HOORAY!!!

I just got the call that sister Alli has passed the bar and is an official Texas lawyer - watch out criminals, here she comes!!!

Happy Halloween

I know I'm many days late in doing this but at least I remembered to do it at all!  We had a very fun Halloween this year with our next door neighbors, Doug, Lori and 3 year old Sophie (aka Foofie).  I didn't think ahead on the costume so Izzy just wore the princess dress that her Mimi bought in Beaumont.  It originally came with a wand and princess shoes but these didn't make it outside for trick-or-treating.  Next year I'm going to get a costume that is warm on it's own without needing extra coat, pants, long-sleeved shirt, etc.  She ended up looking more like a mentally deranged psych patient than a princess but I still have the "she's too young to remember" card so I'm not too worried.  Our neighborhood is older and most of the kids that do live here go to the nicer, richer neighborhoods to trick-or-treat (I guess they have better candy) so Izzy and Sophie were the only kids that we saw out that night.  Also, no one came to our house so we have a LOT of extra candy and not everyone is doing there fair share in disposing of it, I'm having to carry that burden mostly on my own:)  Fun times!

ps the picture with regular clothes is just a play date but I liked the butterfly wings so there it is

Alli's wedding

Alli's wedding weekend was a blast.  I am so happy I don't have to have another wedding because it is stressful being the bride, much more fun being the sister of the bride.  Everything went really well and I know they are having a great time with their Jamaican honeymoon.  I don't have enough pictures, the professional took most of them and I was busy with other stuff.  Here is what I have.  

Fancy

Goodness, it has been way too long since I wrote in this thing.  I have new pictures so that has inspired me to write, at least a little.  We spent last weekend in Beaumont for Alli's wedding.  She is now Allison Jenkins, wife of Luke Jenkins.  There are gorgeous pictures of Alli but the pics today are of my Izzy.  There are many different ways to be fancy and I think Iz has hit all of them! One of these is a little risque (sp?) but I couldn't resist...

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?