Abby turns 7!

Untitled from patty hull on Vimeo.

Dear Abby,

You are 7 years old today!  Looking through all of the pictures of this last year reminded us what a full and heavy one it's been for you.

When you turned 6 last year you were just starting to get used to a new brother!  A new school and therapy schedule kept you very busy during the week, but your teachers have all grown to love your sweet spirit.  

As your mom and dad, we are always looking for ways to help you learn and to become more independent.  So we took you all the way to Boston to meet some new teachers who spent time with you and helped us understand your special learning needs better.  They came to love you too, of course!  You seemed to enjoy being in the preschool class with a personal teacher while she signed the songs with your little hands.  You looked like such a big girl!

We made some fun memories with family too!  You've really grown to love the water.  First in Florida and then this summer at the pool.  We all love watching you in your new neck ring, floating and completely on your own.  It's neat to see you upright in the water and you seem to enjoy this too.

Your brothers have gotten to know you better this year.  Josiah talks to you sometimes and introduces you to strangers in public.  We can tell he is proud of you!  Occasionally he asks us questions about why some things are difficult for you.  He is becoming a compassionate and sensitive boy because he loves you.

Levi smiles when he sees you in the morning.  He likes to try to crawl into your lap when you are in your bumbo seat.  Your hearing aids are always interesting to him and so is your feeding tube!  Some day he will be your strong protector.

You had a hard time this year with seizures and sickness.  We spent a lot of time in prayer for you and finally got an answer when we saw your neurosurgeon.  You were very sick.  But, in typical Abby fashion, you fought to stay with us and recovered from your surgery and big seizure.  It's taken a while for you to gain back your strength. This summer has been great spending time together and seeing you feel so much better!

We are so proud of you sweetheart and love you more than words can describe!  Many scripture verses have come to mind this past week as we think about your precious life.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

We are so thankful to have a heavenly Father who daily carries our burdens and who will one day reveal His purposes.

"The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms."

Deuteronomy 33:27


Happy Birthday Abby!

Love,
Mommy, Daddy, Josiah and Levi