Point Your Fingers and Do the Twist!

My poor Judah has ONE video, the Wiggles Live. Personally, I really like it and that's why he got it. I watched it with a little boy that I used to babysit and I love all the singing and dancing. And if you want a really good workout just dance along. Seriously, those guys don't stop moving for like and hour and a half. I'm huffing and puffing after one song! We might go see the Wiggles live ourselves in March. I think I would enjoy it more than anyone. haha

Jenna took this for me at storytime today. I've been slacking on pictures. I need to take more, but unfortunately I am not a good photographer. I took some pictures of Judah, Elliana, and Samuel and showed them to Jenna. They all had funny looks on their faces and she said, "Storytime looks like fun." Yeah, from those pictures it sure didn't look like it! :)


Yesterday when we were downtown Laura, Katie, and I went into my favorite children's store, Kat's Meow. While we were in there I, once again, talked about the lack of cute boy's clothes and the abundance of cute girl's. Now, I consider myself a pretty girly girl. I like all things pink and sparkly. But, more than all that cute girly stuff, I love and adore my boys. I know that's pretty much an obvious, but I guess I felt the need to clear that up. Maybe I should stop talking about the lack of cute boy's stuff. Because the stuff there is is pretty darn cute!

When people ask us about more kids they usually say, "Are you going to go for a girl?" I'd love to go for another boy! Of course, I'd love a little girl, but I'd love a boy just as much. It's so fun getting to be the only girl, the princess, in the family. I can buy girly clothes for myself. But, if I had a only girls, who would I buy cute polo shirts and button up collared shirts and jeans for? Because we all know that that isn't happening with Eric aka the pickiest clothes shopper in the world. :) I can dress my boys as preppy as I want!

Eric and I both love having our two boys close together. It's already fun to watch them play and interact. I know that they will be bestfriends in the years to come. They'll have the same interests at the same time and even be only a year apart in school. We plan to homeschool, so teaching them will be easy. They'll be able to do much of the fun stuff.

I love my three boys and all the boyness that comes with them. I wouldn't change them for anything!

So, so busy! But in a good way!

Well, like the title says I've been BUSY the past few days. Whew! I'm tired!

Yesterday:
-Ellie watched Judah
-Went to Target and got a $9.99 pair of sunglasses and other necessary household items.
-Cleaned the house (yeah Ellie, I really did, althought I know you couldn't tell today! sorry!)
-Prepared for cell group
-Had cell group. Some crazy guy was trying to get into the rec room. The police were called and he was arrested.
-We had a babysitter for cell, which was the good part of it.
-I've been wanting to go to some sort of expo/faire type thing. I looked up the Yeah Baby! Expo and it's $775. Then, because of our friend Jason, we have the opportunity to be a part of a Home & Garden Expo. Yay...so excited! Not a coincidence.

Today:
-We meant to go to some sort of olympic thing with the mother's club at the library. We couldn't find everyone, so instead went to storytime. As usual, Judah just wanted to go on the computer.
-We meant my Grams for lunch.
-I met with a lady at the chamber of commerce. We're seriously stepping up the marketing/networking. I'm the self imposed Director of Marketing. Go me!
-I met Katie & Laura (and later Miriah), some good friends and girls from my cell group, downtown. Noone bought anything (expect Katie who bought a few hairclips), except me. I bought a short-sleeved cowboy type shirt, a cute dress, and a blazer cute, but sweat shirt material type thing.
-Met Eric, Judah, & Samuel at my in-laws. (Ellie watched the boys while I was downtown)
-Eric & Judah picked up pizza for dinner. Yum!

And for the rest of the night...give the boys a bath, eat some ice cream, and watch 24 Season 4 on dvd.

