Anna Turns Two

On Sunday we celebrated Anna's 2nd birthday! Our baby turned two...and she is turning into quite a lovely little girl. My parents were here for the weekend to help celebrate her birthday. We spent a fun afternoon at the pumpkin patch and had a cupcake party at home. Anna requested cupcakes with sprinkles and we delivered. She was very happy with her special treat. She even told us after her nap that day that she had a dream about sprinkles (except she calls them "frinkles"). Next to the sprinkles, I think Anna's favorite part about her birthday was the "Happy Birthday" song. She sang "Happy Birthday to you!" all day long and we sang it to her at least 25 times, per her request!

Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch.

The best way to see the orchard!

Hay ride with Grandma & Grandpa.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Anna!

Make a wish!

Yummy cupcake!

It's good to be a two year old!

Anna had a fun day turning 2! This coming weekend we will travel to South Bend for a big party with both sides of the family and friends. We are looking very forward to celebrating Anna even more with everyone who loves her.

It is hard to believe we are parents of a two year old. Time flies when you're having fun ... and boy, are we! We are so very blessed by this wonderful, smart, and beautiful little girl.

Looking back and then at today.

I wrote this about Scott in my 9/8/08 blog entry. I was 36 weeks pregnant with Anna and we just finished painting her room, with Scott's help....

• As most of you know, my brother Scott and I have a great brother-sister relationship. I've always thought so. I just want to say that it's been really nice the past few weeks seeing him and spending more time with him. Brent and I really enjoyed his company while he was here for the painting extraveganza. Scott has been very supportive and attentive - always asking me if I need help with this or that. He offers me rides to the grocery store, offers to help dry dishes, and makes sure I'm not working too hard. I don't even know if he realizes it, but I sure have appreciated him. He's a great friend to me - he makes me laugh, lends me CD's, and we share funny words only we really understand (ie. sisso-sacer). He's a great brother and I love him for it.

And love him, I did. And still do.

Anna and I had a fun and busy day today. Library story time started again for the fall and she just loves it. 30 minutes of songs and stories with other kids her age. Today she played 5 different instruments and learned the song "Where is Thumbkin". I appreciate story hour so much - it helps me remember these fun little songs to teach her at home, too. After story time, we went to our friend Leah's house for a play group. Anna had fun and shared very well today. Teaching and learning to share is not easy when we're almost 2! She had a great time, came home and ate a huge lunch, and took a nap. She is up now and reading books with Brent. It's either left overs for dinner or maybe we'll treat ourselves to a dinner out! I'm thinking maybe the latter.... :)

Remembering Scott

It is with a heavy heart that I write this blog post. Since most of my blog readers are family and close friends, you most likely know this. My brother, Scott Richmond, passed away on July 22, 2010. I could not return to my blog without mentioning him. My blog has always been dedicated to happy times and happy moments. It was never intended as a journal-type of situation for me to vent my troubles or frustrations. But this time, it is different. The loss of my brother has shaken me to the core and has forever changed the lives for my family and me. At moments it seems unbearable to have lost him. For me it is unbearable at every moment to think that I will never see him again. And, God willing, I have many more years on this earth. And for all of the years ahead to me to be without my brother... it is overwhelming.

I will share again what I read at the beginning of Scott's funeral.

"I would like to thank everyone for coming today in memory of Scott. For those of you who don’t know me well, I am Laura, Scott’s sister. I want to take this opportunity today to remember Scott in a special way. To remember him for the great man that he was. Scott was kind, thoughtful, incredibly smart, and funny. He loved his family deeply. And oh, how we loved him. He loved my mom’s cooking. He loved Notre Dame football, movies, and his cat Josie. Most of you probably have a favorite memory of Scott. Maybe – and most likely – for times that he made you laugh. I have favorite memories, too. He was only 16 months older than me and we were good friends growing up. I don’t remember fighting much – except when we would break my plastic headbands. We played board games and built Lego’s. His Lego houses were always much better than mine - the engineer in him even back then, I guess. He tutored me in math. He held my hand once when I was afraid. He teared up when he saw me in my wedding dress. He was there to hold my baby girl after the very first hour she was born. And we shared a deep love for our parents...for our Mom and Dad. Today, let’s remember Scott – not for his sadness – but for his life….for him….and for the life that we loved. Scott was our brother, son, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. We love you Scott and we will miss you every day."

I like to think about Scott up in heaven. That he is happy. And looking down at me smiling. That he is watching over me and all of my family. And especially watching over Anna. I like to think that she has a special angel in him.

Rest in peace, my brother. I love you, Scotto!