gun lake, good times

Ever since I can remember, the family on my dad's side has spent Sundays after church and other seasonal holidays at my grandparents' place on Gun Lake. The days were filled with boating and sunning, playing and running, and lots and lots of visiting. I'm quite sorry to say that those days are a thing of the past, since the regulars at the lake now only include my immediate family. But even though the diehards have dwindled down, we still have a great time. And here's the pictures to prove it from Memorial Weekend:

best assignment ever

I Can't Wait by Sara Groves and Don Chaffer

When you reach the proper age

I will teach you to read and you can turn the pages

How to dress and tie your shoes

Your one plus ones, and your two times two's

And you'll teach me

Of hearts and dreams

And all the most important things

And all that I have lost along the way

And I can't wait

As you grow, I'll show you things

How to ride your bike and kick your legs out on the swings

To fold your hands and bow your head

How to say your prayers before you go to bed

And you'll teach me

Of hearts and dreams

And all the most important things

And all that I have lost along the way

And I can't wait

How do you sleep so peacefully?

How do you trust unflinchingly?

How do you love so faithfully?

How do you dance so joyfully?

Oh you'll teach me

Of hearts and dreams

And all the most important (essential) things

And all that I have lost along the way

And I can't

No I can't

Come teach me

Of love and dreams

And all the most essential thing

And all that I have lost along the way

Cause I can't wait

Train a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6

one of God's children

In celebrating my first Mother's Day, we also celebrated something so much more important... asking God into the life of little Morgan through Holy Baptism. What a very special day!

Our pastors...



Morgan's Godparents... Doug and Sarah...



Our family...



"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by his GRACE, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:4-7

let me assure you...

...these were NOT the looks I was getting last night at 10:00, midnight, 2:00 am and beyond.

and wave 'em like you just don't care

Who sleeps with their hands up in the air?



Everybody in the house say hey, hey... say ho, ho...

photo shoot

This afternoon I thought it would be fun to try and get artistic with Morgan, photographically speaking. I think it's still too early to determine if she likes being in photos as much as mommy, but I had fun taking them nonetheless. Here's a sampling...

a special visitor

This past weekend Sarah was in town and able to meet Morgan for the first time! And I must say, I have a great sister... not only was Sarah was a great baby-sitter and a big help to us (holding Morgan even when she was fussy, making dinner, washing dishes, etc.), but she slept in the much-to-be-desired-basement and also snapped some great pictures of Morgan's first real bath.

Sarah wrote today, saying, "I too really enjoyed the weekend, almost more now, realizing how connected I feel to you, Scott and Morgan, knowing what she is like and what a normal day consists of." Isn't she great?!?

Here's some pictures from the weekend...

easter sunday

The Easter Bunny, in the flesh


Is 22 too old to be hunting for eggs?!?!?


Egg artistry




So done with Easter!

the latest changes

Here's a couple Morgan pictures from Saturday...

belly shots video by scott...

40 weeks

Today was our due date!

and baby really does make three

So our little one is finally here, our sweet little Morgan! Scott and I are getting to know her better every day. Not only does she look like him, but she seems to have inherited his best qualities... she's not too terribly fussy when things don't go her way, she's incredibly patient and understanding, and she loves to sleep! Scott and I were thrilled this morning that Morgan slept happily in her own room and crib all night! Can we make it two for two tonight?

We are truly blessed and thankful. God is always looking out for us, and I see more and more every day that he has a great plan for us (now if I could only learn to trust him a little more instead of making my own plans!). Here's some pictures I wanted to share from the big event. I hope to be able to keep more news coming.

All 22 inches of her!

Daddy changing the first diaper. What a pro!


Getting ready to go home.

All strapped in.

Here we go!

39 weeks

because doesn't everyone want to know how we decorate?

A work in progress has finally ended. And we are glad! Some of you have been asking to see pictures of the baby's digs, and well... we're able to finally give a reveal.

Here's the inspiration for our kid's room... the Hanna Quilt Cover from IKEA. I ripped it apart and sewed it into a crib skirt with one box pleat on each side. Bought some plain sheets, and voila! Instant decor.... and decor that I love. I just couldn't bring myself to like all of the animal-printed, cutsie-wootise things found in most baby sections of the stores. Even Pottery Barn couldn't sell me on their baby gear. It's just not a part of who I am, I suppose, and I walked around for a good seven months feeling guilty and wrong for sticking my nose up at that stuff. But in the end, Scott and I are both happy with our choices, and when it comes right down to it, this is our house, our family and our life. And so, this print is where it all began...



It was easy to find the paint once we settled on the fabric...



And here's the shot-by-shot of how the room got underway. Scott had the brilliant idea of doing a horizontal stripe, and I must say, it's his best decorating idea to date! I absolutely love it.

The room finally came together on Saturday. The furniture is arranged, the art and pictures are hung (even though some of the frames are waiting photos) and there's a rug on the floor. With less than two weeks to spare, it's finally done. We're both very proud of our work.

Thanks for looking!