Providential Provision

The company Tim has been working at for the past year has really struggled with the current condition of the market. They've had to layoff many people. Tim and his boss are the only two left in their department. His boss told him honestly that Tim would probably be let go with the next round of layoffs.

Within about 2 weeks of being told that, Tim was offered a job with the county. Full benefits start immediately. Praise God!

Rock n Roll

I don't know what it is about my darling daughter, but every time I turn around she's got a rock in her mouth. Even when we're inside! She must bring them in with her and stash them for chewing on later. Rocks of all sizes fascinate this one.

The other day she had about 2 inches of a huge rock crammed in to her mouth. I figured it was better than the little ones she usually samples, so I didn't stop her.

I didn't think I was that bad of a cook. In fact, I've rarely had any complaints but maybe this is her way of trying to tell me what Tim wouldn't dare to. She hardly eats anything I put on her plate but I can't keep sand and rocks out of her mouth. Maybe I should try putting those on her plate for dinner. It might be a hit!

The "Taunted" House

WARNING: Lesley, you may not want your oldest child to read this....

Tim has been picking up my 2 nieces from school a couple days a week. On Wednesdays, they stay until church and we eat dinner together. Tonight at the dinner table we were talking about the games for Patch and Tim said something about taunting. Then he turned to Elise and said, "Do you know what 'taunting' means?" "Yes," she said, "it's something scary." Tim said, "No, that's not what it means (he did explain it later)." She said, "But the Taunted House is scary". I tried so hard not to laugh. It was just too cute.

It's Fall

Well, it has been for a while but I've been so busy enjoying the fall activities that I haven't updated this blog in quite some time.

Our church had a western Sunday with a chili cook-off, pictures on horses, and fun skits. Allie was adorable in her cowgirl outfit.

Last week, Allie and I went with friends to Bishop's Pumpkin Patch. We had a full day of fall fun. Allie loved the petting zoo and feeding the goats. She jumped in the hay stack, rode the farm train, and panned for marbles in the stream. I wasn't sure if she was brave enough for the huge hill slide but I shouldn't have questioned her. She jumped on like it was no big deal and zipped right down again and again. She had a blast! We sipped fresh apple cider from a cute pumpkin sipper and shared a yummy ice cream cone. We also took a ride on a hay wagon out to the pumpkin patch to get those adorable pumpkin patch pictures that I wanted and let Allie pick out a pumpkin. Unfortunately, the day's activities caught up to her on the wagon and she feel asleep. Ryan and Allie slept the whole time we were in the patch. Maybe we'll have to go to another pumpkin patch just to get those cute pictures. :) It was a fun day and we were all worn out by the end.

Sarah and her tired boys

Becky and Paul

James found the perfect pumpkin

James and Paul showing off their pumpkins

Ryan (isn't he adorable!)

My little dare devil

Panning for marbles

James and Allie "riding" the rooster

Allie and Mommy headed out to the pumpkin patch

Ryan giving the goat a hug

Drew in the petting zoo

Allie's Famous Goofy Grin

"Bing"

Alyssa's vocabulary is expanding all the time. Almost every day she says something new. The funny one for this week is "bing". While she jumps on the trampoline she says, "bing", "bing", "bing". That's her pronunciation for "boing" which is what we' say as she jumps across the trampoline.

Allie's 18 Month Stats

Allie had her 2nd set of shots yesterday and developed just a tiny fever. Her legs were sore all day and she didn't want to walk much on them.

She weighed 22 lbs 5 oz which puts her in the 23rd percentile for weight. She is 32 1/2 inches which puts her in the 100th percentile for height. She's up quite a bit in height from last time so we'll see where she falls once she turns two. Her head was in the 65th percentile. Must be all those brains!

Klutz!

Oh boy does this run in the family. McCullough's are notorius for moving too quickly which often results in something getting broken or someone getting hurt. I'm afraid I've passed that on to my daughter. She's constantly bruised and scratched up. I took her for her 18 month appointment yesterday with a big scratch up her back from a fall on Sunday, but the pediatrician didn't even seem to notice. Poor kid's always a mess.

But, this week it's been me. On Tuesday night, some friends were sitting around the table at Sarah's house playing Catan. I was just getting ready to set Allie on the floor when the chair broke and Allie and I both ended up on the floor. Granted, that wasn't really my fault but things like this seem to follow me.

Today, I was expecting a call but had forgotten to take the phone with me when Allie and I went to jump on the trampoline. I heard the phone ring and jumped down off the trampoline, zipped Allie in, and ran for the phone. BAM! I ran right into a thin string that Tim had running between the new fence posts he put in. I didn't even see it. It clotheslined me right across my face! It knocked me to the ground, split my lip open, and bruised my arm and chin. And no, I didn't make it to the phone.

Hopefully, Allie will learn to slow down and watch where's going and what she's doing....I'm still learning.