As seen in Growing Up Chico Magazine

Eric and I both agree that this is the year to step it up with our business. We started Announcing Yours about a year and a half ago and haven't done much to promote it, besides telling our friends. So, this year we're really working on our marketing and networking. For all of you Chico people, check out our advertisement in Growing Up Chico magazine. I'm sooo excited that it's out! I've been waiting for a few months, not knowing exactly when it would come out. So, now we're just praying that it's successful and brings in a lot of business!

If you know of anyone that's is going to have a baby or a party or a wedding, tell them about Announcing Yours. Eric has some amazing designs up, but if you (they) don't see something you like let us know and he can custom create something just for you!

Well, I'm really tired. Eric, Judah, and Samuel are all getting over a cold. Because Samuel has been congested he hasn't been sleeping very well. Because he hasn't been sleeping very well I haven't been sleeping very well. He probably woke up 6 times last night. Ugh! As you all know, I'm really anal about sickness and sick people around me and people bringing their sick kids to my house/in public, etc.. I'm now the girl in charge of the nursery/Sunday School at church, so my first rule was no sick kids in the nursery! Well umm, today was my nursery day and I brought Judah at the end of his cold, anyway. Is that horrible of me? Now, to justify myself, he had clear snot only and all of the other kids were snotty, too. And, I asked another mom what she thought and she said it was fine. What am I supposed to do when other sick kids come in? I feel bad telling a parent not to bring their kid and I know the other nursery workers do, too.

Also, about the sick thing, I was reading this article (I don't remember where, probably Yahoo News) that said most people think it's an honorable thing to go to work sick. Like, they feel so sick but, because they're so needed at work, they'll just suck it up and go anyway. Well, I'm here to tell you it's not honorable. It's just gross and spreads the germs. Yuck yuck yuck! If you're sick, stay home. If your kid is sick, keep them home.

Ok, before you all think I'm completely crazy...I wasn't like this before I had kids. I promise. Ask my mom. I just know that having your kids sick is the most horrible thing ever. Especially when they're babies (like Samuel) and can't blow their noses and can't breathe at night. Poor baby!

Photoshopped Nakies and the Encounter

Do you remember the picture I posted of the boys about to get in their bath? Well, here is the original and then here is one with a little Photoshop manipulation. Remember, one of my goals for the year is to get good at Photoshop. So, hopefully at this time next year I'll have some amazing ones to show off!



In about 2 weeks our church is having an Encounter. What an Encounter is, is basically, a three day retreat with the purpose of recieving the revelation of the cross. Revelation means not just understand what Jesus did for you, but letting it get into your spirit and change your life. I've gone to an Encounter, and a re-Encounter, but this will be my first time teaching. I'm SO excited to be one of the leaders, because my life was COMPLETELY changed at my Encounters.

One of the lessons I'm teaching is "Healing Your Heart," which basically deals with all of the times you've ("you" meaning the poeple going to the Encounter) been rejected. These times include in the womb: parents not wanting you, wishing you were another sex; childhood: parent abandoning you, being made fun of by other kids, parents abusing you or not expressing or showing love; adolescence: being told you are fat or ugly, being rejected by the popular kids; adulthood: going from men to me and being rejected by them, an abusive relationship.

Then, we have a time of forgiveness. Everyone chooses to forgive the people who have hurt and rejected them. Forgiveness is crazy because we always think that forgiveness should come when the person says they are sorry or feels bad for what they've done, when they stop doing it. And, when we feel like forgiving.

Unfortunately, that time usually never comes. The person/people are none the wiser and we're in bondage to our own unforgiveness. I love the quote, "Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die." We forgive because Jesus first forgave our sins. If you've never experienced the love and compassion and forgiveness of God, then forgiving can be hard. But, once you have experienced it, it's so easy to forgive. "Though our sins are as scarlet, He has made them white as snow." We we receive the perfect love of God, it's easy to show love to those around us.

I pray that each one of you would know and experience the love and compassion of God.

Playgroup at our house!

