Christmas Eve 2009.

Ever since creating this blog, nearly 4 years ago, I have loved chronicling all our adventures here ... especially our holidays. But this year, I have really slacked on the Christmas sharing. And perhaps you are not feeling as though you are missing out on anything (admit it!) - but because I basically use this blog as a substitute for any kind of tangible family scrapbook - I am now going to write a few posts in reflection of our 2009 Christmas joys.

Let's begin with Christmas Eve ... one of my favorite days of the year. The day is filled with such wonderful anticipation for the morning to follow ... and includes some of our most cherished holiday activities/traditions. Each year, I write a list of all the activities that we want to accomplish before bedtime. Usually Daddy doesn't come home from work until mid-afternoon, so we wait till he joins us before we begin accomplishing our Christmas Eve "to-do" list. (Everything is better when we are all a part of it :)

This years list looked much as the same as previous years. And it went exactly like this:

* Make brownies for Santa

* Make Reindeer food

* Make mixed drinks for Mama & Daddy / chocolate milk for Isaac

* Go out to the barn to see if the goats can talk

* Take showers & put on fresh jammies

* Take pic by the tree

* Start pot roast in crock pot

* Wrap Daddy's gifts from Isaac

* Get Bobo & Poppy's gifts ready for morning

* Change bed linens

* Hop into bed and read all our favorite Christmas books together

* Sleep so Santa will come.

Isaac and I made the above list together. And we checked it often to make sure we were on track. The brownies Isaac made for Santa were organic ... because we are just that cool. And the Reindeer food was a recipe that Isaac created from scratch ... a mixture of oats, cut carrots, magic flying dust (sparkles) and loads of maple syrup. We placed the food carefully under an outdoor light so the Reindeer would be sure to see it glisten. Then we paid a visit to the barn to see if Emily & Me were going to talk to us --- as animals have been reported to do on Christmas Eve. Aside from the "Maa-ing" - they were mute. Once inside, the mixed drinks put Daddy right to sleep. Isaac and I took showers and then put on some snuggly, new jammies. Daddy fell asleep in whatever clothes he wore that day. Isaac took his customary pictures by the tree (yes, that is the "Charlie Brown tree" that we cut from our front yard - by far my fave Christmas tree ever). After 12+ hours in the crock pot, I was told that the pot roast was good ... but I didn't eat it, so I have no idea. All gifts were wrapped this year (kudos to Mommy - I think this is a first) - with the exception of a gift Daddy forgot in the car. Isaac and I read all our fave books with wonder and delight at what was to come for us in the morning --- from good 'ole Saint Nick. Oh yes ... and the sheets were changed prior to Daddy's belly flop onto the bed ... So ALL Got Done!

Oh, and Daddy even started a new tradition that will now be listed on our Christmas Eve "to-do" lists for years to come. He created a fireworks display outside in the snow ... just for us ... even though the area cop parks right across the street every night in an attempt to catch speeders. As soon as the fireworks were over - we ran inside as fast as we could to avoid detection. Good Christmas fun, I say!

We even got a picture of Isaac's missing front teeth!

Christmas Eve rocked. It was just the three of us ... oh so cozy and in love with one another ... and it felt so darn good. I love this family of mine ... and every year I am reminded that before Isaac came along ... there were years and years that all I wanted for Christmas was a child ... my child ... and he is here. Every year now, I receive the same gift over and over again ... the gift of being Isaac's Mommy ... and of sharing all these wonderful joys with him and his Daddy.

I hope you all felt the warmth and beauty of your own families & traditions this year ... and for the new year to come.

xoxo,

Jodi

Merry Christmas!

Thanks to Daddy for taking this pic with his Blackberry .... after Isaac said, "Daddy, Can you please take a pic of me loving Mama?". That's my boy :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!

xoxo,

Jodi & Family

Christmas Gift #3 : (For My Blog Readers)

When George begins to figure it all out ... gets me every time ...

You can watch the whole movie on YouTube: here. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night.

xoxo,

Jodi & Family

Christmas Gift #2: (For My Blog Readers)

Love,
Jodi

Christmas Gift #1 : (For My Blog Readers)

Love,
Jodi

P.S. You should see Isaac break dance to this. He rocks this one out :)

Goody Bags for the Ronald McDonald House of Bangor.

