Reasons We Loved 2010: Visits with Nana and "How"

I am so very thankful for modern transportation. I can't imagine what it was like as a pioneer or a pilgrim, or even what it is like today for some immigrants or political refugees, to hug your family, tell them goodbye and know that you may very well never see them in person again. There may be communication via written form, but never again to be able to touch or hug or be in the same room with your family member. OY! I am so grateful that my Momma gets to know my daughter through the wonder that is Skype and to be with her OFTEN thanks to the mad driving skills of and abundant patience in the incredible man that Violet now calls her "How."

Violet was a very blessed girl at her birthday to have so much of her family present for her party. And on her actual birthday she got to spend the day at the Aquarium being doted on and carried around by loving Grandparents. Here Nana and How are pointing out the different Sting Rays to Violet:

February

I blogged about our wonderful, relaxing visit with Nana and How for my mom's birthday here. This is a ridiculous picture from that trip. You can't see Violet's face at all, but I love this photo so much because it perfectly captures how much fun Violet has with Nana and How and what great sports they are about just being SILLY with her:

June

Our next visit was on the very happy occasion of Mr. How and Mrs Nana Hughes' wedding. It was a summer full of weddings, this was obviously, for us, the best of all. It was a hot, Hot, HOT time of year to be in Pheonix, but we played at the mall, played at Target, went back to the mall and swam in the pool. Violet fell asleep during the ceremony (which is oh-so-very funny on film), but I loved that because of her visits, when she woke up Violet was perfectly happy to just cuddle with Nana until she gained her bearings.

August

Even though it was really only a few short weeks between the wedding and our next visit, all 5 of us were happy when Columbus Day weekend arrived and Nana and How came to So Cal for another visit. We had tons of fun visiting Descanso Gardens, playing Wii, and going to the park to feed the ducks and ride the swings. It apparently made a big impression on Violet because a few weeks later when we were preparing for their next visit, I asked Violet about Nana and How and she thought for a bit and said "Go duckies, put bread. Go weee weee so high?!?!" Violet loved to "show" Nana and "How" all of the interesting things to see at Descanso:

October

Our last visit for 2010 was my birthday weekend. It was a bittersweet weekend as I loved having more time with my family, but my birthday is also the anniversary of the first day of Jessica's hospitalization last year. I was so thankful for my mom and Hal's thoughtfulness in coming to spend that day with me and their flexibility and willingness to do whatever I wanted. We honored Jessica by having fun and enjoying each other all weekend, even through the tears. Violet is so lucky to have grandparents who are such great dancers:

December

Here is to a 2011 FULL of long drives between Green Valley, Arizona and Upland, California. Here is to many a meeting in between. And here is to buying stock in Skype to support those weekly play dates between a girl, her baby and a wonderful Nana and How!

Reasons We Loved 2010: Wednesday Playdates

Whether it's been a big planned event or a spur of the moment, spontaneous trip, Violet and I have LOVED and very much enjoyed our Wednesdays off together this year. What has made our Wednesdays even sweeter has been the fun friends we have gotten to share our days with. We've been to Disneyland, a bird farm, several parks, a few malls, Bass Pro Shop and back to Disneyland on Playdates! I am so thankful for the willingness of Violet's friends mom's to make our playdates a priority and to work around my limited schedule. Violet has been blessed by some special little ladies and one handsome young man as her first "besties."

Hope is one of Violet's newer friends from church. They love to go to "D" together, and talk about "Toodles" from their favorite TV show. Violet is always thankful for an invitation to go play with all of the toys in Hope's fun playroom. These girls are so sweet together and very concerned about each other when one gets upset when they are playing. Violet's starting call her friend "Hopey" and asks about her EVERY DAY. This morning when we pulled into the church parking lot, Violet started clapping and yelled "YAY, HOPEY!!!!"

At the bird farm - V kept saying "Burds Loud!"

Trying to keep playing even though they are both clearly exhausted!

Abigail - "Abba" or "Abby" depending on Violet's mood - is another friend from church. She is about 6 months younger than Violet, but boy can she ever keep up! She calls Violet "Vi" and is always trying to kiss her friend! Violet and Abigail have AT LEAST 3 identical clothing items -- and we've never been shopping together. They are both very busy little girls and bring out the "sillies" in one another. When they are together, they have to be able to see each other at all times....otherwise you start hearing "Vi? Vi? VI?! VI VI VI VI!?!" and "ABBY WHERE AH YOU?" This morning in church the congregation was praying for Abigail's family as they only have one Sunday left before they move to Florida (don't get me started on that topic). The whole time her family was on the platform Abigail kept pointing and yelling "Vi! Vi!" and Violet would was pointing and saying "Abby uppa der!"

Digging in the Pretend City garden

Working on sharing...

When we are really lucky, all three of the girls (and their lucky families) have gotten to go do things together. Violet seriously thinks that she is in heavens when that happens. No. REALLY. It's in these moments I see how God has created us to be social creatures. I haven't taught her to want to spend time with her friends -- she is just that way.

