It's my birthday!

And it felt like I celebrated for a week! On my actual birthday, we were in Marmaduke, Arkansas visiting friends and allowing David time in the woods with hopes of killing something, anything! My sweet friend, Melani, planned a surprise birthday dinner with some of my favorite girls. One very special friend did not get to go because she and her sweet daughters kept my four children for me, thanks Lorie, Bethany, and Hannah. It wasn't the same without you there!

Here we are just before it's time to go. Tilly is a big Melani fan.

I think it's reciprocated a wee bit.

We ate at this yummy place in Paragould called Brick Oven Pizza. I have never been there before. In fact, when we lived in Marmaduke, this place did not even exist!

My birthday celebrations came to an end last night, when I went out with these two girls, whom I love dearly. Mary Katherine (MK) and Wendy were two of my college roommates for three years, and thankfully the Lord has seen fit to have us live close to each other for this season. I am more thankful than words can say. They have been the sweetest friends to me through some pretty crazy seasons in life as well as some pretty amazing ones. The three of us got married within four months of each other, and it was so fun to share our wedding season together. I have been pregnant with Wendy once and Mary Katherine twice. Last night, these precious friends treated me to a birthday dinner and girl's night out. David definitely gets some thanks too for staying home with our four little people. Not many daddies can do what he does! Wendy took us to this place, and it was so fun and so girly and so European! For a moment, we thought we'd escaped to the other side of the Atlantic! Best of all was just a chance to have uninterrupted conversation with these precious girls. What a gift! I have some sweet friends to thank for helping to make my 33rd (gasp!) birthday pretty special!

Wordless Wednesday.

Christmas letter 2010.

Since Carter was born, we began writing a Christmas letter to go along with our card highlighting important events over the last year. This has become one of my most favorite things to do. It's hard to believe this is our 5th annual Christmas letter and that we now have four little people to write about. I recently posted here about our plan and back up plan for our Christmas card picture. Well, thankfully we managed to get a good one at David's graduation, so we didn't have to use all of the pictures from church. I did decide to use individual ones of the children though. Without further ado, may I present to you the annual O'Dell Christmas letter and card. We hope you enjoy hearing more of our story this season.

This picture was not included in the final Christmas card, but I love it enough to post since it has all four of them in it.

Carter Stokes O'Dell, age 4 1/2

(don't forget the 1/2 either or he'll tell you about it!)

Summer Journey O'Dell, age 3

Tilly Brooke O'Dell, age 2

Story Leigh O'Dell, age 7 1/2 months

Dear Family & Friends, December 2010

Mommy is at a loss not having to write this year’s Christmas letter, and that could only mean one thing. Mommy and Daddy had another baby! Me! My name is Story Leigh O’Dell, and I was born on May 10 of this year, the day after Mother’s Day. Mommy says there is no better gift than a brand new baby, but I don’t know about that because a new doll sounds pretty good to me. Well, it’s been another great year for our family with lots of stories to share, and who better to share the stories of our family than me?

I’ll start by telling you a story about my daddy because this year has been extra special for him, and we are really thankful for all that he has been able to accomplish. Daddy continues to pastor our church, First Baptist Austell. In fact, he is beginning his fourth year. It’s my understanding that Daddy stands up in front of some people and tells them about God’s Word, the Bible. Well, at least that’s what my big brother told me. Carter’s real big and knows a lot, so I believe him. Also, just last weekend my daddy graduated with his doctorate of ministry degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Do you think I will have to call him Dr. Daddy now? Maybe not because that’s a lot to say! He has been working very hard for the last few years to finish his coursework, and we are so proud of him for his achievement. I’m not sure what he’s going to do with all his extra time now, but I’m sure Mommy can think of a thing or two.

Speaking of Mommy, her story has changed this year, as she’s done some pretty cool stuff, besides being our mommy, which is the coolest thing ever. She grew her hair out really long and then cut it all off to give away to locks of love. Tilly keeps asking her where her ponytail went, and I don’t really know what she means by that, but okay. Mommy also changed jobs this year, so that she could spend more time with us. After teaching full time at The Heiskell School for five years, Mommy is now teaching part-time in the preschool, prekindergarten to be exact. Mommy says her favorite part of her job is taking Carter, Summer, and Tilly to school with her every day and teaching little boys and girls all about Jesus. She also has some pretty special friends at school who pray for her and encourage her as she walks with the Lord. Maybe Mommy will be my teacher at The Heiskell School when I get bigger. I would like that very much.

