Abby's First Gymnastics Recital

Abby has grown to love gymnastics so much that she was sad for the season to come to an end. She just couldn't understand why we had to take a break for the summer after the class recital. It has been so much fun to watch Abby face her fears, try new things every week, push through the things that are hard for her and celebrate with her when she does. When Abby started the class four months ago, she didn't even know how to do a forward roll, now she is doing flips through the air in a harness. It has been a great experience for all of us AND Abby has made it clear that she wants to go back in the fall.

On recital morning, she was all dressed up in her leotard and ready to go. Abby was excited to have her whole family (and Ashley!) together at gymnastics for the first time. She had worked hard and wanted to show us what she knew. They had prepared floor, beam and trampoline routines. Abby has really pushed through her fears on the beam and trampoline harness. Those were the areas she was most hesitant in during class each week. We were so proud of her bravery and hard work! Even her teacher, Miss Beth said Abby did more during the recital than she had ever done in class!

She was ready! 

Introductions  When Abby is nervous, she puts her hands in her mouth or sticks her tongue out. Cute fact!  ;)
Floor warm-ups 
Floor Routine Warm-up
Abby's Floor Routine

Abby and her gymnastic buddies 

posed and ready 

love the form!  

I love this picture.

Practicing her beam routine  (you can hear Ella clapping through the whole performance)
The Beam

Trampoline Warm-ups
Abby's Trampoline Routine

So glad Aunt Ayash was here to see it! 

getting her very first award 

Abby's award

Abby Em- Daddy and I love watching you grow up into a little lady! We are so proud of the little girl you are and loved every minute of your recital. You're the sweetest!  xoxo

Dollface

Every now and then, a girl just needs her own photo shoot!

Sweet Sunny Days

We love sweet sunny days in the backyard. Little girls in bathing suits, a freshly filled baby pool, lots of splashing and laughter make it a perfect way to spend any afternoon. The demands of everyday life are non-stop, there is always something in the next day, the next hour, the next minutes demanding my attention.  I'm realizing more than ever the importance of being present, slowing down, soaking up the blessing of these moments. I don't want to look back on these days and find I've missed the most important parts. I want to spend my hours and days soaking in every bit of my precious family and pouring my life out into theirs. It's not always easy or perfect, actually kind of messy, but so sweet and filled with abundant goodness. There is no other way I want to spend my afternoons. The days might be long, but these years are too short. I'm thankful for every minute of them.

"As we give, we ask God to require. As we bestow, we increase their responsibility. It is not the way for us, or for them. When we faithfully strive to enrich the lives of our children in constant, daily sacrifice, we are asking God to ask more and more of them. This is our hope--that our children will be used mightily in the kingdom. This is our hope--that they will in turn give more to their children, that God will require far more of our children and grandchildren than we could ever have given." -Rachel Jankovic, Fit to Burst: Abundance, Mayhem and the Joys of Motherhood  p.38

" "Our lives do not culminate in a moment. We should not be hoping for one great photo shoot, because that is not what God is doing with us. Our lives are a story--they are interwoven with the next generation in a way that is impossible for us to understand." -Rachel Jankovic, Fit to Burst: Abundance, Mayhem and the Joys of Motherhood p.43

Snapshots and Quotables

maxin' and relaxin'

visit with Emily

Big sister was out and Ella was so excited to get the big girl toys all to herself.

snuggled up for a movie with Grandma

Ella LOVES her corn on the cob.

I found two little mouses in my house.  Abby & Ally Grace 

When did my little girl become big enough to play games on the computer all by herself?

love.

enjoying the summer morning with Grammy

starting to show interest in the push toy!

so excited to get mail from her little friend who moved to Michigan!  We miss you Maddie! 

"Oh Mommy, you are so funny! You almost forgot to pack me! " 

sister love

walked into the room to find this little rascal scaling the furniture... 

...and when I asked her what she was doing, she squealed, turned around and posed proudly! 

modeling her new Toms from Aunt Ayash

playing soccer 

Abby's family portrait (upside down): In case you are wondering...Mommy is the one with the  HUMONGOUS head.  Abby informed us that Mommy has a very round head and Daddy is very tall. Gotta love this girl.

soccer girls. cheerleaders. friends. 

Some fun soccer videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EwmcmoAvas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEQuDP0sXYM