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One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible about friendship comes from Proverbs 18:24.  It offers this beautiful description of a friend as one who “is closer than a brother.”  It’s interesting how we find ourselves in this season of life where we truly view our friends as dear brothers and sisters.  Not that we haven’t felt that way in the past, but God has brought some exceedingly beautiful people into our lives who we truly consider as close to us as our blood related relatives.  I think friendship is one of the most precious gifts our Father has created for his children.  I can think of few things that bring me as much laughter, camaraderie, joy, support, love, and accountability as a faithful Christian friend.

We (the Bean family) feel that this year is going to be a pivotal one in our lives.  We say that every year, but there are things happening and dreams that we are actively chasing that have the potential to make 2014 the year that we look back on as the beginning of a new way of life and a new path in life that we never dared dream was possible until now.  We look forward to the time to share that dream and plan with everyone, but right now, we have only shared with some of our closest inner circle.  I can’t express in words what a deep joy and treasure it is to have people alongside us who support our dreams, trust in God’s calling on our lives, and who pray for us and challenge us every time we are together.  There are many times where we think about what God has called us to do and we get scared.  Scared of the unknowns, the what-ifs, and the hows.  It is in those moments, though, that we can lean on our brothers and sisters in Christ and be reminded of His promises to be faithful, to provide, to guide, and to astound us with what is possible when a life is completely submitted to Him.  We aren’t there yet, completely submitted, I mean, but with friends like this family and others by our sides, we are spurred along toward the prize that God has called us to.

That said, I want to share with you the pictures from last weeks session with the Lawson family.  This passionate God-fearing family is one of a handful of friends who have graciously allowed us to be transparent with our dreams, our shortcomings, our struggles, and our rejoicing and have loved us all the while.  Our friendship began slowly and eventually grew into something that I can only describe as a gift from God.  There is a blessed joy that comes from “doing life” along side other families who love us and are committed to following Christ no matter what He calls them to do.  While distance is not on our sides right now (we live 16 long car riding hours from each other), I have no doubt at all that God will somehow interweave our paths again as we seek to live with abandon.

 

I think that any of my readers would be quick to agree with me when I say that I am so thankful for the gift of friendship.  There is something about “doing life” with people who can share our triumphs, struggles, and stories that leaves me thanking God for the way He has brought such faithful friends into my life.  These 12 children and the 4 families they represent are the dearest joys in our lives right now.  We have laughed, cried, prayed, worshipped, eaten, cared for, and celebrated with each other families and, through doing so, have grown into a sweet little community that gives me a glimpse of how true love and acceptance can be a strong tower of safety in an unsecure world.  These children and their parents have loved and supported our children in every way possible, from attending Christmas plays and Preschool graduations, to first sleepovers, to teaching our boys the correct way to operate a play kitchen.  I could write blogs posts for days sharing how these families have blessed ours.

When we first started hanging out together, we had no more than 2 children per family, and as we have grown our quivers it has been a delight to watch the children play together and terrorize each other.  With 12 children comes the gamut of personalities, so its no surprise that emotions run high sometimes when they all get together.  Thankfully, we have a fenced in back yard and plenty of coffee, so playdates like these ones are a treat for everyone, mammas included.

As could be expected in a group that has three daddies serving in the armed forces, one of the families represented in this picture was transferred to a new home in FL last Summer.  Even though we are not all physically in the same town anymore, I am thankful for each of these families and what they mean to our family.

The children’s ages range from from 7 years and 3 months.  I’m sure this group will only continue to grow.  I can’t wait to see what our picture looks like 5 years from now!

 

April, 2012.  Although we had been friends for a couple years by this point, this was the first time we thought to take a picture like this.

 

 

Take Two!  This was July 2013. We had grown from 8 to 11 little ones when the three girlies were born within 2 months of each other!

 

 

January, 2014.  A whole dozen!

