Abby's Saturday: I Hope You Dance

Abby's friends, Kya Blu and Kristen came over to visit today. So did MeeMaw and PawPaw.

Between bouts of throwing up and falling asleep, Abby managed to have a good time playing, coloring and having a "dance party" with Sami and the other girls (and SpideyLandis got in on the action too.)

It was hard to watch Abby having such a difficult time for most of the day, but it was priceless to see Abby have some fun and get to be with her friends.

Kristen, Kya Blu & Sami ham it up on the top bunk.
Arent' they all beautiful!

Sami with Kya Blu.

Abby flashes a pretty smile showing
off her ponytail.

Abby is wearing one of her ponytails that YOU got her. A large group of readers got together and raise the money for ponytails and wigs when Abby got sick.

We already received one wig but it just didn't look natural on her. We figured out after that first one how to get the hair color, thickness and length correct. We have another full wig on order and it should be here soon.

Abby loves her ponytails and has several she wears under hats and scarves. She's very comfortable with her "bald like Daddy" head, but loves to have hair once in a while too.

Big brother Dane, 21, targets some bad guys
with his little webslinging partner, SpideyLandis.

SpideyLandis assumes his trademark pose
while fully robed in his webgear. When he takes it
off, he immediately reminds you his name is
Peter Parker, not Landis.

MeeMaw loves on Abby who was not feeling good
at all for most of her grandparents visit which
you can see in the somewhat strained smile.

You would not BELIEVE how much I had to beg
to get my bride to let me post these pics. This was
her version of trying to ignore me while I was
snapping off shots. She thinks she takes terrible
pictures and most of the time I have no
luck getting her to sign off on the release form.

Ain't she perty?

Kya Blu got to enjoy her very FIRST
piece of bubble gum. Getting her to
NOT swallow it proved fruitless.

PawPaw and Peter Parker ham it up for the camera.

Kyla Blu and her Mom, Candy, show off
Abby's "Jasmine" costume.

A normal day for us, Abby had to stop frequently
and get medicine into her feeding tube port.
She just takes it in stride and accepts it as part of life.

Abby didn't feel well (that's an understatement)
for much of the day. Here she gets some love and
comfort from Kristen's Mom, Phyllis.

Abby, showing off one of her ponytails.
Michelle and I were so blessed to have friends from
all over the Internet, including Phyllis and Candy,
get together and raise money for her hair pieces.

Kristen is a GREAT dancer... she was spinning, lip-syncing
and having a great time leading the dance party.

Abby dancing with Kristen. Sami, Landis, Kyla and
even Candy were all in the room showing off their best moves.

Matt 19:14 - Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

You know why the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like the children? Because children can have cancer, be in agony, throw up 30 times a day, barely able to walk, need morphine just to keep from crying... and still give hugs, say 'I love you', dance with her friends, smile, be thankful and never once complain.

Then we grow up... and moan about unfairness, express discontent about what we don't have, murmur and grump over every discomfort, say 'I love you' only when we feel like it is deserved, forget to be thankful and of course, we are WAY too embarrassed to dance, showing our love for just being alive.

People often ask why we are so public about Abby's journey... do you still need to know? How many lives can a four year old influence as a living example of Jesus words:

"Let the little children come to me... for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Leave a comment with your gripe, complaint or murmur. We'll send you a picture of Abby.