Friday Five Years

Okay, so I was away from home, babysitting for some friends for almost all of Friday. Precious children, but I couldn't think about much else!

So today, the Friday/Saturday Five is for the Five Autumns we have lived in this house. We moved in during September of 2006 and it has been such a blessing to be here! Remembering how the Lord provided for us that summer in living situations gives me continued faith that He has the best plan and timing for our lives now. Though my time table said "Job by May of 2010," God has a different idea. I'm patiently waiting for Him to reveal it to us and I'm so thankful for His loving provision for us in the mean time.

The best way to mark these five autumns is by Abigail's pumpkin pictures for each year we were here. I've posted them before, but here they are again, with a new one!

1. October 2006

 

 2. October 2007

 

3. October 2008

 

4. October 2009

5. October 2010

Already?

Our slow, relaxing golf morning turned into a very nervous one for me when Jake said yes to this question: "Can I drive, Daddy?" He kept his foot on the gas, full speed ahead, for some crazy driving that had me wanting to jump out of the cart, dragging my family with me, several times. Jake may have some fingerprint bruises on his arm from me... and he is a little wounded by my lack of confidence in him. But seriously, he kept his foot all the way down on the gas, not slowing when doom seemed close by. I have to admit she got a little better by the end and I don't have a lot of experience with golf carts... Here is a video of our little girl... DRIVING A GOLF CART.

Missing

MISSING

Sweet little girl with curly hair and green eyes, likes long hugs and cuddles (and pretending to be a lion in tall grass).

She was replaced by a child that is almost the same, but she squirms out of hugs as often as possible and often acts like a teenager:

REWARD: A LONG HUG

Friday Five: Wildlife

Today we encountered a lot of wildlife. Mostly because we went to a 'Barnyard Birthday Bash' for Abigail's friend Maggie. We went to a petting farm where most of the animals just share this large yard (the horses, cows and pigs are penned up).

1. One very nice, calm and patient pony! Although when I petted his mane, white got on my hands? What's that all about?

2. Two Donkeys. This is the first time we were at the petting farm and the donkeys were out roaming free. They were very nice and one gave us a few hee-haws for our listening pleasure.

 

3. Goats. Usually I'm a big fan of goats. The goats at this farm though... they're slightly annoying. They were still fun to pet and we got to feed them too! Sorry this isn't a great picture, I was trying to get a 'V' for my letter prints. Yeah, it didn't turn out so well. But I did get a 'V' from Donkey legs!

 

4. Does a bird's nest count as wildlife? We found this one on the ground at the farm and it seems that the birds flew the coop a long time ago. Bird nests are so cool.

 

5. Giant Praying Mantis. This thing was on the wall of our house when we came home. So cool. How big is it? Too big to fit inside a spaghetti sauce jar comfortably. We put her in a gallon container to keep until Daddy gets home. Abigail is currently looking for her (the mantis's) bug dinner!

Here is some of the human wild life from today:

Friday Five

Okay, so I realized almost none of my 'top five' lists were actual top fives. So decided to change it to the "Friday Five."

The five most repeated conversations in our family:

1. me: "Abigail don't do that because you--" her (interrupting): "Why??!?" me: sigh.
2. me: "Abigail, I don't want you to (fill in the blank)." her: "Why?" me: "Because (fill in the blank) will happen." her: "No it won't." me: "Well then, because I said so."
3. Abigail, holding up her artwork: "Mama, isn't this beautiful?" me: "Oh yes, nice job!" her: "Why?" me: "Why what." her: "Why is it beautiful?"
4. me: "Okay, Abigail you can (fill in the blank with something she likes to do) now!" her: "Why?" me: "Well, if you don't want to, we can certainly take it away!"
5. me: some kind of imperative for Abigail. her, while not obeying the imperative, in ultra-whinny voice: "WwwWhhHYyy?!?!" me: "Because." her: "But you're not telling me why!!"

I sure hope she turns out smart.
And despite what I make it look like, I'm rather happy that she understands the word 'why' because I can ask her the same question and get a real answer! I'm afraid I had many a frustrating day when Abigail was smaller and did something and couldn't tell me why because she didn't understand the question. And I do enjoy answering her 'whys' when they are asked with a good attitude and with genuine curiosity!

 

(we went to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville in September on the Smithsonian Magazine Free Museum Day. It was so fun!)

Brain Teaser

Which of these girls is bigger?

Answer: Neither! They are the same size!

The detail oriented among you might have noticed these differences:

hair/helmet different, different kinds of bikes, different expressions. 

But then you would have seen that the girl was wearing the same clothes and that her face was indeed the same. Then you would have come to the conclusion that the bigger bike must be making the girl in the right picture look like she is bigger, when really she isn't. To these observant people I have to say, congratulations on your keen insight. Now go take the SAT or something.

Top Five Details I Love About Abigail

It is her birthday week after all. And of course, you can't pick just five. But I will.

1. When we go to the store and there are bins of toys/candy/fabric/etc, she sorts out of place items into the correct bins.
2. She's flexible. If something doesn't work out and you explain it, she's usually good about it.
3. She actually licks her lips when she sees something yummy. And says, "mmMMMmm."
4. When she gives butterfly kisses her little fingers flap like butterflies.
5. She loves to snuggle and get hugs and kisses.