All Dressed up....with lots of places to go! Trick or Treating in the Village

All lined up in their strollers at that Happy Place!

Their first (and LAST) time on a "quad" together...

Our church's Thanksgiving Feast.

Violet has also enjoyed her time with some of our dear college friends' little man, Elias. She quickly dubbed him "Ly-Ly" which is about the cutest thing ever when she says it. Violet isn't just in love with him though, it's the whole family! Almost every time his name comes up she asks about his Mommy, Daddy and doggie all by name! Elias is a SUPER crawler -- like Speedy Gonzalez fast. Violet thinks that it is so great and funny that he can keep up with her on all fours that by the end of a visit, she's crawling too. Giggling the whole way. And she already knows that it's just going to get even better -- she talks about "Ly-Ly's Bruder" who we can't wait to meet this spring!

Violet's and Ly-Ly's first dance

Checking out his cool toys...

Sigh....I feel so very thankful and content seeing a year of fun and friendship in review. So many fun pictures, fun memories and wonderful friends. Yes, indeed, our Wednesday Playdates were something that we LOVED about 2010...and are looking forward to many more of in 2011.

Oh, and agood Playdate will always leave you exhausted!

Reasons We Loved 2010: Violet Turned 1!

My "Baby" is quickly becoming a true "Big Girl." I can't believe how much she's changed this year...and yet is still the same sweet, lovey girl. She started walking on New Year's Day, turned 1 in February, began naming people other then Robbie and I by April, learned the magic of "pleeeees" over the summer, got her first haircut 2 weeks ago and is talking in full sentences now! Yesterday she told Robbie:

"D Duck need gasses, see unner wahder."

Um.....excuse me? Wasn't it just yesterday that your first consistent word was "Humma" for Momma?

To be honest, the actual turning one wasn't as significant as it could have (and perhaps should have) been. I was in a fog. Still deeply depressed over Jessica's absence. It was supposed to have been a grand 30th/1st combined birthday for Violet and her Auntie. So I made about 10 pounds of lasagna and iced cupcake after cupcake, and wrote thank you notes for all of V's wonderful gifts... and missed so much of what was going on. Really going ON with my sweet girl.

I am so thankful that the "turning 1" wasn't a day. It has been a whole year. 364 opportunities for me to wake up, remember my sister and focus on my child. To teach her the things that her Auntie would want her to know. To watch the tiny, daily changes that add up to the development of a sweet, usually kind, curious, intelligent toddler.

I'm looking forward to February 28th, 2011. What fun for Violet to "turn" 2! But more, I'm looking forward to the naps together, park trips, playdates, dance parties, conversations and lessons to be learned March 1 forward as she becomes a 2-year-old.

On her 1st birthday************Last Week

Look at the face: so different, and yet the same.

2010 Christmas Card

So, I am VERY happy with the way that my Christmas cards from Shutterfly turned out! And I DID get my code for 50 free cards. I LOVE SHUTTERFLY!!!

Love 2010 Christmas Card

Turn your photos into personalized Christmas cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

It's sure gone...

She had always wanted to share her healthy, wavy, beautiful, waist length hair. She remembered what it was like to have it thin and fall out and feel stared out. She never got to have that opportunity to share.


In honor of my sweet sister and her truly luxurious, gorgeous hair... One year after my last hair cut. One year since she was able to tell me how proud she would have been.

Ready to be mailed to Locks of Love.

I love you SEEZTER!

"Flying" toward Christmas...

Remember Violet's too, TOO cute birth announcements? I loved them. Maybe I'm biased, but I thought that the baby was too cute and I wanted a card design as cute as she was. I'd had these grandiose ideas that I'd make the announcements.....hahahaha. Can you tell that I wasn't a Mommy yet?!? Then I found these. AHHHHH. Life saver! Since then, I've been wanting to use Shutterfly again, hoping to make a Violet themed calendar or thinking about her 2nd birthday party invites...

Well then I realized: what am I waiting for?!?! I can make Christmas cards!!! Ok, call me dense, but just remember that I've only done one Christmas card in our 8 years of marriage. And that one was printed on my home computer -- NOT my best idea. So this time "Hi-Ho Hi-Ho it's off to Shutterfly I go...." I love the Holiday card layouts! With so many cards, the design is highlighted, but with this one it's all about the photo! Yay! This card puts the photo front and center too... So, so many cute choices. And best of all, Shutterfly is currently offering free cards to customers who share their favorite cards with friends through their blogs! Are you interested too? I'm happy to share the link!

P.S. Thanks Courtney for sharing!!!

Change...

I have a job interview in the morning.

I'm preparing my head to accept God's plan, whatever that may be, as it is unveiled in the next few weeks. But, I'm praying. Praying for a change. Praying for a chance to do something that I love in an environment where I am supported in doing it. Praying for change to do fewer hours of it and spend more hours with my Violet. Praying for me to put my best self forward tomorrow. Praying that I will be accepting of God's plan, whatever that may be.