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Happy Birthday, Angel Abbey!

Happy Birthday, Abbey! Today would have been Abbey's 8th birthday. I can't believe she was born 8 years ago today. It seems like another lifetime. She was so tiny when she was born. This would have been a big birthday for her. She would actually be getting baptized a week from today. That's a bittersweet thought. I know she's perfect and never needed to be baptized, yet I would have loved to be there for the occasion.

I can't help but watch the kids in primary whose class she would be in. I wonder whom she would be friends with. She would probably be one of the tiniest 8 year-olds ever. My girls would possibly be handing their clothes up to her. (lol)

We usually do something to commemorate her special day, but today I just don't have it in me. I know there's no etiquette on how long you can celebrate your late child's birthday, yet it seems like we need to get past that at some point. We'll probably just do something fun with our girls today. They'd like that.

I just thought I'd share a few photos of Abbey with you all. Thanks to all of you who loved her as much as we do.

Abbey and Daddy in Minnesota

Mommy and Abbey

Abbey in her cheerleader costume from Build-A-Bear Workshop (so cute!)


Happy Birthday, Angel Abbey!

Find me if you can.

Okay, please tell me I'm not the only one who does this.

Hi, my name is Brandi, and I daily hide from my kids - sometimes several times. I even have designated hiding spots.

No, this is not a game. We are not playing hide and seek. Yeah, I'm hiding, but I don't tell anyone I'm hiding. I sneak off hoping that no one finds me for a few minutes. Does that make me a bad mom? Nah, just one who's about to blow a gasket at any moment sometimes. We all feel like that occasionally, right? So, hear me out. Here's the scenario: both kids (both 2 year-olds) are playing. Suddenly, someone starts crying and whining over something they want but can't have. The other one is taunting her sister. They both start running for mom to rescue them. I calm them down, only to have them start up the drama again about 14 seconds later. So, instead of yelling and screaming myself, I decide to go hide for a couple minutes. Usually, by the time I come out of my hiding spot, the girls are happily playing again. No harm, no foul. Come on, will someone else please admit to me that they hide from their kids at times, too? Please.

Okay, so I actually have a couple of hiding spots. My favorite one is in our walk-in closet. I hide on Greg's side next to his dress shirts and the gun safe (don't worry, it's a small gun safe). Anyway, I can stand up back there and no one can see me. Sure, I have to tilt my head to the side to fit standing up, but the girls haven't been able to find me yet. (lol) Another spot I use is on the side of the couches in the front room. If I'm really quiet, they usually don't look for me there. Last night I even hid behind the island in the kitchen when I heard some whining coming my way.

I want to set the record straight. I don't hide from hurt or scared children. I only hide when the whining has gotten to me that day. I have to say that having two 2 year-olds can be somewhat of a trial at times. One minute I want to run screaming down the road (picture Phoebe from "Friends" with her crazy run), and the next minute I can't get enough of them. I just love those little girls!

And, I wanted to add that hiding is a way to be alone for a few minutes sans children without ever having to leave the house. Strangely enough, I also look forward to going out to get the mail each day as well. I really need to get out more.

Just a little thought...

Is the uterus a "homing device" of sorts? Now, stay with me on this, and you'll understand what I mean.

Does your husband seem to casually misplace things? Does he tend to ask you where his wallet, phone, keys, etc., are? And, you're expected to know right where everything is, right? Funny thing is, we usually do know where these things are. What is it about men that makes them seem to think that their lovely wives know where everything is? For some reason, I think that we women must either have a sixth sense of sorts, or the uterus acts as a homing device. What do you think? And, what are some of the crazy things you have been asked to help find before?