Forgive Me Father, For I Have Sinned!

About a week ago, during the rainstorm that flooded most of Ohio, we finally had a break in the clouds one afternoon. The dogs had not been out much (or at all) that day as they are scared of the storms.

Side note: if a crack of thunder doesn't wake you up in the middle of the night, a dog standing over you and panting loudly in your face surely will!

Because our Dog Walker recently quit, stating reasons like Soccer, and Cross Country, and Homework -- whatever, I decided that Abby and I could at least walk them around the block a little to stretch their legs and get. out. of. the. house. Did I mention it had been raining for several days?

So we started out and took our familiar path around Sweet-Smelling Flower Blvd. Abby was holding the leash of our least resistant dog (the Mrs.) and took off running down the street. She ran practically the whole way. I and the Mr. came along behind. Somewhere along the way, Abby got tired of holding the leash and gave it to me.

Several minutes later, I thought the Mrs. was stopping to sniff a tree but looked back just in time to see her depositing her waste in the grass. OH, NO!! I had not brought anything with which to pick it up. I hate when that happens and had often told my Dog Walkers to not let that happen.

I quickly glanced around to see if anyone was watching. Whew! I didn't think anyone had seen.

But then I noticed what house we were in front of. It was the neighborly family that posts Bible Scriptures on placards in the front lawn.

Today's message was this: "Be sure your sins will find you out!"

Yep! I guess so!

WW-Watching From The Sidelines

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That Took Forever!

I'm learning my new collage software and it's taking me a while to get through all the "layers" on the canvas. I guess the more I work on it, the easier it will be.

Here's what I did this afternoon.


So to explain a little about the pictures... NO we did NOT get a kitty. As super cute as he is, he would not last one night at our house. A friend at our church rescued him and is looking for a nice family to place him with. She already has a couple inside cats and doesn't need another.

We had Bible Study at our friend's house this summer and one night, Billy brought Abby over so she could play with the kitty. She loved him!

It was the same day as the fair, that's why her arm has a green stamp on it.

WW - Is She Expecting A Call?

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I Think I Found My New Hobby

Last week, we went to our County Fair on "Kids Day." We had a lot of fun! We visited all the livestock barns, went through the other exhibits, Abby rode all the size-appropriate rides, and she played a bunch of free games for prizes! Oh, and we had homemade ice cream. And all for $10.50. That's what I call a successful outing!

Click on the collage to enlarge.

This collage was made on my FotoFusion software. Last week, I upgraded to the new "Scrapbook" version. I also downloaded some free digital scrapbook stuff: paper, embellishments, letters, etc. I've been playing around with it some and seeing what it will do. I LOVE the idea of using the elements over and over again and not having to go out and purchase paper, adhesive, stickers, etc. when I run out. Plus, you can re-size anything the way you want it.

So, have any of you tried digiscrapping? I'm hoping to expand my knowledge with some of your expertise! Let me know if you've found any good web-sites or blogs with info.

Now That We Have That Settled

A little conversation I had with Abby on our daily walk this morning:

Abby: Mommy, why do some people not have husbands.

Me: Well, honey, some people don't want to get married or they haven't found the one that God wants for them.

Abby: Billy is the one God wants for you, Mommy.

Me: Yes, he is.

Abby: Is Andrew the one that God wants for me?

Me: I don't know.

Abby: I will talk to Him. God, is Andrew the one you want me to marry?

a slight pause...

Abby: God said, "yes."

Lordy, Look Who's Forty...

...one! Happy Birthday, my dear Brother!!

We celebrated my brother's birthday when he and his family were in town for the big wedding.

His wife has surprised him with a cake from my Aunt Linda. It says, "Happy Birthday To The Golden Child." He is the oldest child and only son. Need I say more?

Here's a picture that Abby took during the festivities.

Here's the present we gave him. I'm sure he's wearing it today with pride!!!

We love you, Mountain Man! Hope you have an awesome birthday!

It's My Bloggiversary!

I started this blog one year ago today.

I’ve done over 160 posts in that time frame. Not a lot by serious blogging standards, but enough for me. The main motivation for me as a blogger is to keep extended family and friends up-to-date with what’s going on at our house. I’m not out to win any blogging awards or to boost my stat counter. (I would enjoy a few more comments now and then, but I’ll take what I can get.)

So when you visit “Shagga Bear” every day once or twice a week you’re coming to see pictures of Abby. A few posts have been about other things, but as one of my (non-blogging) friends said, “It’s all Abby, all the time!”

So in honor of this bloggiversary, I have not dug up my favorite posts or pictures of the past year. Instead, I bring you something that was in the archives as a “draft.” I’m not sure why I didn’t post it at the time…

This was written in January. It was titled “Wisdom – I Need It!”

