Abbeyisms

Guitar Heroine

Loves the pool

Abbey is at the stage of talking where she comes out with some hilarious translations. I want to be able to remember them, so I need to document them. My favorite treat is known as "shocklet". She is quite a fan of chocolate also. Mom, Dad and Abbey go on date nights to "Barbucks" for coffee and whip cream (krrrrr) for Abbey. The other day she was singing, "Row, row, row your boat" at the top of her lungs and ended with "like a butter dream". When asked where she was born or where Elijah is she replies, "The Shine-a". When she wants to take you to show you something she says, "Show me." John, Jr's pet name for her is Abbs McGee. When asked what John calls her she says, "Abaskee". Yesterday, while eating a Happy Meal she said, "Mommy, do you want some of me fench fies?" When I said, "Yes, thank you." She gave me one she had already bitten, then said, "Ut-oh, that's got me germs, let me get you nutter one!" This was probably a byproduct of spending 24 hours with her germ-a-phobic big sister, Beth! Abbey can count consistently to 13, then skips to 18 and goes to 21. She can say her ABC's, but regularly leaves out "J". Her favorite food is cheese and gummy fruit snacks. She loves puzzles and blocks. On our walk tonight, she told me that God made the moon, her, me, birds and houses and cars! This little girl of ours is quite a demonstration of the magnificent creation abilities of our God!

Twenty-Five Years Ago:

I married my best friend! We were so young, we have pretty much grown up together. I look to him for so many things. He is my confidante, my buddy, my spiritual advisor, my partner, my friend, my comic, the one that can make me angrier than anyone else, the one that can make me happier than anyone else, he's pretty much my everything, next to my God. I'm quite certain that God intended for us to be with each other. Even though we've been together long enough to finish each other's sentences, (Sometimes because one has forgotten what they were trying to say, age does that to folks) we never feel bored or tired of each other. It's wonderful when you have someone that you can talk forever with, and just as comfortably, not say a word. I feel that I'm the luckiest girl on the planet to have the marriage that I have. I pray that God will see fit to give us at least 25 more years together.

I love the words of Ruth Graham Bell,
"Too often early love is a mirage built on daydreams. Love deepens with understanding, and varying viewpoints expand and challenge one another. So many things improve with age. Those who abandon ship the first time it enters a storm miss the calm beyond and the rougher the storms weathered together, the deeper and stronger real love grows."

Happy Farter's Day!!

No, that isn't a typo. Those are the words John woke up to today. Spoken by our sweet little one, Abbey. John, Jr came home for the weekend, but Beth couldn't make it. Daniel was also absent, spending the week at the beach.(He asked Dad's permission to miss Father's Day) While at church today, we went in the see Anna sing during the youth worship. John had tears in his eyes. Her voice was wonderful. I closed my eyes and praised God for giving her such a wonderful gift, and for the fact that she was using that gift for Him! John said that was the best Father's Day gift, to hear her praising God. We went out to eat with some dear friends and then John went to the pool to play basketball. During this day, I couldn't help but think how I almost lost my dad to a heart attack a few months ago. It was really scary. He's always been there for me. Growing up, there wasn't anything my Daddy couldn't do. I'm so thankful that he's still here. On this day, John also thinks about his Dad. He passed away 10 years ago. John was very close to his dad and misses him greatly. Now about John. I don't think there is a more perfect father for my kids. He loves them unconditionally and continuously provides for their needs. One of his greatest joy is when they are all at home. There isn't anything he wouldn't do for them. The adoption of Elijah shows the heart of my husband. There aren't many men that would follow God's leading and take on another child after having 5 others. But, when God speaks to him he does his best to follow. I'm extremely proud that he's the Daddy of my kids!

A New Week Begins...

Last week wasn't a very pleasant week for me. I struggled with Abbey being so sick, worry about the new pandemic announcement and what it would mean for us, John was out of town, I was upset about the absence of our LOA, and I was very tired most of the week. I could definitey consider it as a "storm" or a "wilderness time" spiritually . On Friday, John brought me a new devotion book. Friday evening I opened it, and the devotion I read was titled, It is I; Be Not Afraid. Here is what it said, "You'll get through this storm. Dave Dravecky said, 'Looking back...I have learned that the wilderness is part of the landscape of faith, and every bit as essential as the mountaintop. On the mountaintop we are overwhelmed by God's presence. In the wilderness we are overwhelmed by His absence. Both places should bring us to our knees; the one, in utter awe, the other in utter dependence.'" (Quoted from Word for Today, June, July and August) Wow! how true and how directly it spoke to me. I also have found that we appreciate the mountaintop much more when we have been through the wilderness. I believe Romans 8:28 is true. Therefore, the problems of the past week were there for a reason. God is shaping me and preparing me for His future plans for me. Also, as I walk with Him through the wilderness, He is showing me more and more aspects of his character. The key is to walk with God, and not try to walk alone. So, as I enter into a new week, it is with renewed prayers that are praising my Lord no matter whether in the wilderness or the mountaintop. But, Lord, a mountaintop would certainly be welcomed!!

