....and finally caught up!

Sweet Sisters at Jordan Creek Family Church

Why I LOVE Lindsay!!!
And I am sure she had just been telling Randy that it was "for the baby"

Michael and Sweet Reese.
The Young family recently 'left us' to move back to Omaha. We were able to have a reunion dinner last month, and as much FUN as it was, it really just left me wishing for more time with them. PLEASE MOVE BACK...or at least commute to church on Sunday mornings.

Lisi and Reesey-Piecey

Manndy, Mackenzie, Grandpa Bill, Nancy, Isabella and Lisi heading off for a nature walk

Playing Hookie

Last week was the first 'early out' for Kindergarten, and as a Mom who is missing her girl, we took full advantage of the time and went to paint pottery! Our car-pool buddy, Ellie, and her Mom, Amy, joined us (we left the younger siblings with friends~ woo hoo!!) I could have spent an entire day there, and albeit too short, it was a great afternoon.
Have I mentioned that I love being a Mom???

I Like Mike!

Tonight did it for me. I am officially supporting Mike Huckabee for President of the United States in 2008.
For the past several months I have been talking up John Cox for president, and I still think that he is a great candidate, but, unfortunately, he has not received the media attention that is needed to even let people know his name.
That said, I have been reading up on the other conservative candidates. Mark likes Fred Thompson. I am not as impressed.
I have liked everything I have read about Mike Huckabee, but quite honestly, I was afraid that he would sound like a preacher. I am all in favor of preachers, but not so sure it would play well for a president. But tonight at the Fox Republican Debates, Mike Huckabee showed me that not only are his views conservative, but his ideas are solid, he is articulate, and he has 'what it takes' to be president.
I Like Mike!!
And as if that were not enough, I learned how to vote via text message, too!!

don't ask why

In chatting with my good friend, Dara, about the day to day challenges of parenting, she said something that really resonated with me.
When your child does something wrong, don't ask "Why did you do that?"
They probably do not have a good reason as to why they did it.
That is the foundational problem we have of being born into a sinful nature. And try as we might to wish that we are all fundamentally good, the reality is that we are not. Bummer to hear that, I know. But true. As any 2 year old will demonstrate to you, if left to our own devices, we are more likely to do harm than good.
So what is a parent to do????
Instead, ask "Do you know why what you did was wrong?"
And then follow thru on the punishment.
Again, it is a bummer! What parent actually wants to do these things???
But establishing effective rules and boundaries, and then punishing the disobedience to those rules, is possibly THE key element of effective parenting.

reason to celebrate!!

Mark your calendars:
December 18th the Main Family will have not 1, but 2 girls in the Attic Door Theater production of Thank You, Santa.
Isabella has been perfectly cast as an elf named MerryThought.
Lisi will be a "life like doll".
Of course we had to stop for ice cream on the way home from getting this great news!

just sickly

If anyone reading this has been waiting for a returned phone call or e-mail from me this week, I apologize. I have just been sickly this week. Nothing horrible. Not sick enough to be bed-ridden, but sick enough that taking care of my 'mom responsibilities' has been about all that I can do. It has been about 8 days of this, and I am finally feeling better. YIPPEE!! I will do my best to get caught up with everyone this week!

R.I.P.

Last Easter our family experienced our own resurrection with our fish, Flounder. And that little fish has hung on, floated on his side, swam, rested on the bottom of his bowl, and generally astounded us for the past several months. But earlier this week, he swam no more.
Rest In Peace, Flounder.

Ribs Ain't Just For Dinner!

To know me is to know that I enjoy
*my family
*our church
*chapel day @ Des Moines Christian
and today I got all 3 rolled into 1 when Pastor Lori spoke at chapel this morning!
But let me back up a bit. When Mark and I began dating 10 years ago, he had video called Guard Your Heart, and, honestly, I thought that was the goofiest thing I had ever heard of. Never watched it. Never even asked him about it. Just thought it sounded goofy.
And then I read the book Boundaries, and again saw the phrase Guard Your Heart. It did not seem so goofy then, but I still did not really get its significance.
A couple of weeks ago I was cleaning out our video cabinet, saw that same video from 10 years ago, and began to wonder if there was something to it, but forgot all about it when tidying became my priority:)
Fast forward to this morning.
Pastor Lori spoke on the importance to Guard Your Heart. And now I get it...
As Pastor Lori so wonderfully illustrated, God gave us ribs to guard our physical heart. Because although we can live without a finger or various other body parts, without our heart, we cease to live.
And if we do not guard our heart spiritually, we will cease to live the life that God intended for each and every one of us.
So how do we develop "spiritual ribs"?
By prayer, studying God's word, worshiping God through song, giving praise to Him in all things, carefully choosing friends and friendships that honor God.
Conversely, we need to guard our hearts from unforgiveness, self-centeredness, placing money & things before our family & God, and relationships that only breed negativity.
What's the Big Idea???
Ribs Ain't Just For Dinner!
And by remembering Pastor Lori's very clever word picture of the verse, I can even recite it by memory:
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life"~ proverbs 4:23
and that may be the first full scripture I have ever memorized!

