In just the last week, Morgan has learned to "share" when asked, point out where her head is, and clap her hands! It's all so amazing to me. We worked with her on both the sharing and pointing out her head but the clapping she started all on her own (granted we did a lot of clapping in celebration of the first two achievements so maybe she learned by example).
On the flip side, Morgan also has perfected the art of protesting loudly when something is taken from her that she really wants and how to ignore me when I say "no" :) When I told my sister Steph this, she wisely stated, "The ignoring skill is really a sign of maturity. She'll practice that one for the rest of her life." So true...
For now though, I'm going to revel in her positive accomplishments. Here's a little clip so you all can share in my excitement:
And sadly, the countdown is on. I am now one week away from turning (gasp) thirty....
July 28, 2008
July 20, 2008
Mmmm, Mmmm....Good?
Yeah, seriously. I'm not sure which part of this recipe is my favorite ... the "Be sure lymph glands are removed" in ALL CAPS or the cavalier "Cut off front and back legs" or the gentle prompting "If you haven't tried this, don't miss it." Wha...?
In case you're wondering, I found this recipe in a compilation cookbook at a garage sale this past week. The cookbook was assembled by a group called the Woman's Exchange (which I've never heard of and now translate to read "Redneck Biddies") out of Memphis, Tennessee in 1967.
My sister Steph is a fan of these compilation cookbooks so I decided to flip through this one despite its age (and other warning signs). I didn't see any knock-out or even particularly repulsive recipes to influence my purchase decision until I got to this one! I figured for 50 cents I had to add it to her collection. I just hope Barbecued Raccoon doesn't end up on her Thanksgiving table this year (thankfully, we celebrate Thanksgiving down here so I don't have to find out :).
P.S. I personally think the best source for raccoon is the side of the road contrary to Mr. Johnny Jacobs. (And why is a dude in the Woman's Exchange anyway?!?)
July 8, 2008
I'm a Slave.
That's right, I'm a slave to my planner. I can't live without it! My mother has always had one, and I always wondered about its necessity growing up. And now here I am ...
Funny thing is I never used one while I was working, but now that I stay at home I find I need it. The inherent problem with planners is that they show you just how much time you have left to fill. And so I try and try to make sure all my minutes are utilized, and when someone asks if I can, my planner seems to say, "Sure you can; you have space on Wednesday afternoon." It's really a killer!
Instead what I really need is to schedule time to rest and spend time with those I care about. As I was in my car today listening to one of my favorite sources of inspiration, Sara Groves, her song "Just One More Thing" played and reminded me about keeping perspective of my time. Below are the lyrics; I particularly love the chorus. The emphases added are mine.
There's always just one more thing
There's always another task
There's always I just have one more small favor to ask
And everything is urgent and everything is now
I wonder what would really happen if I stopped somehow
I'll be there in a minute
Just a few places to go
You wake up a few years later and your kids are grown
And everything is important
But everything is not
At the end of your life your relationships are all you're got
(Chorus)
And love to me is when you put down that one more thing and say
I've got something better to do
And love to me is when you walk out on that one more thing and say
Nothing will come between me and you
Not even one more thing
There will never be an end to
The request upon your time
It's your place to stand up and tell the world
You've got to rest awhile
And everything is important
But everything is not
At the end of your life your relationships are all you've got
And love to me is when you put down that one more thing and say
I've got something better to do
And love to me is when you walk out on that one more thing and say
Nothing will come between me and you
Not even one more thing
That being said, one of the things noted on my planner this week is helping out with our church's Vacation Bible School. The theme is Veggie Tales' The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything.
This is definitely one of the more worthwhile things I've chosen to spend my time on! If I'm going to invest my time and energy, I'd like to put it into something that has potential to have lasting effect - what better way than to plant the word of God and the love of Christ into a child!
