Easter 2012

I'm always behind on my Easter post...or at least I was last year and I only started this blog last year, therefore, that makes me always behind. Anyway, I guess it just takes a lot out of me plus as soon as Easter was over I was in 2 year old Bishop mode and we have been on the go constantly. Plus, I do work full time. I will warn you, this one is kinda long as well. I promise the next posts will not be as bad!

I love Easter. It is possibly my favorite holiday. Christmas is important too, don't get me wrong. Although I do get overwhelmed with gifts, parties, and all the hustle and bustle, without Christmas there would be no Easter. However,  Easter is the holiday that celebrates everything that my faith is based on. I actually love Holy Week in general starting with the celebration of Palm Sunday.  My pastor has said.."If you go from the celebration of Palm Sunday to the celebration of Easter without going to the cross, then you miss the point." So true. Jesus died on a cross and it was not pretty. He was tortured, beaten, and suffered like no human should ever have to. And, He did it for all of us. But, the best part of the story is that He is Risen....just as he said! He fulfilled his promise to us then and is still fulfilling his promise today! Every. Single. Day.

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Aside from the true celebration of Easter, I also enjoy the commercialized version of Easter. The Easter bunny (as scary as the mall versions are), chicks, Peeps, egg hunts, etc are all just fun to me.  I can remember egg hunts from when I was a child and it brought me such happiness. So, it is so fun to see my child enjoying some of the simple pleasures in life that I enjoyed.

And, Easter is yet another good excuse to spend with my family!

And, finally, I love Easter because I love any excuse to eat candy. Period.

Dyeing eggs

For any of you that think I might think to have it together, I'd just like to reassure you that I do not. If you know me, then you already know this is true. Always has been. Always will be. It is just who I am...NOT TOGETHER.  Anyway, the Saturday before Easter was a little extra crazy and at one point my mom even said "maybe you should just go back to bed and start over". You know it is bad when your own mother says it. It all started when Bishop and I started making Easter sugar cookies. I thought I had enough flour, but I didn't. So, I put Bishop in bed for a nap, ran to Walmart to get flour only to realize I left my debit card at home (after I was in the checkout line and had my stuff rang up). SO, I drive back home and back to Walmart to get flour AGAIN. I finished the cookies, stuck them in the oven, and then grabbed an egg to make a cake. The egg wouldn't crack. I guess I should back up the story and say that before the flour incident, Bishop and I dyed eggs. Leon had boiled us 2 out of 3 dozen eggs for us to color the night before (he did this because while I may be able to make an entire wedding cake...I can't boil an egg!) and put them in the refrigerator. Back to the egg for the cake...it wouldn't crack because it was a hard boiled egg! So, yeah, at this point I realized that half of the colored eggs were raw. And, I had no idea which ones. I did the "spin on the counter" trick which worked pretty well, but still my sister found a "prize egg" that one of her boys brought home. Yes, that was me. I dyed raw eggs. To top that off, during the egg fiasco, I burned the cookies to a crisp and had to start all over. On a positive note, I had plenty of flour and nice pretty pink and green eggs to make them with! And, I think they turned out cute at least.

Cookies for Bishop's Sunday school class

Cookies for family

Bunny Bark

I also made THIS cake and it was really good...or so I thought. 

After a baking and egg dying day, it was time for the big day. We started off with our Easter basket before church. He was so excited about everything. Funny how a $3 fishing pole and a $1 butterfly net can be the best present. Oh, and a $3 frog. He was one happy camper with his basket...I can't say that he was a happy camper the WHOLE day though :)

Then, the 3 of us went to church as a family. Something I never will take for granted! Love my little family!

Decorating the cross with flowers

Attempt at family picture at church-not so great. Better than the next one though. 

Since I'm keeping it real today....

That was my attempt before church of a picture.

Some days are good. Some days are not. 

What else can I say?

Still not a happy camper about the pictures. Little boys have way more important things to do!

This, my friends, is as good as it gets. No smiles from the 2 year old. At all. 

The boys with their Easter goodies from Granna

\

5 happy boys!

After a delicious lunch, the boys hunted eggs and played outside. 

Granna, Granddaddy, the boys, and Sally

This just makes me laugh....

Hope everyone had a blessed Easter!

Two Years...last one

I promise this is the last 2 year old Bishop post! I just had to post a little of what he is doing/saying so I don't forget. It may or not be of interest to anyone but me. More than likely it won't be...but still, here it is.

