We Are The Morgans

The End

2010-09-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

or the beginning!

In June, Clark graduated from residency! It was so great, and also a little surreal, to know that he was finally done.

Now that we've been living post-residency for two months, it has been so nice! I wish I could articulate better how life has changed, but suffice it to say that life has definitely changed. It's like a weight has been lifted. Clark is enjoying his new job, and we are enjoying having him home more and working more regular hours.

Summer Fun!

2010-09-21T11:43:00.001-07:00

Summer is officially over now, but here's a quick recap of some of our summer fun:

watching the planes take off at DFW

baby shower with my best friends from high school

my sister and mom at my cousin's awesome wedding

seeing old family friends, the Shorey's, who I babysat for in high school

a trip to our favorite place - Gruene!

Celebrating the 4th

2010-07-07T10:22:00.000-07:00

On that very humid morning of July 3rd, we set out to watch the Lake Highlands Parade here in Dallas. It was tons of fun, with Andrew racing into the street every chance he got to grab some candy and Corinne observing it all quietly from her Daddy's side.

It was a great morning that turned into a great day with lots of friends and festivities! I'm glad I could enjoy it since I am a mere 7 weeks from D-Day!

Yummy Cake

2010-06-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

Awhile back, I made this delicious cake by Giada from the Food Network. It was very easy, and super light!

At first, I wasn't sure I would add the mint like she does. However, we randomly have mint growing in our backyard, so I thought I would try it. Turns out, the girl knows what she's doing! I love this cake!

I did change the Lemon Syrup she makes to add on top. Instead, I made some powdered sugar icing that I added lemon zest and lemon juice to - it was so good! I highly recommend making this cake! I bet it's great for breakfast, not that I would know...

New Life for an Old Chair

2010-06-04T06:14:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I posted anything crafty, and I'm excited to share this redo! It brought me so much happiness to change this chair and recycle it instead of giving it away!

When I was still teaching, my mom bought this great chair at a thrift store (I think) to use in my classroom. She gave it to my dad so he could refinish it for me and make it look nice. He, however, used his creative license and made it look like a throne.

Really, it was fun to have in a classroom full of first graders, and they loved being rewarded with a chance to sit and read in Mrs. Morgan's chair.

I've been hanging onto this chair for six years now because I loved its lines, but I've never had the inspiration to redo it. Well, the Great Garage Clean-Out of 2010 quickly put my rear in gear!

I love the way it looks now! I scraped all the little rhinestones off, primed it with white paint, then painted it a soft creamy color. I had some great greenish-blue fabric with a little bit of texture to it leftover from some project that was perfect for the seat cushion. The color isn't really coming through in the pictures, but it is lovely!

Now I have a quiet spot in my bedroom to sit and read, or nurse the baby when she comes! So fun!

One of the best days of Clark's life...

2010-06-02T06:03:00.000-07:00

If you know Clark or me very well, you know we've never had a clean garage. We don't handle our "stuff" well and are slow to organize.

But about a month ago, I decided that if I was going to survive this pregnant summer, I was really going to need to park my car in the garage to avoid the oppressively hot car.

To say Clark was excited and willing to make this happen would be an understatement! He has wanted to be able to park the car in the garage for years. When we moved last August, I think he had high hopes that we would get rid of enough stuff that it would be possible.

Clearly, he forgot who he was married to.

People, I am proud to say that a few weeks ago, we made Clark's dreams comes true! I present to you an organized garage with space for one CR-V:

Notice the giddy smile across his face? He is so happy!

More Fun with Food

2010-05-30T07:09:00.000-07:00

I got this idea from another blog I read (www.bakerella.com), and knew the kids would love it. We melted some of those colored candy melts you can buy at Joann's or Hobby Lobby. Then I blew up a few water balloons we had (thanks Mimi!) and dipped them in the melted coating. After sitting in the freezer during dinner, they were ready to use!

Of course, Corinne wanted to use the purple candies.

I found that dipping them twice, the second time after they had set up a little bit, helped to hold the bowl together after we popped the balloon.

It was a yummy dessert!

Cheerio Necklace

2010-05-28T08:46:00.001-07:00

In an effort to keep Corinne busy one day, I gave her a bowl of cheerios and a string. I told her to make a necklace that she could eat.

She seemed interested and excited to make something she could both wear and nibble on, but her attention to it fizzled out pretty quick.

I finished the necklace but she wouldn't even wear it. Oh well!

Fun with Food

2010-05-27T07:02:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago the kids and I decided to have some fun with our food. I sliced up a watermelon in thin slices and got out the cookie cutters.

I let Andrew and Corinne decide on a few shapes and gave them each several pieces of watermelon to cut out of - they loved it!

Corinne couldn't wait to start eating, even if she hadn't cut out her shape yet!

DEAR ANDREW'S TEACHERS,

2010-04-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry that his knees, shins, and feet are so dirty this morning. Here's the thing -he's a boy and he's taken to playing in the backyard. Then last night he played on the playground at church. We didn't get home until late, no one took a bath, and I didn't get a good look at his legs until he was already dressed this morning.

Please accept and love him as he is, dirty legs and all, because he is my joy! He is sweet, compassionate, thoughtful, and sharp. He will do whatever you ask and desires to please you, because you are his teacher and he adores you.

I promise tonight, I will scrub his long and lanky little boy legs and knees, and wash his toes until they are clean. I'm sure he'll stay nice and shiny until tomorrow morning when he hits the backyard again!

*this not an angry post towards Andrew's teachers - they are wonderful and sweet and did not say anything to me about his dirty legs at school this morning. :)

the Nasher

2010-04-12T09:55:00.000-07:00

Our good friends invited to the Nasher Sculpture Center on Easter weekend - they have free admission on the first Saturday of each month, along with kids activities.

It was a beautiful day! We especially had fun talking with Andrew about what sculptures are and how they were all so different.

Here are a few pics:

Easter randomness

2010-04-08T12:05:00.000-07:00

These photos are not in the order I wanted them in, but it is a glimpse of our Easter regardless. Enjoy!

smooches from Daddy

eating their candy while the big kids hunt eggs

Baby girl is growing!

the big kids right before their hunt

Corinne would not change out of her dress-up dress - oh well!

JUST WHEN I THOUGHT...

2010-03-13T07:23:00.000-08:00

TARGET COULDN'T GET ANY BETTER-

I am so excited about the new Liberty of London line that hits Target stores tomorrow!

After reading so many fabric blogs for so long, I've often drooled over this fun company's high quality (and expensive!) fabrics. So, needless to say, I am super excited for the chance to buy some goods from Target with their designs. Yea!

MORE SNOW PICS

2010-02-22T15:44:00.001-08:00

I finally loaded more pictures from our record snow fall, and these look much clearer because there was no snow falling. I know you all want to see more pictures of my children in the snow, so here you go:

Clark brought home surgical boots from the hospital for he and Andrew to wear over their shoes to keep the wet out. Funny looking, but it worked like a charm!

SNOW ICE CREAM

2010-02-16T08:28:00.001-08:00

When I saw all the snow that fell last week, I was so excited by the thought of making snow ice cream! I can remember my mom doing it once for us as kids when there was a big snow.

As soon as I said the words "ice cream," Corinne and Andrew were also excited. :)

We gathered the snow, mixed in the milk, sugar, and vanilla, then added some green food coloring for fun:

I think it was a hit!

SNOW FUN

2010-02-12T10:12:00.001-08:00

FOODS I NEVER WANT TO EAT AGAIN

2010-02-10T13:51:00.000-08:00

The first part of pregnancy, with my particular case, always causes me distress. Not only is it extremely tiring, but I just get so darn sick.

With Andrew we realized I get something called hyperemesis gravidarum, which means extreme nausea and vomiting. With both previous pregnancies, I had a pump that constantly kept me on Zofran, a strong anti-nausea medicine, to try and keep the nausea down and my ability to eat and drink up. I was also hospitalized with both for a couple days to receive iv fluids.

Well, this time around, after Clark gave me several iv's at home, we decided with my doctor to put a PICC line in me. (I actually got a PICC line while pregnant with Corinne, but an 18 month old Andrew pulled it out. That's a really funny story, by the way.) The way I explain it is that a PICC line is a more permanent iv because it is a long tube that is inserted in my bicep area that goes through a vein in my chest almost to my heart. It can stay in for months at a time. This allows me to get iv fluids every day, which is what Clark and I try to do to keep me hydrated. I am also taking Zofran pills to help with the nausea.

