It's Friday!

It's Friday night, and I'm curled up on the couch with Abby and Nate watching The Grinch (the non-cartoon version).  (Emma is at a friend's house having a sleepover, so I just have the little ones tonight.)  I love this.  We're in our pajamas. Lots of snuggling.  Talking over each other in an effort to tell me everything that's happened in the past week.  Commenting on the movie we've probably seen 50 times.  I love this moment:  the beginning of a new week with them.  I love that they are still young enough to snuggle. I love hearing their stories.

We have so much to do this weekend:  put up the Christmas trees, assemble the Christmas train under the tree, make Christmas cookies....

But for now, we are snuggling, watching a familiar movie, and enjoying the moment.

I Am Grateful ... for Abby

Abby is my spunky, sparkly girl.  And I don't just mean her clothes.

There is a sparkle deep inside Abby....a light, a delight, a joy that runs in her heart and soul.  Sometimes she keeps it under wraps, hiding under her frustration with reading or her frustration with having a little brother....but it slips out....in the big and little moments of her life.  There is a zest and a passion in her that I hope and pray she never loses.

Abby sees the world a little differently than a lot of children her age....she sees the details, the things that other people miss.  She sees the hurt hiding in people's faces.  She sees (or feels) people's emotions very clearly.  She sees the amazing creativity of God in the minutia and the grandeur of creation.  She will sketch or draw something that she has seen recently, and the drawing will focus on a detail or a piece that I didn't even see at all.  Probably because of how clearly and distinctly she sees the world, she also has very vivid and detailed dreams, which can be both good and bad.  I think she dreams in color.

I am grateful that Abby is competitive but is also a team player

I am grateful for her amazing creativity

I am grateful that Abby is amazing at math

I am so grateful for her unique view of the world

I am grateful for Abby's sense of justice

I am grateful for her contagious laugh

I am grateful for her energy (I'll admit, I wasn't so grateful when she was a two year old, but as an eight year old, it's now a gift and I am thankful)

I am grateful that she is a fighter (I know that sounds negative, but this is a

strength that can serve her well in life if she uses it the right way)

I am grateful for Abby's ability to make friends wherever she goes

I am grateful that she is fearless about joining a group even when she doesn't know anyone

I am grateful for her willingness to be a tryer!

I am grateful that she loves vegetables!!  Amen!

I am grateful for her sense of humor

I am grateful that she is my daughter

Carving with Cousins

This is not a job to be taken lightly.....

 ....it requires concentration

 ....fine motor dexterity...

 ...and a true artist's eye...

 ...and sometimes, even a helping hand...

But the results are a lot of fun!

 Cousins Lila, Silas and Eli joined us for the annual tradition of creating

pumpkin art.  Even Abby's best friend, Hannah, joined in the project! 

Eli's contribution to the pumpkin line-up was slightly more understated.

 Ta-da!



And then there are games when you really have to work for it

 Hmmm....this is harder than I thought

 But I like playing left wing....

 And 11 is my self-proclaimed "lucky number"...

 And my legs were built for running....

 Now, if everyone else could just keep up with me....

We'd win!

We did!

Seriously, could she be having any more fun?

This is what soccer is all about!

Happy Birthday Dear Abby

Abby prefers apple pie instead of cake!  Girl after my own heart.

 Celebrating with lots of family: Daddy, Nikki and Charlotte, Uncle Jon, Auntie Chrissy, Cousins Lila, Silas and Eli, and of course...our crew of seven.  It was a full house!

 The long awaited gift!

Abby has been waiting ever so patiently for several years to get her very own DS.  Not only did she get a DS, she scored a 3DS from Mommy, Rob, Daddy and Nikki!  (Apparently the 3D part is really bad for your eyes so we're not actually using that feature, but it has alot of other cool stuff!!)

 She also got several games for her DS and some of her favorite things: ART SUPPLIES!  Perfect for our resident artist!

 Most of the crew, including Abby's best friend Hannah

Abby-girl, I am so proud of the young lady you are becoming.  You exhibit grace.  You bring us joy.  Your laugh is contagious.  Your strength is an example.  Your spunk is my absolute delight.  I love that when I look at you, I see Jesus living in your heart and exhibited in your life.  It is His grace, His joy, His strength that is in you and you bless us every single day by showing us more of Him.

Is it really that time again?

2nd Grade

(Could she be any cuter?)

 

5th Grade (seriously?)

 

Kindergarten

(love the missing tooth!)