whole time! Can't wait till next year!
On a sad note, It has been so crazy to see that Nashville has been flooded so badly. I look at all those pictures and think I was just there running on those exact streets! Hope it gets better soon!!

Charity and I riding to the starting line. (not sure what I am doing with my arm? maybe pinning

on my number?)

Before raceIn front of the Parthenon.

Crazy amount of people running. It usually averages out to be about 30,000 plus. In line waiting to start.
Excited to have finished and feeling great! After the race! Way to go!!My Mom had these cups for us when we got home. Thanks Mom!!
Silly pose

Letter Factory

This is Gabe’s favorite movie to watch. It is the only show that I have seen him sit all the way through. It is so nice because if I am busy and trying to get things done like making dinner, I can usually just stick in Letter Factory and Gabe will sit and watch allowing me to finish. He also lets me know when he wants to watch it by bringing me the case. It’s one movie that I don’t really feel bad about letting him watch 2-3 times a day because it is educational. He has already learned some of the letter sounds. His favorite is “w.” Here are some pictures of Gabe watching Letter Factory that I thought were cute.