That long-winded explanation was just so I could give you a list of the foods I never want to eat again, either because I've already eaten it too many times or because it made me sick:

-chewy granola bars

-crunchy granola bars

-turkey and cheese sandwiches

-toast with a little jelly

-a drink with some protein powder mixed in

-vanilla or chocolate Ensure

-chicken noodle soup (no offense to the amazing friends who brought this to me, I've just had enough)

-pretzels

-graham crackers

-tater tots

-possibly baked potatoes (though I doubt it b/c I like those too much)

-White Grape Juice

I'm at the point I always get to where I feel like I am never going to feel normal again. Its hard being this sick for so long - it seems like it will never go away, that my energy will never go back up, and that I'll never want to or be able to eat normally again.

However, I know that better days are ahead. I am twelve and half weeks along, and history for me shows that this should ease up in the next few weeks. Which is good, because I miss my life. I miss interacting with my kids the way I should, and I miss interacting with my husband the way I should.

I cannot end this post in such a Debbie-downer fashion. I would be remiss if I did not share how much our family has been blessed these past six weeks or so. Our awesome friends set up and practically filled a meal calendar for us, so two nights a week we don't have to worry about dinner. Usually whatever they bring carries us for more than one night, and it has all been so yummy. They have also taken my kids for me, or come over and helped me with them.

Also, I know many people are praying for us, which I could never express how I have been so encouraged by this. This is the first pregnancy that I have not gone into a depression from all the sickness. And Clark and I have had more grace towards each other than in the past as well.

Also, our families have been a tremendous help! My mom has come over on every weekend that Clark is working. Clark's mom has come over on a moment's notice during the week if I feel bad. And Clark's brother Brent along with his girlfriend Audrey came over every weeknight that Clark was on call during the month of January!

We are so blessed, and I have no reason to complain. In a short time, another little baby will be here to bless our family, and for that, and all the reasons listed above, we are so thankful.

2010 HERE WE COME

2009-12-31T11:39:00.000-08:00

I'm having a hard time finding a way to wrap up 2009 on the old blog here. I'm not very good at remembering, but how about a list? Here goes...

: my babies got older, turning 2 and 4. They amaze me each day.

: Clark became even more of an excellent anesthesiologist!

: God protected our family be preventing Clark from both the chief resident position and the cardio-thoracic fellowship.

: we decided to move out of Irving, and my dad's house, and finally be closer to church and friends

: Clark's brother and his super-girlfriend became very important people in our lives

: I learned about Jesus in a more powerful way through our pastor teaching through the book of Mark all year

: we kept emphatically telling people we were not having more children and we are happy with our little family

: looking into private school for kindergarten became a huge stress!

: God brought us closer to Him and each other

I know a lot more happened, but there is just a taste.

2010 is going to bring some changes for us - big time! Clark is finally done with residency in June! He is interviewing now for jobs in the Dallas area, and we are hopeful that we can make a decision soon about where he will work.

Andrew is going to start kindergarten! Oh my word, this is going to be so huge for us and him. I feel like a real mom, and adult, now. Ha!

The biggest change I can only share in picture format:

Yeah, remember all that "emphatically telling people we weren't having any more children"??? God had other plans.

We are very excited! In August, we'll be welcoming a new baby into this little family. We can't wait!

We hope and pray each of you has a blessed 2010! Thanks for reading my blog!

GROWING OPINIONS

2009-12-16T07:49:00.000-08:00

This morning as I was getting the kids dressed, they both managed to make their opinions known. Corinne has been doing this for a long time, but Andrew surprises us every once in awhile when it comes to his clothes.

I was handing him his shirt to put on, and he said, "No! Not that shirt! I wanna wear a cool shirt. That shirt isn't cool."

Well, excuse me.

Then after Corinne had picked out what she wanted to wear and I had gotten her dressed, she ran out of the room yelling, "Andrew, look at me! I look pretty!"

Yes, sweetheart, you look very, very pretty.

ANOTHER WREATH

2009-12-13T13:08:00.000-08:00

*I sincerely apologize for the glaring white walls - the woes of renting!

Here's another wreath I made recently from a different online tutorial. I have it hanging right inside my front door above my great-grandmother's Singer sewing machine.

The wreath is made by hotglueing (sp?) pages from a book to a ten inch wreath form. It was a little time consuming, but nothing I couldn't do while watching a little tv.

I decided to make this wreath my own by using pages from a hynmal instead of any old paperback. I bought the wreath form from the dollar store and the hynmal from Half Price Books.

I also used the wreath as my centerpiece for my table at our Women's Christmas Luncheon.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS...

2009-12-12T16:30:00.000-08:00

This year we actually put our tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving, and the kids loved it! They put almost all of the ornaments on the tree by themselves.

You can see where most of the ornaments ended up:

Also, a long time ago, Clark's mom gave us two stockings for Bubba and Hoss, our sweet dogs. Bubba and Hoss are both gone now, so this year I hung those stockings on the tree.

Of course, later on I redistributed the ornaments, but Corinne and Andrew weren't done with their decorating!

I'M NOT MUCH ON MEETING CELEBRITIES

2009-12-10T09:03:00.000-08:00

But last week I got to meet The Pioneer Woman!!! If you don't know who she is, you have to go check out her website. After you're done reading this post, of course.

Ree Drummond started her blog a few years ago, and has become a blogging celebrity. Her website has five different blogs ranging from her life on a cattle ranch to cooking to photography. Recently, she wrote a cookbook that is now a New York Times Bestseller.

So last Tuesday, she was coming to Dallas to sign her cookbooks, and a couple of friends and I wanted to go meet her because we love her recipes. It was an adventurous day because we had to be at the bookstore when it opened that morning to get a colored wristband to reserve a spot in line for that night. Confused yet? In retrospect, I am so glad we did this because, although we were in the first color group, we still had to wait an hour and a half to meet her. She ended up signing books until 2:30am!

Once we had a wristbands, we didn't have to show up until that night before it started. What a relief!

Finally, the Pioneer Woman herself came out, said a few words, and then got down to business signing all those cookbooks.

I am so glad I had friends there with me to talk to and eat with after we were done. It was such a fun night!

Erin, Carrie, Pamela, and me

waiting in line

The Borders employee who took our picture managed to completely leave Pamela out, but otherwise I think its a good picture.

And, we spent all of ten seconds talking to her, but they were so worth it to have my cookbook autographed. :)

First Christmas Wreath

2009-12-08T09:09:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, I've never had a Christmas wreath to hang on my front door.

This year I saw a very easy tutorial online for a wreath made out of ornaments. Using a wire hanger we already had and a few tubes of dollar store ornaments, voila! My own wreath that the kids helped me make. It's not perfect, but it adds some festivity to our front door.

Click here to find the tutorial.

FUNNY FACES

2009-12-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

Now that we're snapping away with our new camera, we've caught some pretty funny pictures of faces. I couldn't resist posting a few of them.

I finally got Andrew to look at me when I told him the camera had turned blue.

This was a post-yogurt photo session shot.

Clark told him to pretend he was a giant.

My niece, Clara, on the trampoline at Thanksgiving.

SURPRISE SNOW

2009-12-03T08:41:00.000-08:00

What a surprise to wake up to snow flurries yesterday! We got all bundled up and went to check it out. Well, I stayed on the porch to keep the camera safe. The kids were really excited, and it was so pretty while it lasted.

Of course, we had to have hot cocoa once we were done. Corinne just wanted to eat her marshmallows.

NOT THAT YOU CARE...

2009-12-01T11:53:00.000-08:00

...but a new camera will make a girl do crazy things.

Like take a bazillion pictures of her beautiful daughter eating yogurt.

Then share them with the internet.

Enjoy!

Corinne's first haircut

2009-11-30T19:59:00.001-08:00

It was traumatic for both of us.

I made a hasty, rash decision.

I promise, I won't ever do it again.

She will go to a professional from now on!

Sure it looks fine, but all those sweet baby curls are gone. GONE! And its a little uneven.

I'm so sorry Corinne! Mommy will never cut your hair again!

Another Pumpkin Patch!

