Procrastination Is My Middle Name

Let's be honest. Procrastination is one of my biggest flaws. I procrastinate with everything. This isn't your typical college kid putting off a paper kind either. It's more like a "I'll do it tomorrow, or the next day-5 days later I still haven't done it- oh no I was suppose to do that a week ago-worry worry worry worry" kind. It's BAD. Very bad. My problem is that I'm already worrying over a million other things , so my "just don't think about it" brain says 'oh, you can just put this off and worry about it later. You've got enough going on today. It can wait". And of course that blows up in my face when that situation ends up being an even bigger worry to stress over.

So why can't I break this habit?? Are you a procrastinator as well? How do you deal with it?

A Quick Piece of Love From Morgan

2 posts in one day is a lot considering how far I go between posts sometimes, but this is important.
3 years ago, my boyfriend was in a terrible motorcycle wreck. The kind where they doubted he would make it, when that surprised them thy doubted he would function normally again, and then he received a miracle and is a normal person for the most part these days. The kind where I had to think that I might lose him. It was bad news for days.
Anyways, three years later he has come so far that it's amazing. He only has a few problems that bother him still, like achey knees from surgeries and a left arm that is a little weak. (His left arm was injured from wrist to shoulder with lots of nerve damage and had multiple surgeries on his wrist as well as metal bars sticking out from his arm that held his arm in place from wrist to shoulder for months.)
So tonight I sat here and cut his right hand fingernails for him, like I have plenty of times over the last few years, because his left hand is too weak/not steady enough to do it himself. Some times he can do it on his own, some times he gets half way and I finish and others I do it all. As I tried to cut them to his liking tonight, I thought to myself "Who else would I sit here and do this for? What other adult would I willingly do this task for?" It doesn't matter what he needed, I would gladly help him. He is stubborn to the point where he will take as long as it takes to do a task for himself, no matter how hard his small limitations make it. But on the slight chance that he asks for help, I am there. Whether he needs his fingernails cut or he needs a shoe tied because his knees ache more than usual.
He is such a strong man and I love him. For all his strength.

Christmas Gifts From the Heart & the Blessing of Working With Kids.

Nothing compares to a gift straight from someone's heart, except maybe a gift from a 4 year old's heart.

I have some of the sweetest babies in my class and they come with sweet, thoughtful Mommas. It makes me want to cry. 

Lots of sweets and treats from my littles.

Relationships: A 2 Seater

The problem with a lot of relationships, in my opinion, is that there are more than 2 people influencing the relationship.

...................................................

I started this post weeks ago after seeing a friend's relationship go through a rough patch because of a third person who put themselves in the middle of their relationship. I came up with the first sentence and that was really as much as I could  get out of my thoughts. Here I am a few weeks later, looking at this post's first draft and it is hitting a lot closer to home than it did originally.

Relationships are, in fact, a two person deal. It's hard enough to compromise and work together and build a relationship between you and someone else. Adding another person to the mix makes everything a million times more complicated. There is absolutely no reason for someone in the relationship to go out and invite someone else and their opinions and needs and wants in to the middle of everything.
There's no reason for someone to go outside of a committed relationship  looking for whatever it is that they think they need or want. It's really as simple as black and white. If you are happy, you are happy. If you are not, you are not. There's really no in between. If you're not getting what you want out of a relationship with someone, then you need to reevaluate the entire situation and either work on things or leave if that's where things are heading. But never should any one ever go and start some new relationship on the side.
Pardon my French, but that is just bull shit.
Plain and simple.
I also don't understand what girls get out of being "the other girl." Seriously though? You obvious don't have any respect for other people and their relationships, but what about YOURSELF? Why would you want that   kind of reputation following you?
.......
On a related topic, I can't stand it when two people are cheating and the cheated-on only blames one party.
Your boyfriend/girlfriend/whatever is just as much to blame as the trash they were involved with behind your back.

Words Only a Pre-K Teacher Has To Say

• You have to take your hands out of your pockets in order to go potty, dude.
• Why are there Legos in my shoes?
• Please stop chewing on that. You are not really a puppy.
• Take. Your. Shoe string. Out. Of. Your. Mouth.
• Close the bathroom door. No one wants to see that.
• Did that start out as a toot?
• WHO POOPED IN THE GAME CENTER??

