New Hair Style

A few posts down I posted pictures of A's hair after sleeping in braids. Yesterday we were at A's Nana and Papa's house to celebrate Nana's Birthday and while we were there Nana braided A's hair again. We made sure this time to take some pictures. It is hard to see them really well in the pictures but her whole head is in little braids (the ends curled up because we didn't have rubber bands to hold them in place). A sat still the whole time as Nana braided them.

Side view...
Papa wanted in on the fun too!

This is a picture of A in action as she tried desperately to eat Nana's nose over and over again. Yummy!

Happy Birthday Nana! We love you!

2009 - A Glance Back

The title of our blog, Our Abundant Life, seems appropriate when looking back at 2009. In two words I would definitely describe it as the year of abundant changes. In less than a week R accepted a position that would have us move across the state, A surprised us by arriving 11 days early and we started house hunting for our first home. Last May R and I did a personality test and ranked highest on BOTH of our tests was that neither of liked or handled change well. That is a true testimony that through God ALL things are possible. (I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me Phil 4:13). Despite our lack of ability or desire to accept or handle change, R and I laughed harder and more often then ever before and seemed to find more to enjoy in life than ever before. At times it seemed overwhelming with all the unknowns this year was filled with but looking back with each change came one blessing after another as R graduated from his Master's program and found a job, we welcomed A into our family, bought our first home and I was able to leave my job to stay home with A. Through all of the changes we had family and friends surrounding us with love, prayers, support and laughter. Thanks for making this year one of the best yet!

Here is a video clip of one of our very favorite memories of the year when A laughed for the first time. R was holding A and came into the bathroom while I was brushing my teeth and she started laughing at me. We quickly ran downstairs and grabbed the video camera (and phone cameras) to capture her first giggles.

Our 6 1/2 month old bundle of energy

Here are a few pictures taken a couple days after Christmas with A sporting some of her new clothes and playing with her new ball.

A showing off her new shoes...



Almost...

Got it!
R captured me sneaking a kiss...
A then decided to play her version of the "I got your nose" game...

A's First Christmas

For A's first Christmas we spent the morning at our house and then went to my parent's house to see my side of the family, then went to R's parents and then to R's uncle's house. With a packed day of fun we had to start off the day early so for the first time ever we woke A up to open her stocking and present from us. Needless to say she was excited about the tissue paper and wrapping paper but as you can see below a bit sleepy still. :) Here are a few pictures from the day.


Her first sippy cup...
Can I go back to bed now?
Cool shades from Grandma and Grandpa to wear in Florida in a couple months. A's a bit more interested in the wrapping paper.
Uncle K and cousin E opening E's gift.
R and A opening her gifts.
Aunt C and cousin P celebrating P's first Christmas.
Nana helping A open her gifts.
We are so blessed to have so many family members to celebrate the birth of Christ with!

Best Buy Commerical

Is R starring in a Best Buy commercial? After at least 6-7 people telling me about this commercial with a guy who looks just like R, we finally were sent a Youtube video of the commercial for us to see for ourselves. I even had a couple people from college that haven't seen him in a few years ask if he was in this commercial. So does R have a look-a-like? See for yourself...

Christmas Photo Outtakes

A few weeks ago we turned a corner of our office into the backdrop for A's Christmas picture. I stood beside R doing anything and everything to make A smile as R snapped picture after picture with his camera. Here are just a few of the pictures that didn't make it onto our Christmas card.

Merry Christmas!

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" -- which means, "God with us." Matthew 1:23

Merry Christmas!!