2009-10-31T13:41:00.001-07:00

Some good friends of ours had their son's first birthday party at this great pumpkin patch in Celina. I think it is called "The Big Orange Pumpkin Patch." It was so fun!

the hayride - we got stuck in the mud twice! it was great fun!

There were also lots of goats, sheep, and cows there to feed. Of course, Corinne loved that. I think we might try to make a trip out there next year because it is a neat little patch.

Fall Fun Fest '09

2009-10-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

Perfect costumes.

Dancing ballerina butterfly. Robotic dinosaur.

Bounce houses galore.

All was well with the world.

More awesomely bad pictures from my old camera.

Corny dogs, cotton candy, and country-fried bacon

2009-10-14T17:58:00.000-07:00

Oh, the Fair.

After working last night, then sleeping a few hours this morning, Clark felt up for tackling the Fair today. I think the call of the Tornado Tators and the country-friend bacon was too much for him to resist.

We had a great time, and even ran into a few friends! We managed to not spend a bazillion dollars either. Plus, Andrew surprised us and went down the gigantic multi-colored slide all by himself.

And right now I'm going to apologize, but there are no pictures of that. I'm working with a five year old camera here people! We did tape it on our handy Flip camcorder, so I'm going to upload that video in the coming days. There's also some great video of our little animal lover, Corinne, feeding and petting some goats.

For now, here's the two pictures we took of the day:

It's so bad I just have to laugh!

Fishing

2009-10-14T08:14:00.001-07:00

Clark and Andrew went fishing with some friends recently. Fortunately, our friend Mike has a handy dandy iPhone and took a picture of Andrew's first catch! I think it was the actual size of his iPhone.

Finally Fall!

2009-10-02T10:21:00.000-07:00

We hit the pumpkin patch this week for the first of many trips, I'm sure. Lots of our friends were there and the kids had so much fun.

Cookie pizza

2009-09-16T07:14:00.000-07:00

After we first moved (yes, I promise to post my really bad pics of the new house soon!), Andrew found my bin of cookie cutters. Since I had been monster mom for weeks due to the stress of moving, I agreed that we could make cookies. When I looked up the recipe for sugar cookies in my BHG cookbook, I saw an option called "Cookie Pizza."

While I desperately wanted to be a "good mom" to Andrew and let him make cookies, I really did not want to make a disaster in the kitchen, which would add to the disastrous state that the newly moved into house already was!

So, I talked him into making the cookie pizza by explaining that after we slathered it with frosting dyed blue (our favorite color), he and Corinne could cover it with sprinkles until their hearts were content.

Or atleast, until the sprinkles I poured into the little bowls ran out.

Today I was a "real" mom

2009-08-13T17:12:00.000-07:00

In the car today, Andrew was playing with a couple of GI Joe men. That fact alone makes him seem so much older than a four year old.

Then he asked me, "Mom, can you put this GI Joe guy's leg back on?"

Something about putting the leg back on an action figure made me feel like a "real" mom. Sometimes I just feel like the babysitter or the personal chef or the teacher or the janitor.

But not today.

Today I did surgery on GI Joe.

I was a "real" mom.

*Sorry about the lack of posts. When we got back from vacation the beginning of July, our computer crashed. Now we're back up and running, but missing lots of pictures. They are somewhere, I just don't know where yet...

Trout Fishing in America

2009-06-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not talking about casting your line and reeling it back in.

I'm talking about these two guys:

When Andrew was little and we noticed he would be a musical prodigy, Pops and Caro introduced us to this unique duo that sings mostly family friendly, silly music. We love them!

Recently, they treated Andrew, Clark, and me to a concert at the Dallas Children's Theater. The theater is so small and intimate, it almost felt like a personal concert. Not only was it fun to listen to Keith and Ezra, but it was so enjoyable watching all the kids getting into the music and dancing.

Andrew will use anything as a guitar, even the "spanking spoon"

Just the Bad and the Ugly

2009-06-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like you just can't measure up to everyone else out there in blogland - like they have such beautiful, perfect lives?

In a conversation with some friends the other night, I realized that most people on blogs only post the Good, not the Bad and the Ugly.

So, here's a little Bad and Ugly for ya:

This isn't even the worst our living has ever looked! And you can't see the dust on those bookshelves. Oh, and funny looking dark carpet on the bottom corner? That's soaking wet water from a leaking air conditioner. It's been like that since Monday, and no matter how many times I suck up the water with our carpet cleaner, it keeps coming back!

Oh, the kitchen. My downfall. I can't ever keep my table clean. Ever. Of course a sink full of dirty dishes is the norm around here, too. And you can't see the dirty pot on the stove from dinner, a few nights ago! However, there is a pretty vase of pink roses in beautiful bloom that my son picked out for me at the grocery store on Monday.

Oh wait, scratch that. We weren't doing Good, were we?

Anways, go feel better about yourselves now!

Kite Festival

2009-06-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

A while ago, we took the kids and met up with Grammy, Tommy, Brent, and Audrey for a Dragon Boat, Lantern, and Kite Festival. It was a lot of fun! There were tons of teams racing dragon boats back and forth, and I unfortunately didn't get any good pictures of those. There were lots of booths set up with food and crafts, and of course kites. It was a really fun day.

is it Erin and Clark? no, its our kids' new BFF's

Randomness

2009-06-24T12:06:00.001-07:00

I found this at the grocery store, and YUM! It's a little much as cereal, but I put it with yogurt and fresh fruit in a pretty glass for a parfait. So good! (Heather, it's a lot like your recipe, but it clumps so it has chunks).

We've become obsessed with listening to this and this lately.

Clark and I would highly recommend watching the movie "Once" - its really good.

Who could resist these faces:

Flight of the Conchords

2009-06-12T12:14:00.000-07:00

For Clark's birthday, I bought him tickets to see Flight of the Conchords. If you click on their name, it will link you to one of my favorite songs of theirs. :) (Not for young ears.)

Flight of the Conchords is two guys from New Zealand who write goofy songs and say goofy things. I think they have a show on HBO, too. Anyways, they are hilarious!

Our really good friends bought tickets also, so we had dinner with them and rode together to share the cost of parking. :)

it was really hard to get a good picture of them in the dark - sorry!

If anyone still cares - Sea World - Part III

2009-06-10T11:58:00.000-07:00

I don't know if y'all still care, but I couldn't leave this post out since I promised weeks ago when I got back on the bloggy kick.

The only reason I still want to tell you about a short, crazy vacation we took three months ago is that Andrew really surprised us.

About 2pm, when we thought God was flooding the earth again, or atleast San Antonio, we decided we'd seen everything and were thinking about hitting the road. As we headed back to the front gates we noticed that the clouds were disappearing and the bright, beautiful blue sky was making an appearance.

So we decided to stay at the park long enough to see if we could catch the last scheduled dolphin show. We had about 45 minutes to kill, so we headed to the area of the park with playground/sandbox/spraypark.

As we got there, Andrew noticed that there was a mini-rollercoaster shaped like Shamu. We had seen it earlier, but didn't say anything about it because we were sure Andrew would not want to ride it. He is, above all, our cautious child.

But, he insisted he wanted to ride the rollercoaster. So Clark took him in the line while Corinne and I staked out a spot to watch and record Andrew's inevitable retreat from the ride once he got to the front.

And much to our surprise, he rode it! Not just once with Clark, but again with me!

So after this excitement we headed to the last show, which could have used more dolphins and less goofy cirque du soleil actors, in my opinion.

So, to sum up: a crazy vacation with great memories. Corinne and Andrew still talk it about and both of them sleep with their whale stuffed animals we bought. I definitely don't regret this trip. :)

Seven years

2009-05-25T06:37:00.001-07:00

Seven years ago today, I had butterflies in my stomach.

I ate chocolate ice cream.

I had lunch with my sisters and some of my best friends.

I smelled beautiful flowers.

I saw my mom dressed in a gorgeous blue dress.

People I love came together.

I walked down an aisle and married my best friend.

Happy anniversary Clark!!!

Sea World - Part II

2009-05-22T18:11:00.001-07:00

Once everyone slept and had breakfast, we were prepared for the day with lots of ziplock baggies and changes of underwear.

As we drove to Sea World, we should have taken the very overcast sky and misty fog as a sign, but nothing was going to hinder our excitement of experiencing Sea World with our kids. I just kept thinking that those clouds would burn off soon enough.

