Abby Counts and Sings ABC's

I've been saying that Abby can count to 10 and sing her ABC's. This video is a pretty good example although she still can do it better!

Friends: New and Old

I apologize for the lack in posts during the past little while. We've continued to have more adventures in our new home of Bakersfield. Life is never boring with Jen, Matt and Abby! My last post told of my visit to the ER and we finally found out why I was having so much pain in my abdomen. Monday I visited the ER once again, but this time they did a CT scan and found a rather large kidney stone. I knew the pain was pretty intense! Since the doctor said the stone was too big to pass they put me in the hospital to solve the problem. By the time they went in to take care of the kidney stone I had already passed the unpassable stone! I pray this was a once in a lifetime experience! So many people have told me of their experience with kidney stones so at least I know I am not alone! Matt's parents came up and so Abby thought the whole experience was great fun. Now we can get back to setting our house in order. I am very excited to make our house a beautiful home.

Abby loves to watch trains with Grandpa on You Tube.
Abby with Grandma and Grandpa.

Abby and I took a walk and then had a picnic lunch on our front lawn! How cool to have a front lawn that you can have a picnic on! Abby played in some water that was running down the side of the street from some sprinklers. I watched her take off her shoes and splash around. Next thing I knew she laid down face first fully dressed! I had to strip her before we even went inside!

On Saturday our friends, the Jones' came for a visit. They spent a week in southern California at Disneyland and other fun places and then spent the day and night with us. We really enjoyed having them with us. It was fun to see the kids enjoy the space of our home.
Abby pushing Ivy.
Abby, Ivy and Tray ready for Church.
Matt, Tray and Ivy singing ABC's and playing with the instruments.
Our new ward seems wonderful. We really loved our Tempe Ward and it was very hard to leave. I believe we are going to love this ward also. There are many people that want their kids to take piano lessons and I think there are already more than I even want to take. I will begin teaching this week. I am excited to get to know a lot of the families in our new ward this way and I am excited to meet and teach the kids.

As I was watching Abby play with her friends Tray and Ivy, it reminded me of just how much she needs a brother or sister. She would be the best big sister. We've already been on the LDS services website for over a year and a half again and it can be a little frustrating. We waited so long to get Abby and it seems we will do the same again. I know with all my heart that things happen according to Heavenly Father's plan and so I just need to be patient. But it is so hard sometimes! I just read the Arizona LDS Family Services newsletter and I read about people that waited only 7 weeks to be contacted by a birth mother. How would that be? We just want to remind our friends and family and anyone else that reads our blog that we are looking for a brother or sister for Abby. Matt has a wonderful job and our home is new home is ready and waiting to be filled with the sounds of more laughter and fun. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

Visit to the ER

Life is always full of adventures and yesterday was no exception! Since Monday I have not felt well and we were not sure why. Then Thursday things seemed to get a lot worse very quickly. I had extreme stomach pain that just got worse and worse until it seemed necessary to visit the ER. Especially since we just moved here and do not yet have doctors set up. So off to the ER we went. As with any ER I've been to it took some time to be seen by a doctor even though I was rocking back and forth and trying not to cry! I received some nausea and pain medication and definitely started to feel better. They also hydrated me and decided I had some kind of viral stomach issue. Eventually they sent me home with the same medication and instructions to rest and not eat much of anything. I am so grateful that there wasn't anything else wrong. Since my in-laws are pretty close now they came up for a visit and to help out so that I do not do more than I am supposed to do. It's a little hard to look at a big, beautiful house that is not yet unpacked! But that will have to wait I guess. We are grateful to have family close that can help us out and play with Abby! She is very excited to have Grandma and Grandpa here.

Picture of many wrist bands from the hospital.Abby ran to Grandma and hugged here when they arrived.

The Big Move

We made it! Matt came into town about 12:30 a.m. on Thursday and Abby was very excited to see him on Friday morning. She first looked a little confused and then she jumped on him! It is so wonderful to be back together again! Friday we picked up the truck, packed the last few things and people arrived to help us load the truck and clean just after 5 p.m. You would not believe how many people came to help us. I was especially excited to see so many of the young men. We had so many people that once everything was out of the house, people stood around and socialized while Matt and our friend Josh packed the truck. It ended up being completely full since we inherited a couch, love seat and twin bed with box spring. After everyone left (we stood outside and talked and all got eaten by mosquitoes--especially poor Abby) Roger, Matt, Abby and I grabbed some dinner at Chili's. It felt so good to sit down. Here are some picks from Friday.