Well, let me tell you about my big brother and sisters because they have a story to tell too. Carter is the oldest because he turned 4 in May, just a few weeks after I was born. He is growing up to be a tall, handsome boy. At his latest check-up Carter measured 44 inches and 40 pounds. Summer is the next biggest because she turned 3 in July and is almost as tall and big as Carter, measuring 41 inches and 38 pounds. Tilly is the one right next to me. She turned 2 in August and measured 26 pounds and 36 inches. Tilly and I have a lot of fun together because we share a room. She makes me laugh a lot! Carter, Summer, and Tilly all attend The Heiskell School with Mommy, and they are learning a lot of great stuff. I love to listen to them sing songs and recite Bible verses they are memorizing at school. Right now, they are getting ready for their Christmas program, and I hope they do a great job and remember all the songs. This year Carter played soccer for the first time for Team Italy. He had such a fun time, and I loved going to watch his games. Summer is taking ballet for the first time this year, and she looks really pretty in her ballerina outfit. I hope I can take ballet one day and dance really fancy like Summer. I think Tilly wants to take ballet too because she talks about it all the time. Then, there’s me! I’m seven months old, and I measure about 17 pounds and 28 inches. I have two teeth and have learned how to crawl. Mommy and Daddy are in for a treat with all of us, don’t you think? I bet they wouldn’t change a thing even if they could. Mommy says the four of us are the best part of her story, and well Daddy too!

Our party of six has traveled all over the southeast this year. I have already been to seven states, and I’m only seven months old. This past summer, we went to Arkansas to see family and friends and meet our new cousin, Lincoln. We also traveled all around Georgia to see Mama, T, and the Hollands. In the fall we went to Tennessee to see friends, and took what Daddy calls a “detour” on the way home, visiting two extra states, North and South Carolina. Most recently, we went to New Orleans for Daddy’s graduation and visited all the best places the city has to offer. Mommy and Daddy love that city and were excited to share it with us.

The holidays are extra special for our family, as they tell a story of their own. This year for Thanksgiving, Papa & Gigi came from Arkansas to celebrate with us. In addition to giving thanks, we celebrated Daddy and Gigi’s birthday. I wonder if they feel a little older. Daddy does have a few more gray hairs this year, ha! As soon as Thanksgiving was over, we began preparing for Christmas, Jesus’ birthday. Mommy says part of our story is having special things that we do during Christmas each year. I think they are called traditions. We hunted for the perfect Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, we rode the pink pig at Lenox mall, we drove through the live Nativity telling of Jesus’ birth, and we participated in the Christmas program at our school. But you know, these are all special and great, but something we love best about celebrating Christmas is the story of our Savior’s birth. On Christmas Eve, Daddy reads to us from Luke 2, the real story of Christmas. Daddy says it’s the greatest story ever told. One of the reasons Mommy and Daddy picked my name, Story, is because they wanted me to remember that everyone has a story, but the greatest story is the one of Jesus and how he came to redeem our lost world. Mommy and Daddy love to sing this song to me: Tell me story of Jesus. Write on my heart every word. Tell me story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard. The best part about the Christmas story is that it’s for everyone. We pray that you will experience the greatest story ever told this Christmas season and that God will use His story of His Son to speak and to reveal Himself to you like never before.

We wish you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year with much love,

Story, along with Mommy, Daddy, Carter, Summer, & Tilly

Our newest house guest.

