Christmas 2010

What a WONDERFUL Christmas we had!!

Bishop with his Great Grandparents, the Lokens

Christmas Eve

Bishop was spoiled with lots of fun toys and clothes--and he loves them all! We went to Christmas eve service at Trinity and Bishop did great! He loves all the people and the music...he just smiles at everyone! At one point Luke stood in the outside aisle with him and he was enamored with the stone wall. He also tried giving people "high fives" as they walked back to their pews, but noone took him up on it! He is so interactive and fun these days--absolutely everything is more fun!

Bishop playing with one of his new toys!

Bishop being silly with one of his new toys!

Christmas day we celebrated with the Froehle's at the Danielson's, which was a lot of fun. Bishop LOVED their train and he crawled around in a circle trying to catch it!

Grandpa and Grandma Froehle

Uncle Jake

Of course, Christmas went WAY too fast and I was sad to see it end! We all had so much fun and it was great that we could all be together!! It was especially special for me this year because I was able to completely enjoy everything leading up to Christmas, as last year I was on bedrest.....it was WELL worth it though and it made me appreciate this Christmas even more!

The Bishop Christmas

Last Saturday we hosted "The Bishop Christmas"! It was a lot of fun and ALMOST all of the "Bishop's" could make it--we were 3 short! Santa even made a visit! :)

Sunday Rich and Eileen came to visit and watched BIshop for a few hours so Luke and I could go skiing...I hadn't been skiing in over 2 years, and it felt GREAT to get out! I definitely have a long way to go to get in shape, but I'm excited to get back into it!

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!

December

I'm sorry I've been slacking on the blog the past 2 weeks....life has been crazy, looking for a job, getting ready for the Holidays, etc.

Here is a snapshot of the past 2 weeks:

Bishop's first time seeing Santa...it went really well, he didn't cry, which impressed Santa!

Bishop and Johnny visiting Santa

Bishop has his TOTS collar on for his torticollis. It doesn't bother him while he's wearing it and hopefully it's working!

Last Friday we hosted 24 of our best friends for dinner at our house. Thankfully, our friend, Raul, who is a chef did all the cooking--the food was AMAZING!! Everyone had a great time and it all worked out perfectly having everyone seated facing each other....I think we've started a new tradition (the old one was going to The Lexington).

Bishop was at Gpa and Gma B's for the weekend and it sounds like they ALL had a GREAT time! :) Bishop started pulling himself all the way up and he does it all the time now, it's so fun! Gpa B was teaching Bishop how to dribble and bounce pass...Bishop was enjoying that quite a bit and he's been practicing at home too!

We were supposed to have another Holiday Dinner on Saturday night, but the weather prevented us from doing that. Our two friends, Raul and Aric were stranded at our house until Sunday morning....it was fun to have them here (especially since Raul continued to cook for us)

We are gearing up for Christmas and we'll host Bishop Family Christmas at our house on Saturday--so that'll be fun.

Tough week

I know it's been a little while since I've posted and A LOT has happened in the past 2 weeks.

I found out last Thursday that I lost my job. We were all expecting the call and after MANY rounds of cuts, unfortunately, this time I didn't make it. Whether or not it's a good thing or not...I'm not alone. A lot of my good friends and colleagues lost their jobs right along with me. I was with Sanofi-aventis for 7 years and have had a roller coaster of emotions the past week. It's really hard not going to work everyday and not knowing what my future holds. Thankfully, the company is taking care of us, so that helps. My new job is looking for a job...and let me tell you, it's more than a full time job! I have been busier this past week than I would have ever thought.

The good news is I found something already and I've been offered a position. The tough part is it's a job that is completely different and not something I would have "sought out"...I had 2 interviews and was offered the job today--I asked for some time, as things moved along much faster than I had imagined and the hiring manager was gracious enough to allow me some time to think about it and get my bearings.

I'll be honest--2010 has been a very difficult and challenging year. The most challenging year, yet. But, I have SO much to be thankful for and a WONDERFUL husband and loving son, who I just can't get enough of!! I do believe everything happens for a reason and I believe something better is out there-it's just a matter of how long it'll take to find it!

