Another Good Week

This last week we had some fun adventures.

Monday Abby enjoyed her 4-wheeler outside and I snapped a picture of her in front of the house.
We also played in the backyard on her playground that now has some rubber mulch! We still need the barriers to keep it in, so it's not quite ready for friends to play in yet.
Tuesday was of course gymnastics and I took a quick picture of Abby before we left--pretty cute! Gymnastics didn't go quite as well as last week. Abby actually ran out to me crying. I think it was because her class warmed up with some older girls and she seemed scared of them. That is strange because Abby is not really scared of anyone or anything, but I think it made her nervous. And I had to go in and sit for a few minutes. Then she did pretty well.
This weekend (Friday) I played for a voice recital at California State University, Bakersfield and it went really well. I enjoy playing and coaching the voice students and even made a possible contact with a pianist who would love to play for a choir--and I hope to start one here in Bakersfield!
Saturday we took Abby to Toys R Us to use a gift certificate from Amanda's (Abby's birth Mom's) Dad and his wife. She picked out a cute Mickey Mouse scooter that is currently in our house while she gets use to it. Then we will take it out outside!
Thank you Geoff and Maria!
Saturday night we had the missionaries over for dinner. I even talked them into coming to Ward Choir today! Sunday we invited Matt's office mate, Paul and his wife Sandra over for dinner and we had a great time with them. Abby especially enjoyed playing with them and screamed for more hugs when they left.
On Saturday morning Abby was sitting at the table with her Duplo Legos and was singing, talking and just being really cute. Every time I tried to get her on camera she stopped doing what she was doing! But I did manage to get some good moments on film. This ended up being a little hello to our friends Carric and Jenny who live in Arizona. Enjoy the video!

Valentine's Fun

This past week was full of fun adventures beginning with Monday--Valentine's Day! Matt went to school early in the morning and returned after 9:30 p.m., so it was mainly Abby and I! Abby had her 3 year pictures taken at JCPenney's in the morning and she wore her new dress which I actually think will be her Easter dress. Here is a quick shot before we went in for pictures. I pick them up Tuesday, so I will have to scan them and put them on the blog this week.

I told her if she was good for pictures we would walk to the food court and get her some ice cream. She of course had to take her Thomas backpack given to her on her birthday by friends!
Abby and I wanted to do something nice for Matt so we picked him up a berry drink at Costco and surprised him at school.
Tuesday we once again had gymnastics and Abby had a major break through--she listened AND followed instructions! I was so proud. Her teacher came out and said she did much better this week and also told me that Abby is really strong. We think so, but we realize we are biased! Her teacher said she has really strong arms and an amazing core. She hangs from the bar and swings her legs, then lifts them straight up like a lever to the bar. It's a little bit difficult to explain, but it takes an amazing amount of ab strength and she does it over and over. Her teacher also commented that she has a gymnasts body. It is so exciting to watch her learn and grow.
Wednesday night when Matt went to the Church for Young Men's Abby and I built a garage for her cars out of her Duplo legos and a house out of Lincoln Logs. She wanted to take a picture for Matt so that she could knock it down so I thought I'd include it here too.
Friday Matt and Ammon (a young man in our ward) put together Abby's new playground set. We've been watching for a good price on one and found it a few weeks ago at Costco on-line. It took most of the day and Abby helped out too. When it was all done Abby ran outside yelling "slide, slide." Now we are waiting for some rubber mulch and a liner so we can put part of the back yard together--hooray!
Saturday Matt and I spent the day completing one of the last requirements for LDS Services so that we can get back on the website and hopefully a birth mother will pick us! We took a CPR/AED/First Aid class from the Red Cross. It was a long day but fortunately our teacher told some pretty good stories. Abby played at our friends the Petersen's and had the most wonderful time. That night our friends the McCall's invited us out to dinner to take advantage of their excellent coupon. We s seldom go out to dinner, so this was a rare treat.
Today I snapped a quick picture of Abby before Church. She is wearing one of the cute dresses from her cousins Kylee and Kennedy. I thought they might like to see her wear it. After Sacrament meeting today I was playing organ postlude and Matt took Abby to nursery. On their way she saw her friend Levi and they gave each other a big hug. Then Matt said they held hands and walked all the way into nursery. She turned around and said, "Bye Dad!" She is already so independent! One of the Young Women's leaders commented on how funny she is and said that when Matt took her out during Sacrament meeting because she was being too loud she waved to everyone as she left! What a kid! There is just not a dull moment with Abby around!

Birthday Videos

Here is a video of Abby's birthday party!

Happy Placement Day!

Three years ago tonight was one of the most unforgettable days of our lives. It was the day that Abby was officially "placed" with us. That means that our wonderful birth Mom Amanda, signed a whole lot of papers and we actually got to walk out of the hospital with our 4 lb. baby girl! It was the most amazing feeling in the world! After waiting so many years, plus the 3 days after she was born of coming to the hospital and praying it would all work out--I wish there were words to describe it! When we left the hospital we went back to my cousin Crystal's home in Utah. Abby traveled in a car "bed" instead of a car seat because she was so tiny! We were a little nervous to drive our new tiny girl in a pretty good snow storm!

