October Happenings

October was a fun month. The leaves are changing, the weather changes drastically and so does our toddler. She seems to be learning a new word every other day! She knows about 10 body parts and can use about 5 signs from sign language to communicate with us. She has about 15-20 words now. She still has 4 teeth and gets better all the time feeding herself. She is now officially off all baby foods and eating from our plates! So wonderful but it's been a challenge on meal planning! I know we eat better now that we have to make sure she gets her veggies! She continues to enjoy her Kindermusik Class on Mondays and this month has participated in 2 MSU football games! Big Daddy came to town and took us all the the MSU/UAB game and had a new outfit for Claire to wear. She made it through the 1st quarter then time for nap. (You may notice the spots around her mouth - she had a bout of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. Took about 6-7 days for the spots on her arms legs and around her mouth to go away - yes she did have them in her mouth...lots of kids at the day care had it...part of growing up I hear.) The next week she got to stroll around campus before the MSU/S.Carolina game but didn't go because of timing. We tend to not compromise much on nap times and bed times! A rested baby is a happy and healthy baby! Can I get an Amen?!? :) She went to her first Trunk or Treat at our church dressed as a pumpkin...pretty cute! The end of the month brought my 15 year reunion since Physical Therapy School. The one thing I do like about reunions is that it is a chance to thank those who invested in me to get me started in life and career. I would not be where I am today without my professors in PT School for sure! It's a committed group of faculty members who are STILL there educating the finest of the fine who are out there "stamping out dysfunction" (in the words of my coworker, Linda). It was great to see a few former (not old) classmate, especially Lee Powell. She and I were at MSU together before PT school! What fun we had and sweet memories! Great to see you, friend! What I love about Lee is that she has ALWAYS been able to make people feel special because she really tunes in with her eyes, ears and heart and focuses on you when you are with her! I'm always encouraged when I see her to do just that! So that's a wrap for October! I can hear the march of the holidays around the corner...memories waiting to be made!

September Happenings

What month of variety around our house! Enjoy the highlight reel above. Claire started back to Kindermusik and she's now one of the "big kids". We love her teacher Mrs. Jill. She's back in there with 2 friends from her previous class, Mills and Sophie. Sophie and Claire are buddies and enjoy the park together before class starts...always includes a picnic lunch at Homewood Park in which we share lunches depending on what the girls are in the mood to eat. Thanks, Beth! Claire did her 2nd annual 5k Run called Head Over Teal that is a fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer Research. I did not know that even young girls can get it! WOW! We celebrated our dear friend, Celeste, with a birthday club at Cracker Barrel. Cel and I have been friends now for 15 years and going strong. She was my first true friend when I first moved to Birmingham. Thank you, Lord for such a dear friend! We also enjoyed a surprise visit from Keri and Eden. This month included a work trip each for me and Jeff. I got the opportunity to teach a CEU course in Orange Beach on Wheelchair Evaluations, Fittings, etc...Jeff kept Claire at home and did a great job of daddy duty! Thanks for always supporting me and my work, Jeff! Jeff soon left for Canada for a week! Middle of that week we got a visit from Granddaddy, who just so happened to have found a meeting in Birmingham to come to. What do ya make of that? Love it how things find a way to work out when there is a 2 foot tall bright-eyed granddaughter around! We enjoyed having him with us for 5 days! He spoiled us by keeping Claire so Jeff and I could go see Les Miserables. What an incredible story of redemption and the ripple effect one who has been redeemed has on another who needs redemption. What a picture of God's grace! Some where in the mix we had a great visit at Bluff Park with Jack Breland, our friend who shares the same birthday as Claire. We ended the month with a first time visit to Railroad Park. Very nice! Well landscaped! Great area for kids to play. Wide open spaces where every slice of Birmingham could be seen and found enjoying each other. Well done, Birmingham! After playing at Railroad Park, we went back by the church where Claire goes to Day Care and enjoyed the Greek Festival. Great food and atmosphere and you always bump into someone you know! Thanks for enjoying our highlights...hope everyone is enjoying great weather, great family time and time with friends making memories! OPA!