On a different note--Bishop has had a tough week too. We found out last Thursday (same day I lost my job) that he needs a TOTS collar for his torticollis, which he was fitted for today. It's a plastic collar with hard plastic so he can't tilt his neck to one side. He'll wear it whenever he's awake (and being watched) and so far it doesn't seem to bother him (not much does)!! He also has had a little sickness and was sent home from daycare on Monday with a fever. He's doing MUCH better now.

We celebrated Eileen's (Luke's mom's) birthday with her and Rich on Tuesday night by spending the night in Cold Spring. It was such a nice night and it was extra special since we weren't able to be together for Thanksgiving.

Let me know if you hear of any sales jobs in Minnesota--I'm actively looking and appreciate any leads you may have. Although it's been a tough year, I do believe better things are in store and I'll end up in a better place overall!

Thanksgiving 2010

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and we have SO much to be thankful for this year!

The plan was to celebrate Thanksgiving in Cold Spring with the Froehle's on Thursday and we were planning on going up on Wednesday and staying until Friday, but Eileen came down with the flu, so we weren't able to go. Instead, the three of us had a great day at home. We made our own special Thanksgiving meal (pancakes and eggs for breakfast, soup for lunch, and potroast for dinner). Since it was a special day Bishop wore his Superman outfit all day!! Luke and I were able to get all the boxes moved in from the garage and we just need to get the couches in and then we'll be able to park a car in the garage!

Friday we went to Owatonna--Shelly and Ryan were able to make it down Friday, so we had our family together that afternoon/night, which was so fun!

Saturday the entire Bishop family was together, which was so fun! All of my grandparents were there, along with my cousins, and aunt and uncle. We went on our annual walk after the "big meal". Bishop absolutely LOVES cream corn and stuffing--he would probably still be eating it if we let him!

All in all, it was the perfect weekend (aside from Eileen being sick and not being able to celebrate with them).

It has been a very eventful year and we have so much to be thankful for! We are so blessed to have such wonderful families and friends--we love you all!

Weekend in

We've had a great weekend so far! Friday night the three of us went out for dinner, which was fun. Luke and I used to go out for dinner all the time...we didn't think twice about it. Obviously it's a little more difficult now, so it was a fun night for the three of us. Bishop did great!

Saturday Luke delivered firewood all day, so Bishop and I went and visited our friends Melissa and Bennett (and Matt too). Bennett was such a great friend and Bishop loved playing with him and all his fun toys!

Bennett and Bishop

Saturday night our friends Raul and Tricia came over and Raul cooked us the most fantastic meal--it was delicious! He is a chef and it was a trial run for the Holiday party we're hosting in a few weeks...I can't wait! Later that night it rained/sleeted and everything turned to pure ICE. Raul and Tricia left around 12:30 and called about an hour later, asking if they could spend the night--they had gotten 2 blocks and were not going to make it much farther....so smart of them to come back! It was still slick ice this morning so they hung out for awhile before the temps warmed up and the ice started to melt.

Luke's cousin, Mike and his wife, Valeria and daughter, Maia came over to watch the Vikings game today--Maia is 2 months younger than Bishop and they had so much fun playing together.

Maia and Bishop

Bishop has had a rough few days....he is teething and he has a pretty bad cough. I feel SO bad for him--he hasn't slept well and is in a considerable amount of pain. I hope the teeth break through soon....he had one of his eye teeth break through already, but there are more to come.

Bishop pulled himself all the way up today for the first time!! He's done it more than once today, so that's fun and exciting!! I hate seeing my baby in pain and uncomfortable, I hope it passes quickly!!

We are very excited for Thanksgiving--we have SO much to be thankful for!! It'll be a great week!

Cloud Cult Concert

Luke and I went to the Cloud Cult concert with our friends Tim and Liana last night. We love this band and three of the members are originally from Owatonna (small world).

We took the bus, which is super convenient for us. It was quite the eventful bus ride--we got on and a guy on the bus had a seizure within one block of us getting on. I called 911 and thankfully there was a nurse onboard who stepped up to help hold his head, as he fell out of his seat and gashed his head. It was pretty scary and made me reflect on A LOT of things. The guy must have just gotten out of the hospital, as he still had his armband on and he had a bag with him. Who knows what the situation was, but it was sad. The paramedics got there right away and took him. He was breathing and was done seizing by the time they got there. It really puts everything into perspective and the MANY MANY things we have to be thankful for.

The concert was good--it wasn't there best ever, but we still had a great time!! It was a fun night out for Luke and I!