This morning Judah woke up with a stuffy nose and a cough at 8:50am. Obviously, I don't like it when my boy is sick. But this time was an especially big problem, because it was the first time playgroup would be at our house. Ahh!! So, what did I do? I called Eric and blamed him for Judah being sick. Ummm, yeah. That was stupid and immature. I'm working on thinking before I speak and not saying things I regret. Really, I am! I guess it's like my Pastor told me, it's a learning process. Some bad habits are hard to break. Really, I've said a lot of really stupid things that I regret and have a lot of (funny now) stories to go along with them. I'll have to save that post for another day.

But, back to playgroup. It starts at 9:30, so I didn't really have time to cancel it or move it. The first mommy and little girl showed up at 9:30 on the dot. And, guess what? The little girl had a runny nose? And, the next little girl? So, did she. And, her baby sister did, too. The 4th and final little girl (yes, all little girls today!) didn't, but like my mom said, she will soon!

Having playgroup at my house (or apartment should I say, since I'm the ONLY one in playgroup who lives in an apartment. I'm also the only one in my mid-twenties...or early twenties? Which am I?), well, it went good. It was fun talking and hanging out with the mommies and they liked my snack (yay!) and liked my house (yay!) and Judah had fun and did well and so did Samuel! There was two other little babies, a 9 month old who Samuel had fun playing with, and a 4 month old who he was VERY interested in.

After playgroup we went to lunch with my mom (Judah LOVES his Nana! - pronounced nonna- because it rhymes with her name, Donna) and saw Cari! Afterwards we walked next door to this cute little stationery store and I bought a business card holder for my women's business luncheon, which I'll tell you more about later, after I make sure my mother in law can watch the boys. Ellie- I'm trying to get ahold of you! :)

Oh yeah, and my whole intention of writing this (which I just remembered) was to tell you all about my habit of losing/misplacing cell phones. Now dad, before you say anything, this is only my second phone I've lost. The first one I lost in a hotel room. I put it by my bed to use as an alarm clock. When it went off I picked it up, turned it off and laid it on the bed. And, that was the last time it was seen! I've misplaced them a lot, but usually end up finding them in car/under the bed/in the toybox/or some other random spot. But, not this time! :( So, my dad canceled my sister's phone number and gave her mine. If you try to call my cell phone, you'll really be calling my little sister, so don't do that. I guess I shouldn't complain too much because my dad has been paying for my cell phone since I graduated high school, so I got the past 6.5 years free. Since I hardly ever use it he suggested getting a pay by the minute (or whatever you call them) types. Does anyone know where the best deal is?

Dinner With Our Neighbor and Reasons for Lack of Posting

I've been feeling a little under the weather the past week and a half or so and I have no idea what's going on with me. I've had the most random symptoms: headache, cramps, chills, backache, fatigue. Weird! Maybe I'm just tired because I've been sleeping a lot or maybe I have the touch of the flu or something. Whatever it is I'm feeling a lot better today and I'm sure I'll be at 100% tomorrow!

On Friday night we had our upstairs neighbor over for dinner. It's was an....interesting dinner. The reason? He is deaf. He's such a nice guy, but Eric and I are definitely not used to communicating that way (he reads lips). If he couldn't understand me, I'd find myself talking louder and louder, like that would make a difference. And Eric, well, he would talk to him from the other room. Not going to work! By the middle of the dinner Eric would do this hand raise type thing to get his attention. Is that rude?

Our lack of conversation didn't seem to affect the interaction between him and Judah. They had a lot of fun just tickling and doing funny hand motions and stuff. It's crazy to see how well a two year can communicate with someone who speaks a different language, or doesn't speak a language at all.

Another thing I really liked about our neighbor is how s-l-o-w he eats. My dear husband loves to inhale his food. It's something I'm constantly bugging him about (and now even Judah says, "Slow down, Papa" when we're eating), so after our two hour meal Eric said, "Wow, that was your kind of meal, huh?" Or something like that. For dessert we had the last of Eric's DELICIOUS birthday cake: chocolate cake with mocha buttercream frosting from the most delcious bakery ever- Upper Crust!