***

When Hubby used to tuck Abby into her crib, he prayed for her every night. One of the things he prayed regularly was that God would give us wisdom to raise her right. Since she has moved into her big-girl bed, both Hubby and I say prayers with her every night and allow her time to pray, too. She started praying that God will "give Mommy and Daddy wisdom to raise me right." She now includes other family members as well as our dogs in this request.

And today, I needed wisdom.

She announced this morning that she wanted to wear panties instead of a diaper. I decided that we should go for it cause this is the first time in a while she's shown any interest. I explained that she needed to keep her panties dry. I sat her on the potty before breakfast and again after breakfast and then 3 times during her ritual movie watching. Each time, nothing happened. Then, 5 minutes later, she came in the bathroom and said her panties were wet. AAAUURRGG! Time to change clothes. She decided that she wanted a diaper now.

Abby is such a bright, intelligent girl; sometimes I take her comprehension for granted. She is articulate and has an amazing vocabulary. So when I talk to her about something that I think is simple and she looks at me like I'm speaking in French, it is very frustrating.

Like keeping your panties dry. What's not to understand? Or like counting to ten. What comes after nine? I count for her one, two, three, etc. What's next, Abby? Nothing. But she can tell me what letter makes the beginning sound of "nine."

My question to myself is WHY is this frustrating? I need to have wisdom to know what she can understand and what she doesn't.

***

The potty training issue has been resolved PRAISE THE LORD, however, the daily need for wisdom is still present. There are still days that I get frustrated (impatient) over simple things. I’m learning to let go of the things she doesn’t quite “get” and focus on things she does. She is an incredible little girl and I’m amazed at all the words and concepts she understands. She is beginning to ask more intelligent questions as well. Recently, we’ve been talking more about her time in China and her Birth Mother. This has been a hard topic for me to discuss and I’m praying daily, “Lord, give me wisdom!”

I guess in January, I felt the issue was unresolved in my heart and mind and could not be posted. In retrospect, it was my heart cry as a mother in the daily grind. I know we all experience days like that. I just need to acknowledge my dependence on God for wisdom to “raise her right!”

Swimsuit Girl

I can not believe how much she's grown! The top right photo is August 2005. Look at those chubby cheeks and you can't see them, but there were chubby legs to go with.

The bottom right (Aug 2006) she's showing some attitude! And look how much longer those pony tails are.

The photo on the left was taken last week. Her face looks so much more mature to me. Her legs are longer and so is her hair.

Sniff, sniff. My baby's growing up!

New Baby Cousin

Abby has a new cousin! Christopher was born yesterday on August 10th. Abby got to go to the hospital this afternoon to see him and hold him for the first time.




Isn't he so cute?! Congratulations "new" Mommy and Daddy on number four!

State Fair

I LOVE going to the state fair. This affair started when we lived in Dallas and attend the State Fair of Texas every September-October. Big Tex would welcome us with open arms! I love all the livestock, the quilts, jams, preserves of all kinds, the dog trick shows, the butter carving, corny dogs, and just about everything else the fair has to offer.

But not so much the rides. The rides make me ill. Yuck! All that spinning and turning and churning. No, thank you. But I do love a good ferris wheel and there isn't a better ferris wheel (in North America) than the Texas Star! I have many fond memories of gazing at the Dallas skyline from the top of the wheel. Let us pause for a moment of reverant silence.

Ahhh.

Since moving to Ohio (sing, "Round on the end and "Hi" in the middle") several years ago, I have wanted to go to the state fair, but never did. We don't live in Columbus, so the trip would require a little more planning than going across town. I usually start asking hubby in April or May about going in August.

I also ask about going to the circus every year, but that hasn't happened either. Maybe next year.

The past couple of years, I have attended our County Fair. That has scratched my fair going itch to some degree. But still, I thought, there must be more.

This year, I learned that my nephew was going to be singing at the State Fair with a big choir. Surely THAT would be my ticket in! I have to go see him sing. Yes, that's it!

Hubby finally agreed to take a day off work to accompany me to the State Fair. We went on Monday, along with Nana, Papa, and Grandmother. And Abby, of course!

Just a little public service announcement for all fair goers: take cash with you. Because Visa is NOT everywhere you want to be, contrary to popular slogans.

Anyway, we did not take in as much of the fair as I would have hoped because having a three-year-old in tow who wants to RIDE, and PLAY, and PET THE ANIMALS, and EAT ICE CREAM tends to limit the visiting of "boring" horticultural displays, and quilts, and jams, etc. And the fact that we saw two choir concerts while there.

Here he is, in some of the different venues at the fair:


And because now all family outings consist of entertainig the young one, here are a few photos of Abby enjoying the Fair:


That alpaca in the top right photo was SUPER CUTE! I loved the little haircut it had: floppy on top and shaved in the middle. I could have taken it home with me. But I'm sure the neighbors would not approve.

