Days like this...

Today temperature was 84 degrees with 50% humidity, super sunny without a cloud in the sky. Today is one of those days when I regret not buying a Pontiac Solstice or a Saturn Sky. About 2 years ago, Ken and I were both working, and we'd just purchased our house. We were having the time of our lives as a young married couple. At the time, I really wanted him to buy a Pontiac Solstice, and even tried to talk him into it after I was pregnant. He works so hard at work and at school, has a 45 minute commute and sacrafices so much for us as a family. I wanted him to have something that he was proud of having. Something that he could call his own and enjoy every day. Perhaps it was vane of me, or perhaps it was me not being wise with our money or resources, but I really wanted him to have something of his own like this. It was the only time I really felt that we could have done something like that, because we were both working and it could have been a "slurge". Unfortunately, we didn't do it, and now we can't... especially with wanting to really start a family (have more kids than Finnegan). Until we get that bigger house (with 4-5 bedrooms and a 3 car garage) we can't even think about this special treat for the hubby... And days like today, make me regret not purchasing that car and treating my husband, regardless what logic says.

Pet Peeves...

Oh, so everyone has pet peeves... and today, I experienced two in one day!! UGH!

1. I hate it when some one calls you on your cell phone and leaves a message and then calls your house phone and leaves the same message there. I know that some people aren't up on technology and don't check both phones all the time, but I do... So if you call on one phone, I'm sure I'll get the message.

2. I hate it when my husband has class in Seattle/Bellevue. I know it's a good deal and I know that he works so hard, but I hate it when he doesn't call me before he leaves, and then can't pick up his phone while he's driving (must have a hands free device in the car when you're on the phone - new law) and so I can't get a hold of him for 40 minutes... I can call him all I want, but he's not gonna answer. And I just have to wait. And the worst part is that it is at 9:30 at night. So, If there was a problem, its so late at night! And to make it worse, I'm so irrational when I can't get ahold of him... UGH!!

What are your pet peeves?

When in doubt, give underwear!

If you didn't know, I'm a huge fan of underwear. I love to buy and wear new underwear. I think it's even fun to give it as a gift. Recently, my friend Amy was putting together a basket of goodies for her mom and asked her friends to contribute. The basket of goodies was gonna be for her mom's birthday, but also would facilitate some laughs and comfort while she began chemo-therapy for breast cancer. She gave some great ideas of things we could purchase and give for the basket. When I went to "the store" which is always Target :), I tried to think of things that would be fun for her too, while she getting her treatments and put a smile on her face. I found these great underwear that had martini glasses on them... something completely fun! I saw Amy's mom, Karen, on the 4th of July and she said (again) that she loves the undies and wears them every Tuesday when she gets her treatment.

How fun is it to surprise a friend with a pair of new undies?? (Just make sure you know their size) Everyone can use them, and I know that I always feel pretty in a brand new pair! They can be fun or classic (no granny panties) or even sexy (we are all adults here). So, for a small birthday present, or just because, when in doubt, give underwear!

4th of July Celebration

Here are some photos from our 4th of July picnic. Below is the Cherry Pie that I made for my husband this year. I've always wanted to make one from scratch and thought this year would be great.
This is Karen, Finnegan and I. I haven't seen Karen in about 4 months and she's been very sick with breast cancer and treatment. But needless to say she looks fantastic and we are thankful to the Lord for her recovery, although it's been a rocky road, as each cancer survivor can attest too.
The men with this years fireworks purchase. Look how proud they look.
And the women... we had no hand in the purchase, but thought we'd have some fun anyway!
My hubby with the Incredibles boat, now called Jonah, after it was pulled from the lake after 2 years underwater. My darling husband sank the boat right after we became friends with the McClimans and Mulligans. He felt horrible. Many attempts were made to find the boat, but to no avail, it was gone. Even a friend with scuba gear came out last year to search for it. Several weeks ago, Kelly and Chris pulled it from the deep after days of calm water. And now, Ken show's his affection for the resurrected boat.
Finnegan enjoyed his new treats... Cherries and celery. And the celery felt so good on those budding teeth!

