"Soon..."

Morgan took a three hour nap today. WOW! When she woke up, we were snuggling on the couch and she was talking to my belly. Here's what followed:

Morgan: "Mommy, he's talking to me."
Me: "Oh yeah, what is he saying? Tell him it's time to come out and play."
Morgan: (to the baby) "Time to come out and play."
Me: "Ask him when he's coming out."
Morgan: "He says soon."

Too cute :)

Waiting...

Baby J - Your daddy and I can't wait to meet you! Only 22 more days until you're due. Your little sister decided to arrive two weeks early. We've agreed that it would be okay if you want to come a little early too, as long as you're healthy and ready! We love you already and know you will bring so much joy to our lives! ~Mommy and Daddy

YAY! Look What We Caught!

Wednesday night, we were sitting in the back family room, watching the American Idol finale and low and behold, Mr. Raccoon comes strolling right outside our slider window! He just stood there...long enough for Morgan to come from the front living room to see him. He just stood there looking at us! He didn't seem scared at all! So, we set the trap again, baited with tuna. He didn't take the bait Wednesday night, but last night, we got him! Now I feel better about taking Morgan in the backyard to play on the swing set. Also, Bentley loves to go under the back deck...where we saw Mr. Raccoon escape to!

So Keetha...did you catch yours?!?

Fun at Grandma & Grandpa J's

Morgan loves playing out at G&G J's house! They are the caretakers of a campground, so Morgan has lots of room to play, and lots of fun things to do.

Morgan and Grandma found this robin's nest in the drinking fountain!

Poor Bentley! I don't think he minded all that much.

Morgan's BIG wagon!

Aunt Crystal's idea...Morgan was a little scared...

So, mommy got in with her (I told you it was a BIG wagon!)
Once I was with her, she didn't want to stop!

A Mom After God's Own Heart

I was tagged by Wendi and I'm supposed to summarize myself in six words! Here are the rules for the meme.

1. Write the title to your own memoir using 6 words.
2. Post it on your blog.
3. Link to the person that tagged you.
4. Tag five more blogs.

So, as I was thinking about this, I thought of a book that I'm currently reading called, A Mom After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. My mom gave this to me when Morgan was a newborn, and I'm just now reading it. To be quite honest, I've been struggling lately with the feelings of being a failure mother, wife, photographer, friend, etc. I know that some of these feelings are part of being a hormonal 36 week pregnant woman, but it also stems from the lack of time spent alone with God. I have the desire to be a Mom/Wife after God's own heart, but I don't have the energy, patience, commitment, dedication, etc. to get there. One thing that my book keeps saying over and over is that I need to be consistently spending time reading God's Word. I completely agree. However, now I feel like, where do I start. What an overwhelming, huge book. Do I start at the very beginning? Do I go to the small New Testament books that I have read and re-read? Do I look for a reading plan? I just really don't know where to begin.

I really do want to be a better person. I know that with God's help I will be able to be the mom, wife, friend, photographer, teacher, etc. that He wants me to be. I'm open for any suggestions and comments on my rather heavy entry. You asked for it Wendi!!

Alright...I'm going to tag Michelle, Carrie, Karla, Jamie, and Mindy. Have fun ladies:)

Look What We Caught...

A couple nights ago, Bentley managed to tree a raccoon in our backyard before bed. Interesting since the raccoon looked to be at least 10 times Bentley's size. The raccoon managed to scurry up the tree, on to our roof, and next to our chimney. So, the next morning, Craig called his dad and asked him to bring his live trap out since we are not legally aloud to shoot anything since we live in the city. Well, of course we haven't seen the pesky raccoon since we set the trap, but we have managed to catch three other animals! The first was a dog. I was sitting editing pictures and I hear this yip, yip, yip! Yes, we had caught poor little Bentley in the trap. Hahah! Then, yesterday, we woke up and there was a HUGE, fat stray cat. So, we called the Humane Society and they came and got him out for us and took him in.

Then, this morning...we found this...

Morgan was pretty curious, yet thankfully still cautious.

She also found a paci in her toy box...wonderful...

She kept saying, I want to pet it!

Thankfully, Grandpa J came and picked up the trap just a bit ago. Morgan was a little sad and told the Opossum, "See you later!" Well, she won't be seeing this Opossum later!!!

Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!
Just wanted to share some pictures from our Mother's Day yesterday:)

Morgan and Mommy

Love this girl!!

Eskimo Kisses

I really don't remember what was so amusing, but I thought the picture was cute:)

Morgan and Grandma J.

Grandpa J's 94th Birthday!

Today we celebrated Craig's grandpa's 94th birthday! It was so nice to see some family from Michigan who we only get to see a couple times a year. I am so thankful that Craig comes from a family of strong Christians. Morgan loves visiting "Papa Great" and she brings him more joy than one could ever imagine. Here are some pictures from our day:

Grandpa arrives at his party!

