Happy 28th Birthday Rach!!

trip to NC

We are back from a very busy, but fun trip to North Carolina for Katie and Robert's wedding (Brian's sister). We loved seeing family and a lot of friends we hadn't seen in a long time. We drove around our college town and took a quick tour of ECU, which brought back a lot of memories. We feel so blessed to have such wonderful memories of our college years. We made such amazing friendships which continue to be strong and we know will last forever.
The Bachelorette Party














Brian's sister, Kristin, and Abby






















































Both of Brian's Grandmas get to spend some time with Abby :)














First Birthday Party


















First time eating sugar!!


















Cards aren't as exciting when you are only one.


















Visiting friends. Logan, 9 months, Sadie 12 days older than Abby.














Quality time with Beth!! So much fun.














First time strawberry picking :)














Saying goodbye to grandma and grandpa H.














Relaxing trip.














Staying occupied on the 10 hour trip home :)














Checking out my handsome hubby.














Good baby!!!

Abby's first boyfriend

This is Cai, Abby's "boyfriend". They play together every Monday and Tuesday. Cai is 18 months old and has learned how to say her name. He falls asleep at night saying Abby, Abby, Abby. He has also learned how to give kisses and gave Abby a kiss on the forehead tonight. It's so cute and of course we all have a lot of fun with it! I'm sure they will hate us when they are older for this.

Our week...

I've been trying to think of what has been going on in our lives this past week to give you an update. As I sat and reflected on this past week, I noticed it has been pretty interesting. Here's a bit of the random things we experienced:

• We had the joy of buying a new vacuum cleaner. It seems when your home is 90% carpet you can't go more than a few days without this precious appliance. According to the salesman, this thing should outlive the dog. Or at least it better!

• I taught a two hour class on photography for a women's group at church. This was a lot of fun! I wouldn't say that I'm gifted in public speaking, so I was able to grow and be challenged.

• Abby would rather drink from a real cup than a sippy cup and stands really well on her own.

• Joey always gets sick when Brian isn't home and I get the wonderful privilege of cleaning it up.

• Brian's car broke down while he was on the road and had to be towed to the repair shop. Praise God for AAA.

• On Friday, Abby's babysitter said she jabbered for three hours straight and gave her a headache. Although Abby may look more like a Blankenship she definitely has the personality of a Henderson, UH OH!!!!!

• The female youth discipleship director and I are co-leading a Sunday morning discipleship class. We met for the first time on Sunday. It's awesome to see youth excited to go deeper in their walk with the Lord and it's really cool to have more insight in Brian's life/job by getting to know the kids he interacts with all the time a little bit better.

• We hosted a "coffee house" after church Sunday evening and had 14 people in our home. That was a blast for us. Since it was a variety of people we were able to get to know them on a more personal level.

treasure

The other day as I was sitting at a stop sign and an old beat-up car was coming down the road. I thought to myself, "man that's an old clunker, it must be a teenager driving it." I pulled out behind the car and noticed a bummer sticker that read "don't let the car fool you, my treasure is in heaven". What what conviction. I had to stop right there and ask God to forgive me for being so quick to judge and thank Him for allowing me to be confronted with that. Because of that bumper sticker, I was reminded of Matthew 6:19-20, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." How wonderful it is to know that my treasure is not here on this earth. It isn't the clothes I wear, the house I live in, the car I drive, the job I have, my family, how I look or my health. My treasure is with the Lord in heaven and I take delight in that because, unlike all those things, it is something that can never be taken away!

Last minute weekend get-a-way

My mom's coworker generously offered our family her condo in Vermont for the weekend, so I was talked into a mini vacation. Brian had the 30 hour famine with the youth, so unfortunately he couldn't go. He had a great weekend anyway. It's not that easy packing up all the baby gear, especially last minute, so I almost bailed. Then I remembered my sister and her family will be moving this summer and didn't know when I would have another opportunity like this again. I'm very glad I went. Here's a few pics from the trip.




























Ashley
































The cousins. This is the best picture we can get of the two of them. Abby likes to poke at eyes, so she isn't allowed to get very close. We have tried several times to get a picture of the two of them together. It usually ends up with my sister yelling, "the eyes, she's going for the eyes!" Then one or both of them starts crying and it's done for.















I let my brother watch Abby for two minutes and this is the influence he has on her. I don't even let her drink apple juice... just in case you are wondering, she did not drink any beer.

Why it's great to own a dog...

There is always a friendly greeting when you walk through the door.

Never have an excuse not to go for a walk and get some exercise.

Great snuggle buddy.

Always listens when you need someone to talk to.

Cleans Cheerios off the floor so you don't have to.

No need for a home security system.

Loves you no matter what and never holds a grudge.

He will never pass up an opportunity to keep you company while you shovel snow.

Perfect way to get to know your neighbors and make friends with other dog owners.