Real Life

How dare I give her a homemade apple muffin with cinnamon sugar crumble topping for breakfast! 

Who would ever want that? 

Such agony! 

But his is real life.  Real life for Abigail. 

She cries at breakfast.  lunch.  dinner.  and a few snacks in between.  Despite the 'bakery of a kitchen' that we have around here, she just hates to eat. 

We all know why but it's so hard. 

Just once, just once I'd love to see her pick up anything, anything and take a bite... but for now we'll do this. 

I can do hard. 

In this moment...

In this moment, I can remember back. 

I can smell the smells, tastes the tastes, feel the feelings of China 2004. 

There is something that happens when they are all together for this picture. 

She's not just Anna... did you do your reading log?  Can you pick up your room?  Where is your viola case?  Let's go, we're late for school... she's Anna Jiang Qian (beautiful, river)

and she's my daughter. 

The happiest picture! 

They are all excited about a frog that Lily caught. 

At first I tried to get her to put in down in her little can for the picture but then I thought of when my Dad said one Thanksgiving when Anna was little and wanted "weebee" in her hands for the pictures.  "It shows her age."  And now I cherish those pictures that show her littleness.  So the frog smiled and got to be in the famous Chna 115 reunion picture. 

There is something so profound in these moments when they are all together like this. 

God is so good. 

This is where it all started. 

They spent 14 months together here. 

They were all they had. 

That's why it's so important to have our reunions.  So they'll always have each other. 

Their friendships are the sweetest I've ever known between children; truly blessed by god. 

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Wibble Wobble "ing"

"Let's Spend The Day Together"

I know, I know, it's only 2 1/2 hours (twice a week),

but I hate it! 

I know there are EE meals to cook, Scott's shirts to iron, a house to clean, a tornado from breakfast in the kitchen, and so much more.  And I know I'll sink into this new preschool thing soon, but not today.  Not after she said the very thing we've always said to each other since she was a baby. 

It shouldn't have taken me by surprise, but it did. 

 Always after dropping off Anna safe and sound at school and I buckled her in her car seat we've always said together,

"let's spend the day together." 

 And when she said that this morning, oh boy....

I know, I know, she's only 3 years old and I have so much more with her, but I hate that the baby days are over and I have to share her with school. 

She was excited and I was nervous. 

 But she didn't 'run right in' like I thought. 

She was a bit more like Anna. 

Confident and strong, but apprehensive. 

 She didn't quite know what to do. 

But there were no tears; I'm grateful for that.

Even good change, I just don't like change. 

It takes a while for me to sink into things. 

I can remember a long walk my Dad and I took the night before my wedding.  Even though all of my dreams were about to come true the next day there was a piece of me that didn't want to let go of home, mom and dad, Cromwell Hills, and the feeling of being little.  I can remember another walk Father Bob took me on when I was going to say goodbye to him.  My dorm room was packed and I was ready to move out of college so that I could student teach.  Another day of change, and I had to have my hand held. 

Today it's not quite that dramatic but it is held by the One who knows all of the changes to happen to me.  The One who says believe me now.  Believe me here.  Remember all the times I've told you loud and clear.  I am with you and I am for you. 

Believe me now.

Pickin Raspberries

Isn't it apple picking month?  I mean really!  My house is all decd out with an apple theme.  I've got Mac apple candles burning in the kitchen and everything.  But Scott said that he wanted to go Raspberry Picking today.  And boy did the girls have fun.  Just happened to have my camera in the car... really... I didn't plan on bringing it.  Got some cute shots! 

How I love this one with Anna peering into her Raspberry bucket and Abigail holding hers up to the sun. 

Even though I love the composition of the photos above, this one is one of my best.  Love how Anna found a pen on the stand and HAD to have her name on her bucket (is it called a bucket or something else?)

Abigails's little hands. 

Preschool Visit Day

Abigail had her preschool visit hour today.  She was very excited and so talkative all morning.  But when we got there I saw a new Abigail... very shy.  She was very careful with the activities and as the other kids buzzed around her at lightning speed, she was slow and sweet.  The only thing she did say when a teacher said, "hello Abby!" was "I'm not Abby.  My name is A.BI.GAIL".  Just like that.  Abigail, my girl!

I took a picture of Anna standing in front of this same tree on her preschool visit day. 

Elia's 4th Birthday

The sweetest little princess on her 4th birthday.  Anna and Abigail love their cousin Elia.  It was such a fun party filled with princess games.  Happy Birthday Elia!  We love you!

Summer Refections (part 2)

I want to remember how little they are.  How Anna stands tall.  How Abigail holds her hands like a toddler still.

See... baby hands still.

How much Anna loves the camera and loves to pose like a princess.

Those strawberry curls.

How close they are.  Sisters by Gods grace.  How much they love each other and are truly best friends. 

I 'll remember from this little photo shoot how much Anna wanted to bring home every rose, and how I'd only let her take a few (and only from the ground).  She brought them home and floated them in her little China dishes.  She loves flowers.  This day made me think of my Grandpa.  He would have loved them, all of his grate grand kids.  But I think of how much Anna loves nature, and how he did.... 

Oh, and how much Anna begged me for this dress.  She loved the puffy sleeves (there's the princess thing again). How pretty it looked for these pictures but how tired of it I am now.  :) She wore it over and over and over this summer. 

Summer

A look back at a fantastic summer.  What great ages Anna and Abigail were.  Sometimes I feel sad that I'll never have them 7 and 3 again.  How I love all ages and stages.  I'm never one to say, "remember Anna at 2 1/2"  "oh, I hated 3..."  I can't stand when people do that.  In fact I don't even comprehend that.  Children are children and are great at every age.  I'm soaking every day in; every blessed moment I get to be their mommy.  (and yes, they still both say mommy) So here are some of my favorite shots from the fabulous summer of 2010. 

On the last day of first grade

That flock of 3 year old strawberry curls

Our trip to the Bronx Zoo with our precious and fun friends the Cunhas

A day at the beach (with all the princesses of course)  (yucky CT sand, I'd rather be in Hawaii)

Afternoons reading:  Anna and I spent hours reading together this summer.  Everyday while Abigail napped we read.  Sometimes I read to her but mostly we each read our own book.  Anna would make the same cozy reading area for us to share each day.  She would even get my book out for me and my highlighter since I'm always using that while I read.  I love how this summer she really discovered the joy of reading for pleasure. 

I could post all of the happy moments but this is a major part of our lives.  Abigail's Eosinaphilic Esophogitis.  This July was her 6th endoscopy. I'm used to it now.  She's used to it now.  But we shouldn't be.  This July the inflammation should have low, but it wasn't.  We learn, we adjust, we know that a day will come when she will be healed. 

More summer to come. 

Storyland (part 3)

Everyone who knows me know what a huge Disney fan I am.  I mean there's nothing like taking those first steps into the Magic Kingdom down "main street".  Or stepping into the grand lobby of the Disney Cruise (okay, now I'm missing it a bit...)  but we really loved this park.  Even without the magic of Disney it had its own magic.  It was very pretty and we felt relaxed.  We truly enjoyed just being with our girls. Not rushing, and just having fun. 

And Scott picked a great hotel with 3 pools.  Anna and Abigail were in heaven!  We stayed at the Grand Hotel in North Conway.  Would have loved more time. 

Loved the circus they had.  Scott bought the girls light up butterfly wands. 

Love this one of Abigail enjoying the circus.  (I'm always taking pictures of her when she's eating because its pure joy to see her eat without begging her to)

This one is for you Abigail.  I wish Elia was here for this show.  She would have loved it too!