Abbey's Feeling Better

It has been a rough time, but Abbey is finally getting better. Monday evening (actually midnight), I had to take her to the emergency room. Her hands and feet were so swollen, she couldn't walk very comfortably. Her eyes were partially swollen shut. She also was running a fever. The Dr. was afraid her throat would swell and she wouldn't be able to breathe. She really was pitiful. She was constantly scratching. So much so, that the next day she had bruises where she had scratched. At the emergency room, they gave her steroids and a new antihistamine. She eventually had some relief and fell asleep. They then let us go home. We got home around 4 am. We are assuming that all of this is because of a reaction to the antibiotic. Needless to say, she will not be getting that antibiotic again. Today, she only has a few lesions and the swelling has decreased. Thank the Lord, she is better!

A bummer of a day

Today hasn't been the best day I've ever had. Abbey has had a reaction to something, probably the antibiotic she was taking for an ear infection. Starting yesterday afternoon, she developed massive whelts all over her body. She was up at 5:30 this morning miserable. The whelts itch intensely. She already has several bleeding scratches all over her. She looks so pitiful. It has even invaded her face. Her eyes look like she has been in the ring with Rocky. Tonight, she started to run a fever. If she isn't better tomorrow, I'll call the Dr. We went to see the Dr. today. She said that it was a typical allergic reaction, and to keep her on Benedryl. She also said it could last 3-5 days. So, obviously, we can't go anywhere. I've played puzzles, read books, played trains, kitchen and anything else I could to get her mind off the incessant itching. Poor baby! She's utterly miserable. If it wasn't enough to hurt for her, I've discovered that TA's are taking 2-3 months to come after LOA's. (And I don't even have the LOA, yet) I was counting on 6-8 weeks after LOA. So, once again, time is being lengthened. I'm so frustrated, there is a little boy in China waiting for me. Because of darn government bureaucracy, I can't get to him! Just not a good day. Please pray for our little girl and her frustrated mom.

Daniel's 15!!Accepting the MVP award for his swimming with his year round team

A little while ago, we celebrated Daniel's 15 birthday. He will be taking Driver's Ed this summer. Nothing sends a Mom to her knees, like handing her kid the keys! Of course, he is excited, and we are resigned. Daniel is a very special young man. He entered public school from home school for the first time this year. He has done fabulously. As of this writing, he has all "A's". He is devoted to his chosen sport of swimming. He diligently goes to practice every day. His swimming times reflect this dedication. Both of these characteristics are admirable, but what we value most is Daniel's devotion to our Lord. He (along with Anna) have published their testimonies on Facebook. He wants to worship the Lord with all his might. I'm not ashamed to say there have been a few times when he saw something I did or said and gently delivered the "Well, Mom, what would God have wanted you to do?" speech. To which I replied, "As much as I hate to admit it, you are right." He's not perfect, but he is willing to admit when he messes up. He also can be a ornery teenager. We are very thankful for him. It will be interesting to see where God will lead him. We love you, Dan-the-man!!

Abbey's idea of heaven on earth...

Jumpin' Beans!

Abbey loves to go to Jumpin' Beans. We went last week with Lottie, Kylie, Caleb and their Moms. She can jump for hours. She absolutely adores this place. Taking a break for a snack
Kylie, Caleb and Abbey

In Mid-Flip

Down the slide

Sadness... no more preschool

This past year, I have taught four year olds in a church sponsored preschool. I've thoroughly enjoyed doing so. The kids were witty, cute as they could be, loving and very smart. The staff was wonderful also. It has been a great experience for me. All my life, all I've wanted to be is a Mom. I became a teacher, so I could "mother" kids. Because of the timing of Elijah's adoption, I cannot return next year. This makes me sad. Although sad, I have a God given peace about it. As I was praying before the last day of school, God spoke to my heart and opened my eyes. I was telling Him how I was going to miss the kids, how I was good at doing this, how, with the economy the way it is right now, we surely could use the extra money, how I could minister to more kids if I stayed teaching, and how I could be an extra mother to these kids. I basically asked Him why He had arranged the timing to be like this. Then I heard Him say, "Remember you are the only mother Elijah has!" Wow, talk about putting the correct perspective on things. Now, I may miss the opportunities that the job gave me, but I know in my heart that staying home is the right thing to do for Elijah. Because I won't be working there, Abbey will not return to preschool. She had the most wonderful teachers. They loved her in spite of her tendency to take off running down the halls to the ball room and her annoying need to constantly take her shoes off. They have been fantastic to her. She will miss them. Abbey with Ms. Terie and Ms. Amy, her teachers
With a friend at the year end picnic

In a new dress before the end of the year program.

She actually sang on stage. Nana, Grandaddy and Daddy were there.

God's timing is perfect in every way!