Remlinger Farm

Yesterday afternoon we took a trip to the Remlinger Farm for their fall festival.  Jimmy saw this place on a random bike ride and so decided on a whim to go.  It was awesome!  We've been to pumpkin patches before but this place had so much stuff.  It was also a gorgeous day to be outside and we are so aware of the sunny days because we are afraid of the endless rainy days in our future ;)  There were pony rides, train rides, a huge slide and those little cars that go on a rail so Izzy could pretend she was driving!  My favorite part was the yummy popcorn and apple pie.  I miss Texas but I have to admit that living in a place with an actual autumn is magical, I think it's becoming my favorite season.

The Shack

I read a book called "The Shack" over the last 3 days and it was so awesome that I wanted to write a quick note about it urging everyone to read.  It is seriously life changing.  I've never read a more beautiful description of God, the Trinity, the relationship that God longs to have with us, and how simple and joyful a relationship with God can be.  WARNING - the book deals with tragedy and will make you cry!  Get through the first half and the second half gets easier, more tears of joy than sadness at the end.  I bought my book at Target but it is also at Barnes & Noble, Amazon and there is a website, www.theshackbook.com.  I would love to know what you think after you read it so let me know.

MOPs

Hooray for MOPs!  Mother's of Preschoolers is a Christian based mom organization with groups all over the place.  Every other week during the school year the moms get together (child care provided) and do crafts or listen to speakers and just get to know each other better.  My mom told me about it a long time ago but I never joined because of work and laziness. This summer I was desperate to meet mom friends and so I contacted the leader of a local MOPs group meeting at the church we had been attending.  I met Loren at a park play date and later that afternoon had agreed to be a table leader!  Today was our second MOPs meeting and I remembered to bring a camera and take a couple of pictures.  I didn't remember to take pictures when the whole table was together or when Izzy was in her class, I'll try to remember next time.  Different tables take turns bringing food to the meetings.  Izzy favorite part is the cookie after class and before we go home.  Also notice the lovely art work she is holding - not that I'm partial but have you ever seen such a lovely whatever-it-is?

Super Izzy

So we've began the process of potty training.  Izzy is pleased to do her business in the big potty when I ask her to but hasn't shown any initiative to go on her own.  This is not a big deal.  We aren't in any hurry and I'm happy for her to go at her own pace.  The only thing is that we were at Target the other day and they have really cute toddler girl undies - Hello Kitty, Little Mermaid, Cinderella - Mommy had to buy some of these cute tiny undies.  Of course I'm not going to let her really wear them with no other protection yet but the pictures show our solution.  You can't buy a girl something and not let her wear it, right?  Note that she is wearing about 5 pairs at one time, if one is good then 5 is great!  I think she looks like a super hero.

Our little climber

Well, she might not be much on talking but Isabelle really likes to climb. I haven't been blogging and I feel like I should so this one is dedicated to pics of our amazing acrobat!  Izzy is basically fearless when it comes to ladders, slides, swings or anything with finger holds.  She gets a thrill out of being way up high and doesn't seem at all bothered at the possibility of falling.  I hope she keeps this courageous and adventurous spirit throughout her life and doesn't let fear keep her down!

Tag

This is a tag from Erin's blog.  I don't know if I can do all of these but I'll try...

7 things I want to do before I die:

Raise a family that loves the Lord

Visit Italy, New Zealand, Egypt, France, Australia, Japan, China (there are more...)

Sell that darn DC house

Take an American and World history course (I think I forgot it all)

Try to water ski

Cook well

Learn to enjoy more and worry less

7 things I can do:

Clean

Listen

Sing to my baby

Worship God

Cook well enough

Pray

Read fast

7 things I can't do:

Cook well and enjoy the process

Stay up late

Understand our taxes

Run and like it

Like riding in the car when my husband is driving his way

Speak/Understand another language (what happened to all the years of French?)

Eat seafood and enjoy it

7 things that attract me to Jimmy:

Puts God first

Adventurous spirit

Love for his wife and daughter

Kind and sensitive heart

Dedicated and really good at his job

Still likes video games and sci-fi movies

Understands my moods and moodiness

Pushes me to be a better person

(I know I put 8 but he's worth it!)

7 things I say most often:

No

Put that down

Izzy, I said NO

Nuks are for sleeping (trying to wean her from pacifier)

Uh Oh, what happened?

Please slow down and drive nice (when my husband is driving)

Jimmy, will you....... (this could be considered nagging by some but I like to think of it as kind and thoughtful requests :))

7 Celebrity crushes from childhood:

Christian Slater

Zach Morris (real name?)

Kirk Cameron

the Walberg guy from New Kids

Johnny Depp

Vanilla Ice (real name?)

guy from "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken"

7 people to tag:

Alli

Jennifer

Wendy

Donna

Traci

Dori

Gammy and Papa

Last week we had a great visit with Gammy and Papa (Jimmy's dad and step-mom). They had not been to Seattle before so we were able to show them tourist sites like Mt. Rainer, the Space Needle, Pike's Place Market and then non-tourist sites like the dog park.  We all had a wonderful time and look forward to more family visits!