The Great Pumpkin Carve

It's officially tradition now, this is our third year carving pumpkins with our neighbors. This year Reece and Hailey wanted to be actively involved in carving the pumpkins. As I was watching them, I was convinced we were going to have a trip to the emergency room. Somehow we had misplaced the safe pumpkin knife, so we were using steak knives. Note, it's not a good idea to let a 7 year old boy carve a pumpkin with a real knife. Twice I had to tell Reece to get his fingers off the blade of the knife as he was sawing away.

Maya and Kenzie were more concerned that they each approved of each other's pumpkins. As April and I would say, "do you want round eyes or triangle eyes?" They would look at each other for validation on their choice. You will notice, they both ended up with the same design.

I'm not sure what they are doing in the pictures below, but they sure had a good time, and that is all that matters when you are carving a pumpkin.

Hooray! I'm FINALLY and aunt.

I am the middle child of 5 kids. I chose to get married first out of all my siblings, which they did NOT agree with. They didn't like the idea because I was pretty flighty and immature, who am I kidding, I still am. Anyways, A few years later, my older brother Adrian got married. I think they have been married like 7 years now. So, in the time that they have been dating and married, I have pumped out 3 kids. They finally decided to join the ranks of parenthood, and I couldn't be any happier. I want my kids to have some cousins. I still have 3 unwed siblings, but there is hope of my kids having more cousins, my youngest brother is getting married next week.

So, here is my brand new nephew. Adrian and Julianna think they are going to name him Collin. Isn't he a doll?

He is 9lbs 8oz. 20 inches long. Wow!

Here is Julianna, what a trooper!!! Doesn't she look great?

I wish I could be out there!

Quote of the Day

"If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything. "

— Mark Twain

The costumes are ready!

After a trip to DI, my costume is complete. Michael is also going punk for Halloween, I will post a picture of us together, it will be more of a complete look. Oh, and I also don't have the tatoos on yet, I'm saving those for Halloween. You probably can't tell from the picture, but I have a nose ring and a lip ring.

Not my baby anymore!

I'm not sure what happened to my baby boy, but he looks more like a boy to me now. Luckily he still loves to snuggle and give lots of kisses!

A Great Book! The Five Love Languages

This has got to be one of the best books you could read to improve your marriage. Even if you don't think that you need to improve, I really recommend reading this. A few of my friends have read it, one of them said, "Besides the Scriptures, it has been the most influential book I have ever read." She then bought it for her mom and all her sisters.

The best part to me is, it is simple, and it works. You don't have to flip your life upside down and completely change your behavior. You first, have to become aware of your own love language and the love language of your spouse (do this by reading the book). Next, find out a few things that your spouse really appreciates. And last, you spend a few minutes a day making sure you do something to fill your spouses 'love tank'.

Michael and I laugh and joke about our 'love tanks' being full after we have done something to fill them. It seems like it is too easy to actually work, but it is working for me and my husband!

The Five Love Language's are:
Words of Affirmation
Quality Time
Physical Touch
Acts of Service
Gifts

Let me know if you have read it and what your love language is!

I am quality time, and Michael is physical touch.

Kiva-Loans that change lives

My friend Megh posted an entry on her blog about an organization called Kiva. The Frontline video I watched on it was so inspiring that I decided to check it out.

There are entrepreneurs in third world countries trying to expand their businesses, but are unable to get loans because interest rates are over 100% in their country. That is where we come in, you can be the banker and loan as little as $25, called a micro-loan. Each lender puts in a small amount to make up the total loan amount. Most of the loans needed are less than $1000, but can make such a difference by increasing production and revenue.

As a female entrepreneur, I wanted to help a fellow woman.
I read through the bio's on a bunch of the women, but I was really drawn to Djeneba Soro. Here is her bio and picture:

Denedja Soro sells fresh, exotic juices and water in the Abobo market, a populated suburb in the north of Abidjan. Djeneba has been in this business for many years to take care of her family and her children. She started her business on a very small scale. She then acquired, last year, a second-hand refrigerator with a loan from AE&I. She has since then improved her productivity and revenue. Djeneba lives with her cohabitant and their children in Abobo. She has been in the AE&I microcredit program since November 2004 and has received several loans that she has reimbursed in a very good manner.

You can find out even more about this organization by watching this Frontline episode. Or, you can go to their website at Kiva.org. This organization has also been featured on Oprah and The New York Times.