It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Here are some photos documenting some developments, including little..er...big? Linc, and Christmas activities that I have tried very hard to "wrap up" before I get TOO BIG! Living Water Church, where we believe we will stay, is sending out Christmas shoe boxes for children in war-torn countries (Samaritan's Purse), and I have to tell you that I love any excuse to shop for toys. It's the kid in me. Below is Wendy (very obediently) allowing me to pack and seal these boxes of goodies for other kids. Of course, when she saw the purple Barbie, she told me she's going to put "purple Barbie" in her letter to Santa. Note to self---get that purple Barbie before they sell out! Oh! James is taking Wendy with him to WalMart, so I just asked him to sneak that doll in the basket. Yay James!
The other night, I affixed Disney Princess nails to Wendy's fingertips, and she loved them! Until one fell off that is. Then she was all tears!

Behold...her first school portrait. I used sponge curlers that morning...Worked like a charm!
I assembled 17 of these for James' coworkers. Pillar candles with candies in festive tin buckets, tied up with ornaments. James will take them in after Thanksgiving. Again, I love any excuse to shop!
Wendy's picture with Santa from this week! 'Got out them curlers again. Couldn't help myself.

Yup, and I've wrapped all my Christmas gifts already too. HAD to! I'm almost too big to save it for later!

Family Update

I love my James. He's such a sweet man. Last night, he was going to go for a jog, but Wendy ran up to him and said, "Daddy, do you want to have a tea party with me?" and of course, in his work clothes, with his work badge still attached to his belt loop, he shuffled into our kitchen, got out the tea pot, the gummy snacks, and crouched down at her teensy IKEA table and chairs, and they partied. Around the two of them were Pooh Bear (of COURSE!), two dolls and other little "friends." James named them all. They took turns and used "please" and "thank you." He always uses their tea parties as a chance to reinforce good manners. Another thing he and Wendy do together is Playdough, and jogs in the jogging stroller, and watching the fishies swim around in their tanks at WalMart. Yup, I am blessed to have married a wonderful man.
Now, back to other news, Wendy news, as if I have any other kind of news--She's been her usual chatty self. She often asks me in public, the moment she spots a victim, "Mommy, Can I talk to strangers because I'm with you?!" I say, "Yes," and she then turns to the unsuspecting man or woman and says, "Hi! What's YOUR name?" It's actually a neat sort of social experiment that I get to observe because you'd be surprised how DIFFERENT folks out there are! Some adults are hesitant to speak to her. Weird. Some are bubbling over with interest in her and sweetness. I like those folks best of course. If she gets sort of blown off, she turns to me and says, "She's busy, right Mama?!" I hope the world is going to be kind to my Wendy. She's so young now, so innocent, and there are meanies out there, so I hope she is blessed to retain her good nature while also developing a strength that will uphold her in the face of rejection or outright cruelty. I wish I could be her shield forever. I hope SHE stays kind as well. I know how important it is for us to pray for our childrens' salvation in the Lord, that they may never know a day apart from the otherworldly comfort, protection and influence of the Holy Spirit within them.
Well, we miss my folks terribly, but they'll be back the 15 for the birth of Linc! Woo HOO! Below are pics of the rest of my folks' time here with us.

Fun with Folks!

My folks have been visiting since the 29th and we've done quite a bit already! Below is Wendy, half-dressed for her school picture day! I'd curled her hair with sponge curlers, and she looked like Shirley Temple! She loves to climb on Granddaddy!

I love her as Curly Sue!

Last night I made verde salsa chicken enchiladas, and they were so-so, but the other night, I made this pecan-crusted chicken, and it was the bomb! It was not ME, so I'm not bragging or anything, it was this amazing recipe. E-mail me if you want it.

Halloween Day!

Portland City Grill....Mmmmmmmmm. Rebeccah watched Wendy for us!

OMSI Imax, Bugs.

Right before the show...

Playing at her table....Instead of eating.

Morning Play Date with Luke --Check out the Mommy Bumps!

Now I'm fixin' to get Wendy ready for our trip to Timberline Lodge, where we'll spend the night tonight. I bet this will be a neat experience!

Happy Holloween!

Happy Halloween Y'all!!!

Wendy had a ball trick-or-treating with her friend, Rowan, and Anna Marie. She looks a little uncertain that the creepy green alien is really Anna's big brother, Cole!Yes, we've gotten lots of mileage out of this princess dress that Mimi got for Wendy. Below are two pics from Disney on Ice the Saturday before.

And she got to wear her get-up in Camas for Boo Bash as well. That was fun.

She loved the attention she got from Mickey Mouse.