How we told the children.

Here are the fab four last Sunday, after church. I mean seriously, how cute are they?  They have no idea what's about to happen.  They just know that we told them to go inside and have a seat on the couch for a family meeting.  I know I have not shared the story of our calling, but it's taking me longer to write.   In the mean time, here's how we told the children.  

David and I kept looking at each other as if to say, "Are you going to tell them? I'm not going to tell them, you tell them!" Ha! Don't you love that after you've been with someone for so long that you can read their mind and communicate without words?  Anyway, I told them.  I told our four little people that  sometimes in life God asks you to do something.  Something big.  And that when God asks us to do something, anything we must obey.  I told our four little people that God was asking our family to move to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and that we were being obedient and leaving in just a few weeks.  I told them that they were going to go to a new school, meet new friends, have a new church family, and that we were going to have two bathrooms.  The two bathrooms may or may not have sealed the deal for them.  Since that time, we have read Genesis 12 more than once and talked at length about how God called Abram to move his family and all of his belongings to a new land.  We are just really thankful God told us where we were going before we left!  Currently, we are praying for their tender, little hearts that this would be a smooth transition for them, that they would quickly meet new friends, that they would love their new school, that they would quickly feel at home in our new church, and that God (who knows them and loves them even more and even better than we do) would use this special event in our life to reveal more about Himself to them.  

Wordless Wednesday.

This is really happening!

Yes, it's for real, and as with most things, there's definitely a story to go with it.  And as with most stories, there are sad and happy parts.  I can't wait to share more later.  

When I grow up . . .

Today all the boys and girls in Summer's class dressed up for career day. All week in school, the children have been talking about community helpers and jobs. One of Summer's favorite let's pretend games is cooking and serving, usually coffee and diet coke, ha!

Thanks to Juie and little sister, Tilly, sharing we had this adorable apron and accessories.

Summer was so very excited to wear her "cooker" costume to school today! I think she looks like a brunette Strawberry Shortcake.

Now, David and I will be proud of our children in whatever career path they choose. Our prayer is for them to work at it with all their little hearts and to honor the Lord in the process.

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Location:FBC Powder Springs

Wordless Wednesday.

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Location:Mama's house.

Carter and Summer's yearly check ups.

Today, I took Carter and Summer for their yearly checkups with Dr. G.  I cannot believe how fast these little people are growing.  I forgot my camera, but thank goodness for the iPhone!

I snapped this picture of the two of them while we were waiting to be seen.  I love how much they love each other and hope they will always be so close.  Pity the boy and girl that comes between these two, ha!  

Carter insisted that Summer go first, since she's a lady and all.  We are raising him right, are we not?  But, since I put Carter's picture first I will give his stats.  He weighs 45lbs., 75%.  He is 46 1/4in., 95%. Carter is continuing to stay right along his curve, so we are thankful to hear that.  In addition to his measurements, he had a vision test, which he ranked 20/25, which is great.  Heart, lungs, ears, eyes, and everything looked great.  He also did a urinalysis and a blood test, and he was such a champ for both of those.  I was amazed.   Oh, how thankful we are for healthy children.  

Summer weighs 47lbs., 97%.  She is 45 1/4 in., way, way, way off the chart.  More off the chart than she was at 3.  Our girl is going to be TALL!  Summer had a vision and hearing test.  She did very well on the hearing test, but not so great on the vision, so we have been recommended to see an optometrist to have her eyes checked.  One eye checked in at 20/40 and the other 20/50, not so great.  I'm wondering how much is willfulness and how much is accurate.  I will be so interested to see.  She did not want to do the test, and the nurse had to come get me to *help* Summer understand the importance of the vision screening.  Now, my husband has very poor eyesight, so we are certain at least one of our children will need glasses, ha!  Overall, Summer is in great health, and we could not be more thankful.  Dr. G. was most impressed with her good manners and mature nature.  Don't you love it when people compliment your children?  Oh, how it warms my mommy heart.  Now, all four O'Dell children are checked up and caught up on screenings and immunizations for another year.  How thankful we are!

