Hope: The Third

Sissy,

Three birthdays. I can't believe it. My baby is three.

You've had one incredible year, baby. A few weeks after you turned two you gave me the surprise of a lifetime by potty-training yourself. I would catch you going in the bathroom, undressing yourself and going! I'm so proud of you. You even mastered staying dry overnight in a matter of weeks. I love that about you. You are so determined.

You are a lover of all things girly. You love pink and purple. You love princesses. You love tutus, sparkles, bows, ribbons, nail polish, dress up clothes, and big girl make-up. We catch you in frilly dresses all the time. Every day after you get dressed you run to your Daddy to spin for him and show him your outfit. You are the apple of his eye. His affection makes you sparkle. I love the way you two love each other.

You really enjoy your friends from pre-school, especially Michaela, Burel, Parker, and Kalob. You love your teachers and love learning. You are a participant in life. You don't want to miss anything- games, conversations, or food. You are brave and love to try new things.

You are a song bird. You love music and often sing yourself to sleep or sing during play. You love Dora songs, the "Sofia the First" theme song, Katy Perry's "Firework", and any funny song. You have a sweet, chirpy voice that I love. And sometimes I even catch you lip-syncing in the back seat. Your animated facial expressions are equal parts adorable and hilarious.

The only thing in this world that you truly hate is bedtime. You are a professional at finding reasons to get up- water, flashlight, one of your two noise-machines, potty-break, missing babies, you name it. You are grumpy and very seldom go to sleep without tears. But once you are down you sleep for a good ten hours. You still nap during the day for a few hours too. Keep napping strong!

You love to "paint" in your imagine-ink books. You are also becoming very interested in drawing, coloring, and stickers. You have started tracing your name. I'm amazed at how your fine motor skills are progressing so quickly.

You are hilarious. You have the most expressive little face. You can sass, you can make jokes with perfect timing, and you can break hearts when you cry. You are both sweet and spicy. You are one of my favorite people, and I love your personality. Even when you get bossy and wag your finger, forcing me to retreat somewhere to laugh before I scold you. You have a magnetism that draws people to you. And I hope you are a leader who loves people.

I am excited for the next leg of our journey as a family. You've been my baby for three years, and in just a few weeks you'll hand that title to your new sister, Eden. I will always cherish the season where you were my baby. I love the way you like to snuggle up to my belly and talk into my belly button to Baby Eden. You tell her how you are the big sister, you sing her songs, and you "baby talk" her, just like you do our dogs. You also pray for her without fail every night. You are going to be an amazing big sister. I can't wait to see you two girls, my two girls, together. And you are excited to tell EVERYONE that you and Eden have matching rainbow swimsuits.

Hope, I'm so proud of you. I'm proud of how you let your light shine. I'm proud of your confidence and bravery. And I'm proud that you never let fear keep you from doing life. I am honored to be your mom, and even though mistakes are inevitable for us both, I will always love you. God gave me exactly what I needed when he gave me you. You will always be my big girl. I love you so much more than words can express. Happy third birthday.

Love,
Momma

What I Needed Most

The last 2 days have been sad. Some of the hardest minutes and hours that I've dealt with in awhile. I miss Lexus. I miss the noises that she made. I miss her bossy bark. I  miss the way she'd pace around the dog food bowls looking for left overs often prompting Sadie, my slow eater to growl at her. I miss the adoring way she looked at me. I miss touching her. There's a hole and I have spilled many tears, especially as I watch my kids and dogs notice her absence.

But at the kid's bedtime, after Hope and her Daddy bumped heads during the neck "snark" portion of the bedtime routine, I crawled into a tiny toddler bed with my crying 2-year-old. She rested her on my chest and I rubbed her back until she started to snore. I smelled her hair and thought about how small she is and how quickly she's growing. She'll be three in just 2 months, a big sister in four. And almost on cue Eden started to kick the big sister who was unknowingly squishing her.

And then the tears came, followed by gratitude. Even in the midst of grief, I have so much to be thankful for. I am so thankful for that moment, in this fleeting season. Thankful for the interaction between my daughters who were completely unaware. I love that I was the only one who knew. It was like a sweet secret. All too soon Hope will outgrow her tiny toddler bed and sleeping on her Mom, and all too soon my season of childbearing will come to an end and I'll never again feel the indescribable miracle of feeling your child from the inside. It was a sacred moment that I don't ever want to forget. My two girls, such gifts, so much love.

And in that moment, that little snippet of time, I know that what I needed most was to be reminded of my blessings, my home, my daughters. And while the waves of grief and guilt come, I pray that I find only gratitude. I pray that I remember that I am motivated by and surrounded with love. And that I have been given more than I deserve.

I still miss my Lex, and I anticipate more hard days to come, but I am thankful that God always provides what I need most, moment to moment, day by day. I am thankful.

Get By With a Little Help...

For a grown up like myself, there are lots of figurative giants out in the world- the economy, a mortgage, saving for retirement, college funds, your firstborn heading to kindergarten.

