Happy Birthday Abby!

Our sweet Abby turned 8 years old on December 19 at 2:31 p.m.  We are so happy to have Abby in our family.  She has been a delight since the day she was born.  Here are a few things that I LOVE about Abby.

*She NEVER forgets to say her prayers at night, and she likes to say them with her dad.  If she ever falls asleep watching a movie or in the car, and we take her to bed, it never fails, she comes to our room in the middle of the night to ask us to pray with her.  I am grateful that her faith is strong and that she values that relationship with her Heavenly Father and earthly father. 

*Abby is very inquisitive.

*Abby reads and comprehends well.  We are always amazed at the connections she makes during family scripture study.  She is rather rambunctious, but she always surprises us with the comments she makes.  

*I love Abby's long, slender, and muscular legs.  She has a very nice split/straddle that she likes to show us often.  When she's dancing, I love watching her leap through the air with her long legs.  

*Abby is a great worker!  She loves to help out around the house and has a great attitude when it comes time to work.  I like to remind the kids that if they can find joy in work, they will have a happy life.  Abby always reminds me that she finds great joy and satisfaction in work. :)

*Abby loves rituals.  Every morning she comes to give me a big hug and to receive her hand kiss.   If she forgets, she'll run back from the bus stop to give a hug and get a kissing hand.  

*Abby is a great conversationalist and is never at a loss for words.  She's fun to take places, because she always has something to talk about.  

*Abby loves celebrations.  She will find even the simplest event worthy of celebration.  I will never forget the year she told me how excited she was for our family's St. Patrick's Day Party.  I thought to myself, "What party?" Then I got busy planning. :)

There are so many things I love about Abby and I'm so happy to have her in my life!

She woke up early on her birthday to open up her presents.  She was excited and very grateful to receive the Kanani doll that she wanted and the Zoku ice pop makers she's been wanting for a couple of years now.  She expressed gratitude over and over throughout the day and said over and over that it was the best birthday she had ever had.  

We had to pick my parents up at the airport from their trip to Hawaii and then take them to the temple to see my cousin get married.  The kids and I walked through the Joseph Smith memorial building to look at Christmas decorations, then we went to Deseret Book where the kids all picked out a small prize.  Abby requested to have lunch at the Lion House Pantry.  It's one of her favorite places to eat and it was a wonderful coincidence that we happened to be near there on her birthday.  

That night Joseph's mom and my parents came to celebrate with us.  Abby chose strawberry cheesecake for her birthday treat this year.  Some of our children are pretty consistent with their choice in birthday treats, but Abby always has us guessing.  

Abby is very excited and looking forward to her baptism and confirmation on January 7, 2012.  

We love you Abby!  Happy Birthday!