Easton Melts Hearts

A whole month later, I'm finally getting around to posting about Easton's birth. No one is surprised. Anyways, it still leaves me speechless when I think about it, really. Watching a baby be born is one of the most amazing things ever. I felt so honored for Mikayla to ask me to be there when Easton was born and it has given us one more thing to bond our relationship. Let me tell you... We may not be real sisters but we have gone through a lot together. Easton's birth was the most amazing and precious experiences. Just watching him take his first breath and hearing his first little whimper of a cry....oh my word, I was instantly crying the happiest tears ever. It really just steals your heart to see this amazing creation of a baby, looking at him and thinking 'he is literally only minutes old, a true beginning'. *I would like to add that, despite everyone's worry and concern and pretty much sure feelings, I did NOT pass out or even get dizzy during this. I'm a bit of a weakling and a fainter. Oh well.* Of course, I'm now going to post a million pictures of my little E- Man. 

After the little stinker was born, I went to pick up some real food for his mommy and then couldn't wait to get to snuggle him for the first time. I really was so glad she was hungry, because it gave me the chance to do some major snuggling! 

I could not stop looking at him for the longest time. After watching him be born, I was just so amazed by him. His tiny little not-even-a-real-cry. The little crease above his nose. His tiny little hands. Amazing.

 Really, though. Just the most handsome little man ever.

 Some serious snuggling going on in that baby swing.

 We stayed the night Thanksgiving Eve and on Thanksgiving morning I stole the little stinker while his mommy took a shower. He was wide awake and I could not get enough. I brought him and laid him down in the blankets on the bed and he was soon falling back asleep. Kaylen and I just sat, watching him snooze and make silly baby faces in his sleep.

 THE MOST HEARTWARMING, HEART-MELTING MOMENT EVER. Come on girls. You know what I'm talking about. Seeing the love of your life hold a baby and actually enjoy it will pull on every heart string you have. *SIGH*

After Turkey Day dinner, we rocked foreverrrrrrrr.

Seriously though, I'm so thankful his mommy loves me because the whole time I was there I was a complete baby hog. Snuggling machine.

Auntie Heaven.

Tis' (Almost) The Season

Tomorrow is the last day of November and then....

IT IS FINALLY DECEMBER!

Yay!

I'm very excited, mostly because I love Christmas and shiny lights and shopping and glitter and decorating. All of the top things to do in December, duh! So here is a quick little update to wrap up the end of November....

My main squeeze and I went to see the new James Bond movie, Skyfall, and it was actually pretty good! Isn't he precious with his man-beard?

I got to spend Thanksgiving around my precious Easton Kayle. Heart. Melting. Material. Seriously, though. He is the most amazing thing. I also got a new best friend, Miss Willow Rose.

I found some snazzy things at Target this week. A foxy coffee mug for myself and a Christmas onsie for Easton! Too cute. I could live in Target, guys. 

And I really think that's about it. Hopefully over the weekend I will have a chance to write about Easton being born and a couple of other posts I have in the works.

  

                               Much love,

                      -M

Easton Kayle!!!

Just a quick post to say that Easton arrived yesterday!! And he's perfect! Ill post later on the whole experience, and get to gush over how amazing and sweet he is!! Here's a few quick shots :

Easton in 3,2,1......

Little Mr. Easton Kayle will be here in 3 short days and I am so beyond excited. Mikayla and Mom got to come to town for a work conference so I got to see them this week! It's been great. We all are so ready for Easton to get here and I love hearing Kaylen's mom tell stories about him when he was a tiny baby (:

Here's Me, Mikayla and the Easton belly.

Quotes From Preschoolers & Kindergarteners

While reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear:
Instead of Macaroni Penguin, Macaroni Penguin, What do you see? one of my kids calls out "Mac & Cheese Penguin, Mac & Cheese Penguin, what do you see!?"

"When you turn 100, you die." -5 year olds can be very..... Blunt and brutal?

"I wish you was a mom"-K
"A mom??"-me
"Yeah. Like I wish you had a baby child. And you could name it and bring it here. And take it to eat chicken nuggets. Moms are strong."-K
(I'm still not sure where this came from).

This one is my all time favorite and various forms of this conversation happen quite often. My kids apparently think I'm like 45.
"Ms. Morgan how old are you?"
-21.
"Do you have a baby?"
-no. Sure don't.
"Are you married?"
-no.
"Ohhhhh." ( said with the most pitiful 'you poor thing' face a kid can make.)

As I told one little boy he was going home, got really excited and says "my moms here!!" And then randomly he whispers to me "My moms boobies are the biggest. They're like a pillow." And he closed his eyes and moved is head like he was snuggling. This is real life. I couldn't make this up, people.

I have one little boy who would talk to a wall, in all seriousness. He's constantly talking, either about Mario on his DS or things that make no sense. He told me at snack once that 'If I eat lots and lots of food it makes me bubbly in my belly and a mess in my pants.' I think every girl in the class was disgusted and every boy laughed, including the boy talking.

