Rainbow

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Originally uploaded by Tim Morgan

It rained pretty heavy yesterday while we were at Grand Lake. On our way home, we saw what I think was the most spectacular rainbow I've ever seen. Videos and pictures of rainbows never do them justice, so imagine this one is about 10x better than what you see here.

National Dance Day

July 31

SproutRobot

There is a really cool new website called SproutRobot that will send you seeds and tell you how to plant them based on your locale and time of year.

The company is a husband and wife pair, and I really hope they succeed -- it's such a great idea.

Nehemiah Devotion

During Wednesday & Thursday of Music Camp, we will be studying Nehemiah. Nehemiah was one of the Everyday Heroes that God used, and his story was recorded in Nehemiah 1-13 (NIV bible translation).

Intro to the story of Nehemiah:
"The year is 445 B.C. The Israelites had been living in Persia, where they had been taken as captives. Just as God had promised, He began bringing them back to their homeland. Two groups had already returned to Jerusalem, but many still remained in Persia. A man from Jerusalem came to Persia to visit a relative. The news he brought started a chain of events that revealed a hero and rocked a nation."

A "Lego" video summary of Nehemiah:

Nehemiah Video from Jennie Morgan on Vimeo.

Memory Verses to place in our mind and our hearts:

Proverbs 21:1 NIV "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases."

Deuteronomy 10:12 HCSB "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you except to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, and to worship the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul."

My prayer, "Thank you for putting the life of Nehemiah in the bible. I can't believe that he organized so many people to rebuild a wall around a city in 52 days! And they didn't even have cell phones, email, or cars to help them communicate. God, you were definitely in charge of that great project. Thank you for using Nehemiah to lead your people into rebuilding the wall for Your city, Jerusalem. I pray that you would prepare us to be a vessel, like Nehemiah. I pray that you would lead people into a relationship with You. I pray that it would happen during Music Camp. Thank you for working through ordinary people, like Nehemiah. We will have a lot of ordinary people at Music Camp, and I pray that you would make this week Extra-ordinary. I pray that this story of Nehemiah would sink deep into the kids (and volunteers) mind and heart. I pray that lives would be changed because of your word. Thank you for hearing our prayers, and being intimately involved in our lives. We love you, and thank you for the sacrifice made by Jesus; giving me chance to be adopted into your family. I pray this in the Name of Jesus. Amen."

Home Skin Remedies

Cellulite Scrub

1/2 cup coffee grounds (with cafeine)
1/4 cup brown or white sugar
1/4 cup olive oil

twice a week; apply to body in circular motions; rinse




Clear Skin Facial

6-12 Asprin (non-coated)
fresh lemon juice

Crush the Asprin in the lemon juice and let sit to make a paste. Apply to face. Leave on for 5-10 minutes.

Remove with baking soda & water on a cotton pad

Gideon Devotion

During Monday & Tuesday of Music Camp, we will be studying Gideon. Gideon was on the Everyday Heroes that God used, and his story was recorded in Judges 6-9 (NIV bible translation).

Intro to the story of Gideon:
"The year is 1190 B.C. God's chosen people, the Israelites, had been living in the promised land for 300 years. But they turned away from God and worshiped idols. So for 7 years the Lord allowed the Midianites to attack them. Whenever the Israelites tried to grow crops, the Midianites would destroy the fields, leaving them nothing to eat. The Israelites hid from the Midianites in the mountains and caves. They were scared, poor, and hungry. At last, they called out to the Lord for help. God heard their cries and called a hero into action."

A "Lego" video summary of Gideon:


Memory Verses to place in our mind and our hearts:

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Judges 6:12 NIV "When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, 'The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.'"


