A Week in the Life of Hannah Morgan

I'd like to think that lately my life has become pretty "routine" so I thought I'd share with you what my weeks like - I know you're super excited. Here we go:

Monday

wake up around 10:00 (a HUGE blessing)

take Monster out

shower

eat lunch

work* 11:45-5:15

*work consists of assisting in teaching the Sports class at Gymboree 12-1:00. we cover a different sport about every 3 weeks. these past couple of weeks we've done Track & Field. this includes hurdles, long jump, relay races, and obstacle courses. now, imagine watching 3 and 4 year olds doing all those grown up sounding things and PLEASE smile, because you know it's adorable. and trust me - it is. 

after Sports class there is our School Skills class. it's a preschool alternative parents can choose for their 3-5 year old. we work on letters, numbers, arts and crafts, fine motor skills, writing, and sequencing - just to name a few. I have learned so much from helping Ms. Jenny - about being a teacher, being patient, and how important it is to have Germ-X nearby at all time. 

from 3:15-5:15 I work the playgym - when the facility is open for kids and parents to come and just play without it being structured. when you're the teacher doing the playgym you will make phone calls, get things ready for the upcoming weeks, and clean all those toys.*

get off work

eat dinner with mom & dad

take Monster to dog park

watch tv/finish up homework/troll the Internet/eat snacks

watch at least one episode of Friends or Grey's Anatomy

go to sleep 

Tuesday

wake up at 7:45 (sometimes 8:00) 

take Monster out

shower

leave house by 9:00

drive to Warrensburg*

*driving to Warrensburg consists of listening to music, trying to wake myself up, and preparing for the day of classes ahead. I have found this is a great time to pray. I pray about literally everything. I think I could be considered like, an ADHD Prayerer? is that a thing? it is now. I'll be praying for my teachers and asking the Lord to give them wisdom and I'll see a billboard about a construction company and then start praying/asking God about like, how do You make their minds be able to build a house? that's just an example, I'm sure there are weirder ones than that.*

arrive in Warrensburg around 9:30/9:40

park across from library

walk to class*

*classes consist of Physics for Teachers 10:00-11:50, Foundations of Education 12:30-1:20, and Collaborating with Families of Exceptional Children 2:00-3:15*

leave Warrensburg

get to Lee's Summit around 4:15

let Monster out/feed him

relax for a little bit

leave for work at 5:00*

*work on Tuesday night is a Level 4 and Level 5 class. these kiddos are the best. they've been pretty much the same kids since I started in February so they know me and we're best friends - at least in my mind.* 

leave work around 8:00

go home

talk with mom and dad

watch tv/eat dinner/troll Internet

SLEEP (Tuesday nights I am exhausted.)

Wednesday

wake up around 8:30 

take Monster out 

shower

go to work at 9:30*

*work on Wednesdays consists of Level 4, 5, and 3 classes. these have been growing in numbers with more kids the past couple of weeks so they've been really fun.*

leave work around 1:00

go home

eat lunch

let Monster out/feed him/play with him

go back to work around 3:00*

*work at 3:00 is another playgym - phone calls, cleaning, and preparing.*

leave work at 5:15

go home

quickly eat dinner

drive to Blue Springs for choir rehearsal*

*on September 11th I auditioned for First Baptist's praise team. this would be a spot on one of the "leading teams." after anxiously waiting over the weekend I got an email on Monday telling me that I had been placed on a team - Team 3! I was (still am) very excited. I'm excited to be able to keep singing and using my voice to worship. Joining the praise team means that I'm now a member of the big church choir, too AND I've become apart of the choir that puts on the Christmas program - First Christmas. we practice at 6:30 every Wednesday night for the program in December. it's going to be great! I've been put in a quintet for that, too - singing soprano..yay! exciting things - all in the Lord's plan :) ****Mrs. Rule if you are reading this? I took your advice - thank you for saying something.*

drive home

watch tv/talk with parents/troll Internet

sleep! 

