The Girls & Little Bit

It has been a while but it is back to horse back riding lessons. They have been asking to go riding with Benny but their Mama has been taking most of Benny's time. So today was their day. This was Hopie's first lesson and she did very good. She is fearless even so far off the ground. She just kicked Little Bit telling him to "get goin'". She even reached back and spanked him while she was ridin' because he wouldn't go. He wouldn't go because she wouldn't give him any slack! Silly girl! She did great and has great potential. Abbie remembered much of her lessons and got up there and went. She is far more cautious than her sister. She rarely lets go of the horn while she is ridin', so she wouldn't think of spankin' Little Bit for not goin'. She had a great time. They both enjoyed their time until it got too hot.

The Happenings of Luke

Luke & Mama are adapting to the days without Sisters around. It is awfully quiet around here! Almost too quiet! Here are a couple things Luke likes to do while his sisters are out gettin' smarter.

He likes to take his monitor for a walk.

He also LOVES cowboy cookies!

Special Delivery

The girls have shared their room with Buddy, the Bearded Dragon, for several years now. The thing is that Buddy's tank was over 6 feet long. The girls wanted to keep Buddy BUT also wanted the extra room in their room. So, what do ya do?? Well, Abbie met Canyon (a Trail Guide from Wagon Train) that had several lizards and taught a science camp. So Abbie wanted to give Buddy to him, along with his tank. Hopie agreed that it was a great idea. So off to Hume we go. Hopie had never been to Hume, and Aaron & I are always looking for an excuse to go! After meeting & greeting all the other lizards of Canyon's, we headed to the ice cream shop and enjoyed the lake. Afterwards we headed to Nana C & Papa Merle's to celebrate Merle's birthday. They are friends of ours who live in a town on the way home from Hume. It was a full but fun day together!

First Day Of School

It is the first day of school. Abbie is excited to be in third grade and can't wait to get to school. Hopie is excited she FINALLY gets to go to school. Silly girl, doesn't she know her Mama would love to just keep her at home! With full tummies we measured the girls, on our laundry room doorway,in to see their growth. I am always amazed to see how much the grow in a year. Grabbing backpacks we head for school. No tears from Hopie, couldn't say that for Mama though (good thing Papa was there). Papa went to have lunch with the girls at school and Mama picked them up. We ended the day with icecream and stories of our first day at school. I am excited for them and all that the Lord has ahead of them.
He loves and cares for them more than I, and I trust Him.
May they trust Him with their lives.

Getting Ready For School

It has been a hard week for Mama as we are preparing for school. Abbie returns as a third grader. That is just crazy! Kayanna Hope will start kindergarten. They have enjoyed shopping for a back to school outfit with both Mama & Aunite Keri. We were past due on the haircuts in our home, including Luke, so school gave us a reason to get caught up on those. Backpacks on hooks, lunch boxes ready, and school clothes picked out. We are as ready as it gets for these new adventures ahead. New teachers, new friends, new school work, and new opportunities to glorify God in the way we live our lives. It is our prayer that God meets our girls in new, fresh, and very personal ways at school this year.

A Girl & Her Horse

This past weekend I received a wonderful gift. I (Liz) got to spend a weekend with my horse (Baby Girl) in the mountains. My buddy Benny arranged (with some wonderful people) for us to go to the mountains for some time in the saddle. We moved some cattle, had a ton of teaching time, and marveled at this great creation (horseback). He even surprised me with my other buddy Steve and his family to join us for the weekend. We had a great time.

God's amazing creation, a cup of coffee, my horse

~ it was a piece of heaven for me!

The Birthday Girl

It's here folks! Kayanna Hope turned 6 years old today! We celebrated all day. Hope & Abbie frosted and decorated cupcakes for her friends. We headed to a park that had splash toys and cooled off. We loved it.
Hopie got to pick her supper for her birthday and she wanted Perkos (a local diner). So a couple of close friends and their children filled a whole row of tables to celebrate this very special girl. Our Hopie brings such life to this already lively family we call the Abshires. We are so very thankful for her life.

The Whole Day of Pictures

The Eve of the Birthday - Hopie

Six years ago tonight was an exciting time. We knew we were having a baby very soon. Kayanna Hope was born at 3:14 AM. Should I wake her up at 3:14 AM to wish her a true "Happy Birthday"?!? This is the year that she knows she is turning six. The entire household knows that she is the birthday girl and that trumps it all. I just wanted to share a couple shots of the birthday girl on the eve of her 6th birthday. She is Mama's "Little Chef" and very helpful in the kitchen

Fiesta Days

Last weekend we took in the local festivities at Liz's parents (Fiesta Days). The family enjoyed a parade to start things off. Liz's Dad was the Honorary Mayor. We enjoyed seeing them. Then off to the park for some yummy food and gut turning rides. We have concluded that Hopie is our family dare-devil!

A Day at the Beach

With husbands down in Mexico repairing cars at the children's home (Grace Children's Home), and everyone in need of a distraction, Keri & I loaded up six children and headed to the beach for the day. We had a fabulous day watching our children play in the waves, build sand castles (for Luke to destroy), and get sand EVERYWHERE! After a few hours there were the cries for icecream that Keri & I weren't going to argue with! These are precious times.

More Pics of Beach Trip