Every year at Christmas, our little family of 3 looks for ways in which to specifically help our community. We certainly do what we can all year through --- but in an effort to show Isaac that Christmas is truly about giving to others --- we look for ways to give in a meaningful and personal way.

This year, we decided to create craft "goody" bags for the children who stay at the Ronald McDonald House of Bangor. This was partly Isaac's idea --- as he suggested we do something to help children. I told him what the Ronald McDonald House was all about --- and he was all for it. (He also wanted to continue our tradition of visiting the Maine Veterans Home on Christmas Day --- which we plan to do as well).

So --- after speaking with the Director of Volunteers at the House --- we decided to create goody bags full of fun crafting kits and craft supplies to be distributed to the children staying at the home. For the most part, these bags will be distributed to siblings of children who are receiving medical attention at the nearby Eastern Maine Medical Center. Last year, 300+ families were served by the Home. Though we are not currently able to create as many bags as could be distributed within a given year, we pledged to the home that we would not only make as many as we could at this time, but that we would do our best to replenish them as needed (a wonderful way to give Isaac a charitable focus throughout the year).

My Mom and I shopped for goodies to include in the bags --- mostly at JoAnn's and Mardens --- and as we did, we tried to imagine how these siblings must feel --- perhaps scared for their brother/sister, a bit lonely because Mom & Dad are so focused on the child in need, etc. It made the shopping meaningful --- and we would get giddy when we found goodies that we imagined would delight the children involved --- and help to keep their minds occupied with positive thoughts.

After all the shopping was done, I asked a few friends to help put the bags together --- and sweet, sweet Katrina and her Mom, BJ, came by the studio to help organize the bags. They did a perfect job. Katrina put herself in the mind frame of a child going through a difficult time, and put the bags together with much love.

My lovely friend Katie also joined us (with her baby Max in utero!) --- wrapping presents for the Maine Veterans Home (I will post about this later). She was a huge help --- wrapping all manner of 2010 calendars for the men and women of the Veterans Home (a special request by the staff).

Isaac and his fave girl, Sydney, were also involved --- entertaining each other with crafts and silliness while the rest of us worked on wrapping and organizing. They had a great time --- which allowed Mom to get much done :)

Now, we look forward to bringing the finished bags to the Ronald McDonald House. Though we won't witness any children using the goodies in these bags --- I imagine that the gifts will be received with smiles by both the children and their parents. And hopefully --- in some small way --- these bags will help these families in their healing.

Thank you to the Ronald McDonald house for everything they do! And thanks to my Mom and friends for all their assistance and good Karma :)

Love,

Jodi

The Studio - so far.

There was a time, seemingly long ago, when I posted to this blog daily. Since deciding to open my own photography studio --- well --- not so much. And I miss it. Heck, I miss alot of things now that my life has taken this new direction --- but it is all good. Truly.

Last night we celebrated the holidays with a Holiday Open House & Craft Fair at Studio 36. It was simply wonderful! We had 9 vendors selling and trading their wares --- many, many lovely friends and family members dropped by to purchase goodies, eat cookies and share conversation --- new friendships were formed --- and the children enjoyed one another almost as much as the endless bowls of cookies. It was a great night. (Thank you to all who came!).

It was such a fun night that I had no time to photograph it. I am bummed about that. But you will just have to trust me --- it was a really great time.

I do however, have some pics to share of Halis and Isaac modeling for me at the studio so that I could play with my new lighting equipment:

Believe me, I see the "issues" with some of the above pics ... and am still working on mastering my new lighting equipment. And thanks to my men ... I will always have willing models to help me get it right.

Next week, several of my young friends are coming together at the studio to organize some gifts for our local Ronald McDonald House and our Maine Veterans Home. Hopefully I will remember to take pictures :)

Have a great weekend! And thanks for reading.

Love,

Jodi

Please Help Make My Christmas Wish Come True.

It is the cheapest gift you could give ... truly. Just follow the link below and type in "04401" for the zipcode. Isaac, Halis and I would be so thrilled if this movie came to our town (as would many others I am sure).

View all Bangor events on Eventful

THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH!

Love,
Jodi

The Blind Side.

Every time I watch the following trailers, I cry. Truly. Ask my husband. And I haven't even seen the movie yet ...

I cry because:

* I am an adoptive mother who is fiercely protective of my son. I relate to Leigh Anne Tuohy in this way ... for sure :)

* I think of every child who is sleeping in an orphanage tonight --- waiting for parents. I cry because I have seen these children with my own eyes --- and have witnessed their pain.