When you are two, there are literal giants- like the big slide on the playground.

Here you stand, 30 inches tall and this behemoth, yellow, curly slide looms over you. It is a literal Colossus at age 2. It may have well been a skyscraper to Hope's little eyes.

I watched something quite beautiful transpire between my kids at the park.

Hope climbed all the way to the top of the jungle gym and looked at me from the top of the slide. I shouted encouragements and promises to catch her from the ground that must have seemed miles away below her. And she climbed her way to the safety of a lower ledge. It wasn't enough for her this time that Momma was there waiting. It was still too risky.

Isaac, a seasoned playground veteran, watched his sister struggle. He slowed down, climbed the where she was and put his hand on the small of her back. He leaned down, like an adult talks to a child and talked to her. He said, "Sis, don't be scared to go down the big slide. It's not scary."

He lead her to the top of the slide, where she stopped, still not quite convinced. Isaac said, "Sissy, you can watch me do it." He slid down and yelled from the bottom, "See sis, I'm a big boy."

She hesitated at the top as Isaac climbed his way back up. He looked at her and said, "C'mon sis, we can do it together."

He patiently helped her sit down and folded his arms and legs around her and helped her slide down. They hit the bottom and he cheered for her, calling her a big girl. She beamed at the praise from her hero. I cheered too, through the tears under my sunglasses and the giant lump in my throat.

They aren't always sweet and encouraging to each other, quite the opposite sometimes, but I hope that long after their Daddy and I are gone that they still love each other, and encourage the other through their fears. It was one of those moments that this Momma never wants to forget.

My cup runneth over.

Even on their sweet days, they still don't pose for Mom's camera.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from the Russell Family

 

 

The Fruities...

 

 

And the Cuties!

You've Got a Friend in Me

 

Isaac's favorite movie right now is "Toy Story 3". If you can't tell, he's a pretty big fan of Buzz Lightyear. Or Buzz Light"hair" as Isaac would tell you.

 

But, he thinks Woody is a fantastic sheriff too.

 

 

And whatever Isaac thinks is cool.... When in Rome......

Naturally, we love the music from Toy Story, especially when sang by the cutest 2 and 3 year olds ever to don spacesuits.

 

So I have declared "You've Got a Friend in Me" by Randy Newman the official Russell family song.

 

Here are the lyrics:

 

You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
Just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got troubles, well I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and we see it through
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

Some other folks might be
A little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too
Maybe
But none of them will ever love you the way I do
It's me and you
And as the years go by
Boys, our friendship will never die
You're gonna see
It's our destiny
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

 

 

I hope my people always know that that they've got a friend in me. And I hope that when I am a grandmother that I'll still be able to hear my kids' voices in my mind singing. And I hope my mind will be able to recall them dancing to this little gem from "Toy Story 3".

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mBo6lOpJuQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mBo6lOpJuQ

Life Long Love

                                        

This is the book we've been reading at bedtime lately. Isaac almost has it memorized. I think he has good taste in literature.

Because this was one of my favorites when I was close to his age. This was my book. My mom is not much of a sentimental hoarder. But she kept a set of books from a Dr. Seuss book club that she enrolled me in when I was a wee toddler. And now I get to share them with Isaac. I love that she wrote dates in some of the books. And I love that I have a little book lover in the making.

 Another book in our rotation is this one:

I distinctly remember reading it in Mrs. Littleton's first grade class. And here I am reading it to my kids. Isaac has this one memorized. We own it in both hardback and board book editions. Isaac has the hard back in his room for bedtime use, and Hope chases us around with the board book, hopping in our laps at every opportunity so that she can point out the animals on each page and make the sounds. Isaac sometimes will "read" it to Hope, which melts my heart.

There is a page where the text reads: "Children, children, what do you see?"

Isaac "reads" it this way, "Chrildren, chrildren, what do YOU see?"

It's stinkin adorable.

My teacher heart hopes and prays that I am raising literature lovers. My mommy heart is so so SO grateful that I had a mother and great teachers who valued literacy and provided opportunities for me to enjoy books and reading. It truly is a life long love of mine, and I hope it will be for my kiddos too.

Christmas Take 2

I have tried twice to post these pictures. I have tried twice to blog our magical Christmas experiences. I had this post completely finished, scheduled to post, edited, etc. And it did post, but it was empty, the whole thing eaten by some internet monster. I was T.O.'d. Now it is almost March and I am going to hum "Jingle Bells" and try to muster up nostalgic holiday feelings so I can caption these as beautifully as I did the first time.

Tunia: Holiday Fashion

Comfy.

 Unwrapping a smile.

 Deck the halls.

 Momma's favorite- a Christmas tutu!

 Elmo pj's from Mimi.

Chritsmas Eve Couture.

A Visit to the Man in Red

We went to Bass Pro Shop to visit Santa this year. This was Isaac's first experience with the big guy. The only gift he consistently asked for was a Dragon Happy Napper.

