Pumpkin Patch!

I have NO IDEA what is going on with my camera cards lately but all the pics I took from my camera are saying they are corrupted due to the card.  Thank goodness my sweet sister in law had her camera too!  We had SUCH a fun weekend spending time with Neannie, Kourtney and Krista.  The pumpkin patch was so fun and we basically took in all the fun they had to offer.  We rode on a hayride, played in the houses, climbed the hay bales, and AK's favorite, slid on the slide numerous times.  She has asked me 10 times since yesterday if we were going back to the pumpkin patch.  I will have to take her one more time this week!  Thanks, family, for such a fun weekend!

Homecoming!

We had SUCH a wonderful weekend.  OSU homecoming is one of my favorite events of the year.  This year, almost all our family got together and had SUCH a sweet time together.  We also got to visit with dear friends not seen often enough.  Friday night was walkarounds.  OSU has one of the largest homecomings in the nation (I actually think it is the largest).  Walkarounds is where the close the main roads through campus and all the sororities and fraternities pair up and create these massive house decorations in front of the houses.  You would not believe the size of these things.  So needless to say, Abby Kate was in wonderland.  Not to mention there were tons of booths and a carnival and PIZZA!  One of my favorite memories of the night was AK and B going on a slide at the carnival.  B went with her so he could slide down with her.  She got to the top and a guy working held on to her while B finished climbing up.  She pulled away from the guy and hurled herself down the slide (see pic 6 and 7).  We all DIED laughing!  

We tailgated on Saturday in a lovely spot.  We had perfect views of Pistol Pete and the band.  Abby Kate got to run and play to her hearts content!  She had plenty of doting adults to play with which put her in heaven.  She also tried to make friends with each child that passed.  She loves to talk to other people and then turn to me and say, "MOM! I am talking to them!"  I assure her "I see that!" which really cracks me up.  We really did have such a wonderful time.  I will post more pics on my personal blog.  

Fun pic and Daddy Date Night

I just loved this first picture.  The next 2 are from Abby Kate's Daddy Date Night.  I had a Homemade Gourmet party at our house Wednesday night and so Bobby took AK on a date.  They met some of Daddy's friends and Uncle Hal at Chili's.  She was SO excited to get dressed and "beautiful" for her night with Daddy!  This is her new favorite hair-do.  She calls it Abby Cadabby hair!

BIG Cousin!

We have SUPER FUN news!  Abby Kate is going to be a big cousin!  My sweet brother and sister-in-law are HAVING A BABY!  I cannot tell you how excited we all are!  He/she will be welcomed around May 7th.  

They are so fun.  They waited until after she had gone to the doctor and they even had ultrasound pictures.  She is around 11 weeks and everything is going wonderfully.  They told us by giving Abby Kate this "I'm going to be a big cousin" t-shirt (how sweet is that!) and AK wore it to dinner and my Mom noticed right away.  Of course, we all cried super joyful tears and rejoiced this new life.  The night I found out, I could not sleep.  I kept waking up and praying for my new niece or nephew.  I cannot wait to see his/her sweet face.  

Ashley is truly the most natural mother I have ever met.  There are not many people that are motherly even before children.  She is amazing with kids and has such a sweet heart.  And my sweet brother....a Daddy!  I cannot wait to watch it.  So congratulations again sweet ones!  

Precious Father, thank you for this new addition to our family.  May he/she live a life about knowing you and making you known.  May he/she be healthy in every aspect and completely, totally, YOURS!  Thank you again Father for such a sweet gift!

Musings...

I am just sitting here with a full heart and had to blog to remember a few things that have happened today.  It is drizzling outside, getting cooler.  We have all our windows open and the clean freshness makes me want to dance!  Miss Abby Kate did not take a nap today (she did sleep until 7pm during her nap yesterday and then went down at 8:30 and slept until 7:30 this morning).  So she stayed in bed during quiet time and then I got her up at 3.  We went out on the back porch, put a small fire in the fire pit and popped some popcorn.  She snuggled in my lap and we ate popcorn, watching it rain.  When she thought I wasn't watching, she "secretly" shared her popcorn with Belle and Callie, our dogs.  She has been pretty in love with them lately...which consequently, makes me love them more too.  She wants to be outside with them all the time.  I shut the door a while ago (we have a screen door and it has been open today) and she exclaimed, "NO MOM!  I have to talk to Belle and Callie!"  So she has been out there with them for the past hour, just talking and petting.  Last night, she sat by Belle in the grass and said, "Belle, see the moon?!"  It made my heart melt.  

I started tossing popcorn into Abby Kate's mouth today and she got SO tickled.  A deep belly laugh.  We then played on her swing set and she kept wanting to do the monkey bars, which we did and she got even more tickled trying to do that.  

I am just SO blessed.  This child has filled me with more joy than I could have ever imagined.  The time I spend with her is so precious.  I am so thankful for a husband who shares the same heart and passion and does whatever necessary so I can stay home full time.   I am thankful for a child who is becoming more and more amazing to me each day.  I love who she is!  I love her spunk, her heart, her tenderness, her laughter, her love of outdoors, her kindness, her love of affirmation, her delight in small things.  I just love her!  Thank you Father for creating her with such fear and wonder and making her ours!