Boston #1

These pics are from Wednesday, our first full day in Boston. We went to the best Children's Museum I have ever seen (and I have definitely been to a few in the past year or so). Seriously, it was three stories high and full of things that little kids would love to do. We took only a few pics because we were having so much fun playing with the stuff and watching the girls play.

Elizabeth and her cousin Rachel pose with cut outs of characters from the kids' show _Arthur_.















The girls made their way into the cowboy exhibit.















In the special exhibit on cowboys, the Museum offered a pretty authentic campfire, minus the fire naturally!















Rachel served up some fine bacon with a bagel.















There was time for a picture with Daddy before E rode off into the sunset.




















After all this hard work, it was time for some water from the fountain. This is actually one of E's fave new skills. She absolutely LOVES being a big girl and getting her own drink of water. She always asks if we'll let her do it herself.




















Now for my favorite pics from this day: the cousins getting water together. Notice E's hand around Rachel's neck. She was hugging Rachel and looking after her as they enjoyed some sips together. Too, too precious!

Giving Thanks!

We could not have had a better Thanksgiving! We traveled up to Boston, along with Matt's parents, to spend the holiday with Matt's older brother Dan and his family. We really had a wonderful time enjoying their company and watching the cousins, especially Elizabeth and Rachel, become friends. (We missed having Dave, Matt's younger brother, with us, but he was up to very important business! On Thanksgiving Day, Dave proposed to his girlfriend Jennifer. And on June 28, 2008, we will officially welcome a new sister-in-law!!)
















We give thanks for

1. Our relationships with Jesus Christ, who has saved us completely and given us abundant LIFE!,

2. Our dear and darling family,

3. The kindness and generosity of Matt's parents in taking us to Boston so that we could all be together,

4. The new addition to our family, Abigail, who is growing and thriving in "Mommy's tummy,"

5. And the beauty of friendships near and far that encourage us and support us.

"Are All the Children In?"

I came across this poem again from James Dobson's book called _The New Dare to Discipline_. Because of how meaningful it is to me, I thought I would share it here with you all. The first time I read it, it touched my heart so deeply that I found myself sloppy with tears. As I read it again, I really hope to be this kind of mom who cares for all aspects of her children, including their little hearts. I hope you like it, too. :) (This one goes out especially to my dear friend Sarah B. who will one day make an excellent mother, as the LORD wills.)

"Let me leave you with this wonderful old poem written by Alice Pearson. It focuses on the most vital responsibility in parenting - that of introducing our children to Jesus Christ and getting them through this dangerous and turbulent world. That should be, after all, the ultimate goal for every believing parent the world over.


Are All the Children In?

I think oftimes as night draws nigh,
Of an old house on the hill,
And of a yard all wide
And blossom-starred
Where the children played at will.
And when the night at last came down
Hushing the merry din,
Mother would look around and ask,
"Are all the children in?"

Oh, it's many and many a year since then,
And the old house on the hill
No longer echoes to childish feet,
And the yard is still, so still.
But I see it all as the shadows creep,
And though many the years have been since then,
I can hear mother ask,
"Are all the children in?"

I wonder if when the shadows fall
On the last short earthly day;
When we say goodbye to the world outside
All tired with our childish play;
When we step out into the other land
Where mother so long has been,
Will we hear her ask,
Just as of old,
"Are all the children in?"

Fall Festival

Fall has arrived here in College Station, and though it may not be in the 70s for a high, at least it's not in the 90s. :)

We've joyfully marked Fall's arrival with pumpkins and mums on the front porch, a visit to the pumpkin patch, and our church's country fair last Wednesday. Enjoy these recent pics!!























































In this pic, she's holding a little toy mouse that kids could hide among the pumpkins.




















































































































For this one, it's important for you to know that it took us ten tries to get her peeking from behind the hay. Due to my older digital camera and her quick "peek-a-boos" we had many takes of this shot! But it is one of my favorites after all that work. :)




















This last pic is from the Country Fair at our church. E was dressed up as a "flower girl." I know, I know. You're thinking, "But hasn't she actually BEEN a flower girl?" Yes, but I am much too practical to go out and buy a costume when we've got such great stuff around the house!