Morgan snuggling with Papa Great

Blowing out the candles...

He got them all in ONE blow!

Our family with Papa Great

Where did the Sunshine go?!?

I have been extremely busy trying to get all of my photo sessions done before the end of next week. This week, I have had sessions with 5 different clients and next week I think I have seven. Crazy! I've been up late trying to keep up with all the editing after each shoot. This baby will be here before we know it and it's getting harder and harder to have the energy for photo shoots!

The weather has been so NOT fun lately! It's been great for shoots because we don't have the sun glaring causing squinty eyes, but Morgan has not liked the rain! One morning this week, we were able to get out before the rain for a bit of play time. I thought it was funny that she didn't want me to put her pants on her after I changed her diaper. Oh my, what my neighbors must think:) Oh well, she was happy...however, you may beg to differ from this first picture!

Look at that face!

Our beautiful tree started losing it's flowers. When the wind would blow, the flowers would fall like snow. Morgan said, "It's snowing flowers, mommy!"

LOVELY! Just had to share...this is why we MUST have barrettes!Just chillin'...

More Swingset Fun

After church last night, we let Morgan play a bit before bed. Sorry if you're getting tired of all the pictures...but I just can't get enough of her lately!!! I'm sure Grandma and Grandpa and Aunts and Uncles are happy:)

Swinging on the trapeze! She holds herself up.

In a daze...
Whenever she takes her shoes off, she smells her feet and says, "Peeew-y!"

Our New Swingset

Morgan couldn't wait until the slide was attched to start playing!

Having TONS of fun!!
Look at how windy it was! She didn't seem to mind.
She does REALLY well climbing up all on her own.
FUN!

YAY!!! We now have a swingset, or playground - as Morgan likes to call it, in our backyard! It was quite the project to put together! Craig and I started around 10:00 this morning, and since I'm not able to help much, it took us about an hour to set everything out and get the slide put together. Our friends Tyler and Jena came over and Tyler helped Craig finish while Jena and I entertained Morgan. It still took about 6 hours to put together and we still haven't put the little picnic table in under the tower. We decided that could wait for another day.

Our little monkey!

She did NOT want to go inside!

Giving her new playground a hug:)

Almost 34 Weeks...

I thought I'd put a picture up of my growing belly...here I am at almost 34 weeks!!

Baby #2

34 Weeks with Morgan

May Giveaway!

If you decide to enter, please mention me as a referrer!

http://www.windyridge.typepad.com/

It's May! Let's celebrate. Three lucky blog readers will win an eden's bouquet gift certificate on May 16th. Refer your friends to increase your chances!
1st place: $250
2nd place: $100
3rd place: $50

DETAILS:
1. To be entered in our drawing please send us an email with "may giveaway" in the subject line.
2. Please include your name & address.
3. Each time your refer a friend your name will be entered again, no limit. Your friend must enter the drawing and list your full name as the referrer.
4. Name will be drawn on May 16th at 4pm PST
5. Post a link to our blog on your blog & your name will be thrown in the hat thrice more. Just drop me an email with the link showing the link to our blog on your blog. blog. blog. blog.
Let the games begin!

Memories

Now the house is quiet. Grandma J just came to pick up Morgan and Unlce Randy left to go to Uncle Rob and Aunt Alli's house for Rob's graduation. We had a great time visiting with Uncle Randy and we REALLY hope that he decides to come to IWU in the fall. Morgan just adored spending time with Uncle Randy.

Right before he left, Mo and Uncle Randy (and Bentley) took a nap together.

Last night, we went to dinner at the new Buffalo Wild Wings. (It's so exciting to get new businesses in our town!) It took FOREVER, but the food was really good. Well, while we were there, the baby got the hiccups. Morgan has never really been able to feel the baby move, but last night, she felt him and got so excited. This morning, he got them again, and she kept saying, MORE, MORE, MORE! So this afternoon, I was able to catch it on camera:)

Waiting for the hiccup...

The intense thrill of feeling her baby brother moving in mommy's belly!!

It is so much fun having such a sweet little girl. Being two is not an easy thing for her. I often say that she has one personality for each year that she's been alive. She's an angel most of the time, but those horns sure come out once in a while. I've heard that the three's are even more difficult...I'm hoping people are wrong about that!!! We'll just have to wait and see, and for now, cherish every moment that God gives us with this precious girl!

My Diva

Uncle Randy is here and Morgan came to wake him up, dressed like a diva. (She does this all on her own!)

She loves her sunglasses, purse and high heels. If you look close you can see her BIG purple ring!

Uncle Randy had to help put her high heels back on.
Quality snuggling time