Friday Night Football

C devouring some Chick-fil-A nuggets in the parking lot. Yum!

This weekend sure flew by. *Whew* Never thought I would actually want the weekend to end, but evenings and weekends seem to drag without Steve here. Thankfully, our neighbor and her daughter have been so sweet to include us in many of their activities which has been such a huge blessing! On Friday we tailgated and attended part of the Thomas Sumter Academy vs. Wilson Hall football game (big rivals here in Sumter- both private schools.) Christian did really well even though it was later in the evening, and he lasted just a bit over the first quarter. Turns out we missed a great game! It was fun...I haven't been to a high school football game in quite some time.

Leigh and Christian- he snagged her brownie and ate it all!

The rest of the weekend we mostly chilled and the days just seemed to take care of themselves. Now just a few more days and grandma (my MIL) will be here and then we will be off to Colorado shortly after that. Hooray...so ready for a break! :o)

Daily Audio Bible

So maybe I am out of the loop and you all already know about this website, but while waiting at our local car care center over a month ago (Boo! My car had been there twice in 2 weeks. Cha-ching!) there were these cards for a website called "Daily Audio Bible." A very cool website that allows you to listen to readings of the Word straight from your computer or in Podcast form so that you can listen to them from your iPod. They even have a Kid version, as well as a Spanish, Hindi, and Japanese! Now there is no excuse- you can listen while commuting to work, cleaning the house, or even while eating breakfast with your baby (we like to listen to the kids' version.) It is easily broken down over 365 days and best of all its free! Simply click on the "Resources" tab at the top of the homepage for all the various feeds or if you want to listen from your computer, click on "Listen Now" on the right hand column.

My Little Teacher

Christian has decided the past couple of days that he doesn't need a nap. Yay. As you can imagine, this makes for a VERY long day, when some days just seem so long already. The following quote was a good reminder as I sat reading last night.

"We live in the midst of holy teachers. Sometimes they spit up on themselves or on us. Sometimes they throw tantrums. Sometimes they cuddle us and kiss us and love us. In the good and the bad they mold our hearts, shape our souls, and invite us to experience God in newer and deeper ways. Although we may shed many tears along this sacred journey of parenting, numerous blessings await us around every bend in the road."

~Gary Thomas, Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls

If All Else Fails...

Christian has become quite the finicky little eater these days. He loves snacks, but I am struggling with getting him to eat fruits and veggies, and you know...nutritious food. Like I said before, eating has been hit or miss. One day he likes something, the next day he is throwing it on the floor. We were sharing a turkey sandwich the other day from Firehouse Subs (YUM) and it came with a dill pickle. I never would have thought that he would like it, but sure enough...here he is munching away.

With Great Thanks

We have been so incredibly blessed these past few weeks since Steve's departure. Our neighbors have been awesome! From inviting Christian and I to dinner and outings, to mowing/edging our lawn, to watching C, to driving Steve's car, to simply calling and checking in, we have been overwhelmed by the care and support of our neighborhood community. Thank you!

New Toy

Doesn't he look like a little boy? Not so much a baby anymore.

I bought Christian a small ball a few weeks ago. Can you believe he didn't have one yet? He has been enjoying carrying it around the house and rolling it around. It has also become a teething ball as of late. I have noticed that there are numerous bite marks and a few chunks taken out.

He also thought Phoenix might like it. Still not sure what Phoenix thinks of C, but he is always hanging around and puts up with the chasing and hair pulling. You would think he would run away and hide out.

Boiled "P-Nuts"

Livin' in the South comes with some new southern cookin'. My neighbor from SC brought us fried okra and fried green tomatoes along with roasted corn and BBQ chicken one evening. I had never seen okra before we moved here, and let me just tell you, the fried green tomatoes and okra were fabulous. Mmm mm. Sweet tea is served everywhere, although I have not tried it. On our drive into Columbia there are all sorts of places along the road advertising boiled "p-nuts." Just today on our visit to the "Farm Store" the kind owner offered me some boiled peanuts to try. They were interesting. They have the texture of a soft bean and are kind of mushy and salty. I think they would take some getting use to if you did not grow up eating them.

We have yet to eat at "Lizard's Thicket" where macaroni and cheese is a vegetable. :o)