A Day Late and a Dollar Short

And a lack of motivation, at that. How can I convey in words all that's in my heart?



My dearest Eric,
Yesterday was your 27th birthday. Maybe I should have said "my old man." Wow, 27! When we met you were only a boy at 21. It's amazing to see all that's changed and grown in the past 5.5 years. There are so many things that I love about you. You, my husband, are the measure that everyone else is compared to, but seem to fall short.



I love you. You are the epitome of a perfect husband. You love us with the love of Jesus and with that there is nothing to be made better. I know you love me with all that you are (even when it's expressed in your love language and not mine ;). So often I hear of husbands who don't spend time with their families, who don't show love, and who do much worse things than that. But, I know that I never have and never will have to worry about those things. With you, we are safe. I know you would never do anything to hurt us and you will never let anything happen to us.



I'm so glad that our boys have you as their role model. There is noone else that I would want them to be like. I know that as they grow and become like you they will love Jesus, love people, be disciplined. have strength of character, and speak with authority and power because these are all traits that you have mastered.



Every year with you is new and exciting. I can't wait to see what this year holds for us, because they just keep getting better. It's crazy to think of the young, immature people we were and now how God is using us to impact the people around us. He's given us two perfect little baby boys to love and care for and see grow up to impact eternity. And, other precious people to disciple and see be saved and grow in relationship with Jesus.



I know that we are of like mind. That we both want to do things that are eternal and not just temporal. I love that you understand that life is fleeting. That you don't take the term "Christian" lightly- it isn't just a decision you made or something you do on Sundays. You are recklessly abandonded for Jesus and always pushing me to be more radical, whether it be through fasting, praying, leading my cell, and doing things take me completely out of my comfort zone. The way you push me is not always easy, but it always pushes me to grow. Thank you for building into my life and for being the perfect leader and priest of our home.



I love loving you and being your wife!
Love, Morgan

Judah says, "Happy Birthday!"

Look how cute our babies are!!!

Today we decided to throw caution to the wind and go out to eat after church. As much as our busy lifestyle will accomodate, we keep our kids on a schedule. I like them taking a nap at 1:30 and going to bed at 8:30 (expect on cell nights, then it's closer to 9).

We usually get out of church around 1, chat for a little bit, head straight home, eat lunch, and get the boys down. But, today everyone was going to go to one of Eric's favorite restaurants and he just couldn't say no. We just got home and got Judah down and it's already 3:30! Craziness! I'm sure he'll be going to bed later tonight and sleeping in in the morning. We shall see.

Last night we had a birthday party for Eric at a friend's house. There were about 50 people there in his 2 bedroom condo. We had a lot of fun, though, eating pizza, cake, and hanging out.

Well, currently FIVE of my friends are pregnant! How crazy is that? I'm a little worried that it will make me want to have another baby soon, but I guess I can just live vicariously through them. So exciting, but also crazy for cell group. We currently have two 3yr olds, two 2yr olds, 2 babies under 1, and 3 pregnant women! Needless to say, I've hired a babysitter so that Monday nights don't have to be AS crazy!

Us

Well, we wanted to send out Christmas cards, but we had this (suppposedly) great family picture that wouldn't be done in time. So, instead we planned on sending out "New Years Cards," because we, out of everyone should be sending out cards. But, that probably isn't happening because we're not very motivated. I do still want to share the picture, though. So, here it is!

Thanks for all the comments! For those of you who I haven't commented back, for some reason, blogger isn't letting me today. So, keep looking- my comment will be there soon.

It's still National Delurking Week!

Well, I'm really glad that a few of you lurkers came out of lurkdom. New comments (well all comments) always make me happy!

I guess I should clarify that my "future house in the gated community" is not really going to be my house anytime soon. It's only my dream house. But, someday.... Unfortunately for now we live in an apartment. But, my father-in-law (who is a realtor) said to wait a few years and the market should go down and it will be a good time to buy. Oh the California real estate market. If this state wasn't so great to live in I'd be tempted to move somewhere that actually has affordable housing.

