Abe Turns 10

Ten years ago, my little Abe was born. Rewind about 9 months, and Ken and I had just graduated from BYU, had a 6-month-old Otho, moved in with Ken's parents as Ken looked for jobs (although his field of computer engineering had just had a dot-com bust), and applied to graduate school. After living in Phoenix for a month of so, I came down with, what I thought, was food poisoning. "Maybe you're pregnant," my mother-in-law joked. After taking a pregnancy test, which turned out positive, I laughed and cried at the same time. 

Our lives were topsy-turvy and we had no idea what the future held. There was no way we could be pregnant with another baby. This unplanned pregnancy has turned out to be one of the greatest blessings of our lives. Abe is the perfect addition to our family, and we are glad that God has a better plan for our family than we do!

My little Abe just after he was born. 

 

 Abe today. Abe wanted a brownie cake, so he got two layers of Ghiradelli brownies (our favorite). Ken was out of town, so I was off my game. We had no candles, so toothpicks (which didn't work) took their place.

The 10th birthday gift is a mountain bike. Poor Abe...his bike arrived in time for his birthday BUT dad was out of town and couldn't assemble it - so he really didn't have any presents to open. Epic fail on mom's part!

 Double epic fail (or triple if we count lack of candles) is Abe had a HUGE report due the day after his birthday. So he spent the evening writing and working on his report and diorama. I swear, he spends more time on homework and projects in the 4th grade than I ever did when I was in high school.

This was the result of his diorama. His report was on Fabelhaven. This picture depicts the main character visiting a witch in the woods. I think he did a great job. So did his teacher. He got a 100%.

10 Things I LOVE ABOUT ABE:
1. He has the best sense of humor and is ALWAYS cracking jokes and/or laughing at something.
2. He is a great member of our family society. He helps clean, takes care Cora, plays with his sisters.
3. On that note, he is BEST FRIENDS with Otho. I think he came so quickly to our family because he just couldn't wait to be reunited with his brother. They rarely ever fight, and always hang out to play with each other.
4. Abe's a great reader.  He always has a nose in a book - although he'd much rather be playing video games.
5. Abe has a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He even bore his testimony in sacrament meeting during January. We didn't prompt him at all - he just stood up. That takes more courage than even I have.
6. Abe has a great imagination. Recently, he and his sisters are into playing "The Adventures of Cora." From what I've gleaned, they fight bad fairies, enchant them into an army to fight for Cora, there are dragons, magical books, and many other facets to this imagination game. And Abe is the one dictating the ideas.
7. He will cuddle with me (not as much anymore, but still does sometimes).
8. He is super smart. This year has been hard because he has to work hard at school - but Abe is naturally gifted in all areas of learning.
9. Abe LOVES brownies. When he was 4, he wanted to eat the entire pan of brownies after FHE. "You'll get sick," I said. But I let him try. He ate half the pan, threw up the next day, and has now learned he can't eat that much junk food (although he sometimes tries).
10. He is a great friend to everyone. Abe is easy to get along with, and considers everyone his friend. He misses his friends in VA so much, but has found some wonderful people to hang out with here in CA.

We love you Abraham!!!