Odd jobs

Lately, as many of you know Justin and I have been desperately trying to pay down loans and get out of debt. It's a very tedious process and at times very frustrating when you have to back slide because of unexpected charges. Luckily, we've both recently been able to do a few odd jobs to make a little extra income, jobs that we actually enjoy to do. Justin has been mowing a few yards for a friend of his, well more like 23 yards. However, with the season changing that will unfortunately be no longer needed. Justin would LOVE to start a mowing business. If any of you have a lead on an AFFORDABLE trailer for a mower please let us know! He has had this dream of starting a mowing business for a long time now and would like to really start promoting something this spring to be a side job for him.

I on the other hand have been trying to find some way of making money myself. I have been blessed with the opportunity to stay home with Morganne 2 days a week so the chance to make some money while having her has been a bit difficult. We have justified that the extra $80 a paycheck to work 2 more days with daycare fees, gas costs, and emotional time away from our daughter just isn't worth me working 2 more days a week. God has blessed me with friends who have "hired" me to do some of the things I love. I was commissioned to draw a portrait for a friend of mine of her golden she recently lost. Justin took a few pictures of me drawing. I think this is the first time I've been photographed while doing art. Many of my friends now don't even know I like to do artwork. Since reading my sister-in-laws blog about "feeling her greatest while being creative" I've really started thinking about doing more "creative" stuff. I've got a few projects in mind... If only the clean-up weren't so time consuming! I need a bigger house....

Another blessing I've had recently is to take some pictures of a couple friends of mine. Cassie swapped me my photography time for 2 hair cuts at her salon! It's not money, but it's money saved from a needed thing! I love it! Here are a few photos from the afternoon. It truly helps when your subjects are so photogenic!! Again, I'm not a professional, I just like photography. No judging!

This is Cassie and her cat Cairo.

Also, while out at the park for the photo shoot Justin and Morganne played in the swings for the first time! It was a bit cold, but I think she liked it!

And of course I can't leave you without an update on Morganne. She is definitely getting bigger. Still no crawling yet, but that is fine with us. We are enjoying the stationary period as long as we have it. I like knowing that I can leave her on the floor or in her bouncy seat and know that she'll be there when I come back. She is getting an attitude and will let you know when she is becoming impatient about whatever she is doing, such as not feeding her fast enough or not keeping her interest. Oh but she is so adorable. We smile every day!

Nap time with Daddy still continues often. Oh we will miss these days....

This is my favorite Morganne face! I'm so glad Justin caught it in a photo. This is her "I'm happy and being ornery, but aren't I cute!"

And lastly, I had to share this photo. This is a dress that my great aunt made for me when I was a baby. Yes, it does fit Morganne however, I'm glad it's not a fitted outfit!