How Much Do I Really NEED????

OK, I was not going to admit to this 'challenge' I have placed upon myself. Honestly, I was too afraid of failing~ and I had not even begun! But when I mentioned it to (my favorite cousin) Heather, she immediately said that I need to blog about this. She said that someone else might be inspired to take up the challenge with me.
I guess that by blogging this, I am creating accountability. I am not sure that accountability is what I really want...
So here is the deal. I am trying, no I am going to, curb my spending for the month of October.
Whew. Wrote it. So much easier to go on now...
I am going to curb my spending for the month of October.
Groceries~ Yes.
A killer deal on a t-shirt at Target~ No.
And if you know me, you know that I am all about finding a good deal at Target:)
But for the month of October, good deal or not, I am not buying it.
Whew. I think I need to write that a few more times for it to really sink in.
I am not going to buy it.
I am not going to buy it.
I am not going to buy it.
Included in this challenge is to at the very least cut back on the number of purchases at Caribou and Starbucks. I mean, my cutie husband bought me a sweet coffee machine! I need to be using that more, and the drive thru less.
I am not going to buy it.
I am not going to buy it.
I am not going to buy it.

Aunt Matilda

Mark's Great Aunt Matilda died this past week at the age of 100.
She had been living in CA for years, but her family is bringing her home to Grinnell to be buried. The Pierce family (Mark's Dad's Mom's family) owned a farm in Grinnell. When the Interstate went thru, it divided the farm. The Pierce family donated a chunk of land to their church. It is that land that has the cemetery where Mark's Mom, Kay, is buried, and where Matilda will also be buried. And that is the church where Missy & Glenn were married 12 years ago. I have met many of these CA relatives at a family reunion (Estes Park) and just think the world of them. So we are meeting family in Grinnell for dinner tomorrow night, and then will go back for the funeral on Wednesday.
I was telling Isabella our plans, and telling her how special Matilda was (she danced the Charleston at the reunion just 5 years ago!) and how we were going to her funeral where she will be buried.
And Isabella asks me, "How can someone be buried AND go to live with Jesus?"
wow.
That sweet girl really stretches my own understanding.
But it was good to talk to her about that although on the outside she is so cute and has a left 'elf' ear like her Daddy, and a 'wonky' toe like Grandma Kay had, those things are just on the outside and will be buried when she dies.
But the person that she is on the inside~ how she cares about people, and always wants to lend a helping hand and how she loves Jesus~ that is who she is on the inside, and that is who will go to Heaven to live with Jesus.
She kind of nodded her head like she understood. My guess is that we have not finished that conversation...

e-mail from/ to GiGi

Honey, I've checked your blog several times this week and you don't seem to be doing as much blogging as usual. Have things slowed down? Or are you catching up on other things? Pls check in with me - I worry when I don't hear from you. God bless all. Love, giGi

