Prayer Request

Please pray for Reverand Jack Yeager from Stow United Methodist Church. He had surgery this past week to repair an abdominal aneurism. From what my mother said the surgeon told his family that the Hand of God is what got him through the surgery and that he must have some important things left to do on this earth. Jack has been at Stow since I was in High School. He is the pastor who christened my baby girl. He has seen my family through many things and helped my mother to start her Candidacy for Local Pastor. Please help us return his always being there for everyone and keep him in your prayers. Thank you.

Not quite as motivated as I thought and a psychic child.

I did not wake up this morning as originally planned. I was however up at 4:30 am wondering why my child was awake. By the time I was finally back asleep it was after the time I was supposed to leave for the gym. I really did have the best of intentions. I will try again tomorrow.

Before Shawn picked Aubs up tonight he asked if I would mind if he went out to the movies to see Pirates. I would normally jump at the chance to go see a movie without a child but the thought of a 2 1/2 hour movie after work just doesn't thrill me. I told him it wouldn't be a problem. I would like to stress the fact that I said Aubs was no where near this conversation. While eating her dinner she looks at us and says "I want to see Yo ho yo ho a pirates life for me." To which Shawn replied "Do you want to watch the DVD tonight?". She looks up at him and said "No, I want to go to the movie theater with you". I just don't know where she comes up with this stuff.

I did it, a sad heart, and a random thought.

Today I got up extra early and made it to the gym. I was on the treadmill for 22 minutes. I don't think that is to bad for a first time ever. I kept a steady pace and did not get lose my breath or fall off. I had this horrible picture of me in my head flying off the back of the treadmill and into the giant mirror. I doubled my goal since I only had the confidence in myself to go for 10 minutes. I am not in pain or moving like Ozzy Osbourne as is usually the case when I try some sort of new excercise plan. I feel so great in fact that I may get up and do it again tomorrow even though my original plan was to only go MWF. I am feeling brave enough to try the weight machines and elliptical. For anyone looking for good workout tunes I highly recommend The Devil Wears Prada soundtrack.
My poor Aubs she has her first sunburn so she is very sad. I stood up for a minute to show Shawn her pink little shoulders and we were looking at pictures and saw one of Shawn's Granny T. She passed away one month after Aubrey was born. Aubrey asked where she went and I told her with God. She started to cry and said that she wants to see her Granny. How do I help my poor sad little girl? I don't want her to be sad but at the same time I don't want to lie to her.
One last random bit from my thoughts: When did They Might Be Giants become Disney's new house band? They did Higglytown and an alphabet cd. Now they sing the theme song for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Followed by a random question: Is BNL next? That is a kids album I could totaly get behind.

Tuesdays About Town

Today I have a post that includes other towns but I am excited about my local branch. Today I joined a gym. I have tried the running/jogging in my neighborhood but that really only works in December, January, and February and even then it is touch and go. During those months if it is not hot it is in the thirties. I know that is warm to some of you for winter temps but my blood has thinned and I am now a Florida Freeze Baby. Air Conditioning and fans are the only way to work out. This particular gym offers memberships for $10 a month with no contracts. As good as that sounds I for some reason had to one up the great deal and go for the $20 a month plan. It really is two memberships in one because I get unlimited guests so if anyone wants to be my workout buddy let me know. It also includes unlimited tanning. I know that this may seem silly to those of you who don't live in Florida but this may be a nice feature since my family insists on making fun of my pasty white self when I go home in the winter. Seventy degrees is not warm enough for me to lay out anymore so I may have to resort to man made rays. They also threw in a T-shirt. I will try to keep you all posted on my progress. If I can get in shape enough I would like to try to run the 1/2 Disney Marathon. I know this is a lofty goal but a girl can dream.

Failed attempt at Flashback Friday

Charissa does Flashback Fridays on her blog so I thought I would give it a try. I meant to scan in the picture and post it today but I forgot (the failed part). I will still talk about the memory though because the place and the memories are so vivid I don't really need the pictures. The summer I turned sixteen two friends talked me into going to Lakeside Institute with them. I had no idea how that place would change my families lives. I was a bit skeptical at first but my father told me he used to go to Lakeside on retreats and it was a great place. My first summer there included all the baggage of a girl who had just turned sixteen. The year before going had seen my first real experience with death, my first real boyfriend, and my first break-up. Not to mention drivers license drama. Down with maneuverability! Ohio's way of torturing teens and ensuring that a whole state grows up not learning how to parallel park.
When we got Lakeside I was in Unit 9, which coincidentaly was the unit I stayed in during my last year. The very first non-Stow person I met was Kari. She was also in Unit 9 and in my small group Chunky Monkey. The theme that year was Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, to this day Chunky Monkey is one of my favorites. Kari taught me that you can sneak into the hotel and buy a cup of hazelnut coffee also still a fave. I could go on and on about my first week there but the reason I bring this up was I was the first Morgan to go. I was the only Morgan there my first year. This year I am the only Morgan not there. Tomorrow the Morgan clan and in-laws (current and hopefully future) pack up the cars and head for Lakeside. I am so proud that my family is so involved in this Ministry that made such and impact on my life. It amazes me that my mom, dad, sister, brother, and brother-in-law can and will make a profound difference in the campers lives. I hope one day I can be back there with them but for now I will sit and reflect on my weeks at Institute with a smile on my face. Have a waffle cone of Moose Tracks for me.
P.S. If one of the girls who convinced me to go should read this THANK YOU. Your encouragement to join you and your siblings changed my life.

