a big day!

 this guy....

 

is officially registered for preschool. 

Wasn't he just....this??

 ...and this?

 and not that long ago..this?

but now-

 

(above photo courtesy of kelly allen photography)

My boy.... is a boy. An almost-4-year-old, almost-school-going little boy.

It's nearly more than this mama heart can bear to think about. I remember like it was yesterday the day we found out we were expecting him, the day we found out 'it's a boy!', the day he (finally) entered this earth. I've barely gone to bed but a night or two since he started calling me Mama, taking steps, loving footballs.

But now...suddenly...

this boy dresses himself in the morning, pours his own juice. He carries my stuff and loves to help. He plays with his oldest younger sister and would do anything to take care of Nora James.

...and in just a few short months, he's off to school.

I've put off registering him, put off considering all of this for as long as I could, but as of today, he is officially registered, and will be attending the school that our church runs and that his Daddy works at.

It's hard and so sweet to watch your babies grow, huh? 

Anyway. Sigh.

More exciting news!!

This lady...

(above photo courtesy of kelly allen photography)

(That's ME, fyi.)
(and man, my husband is good looking!)

is now the possessor of a domain name!

Meaning... I'm so close to having a real (photography) website!! 

'Tis exciting.

AND

we got family photos taken last week.

Kelly is an amazing photographer, and I love the images we've seen so far--

cannot wait to see the rest!

Jordan and I took several just the two of us... and I am really excited about those. We didn't do engagement pictures, barely have wedding photos, have so few shots of the two of us. So I'm pumped.
It was interesting to be on the other side of the camera, and fun to feel the anticipation of seeing the pictures. Gave me a fresh perspective on what I do.

:)
And...
I did an hour spin class at the gym this morning. Holy Moly.
I think that's enough excitement for one day.

Happy Tuesday!

what a difference... (Cate version)

One year makes.

Caters, last May:

and today:

...and a few more of my approaching 2 and a half, wild, tender, free-spirited little girl:

 (time out. when did this happen!? So big, so fast...)

Isn't she lovely? 

:)

And to know her, to be with her, hear her sweet voice, listen to her rapid-fire thoughts... amazing...

she's incredible.

I've said it a million times over, but what's one more time?! 

I have blessed beyond measure.

Pics of Corbanator coming next!!

today:

It was 80 degrees.

We went outside as soon as we got dressed.

We took a 20 minute walk-

big kids in the NEW double jogger, 

Nora riding in her favorite place... the sling.

I would've been content to walk much longer, but 20 minutes is the perfect amount of time to eat an apple and raisins and ask Mama questions about heaven and Jesus and why we take walks.

We then got some gas station coffee...all four of us, the big kids holding hands and being told not to touch the 'beautiful fings' (aka the pink lighter at checkout-- per Cate).

In case you're wondering, it's no easy task to carry two coffees (one for my friend), a baby in the carseat, and to keep a 2 and 3 year old within arms reach simultaneously. You must be in a daring mood to attempt. Just a warning.

:)

We play for hours at my dear friends' house who has three the same ages as my 3. 

We got to talk and drink coffee and worry about tanlines and sunscreen.

Perfect.

The kids mostly got along and Cate was exceptionally not nice... very unusual for her.

I may or may not have scrounged up change to sneak through a certain fast food chain for a certain beverage of choice that may or may not consist of 'diet' and 'coke'.

We came home and I laid the kiddos down for naps... all three.

That was about 45 minutes ago, and only one of them is sleeping.

I went up to address Cate's non-sleeping-ness, to find her WITHOUT CLOTHES (and diaper), and trying to pick the lock to Nora's room with the clippy that was in her hair.

Sigh.

I've removed everything with plugs and any sort of metal already. Who knew I even needed to check her head for potential lock pickers.

Now- her big brother snuck out and opened her door (which is child proofed from the inside), and they're giggling in Corban's room.

I'd been attempting to sew, but with the 19 trips I've had to make upstairs, and running out of thread, it's just not happening today.

Rain is quickly moving in, and I've got a photo session scheduled with one of my favorite families for this evening. I'm hoping the weather passes by then.

All of this to say- 

this weather has me SO looking forward to summer. 

I'm so ready for long days outside (like today) and suntan noses and water fights and sand castles.

Soon, my friends. Soon the forecast won't have 9 days of rain in the next ten, and maybe just maybe we'll have consecutive days with sunshine.

Won't that be grand?

Until then, I'll soak up these moments we do get.

And try to enforce naptime for the sake of us all.

Adios!

4 months old!

sweet baby Nora James...

4 months old!

 

So so happy, smiley, content. 

She loves to coo, reach for Corban, snuggle her blankie or whatever I'm wearing. I want to always remember the way she curls her fist as she grabs it and holds it to her face... those little things that too quickly become a blur. She arches herself sideways when she's ready to eat, rolls from belly to back, loves her bouncy seat and to be carried in the sling.