Arrived today, and we are not at all certain how we feel about him or his trusty sidekick. His name is Mr. Neb and his sidekick is Xopenex. I think some of you know where I am going with all this. Story has had a cough for a week now, no other symptoms just a nagging cough. In the last few days, a runny nose has joined the nagging cough. Then, finally last night the wheezing wanted to come out and play, so first thing this morning we went to the doctor. I was hopeful there was no fluid in her lungs or ears. Thankfully not. I was not too surprised when the doctor said she had bronchiolitis, as we've heard this word before with Carter. Knowing the diagnosis, I thought we would get a refill of albuterol and be on our way. However, I was so surprised when he called for a breathing treatment. This is when Story and I met Mr .Neb for the first time. Dr. S. explained to me that if Story responded to the treatment, then Mr. Neb would go home with us, which would be good because she was responding to the treatment and doing better. The bad news is she could be asthmatic, which we are praying is not the case. So, Mr. Neb and his sidekick are here because Story responded rather well to their help. We are getting acquainted, but we aren't sure if we want them to get too comfortable. However, we do want our sweet baby girl to feel better, so we are doing our best to make them feel at home. Please, meet our guests.

We would like to introduce you to Mr. Neb.

And his trusty sidekick, Xopenex.

Now, meet the best little patient in the house. This is her first time to have a sick visit in 7 months, and she has done so well. In fact, both times we have used Mr. Neb, she has nodded off to sleep. I guess she is like her mommy and enjoys things that make a low humming noise like fans and automobiles.

These would be Story's cheerleaders. Let's be honest. There is no way either one of these girls would sit still and let me hold this machine to their face. I think that's what Tilly is saying, "There's no way you are getting me to do that, Mommy!"

The breathing treatment really is working miracles. She has been so lethargic, and her appetite has been greatly lacking, but even after just two treatments, she seems back to her old self. We are thankful!

Part of our treatment has also included steam showers. Here she is strapped in and ready to roll, lovey in hand. I put her high chair in the bathroom to keep her upright and in one place. Seemed to work really well.

Worked so well that thumb was quickly found, eyelids closed, and she was fast asleep within minutes. Thank you for stopping by to meet our newest house guest. We are praying he is a one-time guest, but we are thankful for his help so far.

Christmas 2010.

Christmas has been going on in our home for several weeks it seems. Once we returned from New Orleans and Arkansas, it was ON! We went to see Christmas lights, baked Christmas goodies, and attended the candlelight service at our church on Christmas Eve. When we got home from church and put on our pajamas, we made hot chocolate with marshmallows and David read the Christmas story from Luke 2. Tilly was a huge fan of the hot chocolate.

This Christmas is so special because it's this sweet girl's very first one. Oh, the joy she has brought to our home over the last 7 months. It's hard to believe that this time last year, she was growing in my tummy!

Finally, Christmas morning arrived! I absolutely love the look on Summer's face. She has so much uninhibited joy! I hope she always stays this way. Carter looks so serious, and Tilly looks like she wants to run back to bed. We actually did have to wake them up, can you believe it?

Another shot of their cute little faces. Summer is still WAY excited, Carter wants to be, but he's not sure if can let loose, and Tilly thinks she is dreaming!

Story opening a present from Papa and Gigi.

Now that she is crawling, it is so hard to keep her still. She is on the go!

Carter opening some of his presents.

Tilly playing with her new baby from Papa and Gigi. She loves to play with her babies and takes such good care of them. Funny enough, she always brings the babies to me when they are crying! I guess she knows I've had a little experience with making it all better. Hope she always believes Mommy can fix it!

Summer's excitement could not be contained all day. She was so much fun to watch!

And just when we thought the excitement was over. . . we discovered there was more!

It seems that Santa left one last present in the playroom.

A trampoline!!! Many jumps have been logged on this baby already. I remember when I was a little girl, my sister and I had opened all of our presents, and our parents told us that Santa had left one last present outside. And there it was a huge, rectangular blue trampoline. It was magical. How fun that my children got to experience a little of that magic this Christmas, thanks to T, but shhh!

Story can't jump yet, but she has been enjoying watching all the action. And chewing on her new toys.

Summer getting her jump on!

So far, they have done a great job of sharing and playing together. However, we may have exceeded the weight limit a few times, just saying.

Santa also brought Summer some new headbands, and she decided to wear them ALL of them at once! Love this silly girl.

The smiles on these sweet faces make our Christmas so much brighter.

As if Christmas itself is not exciting enough, Atlanta had its first WHITE Christmas since 1885. The snow did keep us from spending Christmas with our special friends, but it sure was magical, just as I know that night so many years ago when our Savior was born in a manger to a virgin named Mary was something spectacular. Prince of Peace! Mighty God! Holy One!

The Christmas story.