November is for Giving Thanks

November is all about taking the time to stop and think about what we are thankful for.  Somehow, we seem to forget to do this throughout the entire year.

First of all, I'm thankful for my parents and the fact that they have been constants throughout my life. No matter what, they're always there, even when I didn't expect or deserve it. A lot of us take our parents for granted and then it's too late. The older I get the more I realize all they've done for me and I've realized how much they really did have my best interests at heart. I didn't have parents who were "my best friends". They were parents. They love me through everything and have done what it takes to raise me into someone decent. I'm so glad to have grown up with that. 

I have an amazing older sister to be thankful for. There is quite a few years age difference between us and that is something I am thankful for. I didn't have to grown up with a sister I constantly fought with and had to compete with. She is more than a sister, she's a friend, a listening ear, a sounding board, my shoulder to cry on and so much more.  She has done so much for me I wouldn't even know where to begin. She's also brought in to my life a brother-in-law who is just as supportive and who does just as much for me. And of course my life will never be the same after the births of my two nieces that she has brought in to my life

. Ella Grey is the most amazing nine year old you will ever meet. I've never known a little girl who loves with her whole heart like Grey does. She is so creative and inspired by anything she sees or hears or reads. She loves to draw and read and craft and write and sing & I love every bit of it. She has such a big passionate heart and does everything with her own personal style. 

Finley Skye is a little FIRECRACKER! Pretty much the complete opposite of her sister, this little three year old has so much life in her. She is the definition of a diva and absolutely can make your day. I can't wait to see how she grows up and the person she grows into in the next few years. I'm so thankful to have been able to be around her fairly constantly throughout her life. 

Oh, brother. I remember sitting in my bean bag chair late into the night with the phone in my lap, waiting for the call to tell me I had a little brother. Like it was yesterday. Of course we have had our share of fights and arguments growing up, but that's just a part of having a little brother. He's growing up so fast, it's hard to believe he will be graduating this coming May. Definitely makes me old. I'm just glad to have him in my life and for us to be able to let our relationship as brother and sister grow the older we become. 

I'm thankful for the friends that I have had in my life, whether we were friends for a while or for a long time. Right now I am extremely thankful for the friends that are constants in my life. Those hand full of friends know who they are and hopefully they know just how much they mean to me. Nothing in the world compares to a friend who is there for you no matter what you need and who gives you the opportunity to be there for them. My friends offer me advice, cheer me up, calm me down, level me out, balance me, hear me out and tell it right back to me. They are the best. 

I'm thankful for the life that I have. I don't have the perfect life by any means. I have to work hard, a lot of times I struggle or fall short, things never seem to come easy to me but none of that compares to the lives of some people. I'm just thankful for a chance. I'm thankful for opportunity. I'm thankful for connections. For the people that have entered my life the past two years. 

Places Where I Think of Good Blog Posts

Just a random little post that I'm sure will continue to be updated. *Notice none of these places are at the computer.*

•while blow drying my hair
•in the car
• at work
•laying in bed trying to go to sleep
• while in Hobby Lobby, Michaels or Joann's
•eating in the car
•after I finish a good book

Where do your blog posts and inspirations come from?

Third time's the charm..... Right?!?!?

Right after graduating high school, I moved a couple hours away to a state university and immediately started school that fall. My first semester was terribly lonely as well as stressful thanks to a ridiculous chemistry class. The next two semesters went by ok, except for a blues & jazz lit class that made me want to die. Those semesters were a lot better due to the fact that my boyfriend of two years was finally able to move to school with me. (He was a little sidetracked after a motorcycle accident. Whole other post there, guys). And then the last semester of my sophomore year came and it happened.
I. Failed. A. Class.
Now I know good and well that I wasn't putting in the effort to be a straight A student but to fail a class?? I was devastated. And when I say devastated I mean I stared at the computer screen with that bold type F on it and then bawled my eyes out as I called my mom and cried on the phone for a good 5 minutes before she understood what I was saying. Devastated. I'm not a fail a class kinda girl. I did pretty well in high school with out a lot of effort. Turns out that was exactly my problem. Big huge thanks to the efforts of my small town high school lack of legitimate college prep.
So I cried about it, freaked out like I do about most things and decided "Okay, I quit. My parents are gonna think I'm a failure and everyone else but this isn't for me and I quit." I was so nervous to tell my mom I wanted to leave I bout threw up. Being the genius I am, I decide to run head first in to some type of program that would get me a job and a degree and not require me to move home to community college or stay at the university I was at. (Most kids move home for the community college route- I loved the city I was living in and getting to know and honestly would have rather died that move home to my small town. I left there for a reason.) SO, I picked a dental assuring program at a tech type school. I figure 'Hey I can do this! Be done in 2 years! Bam. Problem solved'. WRONG.
Don't get me wrong. I really like the program I'm in. It's really interesting work. I would have a good job. And I can honestly say that I have met some awesome ladies in this program. Really good, genuine friends. A best friend who I now work with as well. The sweetest ladies who take you in like a niece. But those things don't change the fact that the school itself is a tad bit sketchy. Who wants to graduate from a school that may not be here in a year or two or even if they are, they have a tarnished reputation? Not me.
Mostly, it comes down to the fact that this entire time in the back of my head I have know "You can do it. You can finish your degree. You were meant and made for bigger and better. You want to be proud of yourself when you walk across the stage with a degree that MEANS something." It just takes me a whole to realize these things.