Thursday

*see Tuesday 

*my Thursdays are very similar to my Tuesdays except (thankfully - a blessing) I do not work in the evenings. 

get home around 4:15

relax/work on homework

eat dinner with mom & dad

go to Life Group at 6:30*

*Life Group consists of meeting with a group of about 8 adults, doing a Bible study and eating snacks together. it's been really great getting to know some other people that go to First and just being involved with adults.*

watch tv/finish up homework/troll the Internet/eat snacks

watch at least one episode of Friends or Grey's Anatomy

go to sleep 

Friday

sleep in sometimes* (it's glorious)

*sometimes means that I will doing my 30 hours on observation at Voy Spears Elementary in Lee's Summit on Friday mornings. We've set it up to do 9:30-12:30 on Fridays and that same time slot on Mondays to get my 30 hours done.* 

take Monster out

shower

do all the homework

watch TV

wear pajamas

play with/walk Monster

eat dinner out with mom & dad

get a Redbox

stay up later

sleep 

Saturday

sleep in mostly always

bum around

homework

volunteer*

*Saturdays have been the day that I've been able to some volunteering for Crossroads - the hospice company where my dad is a chaplain. I've sat with the same patient a couple of times now. I take my homework so it has been a blessing for me as well letting his wife get out of the house for a couple of hours. 

hang out with parents

see Bradee - we've gone shopping a couple of Saturdays!

eat dinner out or in

get another movie

stay up kinda late

sleep!

Sunday

wake up around 7:45 (sometimes later, sorry mom)

take Monster out

shower

get ready for church

dad drives us to Blue Springs

worship at 9:00

help teach the 4 year olds in the Yellow room with Ms Joyce at 10:30*

*the Yellow room is probably one of my favorite things all week. I adore those kids. 

leave church to go home

PUT ON SWEATS - my favorite thing

take Monster out

eat lunch at home

watch Chiefs/nap on couch

finish homework

bum around 

hang out with parents

eventually get to sleep after Internets/snacks/tv

Well there you have it. my week - exhilarating, huh? you know what? I love it. I love being busy, having a job, playing and learning with all the children, hanging out with my parents and playing with Monster. typing this all out has once again reminded me of just how crazy it is that I'm here, doing all these things, when 8 months ago I no longer wanted to be alive. 

The Lord has turned my world upside down and changed it only for the better. I'm not that girl anymore. I still struggle with things that she went through, but I'm a new creation in so many ways. it's SO....UGH I can't even think of a word worthy of how I feel - I'll work on that. 

thank you for reading this. I really enjoyed typing all these words. 

I hope your week has started well.*

it's OCTOBER - so crazy. my birthday is in 10 days! eeeeep! 

*please please please take a moment to take a deep breath and thank God for creating this crazy, beautiful, and messy world. I think the world needs our prayers and good thoughts now more than ever. that also goes for the person sitting next to you, the barista at Starbucks, and the cashier at Target - they all need your love, thoughts, and prayers. and if you start praying for strangers someday you'll be the stranger being prayed for (did any of that make ANY sense?)*

I love you, Jesus loves you and MAN does He want you to know that. 

xoxo,

H

A Weekend at Westminster

as mentioned a couple of posts ago in my "things coming up" segment (that sounds so official!) I had a trip to see my friend Shannon planned. Shannon's 22nd birthday was September 16th so on the 13th I went to Westminster College in Fulton, MO to spend the weekend with her. 

on the road there...

I got there Friday afternoon and waited for her to get out of class. We joyously hugged hello (her hugs are the BEST) and took my stuff into her dorm. She's an RA so she has a room all to herself. Part of her being an RA includes doing fun activities with her hall - things like water balloon fights and slip 'n slides. we ran to a dollar store, got balloons, and filled those babies up. talk about a good time. Westminster is a small, private school and it was so cool to see how different the student life is there compared to a "big" school like MSU. kids (I say kids because it was the freshman quad and I felt ANCIENT) hung out all around with each other. 

after an intense water balloon fight and some slippin' 'n slidin' (I watched that part) we ate some dinner that was prepared by the dining hall. burgers, hot dogs, fries, and some very yummy cookies. we sat around and talked with the students. I met a lot of people and they were so so nice. I kept telling Shannon how nervous I was - it'd been so long since I'd been around lots of people "my age" besides Bradee and Annie! It was silly to be nervous, but a perk to having Shannon as a close friend? you can tell her you're nervous and she will roll her eyes in a nice way and say "oh stop." and it somehow helps you not be so nervous. 