GiGi~
Oh to have the time to blog!!! I was warned that Isabella going into Kindergarten would only speed up my life, but I truly had NO idea! Where does the time go??? Where do the days go??? (Other than getting sick as a dog last night) things have been wonderful at our house~ just so very busy. I have tons of pictures to post and alot to blog about...just no time.
I spend Monday mornings in Isabella's classroom just helping the teacher get paperwork ready for the week. I love being there:) And then Lisi and I are off and running for the rest of the week! I was SO concerned about what I was going to DO with her~ Isabella has taken such great care of her for these past 3 years! But what I have found is a Lisi-girl who I totally love:) And I can tell you that this is the LAST thing that I thought would come of Isabella going to Kindergarten. But Lisi and I just have a blast together! I even miss her when she goes to preschool 2 mornings a week! She does not nap, and that is why I am just so busy. There is no sitting down at the computer with a lonely 3 year old around:)
Tuesday mornings Lisi and I go to Mom's Group, and then usually to lunch at Happy Joes with a group of moms and kids~ CRAZY! but fun!!
Wednesdays Lisi and I stay at school and sit in on 'chapel'. It is probably my most favorite part of the week. This week Pastor Lori is speaking in chapel, but I love them all. Then Iz goes home with our friend Ellie on Wednesdays, and her mom takes them to "Sparks" at Valley Church. It is an incredible Bible program for kids. Isabella earned her Sparks vest on the 2nd night there by knowing the Pledge of Allegiance (which she learned in preschool) and knowing John 3:16 (which she sings from Bible School this summer). I am so happy for her, and PROUD of her!!
Thursday Lisi (and Colin) have preschool. I am doing an amazing study on the book of Romans Thursday mornings. Then Dara picks the kids up from preschool and keeps them for the afternoon. In theory, I have that time totally to myself, but these first few Thursdays have not panned out that way. Well, I guess we have only had 3 or 4 Thursdays with preschool, and 2 weeks ago Mark and I were traveling to Angel Fire (LOVED IT!!!), and this past Thursday Dara was sick, so I had Lisi.
Then Fridays Lisi and Colin go to preschool, and I pick them up and keep them for the afternoon. And man oh man is THAT a busy day!!!
My parents kept the girls last night, and driving them over there, I noticed my throat was really beginning to hurt. By 9pm I was just SICK, and this morning Mark took me to the drs office. Unfortunately, it is viral, and will just have to run its course. But she did give me a prescription decongestant that has made a HUGE difference. Mark took the girls to Panora to help my parents put the boat away. I slept until 3pm, and am now feeling MUCH better. Thank goodness!!!
Oh, and on Sunday afternoons Mark and I are hosting a "Life Group" for church. Generally speaking, a Life Group will have 4-5 couples who do a Bible study of some sort once a week. We switch it up every semester. So Mark and I are doing one on Love and Respect in Marriage...and we have 17 couples...with KIDS!!! YIPES!!! Total craziness, but fun! Our first session was this past Sunday, and the group voted to do a pot luck dinner every week. Thankfully I found fun plates at Target for 40cents each and just stocked up!!
Maybe I will just copy and paste this e-mail to my blog so everyone knows why I have been absent:)
I love this life that I get to live!!!

Love you,
Eeem

I love Lisi

Not much time to blog right now, but I am simply overwhelmed with love for my sweet, funny and energetic 3 1/2 year old. I just want to hold her~ squeeze her!~ and tell her over and over again how much I LOVE her!!! But she keeps wiggling out of my arms to go running off somewhere else.
Just had to share!!!

Breakfast With PaPa

So tonight I found out what my Dad gives the girls for breakfast when they are with my parents:
*pancakes
*syrup
*root beer
*gum

...and for lunch he re-heats what is left of the pancakes still sitting on their breakfast plates.
And I wondered why 'WAG' week was such a struggle?!?!?!?!?!

James 1:19

"Be quick to listen"
This is Lisi's memory verse for pre-school. Yes, a memory verse in pre-school:)
And she knows it!!
But what I am letting sink deep into my heart is the rest of the passage:

19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

The righteous life that God desires. I want that for my life!! James' words are not easy, but they are do-able.
Blessings to all of you for the righteous life that God so desires for each one of us.

W.A.G. week

ARGHHHHH!!! I have not even had a moment to blog about the AMAZING vacation Mark and I went on last weekend.
And why is that???
Because I have been surviving WAG week...Week After Grandparents.
Almost makes a Mom wonder why going away ~ alone ~ with her cutie husband was ever a good idea. Because let me assure you, 3 short days of my sweet girls never hearing the word "no" was not a good idea. ARGHHHHH!!! Have I said that already???
Prayers would be appreciated.
Someone coming to take Lisi would be even better:)

8 Years Ago Today

I married the man who makes me laugh out loud, knows just when to kiss the top of my head and tell me everything will be okay, and who blessed me with a life beyond all expectations.Amy & Mark Main @ Hoyt Sherman Place

our sweet flower girls, Mackenzie & Manndy Main
with my FUN cousins, Paige & Heather, in the background
(the only time those 2 are in the 'background', I might add!!!)

tossing the bouquet

As amazing as our wedding day was, it pales in comparison to the joy of the days and years that have followed. I have said it many times before, but here it goes again....
when you choose right, married life ROCKS!!!
I love you cutie husband!!!

more of our wedding photos are still on the photographers website
(these are not all of our wedding, but about 1/2 of them are~ ours include the photos that look like the ceremony is in a white 'chapel', a close up of me holding our wedding rings, my friend Khanh fixing the hem on my dress, the 4 kids talking, and the boy and girl standing next to cans to tie to the back of the car)

our church is just cool

...and not just because we 'made ink' in our local Juice magazine!
But it is a great article, and you can check it out here.
Better yet, you can read even more about Jordan Creek Family Church here, and join us Sunday morning at the theaters!

