8

"But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it." Ephesians 4

Josh and I turn 8 in a few hours. Can someone come and pat us on the back for surviving year 7!? Kidding (not kidding). For two people who value stability and predictability, we certainly were put to the test with the building of the house, selling the old one, the financial flux, E starting school, moving three times with the kids, pregnancy, the passing of family members, Abby coming early, work for Josh, and settling in to our new house. It has been a lot and I'm not going to lie and say we sailed through it all with no scratches, but as we emerge from it all, I do think we are stronger for it. And I know we made it on the backs of prayer. Prayers long forgotten by us but never forgotten by God. Prayers by spiritual giants. Prayers that bound us together so tightly that even the stress of this past year could not pull us apart.

"The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58

To Remember

I have a bad memory. Notoriously. When I call to schedule doctor appointments for the kids they always ask me for birthdays - month, date, AND year. How dare they. Inevitably I always get a chuckle when I pause. One time I had to shamefully ask them to just look it up by name.

Here are some things I want to remember.

1. Sibling love - Both Emerson and Landon loved Abby immediately and they continue to. Never have they been jealous or possessive of my time. Always understanding when I need to nurse, change her, hold her. Also, Landon's kisses. The sheer volume alone is astonishing. Clearly touch is his love language and I will die a slow death when he's like that with a girlfriend.

2. Friends and Family - Being home has created a tidal wave of attention for this girl. Thankful for each and every person who loves on her.

3. Attributes - Everyone always says she's much smaller in person than it seems in pictures. But also, so chubby! While her personality is till TBD, so far there are a lot off remarks about how quiet she is, and calm. She's not overly expressive but if you quietly talk with her she'll talk back. She goes with the flow as all third children must but I get the sense she'd do the same if she was the first child too. 

Our Abby Girl.