From L to R: Shaylee (3 mos), Sicily (7), Noakea (6), Cayman (5), Joelle (5), Charis (3), Addison (3), Banyan (3), Jovie (3), Emmalienne (16 mos), Avenlea (15 mos), Callie (14 mos)

In 2012 I had the amazing experience of being pregnant with my two of my dearest friends.  All due about 3 weeks apart, we had a sweet season of rejoicing and camaraderie as we watched our bellies and families grow.  In the months of September, October, and November we all were blessed to welcome our new arrivals.  Since then, it has been a joy to watch the girls grow together, interact, and play as they went through their first year.  In July, my wonderful friend Whitney (Emma’s mamma) and her family were relocated by the Navy to Pensacola, FL.  While it was sad to separate the fabulous threesome, we have no doubt that these three special little girls will continue to forge a friendship over time and distance.

 

Alyson, Sheena, and Whitney at 3, 4, and 5 mos pregnant.

Babies coming soon!  Whitney at 9 mos, Sheena at 8, and Alyson at 7 months along.

They’re all here!  Callie, Avenlea, and Emma as newborn, 1 and 2 month old.

Callie (8 mos), Emma (10 mos) and Avenlea (9 mos)

 

Together again!!  The girls at 14, 15, and 16 months old!

Avenlea’s Nona (Grandma) surprised her for Christmas with this gorgeous bunny rocker.  It’s so soft and beautiful, but she really doesn’t like it.  It’s comical, almost.  As soon as you pick the thing up and bring it to her she starts whimpering.  I’m sure she will like it more once she gets a bit taller and her little piggies actually reach the rockers.  Right now, she just feels unstable.  I really love the thing, though, and it’s so photogenic, so I took advantage of the nice lighting in our living room and dressed her up like a little pink peanut.  I love the classic baby girl look these pictures have.  The simple neutral colors really suit the innocence of this age and I have always been drawn to minimal styling with baby photography.  

During the week I am fortunate to have my baby fever kept in check by the means of the adorable 4 month old girl I care for.  She is a total breeze, but when Biggest Bro is out of school it means that I have four restless kids in the house and it can get a little crazy in here sometimes.  Between Biggest Brothers high energy personality and Little brothers high drama personality, the tears were flowing by 9 am this morning, so I stuck the crew in carseats and left the house before we got to terminal velocity over here.

We live a few minutes away from this wonderful coffee shop called Muddy Waters, and it is always bustling with energy and lovely baristas who dont mind the Bean Crazy Train stopping in for a latte.  As “luck” would have it…..I’d rather call it the favor of God, but I digress…..our dear friend/surrogate grandpa was in the shop and he entertained Little Mamma while I gave my sweet extra love baby her morning bottle.  This incredible man lives just down the street from us and he is like a grandpa to my boys in every sense of the word.  Always playing with them, loving on them, letting them trifle through his garage, ect.  Mr. Bean is also a shameless adorer of our older neighbor, so we spend no small amount of time enjoying his company.  Seeing his car parked at the coffee shop this morning was a sweet treat to the Bean crew.  Anyone who is willing and eager to play Jenga with a 6 and 3 year old should qualify for some kind of reward.

After we were done with bottle time for baby sweetness and latte time for Mommy, we headed over to a little park close to the house to let the Tres Frijoles burn off some energy.  It seems like we have finally hit that point where are three kids are able to play without having to watch one of them like a hawk.  I especially love this playground because there are no tall platforms for Little Mamma to fall off.  We only stayed for about thirty minutes, but the fresh air and room to run was good for all of us.  

Little Brother wanted to try out the balance beam too.  These moments make the not so pleasant ones all worth it.

Yes.  I bribed them.

I guess Little Mama figured that she’d get a good stretch in since she was wearing her running shoes.

This is how she generally approaches her brothers wild behaviors.  Banyan, having just completed a somersault.

Just before it was time to go, Noakea asked me if he could take some pictures with my camera.  I always hesitate to let him use my DSLR, obviously because it’s $$$ and I dont have a backup right now.  That said, I decided the risks were pretty minimal and after a few tips and a little how-to advice, he snapped these shots.  I wont lie, I was pretty impressed.  Not as much as he was, though.  He declared emphatically, after seeing his pictures, “I am one of the best six year old photographers I know!”

“Mommy, this picture is so funny.  Please put it on facebook.” – Noakea

Banyan had to get a turn with the camera too.  Monkey see, monkey do.