Two year olds are so fun. I mean that both literally and sarcastically. See, there are moments that are filled with laughter and joy and tickles and smiles and only moments later there are moments of tears and kicking and screaming and gnashing of teeth. I am sure not all 2 year olds act this way, but mine does. I am not denying it. He is as strong willed as they come. I'm learning to deal and just having to be more strong willed than he is. I think Leon thinks our battles are funny...he says he is just like me! He is also as sweet as they come (just like me, of course) so it evens out.

He talks pretty much in full sentences. And talks non stop. I hear two comments from almost everyone we see...both strangers and people we know. One is "I love his hair" and the other is "He sure is a talker" Seriously, I don't remember him not talking but it truly is amazing. He says the funniest things and I can't even explain where some of it comes from. Everything he hears he repeats, so it is becoming so important of what we say and what he watches. Some of the things I hear most:

"Momma, where are you? I want milk. Momma, it's me, Shibop"

"Shibop Hays" When you ask his name. 

"Are you ok? It's ok momma. It's ok. I okay too."

"What's that noise? Do you hear it? I hear it." with eyes wide open and hand up at his ear. So stinking cute. 

"No, I don't want to. I don't care" My least favorite saying. 

"Daddy, you warm it up" Every morning he wants his daddy to warm up his milk and he wants to lay in "momma's bed and watch Mickey with momma" Fine by me. I'll take it. 

"Leon (pronounced Lee non), Leon you come eat supper"

 "It's hiding in the bushes" when you ask him where something is. 

He loves dinosaurs. He loves to watch dinosaurs. He loves to draw dinosaurs. He loves to pretend he is a dinosaur. He loves dinosaur books. He loves to "eat dinosaur food". Sometimes that is the only way we can get him to eat...pretending we are dinosaurs. Whatever works, right?

He loves Toy Story. Possibly as much as Mickey. Well, probably not THAT much, but it is close. And, he pretty much loves most any Disney Junior or PBS show. And, he STILL wants to watch The Grinch and Frosty...in April.  He probably watches way more TV than I would like, but there are only so many things a mom can do. Somedays, you just need TV. 

He loves outside. He loves to dig in the dirt. He loves to play ball and push things around in the yard. He would live outside if he could. 

He loves Abby. He always has really. She is finally starting to love him back even though he pesters her constantly. He loves to tell her what to do "Abby, you sit down", "Abby, drop it" "Abby, you go outside" and he loves to feed her (both his food and hers). 

He loves books. He loves to pick out the books we read and he could read them all in one night if I would do it. He likes to pretend to read. It is pretty amazing to watch him "read" if he doesn't know you are paying attention. He actually remembers a lot of the story. 

Loves his bath. He pretty much loves water period. He is happy as can be with a cup of water and a tub full of water. Getting out...that is a different story. 

Loves his family. He is crazy about ALL of his grandparents. He loves his Granna and Granddaddy (and Sally and Nolly of course), his Mamaw and Papaw, and his Papoo. He loves his cousins and talks about them a lot and never forgets any of them.

Loves to watch videos of himself. He gets that from his daddy :)

Is really starting to pretend-play with his toys. I don't know all of what he is talking about but I usually hear a "help me" coming from one of his toys to another.

He knows all of his letters and sounds, most of his colors, all of the shapes, and can at least count to 11 or 12. He can pick back up at 17 and count to 20 sometimes. The numbers in between..not so much.

He is not a daredevil and it seems he may have inherited his mother's athletic ability. Bless him. But, I am not concerned though. I know his will and his will is much stronger than any natural born talent so I know if there is something he ever wants to do...he will do it! (and if he doesn't want to...HE WON'T)

He loves to draw/color but he can't even come close to staying in the lines or drawing anything other than a scribble. But it is entertainment for a few minutes at least.

He is an ok eater most of the time, and he will usually try anything we are eating. He loves Mexican food, yogurt, chips, cookies, M&Ms, bananas with peanut butter, and oatmeal. He doesn't eat out well or at other people house's but most of the time at home he eats ok. He still loves milk, tea, and orange juice and could live on those alone if allowed to. Well, that and cookies.

I love my strong-willed, stubborn-as-a-mule, sweet, smart, non-daredevil, loving, little 2 year old more than I could ever put into words! It's so weird that I would swear there is no way that I could love him any more, yet the next day it happens just the same....I love him more.  How is that?

God is Good...

All the time!

This is such a touching story that has my heart (and my tears) and I just have to share. Ashlee's story is reassurance that God has a plan for each of us. And, while it may not always be our plan, it is perfect. When you put your trust in God's hands, which is sometimes the hardest thing to do, big things can happen.

Tiny Girl, Big Miracle

Thank you Ashlee, for sharing this journey with us! It truly is an amazing story. I look forward to reading more and seeing sweet Dani Marie grow up.

