GOULD'S HOUSE

We took a quick trip to Florida last week. We drove down to Sebring on Wed. On Friday night we went down to Naples to stay the weekend. David's birthday was on Saturday and we had a great day on the beach. That night we took him out to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, which was very yummy! Sunday we went to Kevin's church and then spent the rest of our time back in Sebring. It was a very fun and relaxing time. Here are a few of our beach pictures....


The water was very exciting and we had to watch her pretty closely as she has absolutely no fear of it and just goes on out! She got nocked down by the waves and went under a couple of times, but went straight back out for more.

Abby had a blast in the sand and loved the seashells too!

David and Jenn on the beach...Happy Birthday David!

Well Tennessee summer has arrived. It is pretty steadily in the 80's and getting more humid by the day. We've been finding some fun warm weather things to do though. We've been spending more time at the Wickerts in the sprinkler and kiddie pool in the backyard and going to the playground. I think we are going to have to invest in waterbabies sunscreen as I have to almost bathe Abby in it every time we go out. :)


We've been swimming a lot more in the pool at our new apartment. We have two to chose from which is really nice. Above is Abby and David. She loves the water and is sometimes a little scary as she has no fear of it.

Jasen and Adam. The Wickerts all came down and spent the day last week. All the kids went swimming and had a blast.

Three tired cousins having a snack after swimming and a nap.




Another fun spot we've found is at a big shopping area near our house. In the center they have a big fountain and all the kids can play in it. Abby loves it. There's also a Starbucks right next to it so we can sit and drink coffee while she plays. I love it too!

Here is a little video of Phil Keaggy on the Brian Mason radio show here in Nashville talking about the new album. A cut from the album has just finished playing when they begin to talk. I have the sound file of the whole thing but I'm not sure how to put sound files on blogger. Check my facebook, I'll try and put it up there.

Abby turned TWO on Friday. All the Maloney's and Sheila were here for a big party on Saturday up at the Wickerts house. We had a great time. It was an animal themed party. We had games (that everyone including big people had to play), food, elephant cookies (thank you Becky they were adorable), cupcakes, and lots of presents. Here are just a few pictures...


Abby in a pile of presents. Thank you everyone!


Abby and her grandmas on the trampoline. :)

Animal cupcakes. Mmmm.

So I know that pretty much all of my posts revolve around Abby and pictures of Abby, but to be honest i don't really take pictures of much else. All is well here. We had a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Gould last week. Sheila is still here and will be for the next month or so. She is going to stay with Abby while David and I head up to Minnesota next weekend.



Evan, Leah, and Abby on the trampoline. We now live on the north side of Nashville. One of the benefits of being up here is that we are much closer to the Wickerts and are able to see them a bit more. Abby loves the trampoline. I have no idea what they are all doing, but they are having fun. Another good thing about being up here is that we have started going to a new church. We already know some people who go here and it has been nice being able to get involved and get to know some new people better.


David and Abby at the park near the lake. We stopped to feed the ducks some animal crackers. Fortunately we didn't bring Sydney this time or she would have been going crazy trying to chase them, not that she would actually know what to do with a duck once she caught up to it. :)


Our last new obstacle has been the beginnings of potty training. We've been doing it a little bit mostly in the mornings. She likes to sit on the toilet, but just won't go. She holds it until she gets off and can go in her pull-up. Anybody have any suggestions? I guess she'll figure it out eventually.

Well I don't have too much to say. We're all doing well. Abby is sick but on the mend. The weather is getting warmer again and she is enjoying being outside a lot more. We have moved again. From Antioch (which is on the south end of Nashville) to Rivergate (which is on the north end of Nasvhille). We are in an apartment and getting settled in nicely. We're much closer to David's sister, Helen, and family, and about the same distance to work for me. The house we were living in went back up for sale. It was sad to leave, but this is a nice area too. David and I are headed to Minnesota in May for a wedding. All the Grandma's and Grandpa's and an Aunt or two will be here for Abby's birthday at the end of May. We'll keep you updated and Happy Spring everyone!

We decided to make a somewhat spontaneous trip to Florida last weekend. David grandparents are visiting from England so we went down and spent the weekend at Kevin and Sheila's house visiting with them. It was the first time that Abby has met her Nana and Nandad and they had a blast. David and I also drove down to Kevin's church in Naples on Sunday. David and Kevin did some songs for the church. It was a nice and very relaxing weekend. The drive to and from, however, not so much. I think we may fly next time :)



David on the beach in Naples. We had perfect weather while we were there. 70's and sunny. I miss the ocean.

Abby and Grandpa cruising the neighborhood in the golf cart. She loved it and was constantly taking his hand to lead him to that cart "again again". And of course Grandpa can NOT say no. :)

This past weekend I met up with four of my old college roommates. We went to Gatlinburg Tennessee where we rented a cabin. It was a great time just to relax and catch up with friends. We had a wedding and baby shower. Laura is having their first baby in March and Darlene is getting married in May. We had a hot tub, played some games, watched some movies, toured Gatlinburg, and went on the ski lift to the top of the mountain. Here a few pictures...


Darlene, Pam, Christina, Laura, and Jenn.


Our Cabin in the woods.


Oh, and here is what David and Abby did while I was gone...

This last year has been one we definitely were not expecting. It's been hard and really good at the same time. It's been filled with uncertainties and questions but also filled with so many unexpected blessings. The last few days I have just felt tired, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I heard this song this morning. The words are here but if you have the opportunity to listen to the song it's really pretty. It's one that Kristina and David sang awhile back, but it just really encouraged me today. I hope it does the same for you...

Arise and be comforted
For the Lord, He is good to the weary
And even the young heart can tire and fall
But He knows them all
For the Lord, He will renew their strength
And they will soar on wings as eagles
And they will run and never grow weary
They will walk and not grow faint
For the Lord, He is good
Lift your eyes to the heavens
For the creator is living in you
Come surrender as you are

And know that you'll never stray too far
Let His power within you heal your heart
Lift your eyes to spacious skies
Let Him chart your way to flight
Spread your wings and fly
For the Lord, He is good

It funny how life throws curve balls at you now and again, this is one that I definitely didn't see coming.

Update: To answer all the questions...Miles Mckee (He came up for Joshua School a few years ago) introduced Kevin and David to Phil. The went to his house to check out his studio and such the other day. Very cool :)