Once we entered the park, the first thing we did was look at and feed the dolphins. Andrew was really scared at first that they were sharks and he wouldn't go near the pool. We took a ton of pictures here, but I'm going to spare you. And I won't lie, it was so incredibly cool to feed these animals and hear them talk. Totally awesome.

You'll notice in that picture that I'm wearing Clark's fleece jacket that we fortunately brought along. About this time it started to rain. And I don't mean a light sprinkling. It was cold and wet. We happened to have a little jacket for Andrew in the car, but poor Corinne was not dressed well for this day. In fact, later in the afternoon I actually carried her zipped inside the jacket for awhile.

waiting for the sea lion show that eventually got canceled due to lightning. yes, lightning.

in the aquarium with all the sharks and eels and stingrays

waiting for the "Believe!" (Shamu) show -

Andrew didn't know what to expect and the music was loud

Most of the morning we spent crisscrossing the park trying to stay warm and dry. We were actually having a GREAT time, and the kids loved it. We didn't mind that the sea lion show was canceled because we ate lunch before everyone else wised up to the fact that the third "this show will be delayed for five minutes" message meant "this show will be canceled." In fact, I think the rain kept the park incredibly empty and it was so relaxed.

After lunch we headed over to the "Believe!" show. This used to be Shamu. It was by far the best part of the day! I won't lie - I teared up several times thinking about how awesome these animals are and how cool it is that they can learn and perform. It also helped that there was some majorly loud and cheesy music playing. Seriously, I loved this show! It made up for every bad and obnoxious part of the trip. And Corinne loved it, too!

**Warning! The music on this video is LOUD!

The last thing we went to do was the dolphin show. It actually got canceled due to lightning as well. We didn't care, though, because the whales were so awesome! You can tell from the picture below that we were soaked! Right as we got to the whales, the skies let loose and it poured the entire show and for about 45 minutes afterward. We took shelter for awhile under a tent with a sweet family from Arizona that had flown in on spring break.

And I just need to say right now that this is a sign of how much God has changed me over the course of medical school and especially residency - I've been able to except when things don't meet my expectations and even to look on the bright side. Poopy underwear. Pouring rain. Canceled shows. Nothing could have taken away my excitement and enjoyment of this day. It really was so much fun.

Up next: Sea World - Part III - Here Comes the Sun!

Sea World - Part I

2009-05-21T13:06:00.000-07:00

Our decision to go to Sea World might be considered a hasty one. Or a bad one. Or a crazy one.

We decided we'd go down Wednesday, stay the night, do Sea World on Thursday, and come home straight from the park around mid-afternoon. We knew that would be asking a lot of the kids, but I don't think I fully realized how high my level of frustration would, or could, get. But more on that in a minute.

I tried to head off some of the tantrums in the car by borrowing my sister's DVD players. I also decided to make "special" treat bags to whip out when it looked like we might be headed for a meltdown.

The ride down was pleasant, checking in to our hotel was pleasant, even getting ready to swim at the hotel pool was fun. Here are the kids in all their excitement - literally climbing the walls!

It was tons of fun swimming! Andrew quickly remembered most of what he learned last summer and was doing great. Corinne, the crazy one, kept trying to keep us from holding her and was jumping off the side before we were ready to catch. Oh, it was a blast.

For about twenty minutes.

Then, it happened. (Que the "Jaws" music) Dadum. Dadum. Dadum dadum dadum!

Andrew pooped in the pool!

It was so frustrating. Poor Clark had to reach down and pick it up bare-handed. Needless to say, we left with Andrew screaming about how he wanted to swim and that he really didn't need to poop, etc. Corinne was crying because she was having so much fun and didn't want it to end. Then we spent about forty-five minutes keeping Andrew on the potty trying to get him to poop.

You can only imagine what we were thinking at this point - what had we done? What sort of day were we going to have at Sea World if Andrew wouldn't poop. Fortunately, I knew we were having these issues and had brought several changes of clothes.

But, it gets better. We went to eat dinner, came back and got ready for bed. I'll spare you the ordeal that was. Suffice it say that about 9:30pm, when Corinne had finally stopped screaming for me and was giving up, Andrew was just dozing off on the pull out couch with me next to him, then the fire alarm in the hotel went off.

It stopped after about 5 seconds, and all I could do was laugh at this point. I literally thought, "Now I've really got something to blog about." No one evacuated, so Clark laid down with Andrew and got him to sleep within ten minutes. I just put Corinne in bed with us where she contentedly cuddled with Clark the whole night. It could only get better, right?

Coming up... Sea World - Part II

Edited* Sorry about the text - I can't get it to keep from running altogether like that!

Hello (bloggy) world!

2009-05-14T18:13:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry. I really have no excuse for not blogging in so long. Some days I haven't had the mental energy to post anything, and other days I get completely sidetracked the moment I sit down at the computer, and still other days I just plain don't feel like posting anything.

But I do appreciate your patience with me. I hope I'll be posting more regularly from now on.

I have so many adventures to catch you up on! Like, back in March we took the kids to Sea World and I haven't even posted about it yet! Plus there are lots of other goofy everyday things to tell you about it.

Like this:

I bought "The 30 Day Shred" by the Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels. It's really hard, but a great workout. The kids have fun doing parts of it, and I feel more motivated when Andrew is trying his hardest to do jumping jacks right along with me.

One day he said, "Let's do Level 2, Mom!" and I was like, "That's the right attitude Andrew! Let's do it!"

Bad decision. It kicked my butt.

Besides being motivated to workout, I've gotten back on the sewing bandwagon. I bought a cute pattern for Corinne months ago, but I've been hesitant to sew anything from it. I've never actually sewn anything from a pattern before. I mostly just wing it. But I have been so impressed with myself after making this:

It was so easy, and she can wear it with so many of the random shorts she has. I picked that fabric because of all the colors it includes. Plus, she loves it! Next up, an easy skirt that I'm almost done with made from some embroidered orange material, another shirt like this made with yellow fabric to go with some hand-me-down pants, and hopefully a dress! I'll keep you updated!

Additions to the Bible

2009-04-24T18:02:00.000-07:00

"Whatever is right, whatever is good, whatever is fabulous... He cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7

~Andrew

Easter Sunday

2009-04-15T11:57:00.000-07:00

What a day! The weather that morning was rainy and cool, so there was no chance of any outside pictures. There also was no chance of an outdoor egg hunt, so my family came over to our house and did the hunt inside instead.

We had a really nice day enjoying church and each other.

The Lord has risen. He has risen indeed!

Death and Life

2009-04-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

I've wanted to post all week about this coming weekend and what it represents for me.

Hope.

I had hoped to gather my thoughts into a coherent post about the meaning of Christ's life, his violent death, and then His glorious, impossible resurrection.

But even as I typed that sentence I've had to get off the computer twice for something Andrew needs. This is my life right now - pulled every which way, outside of myself, no time for coherent thoughts to form...

But there is such great hope. The hope that naptime will be quiet, that bedtime will come soon, that residency will be over, that Christ will come again.

I hope that this weekend you'll let Easter give you hope.

And since I couldn't form an eloquent post, here's one from someone so much better equipped to do it.

Happy Easter!

A new way to grill

2009-03-30T13:51:00.001-07:00

Awhile back Clark realized that one of the grates from his grill fits across the top of his firepit.

So, you can imagine what that realization led to:

Brent came over with his friend Audrey (who is my new friend!), and they brought marinated tilapia and potatoes with onions and rosemary. Brent has this great habit of coming over with all the fixin's for dinner, and a good dinner at that. So while Audrey jumped right into the sandbox with the kids (did I mention that she's my new friend?), the guys cooked the food on the grill.

And it was so yummy...

Clark also had a little fun trying to write his name with a little keychain flashlight while the camera shutter was slowed down or left open longer or whatchamadoodled - I don't know the technical term for this.

When mommy's away...

2009-03-22T11:45:00.000-07:00

Daddy will play!

A few weeks ago I went to Little Rock to visit my sweet, dear friend Alice. Clark very lovingly offered to keep the kids since he was off so I could by myself for a few days.

I know! He's so great.

It was pretty rainy here while I was gone, and Clark decided to let the kids do something I don't - play in it. Never you mind the dangers of lightning strikes. Anyways, he taught them how to open wide and catch the rain in their mouths, and he even remembered to take a few pics.