Hope you all find the time (or make it if you have to) this week for those you most value in your life or who could be benefited by just a little more of you in their lives :)
**And for those of you who haven't listened to Sara Groves yet, I'd love to lend you her CDs!
Funny thing is I never used one while I was working, but now that I stay at home I find I need it. The inherent problem with planners is that they show you just how much time you have left to fill. And so I try and try to make sure all my minutes are utilized, and when someone asks if I can, my planner seems to say, "Sure you can; you have space on Wednesday afternoon." It's really a killer!
Instead what I really need is to schedule time to rest and spend time with those I care about. As I was in my car today listening to one of my favorite sources of inspiration, Sara Groves, her song "Just One More Thing" played and reminded me about keeping perspective of my time. Below are the lyrics; I particularly love the chorus. The emphases added are mine.
There's always just one more thing
There's always another task
There's always I just have one more small favor to ask
And everything is urgent and everything is now
I wonder what would really happen if I stopped somehow
I'll be there in a minute
Just a few places to go
You wake up a few years later and your kids are grown
And everything is important
But everything is not
At the end of your life your relationships are all you're got
(Chorus)
And love to me is when you put down that one more thing and say
I've got something better to do
And love to me is when you walk out on that one more thing and say
Nothing will come between me and you
Not even one more thing
There will never be an end to
The request upon your time
It's your place to stand up and tell the world
You've got to rest awhile
And everything is important
But everything is not
At the end of your life your relationships are all you've got
And love to me is when you put down that one more thing and say
I've got something better to do
And love to me is when you walk out on that one more thing and say
Nothing will come between me and you
Not even one more thing
That being said, one of the things noted on my planner this week is helping out with our church's Vacation Bible School. The theme is Veggie Tales' The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything.
This is definitely one of the more worthwhile things I've chosen to spend my time on! If I'm going to invest my time and energy, I'd like to put it into something that has potential to have lasting effect - what better way than to plant the word of God and the love of Christ into a child!
Hope you all find the time (or make it if you have to) this week for those you most value in your life or who could be benefited by just a little more of you in their lives :)
**And for those of you who haven't listened to Sara Groves yet, I'd love to lend you her CDs!
June 30, 2008
Thankful for...
1. A little relief from the busyness.
I finally had two days last week with absolutely NO commitments or obligations! One of those days I didn't even leave the house just to enjoy it :)
2. Time to catch up with friends.
Morgan and I were able to resume our playdate with Kristi and Audrey after a several week hiatus, and Amanda and I enjoyed an extremely tasty breakfast at Magnolia Pancake Haus. I had the most wonderful apple cinnamon waffle ever ... and they even gave free pancakes to Annabelle and Morgan! Could I love MPH anymore?
3. A small group babysitter.
The Newcoms have two new family members so we now have six kiddos in our small group. Kelly brought Christina, one of her pharmacy employees/all-around hardworker/superstar, to watch the clan. She is incredible with kids; I could seriously use a lesson :) AND I was able to secure a full-time sitter for future meetings.
Anyway, why is this super you may ask? It meant all the adults/parents were able to participate in small group without anyone having to miss out in order to watch the kids.
4. A LONG overdue date night with my husband.
Ian and Kara graciously watched Morgan so we could enjoy this privilege. We went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and then saw Wall E. We tried to brainstorm the last time we had been to a movie just the two of us, and we couldn't even remember! It was so nice... I'm ready to do it again :)
5. Three mornings of prayer time with Jonathan.
We've fallen out of this habit of late and are trying to get back on track. After only three days, I can already see an improvement - we both find we feel a lot better and relate better with one another when we make this investment in our relationship with God and each other.
6. Time to see THREE movies: Sweeney Todd, Singin' in the Rain, and Wall E.
This never happens - maybe one movie but not three! (For those of you who are curious, Wall E is just okay. I say wait until it comes to DVD. And for those of you who saw it, do you agree with me that the underlying message is "Recycle or you'll get fat"?)
7. Morgan has started standing all on her own.
Though not for very long ... which is why I don't have any pictures to post of it.