* I remember all the wonderful people who I KNOW make a difference in the lives of young men just like Michael Oher. Particularly Father Michael ... who I am honored to call a friend (you can see his work here as well as in the link above).

* I know what it is to change the life of a person --- through love, guidance and education. I have seen lives changed when a young person finds someone who believes in them --- and will fight for them. I had the pleasure of meeting a young boy in Haiti who had lived as a slave in a wealthy Haitian home for many years. He was rescued by a French woman and brought to St. Joseph's Home for Boys in Port-au-Prince. I watched as his rescuer visited him there at Christmas - over a year after she had brought him to the home. It was an amazing reunion to witness. The woman was overjoyed at how well the then 8-year-old boy was doing now that he had love, guidance and an education. It was amazing.

* I cry because it is THAT EASY to change lives ... with Love. Love. Love. And I am eternally grateful for women like Leigh Anne Tuohy ... who show the rest of the world what love can do.

* And perhaps what brings me to tears most is Sandra Bullocks response to the woman who says "I think what you are doing is so great. You are changing that boy's life." And Sandra's heartfelt response just sends me to tears ... "No, he's changing mine." I can't tell you how many times people tell Halis and I what a wonderful thing we did to take Isaac in. First of all --- our love for Isaac is REAL, not charity. And he does more for us than we could ever do for him. Seeing Isaac as anything other than TRUE family is an insult.

I had no idea who Michael Oher was until I researched him AFTER watching these trailers. I am no football fan. So, I shed tears over this story thinking that it was a work of fiction. To know that it is REAL just makes me even more emotional about it. And to see just how real it is, check out this featurette:

Now --- if you have seen this movie --- please tell me what you think of it. And if you haven't seen it --- maybe you should! I know I will be at the theatre this weekend. With Kleenex!

Love,
Jodi

P.S. You can also read the book before or after seeing the movie. I know I will.

So, This is Christmas?

Every year, millions of Americans flock to the After Thanksgiving sales at box stores around the country. I am usually not among them. Mostly because I don't engage in over-indulging my child, my nieces, and my nephews with low-quality, Made in China, sweatshop produced goods that will be out of vogue just weeks after they receive them (should they actually last that long). But this year ... well, this year Toys R Us opened at midnight on Black Friday ... and I was there. Not to shop (although I was very tempted by some of the DVDs and did go back later in the day to buy Isaac one of his fave Barbie movies) ... but to photograph the mayhem.

When I arrived at Toys R Us in Bangor at 12:15 AM, the parking lot was completely full as were all the neighboring parking lots. There were police cruisers blocking the entry way of those parking lots that were full ... and cops directing traffic from several angles. The line to get into the store was SO long ... like nothing I have ever seen before. I called my Mom from my cell and told her I thought maybe Elvis died ... as it looked like his funeral procession was taking place (this was funny to both of us - but maybe you have to understand our mutual love for Elvis in order to find this funny). Anyway, the scene was wild. And just as I went to photograph it, I realized I forgot my camera (real smooth Jodi).

So, I drove back home to get my camera and returned at about 12:35 AM. The line outside the store was gone ... but that was because everybody had sardined themselves into the building. I walked in to find that people could barely move. And the isles were filled with people and shopping carts from one end of the store to another. Again, I had never seen anything like it. I was shocked. I wondered what on earth would happen if a fire broke out or some crazy person took out a gun. We would all be trampling all over one another ... and there would no doubt be causalities. I also wondered if having this many people in a building was illegal ... and decided that it would have to be.

I worried that people would be unkind to one another (the whole 'rats in a cage' scenario) ... but was pleasantly surprised to find that just about everyone I chatted with or stood near was just as shocked as I was by the magnitude of people there .... that they were all laughing at themselves and one another for participating in this shopping madness. The mood was fairly cheerful. I also found that a great number of folks were from Canada and had come down for the holiday sales (many of whom said they would never do this again --- and their shopping day had only just begun). French Canadian accents could be heard in every aisle ... as could cell phones ... and people yelling across to family members in other aisles ... ("Martha, grab me a Three Musketeers Barbie and a I'll grab you one of these Lego Sets!"). Some folks had this shopping thing down to a science and used cell phones with 3-way calling to spread out and grab everything one another wanted.