Play Doh recipe

I have had a request from (favorite cousin) Heather for a good homemade play doh recipe. I am going to post my 'tried and true' recipe, but if you have others, please feel free to add them to the 'comments'!
I like this one because it is (in theory) edible, and gets its color from Kool Aid.

2 1/2 c. flour
2 pkgs kool aid
1/2 c. salt
3 Tbsp oil
2 cups boiling water

Mix ingredients in order & stir.
Cool on wax paper.
Knead.
Store in air-tight container (I like ZipLock bags)

Princess Party

Isabella and Lisi were able to experience something this weekend that they will not experience in their own home...a Princess Birthday Party. The invitations included dress up shoes to wear to the party with the promise to meet Prince Charming.
So Saturday afternoon Isabella put on her finest princess clothes, Lisi dressed to be the "Palace Pixie", I loaded them onto the Royal Golf Cart and transported them across the street, to be retrieved at "6 Bells".
The Royal Golf Cart left home at 3pm and returned to bring our princess and pixie home at 6pm. (In case you 'missed' that, it was a 3 hour birthday party for a 6 year old!)

Isabella and Lisi in front of the Royal Palace bouncy house.

Princess make-up (applied by 'hired' 3rd grade girls for all 22 party goers)

The Palace Pixie (wings and all) holding her 'glass slipper'.

The girls had a GREAT time, the birthday girl did NOT have a melt-down, and the parents seemed to enjoy the afternoon as well.
This is something that just does not register with me.

Back Seat Boogie Girls

These are my carpool girls having fun, and singing songs, on the way to school...

Happy Grandparent's Day!!!

I have heard it said that grandchildren are your reward for not killing your own children as teenagers. I am so totally in love with my 2 sweet girls right now that I cannot even imagine them as teenagers, or having them drive me crazy as teenagers.
But I do know what a total blessing my own grandparents have been in my life. I love them so much, and consider each of them to be among my closest friends.
And what is REALLY cool about blogging about them on Grandparent's Day is that each and every one of them will be able to see this post as I have the most computer literate grandparents ever!
How cool is THAT?!?
I should also mention that my girlfriend, Jena, is the one who inspired me to write this grandparents post. Her's is so beautiful. She is so beautiful. How did I get great family and great friends???

Lisi, Grammy, Papa (my parents)& Isabella
@ a family wedding 2 years ago

Lisi, Grandpa Bill (Mark's Dad) & Isabella this summer.
I need to do an entire post about Mark's Mom, Grandma Kay.
Oh how I miss her every day.

GiGi & The Great One (my Dad's parents) @ a family wedding last month. They have been married 61 years!!! (and had their wedding reception at Hoyt Sherman place, as did Mark and I.)

GiGi gets double billing with this pix of Isabella.
I just think it is sweet:)

The Greats (my Mom's parents).

When I think of going 'home', I think of their home on Horseshoe Drive. They have lived there since 1954. I just love them so very much. My grandpa will be 95 this winter, and has put his 'life history' on the computer. He cannot see well, so my grandma has been his 'eyes' for this endeavor. I am not sure it has been her favorite way to spend time, but I so admire both of them for a) the desire to do it (grandpa), and
b) the computer-literate ability to do it (grandma).

Like I said, my grandparents just inspire me.
Not pictured, but equally as special to our family are my step-mom, Grandma Jill, and her mom, Great-Grandma Jackson. Each of these women (along with Great Grandpa Jackson) absolutely welcomed me into their lives and their families when I was just 5 years old. It was Jill who was first 'crafty' with me and took me to paint pottery looooong before it was 'cool' to paint pottery. Now she shares her love of doll houses and miniatures with Isabella and Lisi.
It has been such a blessing to me in my own life to learn that kids can never be loved by too many people:)
I so totally appreciate what grandparents and great grandparents contribute to our family today.
Happy Grandparent's Day
...now go call your own grandparents:)

Every Move I Make

Have I mentioned how I enjoy carpooling???
Having Ellie be in the 'pool' just adds to the fun:)
Anyway, this morning was just SO much fun as we were driving to school, and I looked back, and I had 3 sweet girls singing "Every Move I Make I Make In You, Jesus!"
And if that is not the best way to start out the day, I don't know what is:)

OK, "Big Fish" with motions was alot of fun, too!!!

