My Other Children

For the last three days, I have been with my "other" children, my third graders at the Heiskell School. We left school early Wednesday morning headed for the Okefenokee Swamp. After touring the swamp, spotting a few alligators and otters, we set off for Epworth-By-The-Sea on St. Simon's Island. Epworth is a Methodist retreat center founded by John and Charles Wesley. As a child, I used to attend church camp there in the summers. Kind of neat how our lives often come full circle. That night we enjoyed a perfectly healthy and delicious meal of Southern fried chicken, it was divine! Honestly, I don't know if it gets much better than fried chicken. Thursday, we rose early and set off to tour some sites in the St. Simon's area. We went to Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, Fort King George, and the St. Simon's Lighthouse. What a fun, busy day! Boy, was it cold too. There were several times I was nervous the wind might take away one of my little people! Friday, we said our good-byes to St. Simon's and Epworth and headed to Savannah, one of my all time favorite places, ever. I grew up about 50 miles from there and we spent as much time in Savannah as we did in our home town. I feel like I know it well, but every year on this trip I learn something new about this city I love so much. After an awesome trolley tour and a picnic lunch on River Street with the waving girl, we headed back to Atlanta. It was a wonderful trip, but boy was I ready to get home to my three little ones and my sweet husband, who single-handedly took care of all three of them by himself while I was gone. He did a great job too! Not many men could do that! I think I will keep him! Here are some pictures of our adventures. You can also go HERE to read more about my life with my other children! They are quite a fun bunch!

Story is loved already.

Well, we knew that! She is loved by so many others than just her little family, who is anxiously awaiting her arrival. At least once a week Carter asks me if it is time for the baby in my tummy to come out. Our baby in waiting has already received some precious gifts that I would love to share with you.

When we first found out we were expecting our fourth baby, David, the children ,and I were shopping at Kohls. At the time, we did not know it would be a she, so we went with this sweet little green outfit. I just love the footed pajamas.

One of the sweet, sweet families in my school gave this outfit to Story. My student, B, asked her grandmother to make this for the baby. Have you ever seen anything so sweet or intricate? I love it and cannot wait to see our precious baby girl in it! This same family gave a very similar sweater set to Summer when she was born.

This was on my desk the day I came back to school after finding out we were going to have a girl! My sweet friend, Shannon, bought them for Story! These adorable socks were Story's first gift knowing that she was indeed a girl. Shannon has quite a sense of style, so I am thankful she is sharing the love with our baby girl.

Story received this awesome burp cloth on Friday. Another sweet family in my school had this made especially for her. In fact, all four of my children now have burp cloths given to them from this same family. We must be loved a whole bunch! You can see more cute burp cloths and much more HERE.

David and I went on a date Friday night. Some sweet ladies in our church came over to keep the children, so we could have an evening out! What a treat! After a yummy supper at Panera (I know, we are quite adventurous), we went to our favorite store, The Carter's Store. We bought this sweet outfit for Story. David picked it out, he did good, don't you think?

Fat Tuesday O'Dell Style

Those of you who know us well, know that David and I lived in New Orleans for two years while he was in graduate school at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. You also know that those two years changed our lives forever, and that our daughter, Tilly, received her name as a reminder to us of those incredible two years. So, it should come as no surprise to you that we would celebrate Fat Tuesday in honor of a city we love so much! This past Tuesday, we enjoyed jambalaya and gumbo, or gumbalaya as Carter and Summer termed it. We topped off our evening with a yummy King Cake. It was definitely not a Gambino's or Randazzo's king cake, but it reminded us of a sweet time in our life nonetheless. What fun memories we are making with our little family!

Here's a picture of the king cake!

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Friday morning, Carter, Summer, and I headed off to school thinking it was just going to be another Friday for us. Boy, were we wrong! We pulled into the school parking lot and we saw this sign : School Closing Today at 12:00. What! We were so excited. Once we were dismissed, I loaded up Carter and Summer, and we headed home to wait for the snow. After a drive through meal of McDonald's (don't judge - it was a special day), we made it home just in time for naps, ahhh! As all were safely tucked in their beds, the little white stuff began to fall and fall and fall some more. By the time naps were over, there was a beautiful blanket of white covering the ground. Everyone got baths, dressed cozy in their pajamas, and filled their tummies with chicken and rice. We topped off our evening with snow cream for dessert. David and I lamented that we had not enjoyed the goodness of snow cream since our time in Marmaduke, what a shame! It did not disappoint us; it was divine! Saturday morning first thing (before 8:00, I think - who needs sleep when there is snow on the ground?), we bundled up and headed out to play. What fun! Enjoy the pictures of our fun times in the snow.

You can't have a perfect snow without some yummy snow cream, a first for Carter, Summer, and Tilly! They loved it!

Carter and Summer overseeing the making of the snow ice cream, as they affectionately named it.

This was taken on Friday night. It started to fall about 2:00 that afternoon and snowed until after 9:00 that night. It was gorgeous!

Daddy (yes, he is wearing shorts and short sleeves) throwing snow balls at the children. They thought it was hilarious!

My three loves checking out the snow.

Tilly was so excited about the snow balls!

This was taken early Saturday morning and is a view from our driveway down the road to the left of our house. I love how the sun looks peeking through the trees.

Another pretty view of the snow with the sun shining through.

Snow-covered "G"

Hundley's dog house covered in snow. It is waiting to be painted bulldog red - is there any other color??

Summer and Hundley trying on their snow feet.

Little Miss Tilly was so unsure, but so excited about the snow, until she face planted and then she was pretty mad, so we went back inside!

Carter and Summer cheesin' in the snow!

Hundley blends right in!

Summer smiling at Daddy.

