My best friend's birthday party

Morgan was so very excited today as we jumped in the car and headed south to Charleston for Morgan's best friend's birthday party. Our niece, Julia, will be turning 4 on Tuesday and Morgan couldn't wait to get there to help her celebrate!

The birthday girl surveys her cake castle. My brother and sister in law made this castle with no diagramse, completely from scratch! I was VERY impressed.

The crazy party crew

Enjoying watching boaters on the Ohio River

Apparently Uncle Chris got her nose???

Cake....YUMMY!!

Watching Julia open her gifts

Julia let each of her guests open one of her birthday presents. How's that for the ultimate in sharing?

Morgan sets out to slay the dragon with her gift from Julia, a sword!

Last Beach Day

Today was our last full day here in sunny Florida. Morgan and I took advantage of the gorgeous weather to hit the beach one more time before heading home. The ocean was a little rough, but the water was the temperature of warm bath water (perfect!). Morgan and I had the best time playing in the surf, getting knocked over by waves, panning for shells, and just enjoying some much needed mother/daughter time while Aunt Linda and Mom watched from the covered deck of one of our favorite restaurants. We were all exhausted when we got home, but it was a good exhausted, you know?

If I could photoshop out the trashcan, this would be a good picture!

Lunch at one of our local hangouts--Pineapple Willy's!

GOT MILK?

More beach time, with a friend

Today we hit the beach again with some gorgeous weather greeting us early on the sand. We spent the morning with my friend Tonia. We used to lifeguard together almost 10 years ago. It is hard to believe we haven't seen each other in that long, but we got caught up real fast (thanks Facebook for keeping us both up to date) and Morgan and I got to meet her son, Jackson. Jackson is only 2 months younger than Morgan, and they had the best time playing together. Our water baby was running in and out of the water, and when we moved to the pool was jumping in with no hesitations. Morgan is already asking when we can go back to see Jackson!

Jackson and Morgan at the kiddie pool

I love this picture....so adorable!

Pier Park Carousel

Today Aunt Linda, Morgan and I ventured out to Pier Park to do a little bit of shopping. There is a carousel in the middle of the outdoor mall that Morgan absolutely loved. She got to ride the first time all by herself, and she got a really long ride (I think the young guy running it thought she was cute). The second time, Morgan shouted at the man "Hey, wait up!" as she went streaking across the grass to get on the carousel before he started it up. It was so funny! She had a great time, of course, and I got some great pictures (OF COURSE!).

In Charge

Ever since Mom's successful surgery on Tuesday, Morgan has been "in charge". She has been in charge of watching the dogs, feeding them, getting Mom things she needs, and generally being a bright breath of fresh air that I think Mom needs to help her recover from surgery. While at the hospital Morgan helped Mom drink some water and very sweetly placed fruit, one piece at a time, in Mom's hand so she could eat.

Morgan has been very tender with Mom, and she loves that she is "in charge". She is constantly asking me if she is still in charge. Anyone who knows Morgan knows she's always in charge! However, being the Charge Nurse in the house is exhausting, and Morgan was completely bushed the day we brought Mom home.

When Morgan is busy doing other things, she leaves her "night nurses" Leon and Pfeffer in charge of Mom's needs. While I am certain they cannot get her medicine for her, the dogs have been a huge help in providing lots of snuggles and warmth next to Mom while she rests.

Thanks to all who prayed for Mom and continue to do so.

Beach Babe!

Today we tried to hit the beach and take advantage of the beautiful weather. We headed out abour 10:00 while it wasn't too hot. The water was so refreshing! Unfortunately we only got to stay about 15 minutes because the yellow biting flies were HORRIBLE!! Even submerged in the water we still managed to get bit, alot.

Nevertheless Morgan had a wonderful time playing in the water. She pretended to be a lifeguard and pulled me ashore many times by my feet :) We saw a crab whose shell was as big as my hand. Morgan tried to build a sand castle, but the flies prevented her from getting very far on it. She loved her boogie board, and she learned that salt water tasts n-a-s-t-y!

I promised her we'd hit the beach a few more times before we leave to go back home. We have a play date with one of my old lifeguard friends on Tuesday, and Morgan is excited about that. I was also able to get a few good pictures of our WVU cheerleader in the water. Don't be surprised if you happen to see one of these again on a Christmas card!

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Finally, the time has come. Today Morgan, Aunt Linda, and I left WV bound for FL to help take care of Mom when she has neck/spine surgery on Tuesday. It's been crazy trying to get everything ready to go, and we are now basking (or really roasting) in the Florida sun and heat. We left a chilly 48 degrees this morning and arrived to a scorching 96 degrees! Although it is nice to be in a place that is still experiencing summer, the drastic change was a little hard to acclimate to.

Morgan decided there was only one important thing to pack....and I think Mutti would agree!

