We don't go all out and participate in Halloween, nor do we hunker down in the darkest corner of the house in order to avoid all the little fairies and superheros prowling the neighborhood. We do pass out candy and walk around with the kids to visit with neighbors and admire wobbling little Pooh Bears and Pumpkins. We didn't prepare for the evening since it fell on a Wednesday night. AJ woke up with a terrible fever this morning, so the kiddos and I were home. Good thing I had some left-over potty training treats stashed away. My neighbor brought some homemade goodies... "eyeballs". They were peanut butter balls covered in white chocolate with a chocolate dot in the top. They were so yummy. After AJ went to sleep, Olivia and I sat on the porch for a little while, and then we walked across the street to say hi to our neighbors. They were all dressed up and stationed on their front porch passing out candy. It was starting to get dark, so we went back to the house and turned out all the lights in order to avoid the older and probably not dressed like Pooh Bear crowd. All that to say-- YEAH! HALLOWEEN IS OVER.... LET THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS SEASONS BEGIN!

P.S. Does anyone else take advantage of the after Halloween sales to stock up on dress-up clothes?... for the kids that is :)

We had a great Sunday! 54 people attended the morning service, and so now we have a new record! While our focus and security isn't in "numbers", we do thank the Lord for this number because it represents lives being touched and changed for His glory!

=

I was especially excited to see Manuela, a single mom of 4 little ones. A few months ago, I spotted her across the produce section in Wal-Mart. Whenever I go to Wal-Mart, I have been trying to make the most of the trip by taking some church brochures and passing them out when the opportunity presents itself. It is one way that I can be involved in outreach while I go about my daily routines with my littles in tow :) When I saw Manuela, I felt impressed to talk to her and invite her to our church. I am not a fluent Spanish speaker, so striking up conversations with folks is more of a deliberate act of obedience rather than my glittering outgoing personality on parade :) I was simply drawn to her, so I made my way over to her cart and invited her to church. She was so friendly, and for the first time.... ever..... I actually felt like I spoke Spanish! God gave grace. Ever since that encounter, I have waited and waited for her to come. A few weeks ago, my husband came home from the Harvest Free Medical Clinic where he volunteers, and told me that a young mom came in that day. He pulled out a brochure and invited her to church. She looked at it told him that his wife had already invited her :) It was Manuela! Today she came, and my heart is full. God is enough. He can take our crude and pathetic attempts to serve Him, and actually make something happen!

Olivia was debriefing me on her Sunday School lesson today. She showed me her little story card that they send home with the kids, and told me that God gave bananas to the people. Hmmm... manna/bananna... maybe she'll get it next time around.

A Toddler's Rules of Possession

1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must NEVER appear to be yours in anyway.
6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.

(Original author: unknown)

Now that the record is straight... Let's Play!!

Simple Pleasures. . . This definately goes on my list of what I love about living with a 2 year old... "Squeal" (squirrel) watching from her window perch in her jammies (at least half of them). What's on your list?

Northside's annual Missions Banquet was held Wednesday, October 17 with 413 people in attendance. At last year's banquet, our little family sat at an empty table we had reserved for the Spanish Ministry, and about an hour into the program, 7 men came.

THIS year, however, a total of 48 came trickling in to enjoy tri-tip steak, baked potatoes, and cowboy beans. We had to set up 2 extra tables in order to accommodate everyone! Please remember to pray for us! The harvest is ready!

Hopefully, next year we will be able to get a better group picture :) Not everyone was able to be in it (i.e. ME!).

Happy Birthday AJ!

AJ turned one on Sunday! We took a few dozen blue frosted, sprinkled, chocolate cupcakes (Olivia calls them "funcakes") to church to celebrate his big day.

He did eventually eat his cupcake.

Park Day!

On Saturday, we headed off to beautiful Daniel Island for Park Day.

Olivia and her "gwasses"

Family Picture by the Wando River

Olivia and AJ checking out the animals at the petting zoo




They really loved the hot air balloon!!

The Wise Old Owl

Looking at the Bald Eagle with Daddy.

More cool birds

I thought this little guy was just too cute!

The magnificent Oak trees!

Olivia is all tuckered out after a busy day.

For those of you who would like to know how potty training is going.... this picture pretty much sums it up! To be honest with you, I postponed potty training until November because.... I can. This morning Olivia came out of the bathroom with her Dora potty insert around her neck, and the conversation that followed went something like this:

Mommy: "Olivia! get that off.... wait... *click*... get that off your head. That is yucky!"

I Love you so much Olivia!!!