Unfortunately, he also taught them to drink it straight off the roof!

A girl and her boots

2009-03-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

Need I say more?

"My brother, Quade"

2009-02-21T07:40:00.000-08:00

This is what Andrew calls his good friend Quade almost all the time. These boys have been such good friends since birth. Their friendship has survived infancy, toddlerhood (the terrible two's were rough times, weren't they Heather?), and now we've moved on to being preschoolers. They have supported each other through gaining new siblings as well. What a pair! God sure has given Andrew a great friend!

I snapped these pics while they were enjoying a milkshake for Andrew's birthday.

Drummer boy

2009-02-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

For his birthday, Pops and Caro bought Andrew a newer, bigger set of drums. These were on the list for a Christmas gift, but I said no due to space and noise concerns. :)

Well, Clark just couldn't stand the fact that someone had offered to buy him big boy drums and we had turned them down. And really, this four year old has some amazing talent. Seriously! I'm not just a biased mom stating some untrue fact. Andrew is shockingly talented when it comes to drumming and rhthym and music. I, on the other hand, am pretty sure I just misspelled rhythm. Katy and Philip, help me out here!

The drums now live in the garage, which has been cleaned out since these pictures were taken. They have their very own spot with a nice rug underneath to keep things from sliding around. Andrew loves to play them and does so pretty much every day. Clark has taught him a few simple beats (rythyms?) and he also just goes all out playing whatever his mind and hands can play. God bless Ms. Pat next door, who hasn't complained yet. Even when he's out there banging away at 8am.

Tag! You're it!

2009-02-16T19:51:00.001-08:00

My friend, Misty, tagged me. I had to post the fourth picture in the fourth file on my computer.

This is obviously a picture of Clark on our wedding day surrounded by my bridesmaids. Of course I love it because it brings back so many memories: a perfect day we spent about 9 months planning and four years leading up to, all my beautiful friends, who I mostly still keep in touch with, and my two wonderful sisters, the sanctuary of my church which holds a special place in my heart, the flowers that were perfect and so fragrant, and of course the amazing man in the middle who was and still is my best friend and soulmate.

It's a little weird looking because it isn't a digital picture. Clark scanned our wedding proofs into our computer for some reason - to keep them protected? Anyways, just for kicks, here is the "other side" so to speak, me with his groomsmen and my then four year old nephew.

Good times.

I tag Alice, Staci, Lindy, and Kara.

FIRE

2009-02-16T19:23:00.001-08:00

For Christmas, Clark's dad and step-mom bought him an awesome fire pit. In fact, kudos to Pops because the one I suggested was way too small. We are enjoying this thing so much!

Last night, Clark and Andrew went out in the backyard and enjoyed a fire together before bedtime. It was so cute that they had a little father/son time, and Clark said Andrew did not stop talking the entire time. Love it!

Corinne funnies

2009-02-07T14:16:00.000-08:00

For some reason, Corinne just gives us so much blog-worthy material these days. So I apologize if things have gotten a bit "Corinne heavy." Here are a smattering of pictures I've taken recently:

taking her babies for a walk (the green bunny is actually Andrew's lovey)

she let me braid her hair!

giving her baby some loving

Clark did her hair before church one morning. It did not stay this way.

Four years ago

2009-01-28T11:23:00.000-08:00

Something amazing happened...

We were blessed with Andrew ~

On Monday, he turned four! Four incredible years of joy (with a few other things mixed in for good measure). We love you big guy!

What are you looking at?

2008-12-26T20:48:00.000-08:00

The other day, I found pretty much everyone except Baby Jesus from the nativity set like this:

Apparently, Baby Jesus wasn't the only interesting thing in town:

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-17T18:17:00.000-08:00

I'm back!

Sorry it's been so long. Clark unplugged our camera cord from the computer to plug in the IPOD cord, and he didn't switch them back. And, no, I couldn't do it myself. That's what I have my man around for. Love you, babe!

I have to apologize for these pictures. I was not aware until recently that my camera had a huge smudge on the lens. Whoops!

At the beginning of the month, when Clark was around here more and not at the hospital so much, we put up our Christmas lights! Andrew was so excited and wanted to be right next to Clark helping. Unfortunately, the ladder is not the safest place for a three year old. But since he is almost four, I let him go up halfway.

Of course, Corinne had to be right in the middle: monkey see, monkey do.

My man: this was before we realized that my dad had, in fact, left his staple gun for us on the front porch. Clark was hooking the lights into last year's staples, then gently hammering them back into the roof. At my suggestion. :)

Happy Holidays everyone!

She's A Quick One

2008-11-25T11:28:00.000-08:00

During our trip to Gulf Shores way back in September, we made so many stops at McDonald's that we managed to collect almost all of the Wizard of Oz dolls they were giving away. (And can I just say that I actually feel my blood sluggishly pumping through my arteries as I think about that...)

The other day Corinne and I were playing with the Lullaby girl, the Lollipop guild boy, Dorothy, and Glenda the Good Witch.

I had to laugh when Corinne picked up Dorothy's skirt and went "shew!" like I do when she has a stinky diaper.

"We wish to welcome you to Munchkin Land!"

Morgan Family Night

2008-11-17T19:58:00.000-08:00

I finally got around to planning and initiating a Morgan Family Night around here. I feel like Andrew is definitely old enough that he will enjoy this and Corinne will learn how.

For our first family night, we raided Grammy's Disney DVD's (thanks!), got into our pajamas, opened the popcorn Grammy gave us (thanks, again!), and made ice cream sundaes!

You have no idea just how excited Andrew and Corinne were about the ice cream - forget popcorn, pajamas, and a movie!

Note: Hoss does not have a glass eye - that is a weird reflection of my flash.

Our plan is to attempt a family night every Saturday evening. We know this won't always happen, but if we atleast plan for it we're ahead of the game, right?

2008-11-14T11:41:00.000-08:00

Recently, I got on a kick of making smores at home. Since we have a gas stove, I just light it up, roast a mallow over the flame, then stick on a graham cracker with some chocolate. Yum.

One day, after Corinne had gone down for her nap and before Andrew went in for quiet time, I made him one. He was so flippin' excited. I had to take pictures.

Why do feel like I'm posting about food all the time???

One of a kind

2008-11-13T11:42:00.000-08:00

So, I think I've mentioned before that Andrew and Corinne are pretty different. I have two more examples of this today.

Andrew doesn't really like to get his hands or self dirty, but Corinne is the complete opposite. A few weeks ago we were at this park that has all sand under the playground. Clark and I were talking and keeping an eye on the kids.

We looked over at Corinne and she had laid down in the sand and was sweeping her arms in and out of it like she was swimming. It was really funny.

But, what was even funnier is that Andrew ran by, saw her, thought it looked like fun, started to lay down, then decided he wasn't into that so much.

Now, if you know Andrew at all, then you know that this boy doesn't like to poop. He never tells us when he needs to go, doesn't tell us when he has gone, and will deny that he's pooped even if he has. It is sort of the bane in this stay at home mom's existence.

This morning, I found Corinne in the bathroom and could tell immediately that she had a stinker. Before I could even open my mouth to say something, she looked at me and said, "boop."

I was nearly giddy with laughter and joy and delight that this girl is even aware of what she's doing.

It's the little things...

Did you miss me?

2008-11-12T05:52:00.000-08:00

I know, I know. I missed two days of blogging, but I'm not down for the count. I am still going to try and blog every day for National Blog Posting Month.

It's just that my computer is having another one of its meltdowns. You may remember that this same thing happened awhile back and I just pray that it doesn't happen again.

I've got too much Christmas shopping still to do and I need the internet for a lot of it.

Speaking of, I haven't actually started my Christmas shopping yet, so I guess I've still got all of it to do...

I'll be back soon with pictures and more videos!

Oh boy!

2008-11-09T12:38:00.001-08:00

Andrew said two things today that really made me laugh.

First, we got lunch at Sonic after church and he told us he wanted a cheeseburger. Once we got home, he had changed his mind. He asked if we had gotten him a stick dog.

Second, he and I were playing and cuddling before his quiet time this afternoon, and he started to play with my hair right on top of my forehead. He said, "You're hair looks like grass. Brown grass."

I could think of someone else who's hair looks like brown grass, too...

He never ceases to entertain us.