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,” Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement, which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things, which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Luke 2: 1-20

Praying that God uses His story to reveal Himself to you this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas with love,

David, Heather, Carter, Summer, Tilly, & Story

Christmas with the Longs.

After David's graduation, we loaded up our party of six and headed north to Marmaduke, Arkansas, where David served as a youth pastor for three years before we moved to New Orleans for seminary round 1. We arrived late Saturday evening, and it was non-stop after that! Sunday morning before church, David got the call that Brother Kim was sick and would not be able to preach, so David preached on the fly and did really well. I guess all that schooling has paid off, ha! Sunday night was a Christmas fellowship at church. Our friends, the Guests, surprised us by coming to visit from Jonesboro. We love their family so much and just wish that we lived closer to them. Monday, David went hunting, the main reason for our trip, let's just be honest! The children and I spent the day with the Long girls. Monday night, we took the children to their first basketball game. That was a riot! Thankfully, there were not a ton a people there because our little ones were all over the place. My favorite part, other than Hannah's team winning, was when they would play songs during time outs. Carter, Summer, and Tilly have some moves that they did not learn from their momma, ha! Sadly, I did not have my camera to capture these moments. One of my favorite things we did with the Long girls was decorate cookies. The children loved it! They were able to pick out the cookie cutters and then decorate with icing. I did manage to get a few pictures of the cookie fun!

Even Story got in on the cooking decorating fun. Hannah wanted to make sure Story was able to do one, how sweet! Hannah is one of the most thoughtful young ladies I have ever met, sure hope my girls grow up to be sweet like her!

Hannah loving on Tilly. My children ate up all the attention from the Long girls.

Bethany and Miss Lorie helping Summer cut out her cookies. Bethany did not feel well while we were there, and she was such a good sport to play with the children.

Can you tell by the look on Summer's face how much she is loving this?

Group shot!

Story is crawling everywhere now. I love this look on her face.
Tilly, ahhh the cookie goodness!
Decorating her heart cookie. About every other time, she would put the spoon in her mouth rather than on the cookie!
Bethany playing with Summer and Tilly. Thank you, Long family, for being such gracious and generous hosts to our party of six. We loved our time with you, and we hope someday we can return the same hospitality to you that you have shown to us! We love you!

May I introduce?

Dr. David M. O'Dell!

The big day was Saturday, December 18, 2010, in New Orleans, Louisiana, at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

In attendance were David's parents, his aunt Karen, Carter and I (the girls were at the seminary preschool), and Dr. Bill Landers, more about these special guests later.

Thanks to Papa, Gigi, and Aunt Karen I was able to hang out with David before the ceremony. Here is David with Dr. Kelley, the president of the seminary. We went to a reception at his house the night before, and he just had the nicest, most encouraging things to say.

David was a part of the largest DMIN graduating class in the history of NOBTS.

The day was overcast and cold, very cold. The chapel looks so much nicer in the sunshine!

This is the cross that hangs in the front of the chapel among the pipe organ. Isn't it stunning?

I love this picture of Dr. Kelley. He is giving his "Get her done" charge to the graduates.

And here it is, the moment we have been waiting years for David walking across the stage of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to get hooded. I could not be more proud of this man!

Dr. Gregoire and Dr. Ojea hooding David. They practically had to toss it over his head, ha! As David was getting hooded, the professors who walked with him on this journey stood along with our family to show our excitement for David reaching this milestone.

David leaving the stage and walking back to his seat.

Dr. Bill Landers, one of David's greatest supports and friends rode a bus, a train, and eventually a plane to get to graduation. I know this gesture meant the world to David.

This lady, we call her Aunt Karen, is most responsible for David completing his final paper. She worked many hours editing and helping him to finish. We are forever grateful for her love and support during both of our times at seminary.

David and his dad just after the service.

David with both of his parents. It was so special to have them there to celebrate this special day with us.

David and his mom.

David, Carter, and me. Carter sat through the entire graduation ceremony and did pretty well thanks to the camera on my cell phone. He took a lot of great shots!

David and Tilly just after the ceremony. She was really emotional when we picked her up from the preschool, and it took her a while to pull it together.

David and Gigi with the children. Carter was over taking pictures at this point.

Papa and Gigi with David and the children.