Hailey's Imminent Arrival

We are pleased to announce that (unless she decides to come early), Hailey Faith will be arriving sometime Tuesday. My doctor told me at my appointment that my body looked ready and since I have been progressing for the last several weeks, I am going to be induced at 5:30am on Tuesday morning, Nov. 20. We are very excited. We'll get home on Thanksgiving with a wonderful 'Thanksgiving present' from the Lord.

Needless to say, we have been rapidly trying to prepare and gets things together this past week. We've almost finished our Christmas shopping, decorated for Christmas, covered church responsibilities, organized all winter clothing for the kids, etc. My mom will be coming from Greenville to help out for a while which we are very thankful for. She spent 2 weeks with us when I had Ian and was a tremendous help. Ian knows that "sissy" is coming but I can hardly wait for him to meet her. We'll definitely have to catch it on video.

I am feeling well and am just recently recovering from an unexpected bout of food poisoning. Steve and I went to Chick Fil' A after my doctors appointment and apparently there was something in the chicken nuggets. I have been confined to the bed and the bathroom for the last 24 hours but am finally able to keep down toast and gatorade. I am very thankful for renewed strength.

We'll post pictures of her once she arrives. Hopefully the hospital has wireless, but I don't know for sure. We would appreciate your prayers for a safe and healthy delivery.

Baby Shower

Our church gave me a baby shower last week. The ladies were very kind and generous and Hailey has some very cute clothes to wear. It's looking like everything is on schedule as far as her delivery date and maybe just a bit ahead - according to the doctor. So, she should be arriving pretty soon! We're excited. Ian keeps pointing to Hailey's clothes and Moses basket (where she will sleep) and says "sissy." So, although, I'm not sure he knows who sissy is or what's about to happen, he does know that she's been getting a lot of cool gifts lately.

The beautiful cake that a lady in our church made.

The bib says "I love my uncle" - wonder who picked that one out!

My mom and sister-in-law, Jenny, were able to come down for the shower.

Some of the ladies even got Ian some gifts. I think his favorite was this little rubber lizard.

Harvest Party

Steve and I love fall harvest parties. We decided to have one for our Singles Sunday school class at church. We ended up with a good turn out and everyone had a great time. We had a chili dinner, costume contest, and pumpkin carving. This was Ian's first time to dress up so he really enjoyed all the festivities and attention.

Cowboy Ian

Stick 'um up, partner!

I'm posting a recipe for a Big Chocolate Chip Cookie. I've made it several times now and it seems to be a hit . . . and best of all, it's really easy!
1 yellow cake mix
1/2 cup oil
2 tbsp. water
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup chocolate chips
Combine and bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. I use the store bought icing and it works out well and tastes just like the American Cookie Company icing.

The pumpkin that Steve and I carved this year.

Fu Man Chu, Cowboy, and Pumpkin

This is a guy who came dressed as "Pastor Steve"

Some of the group

The KRBC Singles and their pumpkins

The State Fair

We went to the South Carolina State Fair on Saturday. My parents were able to come from Greenville for the day. We had such a great time. It was the best fair that Steve or I have ever been to - good food, rides, and exhibitions.

Ian on his first kiddie ride - the Flying Bumble Bee.

He opts for the safe seat this time on the carousel.

This sand carving was done by a couple in California and it took them 11 days to complete. It was amazing to see all the detail work up close. Unfortunately, it is getting torn down today.

The prize pumpkin weighing in at 291 pounds.

Milking the "moo-moo"

The jumbo velcro blocks

Ian was amazed with all the stuff at the Children's science center at the fair.

The fun, but not so sanitary, nail wall.

Making a bubble tunnel

Ian loves riding on his dad's shoulders.

Petting the scary YAK!

The cute little ducky water slide.

The dragon ride

Ian after a long day at the fair.

First Time Bowling

On Friday night our USC Cross Impact campus group had a bowling activity. After wiggling around and saying "ball" for a long time, Steve decided to give Ian a chance to try his hand at bowling.

Learning the correct technique from Daddy

Ian actually got one pin down (far left) - not bad for a one-year old.

Our University of South Carolina Cross Impact Group

Steve has the opportunity to lead a Bible study every Wednesday night down on campus for them. This semester they are studying Phil. 2. We also have several activities throughout the semester. It is made up of undergraduates as well as grad students.

The Freel Family

I met Andrea this past spring at a public school carnival where we were inviting kids to our summer VBS. I talked with her for a while and invited her son to VBS and their family to our church. They were looking for a new church at the time. She brought her son, Isaiah, for the entire week of Vacation Bible School. He trusted Christ as his Savior that week and Andrea and her husband, Steve, started visiting the church after that. "My" Steve had the opportunity to meet with them for a period of several weeks to answer many spiritual questions that they had since they were coming from a Lutheran background. He gave them the gospel on several occasions and they continued coming to church seeking answers. On our church "Friend Day" back in August, Steve and Andrea both prayed to receive Christ as their Savior. Steve had the opportunity to baptize the whole family tonight at church. It was so exciting to see the Lord draw them to Himself and save their entire family.

Isaiah Freel, 8 years old

Steve Freel

Andrea Freel

Puzzle Master

My mom has a set of velcro curlers that all fit inside of each other. One morning to occupy Ian, she gave them to him to play with. He surprised us all by figuring out how to remove each of them and put them back together again. So, if you're looking for a cheap toy - here's a good one!