Big Daddy One

Morgan has gotten to the stage where she refers to things as, "A little baby one" or "A mommy one" or "A Big Daddy One." It doesn't matter if it is 3 different size bouncy balls, or cups, or whatever it may be, the biggest one is ALWAYS "the big Daddy one."

I started thinking about that yesterday, and Morgan has really got everything figured out quite well. JD most definately has the biggest job, and along with it, some of the biggest stresses out of our little family.

The small hardships we are going through with the slow down in work weigh heavily on my handsome husband. But I want him to know, that the things he does BESIDES making the money for our family, are the things that Morgan and I love so very much about him.

I love when he looks over and notices that in the last half hour, I have cleaned the house and he says, "Whoa. Cleaned the whole house huh?" Which really, in his own little way means, "Holy Moly, look what you did, and I am thankful for it"

Sometimes, when I am all wrapped up in what I'm doing, and the house suddenly goes silent, I automatically go into a frenzy trying to figure out what Morgan is getting into. Then, I love it when I find Morgan in the garage with JD continuously poking him with a screwdriver telling him to "use dis one Daddy" and he is just patiently telling her, "Okay, I'll use that one in one little minute"

I love when he gets out of bed at 4:30 in the morning, gets ready as quietly as possible, and is out the door by 5:00 to provide for his family. I love that he does it, regardless of how hard it is for him, and that even when he has only gotten 5 hours of sleep, he is still thoughtful enough to try not to wake up Morgan, just so I can get a few more hours of sleep.

Morgan cycle's through her favorite songs pretty regularly, and the one she's been singing regularly lately describes it far better than I ever could:

(in Morgan's words)

"I love Daddy, Yessiree. He love Morgan, yessirree. I love Mommy yessiree. We are a happy Family."

One of Those Little Moments

I know I just posted yesterday, but I just had one of those little moments you have as a mother, that make it all seem amazingly worthwhile.

I was sitting on the couch, folding laundry, and Morgan was "helping me" (wadding clothes into a ball and saying "All folded!") I was folding some garments, when she says,

"Mom, where Morgan's garments?"

So I responded,

"Morgan doesn't have any garments. She will get them when she gets married in the temple."

Morgan then disappeared into her room and came out holding a small fairy tale castle toy. She brought it over to me and said,

"Morgan want to married in temple. In BIG temple. Yup."

I just LOVE that when Morgan sees castles, she calls them temples. I just LOVE that while I know she doesn't really know what she's saying, she is already telling me she wants to get married in the temple. I really just LOVE everything about her!

She's one BIG GIRL

So, we finally made the switch to a big girl bed for Morgan! She's been sleeping pretty badly for a while now, and I have had my suspicions that it is probably from running into the side of the crib, so into the big girl bed she must go! When we first started setting it up, she was so excited she could hardly keep herself away while I was putting the sheets on!

And OF COURSE she had to jump on it!

This is right before bed. She's about ready to konk out!

I'm too tired for pictures Mom!

It must have been one good night's sleep cause check out that hair!

Favorites

Our family just got home from our most recent excursion up to Salt Lake City. And it was a long one! This was probably my personal best trip up there, and there are lots of reasons why:

- Getting to know JD's grandparents better, who are living with his Mom. Seeing their day to day life as his Grandpa struggles with a terminal disease. Seeing his sweet Grandma hold her sick husband's hand and you can tell she is just trying so hard to squeeze every last drop of her love into that hand. Hearing his Grandpa telling jokes through it all.

- Seeing my cousins and spending the afternoon with my college roommate Amanda. I love how that never changes. I sat down on her couch and even though we had kids, it was like we were back to living with each other, just hanging out. Loved it.

- Hearing JD bless the sacrament in his parent's home, since his grandparents are too sick to make it to the ward. I cannot tell you how strongly I felt the Spirit, and knew, just knew that my husband's worthiness to hold the Priesthood of our Lord was the reason I was able to partake of the cleansing power of the Atonement that week through the Sacrament. I am so thankful for JD's strength to resist temptation and to follow where the Savior leads so that he can bless our family.

- Going to the air show with Annette and Morgan. There is nothing quite like seeing a permanent smile on your daughter's face

- Listening to Morgan get SO excited to say the "SNATCH THAT MONKEY RIGHT OUTTA THAT TREE" in a song Annette taught her

- Driving up to Randolph with Alicia and the friendship that's grown between us. I love the days we spend with her and her family.

- Watching Alicia's stroller go careening into a pond!

But most of all....easily my favorite moment of our trip:

-We were able to attend the Oquirhh Mountain Temple Open House. Before the walk through, we were ushered into a tent to watch a short movie on temples. I was so completely overcome. I know the temples are the house of our Lord. I know the ordinances we perform inside them are pure and binding. I know the temple is a Holy place, where we can learn to know our Savior and Brother. I know my Morgan felt that holiness as we walked the halls. It is amazing to me, that even when the temple has not yet been dedicated, it is still such a place of peace and safety. I will always be eternally grateful for my husband and the covenants we chose to make together in the only place on Earth that allows us to be together forever.