Callaway beach and family in Georgia

Between childcare days and non-negotiable work obligations, Nathan took a couple of vacation days and we made a midweek two-day trip to Georgia. Nathan joined Dad Garner and bro-in-law Stephen in recovering bus seats (a huge and very hot summer tradition) and we enjoyed some family time. Stephen had brought Lane and Patrick with him and so the three cousins had lots of fun together - especially the morning we went to Callaway Gardens beach with Mom Garner. All the pictures are fun, but I must admit, my personal favorite (it always makes me laugh!) is "Flexing with Granddaddy."

And more fun with friends

The week after Lydia and Tom's daughters were born (see "Tiny new nieces" below!) included more special visits with friends. College/extension friend Cathy and her family had supper with us one evening and we learned more about the aviation ministry their family is headed toward in the Philippines. Our children wasted little time in becoming buddies. Abigail's good friends Emmalein and "Baby Celia" also spent a fun morning with us.

Fun with friends in early June

Our little inflatable pool provided lots of fun on sunny summer days! One morning, Abigail, David and I met "Tante Erikala" (Abigail's name for her!) and Emmalein and Celia at the park, only to discover it was too hot for comfort. So, we went back to the house for "swimming" and a picnic. The next day, our long-time friend Cherith came through while on deputation travels. She's on her way to Papua New Guinea to do Bible translating work!

Daniel & Jennifer's wedding 5/31/08

The last weekend in May, Julia's brother Daniel (Mee) married Jennifer. . . making our blended family one member larger. =)

Bible verses in May

Abigail was actually "reading" these verses from her New Testament (Psalm 34:8 and Psalm 23 in two segments) to her teddy bears and I grabbed the camera. She was distracted at times (Be quiet...!) because her friend David was with us for the day.

Tiny new nieces!!

I'm not "caught up" on blogging, but this post can't wait till I am! =)
Sunday night (June 8), my sister Lydia gave birth to twin girls - Isabella Faith and Lydia Grace. The girls were 5 lb 2 oz and 5 lb 0 oz respectively. Monday evening my brother Caleb, Nathan, Abigail and I drove to visit them at the hospital. The girls are little but healthy - praise the Lord! - and were able to come home Wednesday. This afternoon/evening, Abigail and I got to spend several hours with Lydia and girls. . . what a sweet time. We didn't want to leave them. More pictures will certainly follow. =)

She said it!

Two-year-olds say such amusing things. . . and Abigail's no exception. Here are some from the past few months that make us smile:

About 9:30 one chilly night in February, a little, but very distresssed voice calls from Abigail's room: "Black socks doesn't match, Mommy! Black socks doesn't match. Sniff. Sniff." (She was wearing pink fleece pajamas and I'd left her black socks from the day on.)

While dropping a trash bag off at the dumpster one morning:
Abigail: Sometimes Abigail's friends stinky. We frow them in the trash.
Mommy: You mean your friends sometimes have stinky diapers and we throw the diapers in the trash?
A: Uh huh. Sometimes Abigail's friends stinky. We frow them in the trash.
M: We throw the diapers in the trash. But we don't throw friends in the trash, do we?
A: No.
M: Why not? (recent discussions about how God made people special)
A: They too big!

During Nathan's busy semeseter of work and MBA classes:
Abigail says to Daddy as he leave for class after being home from work only 30 minutes: "Thank you [for] coming, Daddy."
(By the way, we're loving spending most evenings with him now!)

11:00 p.m. Mommy pushing Abigail's door farther open for better circulation during the night: A sits up in bed and says, "Pwease cwose da door, Mommy," and then conks back to sleep immediately.

Abigail loves to "mother" little children and babies and can't wait till she's a mommy. On the way home from church in late April: Abigail tells us: "Abigail keeping all the children at the nurs-ry till their moms come get them. Lady holding one boy -Abigail taking care other boys." (By the way, there are currently mostly boys in her nursery and Abigail is older than the majority of them. . . by 2-3 months. =)

As part of conversation about names with a friend:
Mommy to Abigail: "What is your name?"
A: "Abigail"
M: "What is your last name?"
A: "Kae is Abigail's middle name."
M: "That's right! And what's your last name?"
A: "Stinker Binker!" (A nickname Daddy used on Abigail primarily in her baby days)

Days in our lives (April 8-24)

Early in the month, Abigail and Julia undertook a long-awaited project - painting the master bedroom! We had fun and the room looks much better (and more colorful!). Abigail was thrilled to try her hand at painting, but found the roller a bit heavy. She and her friend Emmalein enjoyed several visits and pretended to nap together. . . they're both growing up so fast. Another night I found her bouncing on Daddy's shoulders when he was "tucking her in" for the night. And one morning, she'd moved too much in her sleep and was hanging off the end of her bed! We had a surprise visit from former neighbors and couldn't believe how much Stephon, Gretchen, Lindsey and Timaria had grown. One Sunday night while Mommy was getting supper, Abigail called to us, "I'm having a baby in my tummy" and we saw that she'd discovered a new trick with her ball - and was very proud of herself! One full morning, Mommy and Abigail took friend Ree and baby Desmirion shopping for setting up housekeeping. Later that day, Uncle Cablet, Uncle Daniel and Aunt Charlotte joined us for a local "siblings supper." =)

Riverbanks Zoo

April 4 Abigail and Julia drove to Columbia and met (Aunt) Lydia and (cousin) Gabriel at Riverbanks Zoo. We loved the time together and enjoyed watching all the animals - so many that we had to leave before finishing. Afterwards we had a picnic lunch and then got ice cream at Chick-Fil-A. Abigail was asleep just a couple of miles down the road! And she talked for days (weeks?) afterwards about the noisy monkeys and the hippo sleeping in his big puddle and the giraffe who got too close for comfort. Amazing creations of a creative God!

Easter and afterwards with Grandma Johnson

Easter was the day after Lydia's shower and Mom and Grandma Johnson got to come back with us for a couple of days. We celebrated Christ's Resurrection together and enjoyed several meals with Caleb. Tuesday Abigail and I rode in "GramMee's new red car with Great-grandma Johnson" to Knoxville and spent a couple of days with the Mees. Abigail loved seeing her aunt and uncles there and both places Abigail and Grandma Johnson enjoyed reading lots of books. The night before the generations were to head our separate ways, Dad Mee took some pictures of the four of us (yep, we looked tired =). It was special to have been able to spend four days together! Thursday we took Grandma to the airport for her flight back to VA and then Mom took us part way home and Nathan and Caleb met us. One little girl was overjoyed to be reunited with her daddy (her mommy was pretty happy too =).

Lydia's "babies shower"

The day before Easter we had a baby shower for Lydia and Tom in expectation of their daughters' arrival. Local friends (including Army friends, police friends, and neighbors) and family (from VA, TN, and SC) came and others sent gifts. Tom and Lydia were very happy to receive a double stroller, car seats, highchairs, a bathtub, clothes, baby equipment, and lots more - nearly ready for Isabella and Lydia's arrival! The shower was for guys and girls - a first for most of the guys present. We had lots of fun.

Spring! Early march snapshots

Warm days are so exciting this year. We enjoyed a trip to the local zoo with several friends the beginning of the month and for days afterwards Abigail talked much about the noisy monkeys and the snakes. Abigail's friend Emmalein has a new baby sister and it's been fun to spend time together again (splashing at the sink with Emmalein or holding Celia). Picnicking is another joy of spring -- we ate lunch by the river with long-time friend Ree and her son Desmirion.