 Waiting in line.

Tunia is happy here. But five minutes after this photo I handed her to Santa where she screamed her guts out. We have a great photo of it, but alas, it is packed away. It's an actual picture- not digital. I'll apologize to her in the form of paying her therapy bills for her irrational fear of red velvet.

Polar Express Party- GCK

Have I ever mentioned that I love my job? Our pre-school had a Polar Express Party as one of several celebrations of the season.

At this party our assistant director thought it would be fun to use packaging popcorn as snow. After this the assistant direction was tar-and-feathered. Just kidding, she was just fired. Just kidding again, she was chastised in good fun.

The kids voted her as queen of the universe. They loved every minute.

Isaac had a grumpy minute. I sympathy grumped.

This is his buddy, M.

His other little buddy, A, was having a moment.

These kiddos had a Polar Express Parade, and marched through the church office ringing their bells.

The Christmas Train

We went to Dry Gulch USA to ride the Christmas Train. Of all our Christmas outings, this was the one that Isaac talked about the most. He loved it! You take a train ride where you get a kid friendly, reader's digest, pictoral version of the Bible. I am looking forward to taking the kids back when they are a little older and we can discuss what they see.

Isaac with his boarding pass.

Tunia and Daddy, ready to ride.

I had stomach flu the day before, but I was NOT going to miss. I'm glad I sucked it up and went.

They may have been a little nervous about this one...

Stockings!

Our Christmas plans change from year to year. But we have decided that our "thing" that we will keep just for us, is the stockings. This year we did them before any family arrived. Even though it was mostly dollar store goodies, the kids loved it. And it was great to get to watch them enjoy their gifts in a non-rushed environment.

Bubba is ready to dig in.

Sissy loves it!

So many fun treasures.

The loot.

This.

We tried this:

It didn't work. I hope his college room mate will be cool with changing his diapers.

Russell/Gardner Christmas

Mimi, Poppy, and the Gardner cousins came over to our house on the 23rd for what I hope will be an annual holiday get-together.

Gram Rosie went on a cruise (the nerve!) and sent her gifts to the great grands.

Joia gave Hopey a ride on her new princess scooter.

Digging in.

"The Grinch" was Isaac's favorite holiday movie this year. So naturally we had to have this shirt!

Hope's biggest cousin giving her princess couch training.

"Why can't my grandkids just smile for ONE picture!?!?  Everyone else gets cute pictures of all their grandkids!"- Mimi Cyndi

At least Jaisa was smiling.

Candlelight Christmas Eve

Our church has an annual Christmas ever service. We sing Christmas carols by candelight and reflect on the birth of our savior. This year we were joined by Mimi and Poppy. Mimi joined Ryland onstage at the piano, and Poppy held Petunia who was bribed to sit still with a sucker.

Poppy and Petunia.

Isaac and "My" Kara onstage listening to the message.

Later we went to Dewey for dinner at Aunt Judy's and gifts at Jeje and Pawpa's house.

Jeje and Uncle Lane.

So sweet.

Feeding the Reindeer

At my Grandma Bonnie's house, the little kiddos have began feeding the reindeer a bag of glitter and oats in recent years- oats to eat and glitter to reflect the moon and help them see where to land.

Daddy and Isaac pouring out the feed.

Christmas Morning

This was the first year EVER in the history of my life that I spent Christmas morning in my own house. It was glorious. Waking up, being home, having a big yummy breakfast. Lovely.

Isaac got Buddy the T-rex from dinosaur train.

Hope got purple fairy princess things.

She also got a sing-a-ma-jig that Pawpa enjoyed too.

Somehow I won the Christmas morning lottery and I got ALL the kid's grandparents. I get teary thinking about it because it was so precious and I doubt it will ever happen again. I loved every minute.

Having a yuletide cinnamon roll.

Such a happy boy! Fueling up for more presents.

Grannie B's

Great Aunt Glenda and Chris helped Isaac open his gift.

This is the last Christmas we will spend in Grandma's home of over 30 years. There are a million images in my mind like this one. All precious. All greatly treasured. All will be very missed.

The kids and I made all the Grandmas and Great Grandmas a hand painted calendar. Isaac delivered Grannie B's to her and identified EVERY picture to her.

Chickasha All the Way!

Our last scheduled stop was at Angie's house in Ry's hometown of Chickasha. The Gardner girls and Isaac decided to sing and dance for us.

So painfully shy.

They dressed Isaac like this. He liked it for approximately 10 nanoseconds.

Isaac decided HE needed a solo. Again, so shy. Not.

His adoring fans.

Even Hope was bitten with the performance bug.

When his cousins did this to him, we knew we needed to call it a day.

We retired to our hotel, only to wake up in the night with a very sick Hopey. I took her to the ER with a high fever and a respiratory infection. And hopefully we will have the ER bill paid off by next Christmas.

Yes, we were sad to see Christmas go, but we know it will be back before we know it.