It is a long-standing practice of the Arkansas appellate courts to limit the record on appeal to what is abstracted. Baker v. State, No. CR 04-542, 2005 WL 1041145 (Ark.Sup.Ct. May 5, 2005); Williams v. State, 56 S.W.3d 360, 364 (Ark. 2001); Neal v. Brandon, 85 S.W. 776, 777 (Ark. 1905) ("no matters will be considered except those properly abstracted"). The state appellate courts have stated repeatedly that they will not reach the merits of an issue when the appellant, whether pro se or represented by counsel, has failed to abstract documents or proceedings that are necessary for an understanding of the issue.