A Picnic Party

I had so many ideas for Bishop's second birthday because he loves so many things right now and anything for a 2 year old can be cute if you get creative (or if you google!). He loves dinosaurs, Toy Story, fishing, ball, and Mickey Mouse which would all make great birthday parties (and may some day), but I think most of all he likes to play outside. With that in mind and with the help of Maggie, JJ, and daddy we came up with a picnic party.  I think it was perfect! The weather turned out so nice....a spring birthday is quite unpredictable (last year it was 45 degrees!). It was a bit windy so a lot of my decorations had to go...or got blown away! But I don't really think anyone noticed but me anyway. I know Bishop didn't care...he would have been happy with the bubbles, the playground, a cupcake, gummy worms, and some cookies.

I know I brag on Maggie a lot for all of her awesome work at MG Paperworks, but seriously, she has completely outdone herself this time!

Isn't that the cutest? Not only did she print it, but she also designed each paper for the flags, cut them out, and taped them on with string. AND, she cut out each little ant on the bottom. I could not have been happier with them! She really has talent...and a lot of patience for dealing with me ;)

Food tables

Having a party under a pavilion is nice...but not so great for pictures. A lot of them were very dark. I somehow managed to not take a picture of the dessert and drink table but luckily Leon snapped one with his phone. 

I really was able to have this cute party and not spend very much money at all. I already had all of the fabric from my rehearsal dinner and JJ randomly had the cute picnic baskets. I pretty much had everything already, it just took some time making everything. 

"Picnic" area

I did purchase those giant balloons. I thought they were the cutest things ever. However, they literally took 1/2 of a tank of helium each (those you buy at walmart that blow up 30 or so balloons) so that made them a little pricey. And they were so heavy that one got away! But, I was able to reuse one that still had helium for his bday pics.

We had typical picnic food..Sandwiches, chips and dip/cheetos, pasta/fruit salad, and lemonade/Koolaide/water to drink. 

Another one of Maggie's cute creations. 

For dessert we had cupcakes and cookies (made by me) and the best chocolate cake you have ever eaten (made by JJ's mom Roro). It is my favorite cake! We also had ice cream and watermelon, but both of those got left at home..oops :)

I made the cutest 3 tiered cupcake holder that I was so proud of, but due to hurricane force winds, I had to resort to a 1 tier cupcake holder or else I was going to end up with NO cupcakes. The party went on anyway :)

Party Hats and favors

Favors

(stickers by MG Paperworks)

His outfit I made

And a beanbag toss game made from scrap wood (by daddy) and scrap fabric (made by me). 

I also must give credit where credit is due. I could not have done this without the help of JJ, Allen, Maggie, and Leon. So thanks so much guys...Bishop loved his party and so did his momma!

I'm pretty sure JJ and I are the luckiest girls around. Two awesome daddy's up at midnight assembling the goody bags!

Ok...I think that wraps up the party now! Whew!

A Picnic Party..the FUN!

I have to break the party post into 2 separate posts for myself to keep it all straight. Plus, I am not even sure you can put that many pictures in 1 post.  I think the party turned out cute. But best of all, the party turned out FUN! And, that might be the most important part. We did miss a few of Bishop's cousins (the Zoo crew, Ty and Logan, and Cole) and a few of his little "friends" but otherwise all of his favorite people were there. A big thanks to everyone who took time on a busy Saturday to come and make Bishop's day perfect!

And, now, a ridiculous amount of pictures ahead....

My little family

Jackson showing Leon how it is done

Harvey found him the perfect seat...his plate was already fixed and everything :)

Isn't Claire just gorgeous?!

Having a "picnic"

It was a perfect day to fly a kite

Harvey finally got his cupcake!

Sweet Delainey

How 2 year olds play bean bag toss

"Come on Papaw..let's go swide"

Cute Gracen is so funny. Love her!

Happy Birthday to you sweet boy!

Blowing out his pretend lit candles...the wind wouldn't allow them to really be lit!

He didn't seem to notice. 

Eating his "pupcake"

Carsten and his new big boy haircut..that I love!

Everyone loved to slide..even Bishop started doing it on his own after a while. 

Dancing with his birthday elephant. I'll have to post a video of him dancing with it. Hilarious.

Birthday chaos.

Sweet Fischer made it and we were so glad he was ok. He was in the ER for most of the party from a fall, but luckily he was fine...just had a bruise on his little head. 

Granddaddy teaching Bishop to ride his "bicycle". I just love this picture. 

And, then it was time to give hugs and head home. These two love each other so much!

Sorry, I really did cut out a lot. Really. There was just SOO many pictures taken and they were all cute to me!