So, to wrap this up: I think I'm gonna do it. I think I'm going to go back to the state university I started at, suck it up and finish my degree. I plan on focusing my path to focus on child psychology now instead of a general psych path. That has a lot to do with my work at the daycare/ after school care business. There are SO MANY kids out there who we call "bad" that are the way they are as a result of their parents poor, self-centered and thoughtless actions. Kids who act out because they have no one to care, no one to show them how to handle theirs emotions and their thoughts and their actions. I already love psychology and have always had an interest in it but now I know what I could do with it. Whether it be in a practice or working through a school or even with the state, I can be the help that a child needs beyond being their "school age counselor" at their after school care and being limited by my ability and knowledge.
Long story short, here goes nothing. Now all I have to do is tell my parent and hope this looks better than I feel like it does. I honestly hope I don't look like the big hot mess that I feel like, but I've been told this is what it's like to be a normal 20-something. It's the most complicated time but people always tell you these are the good years. I guess there is some truth in that, that you eventually see in retrospect.
- M

Arghhh!

I know my last post was basically the same thing BUT I'll say it again: I'm sorry I've abandoned you, little blog. I've been so busy I can't see straight and when I do get a break all I do is lay around and be a total lazy bum. Hopefully I'll be back on track soon. I have a few post ideas rolling around in my head and as soon as we can get wifi here (lame, I know) I can work on editing a few good posts like my sewing of a baby swaddler for Easton and such. Fingers crossed!
- M, the very terrible blogger

Sweet Girls

I'm pretty sure you've never seen two girls as beautiful and happy as my girlies! (Ignore Finley's "I'm up to something face" lol). They're growing up right before my eyes and making me feel old!

busy, busy, busy!

So I have completely abandoned my blog the past like 3 weeks and I am very sad and sorry! School kicked in to full gear and of course it makes me lose my mind when things get crazy. I started my job at the after school care/daycare again and that makes me even crazier! I just have to remember the kids that make my job worth while...and my awesome co-workers and bosses! Also, the past month has been consumed by our attempts to find an apartment to move into near school and that has been an absolute nightmare. (Come back Monday for an update on that whole situation ;) !) So here are a few pictures from the past couple of weeks because that's all I have!

I finally decided I should cut my hair off! It was a great decision, except I should have gone even shorter!

I have been kickin' butt at mounting radiographs this quarter! yeya! Also, I'm pretty dang good at exposing them as well!

These. Are. Delicious.

And...then in between it all, I get to go to work. I don't even know which job I'm going to. Don't I look excited?

-M

To Grammy's House We Go!

Finley and I got to come on a little mini trip this week to visit our Grammy & Poppa! She's awfully good in the car for long periods of time for such a little stinker!! After a long drive filled with lots of singing, two stops at McDonalds,a biscuit, 3 potty stops, and a nap we made it. Finley has enjoyed time with her Grammy, who made her muffins and waffles-her two favorite things to eat!

Here's FooFoo riding Elijah's cool car/bike!

Sweet Little Miss Mila Time!

I got to go visit little Miss Mila today!! I just love getting to see her and her mommy & daddy & Aunt Danielle (my best friend, so I'm like an unofficial aunt right???) Every one was SO HAPPY when this little cutie pie got here safe & sound & beautiful as can be. Mila has the cutest little facial expressions & makes the sweetest little kissy faces! Oh and I got to snuggle her while she ate. I just love babies! Sweet girls like Mila make babies irresistible!

Book List # 6-10

6. Water for Elephants

Read this. Love this. You're welcome.

7. The Other Boleyn Girl

Drama!! So good! 

8.A Bend in the Road

Oh, Nicholas Sparks. Never lets ya down.

