A First for the Baby Book.....

...Olivia's First Broken Bone!

We spent Thanksgiving in Alabama with my family. Shortly after the feast had been spread, Olivia rolled off the couch. It didn't seem like a big deal, but she wasn't moving around like her normal 2 year-old self. When we got home on Saturday night, she didn't want me to touch her at all. I called her doctor and explained everything to him, and he said that she probably has a hairline fracture somewhere. So, Olivia and I headed down to MUSC Children's Emergency Room. We were greeted by nurses that know the characters on every children's program that exists and showered with stickers and children's books. I was even pleasantly suprised that I fit in a child's wheelchair (Olivia would have nothing to do with sitting in that thing by herself). She has a small fracture on her collar bone, and just needs to keep it still.... as still as a 2 year old can possibly get!

Olivia's Favorite Dress

This is Olivia's first favorite dress. My grandmother made it for my little sister, so it is somewhat of an heirloom. She wore it to church today, and she will probably want to wear it again tomorrow. I've had to add tights, an undershirt, and a sweater just so she can still wear it with the chilly weather setting in. One day, I will probably pull this little dress out of a box and cry. Until then, I'll just let her wear it till it can be worn no more.

MMMM... sometimes I suprise myself, and this Cranberry Cinnamon Tea Ring definately turned out pretty delicioso! The tea ring was a favorite in our house growing up. Grandma would crank out about 4 of these at one time, and they would be gone in no time. The only gripe I had was that it had rasins, and not being a big fan of rasins I purposed to make mine without rasins when I grew up... and that I did.... until now! Kneading DRIED CRANBERRIES into the sweet dough gives it a tart little punch and a nice festive look. Just be sure to let your cranberries sit in some hot water for a little while so they plump up and don't dry out while baking.

Soccer Season is upon us, and we are thoroughly enjoying it! Even though AJ and Olivia aren't old enough to (officially) play yet, several families from the Spanish ministry have kids on a team, so we have been going to the practices, kicking balls around, getting in the way of things, and eating snacks!

AJ playing with his Mexican soccer ball that daddy brought back for him from the missions trip.
"Are you going to eat all of those?"
Fun watching all the little athletes

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!!