Strawberry picking

I think it is pretty much that something that one might consider work we now do for fun. Example: Strawberry picking.  That is what we did yesterday.  Morgan and I went with our friends Laura and Jack up into the country to get out of the house for a little while and enjoy the BEAUTIFUL weather.

Morgan really seemed to enjoy finding just the right strawberries, but she did want to move from row to row super fast and pass up a lot of good ones that she just wasn't patient enough to find. :)

Morgan loves tasting the berries as we go and I thought it was a great way to switch things up a bit. I think we will got back when the blackberries are ready!

On days like today

Today is Mother's day and even though Morgan is 3 sometimes it feels weird to be part of that "club." Today hasn't been the easiest in the parenting department. She seems to have picked today to try my patience OVER and OVER. I kept getting frustrated. Then I took a step back and thought. Maybe she is just a little more needy today. So I went in her room and asked if she would like me to lay down with her. She happily said yes and within a few minutes she was asleep. I am still a rookie at this whole new hat that is "mother" and I hope that I learn to wear it well.

Morgan is definitely her own person and people have described her to me as "sassy" or "independent" and I think that is very true.

She has to sit in "her spot" when we go to the library for story time. It is the same thing in Primary at church. She has chosen her spot and that it is.

She won't let you call her any type of nickname. If I call her a "cutie patootie" or something she says in a very stern voice "I'm not a cutie patootie! I'm a kid." So I just shrug and say ok.  There have been times where she wants to pretend to be a super hero and save people. Then when I ask her if she wants me to make her a cape. She quickly changes her mind and says "No, I don't want to be a super hero. I'm Morgan." On one hand I worry that her imagination needs a little help, but then on the other hand I'm glad that she loves being Morgan and wouldn't want to change that :)

Today at church all of the Primary children went up front to sing . I noticed that she wasn't really participating, but I just figured she didn't really know the songs. When she came back to sit with us Kevin told her she did a great job and her response was so funny. In a no nonsense way she said "I didn't even sing! I didn't open my mouth once." Her face was priceless. She couldn't understand why we would congratulate her on something she didn't do. I was laughing thru the whole closing prayer.

Morgan also has moments of sweetness. Times when all she wants is to be with you, snuggle and give kisses. Will out of nowhere tell me I am the best mom ever or her best friend and those are the times I treasure.

On to warmer weather

The weather here in Tn. is kind of crazy. One day it is bright and sunny and in the low 80's and then the next it is rainy and almost 60. I like it though. It keeps things from getting boring. On the first really warm day Morgan was all set to play outside in the sprinkler in her new swim suit. She picked it out herself and I think she did a good job.

Of course Ruca had to get in on the fun too!

I have a feeling we will be spending a lot more of our warmer days outside.

A fun visit

Kevin's parents came for a visit a couple of weeks ago and it was great to see them. Morgan gets to excited to see them and get to spend time with them in their motor home. While they were here we tried to make sure to do at least a couple of fun things. I didn't take as many photos as I would have liked, but I did capture a few moments. :)

We went to Cheekwood Botanical garden

We also drove over to Chattanooga and went to the aquarium. We had never been before. Our favorite were the penguins and the otters!

We went to the new Johnny Cash museum downtown.

Other than that we went shopping and out to eat. Kevin arranged to take his dad Sea-Dooing which is a term I remember saying a lot as a child of the south. It was a nice visit. We are sad we live so far away, but we plan to go and visit California next summer hopefully!

My sister's wedding

My sister, Lezlea, got married back in *cough*March*cough* and I am just now getting around to writing about it. I just haven't been good at keeping this thing up lately, but I'm going to try to catch up. My sister's new husband is named Ken and although, I still haven't had to chance to get to know him super well, he seems to make my sister really happy :) I think the best part of the union was who it brought back together. We haven't had a complete family gathering in several years. Maybe over 8! One of my sisters was usually missing, but she was able to drive up and so was my Aunt Linda. I haven't see her in a few years either. It was so great to have everyone in the same place again.

The Happy Couple

Blaine and Me

Tamara and Linda

DJ, Ted, Chance, and Kevin

Dana

My brother Brent and Me

Rebekah and Hannah

All of the Archer Siblings