December 28

When Abby found out we'd be heading back to Maryland for part of Christmas break, she asked --repeatedly-- if she could visit her grandpa and step grandma's house and sit on a horse. Her eyes lit up over the idea of sitting up high on a saddle and enjoying the clippity-clop of a sweet little ride. So that's what we did late this afternoon:

Although she'd been on a pony before, today marked her first time up on a real, full-grown horse, a former racing standardbred named J. J. After she made a few rounds up and down the drive, Isaac put on his brave face and joined her. Inevitably, they both had such fun that neither of them wanted to get down, but of course, they did.

But I also know that they'll both carry fond memories of their first ride for quite some time to come. And I'll remember how it felt to see them having a good time, too, because I see a lot of God in those smiles.