2012 Review

I have no reason why I stopped blogging.

I just did.

After six years I guess I needed a break.

But I've really missed it.

Especially the sense of chronically our life.  

All the little stuff.  The mundane.  The details.

They all add up to be our life and I want to look back and remember it when I can't.

So I regret taking 2012 off and want to re-cap.

We had a busy year.

Lots of change and lots of growth.

  Lots of laughs and lots of tears.

Lots of excitement and lots of fear. (hey, that rhymed!)

Lillianna finished kindergarten and started first grade.

We started the process to adopt our son from China!!

Brad and I celebrated 10 years of wedded bliss in California.

We moved from Tennessee to Arkansas.

Brad started a new job.

We said goodbye to old friends and said hello to new ones.

We started the adoption process over in Arkansas.

Lillianna turned 7 and Ellenie turned 5.

We went to the mountains for Easter and the beach for summer vacation.

Ellenie started pre-k two days a week and has loved it. (most of the time)

L lost her front tooth and learned to ride a bicycle and to read.

We settled in to our new house and new community.

We've enjoyed visits from family and friends.

We celebrated the holidays in our new home.

We played in the big snow.

It was a great year.

We are blessed:

So here's to 2012

and Cheers to 2013!

We are starting this year with high hopes and big plans

 for another blessed year full of memories and love.

New Month, new start

So far, 2012 has knocked us down and out of our routine.

We seem to be drawn to every icky sickness that comes our way.

But I am confident that we've paid our dues and will be immune to anything else.

I can't believe we are 2/3 through the school year!

Lillianna has grown so much this year and continues to make me so proud each and every day.

She humbles me with her patience, her kindness, and generosity.

My Ellenie has grown up so much since her birthday.

She makes me melt with her funny faces, her sweet hugs, and precious imagination.

This is what most of March looked like...but with my girls, each day is a blessing.

She fits right in

The Winter blahs

So the rest of January hit us like a hammer.

It was three weeks of constant sick days.

But we made the most of it...

Like on those crazy, warm days when we could run around the yard in short sleeves.

Or take strolls around the block with Baby Belle.

Rides too.

And then rush to bundle up to enjoy the "big" snow.

 We had fun decorating our Gingerbread House...finally.

Maybe it's more exciting in January than December.

We celebrated L's 100th day of Kindergarten.

And dressed as a Princess for the wedding of letter Q to letter U.

Once we all felt better,

we got back to business of normal life...

homework, playing, and making lip balm.

I really do have a terrible memory.

These pictures are just for me.

For me to remember pajama days.

Fore me to remember what giggles look like.

For me to remember all the little things that make them happy.

For me to remember how much they enjoy playing together.

For me to remember it all.

It's going by so fast.

Her Highness turns 4

Ellenie wanted a party fit for a Princess so that's just what we had.

The Princess and her castle.

Lady Ella decorating the castle.

So happy Lady Daisy made the trip from her village as well.

Lady Lillianna with Sir Bentley preparing for the ball.

The royalty is busy with all their royal duties.

Lots of Royal games were played...including Pass the Poison Apple

and Sleeping Beauty Says.

Lady Leah tries out some of her prizes.

Sir Connor can't believe how successful he's been at all the games.

Snow Vivien White helped serve the Royal Lunch.

Princess Ellenie blew out the candles as she was seranaded with song.

A delicious dessert

Before the carriages arrived to go home, everyone took a turn opening a pinata.

After a regally exhausting day, we celebrated our Princess as a family at our favorite Japanese restaurant and a very mini, and very blue cake.

All of it was super duper fun.

My baby

Dear Ellenie,

You are four years old now.

I don't know that I've ever seen a child more excited to have a birthday and be a year older.

You have talked about it since last summer.

I kept teasing you that I wasn't going to let you turn four, that I'd keep you three forever.

You did not think that was funny.

You spent this last week experiencing everything as a four year old...

"This is the first time I'll go to school being four," or "I've never worn this dress since I've been four."

You also told me several times that you no longer did certain things because,

"I am really big now.  I am not a baby at all any more."

And as much as I REALLY hate to admit it...you are right.

You are not a baby any more and you are set on reminding me every minute.

But I've got news for you.

You will ALWAYS be my baby.

You couldn't be any cuter right now.  

You love to make faces, talk in funny voices, and make us laugh.

I really love your "dead pan" humor - 

 how can keep such a straight face when you are being so funny?

You've got great comedic timing and with your love of make-up and dress-up,

 I'm seeing stage time in your future.

Speaking of the future,

I asked you yesterday what you thought you might be someday and you replied, "a pig."

So I clarified and asked if there was anything you might want to do as a job someday.

You said, "I want to me a mommy, a painter, a vet.  I also want to ride a king elephant, have a painting in a store, and be a person who cuts off hair."

I know you will do all of these things and so much more.

Since August, you and I have been bosom buddies.

Lillianna is at school and it's me and you, side by side, until she gets home.

I have treasured this time together.

We color and paint, clean up and start laundry, take walks and cuddle up.

You make your own peanut butter and jelly sandwich every single day for lunch

 and accompany it with "snail ears" (puffed popcorn) and yogurt.

We also run lots of errands together and no matter where we go,

someone comments on how beautiful you are

You also turn a lot of heads when you talk.  People love to hear you talk.

It's both what you say and how you say it.

Your voice is so precious - its like a tiny pixie voice.  I said tiny, not quiet.

And boy can you use it.

  You talk, ask questions, sing, ask more questions, narrate what we're doing, sing, and ask more questions.  All before we get out of the driveway.

My lovey, my Awesome Possum, my Junkyard Judy, my Ellenie bo Bellenie,

you bring such joy to our family.

You are sweet, curious, and kind.

You are often whiny and sometimes frustrated.

You love notebooks and pens, you love music, and you love the color blue.

You eat green beans and edamame but no other vegetables.

When you go to bed, you have to have 5 giant blankets spread on your bed,

 the fan on, and the closet doors shut.

You love books, play-doh, and painting.

You love your sister more than I could have ever hoped.

I can tell at four years old that you are going to make my heart soar with pride

 and race with fear with all that you are going to do someday.

You are the most amazing tiny package of confidence, personality, spirit and love.

I love you so much.

Please don't grow up too fast, my baby.

love,

Momma