Our stuff waiting to be loaded up.

Matt admiring the space before everything filled it up.

One of the toughest tasks was getting the grand piano on the truck. It turned out to be a little more difficult than we anticipated!Jen with some of her seminary students! Oliver, Jacob, Vincent, Ben & MichaelChris showing off!Jen, Natalie and Abby in front of the truck.Amelia and Jenny cleaning--aren't they wonderful?Putting the last of the stuff in the truck--it's full!Our friends the Riker's brought their dog Marcus over so that Abby could say good-bye. Elise and Chris Riker with Abby.Lara and Bob Heeder with Matt after we were done loading the truck.Abby sitting outside with her strawberry fruit bar--getting eaten alive!Grandpa Roger vacuuming--he was so wonderful to come and help.Abby making funny faces at Chili's.Friday night we slept at the Taysom's since we were going to sleep on the floor at our old house. We love them so much! Here are Megan and Matt before we left Saturday morning.Farewell to our wonderful little house.Saturday morning's sad farewell's. It was really difficult to say farewell--I am so glad Abby and I will come back for a quick visit in October! That made things easier.Abby reading in the carAbby sleeping in the car.When we finally arrived in Bakersfield (took us about 8 1/2 - 9 hours) I could not wait to see the house! It was amazing to click the garage door opener and drive right into my house! We walked around and unloaded the cars and then people arrived to help unload the truck. We had quite a bit of help which made everything go pretty quickly. We bought some pizza for everyone that came and the missionaries even set up our TV and entertainment stuff. Matt's sister Heather and her husband Brandon and son Dexter came to help. We were so grateful. Heather tried to watch Abby, but she seemed to want me and only me! Heather and I stayed up doing the kitchen until Matt came down and told us to go to bed! Good thing he did!
The new house with the truck in front!Our new kitchen!The grand piano getting its legs put back on. I had to walk away--it made me too nervous.
Roger, Brandon and Dexter out cold after a long day of driving and unloading.
Sunday we went to our new ward--the Monica Ward and met so many really friendly people. This is going to be a great ward. Their ward choir sang and did a good job. I love being the ward choir director and it will be difficult for me to sit and sing! But I will support the choir anyways.
Heather, Brandon and Dexter before Church. Grandpa, Abby and Dexter after Church.Cousins: Abby and DexterAfter everyone left on Sunday we ran over to see Matt's office and school. Here are pictures of his office and the building where is office is located. Matt is really enjoying teaching at Bakersfield College. I am not use to having a big house and I could not find Abby on Monday afternoon. Then I saw her at the bottom of the stairs. I walked down and realized she was sound asleep. I had to get a picture! Then I carried her up and put her in her big girl bed! She is so cute!We absolutely love our new house. Abby loves the space and runs up and down the stairs. I wish everything could just be unpacked! Keeping Abby entertained definitely slows things down, but we just love to do things together so it works out fine--just moves a little slower than I would like! We will get it done! We can't wait for people to come and visit!

No Days Until Daddy--He's almost here!

Matt and his Dad should be here any time. Natalie and I just finished cleaning out the fridge and freezer and she is actually cleaning the bathroom--yes, she's crazy and so wonderful. We are so excited to see Matt!

Today Abby went over to Natalie's to take a bath (since we do not have hot water) while I ran to a doctor appointment. Then we headed to the Arizona Youth Museum also called Artville. There was so much to do there and we all had a blast as you can see from the pictures below!
Abby cooks the cupcakes.Abby takes the cupcakes out of the oven.Abby serves the cupcakes.Fun with blocks (I want some for Abby's playroom!)
Where is Jen?
Abby's sad face when one of the lego cars broke.Craft time.There was a Japanese animation exhibit and we had fun tracing!
While Abby took a nap I quickly finished a blanket I made for a friend named Amelia. She is due in November, but I wanted to give it to her before I left. I really like the yarn and hope she likes it!Also as Abby finished her nap my friend Hannah came over to say farewell. I played for her voice lessons since she was a freshman and this is her senior year. I am sad I will not be able to play for her this year, but hope to return for her senior recital. I forgot to get a picture while she was here.

I too took a nice warm shower tonight at Natalie's parents house and Abby took another bath. Warm water feels so good!
What a time Abby and I have had the last 5 or so weeks. We have bonded more than ever before and I am really grateful for all of the amazing time we spent together, "Just the two of us!"
But I still can't wait to see Matt!
Here is a video of Abby dancing at Artville. Maybe I should put her in tap dance lessons.
What do you think?