Finally...the wedding post

the beautiful bride!

The family following the wedding

blowing off steam after the rehearsal 

the bridemaids brunch

"helping" Amber

Amber and sweet Eliza (the other flower girl) with Abby Kate

Rehearsing

I bet you thought I made this wedding all up?  I lost all 3 of my SIM cards for my camera (figures) and had to use the one out of Bobby's phone so it has taken me this long to remember to grab the card when he was not using the phone and download them all.  

So on to the fun stuff, we had a BALL!  I cannot tell you how precious this couple was and what a true HONOR it was to be part of their wedding weekend.  It started with a beautiful bridesmaids brunch at Amber's house that was absolutely exquisite and delicious.  Much to Abby Kate's delight, her parent's had a fish pond in their backyard so much of our time was spent out there.  The other flower girl was PRECIOUS and so sweet to Abby Kate.  She literally made the weekend so easy for me!  Abby Kate loved her at first sight and wanted to do whatever she did so it made the actual walk on wedding day super fun.  We then had rehearsal and rehearsal dinner (which AK did not make it too) which was so fun and honoring.  The wedding was beautiful and Amber looked absolutely perfect.  There was standing room only in a huge church which was a complete testimony to both Amber and Jordan (and their families) and the impact they have had on the lives of others.  I truly cannot tell you how much I love this girl and how thrilled I am that she found such a Godly man to serve beside!

As for Abby Kate's role, she walked easily, rounded the corner to see me for the first time and exclaimed loudly, "HI MOMMA!  I DO IT AGAIN!"  and then quickly began shouting "AMBER! I SEE YOU!  AMBER!" as she walked down the aisle, to which I promtly walked her out to her Daddy waiting in the foyer.  She really did wonderfully.  But in the end, I was not at all surprised because we had tons of people praying.   Thanks for praying!

Family Pics...

So as I mentioned on my blog, we are about to head out of town for 12 days so I thought I would do one final post!  As I posted back in April, we had family pictures taken.  So it has taken me THIS long to get them ordered.  I am such a slacker.  But I got the digital images as well and thought I would share my favorite.  We are ordering 4 8x10 to go over our mantel which I am super excited about.  

I hope you all have a wonderful end of summer!  We are heading to the wedding that I told you about in the previous post (I will have tons of pics when I return!) and then to Branson for 7 days with the fam!  I cannot wait!  

Princess Dress

Abby Kate is going to be a flower girl in one of my sweet friend's wedding next weekend and we had a little modeling session after the dress came in to make sure it fit.  She absolutely DID NOT want to take it off and has asked for the "white princess dress" every day but then immediately answers herself, "no, not until Amber's wedding!"  We are SO excited and am praying for a smooth day.  We will be armed with M&Ms just in case!  More pictures to come following the wedding!

Cool Rider

So AK has really been into dressing up lately.  She found these sunglasses the other day and wore them ALL day.  And her new favorite thing to say, ALL THE TIME, is "Look at me! Look at me!"  So in she came on this loud car that she loves with her sunglasses shouting "Look at me Mom!"  

Nannie and Theta Pond

The second part of our trip took us to Nannie's house. We had SUCH a great time there too....although Abby Kate decided to test me the whole time. AGH! Anyway, we took Abby Kate to the campus of our Alma Mater and let her see the ducks at Theta pond and wander the gardens in front of the library. It was such a beautiful night. In more ways than one. I love the campus and it was so fun to watch two of my favorite people on earth just enjoy life and each other. We all returned home tired but happy. The moon was exquisite that night on our way home and we all oohed and aahed over it. God is such a perfect Creator. I am so thankful for the way he put it all together for our enjoyment! And I am DEEPLY thankful for my precious Nannie, my true kindred spirit and my precious daughter, even when she tries to push every boundary I have...

Fun at Aunt Lynn and Uncle Joe's!

Sorry it has been so long since the last post.  We have been traveling and visiting.  We went last week to Aunt Lynn and Uncle Joe's house and had an absolute ball.  My Aunt Lynn and I have always been super close (she is the one I talk about that loves books as I do and has supplied Abby Kate with hers).  My Aunt teaches pre-K (4 year olds) and has brilliant ideas and excellent resources so she helped me get new activities to work on with Abby Kate.  I told her she had no idea how much she had given me.  Those of you that stay home KNOW how special new activities are!  Especially ones that will challenge them.  

Anyway, we had a great dinner and such a wonderful time.  It was so fun to watch Abby Kate interact and love on them!  They have this GRAND backyard that feels as if you are on vacation so we spent a lot of time out there.  Thus these pics.  Hope you are all well!

Roller Skates!

Sorry it has been a while.  I will update more on my blog later but here are some fun roller skating pics from the week Kourtney was here.  Again, we had a ball.  She got to stay the whole week this time so we made stops at the Aquarium, Bounce U, Incredible Pizza and more.  We had so much fun with her as always.  Kourtney, Neannie and Aunt Krista bought Abby Kate her first pair of skates and she LOVES them.  They had a ball.  Kourtney skates like a pro and AK loved pretending to be just like Kourtney.  We also got to stay the 4th weekend at Neannie and Pop's and Krista, Audreia and Neannie got some great pics so I will try to get those and upload them soon.  Hope all is well with each of you!

Rock Star in Waiting...

