Go, Pirates

Izzy's rooting for her favorite team.

Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa, for the Pirates sweatshirt.

TV-Watching Pose

Watching ESPN's College Game Day.

This might be Izzy's favorite position for watching TV. She has trouble sitting down and concentrating on a show -- big surprise (thanks for that trait, daddy).

Izzy Shuffle

Dance party at our house last night. Sweet moves, Izzy. (Please excuse the crummy singing.)

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

The Iz has been learning Bible verses at preschool and already has 5 memorized.

Don't know about you, but I had exactly zero verses memorized when I was 2.

Pumpkins!!

Why do these big orange things amuse us so much? Not sure, but I love pumpkins and so does Izzy. We had fun picking up all the pumpkins yesterday, all 8 of them as she counting them in the car on the way home. Good grief. Huge ones, medium ones, cannonballs and babies...lots of sizes. In a few weeks, we will carve them, while watching Charlie Brown's The Great Pumpkin. I should say, Chris will carve. I am not sure why, but carving them out is not fun for me. I like to cook the seeds and eat them, but all the carving and "gutting" if you will is way too much work.

Mom, the sun is too bright for this photo op.....seriously, get me down.

A New Season

Today has been a weird day, so I wanted to record my thoughts quickly as my mind moves to new things in a heartbeat and I will forget everything all together. While at work today (yes, at work), I got on facebook to see what everyone was up too as I have not been on in months. I see and look at what everyone is doing and realize how much I have missed, babies being born, people getting new jobs, people moving and traveling and becoming friends with people I haven't seen in ages. It sorta got me for a minutes, because the memories of all of these people slowly fade until you are reminded of them again. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love people and making relationships. There are those that you wished could have worked out or those you are still wondering what happened. I guess I say all of this to saw that I miss a lot of people out there. I miss the memories, which seem to fade all too quickly. I hate that. Why can't I remember everything for always? I think God forgot to add that part to my brain when I was created. I have a few friends that remember EVERYTHING, I mean everything...it is truely amazing. Hm. Maybe I am just homesick for the Northwest.

I logged onto John Eldredge's blog as I try to do every once and a while as he has some great things to say. Check him out here. http://www.ransomedheartblog.com/john/ His most recent post sort of brought it home for me today. He was talking about memories. The end of his recent post is this that meant so much. I need to work on spending more time with the friends that I have and linger in the memory. Life passes us by all too quickly and then we forget, get out of meeting together and so on. Someone told me this once and I wish I could "remember" who, but they said, "You are never to busy for friends...whether it be a phone call, letter or email." Let's face it folks, its true. So, from John:

"Which brings me back to memory. I’m beginning to realize that I do not take advantage of this gift from God, this capacity that enable me to “linger at the table” in the moments of life I long to draw more out of. For they are always with me, and I can return there if I will make room for a moment to do so."

To all my friends, I miss you and love you! Jayci

Student of the Month

Guess who got Student of the month for her Busy Bee class? That's right, Izzy did. On the middle rightside, bottom pumpkin is her name. I don't think she has a clue, but I told her that she has been doing a good job in her class, etc. She has two other kids in her class and they all have fun together learning so much stuff during the day. They spend extra time on Bible verses and stories. Izzy now knows and can say 6 bible verses. You go girl. Her favorite might be, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalms 139:14. She will just approach people and tell people this one. It is pretty cute. They usually just shake their heads yes to her. So, she brings home the cards with the verses and we practice every night and recite them all. One of these days, we will get it on video. I know her Poppie would love to hear her say these.

Esther

Oh, the excitement and goosebumps I get when I type this is overwelming. I just started week one of Beth Moore's Esther Bible Study and I know I am in for a ride like no other. It is tough being a woman...yes, it is. Going up against heavyweights bent on her destruction, Esther trusted God and landed a blow that saved her people. The Old Testament story of Esther is a profile in courage and contains many modern parallels for today's woman. Esther's destiny can be yours as you know more deeply the God who is in your corner.

If you have never done a Beth Moore study....whoa mama! YOU NEED TOO....that is if you want to be changed, moved, tapped on the shoulder by the Holy Spirit (some people don't like that....aka conviction)

It's not too late..if you want to join us, please do. We would LOVE to have you. There are about 30 of us and it is going to be a blast.

GOD IS WORKING IT OUT!