A Short Preview

Today, I was graced with a stunning email today from my friend Mandy! She took the birth photos of Penelope back in Sept, and returned a few days later to the hospital to take a few family photos. Here are just a few from our family photos in the hospital. They are ever so precious of our kiddos and I just can't wait to see the rest.

(this is Penelope's little pouty face that she continues to do right before she's gonna cry! LOVE IT!!)

My Favorite Blogs

So you can clearly keep an eye on my friends blogs on the right hand side of my blog. This shows you their current posts and such.

But this post isn't about those blogs - it's about the others that I religously check up on and take ideas from. And the topics range from cooking, entertaining, and parties... all my favorite things!! Boy, sometimes, I wish I was that inspired/patient/creative to come up with some of these super cute ideas. Check out some of my favorites...

-Half-Baked Blog
-I am Baker
- Dazzle Designs

- Annie's Eats -- This link isn't working... annies-eats.com

- Bakerella -- www.bakerella.com
-Gina's WW Recipes
-The TomKat Studio
- My Life My Loves

Moving Yet??

Well, as the Dray's are preparing for a move, I thought I would post some new on our potentially move to the east coast...

Basically, we are still in a holding pattern. We know of a basic time frame that contracts need to be signed and a move might happen, but nothing is set in stone yet. There has also been a possibility that this move may be permanent after all, and not just temporary. But, since we had the meeting early this week, Ken has shared with me that there are some people who think that perhaps this isn't the best move for his career. There have been several people explaining how exciting this would be for him and how this is a once in a life time opportunity, but at the same time warn that technically, Ken may be sitting around, bored. So, as nothing is set in stone yet, we continue to wait for more information to become available so we can make an informed decision.

My heart is not set on either option. My whole life, I've gotten my heart crushed by getting set on an idea or event or something that is out of my control. So I've learned to just wait and let things go the way they're gonna go - without worrying about it, or trying to control the outcome.

I'll keep you posted!!

Sweet Giveaway!!

Check out this sweet giveaway!!

http://tomkatstudio.blogspot.com/2010/01/fabulous-giveaway-gorgeous-hand.html

My New Mantra...

"The Outcome Is Not Determined By My Intention, But By My Actions"

Wow!! Is God speaking to me or what?? First, I begin thinking about things on my own, wanting to change my course but haven't got any idea of how to do it. Then, I hit a wall and talk with my hubby about it. He hits EVERY point on the head. I hate it when he's right!! -- especially about these sorts of things! And then we go to church this morning and Pastor Ray preaches a wonderful sermon out of Proverbs 27:12. He encourages us to look at our lives, and determine if we think we are above the consequences of our choices. Do we think that although we are making certain choices, that the consequences will escape us? Most of us do!! How convicting!!

Lord, may my intentions fall by the way side, but my actions be stronger than my words. Lead my steps so that those actions are Yours. Lord, mold me and shape me. May I be a woman of my word. Lord, may I make the changes you desire in my life. Lord, each step is not going to be easy, but may I realize that I can not escape the consequences of my actions, when I choose the wrong road, and don't follow you. But there is forgiveness. I rest in that forgiveness, and then get up and walk again on the road you've called me too.

What is going on??

How crazy is this situation between Leno and Conan?? I've always been a fan of Leno and now a fan of Conan. I think that Leno should have stood up for himself when he KNEW it wasn't right to step down. And now, he's put Conan in the middle between him and the network. I am glad for Conan and applaud him for sticking up for himself, even if it means he has to leave the network. And as much as I enjoy Leno, I don't think it would be right for the network to break a contract that they have with Conan (to be the host of the Tonight show at 11:35) just because the local networks are upset with them (local networks are threatening to pull the Jay Leno show at 10pm, because people aren't watching the 11pm news). Very interesting to say the least!!

Anyway - wanted you all to know that Penelope placed #3 in the photo contest on Amber Sheree's Best of 2009 Photo contest. Thanks for voting!

Have you voted yet??

Have you voted for Penelope yet?? Today is the last day for the votes to be caste before counting. Be sure to visit www.ambersheree.com/blog and vote for photo #1, which is Penelope.

Thanks for your support and I'll let you know tomorrow if we win!!

xoxo

A few more sledding...

My friend posted some photos from our sledding adventure and I wanted to share them with you to prove that I was there!!

Our Family of 3 - with Penelope at home with the sitters.

Going down the hill...

Wordless Thursday...

Ok, so it won't really be wordless, as I am posting in response to one of Melissa's posts. Here is a collection of our cars and planes from the movie Cars. I must also note that we are missing a few, including Bob Cutlass, the Barney Stormer airplane (small size) and a regular painted Doc Hudson. Other than that, I also have about 7 of them that are still in the package, waiting for a "reward" moment that I can give them to Finnegan. (including Darrell CarTrip, a Dinoco MacQueen, Leroy Traffic). We love our Cars!