I also watched managers scramble to call in more employees to open more registers. Registers 1 through 8 had lines that went all the way back to the store ... and many folks took their chances standing in line at registers 9 & 10 in hopes that an employee or two would show up to cash them out. Those folks were rewarded in their gamble ... and when the extra employees showed up ... people cheered as though their sons scored touchdowns in the homecoming football game.

As for me --- well, the mayhem was fun to watch. I LOVE watching people. I have always been intrigued by how people behave in groups ... react to stressful situations ... how they engage with one another ... etc. And watching all these folks did not disappoint. First, as always, I left proud of my fellow Mainers for keeping cool with one another ... for laughing ... for being polite, etc. There were some jerks ... as always. And a couple of women fought over a toy helicopter (I only heard but did not see the fight). But for the most part, people were well behaved.

But somehow I was still disappointed in all that I saw that early morning. The whole scene just didn't feel right. I kept thinking ... So, this is Christmas? This is what the holidays mean to these people ... filling carts full of STUFF ... over-indulging their children with loads of toys that do not matter in the grand scheme of things? Are they purchasing everything their kids have asked Santa for? What does that teach their children? And if you fight over a toy ... how can you feel good about giving that toy to your child after? Is it worth it? Do these kids know anything more about the spiritual side of the holidays ... or is it all about the STUFF? Are we raising a nation of entitled brats? Or perhaps this sale-induced chaos is all a result of our failing economy? Are these folks just desperate to stretch their dollars in order to make a purchase for each of the children in their lives? And if so, is there another way?

And then I thought of my son ... my sweet Isaac ... and of the conversation he and I just had about Santa a couple days prior. I told him that I had seen Santa at the mall. I asked him if he would like me to ask Santa for anything special for him. Isaac then walked over to his toy box ... grabbed a broken matchbox car ... handed it to me ... and said, "Can you ask Santa to fix this car for me?". My eyes welled up. "Is that all you want Baby Boy?" ... "Yes, Mom." And then I knew that either I had been blessed with the most special boy in the world ... or I had done something right as a Mom. Likely a bit of both.

I do not belong to any organized religion/faith. But my own personal belief system tells me that every day is sacred. However, we as a society have dubbed certain days as more reverent than others ... and I participate in that. Therefore, I see Christmas time (Yule, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Winter Solstice) as a bit more sacred than other days. And I try to react as such. Years ago, we decided as a family that we would spend every Christmas day volunteering somewhere. Last year we chatted with and gave gifts to the veterans at the Maine Veterans Home. It was wonderful (a bigger gift to us than to them I think). This year we have decided to gift several items to our local Ronald McDonald house ... as well as to visit the Maine Veterans Home again. THAT is what I want my child to know of Christmas. No matter what faith he decides to follow in his adulthood ... all will tell him that it is better to give than to receive ... all will tell him that to truly give of himself to others is divine ... none will tell him to indulge in greed and constant self-gratification. So --- though we are without "church" --- we are not without reverence for this special time of year.

I do not for one second suggest that we "know better" or are better than anyone I encountered at Toys R Us that day. But I do suggest that perhaps we --- as people --- have strayed a bit too far from the reverence that we had once given to the holidays we celebrate together as a nation. I recently read that the United States has one of the highest populations of Christians in the world. This has me wondering how many Christians were shopping at Toys R Us on Friday ... and how many of them believe that Christmas is a holy day ... their Christ's birthday. And if so, how do they correlate the giving of massive amounts of toys to their children with the birth of their God?

We all love our children. I understand that. And I know that I love to see my child excited over a new toy. Who doesn't? I guess I just can't wrap my head around how self-indulgent we seem to have become ... and the "me, me. me" lessons we are showing our children. To my mind, a child will fully appreciate one or two special toys over a cart full of them.

Isaac is getting one toy from Santa this year. As well as a stocking full of "elf-made" goodies. Then we will all exchange some presents with one another (some handmade, some store bought and some bought at area thrift shops) .... nothing bigger than a bread box. We will then share breakfast with one another and head out to share some love and goodies with strangers in need. That is what Isaac believes Christmas is ... deciding where to go to help others ... and I couldn't be happier about that. Though I don't believe us to be the only ones to share of ourselves during the holidays (thank goodness :) ... I guess that scene at Toys R Us just had me wondering whether we --- as a nation --- can ever get back to holidays filled with handmade goodies (made or bought), charitable giving, stockings filled with oranges & candies, more spiritual/religious reverence, less credit card debt, and a bit more "magic" of the season, etc. Perhaps that will be my Christmas wish.

