Sweet as Sugar

My Abby Grace. Sweet as sugar.


She is a lot of things for only being 4 years old. Of course, she would correct me to say that she is actually 4 1/2. But, we all know I'm in no rush for her to get any closer to 5.

Anyway, like I was saying, my Abby Grace packs a lot of personality into her tiny body. She is smart, strong, funny, sassy, motivated, outgoing - honestly, it feels kind of silly to list her qualities this way. Just one word, like each one of them is just a simple description. I could write pages about each of these qualities. Examples and anecdotes to illustrate just how complex and wonderful she is. There is one thing about Abby that Matt and I always come back to though. One thing that stands above all the rest.

Her heart.

My daughter has the most loving heart. The most giving soul. The most thoughtful and sweet and intuitive and caring spirit that I have ever known. At only 4 years old (4 1/2), she continually amazes us with her love for others.

She really loves people. Really develops special relationships with others far beyond the ability of a typical 4 year old. She remembers you. Remembers what you like, remembers stories or jokes you have told, remembers games that you played together. Remembers what is important to you and what is going on in your life at the moment.

She tries to make everyone happy. For example, I always joke with her about not wanting her to grow up. She knows I am kidding, but she also realizes there is some truth to it too. She'll say things like, "Don't forget - when I grow up you get to meet my babies." And the other day she explained how she would always live close by, "I'll move into the next neighborhood with my family. When someone in our neighborhood moves away, just call me on the phone and tell me which house it is. I will run over here and get the house and then I can always live very close to you. Just don't forget to call me right away so someone else doesn't get to that house first!"

There is another story that I was reminded of tonight that really gives a glimpse into her heart. One afternoon, Matt was in the playroom with Abby while I was helping Drew with some homework. All of a sudden, I heard her crying - loudly sobbing. I ran back to the playroom to find out what was wrong. I was sure she had been badly hurt.

I opened the door to find her sitting in Matt's lap and he was holding a book.

The Giving Tree.

I asked what was wrong and Matt simply explained, "the book made her sad." In between sobs, she emphatically denied this. She kept insisting she was "just tired." She ran out of the room.

Matt explained further, "As I kept reading the book, I could tell she was just getting sadder and sadder. Her face was changing and I could just see that she was really upset. Finally I told her that I thought everything was going to be ok. That was when she started sobbing. I couldn't console her. That's when you came in."

Abby wouldn't admit it, but that book had broken her little heart. At only 4 years old, Abby consistently shows a level of empathy for people that I rarely even see in adults. She understands people's emotions. She is always thoughtful and loving and generous when it comes to interacting with other children and adults.

She wants to get to know you. She wants to talk to you about anything and everything. She has instant connections with people that she meets. And some are even more special than others. For example, my Papa and my Grammy. For some reason, she just has this special place in her heart for them. Of course, they are my grandparents and they are family so we would expect her to love them. But there is something different there - a special love she has for them. We rarely ever get to see them, but she asks about them all the time and wants to know how they are doing and when she will see them again.




This past Saturday we took the kids to a Gator football game. During the 4th quarter, we had tickets to go sit in the box with Matt's company. As soon as we walked in, Matt introduced us to one of his co-workers, Sophia. Right away, Abby was smitten. There was an instant connection. After a few minutes, we went down to sit in the seats and watch the game. Next thing I knew, Abby was asking to go back up the stairs. Matt thought she wanted a snack, but I knew immediately where she was going. She wanted to talk to Miss Sophia. Sure enough, I found her a few minutes later sitting at a table and chatting away with Miss Sophia. She was in her element and happy as a clam. What's the big deal about a football game when there is girl talk to be had?

Matt later told me that Sophia said to Abby, "When I have a daughter, I want her to be exactly like you."

Oh, my sweet Abby Grace. I am so proud of your heart of gold. There are so many qualities about you to love. So many moments that take my breath away.

I am so grateful for the privilege of being your Mama.


So very grateful that you are mine.

Easily Entertained

I love my camera. I have always loved pictures and scrapbooking. I have kept scrapbooks filled with photos and memorabilia ever since high school. Back then, all I needed was construction paper, fancy scissors, and Elmer's glue.

I took my hobby to a whole new level once Drew and Abby came along. I love scrapbooking - documenting the memories, being creative, time spent with friends - all of it makes me so happy.