Friday night we hung out with Shannon's sorority sisters - something else I was nervous about. once again I was shown I had no need for fear - these girls were great. I really really enjoyed talking with them. of course we talked about boys a lot, so who wouldn't like that? ;) 

on Saturday morning we slept in and then another good friend from high school, Madeline came! we three girls ate brunch with other RAs before going to the football game. it was a beautiful day and Shannon let us wear some of her Blue Jays gear so we didn't stick out TOO much :) 

sports!

after the game Madeline's twin sister, Meredith got to town. it was so great to see her again - I saw her earlier in May when I stayed in Chillicothe with Shannon. we stopped by the JV soccer game and then went to a hog roast. (if I had to sum up the weekend in a couple of words I'd choose food, sports, and friends. I ate SO much and watched a lot of sports!)

after the hog roast (with the pig's head on display and everything) we went back to Shannon's room. Meredith and I took a nap - I don't remember planning that? it just happened and it was glorious. then we went back out to hang with the Theta girls. 

Sunday morning we got up and met Shannon's parents, Dave and Cindy, in Columbia for lunch. it's ALWAYS great seeing them - especially when they graciously buy our Olive Garden. we caught them up on our lives and ate yummy food. we then drove back to Fulton and Shannon opened her birthday presents which made me (really selfishly, I know) excited for my upcoming birthday. she got really cute things, including a sewing kit and CUTE sewing box from her parents. 

we then said our goodbyes, got some last minute "you can do it" advice from Cindy and hugged goodbye in the parking lot, making plans for the next time we'll see each other. 

Meredith, Shannon, me, and Madeline

I'm SO glad we got to spend time together. lots of laughs and memories made. can't wait to do it again!

xoxo,

H

A Night with Mumford

hi, friends :)

on June 17th my parents, my cousin Ronda and I went to the Mumford & Sons concert in Bonner Springs, KS.

it was fantastic.

Ronda and I went ahead of my parents to stake out a place to sit. it was really great getting to spend some time with just her - we're usually surrounded by our family haha so we got to chat and be excited together. I was a giggling MESS with excitement, y'all.

we arrived before the gates were opened so the line was ridiculous, but our wait was not very long and of course it was perfect for prime people watching.

all those people 

we got in there and put our blankets down on the grass. my dad had a great idea of bringing plastic we had used to wrap my bed in while it was storage to put on the ground first and then put our blankets on that in case it was wet. (did that make ANY sense?) Ronda and I quickly found out that yes, that was a great idea, BUT as we sat there...we slowly started to slide down the hill. it was really funny and we decided to nix that and just use the grass. 

our seats on the lawn!

The two opening bands were really great and fun. I honestly can't remember their names which is awful of me, but they were fun! Mom and dad got there and about an hourish later Mumford came on. I had decided to go to the bathroom thinking "they won't come on while I'm in there!" HA. they did. I was in a bathroom stall when they started their set with "Babel." I was SO MAD. but when I got out of the bathroom I waited at the top of the hill and got to experience the song "Little Lion Man" alone - something I don't regret. It was incredible. they are so fantastic live. 

It was such a fun night. I'm so glad I got to experience with my parents, too. I know that on the surface it may sound lame to people my age or whatever, but my parents are cool -ok? and Ronda is, too  :)

LOVE THEM SO MUCH

 This night 

was one of those 

that will be counted as "my favorites." 

xoxo, H

oh - hi, September!

Hello, friends :)
a lot has been happening around here!
Let me update you:

on August 11th the parentals and I went to Starlight Theatre in KC to see my little cousin, Karson sing before the main stage show - Footloose. She sang really well and the show was pretty good. It was the first production I'd seen since leaving MSU in February...talk about some emotions. I was afraid I was going to have this freak out moment of "oh my goodness...what am I doing? I miss this - I want to be back on the stage." I was very relieved to not have those thoughts. I do miss singing - but I am taking steps to get that back in my life (I'll explain later.) I know that I'm where I'm supposed to be and that feeling - that peace? is indescribable.