8. The Fourth of July coming up.
I don't know why I like this holiday so much; I just do. We live in such a fantasticly blessed country, and my heart always swells with pride when we celebrate the Fourth. I think it's all the patriotic music :)
So what are you thankful for?
I finally had two days last week with absolutely NO commitments or obligations! One of those days I didn't even leave the house just to enjoy it :)
2. Time to catch up with friends.
Morgan and I were able to resume our playdate with Kristi and Audrey after a several week hiatus, and Amanda and I enjoyed an extremely tasty breakfast at Magnolia Pancake Haus. I had the most wonderful apple cinnamon waffle ever ... and they even gave free pancakes to Annabelle and Morgan! Could I love MPH anymore?
3. A small group babysitter.
The Newcoms have two new family members so we now have six kiddos in our small group. Kelly brought Christina, one of her pharmacy employees/all-around hardworker/superstar, to watch the clan. She is incredible with kids; I could seriously use a lesson :) AND I was able to secure a full-time sitter for future meetings.
Anyway, why is this super you may ask? It meant all the adults/parents were able to participate in small group without anyone having to miss out in order to watch the kids.
4. A LONG overdue date night with my husband.
Ian and Kara graciously watched Morgan so we could enjoy this privilege. We went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and then saw Wall E. We tried to brainstorm the last time we had been to a movie just the two of us, and we couldn't even remember! It was so nice... I'm ready to do it again :)
5. Three mornings of prayer time with Jonathan.
We've fallen out of this habit of late and are trying to get back on track. After only three days, I can already see an improvement - we both find we feel a lot better and relate better with one another when we make this investment in our relationship with God and each other.
6. Time to see THREE movies: Sweeney Todd, Singin' in the Rain, and Wall E.
This never happens - maybe one movie but not three! (For those of you who are curious, Wall E is just okay. I say wait until it comes to DVD. And for those of you who saw it, do you agree with me that the underlying message is "Recycle or you'll get fat"?)
7. Morgan has started standing all on her own.
Though not for very long ... which is why I don't have any pictures to post of it.
8. The Fourth of July coming up.
I don't know why I like this holiday so much; I just do. We live in such a fantasticly blessed country, and my heart always swells with pride when we celebrate the Fourth. I think it's all the patriotic music :)
So what are you thankful for?
June 14, 2008
Dear Ol' Dads...
Happy Father's Day Dad W & Dad S! JD, Morgan & I are so blessed to have such wonderful dads who care for us. You've been through a lot with us, and you have supported, encouraged, and guided us all along the way. You provided for us physically, emotionally, and spiritually until we became the strong, independent adults you taught us to be. And you continue to be there for us! Thanks for EVERYTHING; we love you both,
Barb, Jonathan & Morgan
Dad, Steph & I sharing some cuddle time on the couch
One of my favorite recent photos of Dad & I
...and one of my favorites from our wedding
Jonathan and his dad share some father-son bonding over the duck tank
Happy First Father's Day Babe! You are a great Dad to Morgan.
You can tell how much she loves you by the way her eyes light up everytime she sees you anew - I love seeing it!
Barb, Jonathan & Morgan
Dad, Steph & I sharing some cuddle time on the couch
One of my favorite recent photos of Dad & I...and one of my favorites from our wedding
Jonathan and his dad share some father-son bonding over the duck tank
Happy First Father's Day Babe! You are a great Dad to Morgan.You can tell how much she loves you by the way her eyes light up everytime she sees you anew - I love seeing it!
June 13, 2008
It's not easy being .... ORANGE
Today is Morgan's nine month birthday, and in quarterly fashion, we celebrated with a photo session and a doctor's appointment. Below are her pictures taken yesterday at Portrait Innovations. I'm generally pleased with them; I had hoped for at least one shot with a really great grin showing Morgan's redneck smile (she's got like 3 3/4 teeth - only two of which are fully "in" :). I'm already anxious for her 1 year pictures which I plan on having my talented friend Bre take! Ahh... one year old; that means I have to start thinking about a birthday party. Yikes!
