Happy Halloween!

Chip and I took Streed yesterday to a local church in Hammond that sells pumpkins every year. He took our suggestions for poses and ran with them, as you can see. We have a holiday photo idea for Miss Ella too so keep checking the blog to see "our little pumpkin".

2nd Favorite Picture

Bow Head

I will never have a toe head but here's my little bow head.

New Church, New Link

We have recently started attending a new church in Hammond--Crossroads Community Church. Our CO directors decided that it was a better fit for our ministry and families. Crossroads is a church plant targeting the 18-35 year old age group with a focus on outreach/evangelism, discipleship and missions.

I am proud of myself. I created a new link without the help of Jeff Dowdy.
Check out Crossroads.

Jordan Keller Dye

You just thought Ella had a lot of hair. My friend Jenny sent me this picture last night. Jordan and Ella are 1 week apart. When I saw it I could not believe how much hair she had. Jenny's husband Clayton called us after Jordan was born and said, "I think I am looking at a Crooms' kid".
She is precious, Jenny. We can't wait to meet her.

"Little" Big Brother and "Big" Little Sister

I took Streed and Ella to the doctor yesterday for Streed's 2 yr and Ella's 1 month check ups. Streed went first. Here are the results.

Streed

• 25 lb
• 32 in
• 10th percentile

Ella

• 12 lb 3 oz (95th percentile)
• 22 in (75th percentile)

If Ella keeps up this pace she will catch up to Streed at 6 months. We love her size just as we love Streed's size. They are both perfect to us!

My Favorite Picture

This is my all time favorite picture. Streed is loving me with his eyes and his "sissy" with his arms.

Uncle Nick

Ella got held all day on Saturday at Streed's party. She hasn't been happy since then because her mama can't hold her all day. Here she is with her Uncle Nick. "Nick" is currently one of Streed's favorite words AND favorite people. When Nick and Robyn came for Ella's birth, Nick brought Streed a huge beach ball. Nick taught Streed to say "up" and "roof" as they would toss the ball. This made quite an impact on my little Streedums. Fortunately, the feelings Streed has for Nick are equal to the feelings Nick has toward Streed.

House Update--Opportunity to Trust

As of tomorrow we are relinquishing our hold on the rental house. We have had about 5 people look at our house in two weeks...with no offers. The owner of the rental wants a renter. We totally understand this. After much contemplation we have decided to keep our house on the market. The fact that the "supposedly perfect rental" is no longer an option does not negate the fact that we feel God leading us to be closer to campus. Please continue to pray for this decision to sell our house. The houses in Hammond are listed extremely high since the storm. So, this is a major trust God opportunity before us. We can sell our house for a great profit. But, we could be stuck with having to pay high rent or buy an expensive house. But...we trust Him and want to do what He wants us to.

There is now no excuse

For days I was feeling trapped in the house. Obviously it is not impossible to venture out with two kids, but it is a challenge. The other day I needed to go to the mall. I could have put Ella in Streed's old stroller and just held Streed's hand. However, I could not for the life of me imagine walking from the car, through the parking lot and getting anything done in the mall without having him restrained (I have tried it before). So, I didn't go. Instead I got online and found a stylin new double jogging stroller. I totally feel like a rich stay-at-home mom when I am using it. We found it at Target and then found it $40 cheaper on ebay. So now there is no excuse...I must jog. Technically a baby isn't supposed to ride in one until they are 6 months old and have good control of their neck. So, for now we will be walking. But, come March I expect you all to ask if I am jogging.

Streedy Turns "Do"

Tuesday was Streed's second birthday. Chip worked with him all week to say he was two. He says it but it comes out more like "do". We had a little family party today at the house. We grilled out and had a Bob the Builder cake. The big deal present was from Chip's parents. They bought him an Auburn football uniform. He did not put down or take off the helmet for long all day. He even rode around town in his carseat with it on. He took a spill and bumped his head early in the party. He then entertained the crowd by reinacting the incident. I wish you all could have seen it. It is hard to explain.

I wanted to included this picture for those of you who haven't seen me since this summer or who never knew me not pregnant (my Brazilian friends). I am almost back to "normal".

Streed is helping me get the plates ready for the cake. He is not into sweets (can you believe it Amy?) so he didn't eat any cake. I didn't think he would but what is a birthday party without cake!