Today I am so grateful for the miracle of adoption. As I already mentioned, the process took years and sometimes I wondered if it would ever really happen. But I know that Heavenly Father knows what is best and we are on his time line--not ours. Abby came at the perfect time. Now I have to keep telling myself this as we wait for another little miracle!
Here is the very first picture of all three of us together at last!

Happy 3rd Birthday Abby!

Can you believe our little girl is 3? It is amazing how time flies. I remember holding her for the first time like it was yesterday. She was so very tiny (4 lbs. 4 oz.) and just stared at me with those gorgeous brown eyes. . . .a moment I will treasure for the rest of my life. I also remember that three years ago there were many nights of no sleep because I just kept praying that Heavenly Father would help Amanda sign the papers that would mean Abby was ours. We were in a constant state of prayer! How unexplainably (I know it's not a word, but it fits!) grateful I am to Amanda for signing the papers. She gave us the greatest gift we could ask for--our Abigail! Now we pray to find her sibling(s)!

So we've had quite a week! First I'll include a few gymnastics pictures because they are pretty cute. Abby had a little trouble listening this week and I had to go in and remind her that she had to listen to Teacher Sunny and do just what she said. She did a little better, but we are working on her listening and obeying skills often!
Abby with Teacher Sunny.
Learning to do a cartwheel.
Abby said she wanted to "Hug Mickey" for her birthday so I got this crazy idea to take her Disneyland for her birthday. So we woke up really early and the two of us drove down and went to Disneyland. Our first stop: the train and then Toon Town to hug Mickey.
She also saw Minnie and showed her the new Minnie shirt she received that morning for her birthday.
Minnie's dishwasher.
Outside Minnie's house.
We also rode the Casey Junior Train--she chose the Animal Cage.
Here she is on the Carousel.
Abby with Woody and Jessie.
I told her she could have one treat in Disneyland (we brought in other food) and so she chose the Pineapple Dole Whip which happens to be my favorite too! Yummy!
Abby used some birthday money to buy a Mickey sweatshirt.
I have to say that this was one of the most special days I've had with Abby. She listened, did not run and hide, held my hand voluntarily and was just the best girl. I was so proud of her and I simply cannot explain how much fun we had together. But we were sad that Daddy could not join us.
Apparently Abby was a little tired because before we got out of the parking structure I looked back and saw. . . .
We then had to drive back because Grandma and Grandpa Garrett were coming up to our house. They picked up Matt from school and soon realized they were locked out of the house because we have special locks so that Abby cannot open the doors! We were still 30 minutes away, so they went over to a restaurant and we met them there.
Friday I decorated the house and Grandma and Grandpa helped so much.
Abby and Grandpa playing with Abby's new Duplo legos. They also went to the store and Grandpa bought peanuts. They ate them outside--pretty cute!
Abby before she left for the store with Grandpa.
I decided I wanted to make Abby a train cake. It ended up taking much of the day! I combined lots of ideas from on-line and it turned out somewhat like I wanted! I found out that chocolate cake mix is not too friendly with frosting--especially small pieces! The engine was a struggle and so I put it in the fridge and went up to take a shower. Matt knew to leave out the blue frosting so that I could finish the engine, but his Dad did not know and washed the bowl! So the engine was what it was! Abby loved the cake and that is what matters anyways! I learned a lot and will do a better job next time!
Grandma Barbara and Choo-choo Grandpa with Abby before the party.
Abby and Jen before the party.
Eating Abby's favorite dinner--spaghetti! I put a trash bag over her (much to her dismay) so that she would not ruin her clothes. We usually stick her in the bath after this meal! Heather, Brandon and Dexter (Matt's sister and family) were so nice to drive up for Abby's party. We are so glad they could come.
We played a pin the number 1 on Thomas game and had a lot of fun.
Brandon being guided into the closet instead of to the paper!
Our friends, the Randall's also came over and we loved having them at the party.
They gave Abby a Thomas backpack--how perfect! Here Abby is with Caleb and Hannah.
Lincoln Logs from Heather, Brandon and Dexter. Watch out Uncles Jeremiah and Brent--she's quite the builder!
Grandma Karen and Grandpa Mark gave Abby a new set to her wooden train and a card. Now her train is bigger and has tunnel! Thanks!
Abby eating the engine!
Let's all eat cake and ice cream!
Today (Saturday) I tried a new breakfast recipe--Caramel Monkey Bread. I should have read the instructions a little more carefully because it took a while! I ended up having to get up at 4 to make it before everyone had to leave! But it was sure good. Here it is before it baked.
Matt found an incredible deal after Thanksgiving on a little 4-wheeler. So we saved it for Abby's birthday. She is learning how to steer!
Today the Huff family (Abby's birth Dad's family) sent Abby a gift in the mail. Abby was so excited to find a card, a Thomas flashlight that talks, and a beautiful dress with a white sweater. She has carried the Thomas around ever since and likes to go into dark rooms so that she can see the light! Thank you so much for thinking of Abby!
Matt decided in order to speed things up in the backyard her should hire one of the young men who is trying to do odd jobs to save money for his upcoming mission, to dig out the pond we want. Abby thought it was a great place to play and wanted to help dig!
Ever since Abby was born I've kept a journal of the things she says, does, and ideas and thoughts from me. I finished her second journal right before her birthday and made the first entry in her new journal on her 3rd birthday. I love being able to tell her about her many adventures and hope that she will enjoy reading it some day!