This Just In!

Madison has been mimicking signs for things like "milk," "eat," and "more" for a while now...

but today she finally connected that she can use those signs to communicate her wants.

She pulled up on my leg, smacked her lips, and signed "eat" when she was ready for lunch. She woke up from her nap and asked for milk. She signed "more" (very enthusiastically) when I started to put her cheerios away during snack time.

It's like somebody just flipped a light switch in her little brain.

Oh, happy day.

the best apple dip ever. really.

There's something about Fall that makes me want to bake things.

I'm not sure if this qualifies, because there's actually no baking involved, but it was just too good not to share. Thanks to my friend Vanessa (who always has delicious goodies for us when we come to her house) for this fabulous recipe!

Cream Cheese Apple Dip:

1 8 oz pkg. cream cheese* (I recommend getting whipped cream cheese, it's easier to mix)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

*I suppose you could use fat free cream cheese or Neufchatel, but I figure all the apples cancel out the calories, right? :)

Beat until smooth and dip to your heart's content.

I eat it by the spoonful...

Well said, John Wayne.

Micah has just six months left of school before he will be graduating with both his Bachelor's AND Master's degrees in Information Systems. (I am so proud!)

Which means right now he is in the thick of applications, career fairs and interviews. For a real job. In the real world. It's all very exciting.

Last week, he was invited to fly to San Antonio for a second interview with USAA, a company we have both been very impressed with. He had a wonderful experience and we are waiting anxiously to hear back about the possibility of an offer.

Micah has had several other interviews, but this one was my favorite.

...because we prepared for it by watching this:

It was a little long (I'm pretty sure I was asleep for 80% of it), but actually proved to be quite quotable:

" There's right and there's wrong. You gotta do one or the other. You do the one and you're living. You do the other and you may be walking around, but you're dead as a beaver hat."

Words to live by.

This is Halloween...

I'm kind of a Scrooge when it comes to Halloween.

I'm just not that into dressing up.
Or traipsing around the neighborhood in the cold in the dark.
Or scary movies.
And I'll take home-baked goodies over candy any day.

But I have to admit: I loved Halloween this year, and all because of this little darling:

Doesn't she make a cute Tinker Bell? Personally, I think she's better than the original. But then again, I may be a little biased.

We had a wonderful night with some dear friends, who open their home to us every year.
Oh the food. the games. the happy company.
Really, it's one aspect of Halloween I look forward to all year long.

And now, with a little one to dress up, I'm actually excited for next Halloween!

Dear Daylight Savings Time,

My baby's schedule doesn't give a hoot about you.