1-2-3 JUMP!

We had a play date at the pool today with lots of friends. Abe is getting to be a little fish. He even jumped off of the diving board twice (with a little help from Mrs. Nancy). He is not afraid of the water a bit and loves to jump off of the side.

Abe and Coco

Trying to catch a butterfly

Play Date

Abe had a play date with his friend Luke today. They played very well together and had a lot of fun. Thanks Steve and Emily for having us over to play.

Retirement Party

TW and I had the privilege of hosting a retirement party for my great-aunt Joyce yesterday. Everybody had a wonderful time.

The guest of honor

Granddaddy and Abe


The life of the party

Little Tornado

I have always hoped that Abe might be a neat freak because TW and I are so messy. But look at the living room after a few hours this morning. I am still holding out for him to not take after us in terms of neatness.

Abe is a clumsy kid but look a that balance.
Watching TV while balancing on the drum. Now that is multitasking.
I got Abe a new bib that covers from his neck to below the knees. I am trying to prevent the many stains that comes along with the way a toddler eats. I still might need to invest in a shower cap. He has more food in his hair that he does in his belly after eating. Also, it is a good thing that we have dogs because I can not imagine having to clean the floor after the Abester's 3 meals and 2 snacks per day.

Waves of Mercey, Waves of Grace..

"Every Move I Make" was the theme song of the day. Last week Bentley and Macauley learned a lot of praise songs at VBS. They kept singing this song all day and Abe would join in at the "na na na na na na" part. It was pretty cute:) Paw and Maw's pool is getting a new liner and we have not been swimming for a week. Last Wednesday we turned the pool cover into a huge slip-n-slide and today we went to the Ripley Water Park. Here are some pictures from both adventures.

What fun!!!
The water park
Abe and Maw
"LOOK a bird"
Macauley went down the big slide.

Bentley and Macauley
Bentley and Abe
This is how Abe was suppose to slide down the baby slide.
This is how Abe actually came down the slide several times. Face down but he wanted to do it again.

It's official...

Abe is obsessed with his daddy. If I have to hear the words DA-DY, DA-DY, DA-DY, my DA-DY in a winy voice one more time I might scream. Just kidding, I think that it is awesome that Abe is so in love with TW. I think it is very normal for toddlers Abe's age to have separation anxiety when away from their mom (which he does) but he has gotten really bad about wanting his daddy. I think it is because TW leaves a lot. He is usually just going to work or is working outside but Abe is devastated every time he leaves. As a result, Abe is constantly worried that TW is going to leave him. Only a great dad is worthy of such love.

Here are some examples of Abe's obsession:
Monday my mom, Abe and I were at Subway when Abe saw a white truck and had a melt down because he thought it was his daddy. What was so bad is the fact that the truck was driving away and Abe thought his daddy was leaving him. He just screamed my DA-DY, my DA-DY, my DA-DY, my DA-DY... and he was devastated:( (At least we know he is not color blind)

This weekend at the mall we were shopping for fathers day gifts. Abe was in the stroller, TW and I were taking turns pushing the stroller. If one of us got out of site for a second he would cry for us DA-DY MA-MA. He would get so upset I ended up holding his hand while walking beside the stroller as TW pushed him. That just made his day.

Abe hates to get his diaper changed and when I change it he just cries for his daddy, even if he is not here, like TW is going to come in there and rescue him.

#1 melt down of all time happens when TW tries to mow the yard before Abe goes to sleep. We live on 2 acres and it takes a while to mow. So TW will try to start away from the house hopping Abe will not hear the mower. But as soon as he does he wants to go outside immediately or the biggest temper tantrum occurs. He loves riding on the mower with his daddy.

Happy Father's Day!

Abe has the best Daddy in the world. I know that might sound a little extreme but it is true. TW and I dated for 5 years and have been married for the past 81/2 years but I never thought I would love him more today than I did 14 years ago. I have always been crazy in love with him but seeing him with Abe makes my heart melt. I don't even know the words to describe how terrific he is with Abe. TW's whole entire focus is our family. Since he is gone to work during the week, he just wants to be with Abe on the weekend. Because of TW, we have never left Abe overnight to just get away. He wants to spend every moment that he can with him. I have always heard it said, "the best way to spell LOVE is T - I - M - E." I thank God for blessing me with such a wonderful husband and daddy to Abe.

Busy Day

TW made plans all week to work in the yard today. So Abe and I went to Bentley's ballgames in Southaven. It was nice because he had a double header and all of my immediate family (except Ryleigh) was there to help take care of Abe. When we left there, we went to Kinley's birthday party at the sprinkler park. Then tonight we keep Bentley and Macauley.

Maw, Macauley, Abe and Granny

Cool Dude
Sweet Maw
Happy 3rd Birthday Kinley!!!

Kallen got her body cast off after 12 weeks.
Abe loved this chair. He sat in it for 20 minutes without moving. I might need to invest.

Bentley and Macauley stayed at our house tonight. Here are pics from the indoor home-run derby(with Abe's toys). Nothing has been broken yet.

Macauley (5 years old) took a shower at our house tonight and did not have any clothes. I got some of Abe's clothes that he has not grown into yet. Look they fit. They are gap 18-24 months. It does not look like he will be wearing to those for a while.

This Week 's Pics

Ben, Macauley and Abe took a ride on the four wheeler.

Our Direct TV reciever has been giving us a lot problems this week. TW was tring to fix it and Abe was tring to help Daddy.

The view from our back door at sunset.

Abe got to swim 3 days this week. The water is still very cold but he did a good job. He will be swimming like a fish by the end of the Summer.

"It's to cold"

Good Bye, Today Show...

Hello, Play House Disney. I have been watching the Today Show for at least the past six years faithfully. I just always turn it on every morning. It is great to get talk points (something in the news to discuss) for work when I was working full-time. But now I have the pleasure of watching "The Little Einsteins", "Micky Mouse Club House" and my personal favorite "Handy Mandy". Wow... how life has changed! Abe has only watched "Baby Praise" DVDs up until this point. He loves music and those could always keep his attention. When he wakes up in the morning now he wants his mommy, a cup of milk and Play House Disney.

My life has totally changed since Abe was born in a great way. My focus has always been serving others through ministry, entertaining friends and being the best at my job. Now my focus is my family, as a wife and mom (which is my ministry), entertaining a toddler, and working part-time. Wow...how life has changed! Instead of shopping, working out, talking on the phone to friends, and dinning out. I now keep up with my friends through their blogs, playdates and facebook. Instead of dinning out at nice restaurants... I now cook almost every meal. The only shopping that I have done lately is for groceries and working out should still be a priority but it's not. My new favorite hobby is sewing and making clothes for Abe. Who would have ever thought that I would sew? It's like my life has went back 100 years in time (with the internet).

I absolutely love my life and I am thankful to God for getting me out of the "rat race" and for all of the wonderful changes that comes along with motherhood.