New Word and a picture

Sorry it took so long but here is the picture I promised from this weekend. This is Aubs and her daddy at Epcot. Daddy is the one wearing the wig.

Here is our new word for the day:
Muches

We believe it to mean more or most. How Aubrey Beth used it I love you muches. Shawn and Aubs were having an argument as to who loved me more. She obviously won creating a special word just to say how much she loves her mama.

Rescheduled Tuesdays about Town

I know that it is Wednesday but as my phone and internet services decided to take yesterday off I had to reschedule Tuesday's post. This week I am having trouble with my drive home and cable company so I will rant. Anyone who lives in Central Florida will tell you that our roads are trouble. We do not have any cleverly named 2__ roads in our area. I don't know if the bypasses are 2__ anywhere other than Ohio but as that is the only other state I have lived in that is what I shall call them. There are two bypass roads in the Orlando area but they are both tolled and go very far out of the way. Should you decide to travel to the Central Florida area here are some helpful hints:
-I-4 does not really run east to west but is more north south with a slight slant.
-The toll roads may seem expensive but by taking them you will save in gas what you spend since there is usually very little traffic on them. (excluding 408 or east/west)
-Some genius in Tallahassee has deemed it necessary to give cutesy names to almost all toll roads. We have the Greenway, Beachline, and the East/West.
-That same genius has teamed up with Starbucks and a toilet company to bring you a rest area every 45 minutes on the Turnpike. So that as your first cup of coffee kicks in you can empty and refill. (sorry really bad joke)
-This one is for Helen: When driving on the toll roads if you see a sign for SunPass and don't know if you have one or not the best way to figure this out is not going through the reserved lane and then trying to back up to pay the man. Chances are if you are an out of towner your car is not equipped with this wonderous device.
-The above mentioned SunPass now works at OIA/MCO so you never have to worry about no cash for parking again.

Blog Tag? HMMMM.

Charissa has tagged me. I guess it was only a matter of time before favorite childhood games became adapted for the internet. I can't wait to see how someone figures out charades.

Why I will participate: the other day my father forwarded an email from my aunt Nancy. It was all about things she remembers from her childhood. I think it is a beautiful gift that she gave to us. She told us about her favorite radio programs, war rations, and paper straws. At the end of this I will tag my parents and hope that the seemingly silly little questions will bring me stories I can share with my baby about her family.

1. How old are you? 29 or the mom of a small child answer 349 months
2. How many kids do you have if any? 1 hence the name of my blog.
3. Are you married, single, divorced, or a widow? married
4. What is your occupation? Care Coordinator
5. What are your passions? Loving my family with all that I have, My baby girl, Knitting, Scrapbooking, the Great Hidden Mickey Hunt
6. Are you a dreamer or a dream seeker? Dreamer for now. I did a fair bit of dream seeking when moving back to Florida.
7. Are you happy with the way you life has turned out? Can't complain, I have a family I love and that loves me.
8. Are you a scrapper? And if so, how many hours a week do you scrap? Yes. I do not do a bit a week but prefer to marathon scrap with Jenny once a month
9. What do you want to do before you die? I have done the one thing I truely needed to do which is be a mom. Next would have to be taking Aubs to Ireland so she can see where her Grannies B and Teague were born.
10. What is your favorite food? Turkey Chili, and chicken salad with red grapes.
11. What is the food you hate the most? Soup with mushy crackers and boxed mac and cheese (anything with fake cheese flavor makes me ill) Thank you an unnamed former day care worker. In psych class I realized that you had caused me to have a taste aversion.
12. What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you? This one time at Band Camp... No seriously it was a football game in college and my squad marched the wrong part of the drill to a repeating piece of music. We did second ending for first. We were a whole yardline off. Oh well I can laugh now. I think I even have the pic of the three of us running back to place. If I hadn't been playing the tuba people might not have even noticed.
13. What is the happiest day of your life thus far? These are the ones that are to tough to rank: My wedding, Aubrey's birth, The day my sister told me I would be an Aunt, The day Mom told me she was going into the Local Pastor program.
14. Are you a neat freak? Or a dirty house cleaner? I am a neat freak one day a week. On the week days I just try to keep the house from getting out of hand.

I tag:
Mom
Jenny
Helen
Dad
(if you don't have a blog do this in email and send it to me please)

A quick Congrats

WAY TO GO BOB!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so super proud of you. I am the proudest big/little sister (for those of you who don't remember my brother is younger but 1/2 foot taller) of one of the State of Ohio's Newest Paramedics.