Also, Jenna commented on my background a few days ago. It's Dick and Jane in honor of Judah. My mom bought him a Dick and Jane book and now it's ALL he wants to read. Seriously, before every nap, before bed, and all times in between. I know Eric and I are like junior high boys, but really now, how cannot you not laugh when it says, "Dick is big. Sally is little. Big, big Dick. Little, little Sally"? Ok, so I'm easily amused!

As for the pictures (dad!), Eric has had the camera in his van for the past few days. I kept telling him to get it out, but then we'd both forget. It's finally back in the house, so new pictures will be coming up! I'd like to get a picture of Samuel's teeth, too. His 5th tooth broke through last week (the 4th of January) and, if you've forgotten, number 3 and 4 were just a few days earlier. He bit me (while nursing if you didn't catch that one) the first time the other night. And, if you haven't experienced that before, it HURTS!

I've started a new label called "random" because it seems like that's what most of my posts have been lately. My goal is to have a theme for each of my posts, because I'm not sure how interested you are at just random about my day. Because seriously, I do the same things every week over and over. So, be watching for that.

The past few days I've been really struggling because one of my friends is going through a hard time. I know this is a blog that my friends and family read, so obviously, I can't say much. But, it's hard as her leader and her friend to watch her this way. I'm really learning to not look at people as they are in their circumstances, but to see who God created them to be. Also, not to worry, but to cast ALL my cares upon God. As I've been learning not to worry I've realized how much I do it. Seriously, most nights I stay up worrying about things (this friend, my kids getting sick, etc..), but I'm making a concentrated effort to say, "God, I trust you in this circumstance. I give it all to You. I KNOW You will take care of it."

Now is the time!

This week is National Delurking Week! That means if you read my blog, but have never commented, now is the time. Make yourself known (and give a girl a comment).

Ramblings...

This month marks 3 STRAIGHT years of being pregnant and/or breastfeeding. I say "and/or" because there were actually 3 months where the 2 overlapped. Craziness! I love the excitement of pregnancy and the benefits of breastfeeding, but I'm getting very ready to have my body back! I plan to breastfeed Samuel for about a year, like I did with Judah, so the time is coming quickly! I can't believe how fast time is going. My baby is 8 months! Ahh!!!

After being pregnant for 18 months in 2 years I've worn quite a bit of maternity clothes and big clothes. I've always loved clothes, but now that I'm back in my old size, I think I'm more into them and fashion then I've ever been. If you need someone to go shopping with, give me a call!

As I've said a million times, Judah is talking SO well now! But, it makes me feel a little sad. Or, maybe nostalgic is a better word. For instance, he used to say, "mimi" for banana, but now he says, "banama." Still not banana, but not mimi either. I really liked mimi! He used to call Peter, "P," but can say his name correctly now. And, Jason is no longer "JC." He's no longer needing an interpreter, because other people can understand him most of the time.

Last night we went to this posh baby shower in a big house in a gated community. It was for a girl that I went to elementary school with. She works at Costco and we go there all the time, so I talk to her there. We had a good time, but could unfortunately only stay for a little while. But, I did LOVE driving around in that neighborhood and get some vision for my future house. I even found THE house. I told Eric that I wanted to go back during the day, so if we do I'll take a picture.

Superficial Resolutions

-Learn to use Photoshop. We have this amazing program called Photoshop CS2 that I have no freaking clue how to use. So, I want to learn how to beautify all of my photos and not spend hundreds of $$s for a great family picture. (Which reminds me. I know we said we were sending out a "New Year's" card and we did have good intentions, but don't be getting your hopes up too high...)

