A Time For Every Season....

 Sweet Abby is 21 months already! I can't believe how quickly the time has gone. I still think of her as a little baby, but then I look over these pictures and see a little girly blossoming into her own unique person. Over the last few month Abby has earned all but her canine teeth, that really made her look older! Then she started to talk and say things - incessantly. She has also grown to have an opinion and doesn't quite understand that just  because she signs or says "please" she still doesn't always get what she wants.  Abby can say phrases now - her favorites are "I did it!" and "I get it." She also loves to jump with both feet! She is growing taller! Her pants are now 12-18 months, her weight is 23 pounds and her tops, thanks to a great sized tummy is 24 months. She is moving out of size 4 shoes!  Her words are: Max, Kitty, Momma, Daddy (Daaa,daaa) usually said incessantly with a scream and a run, Bro (brother), wa wa (water), M...

My Hippie Child! This week has been wonderful, my best friend from childhood flew all the way from Oregon to spend 5 days with me. She left her 3 children and husband and drug her pregnant body all the way to see me! I am so very blessed (and a little sad since I just left her at the airport to return home). We relished the time together with matching fall pedicures and lunch at my favorite tea house. We endulged in desert first over tea and pretzel bread.  We went shopping one afternoon and Bethany finally convinced me to make a special memory and get my ears pierced. Sweet John can no longer call me Amish! Bethany was able to interact with my life - meeting our cell group at church, Bible study family. and the normal day to day routine of chaotic homeschooling. I enjoyed  baking for her and chatting about life. I'm now inspired to read the book "Don't Make Me Count To Three" since she was able to actually start and finish this book on her trip.  Sweet Bethany...

It was dress up as your favorite book character week! Drew got to spend great daddy time making his outfit, so the rest of the kids did not want to be left out. They had a  great week dressing up and making costumes! I had a  great time dressing Abby up in cute girly clothes - especially on Daddy's birthday where she was able to down a whole piece of chocolate cake!

To my compassionate son Gabe, I just wanted you to know that you made my heart sing today. You were at the dentist and had been so good, it was your first appointment and you sat so still and listed to everything the  dentist and hygienist said to do. How grown up you looked in that big chair! When it was time to pick your prize, you decided to pick up a doll for your Abby to take back to her. It didn't matter that she had little pieces all I saw was a sweet, protective, compassionate brother who was more concerned for his little sister than his own wants. I just want you to know that your growing up into an amazing little boy and I'm so blessed to call you my son. Gabe you are a delight and a joy - "May the LORD bless you    and keep you;  the LORD make his face shine on you    and be gracious to you;   the LORD turn his face toward you    and give you peace.”’  Numbers 6:24-26 Love, Mommy

I interviewed the boys today and found their answers just hilarious! You might too! Favorite's in no special order: Color: Drew: Pink Gabe: Green Toy: Gabe: Transformer Drew: Dragon Food: G: Mac N Cheese D: Mac N Cheese Desert: Gabe: Cookies Drew: Brownies Tree Drew: Peach Tree Gabe: Plum Tree Number: Gabe: 1 Drew: 6 Letter: Gabe: A Drew: D Least Favorite Food: Drew: Spaghetti Gabe: Pickles Teacher: Drew:Mrs. Ness Gabe: Mrs Shurley, Mrs. Mindy, Mrs. Debbie * I want to mention that they didn't say me - I'm a little put out by that one! Season: Gabe: Winter Drew: Fall Holiday: Drew: Halloween Gabe: Birthday Place to Go: Drew: Fish Park Gabe: Library Park Babysitter Unanimously Mrs Kelly! State: Gabe: China Drew: Texas Body Part: Gabe: Stomach Drew: Legs for climbing trees Sister: Abby!! AKA Little Pip Squeak! Bible Character: Gabe: Jesus Drew: Peter Bible Story: Shadrach Meshack, and Abednego Bo...

I'm listing to the beauty of old hymns playing in my little girls bedroom as she drifts off to dreamland. I hear pillow fights downstairs and daddy making  Drew's knight constume for his "Book Character" day at Venture tomorrow. I see a mess of an office! I touch dry and weary hands that have been serving all day. I am tired. I'm praying for a family we know who just met their new daughter in China, her name is Hannah and she is adorable and a perfect fit for this God breathed family. Hannah is grieving the loss of her orphan life while trying to embrace this new gift of being a daughter: grieving is a process that takes time. I'm upstairs blogging and trying to get rid of my massive headache that has plagued me for three days now. I'm thankful for the rain and wind, but my body is rebelling! As I sit, pray, listen, I just have this all encompassing joy within my heart. I think of sweet Hannah and how that orphan life she longs to go back to ...

You have to love girl things like pig tails, bows, purses, 'bling" , there is something about a little girl that just makes me smile when I see their personality come out in what they wear. Our sweet and ever vivacious Abby just loves to dress up in necklaces and carry her dolly's or purse around. She also loves to take those same items and bury them in the dirt mound near the flower bed.  Abby is all girl with a touch of brothers! She loves to get messy and do just what her energetic brothers are doing. There is no stopping her most days! While we were in Austin for a few days she taught herself how to jump! Then she discovered how to take on and off water bottle lids. She is a growing girly of energy! Abby comes complete with attitude and drama too. She hates the word "no" and has no problem throwing herself on the floor. I just walk over the top of her and leave the room. She spends a lot of time in our pantry throwing fits and balling her little eyes out ...

Life has been so peaceful yet so  very busy the past month. When the heat of summer finally blows away, all our relatives come and visit. We've been delighting in our company this past month, we still have a lot booked through the month of January! My best friend Bethany will be coming for 5 day in October and I'm so excited!!!! A brief summary of what's been growing in the Williams home - we've been growing brain cells with our school work, roots in our gardens, growing health and spiritual roots too! The past month I've been trying to focus on schooling the boys, getting a more established routine in place and trying to  bring in as much fun as possible. We finished up Cheetah's and moved onto Johnnie Appleseed this past week. The boys are loving their phonics program and are just a few days away from being done with Kindergarten and 1st grade phonics. Drew wants to move on to 2nd grade work (we'll see) and Gabe will review Kindergarten again since h...

Now, don't you want to learn about Johnnie Appleseed too!