Sunday, August 26, 2007

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.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Monday, August 20, 2007

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.

Friday, August 17, 2007

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."

Thursday, August 16, 2007

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!

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

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!”

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Swimsuit Girl

swimsuit season

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!