Three Months!!

I can't believe we have been in Columbia for almost three months! The newness has definitely worn off, and we are now learning to live everyday life in the south. It seems like a lot has happened since the last post so I will do my best to do a brief overview.

Rob and Eli celebrated Eli's 10th year with a USC Gamecocks football game. They took $50 cash and went to find some ticket scalpers before the game. They were successful in procuring some pretty good seats and had a fabulous time at the game (although they ended up walking about 5 miles when it was all said and done!).

Report cards came out for the first quarter. Both Eli and Ben made straight A's. Jacob and Grace also had excellent grades! We celebrated by going out for pizza at the "Village Idiot". I really am thankful for all of their hard work and discipline in this area...it truly is amazing for 6-13 year olds!

My brother came to visit for the weekend following a conference in Charlotte, NC. He was definitely thrust back into the years of elementary age kids! We went to the Rosewood Elementary school carnival, U12 soccer game and had a full night of trick or treating on Saturday. What a different experience for our rurual northwoods kids to have miles and miles of homes to trick or treat at (without having to get in the car!!). Unfortunately for this dieting mom, there is now way too many mini chocolate candy bars in the house!!!

On Sunday Ben was baptized at Church of the Apostles by our friend and pastor Chip Edgar. It was a really special event, one that Ben has been considering for some time. He chose Uncle Bryan and Aunt Kristin, and Jonathan Heidengren to be his sponsors. They, along with Rob and I commit to encourage and support Ben in his spiritual walk throughout his life. Being baptized at an Anglican service was different for us, but full of depth and spiritual significance. We celebrated the event with lunch at Moe's! We then had to sadly bid goodbye to Uncle Bryan! What a special treat to have him here!