How do you turn this thing off?

2008-11-08T11:29:00.000-08:00

There's been a flurry of baking going on around here lately! I've gotten on a kick and I just can't stop!

Andrew and I were making pretzels

they really need to be rolled out smaller next time...

we made some that were letter shaped, too

Somebody please stop me!

Halloween Part III

2008-11-07T11:24:00.000-08:00

The dancing ladybug and the shy, or slightly distracted, cowboy!

*NOTE: turn down the volume big time on the last clip. Corinne was digging the loud, live band at the Fall Fun Fest.

Halloween Part II

2008-11-06T14:14:00.001-08:00

it's so hard to get a picture of kids in Halloween costumes!

Corinne getting a cupcake at the cakewalk.

Andrew playing hockey for a piece of candy

the crazy tutu! it was a lot fluffier than I thought it would be!

**On a side note, I may start making and selling these tutus on Etsy, so stay tuned for more info!

Halloween Part I

2008-11-05T09:02:00.000-08:00

On Friday, I took the kid to Corinne's playgroup for a Halloween get together. All the kids wore their costumes and we tried to get the best group picture we could. There are few missing off the side of the couch, but total there were about thirteen kids there!

Andrew was a cowboy and Corinne was a ladybug. Andrew decided he did not want to wear his guns and holster at the playgroup, and Corinne only wore her ladybug "vest" at playgroup because it was so hot!

Here's Andrew with his good friend Tessa. These two are like peas in a pod, bacon and eggs, peas and carrots... you get the picture!

Get out and do it

2008-11-04T13:38:00.000-08:00

Corinne and I went this morning, and there was no line. It was the first time I have ever voted a straight ticket.

AARRRGGHHHH!

2008-11-03T13:23:00.001-08:00

Apparently, blogger or my computer hates me because every time today that I've tried to start a post and insert pictures, everything freezes up! You have no idea how much that infuriates me.

So, we had a ton of fun Friday night for Halloween. Wish I could show you some pictures, but maybe tomorrow...

Is anyone excited that Christmas is coming up??? I totally am! I see Thanksgiving as a really fun holiday for my family to get together and have fun, but really its just something to help me get past my impatience for Christmas to get here already! Really, I love any holiday that my family gets together because I love my family so much, but Christmas, oh my word. It's so fun!

I actually can't stand buying gifts too early because I inevitably end up giving them to their intended recipient way before Christmas. I just can't wait for them to have this wonderful thing I bought for them to enjoy. Similarly, Clark has learned not to even mention that he knows what he's getting me or that he's already bought it because the pestering, it will never cease.

However, this year, Clark has a very bad rotation the month of December. Very. Bad. Chances are he won't even be home for Christmas. So, I've determined that I absolutely have to get all our shopping done before November is over. Its gonna be crazy.

I started making the list today of things I want and things I want the kids to get. I find Clark to be a very difficult person to buy for. But this year, I know exactly what I want to buy him. And it's gonna be great!

So, I'm going to end this rambly post by apologizing for the lack of pictures and Halloween content and encouraging you to stay tuned for those and updates on the Christmas shopping.

Love ya!

Our trip to Orlando

2008-11-02T12:33:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago today Clark and I were on our own in a rental car driving north on Highway 4 towards Gainesville, FL. No Wiggles music, no little voices talking - just a good book and quiet...

Oh my, we had a great trip to Orlando two weeks ago. Let me just go ahead and say that there isn't much to do there outside of Disney, a little fact I was not aware of. But, Clark and I still managed to have a fun trip. Just being alone with my man and not having to follow any schedule was awesome.

Well, Clark did have a few things to attend at the American Society of Anesthesiologists National Conference, but we still had lots of free time.

here we are before take off going to Orlando - I was very close to zombie-ville due to taking 1.5 mgs of Xanax

Clark looking studious as we ate our breakfast at the hotel.

On Sunday, we drove up to Gainesville where Clark's grandmother and some other family live. Nani only moved there a few years ago, so it was fun to see her house that she shares with his cousin Shannon. (Note: Shannon is the reason I understand why Andrew's hair has so much red in it.) They made us a yummy dinner.

Clark's aunt and uncle were there as well. Also, his cousin Jeremy, who we haven't seen in about 10 years. We got to meet his wife Rachel and their new little guy, Jonathan, who gave me lots of sweet smiles and conversation.

It definitely took me atleast a day to adjust to not having to worry about anyone but me or what time we did anything. I missed the kids so much at first, then after a few days I was doing great. Clark was the complete opposite - he was in full vacation mode right away and then started missing the kids really bad about the third day. Six days and five nights is a long time to be away! But we really enjoyed it. We owe a big thanks to my sister and Keith, Grammy, and Mimi for keeping the kids for us!

I must be crazy

2008-11-01T17:48:00.000-07:00

Okay, November is National Blog Posting Month! My friend Christy is taking the challenge to post every day this month and so am I! Wish me luck!

If you want to do it, too, then go here and sign up!

Ahhhh, Freak Out!

2008-10-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

So, I've been putting off the ole' blog here lately, and I'm not really sure why. There isn't much going on, so there isn't much to update anyone on.

Plus, on my last post I said I would blog about Ruth, and I just haven't been quite able to process and put into words what needs to be said about how great she was and how sad I am.

But I know y'all will forgive me.

Clark and I leave Friday for Orlando - he was invited to the American Society of Anesthesiologists national conference, paid in full. All we did was buy me a plane ticket and I'm there baby. Oh, and enlist our moms to watch the kiddos while we're away (Thanks Grammy, Mimi, and Uncle Keith!)

Five nights in a far away city with no children... it seems like a dream...and it's actually going to come true! In 48 hours I will be in Orlando with just my sweetheart!

Which means, in less than 48 hours I'll be flying on an airplane!!! Ack! Please say a prayer for me - I do not like flying!

So, just keep enjoying the pictures from our beach vacation and when I get back I'll update y'all on Orlando, okay?

Thanks.

Great in '08!

2008-09-24T11:44:00.000-07:00

There are no other words to describe this vacation - it truly was great! We could not have asked for a better week (a longer one, but not a better one). I am still amazed at how well the adults and children got along. And I still want to be friends with all of them! :)

We did have to delay our trip by a day b/c of Hurricane Ike. There was a surprising storm surge in the area where our house is, so about 4 feet of sand got washed up under the house and over the driveway and streets in front of it. Yikes! We went ahead and left Saturday morning, met up with Joel and Alice in Shreveport, then Mike and Carrie in Vicksburg, then stayed the night in Jackson, Miss. It was a lot fun despite losing a day at the beach.

Highlights include:

Clark getting to spend so much quality time with the kids, especially Andrew - we have underestimated how much they both need that
catching up with the Fankhausers - such great friends who we love so much!
seeing Andrew and Silas become best buds
watching Corinne run around in the sand
having family pictures made
spending almost every afternoon in beach chairs with Alice and Carrie having "stare and share" time!
bonfires on the beach after dark - plus smores! Thanks Carrie.
sharing such a special place with family and friends - the beach is like breath to my lungs, it was a much needed vacation

The only difficult part of the trip was that the day before we left I found out someone very special to me had unexpectedly passed away. My youth pastor's wife died from a blood clot after surgery while in Bangkok, Thailand. They had just moved to China with their three youngest boys to teach.

I'll have to write another post about Ruth and how special she was and how much she means to me. I'm still processing a lot, and trying to reconcile her not being here anymore.

However, her passing did not overshadow this vacation. It encouraged me to enjoy life with my family and such great friends.

It was a great week. :)

2008-09-21T13:51:00.000-07:00

i love my wife

And the winner is...

2008-09-11T18:21:00.000-07:00

Number 11!

Erin, that's you!

I hope you'll share with Baby Cara!

I used random.org to generate a random number, so all was fair.

Thanks so much for all your comments! I have a huge reading list now, and I've already checked out half of the books you suggested from the library. I can't wait to read through the entire list.

Let's do this again y'all!

P.S. - Katy, I bought "The Shack" like the day before you commented and I'm already reading it!

P.P.S. - MIsty, I read "Snowflower and the Secret Fan" after you suggested it last Spring, and I really liked it a lot.

P.P.P.S. - Kim, I read "Peace Like A River" last Spring, I think, and thought it was really good, too.

It's a GIVEAWAY!

