Celebrating 10 years in Cancun!

Once upon a time - two boys with backpacks met on a bus in Bloomington... They were Kelley MBA students. They both loved sports. They were both married to teachers. And the rest is history. 

We met our friends Jeff & Jaime in 2006 while we were in Bloomington. We shared lots of fun times. Lots. Then we parted ways. They were off to NYC, then Miami. We were off to Detroit, then Fort Wayne...and then back to Detroit. But they're life-long friends and we do our best to see them as often as we can...preferably in tropical locations.

Between us - we have 19 years of marriage (9 for them, 10 for us) and FIVE kids (4 boys and Josie). We had a good reason to plan a vacation to Cancun, so we did.

Jaime and I started the vacation off right. Our first time flying First Class. (Thanks, Jeff!)

Once we arrived - we ate some lunch, enjoyed some drinks, lounged by the pool, and enjoyed the ocean. Then we pretty much just repeated that for 3 days in a row...

The "dads" looking out over the infinity pool into the Caribbean Sea.

Happy 10 years...or close enough...to us! I had a "bucket list" moment - when we went to the beach one night after dinner and a baby sea turtle was hanging out in the oceanside shower. It's hatching season and some babies were being held in a crate (to be released)...and this one happened to escape the crate. I picked him up. I touched a sea turtle!!!

This was an intense game of Backgammon. And also a drink called a "Barney" - not recommended.

The "moms" - right after about 12 banana-coladas...and before our mid-afternoon cabana nap, poolside. It was an AMAZING time. Always fun to get away, enjoy some adult conversation, adult beverages, great food, and peace.

We are home again now. Thankful to Grandma Nancy & Grandma Shirlee - who took care of the kids while we were gone.  We are already planning another trip...but this time I think the GRANDPAS will be on duty.

2014 Resolution: Read More Books

So my resolution in 2014 was pretty simple: read more books. I love reading, but felt like I wasn't doing enough of it. I was getting sucked into mindless things like Facebook, TV shows, and the internets (plural). In 2013 - I probably read 3 books...which was depressing and ridiculous. My goal for 2014 was 12 books - and I read 17...pretty much 95% of them Jan-Aug (before Nolan arrived)!

I read on my phone a lot, because I can do it while I'm feeding Nolan (one handed) and also while waiting for Jack's school to get out. The Kindle app is pretty nice.


Here is a list of the books I read, along with each book's Amazon link (in case you want to read it, too). Keep in mind - I was pregnant for most of 2014, so some of my book choices were swayed by my uterus.

1.  The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
2. The Storyteller by Josie Picoult
3. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
6. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
7. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
8. Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Midwife by Peggy Vincent
9. Pushed: The Painful Truth about Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care by Jennifer Block
10. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
11. The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom
12. Coming Home by Priscilla Glenn
13. The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
14. A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
15. What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
16. Carry On Warrior by Glennon Melton
17. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin (second time reading)

My goal for 2015 is to continue reading! And Tyson and I have some goals we are working on, as well. We are also making the kids set some goals... We'll see how that goes.

If you have book recommendations, please send them my way!

Throwback Thursday - Uncle Joe's BDay

Throwback to...maybe 1985? Joe was a VERY chunky one year old and I was an unamused 3 year old. I look absolutely thrilled to be holding him. Josie and Nolan recreated this pic the other day {unknowingly}.

Ironically - today is Joe's 31st birthday! We send you BIG Becker hugs from Michigan.

Bear with me for the next few weeks. I apologize for the lack of posts. Shop Small Saturday and Cyber Monday have me buried in orders. Thankful...but tired.

DePauw 10 Year Reunion Weekend

Tyson and I were back in Greencastle last weekend for our 10 year Reunion. It was great to be back on campus!

My two besties from Alpha Phi were there too...Kelly and Georgianne. We spent lots of time sitting on the Alpha Phi porch swings and catching up. We're all pregnant - so there was plenty of water being consumed, lots of delicious Marvin's (GCB), and plenty of "pregnancy talk."  Their husbands - Eric (Kelly) and Josh (Georgianne) were good sports as we shared WAY too much info about our bodies and reminisced about our days in college.

We had a great dinner with the other 2004 Alpha Phi girls on Saturday night. We really brought the "party" to the reunion! I'm due 8/21, George is due 8/28, and Kelly is due 11/24. Of course, I had to make all the soon-to-be babies matching onesies...because I'm a nerd like that...

You'll notice I have ZERO pictures of my husband. He had a ton of Beta Boys back for the weekend and they were busy....doing fraternity boy things...  I did see him a few times, but never long enough for a picture together. Regardless, we were there. DePauw is where it all began...

For the record - I'm already planning to really LIVE IT UP for the 15 year reunion! I was pregnant with Jack at our 5 year, too. I'm due for a SUPER crazy time (which by then will probably mean 2 glasses of wine and then bed).

BIG thanks to Nancy & Denny - who pulled off TWO weekends in a row of babysitting duties. Jack and Josie had fun with you!

32

Thirty-two years ago today - I made my grand entrance (via emergency c-section in blizzard conditions). Like my own children, it seems we have an affinity for arriving in snow storms. So it was fitting that Tyson came home Wednesday with an Oreo ICE CREAM cake.

You know what's awesome? Friends who call your husband at work to remind him it may be a good idea to bring a cake home. Thanks, Brooke!

Tyson was kind of in the dog house on Wednesday. It's not really his fault - but he's traveling for work again. And this time he's in my all-time favorite place - Bloomington. (yes, I'd probably choose a trip to Bloomington over Vegas.)

And - if you're like me - you may have realized a common theme. 1) When Tyson leaves we get snow. 2) When Tyson leaves, someone celebrates a birthday.

Luckily, I had two little helpers who were eager to shovel with me. We cleared the driveway and came inside for dinner.

Tyson will be home later tonight (praying for safe driving, as I know Indiana had snow too). And he can make up his absence by getting me donuts in the morning. See - I'm really quite easy to please. Oreo ice cream cake & donuts...the keys to a 32 year old woman's heart.

Friday Flashback

In a couple weeks - Tyson and I will celebrate SIX years of marriage. We've done a lot in six years and we have been blessed with so much during our time together. I thought in preparation for the Anniversary celebration...we would reflect back with this flashback.

This is the very first picture we ever took together. He had a girlfriend, I had a boyfriend. But Tyson quickly became my best friend at DePauw. He talked me into staying when I wanted to transfer. He gave me advice when I broke up with my HS boyfriend. I remember my mom saying to me a few times, "Kady, you talk about this Tyson boy a lot. Are you interested in dating him?" My response: "NO! He's not my type, mom!" I meant it. I really didn't think he was...

But then in March 2001 - something changed. The boy who had been my best friend, my confidant, and my laundry buddy... somehow seemed different. All of the sudden, we connected differently. And after a few days of talking about dating...we took the plunge. Best friend to boyfriend. I was on cloud nine!

I found this picture in a scrapbook I made for Tyson on our one year anniversary (of dating). Little did I know how true those words would be... Now & Forever.