Happy 8th Birthday, Sweet Pea

Where do I even begin? It seems like so long ago and yet feels like yesterday. It's hard to imagine that after 2 long years of trying and 2 heartbreaking miscarriages, that you finally joined our little family. Our Abbey Rose.

From the moment you entered this world, your eyes have mesmerized people. You were the first grandchild on both sides of the family and you have fully accepted that role. You are my drama queen, my diva, my rock star. Your personality is both dangerous and enviable. You make friends easier than any child I have ever known, yet you always return to your family and church friends as your faithful "go to's". Although it's your outer beauty that first attracts attention, it is your inner beauty that amazes people. I can't tell you how many teachers fight over who is going to "steal" you and take you home. Your sense of humor is outstanding and your eyes smile when you do. Your laugh is contagious and your smile heart melting. You can be sneaky and deviant sometimes, but that is just your Daddy coming out in you;-). You unfortunately inherited the "bare-minimum" gene, you all know the one: how can I do the bare minimum and still get by? I wished I could blame that on your Daddy too, but I think you were hit by a double dose of that one.

You struggle with your small size. At 8 years old you barely tip the scale at 36 pounds and stand at a mere 42" tall. However, you are strong and independent, almost to a fault. You already know who you want to marry and what you want to be when you grow up. You "proposed" to your friend Matt when you were 4 years old and the two of you have been inseparable since then.

Your love for the Lord fills my heart with joy. And it's thrilling to see how much you've grown spiritually in just a few short years. You challenge me as a parent both in good ways and in bad, but in the end you are an incredible child. I am so blessed to call you mine. I wish you many more happy childhood years. I love you more than you will ever know! Happy Birthday, my Lovely!

Abbey Rose '08 Stats:
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite food: McDonalds
Favorite ice cream: cookies and cream
Favorite Disney Princess: Ariel (The Little Mermaid)
Talents: swimming, writing, making people laugh
Dislikes: lima beans, bread, cleaning her room
Likes: Hannah Montana, anything girlie, socializing
Wants to be a Mommy and maybe a 6th grade teacher named Mrs. Tritschler!

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Ps. 127:3

Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. Prov. 17:6

First Day of School!

Today was the first day of school. Abbey started third grade and Brady started Kindergarten! I thought for sure I would be an emotional wreck...but I held myself together pretty well. I did get a bit teary eyed during the reading of "The Kissing Hand" by the school librarian, but Brady was up on stage at that point with the rest of the kindergarteners and couldn't see me being all weepy! Both kids had a great first day, Brady has talked a lot about the fire drill...but would you expect anything less from a boy?!? Abbey of course met some new people and is excited about changing classes for the first time! So after their first big day of school, the school board decides to cancel school for the next two days for Tropical Storm Fay then they go back on Thursday for two more days and then they're off for the weekend! I guess it's a nice way to ease back into the school year!

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End of Summer

I'm sorry it has been a while since I posted! Last week was the last week of summer vacation so we tried to pack in a few last minute things. Oh yeah, and we are getting ready for a hurricane tomorrow...well probably not a hurricane, just a tropical storm. So anyway, I have a little catching up to do.

On Friday night, my parents invited people over to their condo clubhouse for a church sing. It was such a wonderful night filled with spirtual singing and fellowshipping.

Bro. Buddy has recently been preaching some wonderful sermons on "singing with purpose." He most recently spoke on how we can teach and admonish one another through our hymns. He also taught how it is not the mechanics of singing that is important, but what is on your heart. Which is comforting to me since I can't carry a tune in a bucket, but I do love to sing. So as you can see the timing was perfect for the sing. I had a video of everyone singing, but I think the file is too large to post on here! Sorry, you'll just have to enjoy the pictures and hum some hymns to yourself while reading:-)

Summertime Boredom Cure #2

(Abbey cleaning the baseboards)