She's still a peanut, weighing in at a whopping 10 lbs, 0 oz, and is 23.5 inches long. 

This age is so fun- starting to see so much personality...

I love love love being a mama to this sweet baby girl.

MISSION TRIP!!!! :)

Just a quick blurb here-
We're working as a youth group to raise support to go to St. Kitts this summer.
In case you're wondering... I hate fundraising. BUT- with three of our five member household going on this trip, it's necessary.
I've never been on a mission trip before, and I am beyond excited about this opportunity. I've previously mentioned our best friends moving down to the island to start a church--- it was really really sad for us to watch them leave, it was a major role change in Jordan's job, etc. etc. etc.- Now, we're getting a chance to go down and be a part of what God is doing in St. Kitts. They've already gotten plugged into SO many things- coaching a basketball team, serving at a Boys Club, leading a Bible study. We'll be helping with these things, running a vacation bible school, beach clean-up, whatever other needs arise between now and then. I can't wait to be down there with our dear friends, to see life as their experiencing, and to serve the people that are now part of their home, their lives.

To read more about what Brandon and Wendi are doing in St. Kitts and what we'll be a part of this July, check out their blog here.

If you're interested in contributing to our team financially, you can click on the following link to do so:
Marathon Event Marketing - Indianapolis Fundraising - Horizon Youth Group - Kristen McGaughey

Most importantly, please be praying for our trip. We're taking an incredible group of kids down to serve alongside incredible people. We want to be used to spread the love of Jesus to the Kittitians and to bless and encourage Brandon and Wendi and their growing family. We covet your prayers for our time now as we work and serve as a group to prepare to go their to work and serve the locals!
Thanks, friends!! :)

bullets.

• I have too much to do to be blogging right now... yet, here I am.
• It's rained at least 673 straight days.
• That last bullet may be an exaggeration. But I sure am missing sunshine.
• I have mastered my homemade carmel macchiato. And it is good.... Only further enforcing my latte addiction.
• Easter weekend was jam packed and included two trips to our hometown, riding to prom in a limo, three church services, two easter egg hunts, and a tremendous appreciation for a Savior who died and rose and gives me life abundant.

(In case you're wondering about the 'sling'--- Cate's Uncle Isaac broke his wrist last week and is in a sling. Cate fell and scraped her elbow, and wore hers for the next two hours, refusing to take it off. ha!)

• I woke Cate up at 10:15 this morning. That's incredible, in case you were wondering.
• I'm slowly-but-surely trying to convince the aforementioned little girl that at 2.5 years old, it's time to kick the paci habit. She's not buying it.
• I'm working on lots of little changes round these parts- starting tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. with a get-in-the-Word-and-pray date with my husband. Have I ever mentioned that I like to sleep? and I don't like 6 a.m.? It'll be good though. I am excited about it.
• We got a new, second double jogging stroller! We initiated it last week with a 16 minute (slow) run on the track. I LOVE that my husband will run with me...and I hate being so out of shape. :)

 

•  Corban serenaded me this morning, singing "Happy Birthday" while holding a yellow sand bucket filled with grapes he picked off their vine, and a giant pretzel rod sticking out of it for the candle. It's not my birthday, but I loved it anyway.
• We bust out of this house and played in the downpour in our front yard for an hour this morning. Nothing better than those giggles erupting from my kiddos...

• Jordan was home for lunch and made homemade pizza covered with peppers and onions and mozzarella. Delish!
• I'm reading One Thousand Gifts. It's a life-changing read.
• My baby is approaching four months old. Someone- please! slow down the time:

 

I must actually accomplish things now... back to work (studying for tonight, editing, cleaning) I go!!

Happy rainy Monday!

real quick

It's been two whole weeks since I last blogged.
Whoa.
This seems to fall by the wayside with the arrival of sunshine.
It's been amazing outside this week. I could do all year of days like today- not quite 70, bluest blue sky. We spent hours at the park this morning and it was wonderful. Perfect. The fresh air wiped all three out and my house is silent-- messy, but silent. I like the quiet of naptime. I like the rustle of wake-time, too, but these two hours of quiet make way for refreshing...especially when the windows are open and the cool breeze is blowing the curtains. Perfect.
I don't really have anything to say right now - I've got a to-do list way too long to actually sit and write right now, but I want to post something on this long-neglected blog of mine. So, here I am, telling you that we're busy playing outside and having people over and making our house a home. And when I'm not doing those things, I'm probably taking pictures or editing the pictures taken. Things are busy for kristenmcg photography right now- and it's wonderful. Still learning balance, a schedule, etc., but I enjoy doing it unlike anything I've ever done.
On that note... better go clean my kitchen. I'm behind on all areas housework related, and this next week is crazy busy with photo sessions- I've GOT to learn how to better manage my time (and to suck it up and do what I don't want to when it needs done, not when the mood strikes... ). Hopefully I will be back in the near future with updates!