Also, if you sent us a Christmas card this year with your photo on it, I want you to know that it hasn't gone to waste. If your Christmas card had a photo, it has been dismantled and the photo has been added to the mural on our refrigerator of our family and friends. If you didn't send us a Christmas card with a photo, you can next year and your photo will appear on our fridge too.

Have you voted yet??

One of Penelope's birth photos has been entered into the "Best of 2009" photo contest that the photographer is doing. Hop on over to her blog and vote for Penelope! Penelope's photo is number 1 and you can only vote once per IP address. So make your vote count!!

www.ambersheree.com/blog

Let the Potty Training Cist and Decease!

Yup, that's right. After 3 fairly successful days of potty training, the toddler has decided that he wants to wear diapers again. The fussing was so bad last night, and Ken finally got him to calm down and talk about it. Ken asked him if he still wanted to be a big boy, and his answer was no. Then he asked him if he wanted to wear big boy pants or a diaper, and he replied "diaper". Ken asked him several times and his answer was the same, so we decided to not push the issue and let him go back to wearing diapers and we might try again in a couple of weeks. But Ken and I have decided to NOT even mention sitting on the potty for at least 3 weeks, and hopefully will give him a break. But this morning, it took all Finnegan had to even let me change his diaper. So who knows! Right now, it is such a power struggle. And I just have to be the parent, and make him want to follow instructions, regardless of what the issue is. Grr... Why does this have to be so hard???

Let the Potty Training Begin!!

Well, I had originally decided to put the potty training to rest, as our various encouragements to sit on the potty were met with a stubborn and defiant little boy. I was tired of the fussing and the fight that it was to just have him sit on the potty. So, we'd originally given up and not pushing the issue. Until Saturday, when our little boy told us that he wanted to be a big boy. We explained that part of being a big boy means that you sit on the potty and go peepee in the potty. He told us that he wanted to do that and to wear big boy pants. So the training began mid Sunday morning. He did very well on Sunday and had a few accidents yesterday. But he keeps insisting that he wants to wear his big boy pants, even after he has accidents. He goes on the potty 9 times out of 10 when he sits on it. The only problem is that he still resists sitting on the potty each day, even though he has a dry diaper and goes when he sits on the potty. So we continue to encourage him and praise him for going on the potty when he does... Yesterday, he had more successes on the potty than he had accidents in his pants. So we have progress. But I know it will be a long couple of weeks before he gets good at doing it!!

In other Morgan News, Penelope is quickly learning how to roll over. She rotates herself in a circle as she rolls up on her side (from her back) and then rolls down again -- until she's made a complete circle. Crazy mover!! She smiles and laughs and "talks" all the time.

No news about our possible move yet. We are anxiously waiting to hear the news and possibilities.

Ken and I have been enjoying "the Office" on DVD. We've watched it on TV on and off for the last year, but never really gotten into it fully. But now that we have the DVD's and have been able to watch them back to back, it is exciting to watch. I love watching it with Ken and enjoying a good laugh together!! I look forward to each night when Ken gets home and the kids are in bed and we can sit and watch together!! Very fun!! We are now beginning season 4. :)

Oh, one last thing. Here's a little video of Finnegan sledding with Daddy on New Years Eve!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Photo Post

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Morgan's Matinee! We hope you had a wonderful Christmas Celebration and hope your rang in the New Year with style!! Here are a few photos from our exciting holiday events. :)

Here is my sweet pea - all ready for Christmas!

Grandma and Grandpa Morgan came to visit for 10 days during Christmas. It was a wonderful time!

Finnegan had a hand at decorating some cookies for the first time. He had a lot of fun!

Christmas Eve Service at Church. Penelope was sleeping, or she would have been in this photo too. :)

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Merry Christmas!! Christmas morning was very relaxed at our house. We opened gifts at Finnegan's speed. When he wanted to stop opening gifts and play with toys or watch a movie - that's what we did... no need to rush through it. We had no plans for the day! It was very nice!

Happy Penelope has started to smiling and cooing like crazy. She LOVES to talk and although she isn't the first born, she likes to be the center of your attention :)

Here she is practicing her talking with daddy!
Just before Grandma and Grandpa were to leave. It was so nice having them here for Christmas!

We took Finnegan sledding for the first time on New Years Eve. There wasn't much snow when we arrived, but it started snowing TONS while we were there. It made for a great day! I'll post a video later of Ken and Finnegan sledding down the hill!

New Years Eve was filled with fireworks and sparklers as well as lots of fun playing with our friends! Happy New Year!!