2008-09-08T18:49:00.000-07:00

For real(s).

In order to win this super cute bag I whipped up today, you have to leave me a comment with a good vacation book recommendation.

We're leaving for Gulf Shores on Saturday, and I need some reading material folks.

And here's the prize:

It is the first bag I have ever made in this style, so I hope y'all like it. It measures 11in x 6in x 4in. There are also three pockets. And it has a ribbon tie closure.

I'll stop accepting comments Thursday at 8pm. Sharp. Then I'll either use a random number online picker thingy or ask Clark to choose a number to pick the winner.

Then I'll annouce the winner Friday morning!

Good luck!

All Aboard!

2008-09-03T11:04:00.001-07:00

*I need to give a shout out to Katy!

A few weeks ago, just by a fluke of his schedule, Clark was off on a Tuesday. We decided to take the kids on the train into downtown. It was really fun and they were both excited. We also enjoyed getting to show Andrew where Daddy works because the first stop into downtown is the hospital. He's always asking me when we are driving if random buildings are where Clark works.

getting ready to leave the station

at the fountain in front of Union Station, Dallas Morning News, WFAA, and Belo

Andrew kept trying to get the pigeons to fly around - yuck!!!

I managed to get this handsome man to take a picture with Corinne

This week it has really struck me that summer is over - we made our last trip to NRH2O for the summer, Andrew starts back to school tomorrow, and our fall schedules are already filling up. Time is moving so fast!

We're supposed to leave a week from Saturday to head towards Gulf Shores, AL for a little beach time. Pray that Hurricane Ike does not enter the Gulf Coast - we want this trip so badly! I can't wait for my kids to experience the beach like I did most summer of my life. It's been four years since Clark and I have been, so I need a fix!

Check back soon for a possible giveaway!!!

Brown eyed girl

2008-08-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

THE WIGGLES!

2008-08-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

Two weekends ago, Clark's mom took Andrew and me to see the Wiggles! It was so fun! Thanks Grammy!

(if you're reading this in Google reader, open our actual blog to get the full musical effect!)

I had to take a picture of this grandpa sleeping during the extremely loud concert!

Preferences

2008-07-31T11:49:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, I took the kids with me to Wal-Mart to get some groceries. Since Corinne threw away our crayons, I needed to buy some more. So I decided that in addition to their own set of eight washable crayons, they could each have a spiral notebook to color in. (sidenote: Andrew will not color in color books - who knows why.)

Andrew immediately picked out one with Lightning McQueen from cars on it. So I picked up two for Corinne to choose from. One had three Disney princesses on it.

She chose the other one:

I'm so afraid we are going to end up with something like 10 pets at some point. And I don't clean well y'all. Not bathrooms, kitchens, fish bowls, hamster cages, or litter boxes.

However, as someone with strong preferences myself, I decided to share one with you. I have a strong preference for drinking water out of a water bottle, not a drinking glass. Here's my collection. Oh yes, I said collection.

There are six bottles here people. The pink one in front is my favorite. I bought it at Linens N Things while shopping for a wedding present for my great friend Bonnie (who is at this very moment in labor with her first child) and while trying to find something very similar to the water bottle/tea bottle that the Kruses brought from China.

But today, I added one more to my collection. At Jazzercise, you could win a green water bottle if you came to class 30 times between June 15th and July 31st. Go me! I did it!

Ha, no I didn't! BUT, I did get on the platform and do one routine with the instructor! I'm crazy! I know, you're thinking "Who are you and where is Erin?" But I wanted that water bottle! And when I finished the routine, I felt like I was going to pass out or throw up because not only am I extremely out of shape, but I was also nervous. But look at my prize:

I'm fine, thanks. How are you?

2008-07-30T17:39:00.000-07:00

I made another apron recently for my great friend Katy's birthday. I absolutely love this fabric combo - I used it for Andrew's teacher's tote bag last May. The one I kicked myself for not taking a picture of because I loved the fabric so much. And it was the first bag I'd made in a long time and I wanted to share it with y'all. Oh well.

Andrew and I have been making fruit smoothies for lunch a lot lately. I always love to see what the color is going to be once its all blended. This was the first one we had added blackberries to, and this picture cannot even convey how PURPLE this looked. It was so gorgeous! And I don't even really like purple. Plum yes, purple no.

Saturday morning we went to a birthday party for Dylan (the one on Andrew's left). These kiddos belong to our close friends from church - they actually represent about 3% of the kids amongst our friends from church. We love them dearly.

So...how are you?

We've got music!

2008-07-20T19:57:00.000-07:00

If you haven't noticed (or you read my blog through google reader), I've got themesongs for my blog now!

I'm awesome.

Actually, I copied a friend of mine who has music on her blog.

It's so fun!

Two of the songs are by this guy that Clark and I have become obsessed with. His name is Matisyahu and he sings reggae. But he's not just any reggae singer, he's Jewish. Clark and I think some of his songs are really cool, especially "King Without A Crown."

"Beat Box" is my themesong at the moment. It even makes Corinne dance, which is so funny.

Enjoy!

We're back online! and 4th of July!

2008-07-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, we are back online! HALLELUJAH! I don't know how Clark did it, but he did.

And he's my hero. So, now I can finally post about 4th of July, which will probably seem like a huge letdown now that you've all waited so long... Nevertheless, here is our 4th of July day!

(this picture makes me laugh b/c it looks like A is giving the "peace out")

Since Clark was on call again this year, we were without Daddy and all his funlovingness. But we managed to make it through the day somehow. I took the kids to the parade in downtown Irving. We have never been before, but it was so good and Andrew loved it!

Corinne was doing okay despite the intense sun and heat and loud car horns. She does like to people watch, though, so she was entertained.

Of course, she wasn't really happy until she could sit on the curb next to Andrew and try to catch candy for herself.

We spent the rest of the morning at my grandparents' house with my sister and her kids. I made the decision to not get out for fireworks that night. There was a high probability that Andrew and Corinne would have been scared by them (due to the crying and ear covering from the firetruck at the parade), so we just stayed home and had a normal night.

It really was a fun day because the parade was a new experience for Andrew and Corinne. It's always fun to see them have a new experience and take in every detail with awe and excitement.

Plus, candy being thrown at you is priceless.

Please say a prayer...

2008-07-07T15:10:00.001-07:00

for our computer! (was that a mean way to start out? I'm sorry.)

We think we have a bug and our internet isn't working. I'm currently typing this post from my mom's house.

I have, like, four different blog posts floating around in my brain, but I can't post them! I especially want to post about our 4th of July, but you'll all just have to wait patiently for it.

Who knows when our internet will work again...

Why, God, why?!

p.s. if any of you know anything about computers and bugs and ridding computers of bugs, please call me!

Recent pics

2008-06-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

Here is a compilation of the recent pictures we had done of the kids. I think they turned out so cute and we had such a hard time choosing the ones we wanted to buy! Enjoy!

swimming continued...

2008-06-18T11:17:00.000-07:00

This clip shows where they ask the kids what kind of tree they want to be, then she "chops" their stomach, and they fall into the water - "timber!" It's cute.

This is where they take the kids on their backs and swim through a hula hoop in the water.

Our little fish

2008-06-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

Andrew finished two weeks of swim lessons last Friday, and the parents got to sit in and watch. He took lessons from S&A Swimming which is a lady and her adult daughter. They have been teaching lessons in Irving for over 15 years. Jean is a retired teacher and her daughter is a child pyschologist. There are also grandchildren "helpers" in the pool with them. Clark was fascinated by the fact that this is just their backyard pool. But it was great!

Even though Andrew looks totally scared and incapable of actually swimming in these clips, he has come so far! This past weekend we went to NRH2O both Saturday and Sunday (Happy Father's Day Clark!), and Andrew was amazing! He was literally swimming by himself in the little pool. In the "lazy river" he wore a lifejacket and didn't even want us to hold him. He just "swam" on his own with the current.

It's very exciting to me b/c I love swimming and the water so much. Yea! Go Andrew!

Sew much fun!