Jakester, this one is for you!

This morning Lisi and I were just hangin' and decided to go read books at the bookstore.
Lisi picked lots of Dora books, but I found my new favorite.
And I think that Jakester will agree, it is "pants-tastic"!

SunRise Alarm Clock

I am going to stray from bragging on our sweet girls to mention how AWESOME it is to have a sunrise alarm clock. I have had one in the past, stopped using it, gave it to my friend when I thought it would be of help to her, and then decided that maybe I should be using it again. This new one has a few new features that are really nice, but basically the same concept as what I have had.
It has a globed light on the top of the alarm clock, and 30 minutes before the alarm is set to go off, the light gradually begins to brighten your room.
It mimics the sun rising!
So when the alarm does go off, the bedroom is nice and 'sunny', and therefore so much easier to get out of bed.
Just thought I would share!!!

oh glorious vacation

...from PARENTHOOD

My parents took Isabella and Lisi to Lake Panorama for the weekend, and Mark and I have enjoyed a vacation in our own home. And if you have young children at home, I think you will agree that is a glorious vacation.
Highlight of the weekend: we were invited to a BBQ at the Patterson's last night, and we were the only people without kids, and we were able to have a conversation! Actually, several conversations throughout the evening. When everyone else fixed a plate of food for their kids, cleaned up messy mouths, and changed kids in and out of swimsuits, Mark and I enjoyed our dinner and the company around us. IT WAS SO WONDERFUL!!!
But the girls should be home in (approximately) 3 hours and 33 minutes, and I am really ready to put some fun back into our family:)

pony & cowgirl

notice the 'bit and bridle' in the pony's mouth. love the authenticity and imagination!

Lisi's 1st Day of PreSchool

It was a difficult decision to move Lisi from Mrs Van's pre-school class to Des Moines Christian. We had just had a FABULOUS 4 years at our previous pre-school! But because I am a bit of a lazy mom, I finally decided that my convenience out-weighed the needs of my 3 year old, and we opted to send Lisi to the same school as Isabella.
OH MY GOODNESS is this a case for being a lazy mom!!!
LOVE the pre-school, too!
I really should not be acting this surprised. Lisi's classroom is just 3 doors down from Isabella's Kindergarten room. Lisi, too, gets to say 'good morning' to Principal Lambert on her way into school.
And after opening the classroom door and walking in Friday morning, I learned that the teachers will open the door to let the students in after they are done praying before beginning each school day. (A slightly embarrassing way to learn that teachers pray, but a good discovery none the less.)
I also do not think that I have yet blogged about how much I LOVE carpooling. I have wanted to carpool since Isabella was born. Just sounded like a real 'MOM' thing to do:) And man oh man did we luck out by hookin' up with Ellie. She is so darn sweet!!! I have also wanted to be a HomeRoom Mom since Isabella was born, but that will have to be its own blog post:)
These pix are of Lisi finding her own name and putting it in the treasure chest. And how cute is this: she wants to be "Elise" at school! But when I called her Elise after picking her up from school on Day #2, she corrected me and told me that I am to call her "Lisi".
Then she hangs up her backpack, and finds a place to PLAY!
What more could a girl ask for???

Class of 2020

Isabella is sitting 3rd from the end on the far right.
Go Lions!!!

Chapel Day

I have 2 favorite aspects of Des Moines Christian. Well, no, 3.
First~ a Biblical and Christ centered curriculum and school day. We strive for that in our family and in our daily life, and now that Isabella is somewhere other than with our family 35 hours a week, it is important that her school environment jives with our family life. Even writing that, I am surprised at just how important this has become to me, but it really is important.
Second~ Principal Lambert and Dr. Stouffer greet each child, every morning, as they enter the building. The day I took Awnna to school last year and I saw this, it really convicted me as to just how different this environment would be from our local school district. And now, even Lisi looks forward to it!
Third~ Chapel Day. Every Wednesday is Chapel Day, and every student and teacher wears their school polo shirt, khaki pants, a belt, and shirt tucked in. There are more than 360 elementary students @ DMCS, and all of them file into the commons area, sit quietly, and participate in a 30 minute chapel time. This week was the first Chapel Day of the school year, and it was mostly a welcome back/ introduction time. But last year the girls and I sat in on a Chapel Day when Pastor Lori spoke. Again, I was so convicted as to just how special this environment is. This week Dara and I were the only parents who stayed for Chapel (with Colin and Lisi, too), but I think that Lisi and I will be there most Wednesdays. It is a fun and encouraging time for me, too!