Starlight!

me and pops

I got another haircut...I went to a salon in downtown Lee's Summit and the guy who did it wanted to "have some fun." so...I got an asymmetrical cut.

as you can see - one side is shorter than the other. it's different, but it has really grown (pa ha) on me. I've gotten the hang of styling it and really enjoy the ease of getting ready!

On the 17th we got together with some family and had a fun day out! We ate at Pizza Street, went to a park, and then fed some animals! It was great to see the kids and be able to play with them. 

Harper in action

Syd flyin' high!

all the kids (and dad)

just feedin' an elk

After feeding the animals we ate dinner at our house and spent more time together. It was a warm day but a good day! My mom has the best ideas.

On our last official night of summer, Bradee and I watched Singin in the Rain and ate Panera on her couch. It was good to talk through our nerves about school starting - I really love that girl. 

on August 20th I started classes. the night before I was mess of nerves. I was so...afraid. Afraid of the new school, the people, the teachers, classes - everything. If you know me you know I don't like to do things that I'm bad at. at MSU I had gotten used to the campus, I had a ton of friends, and - until things started going downhill- I had a great outlook on what my future held. I saw going to UCM and being the New Girl as this challenge that I didn't even want to take on. I hate getting lost, I hate small talk, and I hate just not knowing things. I just hated the thought of starting over. Thankfully the Lord is in control and I'm not, right? sheesh. 

first day of school outfit

I started the day with the things that I could control. I got a new skirt and shirt so I felt comfortable (maxi skirts are heaven) and I also felt confident - my hair cooperated and my face wasn't acting up too badly :) I had laid my outfit out the night before so I wasn't rushed after showering - this eased my mind tremendously.  I had made my lunch the night before and it was ready to go but..it stayed at the house because I totally spaced on grabbing it. But at least I made it! 

Classes were great. I really like all my teachers. I go to Warrensburg on Tuesday/Thursday for 3 classes, 10:00-3:15. and I'm also in 2 online classes. Talk about homework! I've been able to keep up with everything and it's the third week in, so I'm not too overwhelmed just yet. I look forward to going to class, which is new and refreshing. I had forgotten how much I LOVE school...I am such a teacher's pet. It's a little ridiculous. Overall I can say that my prayers have been answered - I am surviving, learning, and enjoying all the hard work that I'm putting in. It's so wild to look back at a year ago and see how much I've changed and grown for the better. 

I'm still loving working with the kiddos in Sunday School. Joyce and I moved rooms and moved up with the kids on Promotion Sunday, so it's been fun being in a new room and meeting some new kids.

a balanced meal

my friend, Madison

Work at Gymboree is still going well. I find it funny that it's even called work. I get to play with kids and watch them learn and grow. I've learned so much about myself, too. It's been really eye-opening in a lot of aspects. One of my "students" from my Level 4 class (level 4 is 16-22 month olds), Brynnley, has stolen my heart. She is a sweetie and her parents are really great. One night she brought me a flower and it made my WEEK.

Now, I cant leave without a picture of Monster, right? He's still the best puppy ever. He is a ball of energy and brings me so much joy. He will be 8 months old on the 17th! 

wind in your hair...

Things that are coming up:

a visit to see my friend Shannon!

Mumford and Sons concert

Grey's Anatomy season premiere. 

Autumn

My birthday! :)

Thank you for reading all these words!

I love you very much. 

xoxo,

H

Life Lately

hi :)

can you believe it's August? summer is almost over. time is crazy. here's what I've been up to these past few weeks:

Monster and I went through the bank's drive thru and they gave him a dog bone - he was very pleased. (yes, I'm that lady who tells you about going to the bank just to show you a cute picture of her dog.)

such a ham.

married! yay love!

a dear high school friend of mine, Abbey, got married on the 3rd. I got to go back to where I grew up, Chillicothe. the wedding was beautiful, the cake was delicious, and the bride was stunning. I got to catch up with so many people, it was great. lots of hugs and lots of sweet words. I also got to talk to two of my favorite teachers from high school for a long time - I loved it. 

I also got to stay and catch up with my forever friend, Jessica. her parents have some goats that are mowing the grass around a lagoon for them, so we visited them. they were very cute. we also played Wii tennis, and Mario Cart. and of course stayed up entirely too late talking and giggling - a much needed reunion!

she really liked us. 