This is Morgan's 3rd trip on an airplane, but really the first one that she was aware of what was going on. She did really well on the trip. I thought I was going to have to get a barf bag once on the decent into Atlanta, which was rather rocky, but other than that, the flights were pleasant and she tolerated them well.

She loved watching the planes while we waited to for ours to arrive in Pittsburgh.

Here she is, on the first leg of the flight, holding Baby Ivy tightly to her chest. Incidentally Baby Ivy ended up riding most of the way in the carry on luggage because I refused to carry her all ove the airport. Does that make me a mean mom? :)

She was reviewing the safety information for the flight, and apparently saw something she didn't like (evidenced by the curled lip).


I was so glad I thought to bring my laptop. Morgan enjoyed her in-flight entertainment but got very restless during the times when approved electronic devices were not allowed to be used. What you cannot see in the picture below is the microphone that flips down from the headset she is wearing. While we waited for folks to board in Pittsburgh Morgan kept trying to raise the pilot on her headphones/microphone. It was hilarious. A brief video of this is at the end of the post.

She also managed to eat both bags of peanuts on the first flight, and asked rather loudly when "the man" (our flight attendant) was going to bring her peanuts on the second flight. Overall traveling with a 4 year old was not nearly as bad as I thought, although I will admit that traveling with an infant was MUCH easier. Morgan is excited to get back on the plane again when it is time to go home to see Daddy.

Guess Who Is?

This week Morgan is being highlighted at school. She got to talk about things she likes, talk about her pet, and received a special treasure for being this week's star.

Above is Morgan's "self". Other than the obvious fashion faux pas of a navy dress and black shoes, I think she did a pretty darn good job :)


All about Morgan
Morgan was able to write our dog's name all by herself.

Getting Priorities Straight

Lately I have been really struggling with a huge weight on my heart. Being an outside of the home working mom has run me ragged. The time I get to spend at home is so short, and there is always so much to do. Often, between laundry, dishes, cleaning, and preparing for the next day, I forget that I have a very inquisitive 4 year old who is there with me.

God has really opened my eyes these past few weeks and shown me that I really do not spend enough time with Morgan. I am blessed with a very independant child...she plays by herself and hardly ever needs my attention. However, I have noticed that when she does ask for my attention, I am constantly telling her "just a minute". Those "just a minutes" turn into 30, 60, or more and by the time I blink, it's time for her to go to bed and I haven't spent a single minute with just her. That makes my heart ache terribly.

I have made a conscious effort the past week to really focus on her. As a result, my house is a mess, but I have to decide for myself what is more important. The obvious answer is Morgan. Sure, we cannot live in a pig sty, nor do I want our house to look that way. BUT, my focus should be on her while she is awake, not the computer, the TV, or the house. I am going to try and incorporate her helping me with the chores instead of shooing her away because I can get it done faster without her. AND we are going to work on her picking up her toys, which at 4 she still does not do (and that's because we have never enforced that rule). No doubt it will be hard to find that balance, but it must be done. She's only going to be little for a short while longer, and I want her to remember that I played with her, not put her off. I am usually exhausted when I get home from work, but surely there is enough energy in me most days to play a few games of Candy Land, read with her, play with her dolls, and let her help me cook.

I read this poem today that really touched my heart. I'll keep it at the forefront of my mind in the coming weeks.

Time is of the Essence

Now is the time to get things done...

wade in the water,

sit in the sun,

squish my toes

in mud by the door,

explore the world in a girl just four.

Now is the time to study books...

flowers,

snails,

how a cloud looks;

to ponder "up"

where God sleeps nights,

why mosquitos take such big bites.

Later there'll be time

to sew and clean,

paint the hall

that soft new green,

to make new drapes,

refinish the floor--

Later on...when she's not just four.

by Irene Foster

Evolution of a Fan

First game, 9 weeks

Season 2, 1 year old

Season 3, 2 years old

Season 4, 3 years old

Season 5, 4 years old

Let's GO Mountaineers!

Football season officially kicked off yesterday, and our little cheerleader was EXCITED!! This is her 5th season of Mountaineer football, and Patrick and I love to see her cheering on our team. This year Morgan seemed to pay a little more attention to the actual game, or as much attention as a 4 year old can with lots of other distractions around. She loves to see our friends Josh and Anna, and spent a lot of time on both of their laps. And our little gal LOVES to tailgate! Now that she is older, she runs around with the other kids while the older girls (15 and 12) keep an eye on her. She loves the attention and getting to spend time with her cousins Anna and Shannon. We hope to make it to 5 games this year, as long as it doesn't get too cold. Let's GO Mountaineers!

Our gal ready to go to the game.

Patrick's Mountain Mamas

Practicing her cheers before the game starts

Enjoying her traditional football snack, a frozen lemonade (or Zul as they are called here)

Enjoying a laugh with Daddy

Isn't she just beautiful? We think so!

Yeah Mountaineers!!!