Labor Day Fun

Over Labor Day weekend we joined John's family in Greer to celebrate Grandpa's 60th birthday. We headed out a day early when the resort upgraded our three cabins to a huge cabin plus an extra night.... Here is the view from the back porch....

We had so much fun, especially Abigail. It was such beautiful weather. The cabin was also nice in that we could all be together, but each room had its own bathroom and each family could have their own space. This came in handy when a cute little girl had a very tough time sleeping one night. We both shed tears over the issue. At one point I was trying to put her to sleep by singing. It really only had me falling asleep - and then she started singing. When listening to Primary songs in the car wasn't working, John took us on a drive (at about 3:30 A.M.). About the time we were in Eager and Springerville - she went to sleep. We went to bed about 5 A.M. Abigail was up again around 6. Funny thing -- she had gone to bed just fine about 10 something, sleeping a couple hours before this all started.... Who knows? Sleep wasn't the most popular thing on this trip -- The kids were just so excited to be together 24/7.

Abigail was in love with the creek out back. I thought that letting her finally get in it would show her how cold it was and she'd lose interest -- I was wrong, but hey - that's what warm blankets are for afterwards.

Abigail adores her cousins. When going to either side of our family, Abigail is quite eager when you mention cousins' names. Her and Sara had so much fun together in Greer.

We enjoyed some family hikes.

Hanging out with Uncle Dan....

Abigail got hold of this stick during the hike and was in love. It was cute how she knew to use it like a cane to help her on the hike (well, sort of).

Fun with Uncle Johnny

What kind of trouble can two cute toddlers find?

Hanging out with Benjamin -- Too bad I don't have a good one of the three cousins together. They are just months apart and play so well together.

Out front of the Red Setter Inn -- From what we see, it used to be a kind of Bed and Breakfast. Now, they rent the 8000 sq ft cabin out to large groups.

It was a fun weekend - It was nice to be home, but we were also sad to leave all of the fun!!

Disney Ballerina

Abigail is starting to have lots of fun at a weekly class I found for her. She also has lots of fun going with her cousin. The class is called Disney Ballerina. It is not really a structured class that will be preparing for a recital, but it is just a fun one introducing dance. The teacher is so awesome and very patient with the girls, especially the little ones like Abigail.... The dance class is a special treat from great-grandma. In a few weeks we are going to have her come watch the girls.

Life's Miracles

I try to think and give thanks for my precious Abigail everyday, but I try not to always talk about her to others all the time (though I don't mind when it is brought up). Recently, I had two opportunities to do so that helped me think a little more in depth than I usually do all the time.

One of the things they were talking about in Primary this month was the Miracles of Christ. One Sunday I was asked by a member of the Presidency to talk about our miracle with Abigail. I happily obliged and enjoyed finding a picture that would should how small she was and also one of her early diapers. It was nice to be able to share that with the Primary children. I told them that I could to describe the miracle in two ways: 1)The doctors were unsure if Abigail would live when born so early and 2)If she did live, they were unsure of the life she would be able to live.... I don't know why the Lord allows some mothers to keep their babies here and why he calls others home and why some preemie babies have so many struggles in life.

I am so grateful for my little miracle baby and the joy she brings each day to my life. I still get emotional at times watching her sleep or stopping to think how big she keeps getting.

The second time occurred this passed week as I was getting something out of my wallet at an office. I didn't realize I had Abigail's NICU picture open, but the lady said something like, "Oh, is the baby in the picture alright?" I took a second to realize she was saw the picture. She apologized for being nosy, but I told her it was no problem at all and that I love to tell people how great she is doing.

However, I have also been reflecting on the little miracles in life that can be missed.... Life being what it is for us right now, our grocery budget is needing to be super stretched. When looking through our finances one day, I discovered that our budget had come VERY significantly under its limit for that month. I have yet to figure how it is even possible, but we have decided to count it as a little miracle we needed at our lives at the time.

Another occurred this past week.... A while back we purchased some prepaid auto services for both of our cars - which we calculated would save us a good chunk of change in the end (and it was stuff we would need for the cars over time - like oil changes and tire rotations). Well, at some point one of the prepaid cards disappeared. We searched what we thought was everywhere, got frustrated, and eventually counted it all as a wash between what we had already used on it and the money we would still be saving with the other card. (However, I was still bothered that it could just disappear.)

The other I was getting the checkbook or something out from where we keep that stuff -- and there was the missing card. I figured it was just the card we always had, but told John. He thought the remaining card was in the car.... It was and we now have both cards. We are both quite baffled because the card was found in a spot that we are both very sure we each looked - probably multiple times. We decided to count it as another miracle in our life.

I am so grateful for the miracles, big and small, that the Lord sends to us. I continue to try and be better about taking time to notice the small ones - that aren't always as easy to notice.

Sea Life Aquarium

Grandma Merrill recently treated the grandkids to a fun day at the Sea Life Aquarium and Rainforest Cafe (and a little shopping). Abigail had a blast -- but that usually happens when she has her cousins around. My pictures didn't turn out that great because they asked us not to use flash photography in the aquarium, but I still tried.... Thanks for a fun day Grandma!!

They had this touch pad thing with a game on it -- The kids were quite amused by it (as were we adults). It was like a giant computer touch screen.

Enjoying the play area after the tour.... The big kids were very good about helping the little ones.

She treated us to a fun lunch at the Rainforest Cafe....Here is Abigail and Benjamin leaving the restaraunt.

Grandma also let them ride some of the little rides in the mall.

And a fun time was had by all....

Pedicure Fun

My mom treated me to a pedicure today and Abigail got to join in the fun. She was quite interested in what was being done to mine and Grandma's feet. She sat really well almost the whole time and didn't kick too much when it was her turn. She has had fun showing people her "pretty feet" this afternoon. Thanks for a fun afternoon Mom!!

Some Wedding Pictures

We have some pictures back -- and I mostly took the ones that had Abigail in them (Thanks Aunt Becky).... They are still waiting for the ones of them from the photographers.