Tuesdays about Town

Two posts today, mostly because I forgot it was Tuesday until I looked at Charissa's blog. Today I will use my cop out place of Disney. I do however have a completely valid reason for choosing this locale. My very talented hubby will be performing with "Spirit of America Fife and Drum" this weekend at the American Adventure. He works as a sub out there and has not worked "in show" since Aubs was a new born. The most fun part about this is the wig. He gets to wear a "powdered" wig with a braid. While he may not think it is the most fun part I sure do. I do not have a picture handy of him fifing or drumming (probably not words but this is my blog). I do have the Millenium Parade pic. To me this was the most amazing parade I have ever seen. They had two story puppets and trucks with two drummers that had four sections of 6 drums each as well as auxillary drums on the crowd side. In order to play the music they had to do a sort of dance to use the proper drum heads at the correct point. I cannot even describe the feelings you had watching this parade. It is the only parade that everytime I saw it everyone walking the route truly looked as though they were enjoying themselves. Epcot is my favorite Disney park this week and should you have the opportunity stop and watch the park entertainment. They have some of the most talented people in Orlando in that park. The performances are not as scripted as the shows in the other parks so you feel like you are much more a part of what is going on.

My big girl

I guess this is how things are supposed to go, long gone are the cries of "help me" replaced with "I WILL DO IT MYSELF!". I am just not sure I am ready for this stage. Letting go is hard. I bought her flashcards this weekend because she just wants to learn new things. We went through the letters and there were only a couple she didn't know by sight. For some of those she could make the sound but not remember the name of the letter. Tonight she found a writing pad I had bought her, she brought it up to me and said "I need to praxic my letters". We sat down and worked on her numbers and a few letters. I would write them first and she would repeat. We did one and a half lines like this and she said "I WILL DO IT MYSELF" and she went on to write an A and a B. She is quite the perfectionist and when she did not like the way the B looked erased her lines. I am so proud of my baby and just not ready for her to be the big girl she is turning into.

New Toy

We bought a new toy today. See if you can tell me what it is. I am just happy that I will no longer have to try to keep my camera very still with the flash off to get old pictures into my computer. This one is a favorite of mine. My new toy will help with my secret project. I am very excited to start with that project and now that I have all the necessary tools it should be much much easier.

Slumber Party

Tonight Aubs is having her very first sleepover. Things are going pretty well except for the fact that both girls are still awake. The only other glitch was trying to explain to Aubs why everyone doesn't watch Sponge Bob Square Pants. I would prefer she don't watch it myself but she watches it sometimes with Shawn. So instead we are watching Lazy Town. Just an FYI for all you parents out there Lazy Town does not good bedtime viewing make!!! Both girls have asked many times to get up and dancee. They are sleeping on the "secret bed". You know the kind that hides in a couch. They were so amazed you would think that we had actually waved a wand and made it appear.

Sassy Girl

This evening Aubrey asked me to get her drink that she had left somewhere around the house. By the way this is my least favorite thing to accidentally find with my feet a half empty juice box can make one heck of a mess. I looked at her and told her that I was making dinner and she would have to get it herself. She looks at me with that three year old face and says "Thanks Mom." She is turning in to quite the little smart a**. I wonder where she could get that from.

Godspeed Discovery

There are many catchy sayings in the few hours before and after the launches. I would have to say that Godspeed ___________ (fill in name of shuttle or important astronaut) is my favorite. Today they are saying "Third time is the Charm". After four days of waiting the space shuttle Discovery has launched. I am fascinated by the launches even if I am 50 or so miles away from the launch pad. It has been this way for as long as I can remember. I remember where I was for both the Challenger and the Columbia accidents. I even remember the girl who told me about the Challenger. I remember trying to convince my father that I needed to go to Florida for a school project every time there was a launch. My first launch was amazing. I had been in Florida for about two weeks when it went and I was there.
The Return to Space launch last year was amazing. My neighbors and I stood in the street and cried. Today's launch was the first ever on July 4th. It was beautiful as always. I hope that as I see the launches that are not a first to me I can still appreciate them.
God be with the crew of Discovery. Bring them home safe yet changed by the amazing journey they have had.

Weird Week

I have had an interesting week. I think that I am totally recovered just in time for this week. We moved our office this week. I usually stay away from the work topic as this is supposed to be Aubrey's blog. Moving an entire business is crazy. I couldn't imagine what it would have been like if we were a large business. Moving the twenty of us was insane enough. I feel the worst for our IT guy. His was the worst week of all. If anything else had gone wrong with the office electronics he may have lost it. As it was our phones were forwarded to a wrong number (phone company not us). The answering machine went something like this "If you are a telemarketer you have the wrong number, If I didn't pick up the phone it is because I didn't want to talk to you.". Of all the numbers to go to we got that one. AAAHHHH. We were finally at home on Friday all moved into our cubes with network access (did I mention the server crash?). Those who do have offices will be living with us in the cubes until the painting etc. is completed. We spent most of Thursday and Friday apologizing to patients, clients, and vendors that we were not closed and we did not abandon them it was just a glitch in the phones. So yesterday I did nothing but wait for the shuttle to launch. That was scrubbed. I had the best of intentions. Today I have made up for yesterday's laziness and have made coffee, started the laundry and emptied the dishwasher. I hpe to see the shuttle today and get some cool pictures.