Books. Aren't they wonderful? So much knowledge. So much excitement. I love them. It's no surprise then, that I love the library. We are within walking distance of the brand new Central Library in Des Moines. It's huge and fabulous. It even has one of my favorite local bakery/cafes located inside...and a Starbucks right outside the doors. It also has a great selection of new releases and other DVD's that you can rent for $1/week. Kids DVD's are 50 cents. And that's not all. They have a really cool kids section with all kinds of goodies. Almost the entire building is glass...so there is lots of light and you can watch all the happenings of downtown as you browse the titles.

Right outside, there is a small "stream" that Bella loves to play in. We spent many days there this summer...going to the library, grabbing lunch and a coffee and enjoying life. I get giddy walking in the doors...just thinking of the things I could learn. I love leaving the library with 10 books in my arms. In my mind, I'm thinking...

"LOOK everyone! I got these for FREE! They are letting me take them home for 2 weeks...isn't that GREAT?"

It's even better now that we're Compacting...I kind of "feel" like I'm shopping. But I don't have to spend money! I've also been taking full advantage of the ability to "hold" items by ordering them online (they will go pull the books and have them waiting for you) and ordering from interlibrary loan.

Here is my current list:

Books Checked Out From the Library Right Now: Learning All the Time How Children Fail Playful Parenting Loving Your Child Is Not Enough: Positive Discipline That Works The Successful Child

Books I Want to Read: Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith Photocraft: Cool Things To Do With the Pictures You Love What Kids Really Want That Money Can't Buy Small Urban Interiors: 500 Solutions for Living Living Large in Small Spaces: Expressing Personal Style in 100 to 1,000 Square Feet Small Spaces: Making the Most of the Space You Have Where Women Create: Inspiring Work Spaces of Extraordinary Women Voices From the Farm: Adventures in Community Living Memoirs of an Ex-Hippie: Seven Years in the Counterculture Superbia: 31 Ways to Create Sustainable Neighborhoods Healthy at 100