My prayer, "God thank you for using Gideon - a seemingly ordinary person - to do an extra-ordinary task. Thank you for bringing peace to the Israelites and answering their prayers. And as we remember the great things that you have done; we also acknowledge the great things you are doing today. I thank you that because of Jesus and his sacrifice, we have the opportunity to let your Holy Spirit work through us to accomplish extra-ordinary things every day. I pray that you would open our ears and our eyes so that we can see the ways that you are moving, just like Gideon recognized your movings. I pray for direction, just like you gave Gideon with the fleece. I pray for peace. I pray that kids that come to music camp would experience your love. I pray that you would prepare the volunteers; their hearts and their minds so that they can be your vessel. I pray that Your love would overflow from them and splash onto the other volunteers and the kids participating in the camp. May your word enter our hearts and change us. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen"

There Will Come A Day

I think God is giving me a song. Here's the start of it... we'll see where it goes when I can play the piano with it. (God thank you for this revelation study - it has renewed my spirit and challenged my heart.)

There will come a day
When I do the things I want to do
There will come a day
When I won't do the things I don't want to do
There will come a day
When I will be free of my mind and my heart, which lead me astray
Where will come a day
When I will be free to obey
free to worship
free to love
free to adore
free to focus
on my Savior and God

There will be no more distractions
or interruptions
or walls to overcome
No more barriers
or good things
or lukewarmness to rise above

It will only be the best
because He is there
My sacrifice
who paid the price
so I can be there
My best friend
My Savior
My Lord

There will come a day
When I'm washed in his grace
and I am transformed into a radiant jewel that can perfectly reflect his light.

Lord, please bring fast this day.

From the Dr. Oz Website: Healthy Speghetti & Meatballs

Ingredients

Serves 8
1 serving: 461 calories

80g carbs

6g fiber

4g fat

30g protein

Sauce
2 (25.5-oz) bottles marinara or tomato sauce with no more than 50 calories per ½ cup (reserve ½ cup for meatballs)
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
4 cloves of finely chopped fresh garlic

Meatballs
1 lb 100% white meat ground chicken breast
1/4 cup 100% whole-wheat flour
3/4 cup seasoned whole wheat bread crumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped broccoli
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped white mushrooms
1/2 cup tomato or marinara sauce (reserved from the sauce)
3 egg whites
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder

Spaghetti
1 lb 100% whole-wheat spaghetti
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions
Combine the sauce ingredients in a 10-quart pot and set over low heat. Do not allow the sauce to boil.

In a large mixing bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients and kneed well. Use a mini ice-cream scooper or your hands to make 14 to 18 meatballs. If you're using your hands to make the meatballs, you might want to have cold water nearby or spray your hands with a little cooking spray. Spray a 14-inch pan with cooking spray, heat the pan and brown the meatballs on all sides. Transfer the browned meatballs to the pot with the sauce. Raise the heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through.

While the meatballs simmer, cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and divide among 8 plates.

Top the spaghetti with equal portions of meatballs and sauce. Sprinkle each portion with 1 tbsp of Parmesan. Serve at once.

Cool Way to Hang Pictures

Morgan Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celeb - Collage - Morph

Thankful

Occasionally when we're getting in the car, Mac & I have a little conversation that goes like this:

me: "put on your seat belt"

mac: "why? cause someone will hit me?"

me: "hopefully not, but if they do the seatbelt will help keep you safe."

mac: "mommy and daddy keep me safe."

me: "yes, and really God keeps you safe."

These moments make me thankful that I have today with my child(ren). That they are happy, healthy, and safe. I pray that we would have many days to share together, and that they would know that Tim & I love them and care for them, and God loves them and cares for them WAY more than Tim & I ever could.

Just like the car wreck a few months ago, I know that in their life they will come across a lot of "wrecks" and have to deal with people and circumstances. I pray that Tim & I prepare them so that when the time comes, they know how much God loves them - and I pray that they share a love for Jesus and a desire to see others have a relationship with Christ also.

So, thinking back on the wreck makes me a little sad to be reminded that life is sometimes hard and unpleasant. But it also makes me grateful that we serve a living God that cares about what we're going through, and will one day wipe away every tear. I am thankful for everyday that I have to share with my family and friends. I love them, but even more I love Christ.