SCHOOL LUNCH

Lisi and I joined Isabella for lunch on Monday. It has been many years since I have eaten lunch at school, but I think I will be doing it often for the next several years. So much fun!!!
Those of you who know us, know that my sweet girls are pretty picky eaters, so I was curious how 'school lunch' was going to go. Happy to report, so far, so good! Maybe a bit unconventional, but good. Cold pepperoni, raw baby carrots and string cheese. And much to Isabella's delight...chocolate milk!
Lisi was so happy to see Adele at lunch, too:)

Quote from Lisi

"Momma, I have a pwrobwum.
And it is not a good pwrobwum."

Jordan's "Buddy Walk"

Saturday was a really fun and special day for our family. It was our local "Buddy Walk" to raise awareness for Down's Syndrome, and it was our privilege to be there with Jordan and her family. We were joined by our friends Anne & Mia, as well as the Singleton family.
I have to say, I did not expect all that had been prepared for the morning! Not only was there the walk, but there were craft stations, face painting, an inflatable slide and 'bouncy houses'. It was so much fun!!!
Oh, and there was also the BEST tasting Kettle Korn that I have ever eaten, and it was provided by Poppin Joes from Kansas City. You really need to check out this website, read about Joe, and then choose to purchase popcorn and gifts from Poppin Joes. I don't know that I have ever been that bold on this blog, but it is stories like this that truly make America great and full of possibilities!
But back to my friend, Jordan. She was so very happy at 'her' walk yesterday, and we were so very happy to be a part of her day!!!

Slumber Party!!!

What was I thinking???
We LOVE having our friend, Mia, spend the night with us, but this past Friday night, the girls were having SUCH a great time playing 'cruise ship going to Alaska' in our bedroom, that when Isabella asked if they could all sleep in our room, and "Mommy and Daddy sleep somewhere else", I said YES!?!? What was I thinking???
For better or for worse, the plan did not come to full fruition. We started bedtime at 8pm, but by 10pm, each of the 3 girls was sleeping in a different room, and we all (kind of) got some sleep:)

New Clothes For School

Grammy was bitten by the 'back to school' bug, too, and found her remedy at Von Maur. Love That!!! Flowers and horses were her theme, and Isabella was thrilled!! The first pix is of 2 new skirts, and the 2nd pix is of pants embroidered with pink horses...does it get any better than that???
The 3rd pix is of Isabella wearing her Des Moines Christian Kindergarten t-shirt. All of the Kindergarten students got one in the mail late this summer, and were asked to wear it on the 2nd day of school. It was really cute to see ALL of them headed into school Thursday morning:)
So far, school and Isabella are a perfect match.

Wickedly Cute

If you cannot read the writing on the tee, double click on the picture to see it better because truer words have never been written! Again, thank you, Grammy!!!
This outfit, however, was all Mommy's doing. I usually do not buy 'outfits' for my girls. They pick clothes for their own unique 'creations' anyway. But this one I splurged on...down to the shoes. And I am now inspired to continue spending way to much effort and money on cute girl clothes...I am lovin' how sweet she looks!!!

KINDERGARTEN

Grandma Jill got THIS party started with a cookie bouquet just for the 1st day of school....how great is that???
Isabella was SO excited to be in school that I could barely keep up with her to take this picture!
Friends from the start~ Our friend, Adele, is also in Isabella's class!!

Contrary to what I (and probably everyone who knows me) thought, I made it through taking my baby to Kindergarten without a tear. It was just so much FUN!! And Isabella was so VERY excited!!! Mark stayed home from work this morning and went with us to take her to the 1st day of school, and that was a really special treat:)
I have already painted Lisi's finger and toe nails since we got home, and now I am all out of ideas on just how to entertain her without her sister here. Isabella has done just a great job of that for the past 3 years! Now we are off to meet Angela, Dara and kids for lunch....can we do that every day for the next 9 months???

Mr & Mrs Joshua Smith

My cousin, Megan Miller, got crazy this past weekend, and became a Smith! I have only met Josh a few times, but I totally approve. What a great guy!!!


At the reception, they also honored the couple that had been married the longest, and it was a tie between GiGi & TGO, and Josh's grandparents...61 years!!!
As I have told so many friends before, when you choose right, married life ROCKS!!!
...and I definitely chose right:)