MI Trip Photos

Here are some photos from our trip to MI... Enjoy!

While our trip to MI, I attended my 10 year high school reunion. This is a recreation of a photo that we took 10 years ago at prom... I'll have to see if I can scan the other and post a comparison... I think we all look pretty much the same anyway! :)

Finnegan with Grandma and Grandpa Morgan out in the blackcap bushes. Yummy!

Finnegan with Papa Chris

Finnegan at his first trip to Bronners (and Mommy's first trip too). What a cute hat!

Finnegan and Izzie enjoying a baba together :)

Finnegan and Aunt Beth at the Zoo

Izzie is always ready to give kisses, especially when sporting their custom MaggieMoo Designs.

Finnegan visiting Great Grandpa Jack (my Papa Jack)

Oh, and Finnegan's new favorite toy... One may show up at our house shortly because he enjoyed it so much!

And we were both so happy when we were home again with Daddy and the Dogs!

Home at last!!

Finnegan and I finally got home from a long night of traveling. Our flight was to leave Detroit at 7:25pm and we didn't even board the plan until 10:30pm. And although we left at 11pm, we didn't arrive in Seattle until 1am (Pacific time). Oh, what a trip. But, Finnegan did pretty well. I felt like I was constantly moving with him to keep him calm (rocking him, patting him on the back, etc). He did let out one scream with about an hour left in the flight. He had bumped up against my thumb nail and it startled him. Once I got him calmed down, he did pretty well. We didn't arrive home until 2am or so and he has woken up this morning at 6am for breakfast (because it is 9am in the east - the time schedule that he's now used too). So, we'll work for the next couple of days to get him back on pacific time schedule.

When we left MI, we had been delayed by lightening and thunderstorms. It was pretty bad before we left the airport. It was pretty neat to see the activity from the panoramic windows at the airport, and the wide open spaces of the tarmac with nothing to obstruct your view. When we landed in Seattle, I had seen lightening from the plane, but didn't seem to notice, as it had been old hat from our experience in MI. But lightening is not a normal occurrence for us Washingtonions. This morning, I heard the statistic of 2500 lightening strikes overnight for our area - a very staggering statistic for our area.

My first day home will include some sleep (which I preparing to head back to bed right now), some grocery shopping and some baking/cooking for our picnic tomorrow.

I sure am glad to be home, and to be with Ken again. I sure did miss him while being gone. And I know Finnegan did too. I will try to post photos later today or this weekend. We had some great adventures and met many people while in the great mitten state!

Faithfulness abounds!!

Greetings from MI. I have one more day here in the mitten state until Finnegan and I head back to our lovely green state, that isn't nearly as warm as it is here :) We've had a great time and visited with a lot of people, and been a lot of places. But there is always people we didn't get to see or visit, which is always sad. (Lacey - sorry we didn't get to GR. I didn't even see Trina or Murphy while here, which I was planning on :( ).

But to the real reason for the post... Faithfulness abounds. I haven't posted about this yet, as it is sort of a sensitive subject. My dad lost his job again today, for the third time in 4 years. Needless to say this is a difficult situation. But God is still faithful. We've known for many weeks that this was coming as the writing began to be visible on the wall. Although it was demoralizing for dad, we began praying for God's faithfulness, as we knew that it was impossible for God to be anything but that... And sure enough, not an hour or two after dad was home, God was being just as faithful as He had promised that he'd be. Dad's spirits are up and he has a positive outlook on the future. He has a goal and plans for his short "vacation". And God is even providing funds that dad didn't remember that he had. Special money that God had set apart for this time as being out of work causes so much worry about bills and other payments.

God is faithful and continues to answer our prayers. Please continue to pray for Dad that he will be steadfast in this goals and plans and that he will continue to seek God's plans. Also pray for the encouragement that my mom will need and will need to give to dad as the days get long waiting for that new job. We ask God to already be preparing the new job and him for the new job. Something that he can do for a long time, be satisfied with and enjoy every day until retirement :) To God be the Glory!!