I pray that you all begin to fully enjoy this magical, spiritual, heart-warming season of love, light and fellowship.

Please share with us your special holiday traditions ... and how you are working to make the holidays more about love and fellowship and less about material goods.

Much Love,

Jodi

Designing Fabrics With Spoonflower.

Prior to my recent adventure in photography studio proprietorship, I took some time to make some of my own fabric designs with the help of Spoonflower. It was a bit addictive ... and I chewed many fingernails while waiting for my fabric package to arrive.

It finally arrived this week, and I couldn't be happier!

Truth be told, the actual fabrics came out better than I expected. I simply bought a fat eighth of each --- to check for design flaws, coloring, etc. --- and I loved them all.

The above fabric is titled "The Stache is Back". I didn't know I was going to fall victim to this new mustache craze ... but I fell for it ... and am so in love with my retro ladies wearing staches! I have already used this fabric to sew up some make-up bags (which will appear on Etsy soon).

And here is my "Make Love, Not Evil" design. I have also already cut into this one for some sweet little projects ... and I am in love with it. I am a Vader lover ... so this fabric is just totally cool in my opinion (though Isaac hates it).

Then, there is this super cool "Vespa Love" fabric ... which has already sold on Spoonflower! In fact, I should mention that you can purchase any of my designs right here on my Spoonflower profile page. I receive $1.10 for every yard sold (thank you!).

And lastly, the above fabric, titled "Snowbirds in Love" is my absolute favorite. It was designed using one of my photographs as a backdrop for the birds. I so love it --- which is why I have yet to cut into it --- I just keep staring at it.

So - have you tried Spoonflower yet? It is SO much fun! Not only can you create your own fabrics, but you can also shop for some amazing, one-of-a-kind designs created by other artists. Check it out.

Hopefully tomorrow I will be showing you some of the goodies I made with the above fabrics. I tend to hang in the studio whenever possible --- but am trying to find time to craft (and share) for the holidays.

Chat with you soon!

Love,

Jodi

The Studio Has a Name.

Thanks to my BFF for this logo design. We are still working on the final design ... and will show it soon. For now, I am up to my eyeballs with studio preperations, furniture, lighting, etc. Will post again soon.

Thank you to everyone who has sent their encouragements. You all rock!

Love,
Jodi

The Studio.

Have you heard --- through my Twitter or Facebook --- that I am leasing an incredible property in downtown Bangor to begin my own photography studio? I am both elated and sick to my stomach. This is the big time. I had only put my want for a studio space out into the Universe on Wednesday ... and by Friday it came to me and bonked me on the head (with the help of a close friend). It is more ideal than I could even try to express here and the following pics are not going to do it justice what-so-ever. Let me just tell you that as I looked around the place ... I cried ... as it was as if it was built just for me. Seriously.

I brought along two friends with me ... one to keep me grounded ... and the other to push me forward. They were a perfect blend ... and both agreed that this space exuded "Jodi".

So ... here are the pics ... please try to imagine the space as a whole ... and without the ladders, mops, paint buckets, etc. Please also try to imagine that I can take much better pics than these ... and was just snapping away very quickly in order to show my husband ...

There are actually two more rooms that are not shown here. And of course ... the store front. I will try to take better pics asap. Until then, I am busy coming up with a name, filing all business paperwork, and getting my gear in order. (Also need to buy furniture, etc...etc...) Busy days ahead!

Thanks to so many of you for being so encouraging of my new venture. xoxo

Love,

Jodi

Promoting Maine.

A representative of the Maine Office of Tourism recently wrote me --- asking if they could obtain rights to use one of my photos (shown below). I agreed to allow them, signed a small contract, and am now looking forward to seeing how they make use of it.


It is not the first time that I have given some rights to others to use my work ... but this one feels a bit more exciting than the rest (calendars, news articles, etc) because my pic may be used to promote the state I love so very much. AND because the pic is of my husband and son (though faces are not seen) enjoying a sled ride down one of our fave local hills.


So - here is hoping that the photo will be put to fun use ... and that I will one day catch sight of it somewhere unexpected :)


Love,
Jodi

The Story of Isaac's 2009 Halloween Costume.