2008-06-10T11:13:00.001-07:00

I've slowly started sewing again, and I'm really enjoying it. I copied this first thing from something a friend made. I think it's called a Taggie. It's like a small square, about 8 by 8, with ribbon tags coming out everywhere for a baby to chew on. Corinne would have loved one of these - she was always chewing on the tags of her toys. I made it for a good friend from high school who is having his first baby around July 4th.

sorry about the washed out pic - my flash was acting up

Then my mom asked me to make her a diaper bag/tote bag for a baby shower. This is actually the fabric I bought to make Corinne's new bag. This one is different from ones I normally make because it has one handle instead of two and that cute button closure.

2008-06-10T11:06:00.000-07:00

We love summer! These pics are from the couple of times we've been to NRH2O already this season. My mom bought us season passes for Christmas and we're enjoying them.

Corinne has actually been sick for a couple of weeks now, off and on. If you think of her, say a prayer! She has a horrible cough that has necessitated breathing treatments several times a day and an ear infection. Poor girl! We're ready for our happy whirlwind to come back to us!

Is it too late for a Mother's Day post?

2008-06-03T07:20:00.001-07:00

So, I know Mother's Day was a long time ago now, but I wanted to post some pics from the day - it was special to have my sisters, mother, grandmother, and all the children gathered together to just be together.

all of us in my mom's backyard

And it's totally official - Corinne lurves animals! We were at the dollar store getting favors for Andrew's end of the year party, and she started squealing with delight when she saw this:

Andrew named him Zang Zang when we got home (what?!).

Then yesterday there was a dog on Good Morning America, and she started squealing and pointing and gyrating - it was so funny. Right after that segment there was a commercial with a man on a horse, and it was the same thing.

Andrew is definitely into music, we've known this from an early point in his life. Now we finally know what Corinne's love is.

If Noah Jumped Off a Cliff, Would You Jump Off a Cliff?

2008-05-07T16:50:00.001-07:00

It's started.

Andrew tried to reason with me that something was okay just because another little boy in his class did it.

When I picked him up from school yesterday, in conversation he told me that Noah hit him and then he hit Noah.

Then, later in the day, he hit Corinne.

M: Andrew, don't hit Corinne. You'll get a spanking if you do it again.

A: But Noah does it.

M: I don't care what Noah does! It isn't nice to hit people.

I realize that my response wasn't altogether wise or reasonable, but I was so caught off guard by his reasoning. Just another example of how big Andrew is getting... like he's three going on thirteen. I just hope hitting isn't going to be a problem for us now!

Future Farmer of America

2008-05-01T13:18:00.000-07:00

It's been fun to see more of Corinne's personality come out lately because she is funny! There are some very noticeable differences between her and Andrew as well.

Both of them started walking withing a month of their first birthdays. Andrew, with his cautious nature, was still toddling along at 14 months; Corinne is climbing up the slide in our backyard and on top of chairs and small tables.
Corinne will dig in the dirt with her hands while Andrew will pat it or use a shovel.
Andrew was, and still is, very verbal; Corinne is loud, but doesn't really use words yet.

That's just a few of the unique differences between our two, but another interest we've noticed about Corinne is her love of animals. She loves for us to read books with animals in them and she especially loves for us to make the animal sounds.

On Monday, I took the kids to the Arboretum to run off some energy. They still had their kids activites out, so I took Andrew and Corinne into the little animal pen so they could pet the animals. Corinne had died and gone to heaven! She was not afraid...

Observe:

***I apologize for the bad camera movement on this - I was trying to tape Corinne and protect the animals from her at the same time!

Tag! You're it!

2008-04-26T22:09:00.000-07:00

My great friend Katy tagged me to tell you 7 things you might not know about me:

1. I'm charismatic at heart - I can't tell you how many times I want to dance in the aisles at church during worship or say "amen" to a well-spoken truth. God just amazes me and leaves me in awe and I get so excited - but usually I'm just crying from the emotional overflow. :)

2. I eat a bowl of ice cream almost every night before I go to bed, and I also microwave it for 9 to 10 seconds before I eat it because I like it soft. This caused much strife amongst my mom and sisters while growing up b/c I used to microwave the whole half gallon instead of just my bowl.

3. Reading at night before I go to bed is a hobby I love, but it also serves as a deterrant to keep my mind from thinking crazy thoughts like, "what if Andrew runs out in front of Target and gets hit by a car? what if he's on some bridge and falls off the side?" These thoughts strike me most often at night before I go to bed, hence the reading. I know I should deal with this fear with God - its an ongoing process.

4. When I was a junior in high school, I looked into photography schools in New York b/c I seriously wanted to become a photographer. God took me another direction (safely into Clark Morgan's heart), but I still want to learn how to take amazing photos.

5. I LOVE to shop! I don't ever do it now b/c a) I have not enough money to shop like I want and b) I have not enough time without children to do it. But one day...

6. When I'm in the car, I barely pay attention to what is on the radio. Sometimes, when I run an errand without kids, I'll drive the whole time with a children's CD playing and not even realize it. I'm a deep thinker, y'all. But if KCBI is on, I'll listen to that.

7. My left pinky fingernail is retarded - it grows all curved and weird.

I tag Staci, Alice, and my cousin Kara, who just started her blog!

Snow cones and cheese

2008-04-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

"Mawiage is what bwings us togefer today"

2008-04-12T21:26:00.000-07:00

Name that movie! Anybody? Anybody???

So, my little sister got married last month and I'm just now getting around to posting about it!

It was a beautiful wedding and very God-honoring.

I, however, was probably not very God-honoring that day as Clark was on call, both Andrew and I were in the wedding, Corinne was at the height of separation anxiety, and no one got a nap. Whew. It was exhausting. In fact, it took me the entire next week to recuperate. Someone give me an award.

Seriously, Lindy looked beautiful and my family was a huge help to me.

Anyways, here are some pics of the day - enjoy!

the bride with all the kids in the wedding

Lindy and the bridesmaids (from left: high school friend Alexis, me, Lindy, our older sister Staci)

Corinne (in her Easter dress since this was the weekend before Easter)

so handsome!

all the cousins at the rehearsal dinner

Look What I Can Do!

2008-04-10T10:18:00.000-07:00

I made an apron! I saw one like this online and made my own! This is some leftover fabric from when I used to make tote bags, and I think it came out really cute! I didn't use a pattern, so it isn't perfect. But I did it!

While I was working on it, Corinne dug through my purse and my wallet. I'm just glad I got to her before she started ripping the money apart. She likes to rip paper, a lot!

I can already tell we might have problems in the teenage years!

Book meme

2008-04-06T19:30:00.000-07:00

So, my friend Heather, you know the one who started a second (second!) blog, she tagged me to do this book meme. I'm not really sure what a "meme" is, but all the bloggers are doing it...

I'm supposed to grab whatever book is nearest me and find page 123, then locate the first 5 sentences, then type the next 3 sentences.

Well, the only book on our computer desk is "Saunders Manual of Critical Care" and page 123 is the end of a chapter and looks a little bit like this:

1. Spastic quadriparesis or quadriplegia
2. Pseudobulbar palsy, dysarthia, mutism
3. Pupillary or oculomotor abnormalities

There are four more like those, and I know what you're thinking - "Wow! Erin is such a good wife that she reads about Clark's job and keeps up with the medical knowledge."

Ha! I kid.

I grabbed the book on the top of my stack on my nightstand and its "The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World" by Michael Pollan.

"All at once the bones in my legs began to go soft. I found I could no longer form a sentence without specifically addressing the muscles in my lips. The barn, you see, was nothing more than a shell of boards, and no police officer standing in it could fail to spot the two green giants through the opening in the rear wall."

This book is described by saying that "Michael Pollan ingeniously demonstrates in The Botany of Desire that people and domesticated plant species have formed a similarly reciprocal relationship (as that of the honeybee and the flower), a relationship that is just as common and essential to the way nature works."

The particular quote is from the second of four chapters and is about cannabis sativa x indica, otherwise known as marijauna. It's been a somewhat interesting book, but I'm glad I'm almost done with it.

Oh, the power of Chick-fil-a

2008-04-04T15:57:00.000-07:00

E: Andrew, do you want a chicken nugget?

A: No; I'm tough, I'm fine, I'm full of french fries.

Shout out

2008-04-02T18:10:00.000-07:00

My good friend Heather has a second (second!) blog here. She's a speech therapist/pathologist (I never know which one is right) and has a great heart for helping kids learn language skills. She knows a ton!

I heart her b/c she has a passion for young kids like I do - although I don't keep up with the teaching world much since I left it to mommy!

Check it out!