A Day in the Park!

Saturday, we spent the day at Stone Mountain. Abby was enthralled from the moment we arrived. She couldn't believe how big the rock was and we couldn't believe she cared that much! Then she saw the relief carving and she was a Stone Mountain fan! She just kept giggling and was so happy to be there. We had a picnic lunch here and then headed to the top.

Quack Quack Quack...

One of the highlights of our day was riding the "duck". It's actually a vehicle used in World War II and they have turned them into "sight seeing" tools called "Ducks". Upon arriving, you get your own personal quacker and it took Abby about 2 seconds to get hooked on quacking! This

picture cracks me up with the guys in the background... the one with his mouth open is screaming for his quacker!

Driving the DUCK!

After we plunged into the lake and Abby got her breath back (wish we had that moment caught on camera!), Captain Tom invited Abby to come up and drive the DUCK. She thought she was the bomb and forgave him for getting her wet!

Captain Tom

Captain Tom was so sweet to Abby. She took to him too. We were surprised she just jumped up there to drive. I was so glad I got to snap this picture of him talking to her. It was precious to see them interact. He let her drive and honk the horn. He was a hoot! After she was done driving, he gave her a little license card. She held onto that card for the rest of the night.

Chillin with Daddy...

Two of my favorite people... what a great day we had!

It was daddy's idea to go to Stone Mountain and we had such a fun time. Thank you daddy!

Atlanta Skyline

After our picnic at the bottom, we went up to the top of the mountain and it was so beautiful. Even though it was a bit overcast, the Atlanta skyline was still so amazing. We love where we live so much. Our community is so wonderful and "small town" with all the charms that go along with that... and yet we are just a stones through away from Atlanta with all the wonderful city things like Olympic Park, museums, Atlanta Braves, great restaurants, and of course... Mart!

I could have spent hours up here and Don and I are going back for a lunch date soon!

Rock climbing

Our girl was all about rock climbing and exploring on top of the mountain. After all the fun, as we were walking back to the sky lift, she said, "Whew... my legs are sore." She's our adventure girl!

Gap or Children's Place?

Abby took a break from rock climbing to pose for the camera. Daddy snapped this picture on top of Stone Mountain as Abby played "Swiss Family Robinson" amongst the trees and rocks! She would crawl down into an area and declare, "This is my room." I love it! Not too long after this, she got her pig tail stuck on a tree branch... after breaking free, her hair was in a heap and full of bark!

1 Hat... 2 Hat... green hat... fat hat!

Abby and I thought these hats would do a great job sheilding us from the wind.... not! She thought it was histerical to see such furry hats! Should we buy them... hmmmmmm?

White as Snow...

I went home to Virginia during the week of the 5th. Don had finished upgrade training and was going to have a bit of time off before flying again. He asked me if I wanted to go "home" and rest and I took him up on it. It was very hard to leave Abby but I needed the mental rest desperately.

Just a day after I arrived, God sent a little welcoming present... a gentle, beautiful snow fall. I love snow. The softness of it as it falls, the peacefulness of it as it lies there... just lies there covering everything beneath it, and the delight it quietly offers... "come play in me".

What a treat it was and I felt God was just telling me, "I am here and this is for you." I met with my spiritual mentor and had some deep and healing time in prayer with him and my parents. God came to me there. He came to me, he touched me, healed me, held me, refreshed me, and rescued me. I have never been more in love with Him as I am now. I am so thankful for His faithfulness and the audaciousness he continues to show me by being present in my life.

"My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. (1) For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth. (4, 5) ~Psalm 108

Birthday Party!

Abby and Sydney at Sydney's 6th birthday party on my birthday, the 3rd! It was so much fun to watch her play with the other kids and have fun at a party. We knew Sydney and her parents from VA; they lived in Fredericksburg when we did. I met Sydney when she was 2! So now they are here too, like MANY of our friends and we are blessed to be with them again. Happy Birthday Sydney!

Abby Update- February 26

Psalm 107

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1)

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. (6) Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. (13, 14) Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. (19, 20) Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. (28, 29)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

We are giving thanks... the Lord God has delivered us from distress, darkenss, and our deepest gloom. We are giving thanks... the Lord God has sent forth his word and healed us and rescued us from the grave. We are giving thanks... the Lord God has stilled the storm, thank you Lord, and the rolling waves of the sea are hushed.

Abby has been seizure free again for over two weeks... about 17 days. Her clarity of mind is returning and her confidence is better. She is almost back to a full day of school and is more focused and able to participate again. When you look in her eyes... we have her back.

She is on anti-seizure medication at night but is off the valium. Her glyconutrition remains increased and we have added another anti-oxidant and other vitamins. She has a MRI scheduled for next month so we can see if there is any change to her brain. Whatever the combination... the storm is stilled and we are joyous and overflowing with thanksgiving! Let the Lord be glorified and thanked for answering and hearing our and your prayers!

Mercy

Each day takes us down a road we've been before. Abby's Topamax is increasing and she's been on two atavan a night... she is a wreck... putting it mildly. This morning she was walking into door frames and falling down. We get her from school at noon and feed her lunch at home and she is just a little wreck. The idea is to then have a nap but she refuses. Where she gets the energy from is beyond me. So after lying in bed with her and fighting with her for over an hour, I've decided to just get up. She then walks around the house from room to room just whinning and declaring what she does not like or want and just sobs. I have taken half of one of her atavan today and am hoping it will help the mommy.

My girlfriends gave me a birthday lunch today, my 33rd is tomorrow. It was nice, they are such dear gifts from God. Abby painted my nails... like them?

Even with the atavan, she's having about 10+- a night. She can't write her name anymore and is having trouble with speech. Hopefully when we get higher on the Topamax we can come off the atavan. Prayers are still desired and appreciated.