(April birthday twins)
The day wasn’t what we had originally planned but it was still good. She had hoped to attend the Rawlinsville Auction with Trent and Anne and Maggie. However, that was cancelled because of the virus. We still had a lovely day. French toast for breakfast, ham & cheese sandwich for lunch, and burgers on the grill and a peanut butter cheesecake for dessert. Abbey almost always chooses burgers for her birthday meal and it’s become tradition that our first time using the grill is for her birthday.
(Not quite 11 candles but she got them all out in one go, but refused to tell her wish.)
Abbey is an amazing girl. She is very strong physically. She can do lots of chin ups and climb tall trees. She is also growing spiritually. She accepted Jesus two years ago now, and last year she read the entire Bible cover to cover in one year. She is very intelligent, still working an entire grade level above her age. And books. Abbey loves, loves, loves to read.
One of the things I love most about Abbey is her sense of humor. She is so funny. So much fun to be around. She is a good friend to her sisters and her friends at church.
Abbey is really patient and persistent. She is very good at delayed gratification. She is good at saving money. She started calling it “moolah” as a joke and now Ruthie will only refer to dollars as moolah. Abbey will always eat her dessert slowly. If there is cookie dough in the ice cream she’ll save all the pieces for the end. Or marshmallows in cereal; she’ll collect them outside if her bowl and organize them, then put them all in her mouth at once.
I have loved watching Abbey take on more responsibility with her younger sisters, especially Heidi. Abbey is usually the first kid awake in the morning and as soon as she hears Heidi in her room will run to get her. The bond between them is truly special.
While she hated taking piano lessons I thought she was quite good. Caroline has a keen desire to play and a natural God-given talent. However, as she advances to harder songs without a teacher, Abbey has stepped into that role to show her where to put her hands and how to play the notes. Just this morning Abbey was holding Heidi and Carrie wanted help on the piano. I tried to take Heidi but Heidi only wanted Abbey. So Abbey put Heidi on one hip and used her other hand to show Caroline how to play the part she was having trouble with. It was so awesome to see.
I see a particular love of children in Abbey. Not only a love but a true knack for caring for them and extreme tenderness and compassion for children without a home. Abbey was the most insistent of all the kids that we adopt a second time and when Heidi was home only one month she was already pushing for another sibling.
Abbey also loves animals. While she doesn’t particularly care to feed and water the chickens she does seem to love watching the ducks play in their baby pool and is always glad to see bigger dogs. She would desperately love to have a big outdoor dog to romp through the woods with and to follow her around outside. Somehow our five pound chihuahua just isn’t the same as a good sheep dog, or blue heeler, or retriever, or maremma, or anything else “fun”. She would take a bunny if we weren’t willing to get a dog. I guess 1 dog, 1 hamster, 1 pig, 4 ducks, and 14 chickens aren’t enough.
(Big fat toad)
(Is this really necessary??)
I took Abbey and Anne to the March for Life in DC back in January. I believe it was really pivotal in her life. She was very moved by the speakers and, while she would have liked for there to be less walking (truly, an exhausting day!), it was powerful for her to see the people there and hear stories from abortion survivors. We had a lot of good conversations before and after the March. I think it will be something she always remembers. I thought it was really neat to see what she chose to put on her poster. Her sister’s footprints in the shape of a heart. Knowing that kids with special needs are often aborted struck her deeply as she has so much love and compassion for her all her sisters, but especially the ones who were adopted. The thought that their lives would not exist is horrifying. I’m so glad she got to experience this!
I can’t wait to see where Abbey, following God’s direction, will go. She doesn’t have a clear destination in mind like some of our other kids, but that’s ok. I think it may help her to follow the Lord’s leading more closely.
Her loot! A new bike basket, earring making kit, Frozen II soundtrack, a necklace from her sister, overalls, Ember’s End, hand-sewn treasures from Ruthie and Carrie, and a Swiss Army knife. What more could a girl want??
Happy 11th birthday, Abigail Frances. You are a joy and delight. I can’t wait to take you out for coffee (or whatever super sweet drink you order) once the virus is over. I forgot to beg for my birthday selfie with you. Maybe some year you’ll love having your photo taken, but until then, thanks for humoring me when I beg, and for the funny faces in between.
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