Happy 8th Birthday Abby!

Dear Abby,

Today you are turning eight years old darling girl.  How did we get here so fast?

You have had a good year overall and we are so thankful for relief from the reflux for you.  Your desire to communicate has blossomed and we see your sweet personality more and more each day.  You are getting bigger and now weigh about 36 lbs!  How we remember celebrating every ounce that you gained in the beginning.

One Big thing we celebrated this year was making it 12 months without any BIG seizures!!  We have prayed for you to be free from these awful seizures and the Lord answered!  Each time we drive by the pediatric ER I say a prayer of thanksgiving.  We haven't had to rush you there in a long time!

You started the second grade a few weeks ago and continue to learn and grow with the help of some special teachers.  It's fun to see you take interest in certain toys.  Just the other day you held your little curious george monkey for almost 10 minutes straight!

We are so proud of you!  Your life has touched so many people and we just adore you.

We love you soooo much!

- Dad and Mom
(Josiah and Levi too)

Family week in the Smokies!

Last week our family met up with Papa and Grandma (Hull), Matt and Connie at a wonderful cabin near the Smoky mountains.  It was a special time together of wading in the river, hiking up Clingman's Dome, cooking together and lots of playing pool (for the guys)!  I think it was just what our family needed...

Levi's favorite- rock throwing + splashing!

Having trouble sleeping... hmmm

Visit with Dad!

Last month we had a wonderful visit with "Pipai" from China!  We had a great time together catching up on this past year and discussing the possible future including more time together.  All the cousins enjoyed having Pipai nearby as they played together.  The kids each got their own turns riding in the Cobra!  Such fun.

Can't wait for our next visit from our China Granddad!

Norah Rose wearing her Chinese hat!

Waiting patiently for their turn...

Praying for Papa

I've gotten very behind in posting and have several "pending"... but this week our thoughts are with our Papa.  He continues fighting his cancer battle but has gotten some very difficult news this week.

Prayers for Papa and Grandma are peppered throughout our days and nights.  Josiah is starting to grasp the heaviness of our hearts.  He is so sensitive and able to detect our emotions in the absence of words.

We love you Papa!

Josiah Reading!

(pause ipod at bottom of page)

Yard Sale Fundraiser

A few weeks ago we had a HUGE yard sale!  Everything was donated for adoption fundraising, from clothes to toys to kitchen gadgets.  Thanks to the help of many friends and donations from family and even folks we don't know, it was a fun and successful day!

Most of my photos from the day are of friends helping out.  Since I don't have permission to place their beautiful faces here on the blog, these are all I have to share for now.  But, I think you can get the general idea!

We felt so blessed after that weekend was over!  The Lord is providing for our family in so many ways.  We are getting excited to meet our new munchkin!

letters to Abby

A few weeks ago Abby went to Sensory camp at UCP.  We really missed her here at home, and after the week was over Josiah wrote her a letter:

"Dear Abby, this is from Josiah.  I love you very much and I missed you while you were at camp.  And then I love you as much as the sun is high.

I’m glad I got to go to camp with you today Abby."

He has been "writing" us letters lately that are both hilarious and sweet.  I'll try to post more of them as they come.  One that he brought us the other day had a picture of "grumpy mommy" among the rest of the family, all smiling.  Hmmm.  I guess I need to work on that.

Conversation in the car--

Josiah:  "Abby needs to feel my legs when we get home."

me:  "Why's that honey?"

J:  "Because they are covered in ant bites and she would like to feel that.  She might think it's a braille book!"

How thoughtful!  Five year olds are so funny.