9. WICKED

Find out how she got to be so wicked and what led to those ruby red slippers.

10. The Secret Life of Bees

It's just plain good. A really touching story.

............

There it is. Short and sweet.

-M

Snakes & Snails and Puppy-dog tails!

I'm sure you've noticed this by now but just in case you haven't...

I'M GETTING A NEPHEW!

As in a rough and tumble-dirt-everywhere-scraped-up-knees-baseball-playing-teach-him how-to-spit-nephew.

Blog world, meet Easton Kayle Richardson

ETA: NOVEMBER 2012

I couldn't be any more excited. Seriously. 

And of course, I am absolutely loving getting to browse through the boy section now when I go shopping. I can't help myself. Little polo shirts, sneakers, hats, tiny little man vests. Its all to precious to handle. Rhinos and tigers and racoons! Oh my! Little skateboards and pirates and skulls and rockstars. It's so much fun!

{Quick Camera Clicks}

Okay, so these are obviously little tidbits from my iPhone camera, mostly pics shared on my Instagram. These 4 are my favorites from the past 2 weeks!

1. My mermaid theme nails. LOVE!

2. NEW IPHONE CASE!!!!

This SPECK case is just adorable and it was on sale at Target so I really couldn't pass it up.

Get one for yourself here:

Buy Me!

3. Finley was being so cute at the talent show Friday. She had a mini self-portrait shoot sitting in my lap.

4. TA-DA!! THIS, ladies and gents, it a beautiful picture of the most precious little boy ever. 

MY NEPHEW!!

Look at that precious nose and his wittle chin and lips and perfectly round baby tummy. Good God, he is the perfect little boy already! 

Run, Skip, Hop

Played outside with the little princess today. She's a hoot.

Her little bun on top of her head was just too precious and she was thrilled that we both had our hair up. (Also, that giant pink blob is a pink hippo shaped tent. Adorable!)

How do I organize?

Okay, so every week when I sit down to work on my homework I tell myself 'Today I will organize my school work and binders'. And every week I don't. Surprised? No.
What I want to know is how can I organize my junk to make homework/studying/keeping up with notes easier? I'm definitely not the kind of person who can do this easily, unfortunately. Actually, I'm the most unorganized person ever. I like to throw my shit in my binder or stuff it in my bag and hope that I can't find them when I need them next. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS NOT THE BEST SYSTEM TO WORK WITH.
I just need to really put some effort ing to diving my papers up, labeling junk, and putting the work in its place do I can easily find it to study. That'd be nice.
Suggestions??

Book List: #1-5

Here are the first 5 items on what I hope grows to be a giant of a book list throughout the next few months. These are in no particular order. All 5 are incredible stories!

1. The Lovely Bones

Apparently I was really missing out by forgetting to grab a copy of this for so long. 

2. The Host

So good. Definitely not what you expect from the author of Twilight. I loved the series but this is actually a much more interesting story and it's catches your attention for sure.

3. The Memory Keeper's Daughter

Touching. It shows so many sides of people, how our choices in one moment continually effect our lives and the lives of others forever.

4. Sarah's Key

Historical Fiction. I wanted this story to be real. Amazing how events from years and years apart connect and intertwine the lives of so many people.

5. The Vow

Kim Carpenter opens up about the accident that changes his life forever when he and his new wife are in an accident, leaving her with no memory of their short marriage. Definitely opens your eyes to the powers of true love and prayer, as they push forward and fall in love all over again.

{Niece Moments} #1- Finley

This morning Little Foo and I went to the park to play before it became too hot outside to stand it. We were already out and about to drop Big Girl off at acting camp and a 9 a.m. trip to the playground just felt right.
At the park, we played on the play ground and then walked around on the track and over a little bridge. Foo-Foo found a tiny ADORABLE bunny rabbit eating breakfast and we watch it for ever! So precious! We decided to name it and Finley insisted that HIS name be Sarah. Why? I have no idea.

I'm a total NookWorm now.

Okay, so of course one of my first posts has to be about my nook. I am completely in love with this tiny device that has given me a chance to actually knock out most of my summer reading list in the past month. It will go down as the best birthday gift ever. I'm not sure how I even talked K into getting it for me. I was still shocked when I opened the box as soon as we got in the car. Seriously though, I have read so much these past few weeks and I love it! I've always loved a good read and try to get my hands on a good book anytime I have some free time. And this nook has made it that much easier. (Below is the moment I opened the box that held my precious nook baby!)

Excitement!

I hope to turn this little blog into everything I want it to be. If nothing else, it will give me something to mess around with and a place to rant and ramble and post ridiculous pictures of my semi-boring life on.