It's a bit of a long one. But I will try to make it short.

Isaac wanted to be a ghost for Halloween this year. At first, I thought this was a great idea. So, we bought the white sheet at Goodwill ... along with a long-sleeved white shirt. I was prepared to sew this costume up in a jiffy and have Halloween only cost $3.99. Hooray, right? Well, later I would realize that if he were wearing a white sheet to any of his many Halloween parties he would have to take his entire costume off to eat or to participate in any of the games, etc. Perhaps a ghost was good for Trick-or-Treat, but not so good for anything else.

However, Isaac was set on being a ghost for everything. So, as I often do, I sought the wisdom of other Moms in figuring out how to create a ghost costume that was more versatile. On a random trip to our local library, I asked a librarian about what she thought I might do so that Isaac could wear a ghost costume to their annual library party and still participate in activities. She sweetly and thoughtfully suggested that I make his costume in two parts. She told me to sew the sheet so that it draped around his body beginning at the shoulders ... create holes for the arms to go through (he would be wearing the white shirt) ... and then create a ghostly hood (yes, she said hood) for his head ... complete with eye holes ... that he can take off when it is time for games or eating. She went on to suggest that I also paint his face white so that when he took the hood off he would still look like a ghost. Now ... if you aren't laughing or mortified by this point ... please take a good look at my son ... and conjure up an image using the following words: black boy, white sheet, removable hood with eye holes only, and white face paint. Think about it. I looked at the librarian for a moment, looked back at my son, then turned to the librarian and gave her a look that must have said, "Seriously?". She then thought about all the advice she had offered and quickly said ... "Oh my goodness. Wait a minute. Don't do anything I said!" Bless her heart.

For days after, I continued to ponder how in the world I could make this ghost look more ghost and less "triple K". I asked Isaac if there was anything else in the world he would like to be for Halloween. Each time he firmly replied "No." I then went back to Goodwill and found the coolest EMT/Firefighter jacket for $2.99. When I brought it home to him I told him he could be a "Rescue Man" for Halloween. I grabbed a stethoscope, ax, badge, and flashlight from his dress-up box and proceeded to show him how cool he could look for Halloween. He loved it! The only thing missing was his firefighter hat. We knew it was somewhere (as he had just recently worn it) and assured him that we would surely find it before any of his Halloween parties.

The day of his first Halloween party came and ... no hat. We couldn't find it anywhere. We had no time for shopping, so I told him that we would surely find it before his second party. He was fine with that ... and enjoyed his party.

An hour before his second party, we combed the area (both our home and area stores) for a firefighters hat and came up empty. Isaac absolutely wanted something for his head, so we checked out the new Halloween store (creepy, creepy, creepy) ... and after much searching ... we decided that Isaac would wear a wig with his costume. At the wig wall - I suggested he pick one out that made him look like a Man ... like Daddy or his Poppy. He then chose the long brunette wig that came with the 'Naughty Nurse' outfit. Hmmm ... "Um, buddy, we don't need to buy a whole outfit ... just a wig. Can you check these out? (pointing to the male wigs - not that I have any problem with transvestites : )" He then chose the Napolean Dynamite wig because it came with glasses. Ok. That works.

I've got to tell you --- every time I looked at him while he wore that wig --- I laughed so heartily that Isaac would get the giggles too. What a riot. His second party was so much fun (thanks to Barbara for the invite). There was a gypsy who read palms ... a haunted house to walk through ... an egg & spoon obstacle course ... and bobbing for doughnuts (Isaac's fave) ...

His wig was a big hit. Someone actually thought it was his real hair (I am not sure what their alcohol intake was). His look made me laugh so much that I was getting pretty excited to take him out in it for Trick-or-Treat. When we got home --- Daddy cracked up at him too. Knowing we would be seeing many friends on Halloween night ... we began to really love the idea of this foolish wig. But then ... Isaac found his original firefighter hat ... under the couch ... and it was all over. Ugh. Now Isaac wants Mommy to wear the wig and glasses for Trick-or-Treat. Not what I had in mind.

So - there you have it ... this year's costume tale. A long post to be sure ... and if you are still with me to this point ... HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

xo,

Jodi

P.S. Show me your costumes too!. And while your at it, check this one out. Super cool!

Wordless Wednesday : The Last of the Fall Foliage.

Love,
Jodi