Local Man Is Master of Divinity, Has Paper to Prove It

29 year old Jacob Hanson, of Vestavia Hills, Alabama is now officially a Master of Divinity. He obtained this status upon his graduation from Beeson Divinity School in December of 2009, however, his diploma did not arrive until January 29th, 2010. Jacob was unavailable for comment but his wife, Charissa Hanson, almost 29 (!), also of Vestavia Hills, told us that they were surprised to get it in the mail that Friday. "I'm so proud of him!" she added, telling us that Jake worked several jobs all through seminary to provide for his family, making his study time last late into the night on many occasions. We were able to get a partial picture of this important document.

In other news...

A Vestavia Nap, who has recently had strained relations with it's three year old, has decided to call it quits. We attempted to contact Nap, but it left no phone or address when it left. The mother of the three year old, also almost 29 (!!), also of Vestavia, asked to remain nameless, but informed us that the three year old never did much like her Nap. "It has been a rocky relationship for quite a while" she said, teary eyed. "Oh, I expect every once in a while Nap will show up for old time's sake, but for the most part, it's gone. When I think back to all the good times we had with Nap around, it makes me sad. Real sad. To see it go like that, you know? After all I did to make sure Nap always felt comfortable here. I even tried to set a good example and occasionally invite my Nap over!" She noted that the three year old growing up too fast might be a possible reason why Nap felt it had to leave. Recently, in order to help the whole family cope with the change, the mother has introduced a new friend to her three year old, Personal Time. The three year old and Personal Time seem to be hitting it off great, but the mother laments that Personal Time doesn't last as long as Nap.

Three year old making cookies at Grandma's house.

These are a few of our favorite things

Abigail's current favorite toys, which makes them our favorite too. All of these she plays with at least once a day:

The Berry Cafe

Berry StylishPicnic in the Petals with Lemon Meringue

Strawberry Shortcake and all her tiny pieces made their way into Abigail's heart via the marketing genius, McDonalds. In the fall of 2009, Abigail's happy meal included a little Strawberry Shortcake stamp. Along with that stamp was a little 3" x 3" piece of paper with pictures of Strawberry Shortcake toys available for purchase elsewhere. After a close inspection of this little piece of paper, Abigail requested that we go and get it from the store immediately. When that didn't work, she asked, "Maybe tomorrow?" Despite never getting the toy, Abigail hung on to the piece of paper for months, always yearning for the toy, always inspecting the little picture intently when she happened by it. Come Christmas, we knew what Abigail wanted and sent the list on to Grandma. Lets just say, it made her day to open that gift and find the desire of her little heart! Don't even tell me this never happened to you as a child!
Picnic in the Park Bears with Brea, Piper and Apple

These tiny, sweet bears picnic with Strawberry Shortcake and Lemon Meringue quite frequently. Sometimes they try to trade umbrellas.


Melissa and Doug Farm Cube Puzzle

Abigail actually had this for over a year before she got really into it. Now she can and will do several of the puzzles by herself and is really proud of it. Most days we see the duckling and pig once or twice.


The Lion King figurine set.

Abigail's favorite color is orange. One of her favorite animals is Lions. One of her favorite movies is the Lion King. Which one it is that influences the other favorites, I don't know. But they are a marvelous combination, don't you think? It is very entertaining to listen to the conversations these guys have at our house.And last, but certainly not least, plush Simba

Forever Friend. Sidekick. Bedfellow. "My Simba!"

I love kids

Today Abigail was overcome by a tender moment and, leaning over to hug me, said, "Aw, mom- you're the best mom ever, I think." Wow. That was great. Makes up for all my past not-being-the-best-mom-ever moments. What were we doing? Well, having a special Dominos TV dinner, for one. She was said something silly to me and I said the same silly thing back to her. And that, ladies and gentlemen, was what put me in the best mom ever book. Unfortunately, unlike the book of life, I think the additions to this book are regularly taken out again by the people who put them in. While still hugging me, Abigail added, "And Daddy's the best daddy ever."

About a different matter Abigail later said to me, "But mom, I don't have my sad on now." In my mind's eye I briefly pictured a teenage Abigail who phrased her words like that on purpose. It made me hope I would always remember her sweet little face looking up at me, her little frame swallowed by a seemingly gigantic twin sized bed. What she meant was, "I'm not crying anymore." "Yes, Abigail" I said, "but it's bed time now, its later than you usually go to bed." She looked at the clock and, confusing digital and analog clocks, said, "It's eight o'clock? When it points to the "o" that means no?" I think she meant that eight o'clock was time to go to bed, but my child can not stand to be apart from the action, which makes going to bed seem like us telling her no. Don't worry, she can't tell time yet, but I'm impressed with what she has grasped so far!