Life has been busy. I finally feel like we are starting to get a routine down. It's nice to feel like things aren't always chaotic. Isaac and Isabella are both growing so fast. Isabella is such a helper. She tries to help whenever Isaac is fussy. When he is crying she points to where he is and heads that way. If she sees his pacifier she picks it up and brings it to us, and when he cries she goes to him and pats his head or tummy and talks to him. It is so adorable. He usually will calm down if she is next to him....well until she tires to sit on him or poke his eyes or nose. :) Isaac has a very different temperament than Isabella did. He is more fussy unless you are holding him. He loves to cuddle. He has started to mimic some facial expressions if you are up close and have his attention, and he has started to smile at us. I love his smile!! It reminds me of Harrison Ford for some reason.
We try and stay active and get out of the house several times a week. The community center by us has an indoor gym with lots of toys for kids Isabella's age. Its fun to go to that a few times a week so that Isabella can play with new things and meet new kids. My ward has a play group that meets once a week that we go too. I love getting together with other moms and having some adult conversation while our kids entertain themselves!
We are really enjoying Portland. I feel like the Lord has really blessed me. I am a social person and need friends to hang out with. Since we have moved here I have made so many friends! I have a few girlfriends that I can go shopping with or just hang out and chat with . I have the moms from the ward. Just recently I started taking the kids to a new park where I met lots of women with young kids. I met 2 in particular that had kids Isabella's exact age. We started chatting and soon decided to try and get together on a regular basis. We met a few more times at the park and became fast friends. Now I have another play group for Isabella and friends to go do stuff with . They are active as well so we have lots of fun trips to the Children's museums and zoo planned. They know all the good stuff to do while the rainy season is here. I feel so so blessed because the Lord knew that I needed friends especially while Stan was so busy. All these ladies have been an answer to wishes from the heart. I love when the Lord blesses you even before you think to ask.
Last weekend we were lucky enough to have ALL of Stan's family and my mom here for Isaac's blessing. We had a fun weekend listening to conference and visiting. We had a chance to go see the Rose Gardens but like a typical fall day in Portland got rained out at the end. Isabella and cousin Emma loved playing in the fountain. I had so much fun watching these to interact. I just wish lived closer to cousins so they could know each other better.
Saturday night was a blast. The guys stayed home and cooked dinner and watched all the kids while the girls went shopping. It was so fun shopping with Jo and both mom's. I miss having my sisters around to go shopping with. Well since this is the first time we had all been together for a while Jo took pictures. It was a blast. Check them out on her blog
www.photographybyjo.com Stanley gave Isaac a wonderful blessing on Sunday. There was such a sweet spirit in our home (yes we blessed Isaac in our home.) We are so blessed to have wonderful children who help bring us closer to the Lord.
School is going well for Stanley and he is already beginning to study for his board exams next summer. Crazy! Fall has begun here so the trees are starting to turn beautiful yellows and oranges. I love living where there are actual seasons.