Saturday, in the park.

We spent part of our Saturday playing at the park. I took these adorable pictures of the children, well 3 of them because Tilly was in a not having her picture made mood. I couldn't resist sharing because they are so stinking cute.

Carter actually asked to have his picture taken. I think he knew I was bummed Tilly wouldn't let me take her picture! What a sweetheart!

King or Queen of the mountain?

I heart this picture of Story so much! My girl loves to play! Thankful for the beautiful weather and for a fun day with my family.

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Wordless Wednesday.

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Saturday in Athens.

One of the many things I love about my husband is his sense of adventure and spontaneity.  He enjoys flying by the seat of his pants when it comes to doing fun things for our family.  Today, he certainly didn't disappoint.  After negotiating the time it could take me to get ready, we dressed our party of six in our game day red and headed out the door.  Carter is so like me, and he likes to know what we are doing when and for how long.  David was just full of surprises today.  With my nose in a book and my awfully embarrassing sense of direction, I had no idea where we were headed until we were well on our way down 316, the road between Atlanta and Athens.  When I looked up, he grinned and said, "We are meeting you mom at Rafferty's in Athens at 11:30."  What, two of my favorites in one day, and my mom, too!  So fun!  

T's little bulldawgs!
After a yummy lunch, we headed down Atlanta Highway to see where the dawgs play!  It was so much fun to drive through campus and see the flags flying, hear the dawgs being called, and gaze upon a sea of red and black.  Now, if only we'd had 6 tickets to the game, it would have been perfect.  Not.  I don't think we are quite ready to take our party of six between the hedges.  Definitely one day.  In the meantime, I'm perfectly content to call the dawgs with my family from the comfort of our home.  We've been practicing our dawg calling all week in the car to and from school.  It sounds pretty great!
Gooooooooooo, dawgs!  Sic 'em!  Woof!  Woof!  Woof!  Woof!

The Help.

August 10, 2011, I went with this pretty lady to see this awesome movie.  Rarely do I go to movies, there's just not much time for that, but this was one I could not wait to see.  Now, reading is something I do and do a lot.  There's always time to curl up with a good book.  That's what naps are for, right?  I read The Help last year before Story was born and could. not. put. it. down.  Seriously!  It was that good.  Definitely one of the best books I have ever read, and the movie did not disappoint.  I think it is one I will watch over and over and over, kind of like Sweet Home Alabama.  Thank you, David, for watching the children, so I could have a girl's night out with my friend.  Y'all, I was out past midnight!  I haven't done that since college!  Thank you, Emily, for insisting we go see this movie.  I can think of no other person I would have rather seen it with than you.  

I will leave you with a quote from Aibileen, one of my favorite characters:

You is kind, you is smart, you is important.  

P.S. If you haven't seen it, go.  If you haven't read the book yet, do that first!

Wordless Wednesday.

Tilly's 3 year check-up.

Today Tilly had her 3 year check up with Dr. G. Tilly now weighs 32 pounds placing her in the 60th percentile, and she is 38 1/2 inches tall placing her in the 80th percentile. Heart, lungs, ears, nose, and eyes all look great! She is all caught up on vaccines, so we got the flu mist and were on our way. We are so very thankful for a happy and healthy 3 year old!

Little sister tagged along with us on this visit, so I had to snap a picture of them together!

Thank you, Dr. G, for always being such an encouragement to our family. You make us feel like the best parents ever!

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Are you ready for some football?

  I seriously thought this time of year would never arrive!  It has been a long summer season waiting on football to arrive at the O'Dell house.  Well, the time is now, and we couldn't be more excited.  Hoping for a great season for our beloved dawgs!  

 If you listen closely, you might hear us.  Goooooo dawgs!  Sic 'em!  Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!

This was taken last season of Carter at his very first Georgia game, on the outside of my tummy that is!  The two oldest girls are even getting excited about game day.  Tilly calls it Bulldogs Georgia!  At least she's got the team right.  Yup, we are raising 'em right in our house!