Morgan's doctor appointment also was relatively uneventful. However, the first thing the doctor said upon walking through the door was, "Looks like someone's enjoying a lot of orange vegetables." My reaction: Huh? Apparently, the beautiful gold-colored skin tone Morgan is sporting is not a product of being related to my sister Steph or being a sun-kissed beauty but of eating orange veggies! Makes me wonder if I can get a "tan" that way too... Other than that, she's slightly below average in height and slightly above average in weight.
It's hard for me to believe that Morgan has now been alive as long outside the womb as she was in the womb! Both periods of time have been challenging and life-changing in completely different ways. However, I still prefer having her here with me than being pregnant with her (or pregnant at all for that matter!).
Morgan's doctor appointment also was relatively uneventful. However, the first thing the doctor said upon walking through the door was, "Looks like someone's enjoying a lot of orange vegetables." My reaction: Huh? Apparently, the beautiful gold-colored skin tone Morgan is sporting is not a product of being related to my sister Steph or being a sun-kissed beauty but of eating orange veggies! Makes me wonder if I can get a "tan" that way too... Other than that, she's slightly below average in height and slightly above average in weight.
It's hard for me to believe that Morgan has now been alive as long outside the womb as she was in the womb! Both periods of time have been challenging and life-changing in completely different ways. However, I still prefer having her here with me than being pregnant with her (or pregnant at all for that matter!).
Saying Goodbye
Sorry, it's been so long since I last posted. Life has been a bit hectic of late. Last Thursday, June 5, my Grandpa Walsh passed away at age 81. A year and a half ago he had battled with and overcome cancer. However, it seems that fight left his body weakened and unable to fight off other smaller health struggles that had come upon him in recent months. Thankfully, he died peacefully and with family at his side. Although difficult for those he left behind, we know that he was ready to be free of the pain of his health problems and is without question in a better place!
While my grandfather was by no means a perfect man, we will remember the legacy he left for our family. In my younger years, my sisters, cousins, and I referred to Grandpa as "Petey-dink" - I think my cousin Julie coined the name, but I have no idea if it was for lack of being able to pronounce "Grandpa" or for some other reason. One of my favorite pictures of Grandpa is posted below - one Easter he laid of the floor and let four of us grandchildren use him as a jungle gym :)
Thankfully, Jonathan, Morgan and I were able to make the trip up to Illinois for his visitation and funeral. It was great to see the many who came to the funeral home to express their sympathies at our family's loss, their care for my Grandfather, and support of my Grandmother. We were also blessed to have a little time together with Dad, Mom, Matt, Steph, Maddie, and Kel as well as the Kilmer family (my Mom's side of the family) - even despite the circumstances, we are always happy to see family!
Thanks to everyone who was so thoughtful and supportive of me and my family during this time; it was greatly appreciated. Please continue to pray for peace for my Grandma, my dad, and his sister as they all work through the adjustment of life without Grandpa.
Grandpa & I
Easter 1982
While my grandfather was by no means a perfect man, we will remember the legacy he left for our family. In my younger years, my sisters, cousins, and I referred to Grandpa as "Petey-dink" - I think my cousin Julie coined the name, but I have no idea if it was for lack of being able to pronounce "Grandpa" or for some other reason. One of my favorite pictures of Grandpa is posted below - one Easter he laid of the floor and let four of us grandchildren use him as a jungle gym :)
Thankfully, Jonathan, Morgan and I were able to make the trip up to Illinois for his visitation and funeral. It was great to see the many who came to the funeral home to express their sympathies at our family's loss, their care for my Grandfather, and support of my Grandmother. We were also blessed to have a little time together with Dad, Mom, Matt, Steph, Maddie, and Kel as well as the Kilmer family (my Mom's side of the family) - even despite the circumstances, we are always happy to see family!
Thanks to everyone who was so thoughtful and supportive of me and my family during this time; it was greatly appreciated. Please continue to pray for peace for my Grandma, my dad, and his sister as they all work through the adjustment of life without Grandpa.
Grandpa & I
Easter 1982
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