And in case you're wondering who that little boy with Abby is, here's the story. On the way to get some ice cream, we saw a street performer doing a show with juggling, spinning garbage can lids, and tricks with a little dog, so we stopped to watch. The guy's last trick was to have his dog jump over six kids. He asked for volunteers and Abby raised her hand. Of course he picked her and so she took her place beside the others. The photo on the bottom left, you can see the dog jumping over and through the hoop. She never did put her head down like she was supposed to. Good thing Lacy jumped high.

Over all, it was a good time. The choir was awesome. They sang songs that I did twenty years ago in choir, so it brought back good memories. And it's always fun watching Abby have a good time. Abby had a blast with the rides and the ice cream.

We did not get any pictures with the ice cream, though, because it melted in 2 minutes. The temperature that day was around 92 but with humity, it felt like 315. Consequently, we spent a small fortune in HUGE ICED TEAS. There was a discount on refills if you kept your cup, so we stopped every 50 yards or so to get more.

We will be attending the County Fair next week, so I hope to get my fill of all the livestock and preserves, et al. Until then, we'll be singing...

Old man Biddle gave me a riddle just the other day,
I guessed it right away, I am glad to say,
The riddle he gave to me, I will give to you--,
And if you think you're smart like me, Let's see what you can do.

(It's) Round on the end and "Hi" in the middle.
Tell me if you know.
Don't you think that's a cute little riddle
Round on the end and "Hi" in the middle
You can find it on the map if you look high and low.
The O's are round, it's high in the middle. O-H-I-O That's the riddle!
Round on the end and "Hi" in the middle.
O-HI-O!

I Feel Like An Elephant

Our dossier has been logged in to China since October 9, 2006. As of today, we're ten months "pregnant" for our adoption.

What does this mean? Well, it seems like we should be close, but we're not.

The referrals that China just sent out last week got through the November 21, 2005 (that's FIVE) LIDs. So we have 322 days worth of dossiers to get through before ours goes to the "matching room." In five referral batches (approx. five months) they've referred 28 LIDs. That means it took five months to get through one month of LIDs. I don't want to think about how long we'll be waiting if the current referral rate continues. It is rumored that things will speed up, but no one knows when or how much.

So, for now, we're not expecting anything until the summer/fall of '09. I'll revise my estimate in a few months if I notice any significant changes.

The gestation peroid for an elephant is 22 months. I think I'll have her beat.

Wordless Wednesday

Me and My Daddy!

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Pictures!

The "wedding" went great! Everyone had a wonderful time. The ceremony was sweet, the food was delicious, and the dancing was FUN!

Here are a few pictures. I'm sure Mama Lily will be posting some more when she comes back from her "getaway" with her renewed hubby.

A few posed pictures before the ceremony.

Here's the whole Lily family. Don't they look great all dressed up? Wow!

Mama and her girlies!
Me and Belle
My brother and his family
And here are a few of Abby (what would a picture post be without one or ten of these?) I rented her dress from Gaga's. She picked it out herself. I love it! So I just had to show the front and the back!

Here is Abby with Grandmother. I took one picture during the ceremony. I was sitting on stage (because Billy and I were singing) and I got this shot. I'm sorry that it's a little blurry.

Mama Lily danced with each of her sons. Here she is with her firstborn.

And Daddy danced with his daughters. And then we cut loose! It was a fun time. Here is JR doing the limbo! How low can you go? Side note: Rachel is still pregnant. Keep praying! She is ready to deliver! And this is what almost 43 years of marriage looks like! How sweet! This was not a posed picture. I caught my parents while they were dancing together.
It was a wonderful celebration of covenant and family! Wish you all could have been here.

Tomorrow Is The Big Day

My sister's 20th Wedding Anniversary Celebration is tomorrow. She's doing a Vow Renewal Ceremony and then a big dinner reception. The past few weeks have been bustling with preparations and the past couple days have been a whirlwind of last minute details.

Our brother and his family came in town on Wednesday as a surprise for her. I wish I had her reaction on video. It was priceless!

So the past few days have centered around talking and food, and playing, and food, and shopping and food and some more food thrown in for good measure.

We took all the cousins to see Ratatouille on Thursday afternoon. It is the first movie that Abby has seen in the theater, which is hard to believe as much as she likes movies. She did pretty good. She got a little bored toward the end. Of course, I was a little bored at the end, as well. As far as Disney movies go, they've done better. The story line wasn't really geared toward children. However, the animation WAS amazing. It totally looked like actual Paris streets and buildings.

How did I get off on a movie review?

Anyway...

Today, we spent lots of time trying to find last minute items, aka -- SHOPPING! And then we had a family dinner and decorated the reception hall.

Tomorrow, we'll be rehersing the morning, getting updos, pictures, singing, partying, etc. and THEN setting up for our church meeting for Sunday morning! Whew! Let's hope our other sister doesn't go into labor during all of it. (She's due anyday now.)

I'll be posting pictures of the grand event sometime in the near future. It's gonna be fun!

Scoop, Scoop. Yum, Yum!

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