Turning three

Aaaandd, just like *that* I have a three year old.  She was so ridiculously adorable today that I wanted to savor every minute.  I just kept staring at her.  Her gray-ish blue eyes are so incredibly beautiful, and the white hat and silver coat she wore today just make her little eyes shine.  She wore her new "cute jacket" from Aunt Dee and it was cold enough that she needed her "snow coat" over it.  She was pretty excited to wear both at the same time.



When she got up this morning and was sitting on the potty, I said, "Do you know what today is?"  She got a huge grin on her face and excitedly whispered, "My boh-day!"  I let her climb in bed with me for a "snugga snug" and out of the blue she asked, "Am I gonna die?"  [Whoa.  If this is what 3 is like, Lord, help me!]  Then she asked, "When?"  "Am I gonna go home to God?"  (She mentioned Donna, our neighbor, who passed away last fall.)

She told me she wanted to share her "boh-day" with Hudson.  I think she thinks the term "birthday" means cake or dessert.  :)

We took her to breakfast at Rooster, downtown.  Our waitress was so awesome.  She made a huge fuss over Ellie, and Ellie just ate it up.  Ellie kept telling her, "I'm too spicy to eat!"  (She knew it didn't make sense, but she thought it was hilarious.)  I had brought 3 candles from home, and asked them to put them on her berry-covered pancake.  She got all shy when they came out with it, singing "Happy Birthday."



Ellie had a great time listening to her messages from Aunt Bethany and cousin Eli.  We had to listen to each at least four times.

We went to the science center 'cause Ellie's been obsessed with the dinosaurs she saw there a few weeks ago.  She told me she wants to see the dinosaur that's standing up, but not the Feel Sorry Dinosaur (the one that's laying down and has a "boo boo" on its side).  She asked, "Are dinosaurs persons?"





When we came home we had lunch and I put Ellie down for a nap.  She likes to pile her babies on during naptime: Bunny, Soft Baby, Jammie Baby, Little Baby, Carly Daisy, and about 6 little blankets for them.  After hearing too much noise I peeked my head in and found the light on, and Ellie putting the babies in her cradle.  I told her to get back in bed and she obeyed, but pointed her finger and said, "I'm gonna take a short rest, a long rest, a short nap, a long rest, and a short nap."

I left for work, and when I came home we had dinner together.  She finished her dinner, so she had some "manana bread" from a friend.  After putting Hudson down, she put her own jammies on and climbed up in my bed with me and read "Mommy Hugs" (animal mommies giving their babies hugs).  She told me her favorite page was the last one--the human mommy giving her baby a cuddle.  *Melt My Heart*  I love this girl!

2012 Year in Review

2012

January: 

Hudson Davis Bishop is born, we have the first wave of visitors, and Ellie turns two!

February: 

We have the second wave of visitors, Hudson gets baptized, and we have a party for him.

March: 

Ellie gets her first professional haircut, Currie runs in the St. Patty's Day parade (pushing Ellie), Abby turns 32 (and eats Chocolate), Ellie sleeps in a big girl bed, and Hudson learns how to read. ;)

 

April: 

We take family pictures, Hudson has tummy time (Ellie joins him), we celebrate Easter, and Ellie begins swim lessons at the Y.

May:

Mum & Dad come for a visit, Monkey joins the family, we eat Ted Drewes, Ellie becomes a princess for the first time at her friend's bday party, and Currie drives to Chicago to get a free boat!

June:

We camp at Rend Lake for the annual Messabout, we attend GA in Louisville KY (and see cousins), we road trip to FL to see family (and the beach), and Hudson takes his first swim.

July: 

We spend the 4th with college roomies (and their babies!), hike at Anna Ruby Falls w/ Mum & Dad, Abby keeps busy w/ gobs of playdates, Ellie turns 2 1/2 and gets her first taste of VBS ("I just love Ol' Orchurd"), and Hudson learns to crawl.

August:

Currie finishes a 2 yr. kitchen renovation, Abby's parents come for a visit (we eat more Ted Drewes), and we meet friends in KY for a college reunion.

September:

Currie's parents visit so we can get away for our 9th anniversary (first time away from Hudson), Ellie starts her (free!) Mommy & Me ballet class at the seminary, and we go camping at the church retreat (no pic).

October:

Abby humors Currie by going to the Grafton Rendezvous to enjoy fall leaves, we host our annual Halloween party (as characters from Ellie's current favorite musical), and, *Biggest News of the Year* we find out that Currie gets a call to pastor a PCA church in Carbondale, IL!!

November:

We take more family pictures, we (Grandad actually) rent a house for a family Thanksgiving in the mountains of GA, the cousins get along great, and Currie passes his comprehensive exams (no pic)! 

December: 

Dad & Mum come for another visit, Ellie watches in wonder as Daddy strings Christmas lights, we pick out a tree (and have more Ted Drewes!), Dad comes for another (almost monthly) visit and acts out David & Goliath with Ellie, Currie turns 33, we host our 10th annual Christmas party, and our baby has his First Christmas.

 WOW.  When I think about the past year, I tend to think about how crazy it feels to keep up with two small children, two part-time jobs, constant studying for the PhD., handyman work, involvement in church, home renovations, etc.  I think about the long battle we had with coughs/colds this fall, the stress of Currie completing his comprehensive exams, and studying for ordination, the number of times we've had to wake up each night as the kids learn to share a room, the daily time-out battles we have as we try to teach our 2 yr old how to obey, and the struggle to keep house in the midst of our crazy schedules.  So, we often feel that we're running in a million different directions.

But, I hadn't realized what an incredible year 2012 was!  Looking back at these pictures makes me keenly aware of how good God has been to us.  Our children are such an incredible blessing to us, we have friends that love us well and are intentional about spending time with us, and our family go out of their way to help us and care for us.  We thank God for a great year and look forward to what 2013 has in store!