Abigail's two years old! - December 10

Pictures are finally up - just two months after the fact. =) Julia's brother Caleb (Uncle Tabet to Abigail) joined us the evening of Abigail's birthday - which made it a party in Abigail's estimation. She was delighted by his company and the balloons and cupcakes and ice cream and candles and singing. Her three presents were overwhelming - we had to pull her away from the first to make her open the second (If only we'd known!). She loves her pots and pans, dollhouse, and play-doh barrel. The next morning five young friends (and mommies) came for a snowflake themed birthday party (ironic considering the mid-December 75 degree weather!). "Happy Dirthday, Abigail!" We love you and thank God for you!

November B - coming soon

Travels in November

The first days in November found us in Lynchburg, VA for Randy Beaty's funeral service. Randy was the 21-year-old second son of long-time friends who are missionaries in China and the testimony of Randy and of his family brought sweet praise to our God. We spent time with a number of friends while in the area.
Mid-way through the following week we left for Georgia and got to spend a few days with Mom and Dad Garner and to visit all of Nathan's grandparents - a real treat. Abigail loved all the spoiling from her grandparents and great-grandparents. =)
The slideshow includes a couple of pictures of Abigail with David - one of her best buddies whom we keep weekly.

Visit from Great-Grandparents

GramMee (Julia's mom) brought Abigail's Great-Granddad and Great-Grandma Johnson here for a visit October 18-21. We loved having them in our home it was great for Abigail to have time to get to know them better (than the "quick overnight for big event trips" previously).

Fun times in October

Abigail thinks it's perfectly delightful when Mommy babysits her friends! She's also becoming quite the helper in the kitchen--making "biscuits for Daddy" is her specialty. Jennie Lue's birthday (eighty something) was a highlight and for weeks afterwards, every cake or balloon prompted Abigail to say, "Happy dirthday, Jennie Lue!"

GSP Family Fun Day at Holden Park - 9/29/07

So much to learn - October 19

Granddad and Grandma Johnson and Mom (Mee) are here for a few days and soon after I put Abigail to bed last night, she started crying. I came up to check on her. It seems she was disturbed by all the commotion in her usually quite house. I talked with her about how she could listen to Great-grandma Johnson getting ready for bed and listen to the others (my brother Caleb too) talking downstairs while she fell asleep. She responded, "Listen - tummy. Listen -tummy." Huh?? She tried again, "Listen - ears? Listen -ears?" "That's right, Baby, we listen with our ears." Have you considered how much a child has to learn? =)

(Pictures later: first I have to find Abigail's hiding place for the card reader for our camera/computer.)

Jumping!

"Jumping" is Abigail's newest skill. Her practice and performance sessions are quite comical. She crouches, she springs, and. . . you can view the rest. Just for your peace of mind: she was not injured (no tears) in the second clip.

I like it

Abigail spoke her first complete sentence last week. On this silent video clip she's saying "I like it." Afterwards she expounded on the topic: "I like it - bubbles." "I like it - ice-seem (ice cream)".

Overwhelmed with gratitude

Moments ago a far-away friend and I were communicating by e-mail. She mentioned amazement that I loved her after seeing her re-act wrongly in a situation years ago. This triggered precious remembrances for me. Can I hold a wrong against another believer when my Savior has forgiven me so much more? We fail and fall often. . . but CHRIST NEVER DID! And His righteousness is what God sees in the accounts of His children! Praise His Name! Rest in Him.

For He hath made him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Bedtime stories

Abigail loves stalling bedtime. When we sit down to pray with her she starts distraction tactics. "Eye-bows. Da-da. Eye-bows. Mommy. Abi-ail." One evening (a month or more ago) as we finished praying she put her hands on the sides of Mommy's head and starting "helping" me nod up and down. While I was "nodding," Abigail started saying, "Yes. Yes. Tweat [treat]. Yes." Of course, we had to chuckle at her creativity. And, of course, this encouraged her to continue.

We have no idea where she got the idea, but Abigail loves to put socks on her hands at bedtime. Several mornings I found her with bare feet and socks on her hands and so Daddy often gives her an extra pair before he says goodnight. Abigail thinks it's very funny to wave "hi" with her mittened hands. Abigail told us she was "swimming" on the counter the night this picture was taken. Who knows the mind of a toddler?

Visiting the Mees