So I don't forget!

My brain is feeble these days. I think it's the baby brain! Honestly, my short term memory is greatly lacking, practically gone, in fact. So. . .there are important things I want to remember, especially things that my children say and do, hence, the main purpose for my blog - to remember! Carter, Summer, and I spend A LOT of time in the car together going to and from school. Most days, I treasure this time. Carter and Summer are BEST buds; they love each other so much. Currently, they share a room, and we are determined to make that work, well, until it is inappropriate! A couple of sweet conversations have occurred between these two lately that I want to document, so that I never forget.

Carter: Summer, you're my best friend, right?

Summer: I love you, Carter! (except, she does not say her Cs correctly, so it comes out Tarter)

On our way to school one morning, we were having a conversation about Jonah and how he did not obey God immediately. (We are teaching first time obedience at home and school.)
This was Carter's response:
Carter: Mommy, we don't tell God "no." We say, "Yes, sir!" (I couldn't have said it better myself!)

Carter: Summer, we love God, right?

Summer: Uh-huh
Carter: Summer, we love Jesus too because when He got big He died on the cross and now He lives in our hearts.

Carter: Mommy, I love you so really much!

Daddy: Summer, who is that on the chair in your classroom?

Summer: Ernie.

Daddy: What's his friend's name?

Summer: Burp

(Summer has really gone through a dress phase. She wants to wear one everyday, and most days we accommodate her, but this day it was cold and raining, so we dressed her in pants! She was NOT happy!)

Summer: Daddy, you make me so sad that you didn't let me wear a dress today!

Our church had a breakfast a few weeks ago for any and everybody. Sadly, Tilly and I missed out because she was not feeling well. David took Carter and Summer, so I am getting this conversation secondhand.

Carter: Summer, if you want some jelly for your biscuit, just text me!

Summer: Okay! (or Otay as she says it!)

Tilly is talking lots these days too. I don't want to leave her out, so here are some of her favorite words (take note of who I mentioned first! It's my blog, so it's okay if I want to make myself her favorite, right?): Mommy, Daddy, puppy, Carter, Tilly, (she refuses to say Summer - not sure what I think about that), cookie, cracker, Go (this is George), water, please, thank you, love you (which comes out MUAH - blowing a kiss), bye bye, touchdown (this is what we say when we are taking off our clothes), T, Gigi, Papa, Mama, and she is starting to repeat most words we say as well. I guess this comes along with having an older brother and an older sister. She is quite verbal and has no problem expressing her feelings! I am sure there will be many more postings of the funny things these children of mine say and do!

Lincoln's Birthday

Friday, February 12, 2010, people everywhere remembered Abraham Lincoln as we celebrated this very famous individual's birthday, who impacted all of our lives in a huge way. However, in our family, February 11, will forever be known as Lincoln's birthday. You see, we have our very own Lincoln! Thursday, February 11, at 3:52 P.M. Lincoln Miles Calhoun was born, weighing 8 lbs., 3 oz., 20 in. long. His awesome parents are my brother and sister in law, better known to us as Uncle Cory and Juie. Sadly, we were not able to be there for his birth, but our hearts are already full of love for this little fella and we cannot wait to meet him! Until then. . .we will have to settle for pictures taken by his mommy and daddy (hint, hint). Here's a sneak peak of the precious baby and his awesome parents. Congratulations, Cory and Juie! We are so excited for you!

Lincoln Miles Calhoun

Proud Daddy and baby Lincoln

Proud Mommy and baby Lincoln

A Hilarious Giver

I think being married to a pastor gives me a certain appreciation for studying God's Word, as David spends most of his time doing just that. Sitting under awesome teaching throughout our marriage has given me a love of God's Word as well. We had some phenomenal pastor teachers at seminary, the kind where you were sitting on the edge of your seat each week waiting to glean something new from His Word. Each morning at Heiskell, Mr. Leatherman leads the teachers in studying the scriptures, and I value our time of worship and Bible study. That being said, somewhere along the way from one of my fabulous pastor teachers or even my own husband (who by the way is a fabulous pastor teacher,too), I have learned to appreciate and love the study of scripture.
In 2 Corinthians 9:7 the Bible says, "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." That word cheerful, as translated in the original Greek language hilaros, actually means hilarious. Hilarious as defined by Webster means exceedingly amusing; boisterously merry. What a great word! You have an opportunity to join us at Heiskell in being hilarious givers for Haiti.
Treasures of Hope for Haiti.

Treasures of Hope for Haiti
February 20 in support of Reformation Hope

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity;
for God loves a cheerful giver. II Corinthians 9:7

Fridays, February 5, 12 and 19, volunteers will be on site to receive donations for the Flea Market and Silent Auction

• 7:30-9:00 a.m. during morning drop off
• 11:30 a.m.-12:00 noon during preschool dismissal
• 2:30-3:30 p.m. during elementary/junior high afternoon carpool
Pull into the elementary parking lot for directions to the drop off spot. Boxes and sturdy bags are most appreciated.

Items of greater value may be donated for the Silent Auction. If you have a contribution specifically for the Silent Auction, please designate clearly and contact Chrissie Wayt through our front office: frontoffice@heiskell.net.
Donation Forms are available for your tax deductible contributions. All donations are tax deductible for tax year 2009.

"Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?"
The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25: 37-46

Treasures of Hope for Haiti

Our school is partnering with a ministry in Haiti, Reformation Hope, to help them raise money to rebuild their orphanage, which also serves as a church. Please check out their website here to see how the Lord is already revealing Himself through this ministry in Haiti. On Saturday, February 20, 2010, The Heiskell School is hosting a flea market on the school grounds in which all proceeds will be donated to Reformation Hope.