Well we are just a week away from the start of school. Abbey will be going into 3rd grade and Brady will be starting Kindergarten...if you are hearing any strange noises at this time, please don't worry, it is just the sounds of my sobs over the fact that I am not ready to have an empty nest. And as much as I dread this coming Monday, I have had to deal with many a "what can I do now" statements this summer. The pool and playground are only an option when it is not storming. We then turn to play-dough on the patio table, that works for a while but then the heat gets to them. When they come inside they act like there is nothing to do other than watch t.v. So alas, I have to "find" something for them to do. I eagerly put them to work doing "chores" around the house. Now, before you start calling me Kathie Lee and dialing children and family services, let me first state that the kids actually ask to help clean the house a lot of times (just not this particular day). Brady's favorite task is helping clean the bathrooms. Abbey usually offers to dust my baseboards and the furniture too. I know when you all see the picture of Brady, there will be one of two reactions: Complete fall-out-of-your-chair hysterical laughter or the wish-I-had-HRS-on-speed-dial leap for the phone! I don't know about all of you, but when I clean (or when my 5 year old cleans), cleaning products always end up on my clothes. So I have my cleaning day clothes which consist of a pair of shorts and shirt that have every color of wall paint we have ever used as well as random bleached out spots. Brady, on the other hand, does not own such a catwalk worthy outfit! Hence, the lack of clothing. However, being the diligent mother that I am, I know it is unsafe for a child to be touching cleaning products that could potentially bleach the Spider man off his underwear...I require him to wear gloves and of course his very durable crocs. Enjoy the pictures and please whatever you do, do not call HRS on me. P.S. Do you think I could make any money by hiring them out?;-)

Mrs. Johnson, in the Mud Room, with the iron!

my fight against the addiction (and pics so that Bethany will read this)

Guilty as charged, your honor! It has been brought to my attention recently by my Mom and my dear friend Paula, that I, a "do-gooder, non-risk taker", am guilty of a very serious crime in Polk County. As with any addiction I was in denial at first but as we all know the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem..."Hello, my name is Kerry and I have been iron free for 2 weeks." As I stated, it has been brought to my attention that a license is required for ironing (according to the lady who advertises on signs in the Publix parking lot). That's right my fellow virtuous women, keepers of the home. We have been illegally operating an iron. Now our enablers may try to use excuses to get us to continue with this habit to "save money", they may even try to turn our own words against us..."but Mom, you said I couldn't go out in public any more looking like a rag-a-muffin." Fight the addiction, my friends. There are support groups out there for us: WAIT (Women Against Ironing Tasks), AARP (Americans Against Repeated Pressing), PDA (Pressing Deficiencies Anonymous), WFWFC (Women For Wrinkle Free Clothing). Don't let your enabler try to tell you they won't prosecute a "Mom". Every Tom, Dick and Obama knows that it is us "Evangelical Christian Right wing Zealots" who stand between them and the white house in our quest for a more moral America. You know the democrats are demanding the toughest penalty to be handed down to all offenders in an effort to keep us away from the polls. My defense: I'm too pretty to go to jail...no wait that's been overused and I don't qualify...I'm too short to go to jail! Please pass this message along to all the women in your life who may be guilty of the horrific crime. I implore you JUST SAY NO to ironing!

***disclaimer: this article was written under the duress of other less despised house hold tasks, ie vacuuming (where the author is left to the deep vast darkness of her thoughts) and is for the sole purpose of humor and entertainment. The author in no way takes responsibility for the disruption of marital bliss that may occur upon application of this article. Use at your own risk.

Sweet Prayers!

We have been really working with Abbey and Brady to get them off of thier poem prayers and speak from their heart...and although each meal still ends up being the same words (for the most part) they are actually having to think about what they are saying.

Brady: Tank you for dis Jesus. Tank you for dis day. Tank you for duh food. Tank you for my families. Tank you for my mudder and fodder and sister. Tank you for my Poppa and Uncle Kyle (sometimes it's for his Gramma and Nanna and Grandpa - he flip flops). And God, please help Lindsey, Jos-u-a and Baby Cunningham be strong helfy babies. In Jesus name we pray! Amen

Abbey: Dear Lord, thank you for this day. Thank you for our food and our church and our families. Please be with everyone who is sick and make them all better. Please help Lindsey and Baby Joshua and Baby Cunningham be strong healthy babies. Please help us to be as good as you, God. Thank you for all my toys and my swimming pool. Please forgive us for our sins and trespasses (I don't think she really knows what she is saying here...we're still working on it). Thank you for everything you have given us! In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

It warms my heart every time I hear them pray. It gives me great hope and comfort. I know the Lord is our Saviour and I pray that with His teachings my children will enjoy that same knowledge!

Famous quotes from the not so famous

"Just because you cross your eyes doesn't mean you won't get in trouble."

"I can't even remember the last time you guys took a bath."

"Swimming does not count as a bath!"

"Do you want bread on your sandwich?"

"Crocs are not church shoes."

"I know we sometimes eat 'breakfast' dinners, but we can not eat dougnuts for dinner"

"Yes, if it is free next time we come here, we will buy it!"

"I know it's on sale, but we don't need an 8' inflatable sand castle"

(there is always something interesting in the pool store)

And...the most recent repeated phrase in our household...

"It doesn't count if I don't fist bump you back!"