I also love taking pictures of my kids. I got my first digital camera when I was pregnant with Drew. Several cameras later, I finally have a digital SLR that I LOVE! I have had it for a year and a half and I have taken well over 10,000 pictures with it. I still only use it on the automatic setting (gasp!), but the quality of my pictures has drastically improved and it is even more fun to edit and scrapbook them!

Recently, I was editing the pictures from Abby's last day of preschool. That morning, we had gone to pick up cupcakes (decorated with little graduation caps) for the class. I took this photo of Abby with one of the cupcakes.


The colors in the photo are a little too warm, so I was trying to edit the picture to balance out the color. It was then that I noticed something...

Do you see it too?


No, it's not just those sweet freckles that are beginning to appear on her nose. However, I have fond memories of my Dad counting my freckles when I was a little girl, so I do the same thing with Abby. And, it's not her birthmark that becomes more prominent when she is really happy or really upset. Cupcakes make this little girl VERY happy!


It's something wrong with her pretty, blue eyes. There is a speck of orange in them. What in the world is that?


It's me! I was wearing an orange shirt that day. You can clearly see my reflection in her blue eyes.

This made me laugh out loud!

Obviously, I am easily entertained...

The Show Must Go On

Abby's first dance recital was June 21st. This was her second year of dance, but we didn't participate in the recital for her first year. She was really scared during that year's little show at Christmas and I didn't want to risk a major meltdown during the most important dance performance of the year.

This year, however, was a completely different story! Abby was much more confident, and she was adamant that she really wanted to be in the recital this year. Her class spent months practicing their tap routine to the song, "I Am A Promise." It is the cutest little song and their costumes were just adorable!


Abby slept in curlers the night before and I love the way her hair came out! It was so much fun to curl her hair, put on make-up, and get everything ready for the big day. It brought back so many memories of my own dancing years!


Here is a picture of the entire class - a very sweet group of girls!


The performance was in the afternoon and Abby seemed really tired while we took pictures. Honestly, I figured she was just tired of me taking so many pictures. As one of the backstage moms, I was able to stay with the girls in the audience and watch the dances before ours since we weren't scheduled until the middle of the show.

Abby got VERY clingy and whiny and I was afraid she was gearing up for some serious stage fright. I kept asking her if she wanted to go on stage and she insisted that she did, but she wasn't acting like it at all. I was really worried she would back out at the last minute. But, she didn't - she walked on that stage and never looked back!


That very evening she got really sick with a high fever - I felt so badly knowing that she had been sick all afternoon but had rallied to be able to dance in her first recital. What a trooper! You never would have known she was sick by her performance. She was terrific!!


I was sitting in the second row and she kept her eyes on me most of the time. She is looking right at me in this next picture. I was so proud of her and I was so glad she could see me watching her!


I wasn't the only proud family member there that day. Daddy, Drew, Grams, Grandaddy, Nessa, Uncle Austin, Uncle Adam, and Uncle Joe all came to watch Abby dance!

Apparently, Drew was quite anxious for Abby to have her turn on stage. He kept a countdown going with Matt - 10 till Abby, 9 till Abby, and so on until it was time for Abby's class to go on stage. He then leaned into Matt and whispered, "My tummy is nervous for Abby." I think it is precious that he was so nervous and excited for her. What a fantastic big brother!


After the recital was over, we went outside to find our family. Daddy was first and he surprised Abby with beautiful flowers!


Drew was right behind him and he had his own bouquet to give to his little sister...


Abby looked over at me - so thrilled with her flowers - and I just love the expression on her face in this one. She is just so pleased.


But, she wasn't done yet. Grams was next...


Then Grandaddy and Nessa...


Our entire family was so proud of Abby! (Thanks Uncle Joe, for taking this picture!)


The four of us...


I'm not going to lie. I really love that Abby loves dance. If she ever wants to do something else then I will completely support her. But, for now, I will enjoy watching her make the same kinds of memories that I have of my own childhood. Memories of dancing, friends, costumes, make up, classes, and recitals...


Oh, and flowers. Lots and lots of flowers!


We love you, beautiful girl!

I Don't Ask For Much...

but I HAVE repeatedly asked this little girl to STOP. GROWING. ALREADY.


Judging by the difference between the 1st day of school and the last day of school, she's clearly not listening.


But, I couldn't be any prouder.

I really couldn't.

Unless, that is, you added this little man in there too.