Fixing Hair

I have always had super straight hair. That is, until a few years ago. Ever since I had my first child, my hair has started getting wavy and thicker in texture. It's a funky curly. So, I've been searching for ways to fix my hair. Here's a few tips I found on ehow.com and will be trying out in the near future.

• http://www.ehow.com/how_4488294_curl-hair-using-cloth-twists.html
• http://www.ehow.com/how_4884374_fix-wavy-hair.html
• http://www.ehow.com/video_4984716_use-diffuser-curly-hair.html
• http://www.ehow.com/how_4557088_curl-dry-hair.html
• http://www.ehow.com/how_5003686_wavy-hair-overnight-hairspray.html
• http://www.ehow.com/how_4798674_use-hair-curlers-rollers.html
• http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00152SCXY/ref=asc_df_B00152SCXY967011?tag=the004-20&creative=380333&creativeASIN=B00152SCXY&linkCode=asn
• http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080228142406AA6bH4G
• http://mp.hairboutique.com/Conair-Bamboo-Soft-Curlers-12-Pack/P/120533/C/382

Mac's Eye Trick

For the last several months, Mac has been occasionally saying "I see two mommies." So we told the pediatrician at one of her visits, and she said it can be normal for a 2 year old to cross their eyes on purpose but just to make sure she sent us to a kids only eye doctor. The first visit went well, but she got stage fright and wouldn't cross her eyes (left eye goes up and right eye goes in) that day. So we had a homework project, 3 months to try to get her 'eye trick' on video. Just a few days ago I was finally able to catch it on video.



So, now we're up to current time. We went to the eye doctor yesterday for our follow up visit to the eye doc. After looking at the video and doing another small exam, he has diagnosed Mac with Brown's Syndrome. It's a rare eye syndrome, which for Mac is not letting her right eye go: up and left (45 degrees). How did I never notice that she always tilts her head slightly to the right? It's not just her being cute, it's how she sees. Good news is that there is no treatment necessary because most people grow out of this in their teen years. We don't have to do anything different, but we will have to have at least one more eye appointment (in case of misdiagnosis). What a day.

KiteFest

We had a blast on Saturday at KiteFest. Grannie, Tim, Mac, Kai, & I started the day off getting a free kite and flying it. There were at least 100 families out flying kites in the field. It looked so neat, so we called The Richters & Grandpa to come join the fun. We met them for lunch at Shiloh's (they have great rolls) and then went back for more kite flying. Grannie bought Lex, Inara, & Mac a little "bug" to keep. Then we sat and watched a "little plane" fly around. Next was playing with a ladybug (thanks Tim) and then we completed the day by watching a BIG Marine helicopter fly away.

It was Grannie's Birthday on Saturday. I think she had a fun day. Sunday went to Red Lobster for her birthday dinner.

Flattering clothes

Some tips from the show, "Booty" size on 4/28/2006 on the Oprah Winfrey show:

>>Uniform dark wash
>>Straight leg from booty to the shoe (not too tight in the thigh and knee)
>>Flat and low back pocket (no high pockets or extra flaps)
>>Alter, for the right length & waist
>>Wide waist band and/or belt
>>Jacket should bisect the booty
>>Slightly dropped waist
>>Slightly flaired, straight leg, or boot cut leg
>>No capri

Brands recommended:
>>Michael Kors: fabulous wide leg jean for booty, hip, thigh issues
>>Citizens of Humanities
>>AG Club Jeans: recommended for Oprah
>>Long & Lean by Gap: Tricia Year Wood everyday
>>LE Tahari: Tricia Year Wood designer

Perfect black pants
>>low midrise
>>wide band (around waist)
>>good quality fabric to skim the leg
>>mid width leg pant
>>brand: Akris "classic side zip pant" $700
>>brand: Banana Republic "Martin" $98
>>brand: Gap Stretch "Curvy" $49

Underware suggestions
>>Donna Karen Body Perfect collection, the slimmer
>>Nude thong under white pants
>>Seamless boy short or thong
>>Spanx

Khaki suggestions:
>>avoid side cargo pocket
>>brand: Elle Tahari "Avery"
>>brand: Ralph Lauren "Lauren"