Abby's dress that she was SOO excited about!

Opening the first gift

Abby had the biggest one under the tree!

Nolan was all smiles while dad tried out the new flip video camera

Being silly!

Abigail's photo shoot from early December :)

This was as excited as the dogs got all night.  

Merry 1st Christmas baby girl!

“If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn’t help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus is just as selfish as we are or we’ve got to acknowledge that he commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition. And then admit that we just don’t want to do it.”

– Stephen Colbert

Special Christmas wishes to everyone from the Osborns

Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

No ordinary Christmas lights.............

Throughout this process of adopting there have been so many people who have blessed our family with a quiet service.  We have had endless people help us out in so many ways and today I was unbelievably touched by another quiet service.  One that I could have never imagined.

My neighbors have their house all lit up (see picture) like a gingerbread house.  Each string of lights is even and carefully attached to their house, looks like a professional did it!  We drive by their house everyday and each time my children marvel at the multi-color lights.  Jason and I marvel at the amount of time it must have taken them to put up the lights and how nicely done they are.  They haven't decorated the outside in a few years and we just attributed the absence of lights on their house to the "who has time?"  I can hardly get the 4 strands on my evergreens in my front yard much less an entire home!

But this year was different, soon after Thanksgiving it was lit up, beaming like a festive gingerbread house, it's the only one on our street.  It was the first house with lights Abigail had ever seen.  To my surprise today when I spoke with our neighbor (the homeowner), she told me that they put the lights on the house because it was Abigail's first Christmas and they wanted it to be there for her to see.  I was floored. 

How incredibly nice it was that the neighbors thought of our daughter and her first Christmas and wanted to make it special for her.  They took all that time just for her and we didn't even know.  We've been driving by enjoying the view for 3 weeks but never knew it was for Abigail.  After speaking with her I went back to my car I sobbed.  Just sobbed.  That is one of the nicest things someone has ever done for us, such a quiet service.  Everytime I drove by and saw them I had no idea.  So next time you see lights out on a house, maybe there is a story or a kind gesture behind it.  Maybe its a reminder of what we can do special for other people.  I am so humbled.  Thank you Meyer family!!  Truly a gift we will never forget.

I SUPPORT ADOPTION BRACELETS!

Bracelets for Elijah and Rebekah!  Our greatest hope is that we can spread the word of adoption!  Each of these bracelets is made from %100 recycled silicone and sells for $2.00 each.  No matter how many you order it is only 50 cents for shipping.  One side of the bracelet says "I support adoption!" the other side says "Rebekah and Elijah 2010."  They come in 2 colors, pink and blue.  Our hope is that everyone will wear these bracelets until our Rebekah and Elijah come home to their forever family.  All proceeds support our journey to get our beautiful kids!

First Snow......

Ohhhhhhh how Abigail has waited so patiently to witness the first arrival of snow. This year the snow arrived later then usual so we had to be patient. However since it started falling last week it hasn't seemed to stop! We have had these awesome blankets of soft snow falling. She can't stop staring at it. The first day she literally went to the big window in our dining room at least 50 times. Each time say, "Mom it's snowing again." She said "It's on the roof too! And it's snowing far far away over there." She was truly amazed. Still I find her staring at it and checking first thing in the morning if it's there. Today while trying to put on her own mittens she complained it was hard to get her thumb in the whole. She's not used to the coat, boots, hat and mitten routine. When the kids got to play in the snow I had to peel them inside. It was an incredible "first" for her.

Looking out the window at the snow

Still dark out but Abigail and Nolan are getting the first peek of the snow!

And during breakfast!

Nolan outside shoveling

 Looking again!

 Abigail all bundled up in the car!

 

Running around the driveway in her church clothes! Just got out of the car at home and she took off in the snow!

 LOTS of snow!

Jo from Australia in Uganda

OK this is going to seem like the most bizarre post.  However we met this wonderful woman from Australia Jo at our guest house.  She was working on a year long mission trip and we would love to talk to her!!!  Jo, you have posted many comments on our blog, even asking us questions, however when you post a comment I am not able to reply because email it was sent from is kept private.  PLEASE email Jason and I at allaboutabigail2009@yahoo.com we would love to talk to you!!!

Buy a t-shirt to help bring Mercy Home!

OK so I'm hoping with my number of followers I can help a friend of mine.  Her name is Melissa and she's adopting a little girl named Mercy from Uganda.  Although she has different issues with her case then we did she has been stuck in Uganda since the end of August.  Almost 4 months!  She has two sweet little girls and a husband waiting for her to bring their Mercy home.  I know first hand how expensive it is to live on two continents as well as what this airfare will be for her to go home for Christmas.  I know the financial and emotional toll can be devastating and we want to be able to help this family out!  We are asking the Lord to seek favor on her family and allow her to bring her daughter Mercy home.  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read her blog at roadtomercy.blogspot.com

The t-shirt logo is from her website and I think they are just amazing.  I love them and if you purchase one the proceeds go towards helping little Mercy come home.  These would be excellent Christmas gifts!!

The Meaning: The arrows represent our need to focus inward on our own spiritual walk (white arrows), which will then, in turn, help us focus outward on our mission of serving others (black arrows). The words come from Micah 6:8, "And what does the Lord require of you? Act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." And of course, the "Love Mercy" is in red to signify their sweet baby girl.


Shirts: $15 per shirt. 50/50 cotton blend unisex shirt. Sizes Youth XS (2-4)- Adult XXXL. Additional $3 per shirt requested for shipping.

To order: email Melissa at melissabusby@hotmail.com and put T-shirt order in the subject line. You can pay with PayPal or with a check. When you order, Melissa will send you details on how to pay.

In addition to the t-shirts I know I have an amazing list of prayer warriors.  Please keep this family in your prayers, they are desperate to be united in the United States together.  I'm personally asking for prayers for this family before you go to bed tonight, there is a very important meeting tomorrow for her.  I'm praying that everyone will follow this family's journey, and rejoice with our fellow brother and sisters when that visa is finally released and they can go home.