Oh I love our little free spirit.  This is the 2nd day in a few day period that she has asked to wear her princess dress.  And then the accessorizing....I promise you it was ALL her.  I was in my closet hanging up clothes and she played in my jewelry for a good 10 minutes before decided on the necklace you see and a chandelier earring she wore as a ring.  Later, she found the hat and asked me to put it on her and was quite distraught that she could not find her matching "hands" (mittens).  But as she played for hours in the whole ensemble, I couldn't help but think it was a perfect rock star outfit.  Actually, I think it resembles my mii for guitar hero on our wii.  She also wore blue goggles for hours at Neannie and Pop's house this weekend.  She is nothing if not accessorized....

Another Example

Happy Fathers Day!

A Daddy Like Mine

 

This is the story of a Daddy

One who is silly and fun and strong

I am the little girl who loves him

And he loves me…deep and high and long

 

Little girls are funny creatures

Created tenderly by another Daddy’s hand

They love to love and laugh and imagine

Sprinkling beauty upon their land

 

You watch me dance through this life

With huge giggles and a grin

You look at me and shake your head

Secretly wondering where I’ve been

 

(So here’s a little secret)

I still remember the delight of Heaven

My innocence is what Jesus loves best

I remember twirling with the angels

And knowing how deeply I was blessed

 

Perhaps that’s where my wonder comes in

As I explore and trust easily

That’s why God gave you to me

To guard my innocence carefully

 

See, Daddy’s to girls are carefully chosen

They play a leading role in her story

She looks to him for love and protection

In his love you see her glory

 

And you, sweet Daddy, exceed them all

You’re playful and strong and wise

Out of all the great things I have in this world

You Daddy, are my greatest prize

 

But perhaps the most important of all

Is the way you allow me to remember and see

The sweet Father who made me

                                                    And died for me on a tree

-SNQ '08

Questions!

Okay all you Momma's out there....

Even if you have never posted before, I would LOVE your insight into these things....

There is nothing sweeter to me than fellow Mom's sharing their nuggets of wisdom.  I know I touched on a couple of these a while back but now they are looming and I need so advice.  So if you are reading this and you have been through these things, PLEASE post or post on your own blog about these things (just PLEASE let me know you did so I can read it :)

1.  Just for fun, what are favorite books your read to your child?  My Aunt Lynn, who is as crazy about books as I am, stocked Abby Kate's library WELL before she was born and has added to it often.  We are SO blessed.  She worked as a librarian so I know we have unique insight into the best books.  I just want to make sure we are missing some.  I am specifically looking for Christian books that will start planting nuggets about faith.  We currently read Gigi, God's Little Princess and her children's Bible but would love a few more.  She has literally probably over 50 favorite books but I would love some more in this genre.  

2.  When and how did you move your child to a big bed?  

* I have put this off longer than I thought but through the advice of friends and a few pediatricians, she ADORES her bed and never has tried climbing out so we have pushed it.  However, we are going to Costa Rica in November and I would love to not have to lug her pack and play into another country.  

3.  How and when did you potty train?

*We are working on this but it is slow going.  She is smart enough, she has gone a few times but she is being strong willed (surprise).  I have not pushed it but again, would love to not have to lug diapers to another country either.  Hehe.  I really have not gotten serious about it but am ready (and I really think she is too) so I would love suggestions.

Thanks friends!  I so appreciate you!

Swimming Lessons

We started swimming lessons last week and AK is LOVING it!  I mean she started squealing loudly the first time we went.  She adores the water and loves "practicing" even when we are in the car.  Daddy is doing them with her and they both love their time together.  B and I both love the water and have since we were babies so it is fun she is loving it too!

Daddy's shorts

Abby Kate-isms

I LOVE reading my friend's blogs.  My favorite is when they include funny things their kiddos have said.  I laugh OUT LOUD.  Anyway, Abby Kate has been making me laugh hard lately so I thought I would share her most recent Abby Kate-isms...

* She yelled at our neighbor who was working on his roof, "Be very, very careful Matey!"  (She has a thing for pirates lately so she likes calling people matey.

* Saying "Come here buddy" to our dogs in a super high pitched voice.

* Saying "That's enough Momma" while I kiss her

*Saying "HI!" to everyone she meets and then saying, "Bye-bye, see you in a little bit!" when we leave.

*  Calling Oreo cookies, "black cookies" and asking for one several times a day.

*  Saying "PLEASE Momma" or leaning across the table to persuade her Poppy to "Take her outSIDE!" while changing her voice to be higher and sweeter and raising her eyebrows...simply knowing she is laying on the charm super thick.  It is hysterical.

* Waving her arm in a huge circle like a 3rd base coach asking you to "come here!"

*  Funny accents- no clue where this came from but especially when she is listing things, she will take on an accent and lower her voice.  I laugh so hard.  I loved doing accents when I was little too!

*  Singing all the time...and usually messing up the words.  Like "Abcdefg, like a diamond in the sky, now I know my ABCs, next time won't you sing with me."  

*  Saying, "Let me out!  I gotta dance!" when a song she likes comes on the radio and she is in the carseat.

Needless to say, she is SUCH a character and keeps us in stitches all the time.  I adore my job, my life taking care of she and Bobby.  I am SO blessed!  

The Bounce Around Returns

So you saw its debut in a winter post....this wonderful bounce around that both grandparents bought AK for Christmas.  We have been waiting for the right time to bust it out this summer and having Kourtney here proved to be the perfect time.  They had SO much fun on it.  I haven't heard AK laugh that hard in so long!