Don't even get me started...

Better Than Counting Sheep...

Here are the videos I promised to share of Abby singing to Drew with her new guitar. Sorry the video quality is not very good. The lights are dimmed because it's bedtime.





Obviously, we are quite proud. ;)

And, we'll be contacting American Idol in about 14 years...

Fleeting

We have a tree in our backyard. It blooms once a year. Early Spring.

The tree is full of yellow flowers for just a few weeks. Then, slowly, the flowers begin to fall to the ground and the brilliance of color is gone until next Spring.

This is what the tree looked like 4 years ago. I was 9 months pregnant with my Abby Grace.


This tree had fallen over in the hurricanes during the Summer of 2004.

We lost several trees in our backyard that Summer...






All of them were cut up and taken away.

But, for some reason we decided to use some stakes to prop up the tree with yellow flowers. It continues to bloom every Spring.

This is what it looked like this year.


I'm so happy when the tree is blooming. We see it each time we drive into the neighborhood and the yellow flowers remind me that my favorite season has finally arrived.


The flowers don't last for very long so I've learned to appreciate them while they are here.




And, sadly, they fall just a few weeks after they have bloomed.

However, I am blessed with a precious girl. She LOVES flowers just as much as her Mama. And she has been so excited for Spring with all her talk of flowers blooming, bees buzzing, and warm sunshiney days ahead.

So we ventured outside one afternoon to enjoy the last of those pretty yellow flowers...




She gathered them up in her hands.


And then she threw them up into the air!


She giggled as they fell all around her so we did it again and again!






I've never been happier that we kept that tree.

Happy Birthday Abby Grace!

Today is the day. My sweet baby girl turns 4 years old.

She is smart and funny and ever so beautiful. She loves to dress up as a princess and she wrestles on the floor with her Daddy. She likes to have her nails painted and she digs in the dirt with her fingers. She is a good little mama to her baby dolls and she quite enjoys defeating the dark side with lightsabers. She is outgoing and bubbly and at other times is impossibly shy. She is thoughtful and generous and sensitive and caring and then she gets mad at her brother for no reason.

She has the voice of an angel and yet she whines enough each day to take me right to the edge of insanity. She has a great sense of fashion (thanks, Aunt Anna) and then is annoyed with me almost every day because she doesn't like the outfit I have chosen for her.

She has a heart of gold and a smile that can light up a room. Her giggles are contagious and her hugs - well, there's just no words for how it feels to receive her love.

We can't imagine our lives without her.

Our family gathered at our house this past Sunday before her birthday party. We visited, opened presents, and celebrated the birthday girl.

Here are some pictures of the people who most love our Abby Grace...

Mommy-


Daddy -


Grams and Aunt Anna -


Grandma and Grandpa -


Aunt Denise, Uncle Joe, and Ryan -


Uncle Adam -


Time to open presents!


Drew is so silly - he had everyone laughing with this bow tied around his head.


A birthday hug for his little sister.


Abby has loved dressing up as a cheerleader lately. Aunt Anna and Kyle got her this awesome Gator cheerleader dress, pom poms, and ribbons for her hair.


There were two main things Abby wanted for her birthday this year. The first was a real, pink guitar. Uncle Austin and Uncle Michael were happy to fulfill her wish!


The other thing she wanted was her own camera that would take real pictures. Grandma and Grandpa found the perfect princess camera for her. Aunt Denise, Uncle Matt, Ryan and Tyler got her some great scrapbook stuff so she could have a place to put all of her pictures!


Ryan was happy to help with all of the present opening. He is such a cutie and my kids love him SO much! (P.S. We missed you Uncle Matt and baby Tyler!)


My kids have been asking for a pet for as long as I can remember. They really want a dog, but Daddy has told them that the only pet they can have is fish. Grams was happy to oblige.


They were so excited - they couldn't believe it! They immediately came up with names for the fish. Abby named her two fish Goldie and Leia. We got one blue fish for Drew and he named his Superman. Uncle Adam was so proud!


Thanks, Grams!


She loves her real guitar. And it's a huge bonus that it's pink and has jewels on it. Abby likes to pretend she is Hannah Montana. She also likes to sing lullabies to us before bed. I'll post video of that soon!


Kyle and Drew had so much fun playing with the Star Wars toys. Kyle is so great with my kids!


Happy Birthday sweet daughter! We love you more than you will ever know!