I met a goat.

On Saturday night my dad and I decided to ride bikes! We rode up to a conservation area near our house that has several lakes. The total trip was about 6 miles. Oh yeah - I hadn't ridden a bike since senior year in high school. Sunday morning my bottom was pretty angry with me. I am no longer sore, thank goodness, but I am ready to ride again! It was pretty difficult, but we didn't stop - even though dad offered several times - I did NOT want to be That Girl Who Had To Stop. Stubborn? Me? Never. My dad is a patient man. One of the many, many thing I admire about him. I was reminded of this trait when he waited for me to slowly inch up the last couple of hills before we reached home. I am excited for more night likes this. 

we HAD to take a picture!

Mom's job has officially started! She started training last week and will continue through this week. All of the new employees had to take a test to be able to keep their job - anyone who got under an 80% would be let go. Mom studied every night leading up to the test on Friday morning and she not only passed, she ROCKED it with 98%! I am so proud of her! She's now doing more one - on - one training and learning more every day. I'm very excited for her and this new chapter of her work life! 

Official Things!

Gymboree is still great. I get hugs and high fives daily - what else can I ask for? (I suppose the paycheck is nice, too.) 

School begins in one week. My feelings about this are all over the map. I'm excited, nervous, anxious, scared, happy, etc. I am ready, I know I am, but MAN it's intimidating. I'm starting all over - new major, new school, new everything. Lots of deep breaths and prayers will help me get through. I went to Warrensburg this past Tuesday and got my ID card and I also received my parking tag! Things are pretty official now. My online classes have ended. I got an A in my Communication Disorders class and a B in Teaching the Exceptional Child. I am very pleased and worked hard for those letters! It's a GREAT feeling to see hard work pay off. 

I hope your days are going well. Fall is right around the corner! Exciting things are to come. 

school

cooler weather

pumpkin flavored everything

World Series baseball! 

my 22nd (what?!) birthday - October 18th (gifts? what? I like those...)

I love you - thank you so much for reading. 

xoxo

H

life according to my iPhone

so life has gotten back to normal since coming back from vacation. I'm working lots and still helping at church. I have finished one of my online classes and will finish the other one in a couple of weeks! it's been tough, but I've learned a lot and have actually done really well! amazing what studying and doing your assignments will do, right?

I missed Monster - a lot.

mom got a job - YAY so we celebrated

after the dog park

being cute again

with a friend's dog - Abby

cheesecake!

pool hangs

Life is good and about to get crazy with school officially starting on the 20th of August. I'm rather nervous about classes/meeting new people/making friends...prayers would be appreciated :) mom will be starting her new job soon so that will be an adjustment - I'll miss getting to hang out with her during the day! but it is such a blessing that she found something new and different. Gymboree has been going well - I really enjoy what I do. The kids are great and I'm learning a lot. This season of life has definitely turned into an educating one. I've learned a lot about spending time with myself - how it is OKAY to be alone. I've also learned that I'm super excited for the next chapter in life. I'm ready to move forward and see what the Lord has in store for me. Things are definitely in the works, I can feel it - so exciting! I love y'all! 

xoxo

H

On Holiday...

Hello!

This was our view from our room :)

 As I mentioned in my last post, the parents and I went down to Gulf Shoes, Alabama for a week of vacation. It was just what we needed. We drove down, which wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be - to be honest. We listened to books on CD and that helped the time pass much more quickly. I did school work also, which was NOT fun...but productive.

holding a baby kangaroo!

mom did, too!

we also held lemurs

fed them nuts, and they drank gatorade. 

so cute!

my very first time flying a kite!

white sand forever

we loved spending time on the beach!

we went on a dolphin cruise and saw LOTS of dolphins - they also let me drive the boat >>>>

we stayed at the Plantation for the week

beautiful sunsets

wonderful family time

all the family!

We went to Waco, TX before we went home - it was super great to see Josh and Ashley. Us girls painted pottery and got our nails done while the boys played disc golf at a local park. It was so fun! We played cards that night and went to church before going home. The time spent with them was short, but full of stories, laughter, and love. 

We really had a wonderful time. We ate lots of seafood and laughed a lot. I'm excited for trips in the future! 

love,

H