-Lose at least 5lbs and tone this bod. So, I guess I should go to the gym more. I'd like to go back to the Butts & Guts class two times per week and maybe another class. You know what I love about the gym? The tvs! My biggest motivation is getting to watch TLC's What Not to Wear. And, when that's not on - MTV's Sweet Sixteen. Am I the only one who has seen that crazy show?

-Eat healthier. I think we eat pretty darn healthy most of the time, but maybe cut down on the chocolate and Starbucks peppermint mochas. Maybe not on the peppermint mochas...

-Keep my house cleaner. Maybe do a modified flylady or something (too lazy to link to flylady, just go to www.flylady.com). I just want to keep the junk and the clutter away at all times. Find a place for the stuff on the counter and the dining room table.

-Spend less time on the computer. Particularly, the waste of time known as myspace. Seriously, myspace sucks you in and brings out the inner stalker in you. Or, maybe that's just me?

Judah is talking in LONG sentences now. Up to 5 word sentences, but several of them at the same time. The other day in the car were talking about how we went to Barnes & Noble with our friend Brooke (her husband is Peter). Judah said, "I like Peter. Do you like Peter too, Papa?" Smart, smart boy. But, you all knew that!

Spiritual Sculpting

Judah & Samuel with their buddy, Benaiah, on New Year's Eve

*Disclaimer: I know some of my readers are not Christians. But, you're interested in my life, right? None of what I write is meant to offend, but only to, first of all, express myself through writing. Second, to give you something to think about. If you ever have any questions or comments feel free to email me or leave them in the comment section!

As most of you know, I work out at the gym. My regular routine consits of going on the ellipital or treadmill followed by the same weight routine. I like working out, but it doesn't really challenge me and I hardly ever sweat. Last Thursday I went to a full body sculpting class with my mother in law. I was sore for about 5 days afterwards. It was challenging, I was sore, but it felt SO good. It was obviously doing something and that's what I needed. I needed to be challenged. It wasn't that I hadn't been working out, but I'd definitely hit a plateau.

As I was spending time reading my Bible this afternoon God showed me that this is what is happening in my spiritual life. I've always read my Bible, prayed, and led my cell group, but I'd kind of gotten into a rut. Nothing big was happening. I was comfortable in my little bubble.

With in the last few weeks God was taken me into the spiritual sculpting class. He/I am stepping it up a notch and, although challenging, it's also invigorating and definitely what I need. As I was hanging out with a friend this morning I told her how God was showing me (again!) that this life really is a vapor. What is this moment in relation to eternity? What is this day? This month? This year? Things that seem so huge in the moment are really so small. What someone thinks of me doesn't really matter if I am sharing with them about Jesus. Something small that Eric does that annoys me doesn't really matter. It's not eternal. It can be used to take my focus off of what really matters. Nothing in this world is forever, except having a relationship with Jesus.

Well, I really could go on forever, but I'll spare you. In honor of the new year, I'll break what God is doing in my heart into 3 "resolutions":

-Thoughts: To take my thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. Since having kids I've become such a worrier. What does worrying do? Does it add one moment to your life? Does it change circumstances? No, it only negatively affects you emotionally AND physically. I've decided to choose to TRULY trust God in all things. This is easy to say, but as I've started doing it I've seen how amazing it is. I'm free from worrying about my kids. I'm free from worrying about the girls in my cell group.

-Emotions: Being led by our emotions is like being on a roller coaster you can never get off. (Wow, pretty witty, huh? I just made that up) Seriously though, I no longer want to be a slave to my emotions. My emotions will be led by the Holy Spirit. Things that may seem and feel so true, just aren't. Emotions aren't always truth, they're just a feeling. Feeling things deeply is good, but not if it doesn't life up with the Word.

-Words: I want everything that comes out of my mouth to be helpful in building others up according to their needs. That it may BENEFIT those who listen. I don't want one negative thought to enter my mind or one negative word to come out of my mouth. I want a flow of positive and encouraging words to come out. I want my words to build up my husband, my children, the girls in my cell group, and everyone I come in contact with.